Americas
Blast at Brazilian refinery burns three workers
The fire and explosion at Petrobras' 323,000-bpd Landulpho Alves (RLAM) complex is the second major accident to occur at Brazil's second-largest refinery within a week.
BASF to expand 1,4-butanediol capacity by 10% from Louisiana plant
BASF will increase its production capacities for the chemical intermediate 1,4-butanediol (BDO) by 10% at its site in Geismar, Louisiana as of 2016.
Greyrock, Nerd Gas to partner on GTL units in US
Through an affiliate, US GTL, the companies are working to ensure that GTL facilities can utilize Wyoming natural gas and produce clean transportation fuels for local consumption.
Petrobras ships first naphtha to Braskem from Abreu e Lima refinery
The first batch of petrochemical naphtha from Petrobras' Abreu e Lima refinery will be delivered to customer Braskem, a petrochemicals group with operations across Brazil.
Chemical board issues safety bulletin on Alabama plant ammonia release
The safety lessons were derived from an investigation into a 2010 anhydrous ammonia release that occurred at Millard Refrigerated Services, located in Theodore, Alabama.
Amec Foster Wheeler wins work on new Texas syngas-to-liquids project
The scope of work includes engineering design and definition work utilizing key process technology and equipment suppliers, as well as execution planning activities for the facility that will use biomass gasification and West Texas shale gas to feed a Fischer Tropsch unit to produce jet fuel.
Pacific Ethanol installs cogeneration technology to cut California emissions
The cogeneration system will displace purchased electricity by using Ener-Core's gradual oxidizer technology to convert waste gas from ethanol production and natural gas into electricity and steam.
Albemarle, Rockwood merge specialty chemicals
"Today is a great day for Albemarle as we welcome our new employees and join forces to create a premier specialty chemicals company," said Luke Kissam, Albemarle's CEO.
Honeywell begins production of new low-GWP blowing agent, propellant
Honeywell projects that use of its low GWP Solstice materials to replace HFCs will eliminate more than 350 metric MMt in CO2 equivalents by 2025.
US plastic resins output shows monthly decline
US production of major plastic resins totaled 6.1 billion pounds during November 2014, a decrease of 2.2% compared to the same month in 2013, according to the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

- IHI, Vopak to launch ammonia terminal project in Japan 7/11
- India's BPCL plans to shut Bina refinery unit for 15-day maintenance in August 7/11
- Soaring electric truck sales deal new blow to diesel use in China 7/11
- Russia`s Tatneft launches new hydrocracking unit on TANECO refinery 7/11
- IEA: Global oil market may be tighter than it looks 7/11
- India must boost its petchem output to counter China's dominance, Reliance says 7/11