Ethylene

Synergize FCCUs and hydrocracking processing units to maximize refining margins—Part 2

Part 1 of this article appeared in the February issue. Part 2 here will explore the role of FCC and hydrocracking in crude-to-chemicals and the challenge of cracked feeds, among other topics. 

Ningbo Refining & Chemical awards ECI a technology licensing contract for an EVA/LDPE plant in China

ECI Group announced a contract award from Ningbo Zhenhai Refining & Chemical Company Limited (NZRCC) for a 200,000-tpy EVA/LDPE plant using ECI Group’s proprietary hybrid reactor technology.

Fitesa to use Braskem's I'm green bio-based polyethylene grade for nonwovens

Braskem and Fitesa, one of the world's largest nonwoven manufacturers, announced the use of Braskem's I'm green bio-based high-density polyethylene (HDPE) designed specifically for nonwoven applications.

SIBUR preparing to produce heat-resistant polyethylene in Kazan

Russian petrochemical group SIBUR has begun developing production of PE-RT, or polyethylene with raised temperature resistance, at its Kazanorgsintez plant, the company said.

INEOS CEO Sir Jim Ratcliffe: Carbon tax and high energy costs are killing off manufacturing in Britain

S-Oil posts refining, petrochemical losses; expects US tariffs to affect margins in Q2

South Korea's S-Oil, majority owned by Saudi Aramco, posted losses in the first quarter from its refining and petrochemical units and expects second-quarter margins to be impacted by U.S. tariff negotiations and market volatility.

Dow Chemical delays construction on multi-billion-dollar Path2Zero project in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada

After a reported Q1 loss, Dow Chemical plans to launch an action plan to further reduce spending and deliver $6 B in cash support. The plan includes delaying construction on the company's multi-billion-dollar Path2Zero project in Alberta, Canada.

TotalEnergies to shut Antwerp steam cracker at the end of 2027

French oil major TotalEnergies will shut its oldest steam cracker in Antwerp by the end of 2027, citing a "significant surplus of ethylene expected in Europe."

Egypt begins basic design phase for Red Sea Petrochemical Complex project in Ain Sokhna

Egypt's Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced the signing of contracts for the Egyptian-Chinese joint venture contractor to implement the basic designs for the first phase of the Red Sea Petrochemical Complex project in Ain Sokhna, Egypt. 

Digital Feature: Utilizing steam stripping to remove benzene from wastewater and waste streams: A guide to maintaining compliant benzene levels with confidence

In February of 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an enforcement alert warning stating that chemical plants releasing significant amounts of carcinogens like benzene and other harmful chemicals into the air and water, in violation of environmental regulations, could face substantial penalties.