Polymers
HP Global: Asia-Pacific’s refining industry entering a low-margin cycle
The global refining industry is struggling with overcapacity even after the closure of 3.5 MMbpd of capacity since 2011. Accordingly, global refining margins are expected to weaken in the coming years..
HP Petrochemicals: PVC process gets technology and control updates
KBR has formed an alliance to sell the exclusive license for JNC Corp.’s PVC process technology, which it inherited from CHISSO Corp.’s business, a pioneer in the Japanese chemical industry.
HP Industry Metrics: Industry Metrics
According to the International Energy Agency’s August Oil Market Report, 2014 global oil demand has stalled. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised down its forecast for global economic gr..
HP News
More cuts in 2015 inevitable on wave of capacityESAI Energy is declaring that a wave of new distillation capacity will underscore the inevitability of more refinery closures in Europe and other market..
Consider integrated ethanol-to-EO/EG processes
Ethanol-based production of ethylene, ethylene oxide (EO) and ethylene glycol (EG) dates back to the 1960s. The process is commercially proven and has been extensively applied industrially. Recent tre..
Eastman expands plasticizers production in Texas
Eastman completed the expansion of its non-phthalate plasticizers at its manufacturing facility in Texas City. The expansion at the site increased the overall capacity of Eastman 168 by 15%.
Braskem joins Amyris, Michelin to commercialize renewable isoprene
This collaboration was initiated to develop and commercialize renewable isoprene, sourced from various biomass as an additional sustainable pathway to produce isoprene.
Chevron Phillips sells PPS polymers unit to Solvay
Solvay intends to purchase Chevron Phillips Chemical’s Ryton PPS resin manufacturing assets in Borger, Texas, its pilot plant along with its PPS research and development assets in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, its compounding plant in Kallo-Beveren, Belgium, and certain intellectual property.
A Schulman buys Australian compounder Compco
Compco is a manufacturer of a variety of plastic compounds and products including masterbatches and custom performance colors. Key markets include packaging, wire and cable and pipe.
INEOS, Doeflex launch PVC compounding venture
Completion of the business combination has created a leading European PVC compounds producer with a turnover in excess of €200m and manufacturing sites in the UK, Sweden and Switzerland.

- LanzaJet expands partnership with Microsoft to strengthen the company’s global growth 6/13
- Phelan Green Group's $2.6-B eMethanol project remains on schedule 6/13
- Algeria launches $7-B investment plan to expand hydrocarbon processing 6/13
- AFPM/API: President Trump officially overturns California (U.S.) gas car ban 6/12
- Decision on oil refiner Italiana Petroli's sale expected around end-June 6/12
- EIA: U.S. crude stocks fall, gasoline and distillate inventories rise as refining activity increases 6/12