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Nippon Shokubai announces Research Alliance Laboratories with Osaka University
FOCUS units. Ongoing Texas-based polyethylene projects are as follows: Chevron Phillips Chemical (500,000 tonnes/y for HDPE; 500,000 tonnes/y for metallocene LLDPE in Old Ocean), ExxonMobil (1.3 M tonnes/y for LLDPE in Baytown) and LyondellBasell (500,000 tonnes/y for HDPE in La Porte). A table shows US chemical trade ($M, excluding pharmaceuticals) in 2016. A bar graph shows the US chemicals trade balance ($M, ex pharma) in 2016. Another bar graph shows the top export ($M) destinations of US chemicals in 2016.
Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 24–30 Mar 2017, 291 (12 (International Petrochemical Conference 2017)), 8–10 (Website: http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information.
Global sulfuric acid market to expand at 2.6% CAGR As reported by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global sulfuric acid sector is set to expand at 2.6% CAGR from $67.9 bn in 2014 to $85.4 bn by 2023. In 2014, phosphate fertilizers led all end-use segments with nearly 50% share, while fertilizers in general had a 60% share. Asia-Pacific outpaced all regions with a 50% share, led by China. Key producers include The Mosaic Company, Vale Fertilizers, PotashCorp, ExxonMobil, Bahrain Petroleum Company and Bechtel.
Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 21 Mar 2017, 180 (Website: http://www. chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2017.
Brussels approves merger of Dow and DuPont The EU Commission approved the planned merger between US chemical giants Dow Chemical and DuPont. However both companies will have to make significant concessions. DuPont will have to sell a large part of its pesticides business, which could benefit one of its competitors, probably BASF. The EU Commission initially voiced concerns that the merger could affect the competition on the market for pesticides and that fewer new products will enter the markets if Dow and DuPont merge their research activities. DuPont agreed to sell a large part of the pesticides business including research and development activities, and Dow will sell assets in the petrochemicals segment. Any buyer must operate independently from Dow and DuPont and must have sufficient resources to make the acquired business a success. Dow Chemical and DuPont first published their merger plans at the end of 2015. Approval of the transaction remains outstanding from the US and China. The new DowDuPont Group will become the world's largest chemicals manufacturer. After the merger the group will be split into 3 companies for agrochemicals, speciality chemicals and plastics, which will be noted on the stock market.
Original Source: Farbe und Lack (Online Version), 29 Mar 2017, (Website: http://www. farbeundlack.de/) © Vincentz Network 2017.
Commentary: 2nd wave view clears The second wave of the petrochemical expansion in the US is getting clearer. Many projects were withdrawn after the crude oil downtrend in 2014– 2015 but a new round of project announcements
May 2017
ON
C ATA LY S T S
and activities were driven by the relatively steadier oil prices and relived optimism on the long-term demand of petrochemicals worldwide. Total declared its plans for a joint venture with NOVA Chemicals and Borealis to construct a 1 M tonne/y cracker in Port Arthur, TX, US and a new 625,000 tonnes/y polyethylene (PE) plant in Bayport, TX. The final investment decision (FID) is anticipated by end-2017 while the start-up is expected by end2020. The 1.5 M tonne/y cracker and derivative project of Dow Chemical in Freeport, TX is now mechanically complete and is scheduled to become online in mid-2017. According to Shell, the company is ready to begin the construction of its 1.5 M tonne/y cracker and PE project in Monaca, PA in late-2017 from its original schedule of 2018. The project is scheduled for start-up in early 2020s. A collaboration of SABIC and ExxonMobil Chemical will select a site on the US Gulf Coast in 2017 for its planned 1.8 M tonne/y cracker and derivatives plant. Meanwhile, the 1.5 M tonne/y cracker project of ExxonMobil is already under construction and is anticipated to start up by end2017. LyondellBasell will launch a new project to build a 500,000 tonne/y high density PE (HDPE) in La Porte, TX, which is planned to start operations in mid-2019. In 3Q 2017, LyondellBasell will make an FID on its $2–2.5 bn propylene oxide/tertiary butyl alcohol (PO/TBA) plant slated for start-up in 2021 to produce 900,000 tonne/y TBA and 450,000 tonne/y PO. Chevron Phillips Chemical plans a new 1.5 M tonne/y cracker in Cedar Bayou, TX by end-2017. The company is considering an aromatic project in the US, using benzene from its Aromax process. Wanhua Chemical has announced its plan for the creation of a methyl di-p phenylene isocyanate (MDI) plant in Louisiana. The new North American PE capacity beginning in 2017 and 2018 could squeeze margins. Sasol and INEOS is on track to begin its joint venture of 470,000 tonne/y HDPE project in La Porte, TX in 4Q 2017. For 2017, the overall tally in additional US PE capacity is 3.5 M tonnes/y and there is more underway. Through 2019, an additional 6.1 M tonnes/y compared to 2016 is anticipated if other projects push through. According to ICIS analysis, the tally could reach 10.7 M tonnes/y in 2022. A table shows the company, capacity, location, current status and start-up date of the second wave of US crackers.
Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 14– 20 Apr 2017, 291 (15), 5 (Website: http:// www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2017.
COMPANY NEWS Nippon Shokubai announces Research Alliance Laboratories with Osaka University Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd hereby announces to establish NIPPON SHOKUBAI Research Alliance Laboratories, on 1 Apr 2017 at Osaka University. In Apr 2014, Nippon Shokubai established Osaka University Nippon Shokubai Joint Research Chair at Osaka University graduate school of engineering, and since then, Nippon Shokubai has been working on the creation of basic technologies related to competitive functional chemical synthesis by merging Osaka University's state-of-the-art catalyst/synthesis technology with Nippon
Shokubai's holding technology. In order to further accelerate new business creation and technological innovation, from Apr 2017, the Research Alliance Laboratories will be newly established by expansively resolving the Joint Research Chair. The Research Alliance Laboratories focuses on the collaboration between the cutting-edge technologies of Osaka University in medical engineering cooperation fields and our holding technologies of catalysts, organic synthesis, and polymer synthesis.
Original Source: Nippon Shokubai, 6 Apr 2017, (Website: http://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/) © Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd 2017.
Activation and C2P2 laboratory open LabCom The French firm Activation and the laboratory Chimie, Catalyse, Polymers et Procedes (C2P2, CNRS/CPE/Universite Claude Bernard Lyon) have opened their joint LSIP (Laboratoire d'Innovation, Scale-up et Intensification des Procedes de polymerisation). This will have support of €300,000 from ANR for a period of 3 years. The partners will develop innovative methods for producing telechelic polyolefins using catalytic processes.
Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 13 Mar 2017, (793), (Website: http://www. industrie.com/chimie) © ETAI Information 2016.
ExxonMobil Chemical begins expansion of Shanghai Technology Center ExxonMobil Chemical has commenced the multimillion dollar expansion of its Shanghai Technology Center. The project involves a state-ofthe-art research and development centre. The firm has specifically expanded the tyre testing capabilities at the facility, including an additional inflation pressure loss rate test room that assesses a tyre's air pressure loss rate over time.
Original Source: Rubber World, Mar 2017, 255 (6), 6 (Website: http://www.rubberworld.com) © Rubber World Magazine 2017.
BASF Group inaugurates new Innovation Campus Asia Pacific in Mumbai, India With up to €50 M worth of investment, BASF Group has launched its new Innovation Campus Asia Pacific in Mumbai, India. The campus is the biggest research and development (R&D) investment of the company in South Asia. BASF Chemicals India Private Limited, a BASF SE offshoot, will manage all global research operations at the new campus. The campus will increase the existing R&D activities of BASF in India to include global and regional research on a series of speciality chemicals. It will focus on process development, organic synthesis and personal and home care. It consists of labs for chemical synthesis, process development and application, as well as analytics. It can house around 300 scientists.
Original Source: Coatings World, Mar 2017, 22 (3), 8 (Website: http://www.coatingsworld. com) © Rodman Media 2017.
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Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 24–30 Mar 2017, 291 (12 (International Petrochemical Conference 2017)), 8–10 (Website: http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information.
Global sulfuric acid market to expand at 2.6% CAGR As reported by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global sulfuric acid sector is set to expand at 2.6% CAGR from $67.9 bn in 2014 to $85.4 bn by 2023. In 2014, phosphate fertilizers led all end-use segments with nearly 50% share, while fertilizers in general had a 60% share. Asia-Pacific outpaced all regions with a 50% share, led by China. Key producers include The Mosaic Company, Vale Fertilizers, PotashCorp, ExxonMobil, Bahrain Petroleum Company and Bechtel.
Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 21 Mar 2017, 180 (Website: http://www. chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2017.
Brussels approves merger of Dow and DuPont The EU Commission approved the planned merger between US chemical giants Dow Chemical and DuPont. However both companies will have to make significant concessions. DuPont will have to sell a large part of its pesticides business, which could benefit one of its competitors, probably BASF. The EU Commission initially voiced concerns that the merger could affect the competition on the market for pesticides and that fewer new products will enter the markets if Dow and DuPont merge their research activities. DuPont agreed to sell a large part of the pesticides business including research and development activities, and Dow will sell assets in the petrochemicals segment. Any buyer must operate independently from Dow and DuPont and must have sufficient resources to make the acquired business a success. Dow Chemical and DuPont first published their merger plans at the end of 2015. Approval of the transaction remains outstanding from the US and China. The new DowDuPont Group will become the world's largest chemicals manufacturer. After the merger the group will be split into 3 companies for agrochemicals, speciality chemicals and plastics, which will be noted on the stock market.
Original Source: Farbe und Lack (Online Version), 29 Mar 2017, (Website: http://www. farbeundlack.de/) © Vincentz Network 2017.
Commentary: 2nd wave view clears The second wave of the petrochemical expansion in the US is getting clearer. Many projects were withdrawn after the crude oil downtrend in 2014– 2015 but a new round of project announcements
May 2017
ON
C ATA LY S T S
and activities were driven by the relatively steadier oil prices and relived optimism on the long-term demand of petrochemicals worldwide. Total declared its plans for a joint venture with NOVA Chemicals and Borealis to construct a 1 M tonne/y cracker in Port Arthur, TX, US and a new 625,000 tonnes/y polyethylene (PE) plant in Bayport, TX. The final investment decision (FID) is anticipated by end-2017 while the start-up is expected by end2020. The 1.5 M tonne/y cracker and derivative project of Dow Chemical in Freeport, TX is now mechanically complete and is scheduled to become online in mid-2017. According to Shell, the company is ready to begin the construction of its 1.5 M tonne/y cracker and PE project in Monaca, PA in late-2017 from its original schedule of 2018. The project is scheduled for start-up in early 2020s. A collaboration of SABIC and ExxonMobil Chemical will select a site on the US Gulf Coast in 2017 for its planned 1.8 M tonne/y cracker and derivatives plant. Meanwhile, the 1.5 M tonne/y cracker project of ExxonMobil is already under construction and is anticipated to start up by end2017. LyondellBasell will launch a new project to build a 500,000 tonne/y high density PE (HDPE) in La Porte, TX, which is planned to start operations in mid-2019. In 3Q 2017, LyondellBasell will make an FID on its $2–2.5 bn propylene oxide/tertiary butyl alcohol (PO/TBA) plant slated for start-up in 2021 to produce 900,000 tonne/y TBA and 450,000 tonne/y PO. Chevron Phillips Chemical plans a new 1.5 M tonne/y cracker in Cedar Bayou, TX by end-2017. The company is considering an aromatic project in the US, using benzene from its Aromax process. Wanhua Chemical has announced its plan for the creation of a methyl di-p phenylene isocyanate (MDI) plant in Louisiana. The new North American PE capacity beginning in 2017 and 2018 could squeeze margins. Sasol and INEOS is on track to begin its joint venture of 470,000 tonne/y HDPE project in La Porte, TX in 4Q 2017. For 2017, the overall tally in additional US PE capacity is 3.5 M tonnes/y and there is more underway. Through 2019, an additional 6.1 M tonnes/y compared to 2016 is anticipated if other projects push through. According to ICIS analysis, the tally could reach 10.7 M tonnes/y in 2022. A table shows the company, capacity, location, current status and start-up date of the second wave of US crackers.
Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 14– 20 Apr 2017, 291 (15), 5 (Website: http:// www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2017.
COMPANY NEWS Nippon Shokubai announces Research Alliance Laboratories with Osaka University Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd hereby announces to establish NIPPON SHOKUBAI Research Alliance Laboratories, on 1 Apr 2017 at Osaka University. In Apr 2014, Nippon Shokubai established Osaka University Nippon Shokubai Joint Research Chair at Osaka University graduate school of engineering, and since then, Nippon Shokubai has been working on the creation of basic technologies related to competitive functional chemical synthesis by merging Osaka University's state-of-the-art catalyst/synthesis technology with Nippon
Shokubai's holding technology. In order to further accelerate new business creation and technological innovation, from Apr 2017, the Research Alliance Laboratories will be newly established by expansively resolving the Joint Research Chair. The Research Alliance Laboratories focuses on the collaboration between the cutting-edge technologies of Osaka University in medical engineering cooperation fields and our holding technologies of catalysts, organic synthesis, and polymer synthesis.
Original Source: Nippon Shokubai, 6 Apr 2017, (Website: http://www.shokubai.co.jp/en/) © Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd 2017.
Activation and C2P2 laboratory open LabCom The French firm Activation and the laboratory Chimie, Catalyse, Polymers et Procedes (C2P2, CNRS/CPE/Universite Claude Bernard Lyon) have opened their joint LSIP (Laboratoire d'Innovation, Scale-up et Intensification des Procedes de polymerisation). This will have support of €300,000 from ANR for a period of 3 years. The partners will develop innovative methods for producing telechelic polyolefins using catalytic processes.
Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 13 Mar 2017, (793), (Website: http://www. industrie.com/chimie) © ETAI Information 2016.
ExxonMobil Chemical begins expansion of Shanghai Technology Center ExxonMobil Chemical has commenced the multimillion dollar expansion of its Shanghai Technology Center. The project involves a state-ofthe-art research and development centre. The firm has specifically expanded the tyre testing capabilities at the facility, including an additional inflation pressure loss rate test room that assesses a tyre's air pressure loss rate over time.
Original Source: Rubber World, Mar 2017, 255 (6), 6 (Website: http://www.rubberworld.com) © Rubber World Magazine 2017.
BASF Group inaugurates new Innovation Campus Asia Pacific in Mumbai, India With up to €50 M worth of investment, BASF Group has launched its new Innovation Campus Asia Pacific in Mumbai, India. The campus is the biggest research and development (R&D) investment of the company in South Asia. BASF Chemicals India Private Limited, a BASF SE offshoot, will manage all global research operations at the new campus. The campus will increase the existing R&D activities of BASF in India to include global and regional research on a series of speciality chemicals. It will focus on process development, organic synthesis and personal and home care. It consists of labs for chemical synthesis, process development and application, as well as analytics. It can house around 300 scientists.
Original Source: Coatings World, Mar 2017, 22 (3), 8 (Website: http://www.coatingsworld. com) © Rodman Media 2017.
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