Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. announced that Polaris Chemicals, Inc., a subsidiary established in 2021, has begun production of biocatalysts used in the production of acrylamide. Acrylamide is a raw material for polyacrylamide, which is in turn used as a flocculant for wastewater treatment, a paper strengthening agent, and a crude oil recovery agent, among other applications. … Read more
Covestro has started production in its new plant for polyurethane elastomers systems at its integrated site in Shanghai, China. Groundbreaking for it had been announced in the summer of 2022. The investment is in the double-digit million Euro range. It is part of a series of investments in the Elastomers raw materials business the company … Read more
Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Greenstat Hydrogen India to explore future collaboration opportunities in green hydrogen and derivatives in the hydrogen value chain. BHEL in a statement said that the MoU is for “Potential Collaboration Opportunities in Green Hydrogen and Derivatives in the Hydrogen Value Chain. This MoU … Read more
In a significant boost to Gujarat’s chemical industry, four prominent industrial players have recently signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the state government, marking a total investment of INR 14.01 billion. These investments are a part of the preparations for the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, set to take place in January 2024. The signed … Read more
The Mitsubishi Chemical Group announces that it has decided to increase the γ-butyrolactone (gamma-butyrolactone; “GBL”) production capacity of its Okayama Plant (Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture) by 2,000 tons/year. This expanded production is scheduled to start in July 2024. GBL is a high-purity solvent used as an electrolyte for capacitors and semiconductor parts cleaning solutions. It … Read more
INEOS has completed the formation of a 50/50 joint venture with SINOPEC for the Tianjin Nangang Ethylene Project, announced in December 2022, which is currently under construction by SINOPEC and expected to be on-stream by April 2024. The petrochemical complex includes a 1.2 mtpa cracker, a new 500ktpa High-Density Polyethylene plant to produce INEOS pipe … Read more
McDermott has been awarded a project management consultancy (PMC) and engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) contract for the Naphtha Cracker Expansion (Phase II) polypropylene expansion and new ethylene derivative unit project from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). The project is located at the Panipat Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, located 62 miles (100 kilometers) from … Read more
The Hydrogen Utility® (H2U) and Vopak Terminals Australia (Vopak) have announced their collaboration in relation to H2U’s H2-Hub™ Gladstone project, a multi-billion renewable energy complex producing green hydrogen and green ammonia, proposed to be established in Gladstone, Queensland. H2-Hub™ Gladstone is the largest green hydrogen and green ammonia development in Queensland, with 3 GW in … Read more
Evonik, a prominent player in the chemical industry, is making noteworthy strides in its DL-methionine production plant expansion located in Singapore. To achieve a crucial milestone in the construction process, the production at the Singapore plant on Jurong Island will experience a temporary reduction for three months in the fourth quarter of 2023. Following this, … Read more
SRF Limited, a chemical-based multi-business entity specializing in the production of industrial and specialty intermediates, has released its consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2023. The unaudited results were approved by the Board of Directors during a meeting held on the same day. Q1 Results: In the first quarter of the … Read more
Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, has successfully closed a landmark transaction to acquire a 10% interest in Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. Ltd. for RMB 24.6 billion ($3.4 billion), through its subsidiary Aramco Overseas Company BV, based in the Netherlands. The acquisition follows the signing of definitive strategic agreements by both … Read more
Air Liquide announces close to 200 million US dollars in investment in two advanced material production centers in Taiwan and South Korea. The investment aims to accelerate the development and manufacturing of new advanced materials while increasing reliability and improving the sustainability of its supply chain by localizing the production close to their semiconductor customers. … Read more
Johnson Matthey plc, a global leader in sustainable technologies, has signed an investment agreement with the Jiading District in Shanghai to help accelerate the hydrogen economy in China. At a signing ceremony in Sonning, UK today, JM and the Shanghai Jiading District announced plans to build a new catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) production facility, providing CCM … Read more
BASF and Zhejiang Guanghua Technology Co., Ltd. (KHUA) have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for the supply of Neopentyl Glycol (NPG) from BASF’s Zhanjiang Verbund site to KHUA. This agreement marks a significant milestone in the long-term partnership between both parties. KHUA, a reputed manufacturer of saturated polyester resins for the powder coatings industry … Read more
LyondellBasell announced that PetroChina Guangxi Petrochemical Company will license the LyondellBasell polyethylene technology at their facility located in Qinzhou City, Guangxi, P.R. of China. The newly licensed technology will comprise the LyondellBasell leading high-pressure Lupotech process technology which will be used for both a 100 kiloton per year (KTA) Autoclave and a 300 KTA Tubular … Read more
HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL) received a substantial financial boost for its upcoming project in Barmer, Rajasthan, as the Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC) granted a loan of Rs 47.85 billion. In a press release, the company stated, “HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL) executed a loan agreement on 4 July 2023 under a consortium arrangement … Read more
French specialty materials company Arkema has announced its plan to acquire PIAM, a South Korean-based global leader in polyimide films and graphite sheets. With over 30% global market share, PIAM specializes in providing cutting-edge materials for high-growth markets such as mobile devices and electric vehicles. The acquisition, subject to regulatory approval, will allow Arkema to … Read more
India’s two leading state-owned oil and gas companies, Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly explore downstream opportunities in the petrochemical sector. The collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of both companies, including their subsidiaries, through greenfield projects, acquisitions, and global … Read more
Hong Kong SAR, China – BASF has broken ground on a polyethylene (PE) plant at its Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China. The new plant with a capacity of 500,000 metric tons of PE annually will serve the fast-growing demand in China. The plant is scheduled to start up in 2025. “China’s demand for PE has … Read more
Brenntag, the global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution, announced the acquisition of Shanghai Saifu Chemical Development Co., Ltd., one of the most respected market leaders in specialty distribution with expertise in Personal Care Chemicals in China. The acquisition of Saifu in China fits Brenntag’s acquisition strategy as a leading consolidator in the industry … Read more