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Americas

BASF acquires US cast elastomers producer ITWC

With more than 80 employees, including business management, manufacturing, R&D, sales, and administrative functions, ITWC operates sites in Malcom, Iowa, and Riverside, California. BASF is acquiring the assets of ITWC, including those obtained during ITWC's purchase of Hydroseal Polymers.

US sees higher July 4 holiday travel on low gasoline

The price of motor gasoline is another factor expected to play a role in spurring American travel intentions, AAA found. The current national average price of regular gasoline is $3.50/gal, 44 cents lower than the April peak and 16 cents less than this time last year.

Carlyle, Sunoco reach pact to keep Philadelphia refinery in operation

The refinery under Carlyle is expected to become a major new user of the domestic crude that has backed up at an Oklahoma trading hub unable to reach coastal refineries. The Philadelphia refinery could begin processing US crude by the beginning of next year, increasing its demand over time.

Grace signs catalyst deal with Braskem for 'green' chemicals production

WR Grace signed a multi-year deal with Braskem to develop process technologies and catalyst solutions to produce green chemicals. The technology being developed is based on carbon sources from renewable agricultural processes that contribute to lower carbon emissions than traditional feedstocks.

Eastman completes $4.8bn acquisition of Solutia

The $4.8 billion acquisition supports Eastman’s growth strategy to increase revenues and profit margins by expanding the company’s geographic reach, especially in emerging markets, and by establishing a more diverse and sustainable product portfolio, the company said.

HallStar buys Dow Chemical plasticizer product line

The deal uses both the trade names and proprietary manufacturing technology of the globally established TP-series brand of plasticizers, which includes TP-90B, TP-759 and TP-95. The deal provides HallStar with a broader range of ester technology principally used in rubber modification.

Union Carbide not liable in Bhopal gas leak cleanup, says US court

The judge said that "it is beyond dispute that Union Carbide India" - and not the US-based parent - "generated and disposed of the waste which allegedly polluted plaintiffs' drinking water." The court added that since Union Carbide sold its stake in the India unit, it's not liable for the clean-up.

CB&I wins Exxon Canada oil sands expansion work

CB&I’s project scope for this phase of the work includes procurement, module assembly at CB&I’s Fort Saskatchewan facilities, and construction and installation of modular components at the site. The deal is valued at approximately $300 million, company officials said.

Catalyst developments: The past 90 years

IHS Markit: Heinen, R.

While catalysis has made many advances in the last 90 years, the application of new technologies developed in other areas may offer great promise for future breakthroughs.

LNG and GTL drive 50 years of technology evolution in the gas industry

Technip: Castel, J.  |  Gadelle, D.  |  Hagyard, P.  |  Ould-Bamba, M.

The technologies needed to shape an industry transformation exist and have been proven on a large scale, the authors say.