Polymers
Braskem-Idesa picks GE compressor technology in Mexico ethylene, PE venture
The Veracruz ethylene and polyethylene (PE) complex in Mexico, a joint venture between Brazil’s Braskem and Mexico’s Grupo Idesa, will use hyper compressor and booster compressor technologies from GE. The GE technologies will be key elements of the low-density polyethylene (LPDE) plant.
Dow to build world-scale ethylene plant by 2017 at Freeport complex
The new Texas cracker is part of a plan to further connect US operations with low-cost feedstocks available from increasing US shale gas supply, says CEO Andrew Liveris.
Huntsman to expand polyurethane catalyst output at Hungary, Spain sites
The performance products division of Huntsman will expand manufacturing capacity of specialty amines used as polyurethane catalysts at manufacturing facilities in Petfurdo, Hungary and in Barcelona, Spain. Financial details of the expansion, which will increase outut by 25%, were not disclosed.
Mitsubishi, Celanese to expand polyacetal complex in South Korea
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co. (MGC) says it is expanding polyacetal (POM) production at its joint-venture facility in South Korea, increasing its production by 35,000 tpy. The construction of the new facility will start in the first quarter of 2012 and will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Bayer to acquire Arkema polycarbonate sheet unit
Bayer MaterialScience has agreed to acquire the polycarbonate sheet business of Arkema, which includes the company’s Tuffak line of products used in such markets as aerospace, transportation and heavy equipment. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
BASF to build new India polyurethane site by 2014
BASF will invest €150 million to set up a new chemical production site at Dahej, located on the west coast of India in Gujarat. The start of production is planned for 2014. The project will be financed by BASF India Ltd. through internal accruals and loans.
Fluor named North America engineering partner for BASF chemical projects
BASF has chosen Fluor as its engineering partner for chemicals capital projects across North America. The deal includes include conceptual and front-end engineering and design (FEED), detailed engineering, procurement, project management and construction management services.
Dow Chemical to close plants amid cost cuts, cites weak Europe economy
Dow will shut down three insulation products plants as well as idle a plant in Terneuzen, The Netherlands. The company is also closing its TDI plant in Camaçari, Brazil.
Chevron Phillips to build on-purpose 1-hexene plant at Texas complex
Chevron Phillips will build the world’s largest on-purpose 1-hexene plant, capable of producing up to 250,000 tpy (551,000,000 lbs) at its Cedar Bayou chemical complex in Baytown, Texas. The project is anticipated to start up during the first quarter of 2014. Costs were not disclosed.
Alternate feedstock options for petrochemicals: A roadmap
New hydrocarbons will be needed to meet future demand

- Kumho Mitsui Chemicals begins operation of chlor-alkali plant using thyssenkrupp nucera technology 6/16
- MAIRE, Azerbaijan partner to increase sustainability projects in Azerbaijan 6/16
- Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, RITE partner to convert captured CO2 into methanol 6/16
- Yara Clean Ammonia supports groundbreaking ammonia bunkering pilot in Pilbara (Australia) 6/16
- Syensqo signs carbon fiber composites recycling contract with Fairmat 6/16
- OCI Global receives U.S. regulatory approval for the sale of its global methanol business to Methanex Corp. 6/16