EPA Seeks Outside Experts to Review Controversial Fracking Report EPA is requesting nominations for outside experts to review its controversial report linking water contamination in Wyoming to hydraulic fracturing. EPA’s draft analysis met with resistance from some in the industry, which has called for a rigorous review of EPA’s findings. Nominations will be due by…
Exxon to sell Tonen stake in retreat from Japan Exxon Mobil plans to sell most of its 50 percent stake in Japanese refiner TonenGeneral Sekiyu KK and unload other assets in Japan in a roughly $5 billion deal, sources with knowledge of the matter said. The deal will mark a retreat from the world’s third-largest…
AMERICAS FlexPO 2012 CMR Inc. recently concluded its 21st annual FlexPO conference. The conference was conducted over two days in downtown Houston, TX, and featured speakers from across the globe. The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Balaji Singh, President of CMR. Dr. Balaji Singh welcomed all the delegates and introduced the main theme for the…
Süd-Chemie Launches Improved PDH Catalyst for Catofin Technology Süd-Chemie, a Clariant subsidiary, says that its “breakthrough” catalyst used in the Lummus Catofin propane dehydrogenation (PDH) technology has been successful in delivering a significant increase in propylene selectivity, while simultaneously reducing energy consumption. The new catalyst, introduced just more than a year ago, has delivered a…
AMERICAS Axiall chooses Louisiana for the cracker and derivatives project Axiall has chosen Louisiana for a USD 3 billion ethane cracker and derivatives plant. Axiall is considering potential partners for this project in which Axiall expects to invest about USD 1 billion. The new plant could begin operations in 2018. Comments: Axiall, formed after the…
AMERICAS Nova starts petrochemical utilization of Marcellus shale NOVA Chemicals has started the consumption of ethane sourced from Marcellus Shale Basin at its Corunna, Ontario cracker. NOVA initiated the consumption of the new feedstock in late December 2013, as a part of the project to revamp its Corunna, Ontario cracker to utilize up to 100%…
AMERICAS Kraton Performance Polymers to merge with SB copolymers unit of LCY Chemical Corp Kraton Performance Polymers Inc. is merging with the styrenic block copolymers business of LCY Chemical Corp to create a new materials firm, which will have annual sales of over USD 2 billion. LCY is the third largest SBC producer with plants…
AMERICAS Axiall partners with Lotte for a cracker Axiall and Lotte Chemical have signed a preliminary agreement for a 50/50 joint venture for the construction of a 1,000 KTA ethane cracker in Louisiana. The cracker, which would be fed by shale gas, could begin operations in 2018, subject to the project approval by…
AMERICAS Dow to build R&D facility in Texas Dow Chemical plans to build a new R&D facility at Lake Jackson, TX, near its largest manufacturing site at Freeport, TX. The Texas Innovation Center will house laboratory facilities and technical expertise centers to enable ongoing innovation that supports the commercialization of solutions across high-growth end-use markets…
AMERICAS Dow Chemical moving ahead with polyethylene projects Dow Chemical is moving ahead with plans to add capacity for polyethylene and related feedstock in the U.S. Gulf Coast and Saudi Arabia. The first units of Sadara, Dow’s joint venture with Saudi Aramco in Jubail, are expected to be on-stream in 2015. Sadara will…