Europe
OriginOil announces innovation to increase algae yield
OriginOil, Inc. (OOIL), the developer of a technology to transform algae into a competitor to petroleum, has unveiled Algae Screen, a process that keeps algae healthy and productive by selectively eliminating microscopic predators without the use of chemicals. The technology employs an electromagnetic pulse.
PetroAlgae partners with Haldor Topsoe for renewable fuels based on biomass
PetroAlgae Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement with Haldor Topsoe and its US subsidiary, Haldor Topsoe, Inc., to provide technology and catalysts to upgrade oils produced from Petroalgae’s biomass through refinery coking processes and pyrolysis into drop-in renewable fuels, including diesel and jet fuels.
Porocel and Inprocat join together
Porocel International and Integrated & Proven Catalyst Technologies (Inprocat) announced today that they have reached a definitive agreement to combine their forces into a joint venture to be called Quanta Technologies, LLC.
Foster Wheeler adds sulfur recovery to its portfolio
Foster Wheeler’s newly acquired sulfur recovery technology brings clear advantages to its refinery customers.
GE introduces new desalter emulsion breaker chemistry
GE today announced it has introduced the next generation of its Embreak emulsion breakers. Coupling the new chemistry for light and medium density crude oils with the first generation heavy crude oil emulsion breakers, GE now offers a full suite of products that span the entire range of crudes, delivering optimal desalter performance, potentially reducing total costs of operation and increasing environmental benefits.
Nuclear disaster will shift $200 billion investment to fossil and renewables
In the next five years over $3 trillion will be invested in dynamic segments of the power, energy and water industries. However, forecasts regarding the division of this investment made just months ago are now revised to reflect lower investment in new nuclear power plants and higher investment in alternatives.
Bayer MaterialScience to invest €100 million in Germany
Bayer MaterialScience plans to invest roughly €100 million in the expansion of the high-tech production plant for MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) at the Bayer Brunsbüttel Industrial Park in Germany.
Global climate deal needed to go beyond previously agreed industrial emissions threshold
Policymakers should avoid putting through new unilateral greenhouse gas (GHG) targets and burdens designed to go beyond the originally stated 20% reductions, Cefic urged in a policy statement issued in early March.
Berkshire Hathaway to acquire Lubrizol
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and The Lubrizol Corp. announced on March 14 a definitive agreement for Berkshire Hathaway to acquire 100% of outstanding Lubrizol shares for $135 per share in an all-cash transaction.
Japan's refining industry partially closed
Chaos continues as bleak news from Japan streams in from devastated areas
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- Veolia and SBM Offshore partner to deploy near-shore, floating desalination units 1/15
- Formosa Petrochemical extends Taiwan cracker shutdown due to weak derivative margins 1/15
- Cargill advances maritime Decarbonization with delivery of first green methanol dual-fuel vessel 1/15
- Key U.S. energy, power trends at home and on world markets 1/15
- U.S. to finalize 2026 biofuel quotas by early March, drop import penalties 1/15

