Aromatics
Honeywell opens new technology hub in India
The company says the center will expand its development in downstream sectors such as refining, petrochemicals and nylon technologies and applications.
Thai Oil to build $300mn linear alkyl benzene plant
Thai Oil plans to build a $300-million linear alkyl benzene facility at its oil refinery in Thailand's eastern Sri Racha province, the Bangkok Post reported Thursday, citing CEO Surong Bulakul. Linear alkyl benzene is often used as a raw material in the production of detergents.
Use advanced catalysts to improve xylenes isomerization
This refiner wanted to increase ethylbenzene conversion while limiting aromatics losses
Eastman to buy US specialty chemicals firm Solutia in $4.7 billion deal
Eastman Chemical has agreed to acquire US-based specialty chemicals and performance materials firm Solutia, a global leader in performance materials and specialty chemicals, in a deal valued at about $4.7 billion (including debt). The deal is expected to close in mid-2012.
Samsung, Total plan $1.8 billon expansion on South Korea petrochemical venture
Construction at the Daesan complex will include a second aromatics1 unit and an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer unit.
Samsung, Total tap UOP technology on South Korea petrochemical, fuels venture
Honeywell’s UOP has been selected by the Samsung Total Petrochemicals Co. joint venture to provide technologies for the production of key petrochemicals and high-quality diesel and jet fuel at its complex in Daesan, South Korea. The units are expected to start up in 2014.
BP unveils global energy outlook through 2030, boosts demand estimate
Global energy demand will continue to grow over the next 20 years, albeit at a slowing annual rate, fueled by economic and population growth in non-OECD countries, BP said in its Energy Outlook 2030 report. The demand projection is up 1.2% from the year-earlier estimate.
Georgia Gulf rejects $1bn unsolicited takeover bid from Westlake Chemical
The board of directors for US chemicals firm Georgia Gulf rejected Westlake Chemical’s unsolicited proposal to acquire the company for a $30/share bid, valued by analysts at just over $1 billion. Georgia Gulf also modified its shareholder rights plan in hopes of thwarting the bid.
Westlake bids for US chemicals firm Georgia Gulf
Westlake Chemical has submitted an unsolicited proposal to US-based chemicals firm Georgia Gulf to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Georgia Gulf for $30/share in cash. Thus far, Georgia Gulf’s management “has been unwilling to engage in substantive discussions", the company said.
Apply new enhanced tubes to optimize heat transfer in LNG trains
New developments for heat exchangers reduce capital and plot size of key equipment
- Petrobras delivers LPG sold at steep premiums despite Lula move to annul auction 4/3
- Plug Power to supply 275-MW GenEco electrolyzer system for Hy2gen’s Courant decarbonized ammonium nitrate project 4/3
- Vietnam refinery boosting jet fuel production 4/3
- China plans to upgrade some petrochemical plants, phase out others by 2029 4/3
- Morocco has diesel stocks for 51 days, energy ministry says 4/3
- Nigeria's Seplat Energy hit by strike amid push for higher output 4/3

