Industry: Renewable power

Despite recent reduced public attention, two new reports indicate continued expansion in renewable energy capacity, investment, geographic distribution, and decreasing energy costs.

Geothermal energy, though under-publicized, provides reliable, low-cost, low-emission baseload power; its potential hinges on technological progress.

Coke and AT&T using more PlantBottle resin All conventional 500ml PET bottles for Coca-Cola, Coke Zero and diet Coke sold in the United Kingdom are being replaced by the company’s PlantBottle, which includes materials partly sourced from plants, according to Coca-Cola Great-Britain. In addition, AT&T Inc. announced Sept. 12 that it will use PlantBottle resin […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

AMERICAS Dow to complete closure of two VCM units this year Dow Chemical will close two vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) production lines this year. Dow will shut down a production unit at its Freeport, TX VCM facility in the first quarter of 2011. A second VCM unit at the company’s Plaquemine, LA complex will cease […]

Hyundai awarded US$169 mln project to build XLPE unit by Borouge Borouge has awarded a US$169 mln contract to Hyundai Engineering and Construction of South Korea to build a cross-linkable polyethylene (XLPE) unit at its petrochemical plant in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. With an annual capacity of 80,000 tonnes, the unit is an added-value complement to […]

While renewable energy costs decline, some developing nations prioritize energy access over economic considerations.