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Europe

BASF plans Bahrain plastic additives plant for 2012 to meet rising Middle East demand

BASF will significantly expand its presence in the Middle East region by building a state-of-the-art plant for antioxidant blends (CSB) in Bahrain, the Germany-based chemicals major said on Wednesday. CSBs are key additives for the production of polymers for the plastics industry, especially for the Middle East region.

ConocoPhillips to spin off downstream business

ConocoPhillips’ board of directors has approved the separation of the company’s Refining & Marketing and Exploration & Production businesses into two stand-alone, publicly traded corporations via a tax-free spin of the refining and marketing business to shareholders.

BASF picks Fluor as engineering partner for Asia, Europe chemicals projects

Germany-based BASF has chosen Fluor as an engineering partner for chemicals and petrochemicals projects across Asia and Europe, the companies announced on Thursday. The partnering agreements will cover capital investment projects with separate service orders throughout Asia and Europe.

Crane buys German valve maker WT Armatur

Engineered products provider Crane Co. has acquired German valve manufacturer W.T. Armatur Gmbh & Co. KG. Founded in 1978 and located in Maxdorf, Germany, WTA specializes in the production of bellows sealed globe valves and specialty change-over valves, officials said.

Cereplast to supply bioplastic resins to Turkey

Cereplast entered into a distribution agreement with Polimernet Plastik Ltd. to supply bioplastic resins to the Turkish market, the manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, compostable and sustainable plastics said on Tuesday.

Swiss Lonza to buy biocides firm Arch Chemicals

The Switzerland-based Lonza Group, one of the world's leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries, will acquire US biocides company Arch Chemicals for $47.20/share in cash, or about $1.2 billion.

Sherwin-Williams acquires UK fire protection coatings firm Leighs Paints

UK-based industrial fire protection coatings company Leighs Paints has been acquired by US-based paints major Sherwin-Williams. The acquisition significantly enhances the product portfolio of the company’s protective and marine business, the company said.

Oil and gas software firm DNV buys rival Synergi

DNV has acquired Synergi Solutions, enlarging its present software portfolio extensively together with 30 new employees, the oil and gas industry software firm said on Wednesday.

Fluor wins advisory deal for new floating LNG import terminal in Lithuania

Fluor said it has been awarded a contract by Lithuania's state-owned oil company Klaipedos Nafta to provide engineering and business support services for a new floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Klaipeda, Lithuania.

PetroChina, INEOS finalize Europe refining JV

PetroChina and INEOS have completed a deal to form trading and refining joint ventures effective July 1. The joint ventures include trading and refining activities at the Grangemouth refinery in Scotland and the Lavéra refinery in France. The business employs approximately 1,000 people and has a turnover of $15bn.