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Metallocene resins made in Spain
FOCUS year mainly reflecting higher restructuring costs. Operating cash flow significantly improved to SFR 208 M versus SFR 65 M in the previous year reflecting Clariant's priority to increase operating cash flow in 2016. Net debt was SFR 1.526 bn compared to SFR 1.312 bn recorded at end- 2015. Original Source: Clariant, 28 Jul 2016, (Website: http://www.clariant.com) © Clariant 2016.
DOE funding small businesses for clean energy innovation The US Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a $23 M investment for 23 new projects aimed at developing clean energy technologies. These Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) Phase II awards will provide $1 M of funding for each of the projects in the succeeding two years. Among the awardees are Advanced Cooling Technologies Inc and Sustainable Innovations LLC. Advanced Cooling Technologies will develop and trial a plasma-based, non-catalytic fuel reformer for the conversion of natural gas into hydrogen-rich syngas. Project collaborators include FuelCell Energy, Drexel Plasma Institute, Gas Technology Institute and Air Products. Sustainable Innovations has partnered with the University of Connecticut to develop a low-cost hydrogen contaminant detector. Original Source: Fuel Cells Bulletin, Jul 2016, 10–11 (Website: http://www.elsevierscitech. com/nl/fcb/home.asp) © Elsevier Ltd 2016.
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separation unit, olefin cracking unit and additional auxiliaries. Delivery of the project is scheduled for Oct 2017. Original Source: PetroChemical News, 8 Aug 2016, 54 (31), 2 (Website: http://www. petrochemical-news.com) © William F. Bland Co.ANB2016.
Veliky Novgorod’s Acron launches rare earth elements production In Veliky Novgorod, Russia, Acron Group launched an apatite-nepheline rock processing complex to produce rare earth elements (REE) cerium, neodymium, lanthanum, and light, medium and heavy concentrates of rare earth elements from apatite concentrate. The complex has a capacity of 200 tonnes/y of rare earth oxides. The project includes the Rare and Rare-earth Metal Technologies of the federal programme Industry Development and Its Competitive Growth. The project, implemented in 2010 has an investment value of $50 M. Oleniy Ruchey mine supplies the feedstock apatite concentrates in the Murmansk region. The exceptional REE processing technology was developed by Acron R&D centre together with the leading research centres in Russia, and is supervised by the Science and Engineering Board on Rare Earth. All products will be shipped to the domestic market for manufacturers of glass, rubbers and catalyst for oil cracking. REE are also used for magnets, alloys, and electronics. China has the monopoly of REE of over 90% of the international market at the present. Original Source: RCCnews, 29 Jul 2016, (Website: http://www.rccnews.ru/Eng) © RCCnews.ru 2016.
NEW PLANTS Wison Engineering awarded contracts for Connel Chemical’s new MTO unit Wison Engineering has been awarded two contracts for the first phase of Connel Chemical Industry Co's 600,000 tonnes/y methanol-to-olefins project in China. One of the contracts is for the engineering, procurement and construction of the first phase, which involves a 300,000 tonnes/y MTO plant. Wison was also awarded a licensing and design package contract for its olefin separation technology. The project will utilize an integrated solution that leverages UOP's MTO+OCP (olefins cracking process) technology and Wison's high recovery olefin separation technology. Specifically, Wison will be responsible for the engineering, design, procurement and construction of the MTO reaction and concentration unit, the olefin
September 2016
GreenMantra Technologies completes construction of new manufacturing plant GreenMantra Technologies has finished the development of a new production facility in Brantford, ON, Canada, as part of its plan to significantly increase its capacity and the availability of its products. The company cost-effectively converts hard-to-recycle polyolefin plastics into several speciality chemicals, including high-value waxes, lubricants and greases, using a proprietary catalytic system and patented process. The 5000 tonnes/y facility covers a semicontinuous manufacturing operation notable for its compact footprint and modular design. It is built for future expansions as well as an upgrade to a continuous, fixed-bed process. Original Source: Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Jul 2016, 32 (7), 18 (Website: http:// www.pcimag.com) © BNP Media 2016.
Metallocene resins made in Spain Repsol has started to manufacture a line of metallocene-based polyethylene (PE) resins at its Tarragona, Spain unit. It claims that the new range of products, known as Resistex, has higher-value endproducts. In 2015, Repsol constructed its new metallocene PE facility in Tarragona, where it also produces low density PE (LDPE) for use in films for packaging applications. The plant uses Chevron Phillips Chemical's proprietary technology licensed by Repsol in generating both metallocene linear LDPE (mLLDPE) and high density PE (HDPE). Original Source: Film and Sheet Extrusion, JulAug 2016, 55 (Website: http://www. amiplastics.com/mags) © Applied Market Information Ltd 2016.
ExxonMobil to expand ultra-low sulfur fuels production at Beaumont Refinery ExxonMobil on 26 Jul 2016 announced plans to increase production of ultra-low sulfur fuels at its Beaumont refinery by approximately 40,000 barrels/d, further strengthening its integrated downstream portfolio while meeting environmental standards. Construction is scheduled during 2H 2016 to install a selective cat naphtha hydrofining unit, which uses a proprietary catalyst system to remove sulfur while minimizing octane loss. Startup of the flexible technology, known as SCANfining, is expected in 2018. Gasoline produced using this technology will meet the US Environmental Protection Agency's Tier 3 gasoline sulfur specifications. Installation of the selective cat naphtha hydrofining unit is the facility's second expansion project in a year, following the announcement of the Beaumont refinery's capacity expansion in 2015, and demonstrates ExxonMobil's long-term view and disciplined approach toward advantaged business investments. Beaumont is well positioned to competitively supply high-demand growth markets around the US in the face of a challenging industry environment. Original Source: ExxonMobil, 26 Jul 2016, (Website: http://www.exxonmobil.com/) © ExxonMobil Mobil Corporation 2016.
NEW TECHNOLOGY A greener way of producing ethylene According to a study published in Nano Energy journal, scientists have developed a novel composite catalyst based on
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DOE funding small businesses for clean energy innovation The US Department of Energy (DOE) has unveiled a $23 M investment for 23 new projects aimed at developing clean energy technologies. These Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) Phase II awards will provide $1 M of funding for each of the projects in the succeeding two years. Among the awardees are Advanced Cooling Technologies Inc and Sustainable Innovations LLC. Advanced Cooling Technologies will develop and trial a plasma-based, non-catalytic fuel reformer for the conversion of natural gas into hydrogen-rich syngas. Project collaborators include FuelCell Energy, Drexel Plasma Institute, Gas Technology Institute and Air Products. Sustainable Innovations has partnered with the University of Connecticut to develop a low-cost hydrogen contaminant detector. Original Source: Fuel Cells Bulletin, Jul 2016, 10–11 (Website: http://www.elsevierscitech. com/nl/fcb/home.asp) © Elsevier Ltd 2016.
ON
C ATA LY S T S
separation unit, olefin cracking unit and additional auxiliaries. Delivery of the project is scheduled for Oct 2017. Original Source: PetroChemical News, 8 Aug 2016, 54 (31), 2 (Website: http://www. petrochemical-news.com) © William F. Bland Co.ANB2016.
Veliky Novgorod’s Acron launches rare earth elements production In Veliky Novgorod, Russia, Acron Group launched an apatite-nepheline rock processing complex to produce rare earth elements (REE) cerium, neodymium, lanthanum, and light, medium and heavy concentrates of rare earth elements from apatite concentrate. The complex has a capacity of 200 tonnes/y of rare earth oxides. The project includes the Rare and Rare-earth Metal Technologies of the federal programme Industry Development and Its Competitive Growth. The project, implemented in 2010 has an investment value of $50 M. Oleniy Ruchey mine supplies the feedstock apatite concentrates in the Murmansk region. The exceptional REE processing technology was developed by Acron R&D centre together with the leading research centres in Russia, and is supervised by the Science and Engineering Board on Rare Earth. All products will be shipped to the domestic market for manufacturers of glass, rubbers and catalyst for oil cracking. REE are also used for magnets, alloys, and electronics. China has the monopoly of REE of over 90% of the international market at the present. Original Source: RCCnews, 29 Jul 2016, (Website: http://www.rccnews.ru/Eng) © RCCnews.ru 2016.
NEW PLANTS Wison Engineering awarded contracts for Connel Chemical’s new MTO unit Wison Engineering has been awarded two contracts for the first phase of Connel Chemical Industry Co's 600,000 tonnes/y methanol-to-olefins project in China. One of the contracts is for the engineering, procurement and construction of the first phase, which involves a 300,000 tonnes/y MTO plant. Wison was also awarded a licensing and design package contract for its olefin separation technology. The project will utilize an integrated solution that leverages UOP's MTO+OCP (olefins cracking process) technology and Wison's high recovery olefin separation technology. Specifically, Wison will be responsible for the engineering, design, procurement and construction of the MTO reaction and concentration unit, the olefin
September 2016
GreenMantra Technologies completes construction of new manufacturing plant GreenMantra Technologies has finished the development of a new production facility in Brantford, ON, Canada, as part of its plan to significantly increase its capacity and the availability of its products. The company cost-effectively converts hard-to-recycle polyolefin plastics into several speciality chemicals, including high-value waxes, lubricants and greases, using a proprietary catalytic system and patented process. The 5000 tonnes/y facility covers a semicontinuous manufacturing operation notable for its compact footprint and modular design. It is built for future expansions as well as an upgrade to a continuous, fixed-bed process. Original Source: Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Jul 2016, 32 (7), 18 (Website: http:// www.pcimag.com) © BNP Media 2016.
Metallocene resins made in Spain Repsol has started to manufacture a line of metallocene-based polyethylene (PE) resins at its Tarragona, Spain unit. It claims that the new range of products, known as Resistex, has higher-value endproducts. In 2015, Repsol constructed its new metallocene PE facility in Tarragona, where it also produces low density PE (LDPE) for use in films for packaging applications. The plant uses Chevron Phillips Chemical's proprietary technology licensed by Repsol in generating both metallocene linear LDPE (mLLDPE) and high density PE (HDPE). Original Source: Film and Sheet Extrusion, JulAug 2016, 55 (Website: http://www. amiplastics.com/mags) © Applied Market Information Ltd 2016.
ExxonMobil to expand ultra-low sulfur fuels production at Beaumont Refinery ExxonMobil on 26 Jul 2016 announced plans to increase production of ultra-low sulfur fuels at its Beaumont refinery by approximately 40,000 barrels/d, further strengthening its integrated downstream portfolio while meeting environmental standards. Construction is scheduled during 2H 2016 to install a selective cat naphtha hydrofining unit, which uses a proprietary catalyst system to remove sulfur while minimizing octane loss. Startup of the flexible technology, known as SCANfining, is expected in 2018. Gasoline produced using this technology will meet the US Environmental Protection Agency's Tier 3 gasoline sulfur specifications. Installation of the selective cat naphtha hydrofining unit is the facility's second expansion project in a year, following the announcement of the Beaumont refinery's capacity expansion in 2015, and demonstrates ExxonMobil's long-term view and disciplined approach toward advantaged business investments. Beaumont is well positioned to competitively supply high-demand growth markets around the US in the face of a challenging industry environment. Original Source: ExxonMobil, 26 Jul 2016, (Website: http://www.exxonmobil.com/) © ExxonMobil Mobil Corporation 2016.
NEW TECHNOLOGY A greener way of producing ethylene According to a study published in Nano Energy journal, scientists have developed a novel composite catalyst based on
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