Americas
Total Safety acquires Pacific Environmental Consulting
Total Safety has acquired Pacific Environmental Consulting, a British Columbia-based industrial hygiene, occupational safety and environmental consulting firm servicing the greater Western Canadian market.
Ethanol companies join RFA to form advocacy council
Leaders in the world’s ethanol industry recently announced that they are coming together in conjunction with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) to form the Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC).
US refining margins improve, but some refineries remain at risk
During the fourth quarter of 2010, US refining industry performance improved relative to the prior quarter. While the US Gulf Coast crack spreads were somewhat lower in the fourth quarter, the light-heavy crude oil price differential (LLS-Maya) continued to favor refineries with heavier crude slates.
KBR and Valero startup benzene reduction projects
KBR today announced that Valero Energy has successfully started up advanced reformate splitters at three of its US refineries.
Catalyst recycling comes to Oklahoma
Veolia ES Technical Solutions and Oklahoma Materials Recycling (OMR) have signed a teaming agreement whereby Veolia will exclusively provide up-front sales and marketing services for OMR’s catalyst recycling plant currently under construction in Atoka, Oklahoma.
Association says CFATS should be made permanent
In written testimony before a US congressional panel, the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA) said existing Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) are effective and should be made permanent. The association’s statement was given to the US House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies.
Celanese expands EVA capacity
Celanese Corp. says that due to strong growth in strategic, high-value segments, the company will expand capacity at its Edmonton, Canada, manufacturing facility (specifically for ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymers).
Former US House speaker proposes eliminating EPA
Former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich is an advocate for the elimination of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
US demand for activated carbon to grow over 15%
US demand for activated carbon, including both virgin and reactivated products sold by activated carbon suppliers, is forecast to grow 15.8% per annum to 1.2 billion pounds in 2014.
Update on major fire at Enterprise Products plant in Mont Belvieu
At approximately 12:30 PM CST yesterday, a major fire was reported at the Enterprise Products plant in Mont Bellvieu, Texas. According to eyewitness reports, the intensity of the fire was so great that trucks in adjacent parking lots were melting.
- HIF Global and German eFuel One GmbH sign HoA for e-methanol offtake 2/20
- Venezuela's refineries boost processing to 35% of capacity 2/20
- New Trinidad gas projects could provide necessary feedstock for country's petchem and LNG sectors 2/20
- MK-Polymer delivers ethylene-propylene rubber to JSC Kazenergokabel 2/20
- Mexican authorities shut down 22-m long tunnel used in illegal smuggling of fuel supplies 2/20
- Digital Feature: First-stage ejector nozzle retrofit achieves meaningful performance improvement 2/20
