Asia/Pacific
Dow opens electronic materials R&D hub in Korea
Dow Chemical has inaugurated its Dow Seoul Technology Center, a global research and development (R&D) center with focus on technological advances in display technologies and semiconductor-related applications. Dow has invested more than $400 million in Korea over the last decade.
Refining deals up sharply in 2011 amid shedding of global assets
Refiners realigned their corporate strategies in 2011, with many shedding refining assets and others choosing to exit the sector altogether, according to a new report.
Shell, CNPC to collaborate on shale gas in China
Shell has signed the first-ever production-sharing contract to explore, develop and produce shale gas in China, a move that fits in with China's overall strategy to bring technical and operational know-how to the development of its untapped reserves of the unconventional fuel.
Air Products signs R&D pact with China university for 'green' water treatment
Air Products signed a joint R&D agreement with South China University of Technology (SCUT) on water purification technology to accelerate the development of sustainable and efficient water treatment solutions. Air Products also has established a scholarship program at SCUT, it said.
US to exempt EU, Japan on Iran oil sanctions
The US has decided to grant exemptions to Japan and 10 European Union (EU) countries under a new set of Iran oil sanctions, a key lawmaker said. Aimed at shutting down Iran's nuclear program, the sanctions target financial institutions that do business with Iran's Central Bank, a main conduit for Iran's oil sales.
Shaw, Total form global alliance on polystyrene
The Shaw Group said Monday that it formed an exclusive alliance with Total Petrochemicals to jointly market and license Total’s polystyrene technology on a worldwide basis. Shaw has had a similar alliance with Total Petrochemicals for styrene monomer, the primary feedstock for polystyrene, for 15 years.
INEOS licenses polypropylene process technology to new China Shenhua plant
INEOS has licensed the Innovene PP process to China Shenhua for the manufacture of polypropylene resins including homopolymers, random copolymers and impact copolymers. The 300,000 tpy plant, located in Yulin City, Shaanxi province, will serve the rapidly growing Chinese PP market.
Essar commissions diesel hydrotreater unit in India
Essar Energy plc, the India-focused integrated energy company, announced that Essar Oil Ltd. has successfully commissioned diesel hydrotreater unit 1 (DHDT-1) as part of the Phase I expansion at its Vadinar refinery in India.
Sinopec orders advanced water treatment system for Yangzi complex
Siemens Industry Automation Division is providing another Zimpro wet air oxidation (WAO) system to treat wastewater at Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical Co., Ltd.'s facility, near the Yangzi River in Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
Total signs on for new refining project in China
Total signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI) and Petrochemicals Industries Co. (PIC) for the planned development of a 300,000 bpd full-conversion refinery integrated with petrochemicals complex with Sinopec.

- Argentina raises biofuel prices for domestic market 7/14
- Technip Energies' develops low-emission furnace design to reduce the carbon footprint of ethylene production 7/14
- Biofuel demand to soak up more than half of U.S. soyoil production next year, USDA says 7/14
- Russia's June seaborne oil product exports down 3.4% m/m 7/14
- Serbia seeks fifth U.S. sanctions waiver for Russian-owned oil firm NIS 7/14
- EIA: U.S. hydrocarbon production supported by export growth in long-term projections 7/14