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Petrochemicals

ExxonMobil to invest more than $100 MM in Baton Rouge upgrade to produce high-purity isopropyl alcohol

ExxonMobil announced its plans to invest more than $100 MM in facility upgrades to produce high-purity isopropyl alcohol, a critical material for semiconductor chip manufacturing in the U.S. 

The case for investing in acetic acid

This article dives into the acetic acid market, as well as processing technologies for its production.

KazMunayGas starts building polyethylene plant with Sinopec, SIBUR

The plant will have a pyrolysis unit which will use the technology of the U.S.-based Lummus, an ethylene polymerization unit using the technology of Chevron Phillips Chemical and Univation Technologies, as well as a butene unit using Axens technology

Lummus successfully starts up PFAS demo unit to destroy "forever chemicals"

Lummus Technology has started up its per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) destruction demonstration unit. The at-scale, commercial-ready system uses a combination of advanced technology to destroy PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals."

Solvay partners with Cavalinho to reduce emissions at Brazilian chemical plant

Solvay will be one the first companies in Brazil to adopt biofuel-powered trucks for transportation, supporting its goal of cutting scope 3 emissions by 20% by 2030.

Japan's Maruzen Petrochemical to shut ethylene unit in Chiba

Japan's Maruzen Petrochemical, a unit of Cosmo Energy Holdings, will shut its ethylene unit in Chiba in the 2026/27 financial year and consolidate production at Keiyo Ethylene, its joint venture with Sumitomo Chemical, the companies said.

Dow Chemical, X-energy to advance nuclear project at Dow's Seadrift chemicals facility (U.S.)

Dow Chemical and X-Energy Reactor Co. announced the submission of a construction permit application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a proposed advanced nuclear project in Seadrift, Texas (U.S.)

INEOS Enterprises completes the sale of INEOS Composites to KPS Capital Partners for €1.7 B

INEOS Enterprises has completed the sale of its composites business to KPS Capital Partners for approximately €1.7 B. The composites business is a global leader in producing resins and gelcoats that are used to make strong, lightweight composite plastics found in everything from cars and boats to buildings and electronics.

Refractory lining reliability challenges in hydrogen-fueled process fired heaters

This article provides an overview of the potential impact of H2-rich fuel firing on refractory integrity and suggests safeguards to mitigate challenges. While this article discusses refractory issues in process fired heaters, the information presented can be broadly applicable to fired equipment where a flame is present. 

Methods for increasing the heat transfer rate on steam condensation surfaces

Traditional systems rely on filmwise condensation for heat transfer; however, for large energy consumers, dropwise condensation will help improve heat transfer efficiency and reduce steam consumption and carbon footprint. This can be achieved through water treatment technologies—specifically the dropwise condensation technology—that help facilities increase productivity and reliability while reducing energy consumption.