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Petrochemicals

Lupotech T process selected for 300 KT LDPE plant in Mexico

Braskem Idesa S.A.P.I., a joint venture of Braskem S.A. and Grupo Idesa S.A. de C.V., has selected LyondellBasell’s Lupotech T process technology for a new 300 KT per year low density polyethylene (LDPE) plant.

BP proceeding with PTA debottlenecking in Guangdong

BP confirmed that it is proceeding with its project for a major increase in purified terephthalic acid (PTA) production capacity at the BP Zhuhai Chemical Co. Ltd. site in Guangdong Province, China. BP is also planning to build a new world-scale PTA plant at the same site.

Association says CFATS should be made permanent

In written testimony before a US congressional panel, the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA) said existing Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) are effective and should be made permanent. The association’s statement was given to the US House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies.

Shaw pegged for ethylene plant expansion

The Shaw Group Inc. has been awarded a contract by Qatar Petrochemical Co. Ltd. QSC (QAPCO) to provide basic engineering services for the expansion of a 720 ktpy ethylene plant in Mesaieed, Qatar. The project will provide the design needed for expanding the plant's capacity by up to 25%.

Celanese expands EVA capacity

Celanese Corp. says that due to strong growth in strategic, high-value segments, the company will expand capacity at its Edmonton, Canada, manufacturing facility (specifically for ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) polymers).

Brenntag opens chemical distribution facility in Indonesia

Brenntag recently unveiled its new distribution facility in Jakarta, Indonesia, built to meet growing market demand. The facility will provide a bigger storage capacity than the current warehouse in Jakarta, and allow Brenntag to improve and expand value-added customer support throughout the supply chain, from purchase and formulation through to packaging and logistics.

Update on major fire at Enterprise Products plant in Mont Belvieu

At approximately 12:30 PM CST yesterday, a major fire was reported at the Enterprise Products plant in Mont Bellvieu, Texas. According to eyewitness reports, the intensity of the fire was so great that trucks in adjacent parking lots were melting.

Successful startup of Hainan Island methanol plant (China)

China Blue Chemical Co. Ltd. and Davy Process Technology have announced the successful startup, performance test and plant acceptance of a 2,500 mtpd methanol plant in Hainan Island, China. The plant which produces chemical grade methanol will supply both the domestic Chinese market and be available for export.

Dow Chemical closing two VCM plants

The Dow Chemical Co. will close two vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) production units in 2011. Dow will shut down a production unit in Oyster Creek, Texas, in the first quarter of 2011. The closure of a second VCM unit, located in Plaquemine, Louisiana, was announced in 2009. The Louisiana plant will cease operations in the third quarter of 2011.

Specialty plastics unit to be built in Abu Dhabi

Borouge has awarded a contract worth $169 million to Hyundai Engineering and Construction of South Korea to build a cross-linkable polyethylene (XLPE) unit at its petrochemical plant in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, UAE.