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Petrochemicals

Shale plays spark Q3 rise in US oil, gas deals - PwC

The total value of US oil and gas mergers and acquisitions (M&A) during the third quarter of 2011 jumped 135% as foreign investors continued to show interest in the energy sector, especially in taking positions in shale plays and upstream-related assets, according to a new study from global consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Cereplast finalizes purchase of Italy bioplastics site

US-based bioplastics firm Cereplast has completed its purchase of a manufacturing plant in Assisi (Cannara), Italy that will serve as the hub for the company's European bioplastics production. Cereplast management said it estimates the total cost of the purchase and refurbishment of the facility will be approximately €12 million.

LUKoil begins $3bn/year investment plan for Russia downstream projects

Russia’s largest private oil company LUKoil has begun construction on a gas processing plant (GPP) included in a gas chemical facility (GCF) in Budyonnovsk, Stavropol Territory, part of the company’s plan to invest $3 billion/year in downstream operations from 2012 through 2014.

CB&I wins engineering, technology deal for China olefins recovery units

CB&I said on Tuesday that subsidiary Lummus Technology has been awarded a contract by China Coal Shaanxi Yulin Energy & Chemical Co. for the license and engineering design of two light olefins recovery units. The startup of the first unit is expected in 2013.

BASF, Sinopec start up first chemical plants from China venture expansion

The first production facilities in the $1.4 billion expansion of BASF-YPC Co. have now begun operations in Nanjing, China. BASF-YPC is the 50:50 joint venture established in 2000 between Germany’s BASF and China’s Sinopec.

Hydrocarbon Processing forecasts 2012 global HPI spending to rise to $222 billion

Spending for the hydrocarbon processing industry is expected to exceed $222 billion next year, up 1.1% over 2011 spending, according to information released on Friday at Hydrocarbon Processing magazine's 38th annual HPI Forecast and Breakfast.

LANXESS, BioAmber to partner on bioplasticizers

European specialty chemicals producer LANXESS and sustainable chemicals firm BioAmber have partnered to develop succinic acid-based plasticizers that are both renewable and phthalate-free, the companies announced on Thursday.

PolyOne forms Middle East additives joint venture

Specialty polymer materials, services and solutions provider PolyOne has agreed to form a joint venture with E.A. Juffali & Brothers Co. that it says will enable the expansion of its global color, additives and inks business into the Middle East. The new joint venture will be 51% owned by PolyOne and will be based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

PPG finalizes deal for European coatings firm Dyrup

PPG Industries has finalized its purchase agreement to acquire European coatings company Dyrup A/S, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, from its owner, Monberg & Thorsen, a public holding company. The final transaction value, including assumed debt, has been set at €115 million ($160 million). Both parties have agreed on a closing date of Jan. 5, 2012, they said.

Enterprise starts up new NGL fractionator in Texas

Enterprise Products said on Tuesday that its fifth natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionator at its complex in Mont Belvieu, Texas, has begun commercial operations and is operating in excess of its nameplate capacity of 75,000 bpd. The new unit increases total nameplate capacity at the partnership’s Mont Belvieu facility to 380,000 bpd.