Petrochemicals
Eastman to acquire US plasticizer, acetic acid firm Sterling Chemicals for $100mn
Eastman Chemical has agreed to acquire Sterling Chemicals, a single site North American petrochemical producer, for $100 million in cash, subject to modest deductions at closing as provided in the merger agreement.
Celanese doubles capacity of vinyl acetate ethylene unit in China
Celanese has successfully doubled capacity of its vinyl acetate and ethylene (VAE) unit at its integrated chemical complex in Nanjing, China.
Dow Chemical picks Fluor for engineering on Texas propane dehydrogenation expansion
Fluor has been awarded a contract by Dow Chemical to provide basic engineering and design services on its propane dehydrogenation (PDH) expansion project in Freeport, Texas.
Huntsman CEO's brother joins US presidential race
Jon Huntsman, the brother of Huntsman CEO Peter Huntsman, has formally declared his candidacy for the Republican nomination for US president in 2012. The 51-year-old is the son of Jon Huntsman Sr., who founded the US-based chemicals major.
KBR, Shell to align on hydroprocessing technology
KBR and Shell have formed a new alliance in which KBR will market, sell and provide technology and design packages with Shell for hydroprocessing solutions worldwide.
AkzoNobel plans €140mn expansion, upgrade to German chlorine plant
AkzoNobel will invest €140 million to convert its chlorine plant in Frankfurt, Germany, to state-of-the-art membrane electrolysis technology, the company said on Monday.
Hempel eyes expansion, opens India coatings plant
Industrial and marine paint supplier Hempel is expanding its operations in the India with the opening of a new coatings facility in Nashik, Maharashtra.
IEA sees increasing natgas use, warns of high oil prices curbing demand
Annual growth in oil demand could average 1.2 million barrels per day (mb/d) between now and 2016, while natural gas demand could grow by around 500 billion cubic meters – around 2.5 times Russia’s current gas exports – during the same time, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) medium-term oil and gas market outlook.
US law firm to investigate Dow Chemical over alleged pension changes
US class-action law firm Hagens Berman says it will investigate potential claims against Dow Chemical after the company allegedly made substantive changes to its employee pension plan, actions which may violate US federal law.
SABIC plans new carbon fiber plant in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) announced on Wednesday that it signed a technology agreement with Montefibre S.p.A (Montefibre) granting SABIC and its affiliates an extensive international licence on carbon fiber technology developed by Montefibre. SABIC said it will first use the technology for a new carbon fiber plant to be built in Saudi Arabia.
- Transitional Industries and CFEnergia sign feedstock supply contract for $3.3-B Pacifico Mexinol project 2/17
- Neste and World Fuel Services extend partnership, expanding SAF availability at more than 100 airports in Europe 2/17
- U.S. refined product exports by tanker increase to > 6.3 MMbpd in January 2/17
- Japan's oil and gas independence climbs to highest since 2009 2/17
- Dangote signs $400-MM equipment deal with China's XCMG to speed up refinery expansion 2/17
- Former Lukoil-owned ISAB refinery in Sicily exits crisis procedure 2/17
