Petrochemicals
View/Alt-View: Giving voice to alternative views
Our publication often features a Viewpoint column, an executive-level short opinion piece that usually focuses on the author’s sector of the hydrocarbon processing industry. This month, we are featuring two columns back-to-back, presenting alternative views on a single topic. We use the word “alternative” deliberately—rather than “opposing”—as we wish to highlight views that present legitimately different perspectives.
Could your facility benefit from a marine terminal assessment?
How sure would a terminal manager at a distribution terminal, or a line manager at a refinery or a chemical plant that has marine loading and unloading docks, be that those docks are being operated at a level that ensures long-term safe performance?
Viewpoint: The future of India’s refining capacity and the rise of clean fuels
India is emerging as the world’s new oil demand center, with burgeoning consumption providing huge potential for downstream oil and gas growth. With a GDP ranked in the top 10 globally and a large, growing population, India has seen continuous increases in demand for energy in all forms.
People
John Flannery, the President and CEO of GE Healthcare, has been named CEO of the company, effective August 1, and Chairman and CEO effective in January 2018. Jeff Immelt, Chairman and CEO, will remain Chairman of the Board through his retirement at the end of the year.
Industry Metrics
US gasoline crack spreads continued to rally, but were offset by supply-side pressure as higher refinery runs contributed to increased inventories.
Taiwan's Formosa may not export spot diesel until Q4
SINGAPORE (Reuters) — Taiwan's Formosa Petrochemical Corp may not export any diesel in the spot market until the fourth quarter of this year, potentially boosting margins for the fuel, industry sources said on Thursday.
Canada allows Dow, Dupont merger after firms agree to sell assets
OTTAWA (Reuters) — Canada's Competition Bureau said on Tuesday it would allow a planned merger between DuPont and Dow Chemical Co after both firms agreed to dispose of some assets.
Braskem to invest $675 MM in 6th US-based polypropylene plant
BRASILIA (Reuters) — Braskem SA, Latin America's largest petrochemical company, will invest $675 MM to build a sixth US-based polypropylene-production plant, the company said on Wednesday.
Dow, 1QBit announce collaboration agreement on quantum computing
MIDLAND, Mich. — The Dow Chemical Company and 1QB Information Technologies (1QBit) announced a collaboration agreement to develop quantum computing tools for the chemicals and materials science technology spaces. The two companies will accelerate the deployment of quantum computing across a range of applications relevant to the chemical sector.
Deployment of digital infrastructure in chemical plants transforms industry
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The manufacturing approach in the chemicals industry is rapidly changing to meet increasing demand for customized and specialty products over commodity chemicals.
- INEOS to invest €250 MM in Lavera cracker modernization project in France 11/19
- BASF adds ISCC EU certification to certified biomass-balanced methanol portfolio 11/19
- Siam Cement to invest an additional $500 MM in Long Son chemical complex 11/19
- LanzaJet produces first jet fuel from ethanol at a commercial scale 11/19
- Ducor Petrochemicals, Blue Circle Olefins partner to create a fully circular supply chain for polypropylene 11/18
- World's first: Air Liquide’s innovative technology converts ammonia into hydrogen at industrial scale 11/18
