Kazanorgsintez to triple PE capacity & add product capability using Univation’s capacity expansion technology Univation Technologies and Kazanorgsintez have signed an agreement enabling Kazanorgsintez to triple the capacity of two of its three existing UNIPOL™PE reactors and add breakthrough PE products to its manufacturing capabilities. The agreement will increase the two existing UNIPOL PE lines […]

Dow introduces a new line of Affinity GA polyolefin plastomers for hot melt adhesives and polymer modification Dow Chemical Company announced the commercial launch of AFFINITY® GA Polyolefin Plastomers (POPs), a new line of highly versatile polyolefin polymers. Developed using Dow’s proprietary INSITE® Technology and Solution Process, AFFINITY GA POPs are the first products of […]

Westlake Chemical Corporation files registration statement for Initial Public Offering Westlake Chemical Corporation announced that it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been […]

Basell to license Spheripol technology to National Petrochemical Industrial Company, Saudi Arabia National Petrochemical Industrial Company (NATPET) and Basell have signed a license agreement for a new 400 KT polypropylene plant based on Basell’s Spheripol process. NATPET, a joint stock company owned by Alujain Corporation, Xenel Industries Limited, and other private investors, will utilize the […]

BP to sell over 50% of petrochemicals business and prepares for IPO BP announced that it plans to consolidate the Olefins and Derivatives (O&D) division of its petrochemicals business into a stand-alone entity able to operate separately from the BP Group. The new O&D business will incorporate more than half of the $13 billion of […]

ExxonMobil develops new PP resin grades in Europe ExxonMobil Chemical announced the availability of an advanced polypropylene resin grade – ExxonMobil PP5122E1-designed to provide the high transparency and stiffness required for demanding sheet and thermoforming applications. ExxonMobil PP5122E1, available only in Europe, is a clarified polypropylene using proprietary ExxonMobil Chemical formulation processes. ExxonMobil PP5122E1 resin […]

NOVA and BP in agreement with Grace Davison to supply new NOVACAT™T Ziegler-Natta polyethylene catalyst NOVA Chemicals and BP Petrochemicals announced that they have entered into a long-term supply arrangement with the polyolefin catalyst business of Grace Davison for the manufacture of NOVACAT T advanced Ziegler-Natta catalysts. These catalysts, which are designed for gas-phase polyethylene […]

ExxonMobil Chemical develops a new cost-effective PE resin for wire and cable applications ExxonMobil Chemical announced a new linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) resin, LL 4004EL, for low-voltage power cable insulations. According to the company, the resin provides the cable manufacturer with a balance of crosslinking speed and ease of processing for cost-competitive cable constructions. ExxonMobil […]

Basell’s PE process technology licensing activity on the rise Basell announced that Salavatnefteorgsintez, a Russian petrochemical company controlled by Gazprom, has signed a licensing agreement to use Basell’s Hostalen technology for a new 120,000 MT/year high-density polyethylene plant at Salavat, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia. The plant is scheduled to be completed in 2006. In a […]

BP licenses Innovene technology for Sasol Polymers polypropylene expansion BP and Sasol Polymers announced the signing of an agreement to license BP’s Innovene polypropylene process technology for the expansion of Sasol’s polypropylene facilities located in Secunda, Republic of South Africa. The new plant will have an annual capacity of 300,000 MT/year, produce homopolymers, random copolymers, […]

Major polyolefins producers Dow, ExxonMobil, Nova, and DuPont report earnings Dow Chemical Dow Chemical Company reported fourth-quarter sales of $8.3 billion, up 20% from fourth-quarter 2002 sales of $7.0 billion, with a 12% increase in price and an 8% increase in volume. Net income rose to $929 million, compared with a loss of $809 million […]

Chevron Phillips Chemical enters into a new licensing agreement with Sinopec to construct a 350,000 MT/year HDPE plant Chevron Phillips Chemical Company announced that it has licensed its slurry loop technology to China Petrochemical International Company Ltd. (Sinopec) for the construction of a new 350,000 metric tons per year high-density polyethylene plant. The new loop […]