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Petrochemicals

SK Global signs final deal with Sinopec for Chinese petrochemical venture

Production at the plant in Wuhan, central China, will start in the second half of the year. The plant will have annual capacity of about 2.5 million tons of petrochemical products, including ethylene.

US sees improvement in monthly chemicals output

The ACC reports that during May, chemical production rose in the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and Southeast regions. Chemical production was flat in the Gulf Coast, Midwest, and West Coast.

INEOS plans world-scale linear alpha olefins plant for US Gulf Coast

INEOS plans to build a new 350,000 tpy linear alpha olefins plant in the US Gulf Coast region, the company announced on Thursday. The project is targeted for completion by the end of 2016. Beyond then, it could be expanded by an additional 50%, said Bob Learman, CEO of INEOS Oligomers.

Marubeni buys polypropylene, sulfur from Nghi Son refinery in Vietnam

The $9 billion Nghi Son refinery, to be located 180 km south of Hanoi, will have a refining capacity of 200,000 bpd. It is slated to start commercial operations in the second quarter of 2017 and will produce 700,000 metric tons of paraxylene, 240,000 tons of benzene and 370,000 tons of polypropylene.

Williams links deadly Louisiana olefins explosion to propylene fractionator area

Williams said it has key personnel on site to begin plans to make repairs, undertake a previously-planned maintenance turnaround and complete a 600 million lb/year expansion of the olefins operations. The plant remains shut down and the expansion work is temporarily suspended.

Clariant opens new catalyst R&D lab in Brazil

The tightening of fuel specifications in South America and the necessity of processing more-challenging feedstocks are driving hydrogen catalyst demand in the region. Clariant officials say that optimization of high-performance catalysts is a critical tool to increase hydrogen supply in refineries.

Saudi Arabia to build world's largest butanol plant

At its first meeting in Jubail, the SaBuCo board observed that the new venture was a reflection of the strong cooperation between three leading Saudi petrochemical companies and their commitment to create economic value through efficient and effective utilization of the country's natural resources.

DAK Americas to permanently close PTA, PET resin plants in North Carolina

The site was built in the late 1960s and acquired by DAK Americas in 2001. Approximately, 350 full service employees and 250 contract workers are employed on-site to produce PTA, PET resins and polyester staple fibers. The closure of the site is expected to be completed by September 2013.

Praxair to boost gases supply, extend pipelines at Antwerp chemical enclave

Praxair’s new plant and extensive pipeline system will have the ability to supply oxygen and nitrogen to the majority of chemical companies in the port. The new 1,300 tpd plant will increase Praxair’s oxygen and nitrogen capacity in the port and expand its business with global customers.

Sadara chemicals venture of Saudi Aramco, Dow secures key funding

The Sadara complex, one of the world's largest chemicals plants, is expected to produce more than 3 million tpy of petrochemicals once it is completed in 2016. Khalid al-Falih, CEO of Saudi Aramco, said in 2011 that Sadara would require large amounts of debt finance, and it was considering various options.