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Polymers

Westlake bids for US chemicals firm Georgia Gulf

Westlake Chemical has submitted an unsolicited proposal to US-based chemicals firm Georgia Gulf to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Georgia Gulf for $30/share in cash. Thus far, Georgia Gulf’s management “has been unwilling to engage in substantive discussions", the company said.

ADM to end US bioplastics alliance with Metabolix

US-based bioscience firm Metabolix announced Thursday that Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has given a termination notice for its role in the companies’ Telles joint venture for PHA bioplastics. ADM said projected financial returns from the alliance were too uncertain.

LyondellBasell to shut two polypropylene lines in Germany

HP Editorial Staff: HP News

LyondellBasell will shut down two polypropylene (PP) lines in Wesseling, Germany, by mid-2012, seeking to reduce costs and maintain its competitive position.

Celanese finalizes deal to acquire polyvinyl acetate lines from Ashland

US-based specialty materials producer Celanese completed its acquisition of certain polyvinyl acetate assets from Ashland. The deal was first announced in November, and financial terms were not disclosed.

Apply new enhanced tubes to optimize heat transfer in LNG trains

Technip France: Ploix, B.
Wieland-Werke AG: Lang, T.

New developments for heat exchangers reduce capital and plot size of key equipment

HP Construction: Asia Pacific

Hydrocarbon Processing Staff: Meche, Helen

Davy Process Technology Ltd., a Johnson Matthey company, and The Dow Chemical Co.’s Oxygenated Solvents Business, have announced that Wison (Nanjing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd., has selected LP Oxo S..

Dow, Aksa form carbon fiber venture in Turkey

Dow Chemical and Turkey-based Aksa on Tuesday formed a joint venture to manufacture and commercialize carbon fiber and derivatives. Total investment in the project, including third-party investments, is expected to reach $1 billion in five years and create up to 1,000 employment opportunities, the companies said.

Coca-Cola plans to have 100% plant-based bottle

Coca-Cola expects to have a plastic bottle made entirely from plant-based materials ready for commercial use in the next few years as it looks to reduce its reliance on petroleum used in traditional plastic bottles. Coca-Cola believes it can have the plant-based bottle developed by 2015 so that, by 2020, all of its plastic bottles can be using the new material.

Chevron Phillips Chemical plans new Texas ethane cracker for 2017

HP Editorial Staff: HP News

The company will build a world-scale cracker at its existing Cedar Bayou complex as well as two nearby polyethylene units.

Momentive, UPC form China phenolic resin venture

Momentive Specialty Chemicals and UPC Technology Corp. have now signed a definitive joint venture agreement creating Momentive Union Specialty Chemicals, a venture that will build manufacturing capacity in China to produce specialty phenolic resins.