Americas
Chromatic acquires new valve line, boosts output at new Texas facility
Chromatic Industries is ramping up production of its key technology, the Hemiwedge valve product, at a new specialized manufacturing facility located just north of The Woodlands, Texas, having begun a full production schedule at the 30,000-square-foot facility in November 2011.
US oil groups ask EPA to cut cellulosic biofuel rule
The NPRA, API and Western States Petroleum Association jointly filed a petition Friday requesting that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) waive the 2011 cellulosic biofuel volume mandate in its entirety. The groups claim no cellulosic biofuel was actually produced last year.
Sempra wins US approval to export Louisiana LNG
The US Department of Energy said Friday it has authorized Cameron LNG to export liquefied natural gas, opening the door wider for US natural gas companies to send their bounty overseas. Cameron also has to win government approval to build export facilities at the Cameron Parish site.
Albemarle launches electronic materials business
US specialty chemicals producer Albemarle has officially announced the formation of its Electronic Materials business unit. The business has already begun selling commercial quantities of ultra high purity trimethyl gallium (TMG) and triethylgallium (TEG) under its new PureGrowth brand name.
Keystone XL ruling shows need to diversify energy exports - Canada minister
Obama's decision to deny TransCanada a permit for Keystone XL underlines the need for Canada to diversify its energy exports, with particular focus on China, the official says.
Williams starts Springville line in Marcellus Shale
Williams Partners on Thursday continued its emphasis on Marcellus Shale infrastructure by starting up its Springville natural gas gathering pipeline. The project is a key component of a strategy to provide Marcellus producers with reliable large-scale infrastructure and connect them to key markets, the company said.
PPG finalizes acquisition of Colombia coatings units
PPG Industries has completed its acquisition of the coatings businesses of Colpisa Colombiana de Pinturas and its affiliates, including Colpisa Ecuador. Colpisa has been a technology licensee of PPG automotive OEM coatings since 1996 and a distributor of PPG automotive refinish products since 2004.
CB&I awarded oil sands expansion work in Canada
CB&I has won a contract, valued in excess of $750 million, by Imperial Oil Resources for work on its Kearl expansion project in Alberta, Canada. Work scope includes the engineering, procurement and module assembly and construction of a second bitumen extraction plant.
BP unveils global energy outlook through 2030, boosts demand estimate
Global energy demand will continue to grow over the next 20 years, albeit at a slowing annual rate, fueled by economic and population growth in non-OECD countries, BP said in its Energy Outlook 2030 report. The demand projection is up 1.2% from the year-earlier estimate.
Obama rejects TransCanada pipeline Keystone XL
The Obama administration on Wednesday formally rejected TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline expansion. However, TransCanada and other companies will be allowed to reapply with an alternate route going through Nebraska, where an important regional aquifer is located.
- INEOS receives €300-million grant to rejuvenate and decarbonize its Lavera plant 2/19
- AGC Vinythai commissions expanded chlor-alkali plant and e-BiTAC electrolyzers from thyssenkrupp nucera 2/19
- BASF launches AdBlue GE (green electricity) to decarbonize mobility value chain 2/19
- Carbon Neutral Fuels select Johnson Matthey, bp and Honeywell UOP technologies for UK SAF plant 2/19
- Kazakhstan to build a new $10-B, 10-MMtpy refinery 2/18
- U.S. EPA expected to send 2026 biofuel blending quotas to White House this week 2/18

