Petrochemicals
US chemical production continues to rise by end of 2017
WASHINGTON — According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the US Chemical Production Regional Index (US CPRI) rose 1.2% in November, following a 0.5% gain in October, and a 1.2% decline in September. The upturn reflects the rebounding overall manufacturing activity in addition to continued recovery from the hurricanes. During November, chemical output increased in all regions.
Incorporate assurance into an operational readiness program—Part 2
Investors have a critical need for assurance that the asset they are invested in will achieve continuous operation at the designed rates, as well as meet—and hopefully surpass—reliability, availability and maintenance targets safely.
Advancing export terminal technology: An optimized process for the refrigeration of cryogenic hydrocarbons
Ethane production in North America (NA) has expanded dramatically with the onset of shale production and associated hydraulic fracturing. Ethane concentrations in fractured shale gas are typically 10% or higher vs. a traditional range of 4%–7% in associated gas.
Maximizing energy efficiency in paraxylene production—Part 2
Due to reduced margins, higher energy costs and rising atmospheric carbon dioxide content, energy efficiency has never been more important in refining and petrochemicals. This is particularly true in the modern aromatics complex, which produces paraxylene (pX), benzene and other aromatics from naphtha.
LG Chem to invest $278 MM to increase acrylic acid, super absorbent polymer output
SEOUL (Reuters) — LG Chem Ltd, South Korea’s largest chemical company, said on Tuesday it will spend $278.32 MM on expanding its acrylic acid and superabsorbent polymer production capacity by the first half of 2019.
Sinopec to expand NPG capacity at Yangzi refinery
BEIJING (Reuters) — Sinopec to double capacity of the Neopentylglycol (NPG) production line at its Yangzi refinery from 40,000 tpy to 80,000 tpy, the company said on Monday.
Fluor completes work on BASF auto coatings plant
IRVING, Texas — Fluor Corporation announced that BASF’s Coatings division has opened a new automotive coatings plant at the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park in Caojing, Shanghai, China. An opening ceremony was held recently to commemorate the milestone.
Mexichem-Pemex JV will not rebuild blast-damaged plant
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) — A joint venture between Mexican chemicals company Mexichem and state oil firm Pemex has decided not to rebuild a petrochemical plant in southeastern Mexico badly damaged in a deadly explosion last year, Mexichem said on Wednesday.
BASF, SINOPEC expand NPG production capacity in China
LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany and NANJING, China — BASF and SINOPEC will expand the production capacity of Neopentylglycol (NPG) at the state-of-the-art Verbund site, BASF-YPC Co., Ltd., a 50-50 joint venture in Nanjing, China.
SABIC PP extrusion line now operational in The Netherlands
SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry announced the start-up of its new Polypropylene (PP) extrusion facility in Geleen, The Netherlands.

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