Petrochemicals
Celanese cuts Belgium acetate tow plant by 50%
This decision to reduce acetate tow capacity by 50% at the Belgium complex results from continuing declines in the global demand for acetate tow products, especially in Europe.
INVISTA, LanzaTech report new breakthrough in bio-butadiene technology
The companies developed a metabolic ‘toolkit’ that has been successfully applied to generate novel metabolic pathways to bio-derived butadiene and key precursors, such as 1,3 butanediol and 2,3 butanediol, resulting in new direct and 2-step processes for butadiene utilizing gas-fermentation technology.
Williams selects Elliott compressors for Redwater PDH complex in Canada
Elliott will provide three compression trains for the reactor effluent, heat pump, and propylene refrigeration duties at the new plant. The package also encompasses equipment auxiliaries.
Shell to expand Louisiana alpha olefins complex
Construction of the new unit will begin in the first quarter of 2016. The new capacity brings the total alpha olefins (AO) production at Shell’s Geismar site to more than 1.3 MMtpy.
LyondellBasell to buy polypropylene compounding business of India’s Zylog
Upon completion of the acquisition, LyondellBasell will double its automotive customer base in India and become the third largest producer of polypropylene (PP) compounds in the country.
Gas, NGL feedstock supply to remain robust for US chemical producers: Fitch
Despite a drop in oil prices, supply is expected to remain robust. Natural gas and NGL prices are expected to get some demand uplift from rebased manufacturing capacity, chemical cracker expansions, and coal power plant retirements, but this will not offset productivity gains in shale.
Natgasoline picks Yokogawa control systems for big Texas methanol project
Currently under construction in Beaumont, Texas, this facility will have a capacity of 1.75 MMtpy when it starts production in 2017, making it one of the world’s largest methanol plants.
BP to market sale of Decatur petrochemicals complex in Alabama
BP says its refocused petrochemicals strategy is to pursue a competitively-advantaged portfolio through world-scale, low-cost facilities that utilize BP's proprietary technology.
Chemours sells Texas aniline site to Dow Chemical
Chemours announced Thursday that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its aniline facility in Beaumont, Texas, to Dow Chemical for approximately $140 million in cash.
Sasol seeks more workers in Louisiana for $8.9B ethane cracker project
Sasol says there are job opportunities available in both the operational and construction phases of the project. Of the more than 500 full-time, Sasol positions to operate the new ethane cracker and derivative units, Sasol has hired more than 200 thus far.
- Brazil's Petrobras to invest $4.8 B in integration between Reduc refinery and Boaventura complex 7/8
- Braskem completes first sale of circular polyethylene in South America 7/8
- bp's 440,000-bpd refinery in Whiting, Indiana (U.S.), reported flaring due to operational conditions 7/8
- UK's insolvent Lindsey oil refinery secures some crude supply to keep running for now 7/8
- Brazil's energy minister hints at possible fuel price cuts 7/8
- Marathon Galveston Bay refinery (U.S.) hydrotreater to remain shut until September 7/8
