Polymers
Executive Viewpoint: FCC propylene production, catalysts technologies and new solutions
Welcome to <i>Hydrocarbon Processing’s</i> new Executive Series. In this enhanced video platform, the editors speak with the operators and technology leaders and suppliers that are optimizing the global hydrocarbon processing industry (HPI).
Business Trends: A 2024 and beyond outlook for the GCC chemical industry
The global chemical industry faced a challenging year in 2023. Various factors contributed to sluggish demand growth for chemicals globally, including the European recession, U.S. inflation and a lower-than-expected chemical demand rebound in China. These factors resulted in global chemical market growth of < 1% in 2023, with many producers experiencing lower output.
Control primary properties online in polyethylene and polypropylene rectors by using functional correlations
Polyolefins products such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) form approximately 65%–70% of all polymers manufactured globally.
A novel process for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to produce ethylene and acetic acid
The authors’ company has developed a commercial chemical process<sup>a</sup> for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODH-E). By means of a heterogeneous catalyst, ethane and oxygen are selectively converted into ethylene and acetic acid, which, after separation and purification, are provided in polymer-grade and glacial quality, respectively.
Qatar Energy lays foundation stone for Ras Laffan petrochemical complex
The complex will house an ethane cracker with a capacity of 2.1 MMtpy of ethylene, making it the largest in the Middle East and one of the largest in the world, and raising Qatar’s ethylene production capacity by more than 40%.
LG Chem and CJ CheilJedang join forces to commercialize bio-nylon
LG Chem and CJ CheilJedang have created a JV plant for bio-nylon production to penetrate the eco-friendly market.
BASF launches ChemCycling in the U.S.
BASF is offering customers ISSC+ certified advanced recycled building blocks from the BASF TotalEnergies Petrochemicals facility in Port Arthur, Texas. ChemCycling utilizes recycled feedstock that is derived from plastic waste in the conventional production process, thereby partially replacing fossil resources.
Axens successfully starts up hydrocracking units at Shenghong's integrated refinery in China
Axens successfully started several new units at Shenghong Refining & Chemical (Lianyungang) Co. Ltd’s crude-to-paraxylene complex in China’s province of Jiangsu.
Improve specialty chemical production through digital transformation
From large petrochemical plants to smaller-scale specialty chemical operations, digital transformation is a significant technology and operational improvement trend throughout the global chemical industry.
Plastic pyrolysis oils as feedstock for steam crackers: Opportunities and challenges—Part 2
Plastic waste is a worldwide challenge. To reduce its carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) footprint, the plastics industry is striving to increase circularity by using plastic pyrolysis oils (pyoils) from waste plastics as steam cracker feedstock.

- Carbon capture tops agenda at GPAE Conference 2025 6/17
- INEOS to cease phenol production at German site, cites high European energy costs and CO2 tax policy 6/17
- Petrobras signs $892 MM in contracts to complete RNEST Train 2 refinery expansion 6/17
- China's May refinery throughput at 9-month low on plant overhauls (1) 6/17
- bp completes turnaround work at 250,000-bpd refinery in Washington (U.S.) 6/17
- Japan's Eneos restarts 77,000-bpd Kawasaki CDU after unplanned shutdown 6/17