Petrochemicals
WR Grace buys Noblestar catalysts unit in China
W. R. Grace & Co. has signed an agreement to acquire the assets of Noblestar Catalysts, a China-based manufacturer of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts. The deal has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, but is subject to the satisfaction of other closing conditions.
Momentive hikes global urethane additives capacity
Momentive Performance Materials said it recently completed a series of capacity expansions on urethane additives in China, India, Brazil and Belgium. In China, the company said it completed an expansion that enables increased urethane additive finished goods capacity at its Nantong plant facility.
T. Boone Pickens finds flaws in US energy plans of Obama, Romney
The energy titan didn't endorse either presidential candidate, saying Obama's "all of the above" energy plan needed to be more specific and Romney's plan is "not total".
US plastic resin production, sales down from 2011
US production of major plastic resins totaled 6.1 billion pounds during April 2012, a decrease of 3.2% compared to the same month in 2011, according to new statistics released by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) trade group. Sales and captive use were down 8.8% from April 2011.
Jacobs to study Saudi Ma'aden phosphate project
Jacobs was awarded a contract by Saudi Arabian Mining Company to provide a bankable feasibility study and front-end engineering design (FEED) for its Umm Wu'al phosphate project in the Sirhan-Turaif region of Saudi Arabia. The project will add 1.5 million tpy to Ma'aden's planned phosphate capacity.
Eastman Chemical wins EU approval for Solutia buy
The European Commission has cleared the proposed acquisition of Solutia by Eastman Chemical, the competition watchdog group said. The merger is not expected to result in any substantial change in the markets concerned since Solutia is not a customer of Eastman in the EEA.
Aramco, Sumitomo approve second phase of Saudi petrochemicals expansion
Sumitomo Chemical and Saudi Aramco are moving ahead with phase two of their Petro Rabigh integrated refinery and petrochemicals expansion in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia. Each new plant will be brought on stream as it becomes available for operation, beginning the first half of 2016, the companies said.
Dow wins $2bn in damages from failed Kuwait JV
The International Court of Arbitration awarded damages to Dow of $2.16 billion, not including interest and costs. Kuwait ruled in December 2008, at the peak of the global recession, that the Petrochemical Industries Company of Kuwait (PIC) should withdraw from the planned olefins and polyethylene venture.
US chemical production continues monthly decline
The US Chemical Production Regional Index (CPRI) slipped by 0.3% in April following a downwardly-revised 0.4% decline in March. Output slipped in several key segments including pharmaceuticals, organic chemicals, plastic resins and synthetic rubber. Production fell across all US regions
Technip to buy Shaw energy, chemicals business
Shaw is selling the segment to Technip for $300 million in cash, adding that further collaborations between the two companies are possible for Shaw’s core business units. The companies further agreed to work toward developing future business relationships involving Shaw’s core business units.
- thyssenkrupp Uhde to build a low-emission polyester plant for KÖKSAN in Turkey 4/9
- Honeywell to supply digital process and automation technologies to the Dangote refinery 4/9
- Technip Energies awarded contract for Long Son Petrochemicals enhancement project in Vietnam 4/9
- Japan weighs new release of about 20 days' worth of oil from reserves 4/9
- Germany probes Klesch's planned purchase of bp refinery 4/9
- Southern Energy Renewables and Axens Sign MoU to advance SAF projects in Louisiana and beyond 4/8
