Europe
India's JBF plans new PET plant at BP Belgium site
India-based joint venture JBF RAK has entered into an agreement with BP to build a new 390,000 tpy polyethylene terephthalate (PET) production unit at BP’s petrochemical site in Geel, Belgium. The agreements provide JBF rights to build and operate this PET unit on BP’s existing petrochemicals complex in Geel, adjacent to BP’s world-class purified terephthalic acid (PTA) facility.
Dow to produce stadium wrap for London Olympics
Olympic partner Dow Chemical will produce a sustainable, fabric wrap that will encircle London’s Olympic Stadium during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, home to several athletic events, and the opening and closing ceremonies. The wrap will comprise 336 individual panels – each approximately 25 meters high and 2.5 meters wide - and will help the stadium become the visual centerpiece of the London 2012 Games, according to Olympic officials.
Dow to build plants for polyolefin encapsulant films in Thailand, Germany
Dow Chemical will build two new manufacturing plants in 2012 for its ENLIGHT polyolefin encapsulant films, with one in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, and another in Schkopau, Germany. Together, these sites will more than triple capacity for making specialty films used in photovoltaic modules, and will significantly expand Dow’s ability to supply encapsulant films worldwide, the company said.
Oil demand, prices to rise in Q3 - Ernst & Young
Oil demand and prices should continue to rise in the third quarter of 2011 according to indicators, even with ongoing uncertainty with respect to the economic recovery, deficit reduction initiatives in the US and the debt crisis in Europe, according to a quarterly outlook from Ernst & Young.
Control-valve seat leakage
Enhancing initial performance, extending service life of valves offers benefits
Avoid failures with pump power-end upgrades
Designing-out maintenance and failure risk starts with simple upgrading measures, culminates in re-thinking entire bearing housing configuration
Consider life-cycle costs in specifying control valves
Latest approach improves sizing valves while also incorporating total ownership investment
Use a new calibration method for gas pipelines
An advanced method improves calibrating orifice flowmeters while reducing maintenance costs
Decrease vibration in piping with reciprocating compressors
Case study identifies problems in new compression unit
Pre-engineered solutions drive down advanced control costs
Process control can improve quality and operating efficiency

- Transition Industries signs agreements for the Pacifico Mexinol Project, an ultra-low carbon chemical production facility 7/3
- Bangkok Airways introduces SAF on commercial flights 7/3
- EcoCeres secures SAF contract with British Airways to help reduce carbon emissions 7/3
- Air Liquide to invest up to $200 MM in Louisiana, U.S. to support industrial growth 7/3
- MOL completes the acquisition of LBC Tank Terminals 7/3
- BHP awards charter contracts for two ammonia dual-fueled vessels 7/3