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Petrochemicals

AFPM Annual '17: Daily editions of the official conference newspaper

SAN ANTONIO -- Enclosed are digital copies of all three daily editions of the official conference newspaper of the AFPM 2017 Annual Meeting, held at the Marriott Rivercenter.

Clariant launches new phosphoric acid catalyst for fuel upgrading

MUNICH – Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, today announced the launch of PolyMax 850, a catalyst for petroleum refineries. The new phosphoric acid catalyst increases polygasoline, nonene and tetramer yields at lower operating temperatures, reducing costs and boosting productivity. Compared to previous generations of the PolyMax series, the new catalyst offers an even longer service life.

Berkshire's Lubrizol to take majority stake in India JV

(Reuters) -- Lubrizol Corp, the specialty chemicals unit of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc, said on Monday it plans to take majority control of its Indian joint venture with state-run Indian Oil Corp, boosting its stake to 74% from 50%.

Trump's proposal to scrap chemical safety board draws criticism

(Reuters) -- President Donald Trump's proposal to do away with the federal agency that investigates chemical accidents drew sharp criticism from environmental, labor and safety advocates, who said that eliminating the watchdog would put American lives at risk.

Honeywell UOP scientists recognized for methanol-to-olefins technology

DES PLAINES, Ill. – Honeywell UOP announced that the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ Fuels and Petrochemical Division has recognized four of its scientists with the 2016 Industrial Research & Development Award for the development and commercialization of the UOP Advanced Methanol-to-Olefins process.

Pöyry awarded engineering contract for Synthomer dispersion plant

Synthomer Deutschland GmbH has awarded Pöyry with the detail engineering services assignment for the revamp of its dispersion plant in Worms, Germany. The assignment includes detail engineering services for all disciplines as well as Health, Safety and Environment management, permitting engineering, cost control and project scheduling. Project is expected to be completed in the Q3 2018.

BASF to invest in new plastic additives plant in Shanghai, China

HONG KONG – BASF is investing more than €200 million globally to increase its production network for plastic additives. An important step is an investment to build a new plastic additives plant at its Caojing site in Shanghai, China. This world-scale plant, with an annual capacity of 42,000 t, will produce antioxidants and associated forms and blends. It is expected to be completed in 2019, with commercial production to start by early 2020.

Neste Jacobs, Coolbrook to develop new olefin cracking technology

Neste Jacobs, a technology, engineering and project management company and Coolbrook, a technology development company, are developing a new technology innovation in collaboration with University of Oxford's Osney Thermo Fluids laboratory, University of Cambridge's Whittle laboratory, and major chemical producers such as Dow Chemical as well as equipment manufacturers including MANTurbo. This innovation is based on hydrocarbon (e.g. Naphtha) cracking method, where ethylene, the core raw material for polyethylene is produced.

Korea's Hyundai Engineering $3.2-B Iran petchem deal awaiting funding

DUBAI (Reuters) -- An Iranian investment fund signed a deal with Korea's Hyundai Engineering Co. on Sunday for a $3.2 billion petrochemical project, which is awaiting financing by Korean banks, the oil ministry's website SHANA said.

Evonik breaks ground on stretching, polishing plant for large-format aircraft materials

WEITERSTADT, Germany -- Evonik marked the start of construction of a new stretching and polishing plant at the Weiterstadt site with a groundbreaking ceremony on March 2. The Essen-based Group is investing a two-digit million euro amount in the plant.