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Petrochemicals

Huntsman acquires US polyols manufacturer Oxid

Huntsman says Oxid's polyols are a key component in the production of energy-saving polyurethane insulation products that are used in residential and commercial construction.

Middle East eyes heavier ethylene feedstocks as US rides ethane wave

HP Editorial Staff: HP News

As North American shale resources drive low-cost ethylene production, Middle East producers are shifting their focus to heavier feedstocks and higher value-added products.

Gevo opens renewable paraxylene plant in Texas

The paraxylene facility is located adjacent to Gevo's existing jet fuel plant in Silsbee, Texas, and establishes the site as a biorefinery serving the renewable chemicals and true drop-in biofuels markets.

CB&I, Clariant look to develop new polypropylene catalyst technologies

By leveraging the successful licensing and process design experience of Lummus Novolen and the strong catalyst R&D capabilities of Clariant, the two companies expect to further strengthen their joint position in polypropylene catalysts. Clariant and Lummus Novolen will jointly invest in the new line.

Sasol exits Iran with sale of polymers business

Sasol had been pressured by international advocacy groups to sell its stake in the Iran business. The Arya Sasol complex has a 1 million tpy ethane cracker, a 300,000 tpy low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plant and a 300,000 tpy medium-density/high-density polyethylene (MD/HDPE) unit.

LSB lets contract for new Arkansas ammonia plant

LSB Industries reached an agreement with SAIC Constructors to build a 375,000 tpy ammonia plant at an LSB site in El Dorado, Arkansas. The deal provides for SAIC to provide certain engineering services and to manage the construction of the ammonia plant and associated facilities.

Chevron Phillips Chemical wins permit to build new Texas ethane cracker

Pending final board approval to be sought later this year, the 1.5 million tpy ethane cracker would be built at CPChem's Cedar Bayou facility in Baytown, Texas, while the two new polyethylene facilities, each with an annual capacity of 500,000 tpy, would be built on a site near the company's Sweeny facility.

EIA: China set to top US as world’s biggest oil importer

China is set to the the largest world import of crude oil in October and will hold that ranking in 2014, forecasters at the federal Energy Information Administartion said Friday

Albemarle starts up new metallocene catalysts plant in South Korea

The plant will produce commercial quantities of single-site metallocene catalysts, including grades enhanced by Albemarle's proprietary ActivCat activation technology, as well as catalyst components such as methylaluminoxane (MAO). Investment details for the new facility were not disclosed.

Taiyo Oil picks UOP technology to improve flexibility at Japan petrochemical plant

The plant will install UOP's Tatoray process technology to boost yields of certain petrochemicals by more than 70%, along with adding flexibility to produce petrochemicals or gasoline as demand changes.