Europe
BASF begins commercial bio-butanediol production
BASF has produced its first commercial volumes of 1,4-butanediol (BDO) from renewable raw material, and is offering this product to customers for testing and commercial use, company officials announced this week. The fermentation process uses dextrose as a renewable feedstock.
German chemical sector targets US for investment
German companies invested €3.2bn in new chemical plants or expansions in the US a year ago, up 54% from the prior year. The US now accounts for 41% of foreign investments, up from 28% in 2005.
Neste Oil reports LPG leak at Porvoo refinery
A general alarm was issued covering the refinery site and surrounding area in Tolkkinen and people were instructed to stay inside. The leak proved to be minor and the instruction calling for people to stay inside was rescinded at around 4 p.m. local time for all areas other than the immediate vicinity.
US, Norway seek to improve CO2 capture
The nations are hoping to reduce costs for carbon capture and storage, bridge the gap between R&D and commercial deployment, and boost confidence in the technology.
Johnson Matthey expands Macedonia plant for emission control catalysts
The new plant will provide Johnson Matthey with additional capacity for catalysts to meet the increase in demand from the introduction of tighter EU emissions legislation coming into effect from January 2014.
Rosneft, ExxonMobil pick Foster Wheeler for FEED work on Far East LNG
The work will include location and concept studies, design basis definition, main technical solutions development, constructability assessment, definition of project execution strategies and preparation of preliminary information for submission to the Russian authorities. Contract value was not disclosed.
Honeywell to modernize largest Nordic refinery
The project should significantly extend the life of the existing control system at the refinery, located in southern Sweden. Preem AB, the country's largest oil producer, will use the enhanced high performance process manager to as much as triple the capacity of the refinery's existing controllers.
Celanese mulls closure of VAM, acetic anhydride units in Spain, France
Celanese said Monday that it will begin discussions concerning the possible closure of both the acetic anhydride facility in Roussillon and the VAM production unit in Tarragona. These actions were initiated to safeguard the competitiveness of the Celanese acetyl business, according to the company.
What every manager should know on control safety instrumented systems
Plant and project managers have limited time to wade through the volumes of jargon, terminology, and new processes and equipment associated with key security issues.
Address competency gaps in console operations
Among the professional, trade and administrative personnel required to operate a refinery or petrochemical facility—managers, engineers, electricians, pipefitters, machinists, accountants, admini..
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- Saudi Arabia and India were biggest buyers of Russian fuel oil, VGO in July 8/26
- Russia raises August oil export plan after drone strikes continue to disrupt refineries 8/26
- Foundation Alloy debuts Molyclast—A new standard in high-performance refractory alloys 8/26
