Asia/Pacific
LyondellBasell licenses technologies to new China polyethylene, EVA plant
Key features of the Lupotech T tubular technology and the Lupotech A autoclave technology include low manufacturing and investment costs, fast start-up and grade changes, and high quality LDPE and copolymers with up to 40% EVA covering the entire range of melt flows and densities.
WR Grace buys Australian waterproofing company Chemind Construction
Chemind adds new waterproofing technology to Grace’s global construction products portfolio and establishes its first waterproofing R&D and manufacturing facility in Australia. The new site will make waterproofing materials for repair, maintenance and improvement markets and for new construction.
UOP technology picked at Brunei aromatics project
Aromatics products derived at the facility will help meet growing demand for plastics and synthetic fibers in the region, according to the company. The project, to be located in Pulau Muara Besar, Brunei Darussalam, is expected to be one of the largest aromatics complexes in the world.
ExxonMobil, BHP explain floating LNG export plans from offshore Australia
Exxon and partner BHP Billiton want to anchor a vessel extending 495 meters -- the equivalent of around five football pitches -- at sea to tap into the remote Scarborough natural gas field offshore Western Australia. They're seeking government approval and targeting first production as early as 2020.
Shale energy resources driving resurgence for ethylene industry
The abundant supply of North American shale energy resources is proving to be not only a boon for exploration and production (E&P) companies and energy consumers, but it is also changing the profitabi..
North American olefin producers riding the shale gas wave
With the prospect of abundant low-cost ethane, several producers have announced intentions to build new ethylene capacity.
High-pressure polyethylene: Reemergence as a specialty chemical or not?
The analysis results indicate that, while investment capital for new plants favors LLDPE, plant profitability—which is a function of product slate (revenue) and cost—is, in many cases, higher for LDPE plants.
HPI Focus: New vs. debottlenecking projects
As most owners do not have adequately skilled engineering teams to study these scenarios, engaging an experienced, qualified engineering contractor to support the conceptual study is often warranted.
Evaluate challenges in meeting clean-fuel specifications with heavier crude
At a Saudi Aramco refinery, a revamp was planned for processing a different crude oil blend to meet Euro 5 diesel and gasoline specifications. The refinery, which processes semi-light crude oil, is sc..
Improve coker efficiency with reliable valve automation
The case history discusses conditions occurring in delayed coker operations at two refineries in Louisiana, the impacts on valve performance, and a solution that offers extended life, better reliability and other benefits.

- Aster Chemicals declares force majeure at Singapore naphtha cracker 8/29
- Orlen signs 1-yr deal with Equinor for supply of 15% oil it uses 8/29
- Novatek partially resumed processing at Ust-Luga complex 8/29
- Phillips 66 to begin winding down Los Angeles-area refinery next week 8/29
- Update: Mexico's Minatitlan refinery back online, Olmeca still down 8/29
- SIBUR produces test batch of first hexane plant in Russia 8/28