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Polymers

EU approves styrenics JV between BASF, INEOS

The EU Commission on Wednesday gave its approval for the Styrolution joint venture between Germany-based BASF and UK-based INEOS.

LyondellBasell will seek sale of France refinery, turns site focus to petrochemicals

LyondellBasell is attempting to sell its 105,000 bpd refinery at Berre, France, as part of a plan to focus on petrochemical assets at that location.

BASF, INEOS ink deal for global styrenics JV

BASF and INEOS have signed a joint venture (JV) contract to combine businesses in styrene monomers (SM), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene-butadiene block copolymers (SBC) and other styrene-based copolymers (SAN, AMSAN, ASA, MABS) and copolymer blends into the Styrolution venture.

BASF to build 300,000 tonne/yr TDI plant in Europe

BASF announced Thursday that it will build the world’s largest single-train TDI (toluene diisocyanate) plant in Europe, with 300,000 tonnes/yr (tpy) of capacity and fully integrated with precursor production.

Dow generates energy from recycled plastic in US

Dow Chemical said on Monday that it had successfully used recycled plastic to generate energy. The successful pilot test measured how plastic that has been reused and recycled to the full extent possible can be used as fuel for an end-of-life option instead of going to a landfill for disposal.

Specialty chemical firm Chemtura to establish bromine JV with India’s Archean Group

US specialty chemical firm Chemtura signed a deal to establish a strategic alliance, including a joint venture, in bromine and brominated derivatives with India-based Archean Group.

US chemical production increased in April across all regions - ACC

US chemical production rose in April by 0.3% month on month, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) said, returning to growth after a flat March. Production increased in all regions, with the largest gains in the Northeast, Ohio Valley, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Global chemical M&A activity jumps sharply in Q1

Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the global chemicals industry jumped significantly in the first quarter of 2011 when compared to the same period of 2010, according to a study from advisory firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Honeywell to buy US phenol/acetone plant from Sunoco for $85mn

US refiner Sunoco said on Wednesday that it has agreed to sell its 1 billion pounds/year phenol and acetone manufacturing facility in Philadelphia for $85mn to Honeywell.

SABIC, Sinopec to construct 260,000 tonne/year polycarbonate plant in China by 2015

Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec) said on Tuesday that they will build a new polycarbonate production plant in China with a capacity of 260,000 tonnes/year.