Polymers
HP Industry Perspectives: Second-generation petrochemical processes take lead
Ethylene is the bellwether petrochemical. Almost all petrochemicals begin with ethylene and proceed to other major petrochemicals, including polyethylene (PE), ethylene dichloride, ethylbenzene and et..
CB&I to market Versalis polyethylene technologies in North America
CB&I will be able to offer both tubular and autoclave high pressure processes, which will enhance the range of products at Versalis' LDPE and EVA plants and add a high-quality product mix.
CB&I, Clariant partner on polypropylene catalysts
The partnership strengthens both companies’ position in polypropylene catalyst and technology by leveraging Clariant’s catalyst research and development and production know-how together with CB&I’s vast knowledge in catalyst, process design and licensing of polypropylene plants.
BASF, Alpek agree to swap EPS, polyurethane business in Americas
Alpek will acquire all of Polioles’ EPS business activities, including its EPS production site in Altamira, Mexico. In parallel, BASF will acquire Polioles’ PU business activities, including selected assets in its Lerma facility as well as all marketing and selling rights for PU systems, isocyanates and polyols.
HP Global: The reshaping of Latin America’s petrochemical industry
Latin American economies continue to grow. Fig. 1 shows the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates from 2010 through 2018 for this region. Brazil accounts for 35% of the total GDP growth. For the p..
HP Petrochemicals: Major US players turn focus to propane dehydrogenation
As of today, seven projects have been proposed in the field of propane dehydrogenation (PDH), which can convert propane into propylene as well as the byproduct hydrogen.
China to build crude MDI plant for polyurethanes with BASF, Huntsman
With the new plant, the MDI capacity will be doubled to 480,000 tpy. In addition, the partners plan to build a HCl (hydrogen chloride) recycling plant for the production of chlorine, a precursor for MDI.
INEOS acquires BASF share in global styrenics JV
Styrolution was founded in October 2011 as a 50-50 joint venture between BASF and INEOS, and is the leading global styrenics supplier, according to company officials.
Braskem to build new polyethylene plant at Texas Gulf Coast complex
The new plant in Texas will manufacture ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), making it the first time for Braskem to produce UHMWPE outside of its home base in Brazil.
Sasol, INEOS approve construction of new Texas polyethylene facility
INEOS will operate the new high-density polyethylene plant at its Battleground manufacturing complex in La Porte, Texas. Plant start-up is expected in the 2016 calendar year.

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