Environment & Safety Gas Processing/LNG Maintenance & Reliability Petrochemicals Process Control Process Optimization Project Management Refining

Polymers

SABIC helps Hyundai's QarmaQ crossover go green

Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) will take part in the 10th International Plastics and Petrochemicals Trade Fair to showcase its range of polymer solutions. A highlight of the SABIC pavilion will be Hyundai's QarmaQ crossover utility vehicle.

Eastman completes Netherlands resins expansion

Eastman Chemical said Friday that it has completed the expansion of its hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins facility in Middelburg, The Netherlands. With the expansion, the company has doubled capacity at the site since 2006.

Technip wins EPC deal on Thailand elastomer plant

Michelin Siam Co. awarded Technip with a lump sum turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for a new elastomer composite plant to be built in Thailand. Technip’s operating center in Bangkok, Thailand will execute the contract, which is scheduled to be completed in early 2013.

Celanese to buy polyvinyl acetate lines of Ashland

US-based specialty chemicals firm Celanese has agreed to acquire polyvinyl acetate assets from Ashland, including its Vinac and Flexbond product lines, to support strategic growth of Celanese’s emulsion polymers business. Revenues of Vinac and Flexbond were approximately $45 million in 2010.

Dow, Saudi Aramco select Jacobs for engineering, construction of chemicals venture

Jacobs Engineering Group was awarded an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract for the Chemicals 1 Envelope of Sadara Chemical Co., the joint venture between Dow Chemical and Saudi Aramco. Construction work on the project has already started and is scheduled to be completed by early 2015.

Dow, Mitsui finalize Brazil biopolymers joint venture

Dow Chemical and Japan-based Mitsui & Co. have secured all necessary governmental regulatory approvals to complete the formation of their previously-announced 50-50 joint venture for biopolymers in Brazil. This represents the world’s largest biopolymers play and Dow’s largest investment in Brazil, a country in which Dow has operated successfully for more than 50 years.

DuPont says 2011 Asia-Pacific sales to grow 20% amid rising populations

DuPont’s East Asia president Carl J. Lukach told investors at the CLSA Asia Forum that his company is on track to generate approximately 20% sales growth this year in Asia Pacific, versus 2010 revenues of $7.3 billion. Lukach said new product and market innovations in China, India, Japan and ASEAN are driven by macro-economic factors and demographic shifts, especially a growing middle class in the region.

SABIC chief meets Chinese delegations, notes high commitment to China ops

Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) hosted senior Chinese official He Lifeng – vice party secretary of the Tianjin city government – on Friday at its headquarters in Riyadh, offering what the company said was a strong sign of support for its growing business profile in China.

GT wins order for polysilicon production equipment, technology in Saudi Arabia

GT Advanced Technologies has received a $47.7 million order for polysilicon production equipment and technology from Polysilicon Technology Co. (PTC), a company based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new contract continues a technology agreement with PTC that was first signed in 2009.

Cereplast finalizes purchase of Italy bioplastics site

US-based bioplastics firm Cereplast has completed its purchase of a manufacturing plant in Assisi (Cannara), Italy that will serve as the hub for the company's European bioplastics production. Cereplast management said it estimates the total cost of the purchase and refurbishment of the facility will be approximately €12 million.