Europe
Süd-Chemie starts work to build cellulosic ethanol plant in Germany
Specialty chemicals firm Süd-Chemie has begun construction at Straubing in southern Germany of a €28mn plant to produce cellulosic ethanol from agricultural waste materials.
Cabot plans 25% expansion for Europe fumed silica
Cabot will expand production capacity by 25% at its fumed silica facility in Barry, Wales, company officials said on Monday. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2012 and is part of a three-year plan to increase Cabot’s global fumed metal oxide capacity by 35% to 40%.
Norway bomb blast targeted oil ministry - reports
The bombing that rocked Oslo, Norway, on Friday appeared to target the nation’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, according to local media reports. The explosion blew out the windows of a large government office building and damaged several others, including one that holds the prime minister’s office, according to the Washington Post.
US shale wave weakens petroleum market share for Russia, Iran, Venezuela - study
Rising US natural gas production from shale formations has already played a critical role in weakening Russia’s ability to wield an "energy weapon" over its European customers, and this trend will accelerate in the coming decades, according to a new study from Rice University’s Baker Institute.
Solutia to supply heat transfer fluid for Spain solar projects
US-based specialty chemicals firm Solutia has been awarded contracts to supply its Therminol VP-1 synthetic heat transfer fluid for two new solar power plants in Spain, it said on Thursday.
Praxair starts up new Germany air separation unit
Praxair has started up a new air separation unit at its complex in Hurth, Germany, the industrial gases company said on Wednesday. With a capacity of 1,800 tons/day, the new facility more than doubles Praxair Deutschland’s total capacity at the site.
BASF plans Bahrain plastic additives plant for 2012 to meet rising Middle East demand
BASF will significantly expand its presence in the Middle East region by building a state-of-the-art plant for antioxidant blends (CSB) in Bahrain, the Germany-based chemicals major said on Wednesday. CSBs are key additives for the production of polymers for the plastics industry, especially for the Middle East region.
ConocoPhillips to spin off downstream business
ConocoPhillips’ board of directors has approved the separation of the company’s Refining & Marketing and Exploration & Production businesses into two stand-alone, publicly traded corporations via a tax-free spin of the refining and marketing business to shareholders.
BASF picks Fluor as engineering partner for Asia, Europe chemicals projects
Germany-based BASF has chosen Fluor as an engineering partner for chemicals and petrochemicals projects across Asia and Europe, the companies announced on Thursday. The partnering agreements will cover capital investment projects with separate service orders throughout Asia and Europe.
Crane buys German valve maker WT Armatur
Engineered products provider Crane Co. has acquired German valve manufacturer W.T. Armatur Gmbh & Co. KG. Founded in 1978 and located in Maxdorf, Germany, WTA specializes in the production of bellows sealed globe valves and specialty change-over valves, officials said.
- 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
