Polymers
Oman’s Orpic picks LyondellBasell polypropylene technology at new plant
"We selected the LyondellBasell Spheripol process for its ability to cost-effectively produce a wide range of high-quality products that are demanded by our customers throughout the Middle East and South East Asia," said Henk Pauw, Orpic's general manager for the Liwa plastics project.
Mexichem acquires German PVC producer Vestolit
Mexichem is acquiring Vestolit from Strategic Value Partners for a total of €219 million in cash, supporting Mexichem’s strategy of global growth in high-end specialty products.
Improve compressor reliability with advanced chemical treatments
Although many olefin plants are making big investments in hardware and metallurgy to improve compressor performance and to extend run lengths, the reliability, efficiency and throughput capacity of the CGC are still key influences on plant profitability.
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.

- Alpek will cease operations at its PET facility in North Carolina (U.S.) 6/6
- ANDRITZ to acquire Diamond Power Intl. businesses 6/6
- ABB launches AMXE Marine Motor to enhance vessel efficiency 6/6
- Private refiners tap India's drivers as export markets tighten 6/6
- Irving Oil invests $100 MM in Saint John refinery upgrade 6/6
- IEA: Global energy investment set to hit record $3.3 T in 2025 6/6