Industry: Oil & Gas

Braskem buying Dow’s PP business Brazilian plastics giant Braskem SA has made another big move in the polypropylene market, this time acquiring the PP business of Dow Chemical Co. For $323 million. The deal makes São Paulo-based Braskem the largest PP producer in North America, and includes two U.S. plants and two in Germany, with […]

ConocoPhillips splitting in two, fate of plastics operations undecided ConocoPhillips Co. is splitting itself into two independent companies, but just which one will oversee its plastics joint venture may not be decided for “several months.” The Houston-based company announced its plan July 14 to spin off its downstream operations to create one firm overseeing refining […]

Asahi Kasei to build S-SBR plant in Singapore Asahi Kasei Chemicals held a groundbreaking ceremony in Jurong Island, Singapore, for the first phase of construction of a new plant to produce solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR). Asahi Kasei Chemicals is expanding S-SBR operations as a world-leading business, with the new plant in Singapore representing a major […]

North American shale gas is an emerging and rapidly evolving industry. While uncertainties remain, a framework exists for stakeholders to assess and manage development plans.

Shin-Etsu’s PVC plant in Kashima starts operating at full capacity Shin-Etsu Chemical says that its polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant at Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan has started operating at full capacity since May 31. Operations at the PVC plant, where production was suspended since the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, were partially […]

Shin-Etsu’s PVC plant in Kashima starts operating at full capacity Shin-Etsu Chemical says that its polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant at Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan has started operating at full capacity since May 31. Operations at the PVC plant, where production was suspended since the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, were partially […]

Sipchem, Hanwha form Wire and Cable Polymers Compounding JV Saudi Inernational Petrochemical Co. (Sipchem; Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia) and HanwhaChemical (Seoul) have signed an agreement to create an equally owned joint venture to produce special compounds for the wire & cable industry. The company, Wire & Cable Polymers Compounding Company, will invest SR225 million ($60 […]

Polymer-Chemie launches expansion of Russian plant German plastics compounder Polymer-Chemie has formally launched the first expansion phase of the compounding plant of Tula Polymer, its Russian production subsidiary in Russia’s Tula region. Stage one of the project was formally inaugurated in the presence of top company, regional and municipal officials on 8 April. The compounder […]

ExxonMobil, Sabic choose new JV site Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (Sabic) and ExxonMobil Chemical Co. have selected Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia, as the location of a new joint venture plant that will include plastic production. In a March 1 news release, officials with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-based Sabic and ExxonMobil of Houston said they selected the site […]

Honam Petrochemical Corp to establish PP manufacturing facility in Auburn Honam Petrochemical Corporation is to establish a manufacturing facility for polypropylene resin materials in Auburn, its first US manufacturing operation. HPM Alabama Corporation will initially invest an estimated US$9.25 million dollars and create 30 jobs by next year. HPM will also collaborate with Auburn University […]

Former Dow scientist convicted of selling trade secrets A former Dow Chemical Co. scientist has been convicted of selling information on production of Tyrin-brand chlorinated polyethylene to Chinese firms. Wen Chyu Liu – also known as David Liou – was convicted by a jury in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge on Feb, 6 and […]

The current pursuit of US gas export terminals contrasts sharply with the situation five years prior, when oil and gas majors actively developed LNG import facilities. This shift is largely attributable to the shale gas revolution.