Petrochemicals
Clariant buys full share in Ukraine catalyst venture
The Süd-Chemie Alvigo Catalysts GmbH (SCAC) venture is a leading producer of syngas catalysts, based in the Ukraine. The signing of the deal took place at the end of June, with closing subject to merger control approval, according to company officials. The purchase price was not disclosed.
Caltex to close Sydney's last refinery by late 2014, convert to fuel terminal
The closure of Kurnell, involving the loss of 330 jobs, will bring the number of refineries operating in Australia down to five from seven at the start of this year as Royal Dutch Shell is also due to close its Clyde refinery in Sydney next month. Kurnell's nameplate capacity is 135,000 bpd.
TNK-BP, Sibur to partner on hydrocarbon feedstock
The Russian companies reached agreement on the indefinite continuation of their Yugragazpererabotka gas processing joint venture, with contracts under the joint venture framework extended through 2026.
US chemical output falls for second straight month
Individual components measured by the index were mixed. Declines in production of plastic resins, fertilizers, adhesives, organic chemicals and pharmaceuticals were offset by gains in the output of inorganic chemicals, industrial gases, consumer products, pesticides, coatings and synthetic rubber.
Eni forms partnership with Genomatica, Novamont on bio-based butadiene
The partnership, on the basis of which a joint venture will be established, will develop a comprehensive end-to-end process for production of polymer-grade butadiene from biomass, Versalis said. The agreement aims to bring together the core competencies of all three companies.
Evonik, BioAmber agree to develop catalysts from bio-succinic acid
Germany-based Evonik Industries signed an agreement with US renewable company BioAmber to develop and manufacture catalysts for the production of BDO, THF and GBL from bio-based succinic acid. In parallel, BioAmber and Evonik have started to develop a new generation of BDO catalysts.
Technip wins engineering deal on Saudi elastomers project of SABIC, ExxonMobil
The project is part of the elastomers program undertaken by the joint venture to set up a world-scale specialty elastomers facility to serve local markets, the Middle East and Asia. The new facility will produce 110,000 tpy of rubber using ExxonMobil-licensed technology.
Williams to explore building Canada's first propane dehydrogenation plant
A new PDH facility, which would be the first in Canada, would allow Williams to significantly increase its production of polymer-grade propylene (PGP) from Canadian operations. Williams is the only company in Canada producing PGP, a petrochemical feedstock used in plastics manufacturing.
Eni, Petronas to develop Malaysia elastomer plants
The proposed joint venture will produce and market synthetic rubbers using Versalis’ technology license and technical know-how. The agreement signed with Versalis is the fourth-such arrangement secured by Petronas for RAPID, and engineering activities will commence immediately.
PPG, Georgia Gulf merge commodity chemical units
Following completion of the deal, which is expected to occur in late 2012 or early 2013, the combined company is expected to have annual revenues of approximately $5 billion and be the third-largest chlor-alkali producer and second-largest vinyl chloride monomer producer in North America.
- BASF supports European 1,4‑butanediol supply security through increased production in Ludwigshafen 2/16
- Vitol backs proposed $3-billion LNG power plant for South Africa's Durban port 2/16
- HAMR Energy receives additional funding for low-carbon liquid fuels projects 2/16
- NASCAR names POET official bioethanol partner: Becomes first major motorsports series to utilize zero-carbon bioethanol 2/16
- ExxonMobil starts third advanced plastics recycling unit at Baytown complex 2/16
- Geoinform, subsidiary of the MOL Group, signs strategic cooperation agreement with Baker Hughes 2/16
