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Petrochemicals

FMC forms agrochem distribution JV in Argentina

The agricultural products group of chemicals firm FMC Corp. has entered into a joint venture to form a new Argentine agrochemical distribution company named Ruralco Soluciones SA. FMC's partners in Ruralco are well-established agrochemical dealers previously associated with Argentine distributor Agropecuaria del Litoral, it said.

AkzoNobel to buy China specialty surfactants firm Boxing Oleochemicals

AkzoNobel has agreed to acquire China-based Boxing Oleochemicals, allowing it to strengthen its position in specialty surfactants while enhancing its manufacturing footprint in Asia, company officials said.

FMC to acquire Europe persulfates business of RheinPerChemie

US-based chemicals firm FMC Corp. has agreed to acquire the European persulfates business of RheinPerChemie GmbH from Unionchimica SpA. The acquisition will strengthen FMC Peroxygens' global reach by establishing a market position for persulfates in Europe, company officials said.

Braskem to buy global polypropylene business of Dow Chemical for $340mn

US-based Dow Chemical has agreed to sell its polypropylene (PP) business for $340 million to Braskem, a move which makes Braskem the top polypropylene producer in North America. The assets involved in the deal include two manufacturing plants in the US and two in Germany, with a total annual polypropylene production capacity of 2.3 billion pounds.

Rare earths sales likely to triple by 2015 - study

World demand for rare earths is forecast to expand by 7.1%/year to 180,000 metric tons by 2015, according to a new study from US industry market research firm The Freedonia Group. In dollar terms, sales are expected to more than triple from $3.0 billion in 2010 to $9.2 billion in 2015.

Dow plans water technology plant in Saudi Arabia

Dow Chemical said Tuesday that it plans to build a world-scale manufacturing facility for a reverse osmosis (RO) membranes plant in Saudi Arabia.

Statoil to supply ethane for NOVA Canada cracker

NOVA Chemicals has signed a memorandum of understanding with Statoil to secure a long-term supply of ethane from the Marcellus Shale basin. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Dow, Saudi Aramco JV wins board approval to build $20bn chemical complex

The boards of directors of Dow Chemical and Saudi Aramco have approved the formation of a joint venture (JV) to build and operate a world-scale, fully-integrated chemicals complex at Jubail Industrial City in Saudi Arabia.

DuPont buys US solar technology firm Innovalight

US-based chemicals major DuPont has acquired Innovalight, a company specializing in advanced silicon inks and process technologies that increase the efficiency of crystalline silicon solar cells.

Cabot plans 25% expansion for Europe fumed silica

Cabot will expand production capacity by 25% at its fumed silica facility in Barry, Wales, company officials said on Monday. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2012 and is part of a three-year plan to increase Cabot’s global fumed metal oxide capacity by 35% to 40%.