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Europe

Technip forms technology partnership with French atomic energy group

France-based engineering major Technip has signed a strategic partnership agreement for innovation and technology development with the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). The agreement is valid for an initial period of three years.

Nabucco pipeline decision could boost Germany's gas supplies

Germany's decision to phase out its nuclear power in light of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan has boosted interest in the planned Nabucco gas pipeline, which would transport gas 4,000 km between Turkey and Austria. However, a final decision on the Nabucco project will not be made until the end of next year.

Refining group names Albemarle top biodiesel firm

US-based specialty chemicals producer Albemarle was named biodiesel corporation of the year by the World Refining Association during the Biofuels 2011 annual meeting in Amsterdam. The award, which was presented to representatives from Albemarle's alternative fuel technologies (AFT) division, recognizes industry leaders that have made substantial contributions in the field of renewable fuels.

BASF, Cargill team up on canola oil development

Cargill and BASF Plant Science announced an agreement to co-develop a new dietary source of EPA/DHA that will make it easier for consumers globally to achieve optimal intakes of EPA- and DHA-rich omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. This next generation canola oil containing EPA/DHA will enable food, pharmaceutical and nutritional supplement manufacturers to deliver the potential health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in a variety of new, cost-effective consumer products available by the end of the decade.

Global oil, gas firms poised for strong 2011 finish despite market uncertainty - report

Though third-quarter financial news has been decidedly more bearish than bullish, advisory firm Ernst & Young's oil and gas center says it anticipates a steady close to the year. The oil and gas industry is set to end 2011 strong amid great uncertainty in the broader market, according to the firm’s quarterly oil and gas update.

SABIC creates venture capital arm for technology investment

Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) has announced the launch of a new global corporate venture capital arm, SABIC Ventures, in the Netherlands, with the primary goal of seeking out innovative technologies and businesses consistent with the company's global strategy.

Study says isobutanol-gasoline blends are superior to ethanol in small engines

In side by side performance, durability and emissions testing of small engines, gasoline blended with isobutanol performed better than blends using ethanol, according to new research from renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels firm Gevo. The results demonstrated that unlike ethanol, blends incorporating isobutanol do not cause any irregular or unstable engine or performance issues.

Chemical M&A surging amid major US deals - PwC

Mega deals involving US-based companies in the global chemicals industry helped raise merger and acquisition (M&A) deal value to $16 billion in the third quarter of 2011, according to Chemical Compounds, a quarterly analysis of M&A activity in the global chemicals industry by consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Sasol picks Foster Wheeler for EPCm on gas-fired power plant in South Africa

Foster Wheeler says it has received an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) services contract from Sasol for the outside battery limit (OBL) portion of a new gas-fired power generation plant at Sasolburg, South Africa.

Cereplast finalizes purchase of Italy bioplastics site

US-based bioplastics firm Cereplast has completed its purchase of a manufacturing plant in Assisi (Cannara), Italy that will serve as the hub for the company's European bioplastics production. Cereplast management said it estimates the total cost of the purchase and refurbishment of the facility will be approximately €12 million.