Petrochemicals
Deployment of digital infrastructure in chemical plants transforms industry
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The manufacturing approach in the chemicals industry is rapidly changing to meet increasing demand for customized and specialty products over commodity chemicals.
Chevron Phillips marks milestone of its $6 B US Gulf Coast petchem project
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP announced that the two polyethylene (PE) units of its $6 B petrochemical investment on the US Gulf Coast successfully achieved the major milestone of mechanical completion.
Grace licenses process technology to Hengli petchem refinery
COLUMBIA, Md. — W. R. Grace & Co., a supplier of polyolefin catalyst technology and polypropylene (PP) process technology, contracted to license its UNIPOL PP process technology to Hengli Petrochemical Refinery Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Hengli Group.
Flowchem sale to specialty chemicals company KMG completed
NEW YORK — Arsenal Capital Partners completed the previously announced sale of its portfolio company Flowchem, a manufacturer of pipeline performance products, to KMG, a global provider of specialty chemicals, for $495 MM.
BASF to divest its oleochemical surfactants business in Mexico
MEXICO CITY, Mexico — BASF Mexicana, S.A. DE C.V. has entered an agreement to sell a portion of the oleochemical surfactants business in Mexico to the Stepan Company for an undisclosed price. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2017, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of certain other requirements.
IHS Markit: Methanol demand growth driven by methanol-to-olefins, China demand
HOUSTON — Methanol, a basic chemical used to produce fuels and other traditional chemicals, is increasingly used in China to produce olefins in a process called methanol-to-olefins (MTO). By 2021, nearly one in five tons of global methanol production will be utilized for MTO production to satisfy expanding Chinese chemical demand, according to new analysis from IHS Markit.
CB&I awarded multi-technology contract in Kazakhstan
THE WOODLANDS, Texas — CB&I announced it has been awarded a contract by TOO Hill Resources (HILL) for the license and engineering design of a grassroots Lube Base Oil plant in Shymkent, Kazakhstan.
Sasol breaks ground on new alkoxylation production facility in China
NANJING, China — Sasol Limited, an integrated chemicals and energy company, formally began construction of its new alkoxylation plant in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. Ushered in by a ground-breaking ceremony on June 8 at the Nanjing Chemical Industrial Park (NCIP), the new plant is expected to be fully operational in early 2019.
Hydrocarbon Processing Awards recognize best in HPI
The downstream industry’s brightest minds gathered Wednesday evening to celebrate the winners of the 2017 Hydrocarbon Processing Awards.
Chevron Phillips completes PAO capacity expansion at Texas plant
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP (Chevron Phillips Chemical) announced today it has successfully completed a low viscosity polyalphaolefins (PAO) capacity expansion at its Cedar Bayou plant in Baytown, Texas.

- Transition Industries signs agreements for the Pacifico Mexinol Project, an ultra-low carbon chemical production facility 7/3
- Bangkok Airways introduces SAF on commercial flights 7/3
- EcoCeres secures SAF contract with British Airways to help reduce carbon emissions 7/3
- Air Liquide to invest up to $200 MM in Louisiana, U.S. to support industrial growth 7/3
- MOL completes the acquisition of LBC Tank Terminals 7/3
- BHP awards charter contracts for two ammonia dual-fueled vessels 7/3