Americas
Georgia Gulf, Galata Chemicals form partnership on bio-based vinyl materials
Georgia Gulf and Galata Chemicals plan to develop a line of flexible bio-based polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds containing Drapex Alpha, a primary plasticizer produced from renewable feedstocks by Galata Chemicals. The bio-based vinyl compounds are ideal for wire and cable and medical uses.
BP refinery in Texas City disrupted by acid leak
BP's refinery in Texas City, Texas, reported a hydrofluoric acid leak Tuesday that disrupted operations at one unit of the plant and led to a shelter-in-place warning on the refinery grounds. Water is being sprayed over the leak site to limit the spread of vapor and the acid is being drained to a storage tank.
Chevron Phillips Chemical to expand Texas NGL fractionation unit
Capacity at the Sweeny plant will be raised by about 22,000 bpd, or 19% above current levels, driven by rapid shale development in the Eagle Ford and Permian basins.
Energy Transfer completes Southern Union merger
US natural gas pipeline firms Energy Transfer (ETE) and Southern Union have successfully completed the previously-announced merger of Southern Union with and into Sigma Acquisition Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETE. The $7.9bn deal was first announced in June 2011.
Air Products acquires Xebec adsorption technology
Air Products has acquired advanced adsorption technology assets for its generated gases product lines from Xebec Adsorption. Air Products said it purchased the technology, intellectual property and know-how related to structured adsorbents, beaded adsorbents, and rotary valves.
Obama calls for expediting southern portion of Keystone XL pipeline
With the pipeline, TransCanada would bring oil from Cushing, Oklahoma, to US Gulf refineries, helping ease a supply glut.
US oil demand down in February as consumers switch to natural gas - API
Total US petroleum deliveries fell 2.3% this February compared with February 2011, pulled down by a decline in residual fuel oil (40.2%) and other oil (liquid petrochemical feedstocks, naphtha and gasoil) deliveries. The steep decline in residual fuel demand related to users switching to natural gas.
US chemical production rising in all regions - ACC
The US chemical production regional index (CPRI) rose by 0.5% in February, following a revised 0.5% gain in January, according to new ACC figures. Gains occurred in industrial gases, inorganic chemicals, plastic resins, synthetic rubber, pesticides, adhesives, coatings, specialties, and consumer products.
Alfa Laval to supply plate heat exchangers for Brazil oil company
Sweden-based Alfa Laval has won a plate heat exchanger order from a major oil company in Brazil. The Alfa Laval plate heat exchangers will be installed at offshore production platforms where they will be used for heat recovery in the main separation process, the company said.
Global refining catalyst market driven by growth in hydroprocessing
The market improvement is led by demand for cleaner fuels, increasing use of heavier and dirtier feedstocks and additions to refining capacity, a new study says.
- IHI, Vopak to launch ammonia terminal project in Japan 7/11
- India's BPCL plans to shut Bina refinery unit for 15-day maintenance in August 7/11
- Soaring electric truck sales deal new blow to diesel use in China 7/11
- Russia`s Tatneft launches new hydrocracking unit on TANECO refinery 7/11
- IEA: Global oil market may be tighter than it looks 7/11
- India must boost its petchem output to counter China's dominance, Reliance says 7/11
