Europe
Clariant releases new catalysts for steam reforming process
MUNICH – Clariant announced the launch of a new generation of high-performance catalysts for the steam reforming process in the production of hydrogen, ammonia and methanol. The new ReforMax 330 LDP Plus and ReforMax 210 LDP Plus catalysts are designed with a unique 8-hole flower-like configuration that ensures a low-pressure drop in the tubular reforming reactor while offering catalyst activity and selectivity.
Oil edges off three-month lows, eyes on US inventory
LONDON (Reuters) -- Oil prices recovered modestly from three-month lows on Tuesday, with concerns persisting about rising US inventories and few clear signs that OPEC will extend supply curbs beyond June.
Neste Jacobs, Coolbrook to develop new olefin cracking technology
Neste Jacobs, a technology, engineering and project management company and Coolbrook, a technology development company, are developing a new technology innovation in collaboration with University of Oxford's Osney Thermo Fluids laboratory, University of Cambridge's Whittle laboratory, and major chemical producers such as Dow Chemical as well as equipment manufacturers including MANTurbo. This innovation is based on hydrocarbon (e.g. Naphtha) cracking method, where ethylene, the core raw material for polyethylene is produced.
UK's Wood Group to buy rival Amec Foster in $2.7-B deal
(Reuters) -- British oilfield services company John Wood Group has agreed to buy Amec Foster Wheeler in a deal valuing its smaller rival at about 2.2 billion pounds ($2.7 billion) and averting a planned 500-MM-pound rights issue.
Evonik breaks ground on stretching, polishing plant for large-format aircraft materials
WEITERSTADT, Germany -- Evonik marked the start of construction of a new stretching and polishing plant at the Weiterstadt site with a groundbreaking ceremony on March 2. The Essen-based Group is investing a two-digit million euro amount in the plant.
Oil trading giant Vitol bets on fuel retail for growth
LONDON (Reuters) -- From Pakistan to Turkey, the world's largest independent oil trader Vitol is betting on a spike in gasoline and diesel demand in young and growing nations by snapping up filling stations that disappointed oil companies are prepared to sell.
EIA: Norway’s Troll crude oil to be included in Brent price assessment
The method for assessing the Brent global benchmark crude oil price is scheduled to change in 2018. The Brent price benchmark reflects transactions involving physical cargoes of several specific grades of crude oil in the North Sea, located between the United Kingdom and Norway.
Akzo Nobel rejects $22-B PPG bid, looks to spin off chemicals
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -- Dutch paints and coatings maker Akzo Nobel NV rejected a $22 billion bid from larger US rival PPG Industries Inc on Thursday, saying instead it wanted to "unlock value" by spinning off its chemicals business.
Amec awarded Al-Zour, Kuwait petchem contract
Amec Foster Wheeler announced the award of a contract by Petrochemical Industries Company K.S.C., a subsidiary of the Kuwait Petroleum Company, for the integration project between its Olefins III, Aromatics II and ZOR Refinery in the State of Kuwait. The contract covers Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) leading to Project Management Consultancy (PMC) for the project.
Aeromon demos drone measurement platform for emissions mapping
HELSINKI, Finland -- Aeromon, a Finnish cleantech startup that utilizes analytics platform and mobile sensors to flexibly map emissions in real-time, demonstrated the effectiveness of drone-mounted platforms for measuring industrial emissions.
- Mideast conflict turbocharges diesel prices, squeezing Europe 6/23
- Pertamina is looking to import > 200,000/month of 90-octane gasoline 6/23
- Japan will mitigate potential gasoline price spike, prime minister says 6/23
- Linde to invest $400 MM to build the world-scale air separation unit 6/23
- OEG signs major partnership agreement in Qatar 6/23
- U.S. Supreme Court lets fuel producers challenge California emissions standards 6/23
