Europe
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.
Cereplast to supply bioplastic resins to Turkey
Cereplast entered into a distribution agreement with Polimernet Plastik Ltd. to supply bioplastic resins to the Turkish market, the manufacturer of proprietary bio-based, compostable and sustainable plastics said on Tuesday.
Swiss Lonza to buy biocides firm Arch Chemicals
The Switzerland-based Lonza Group, one of the world's leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries, will acquire US biocides company Arch Chemicals for $47.20/share in cash, or about $1.2 billion.
Sherwin-Williams acquires UK fire protection coatings firm Leighs Paints
UK-based industrial fire protection coatings company Leighs Paints has been acquired by US-based paints major Sherwin-Williams. The acquisition significantly enhances the product portfolio of the company’s protective and marine business, the company said.
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- India's Nayara Energy buys only Russian oil in Dec for 5th straight month 1/15
