F O C U S
PRODUCTS Linear alkylbenzene (LAB)
O N
S U R FA C TA N T S
for production of LAB. Petresa, Corporate Headquarters, Campo de las Naciones, Avda del Partenon 12, 28042 Madrid, Spain. Tel: +34 91337 9777. Fax: +34 91337 9766.
Nanjing, China, during Oct 2002. Full production will commence two weeks later.
Chimica Oggi, Sep 2002, 20 (9), 17
n-Paraffins
LAB unit planned in United Arab Emirates
Cepsa starts up important petrochemical projects
Emalab is to erect a 30,000 tonnes/y LAB plant at Jebel Alu, United Arab Emirates, for commissioning in early 2004.
During 1H 2002, various petrochemical projects were carried out by the Cepsa group. Cepsa’s subsidiary Petresa completed the expansion of a paraffin plant in San Roque, Spain.
Asian Chemical News, 7 Oct 2002, 8 (374), 4
Emalab mulls LAB No2 and n-paraffin New facilities are being considered at Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, by Emalab. As well as one for production of n-paraffin, the company is proposing a second unit for linear alkyl benzene (LAB). Engineering work for the new company’s first 30,000 tonne/y LAB unit at the site has already begun. Technology will be licensed from UOP. The main contract has been awarded to Ballestra, Italy. Production is due to begin in early 2004. n-paraffin feedstock for the first LAB unit will be purchased externally. Asian Chemical News, 30 Sep 2002, 8 (373), 5
IOC to complete linear alkyl benzene plant in 2004 [1 table] Indian Oil Corp (IOC) anticipates the completion of its envisaged linear alkyl benzene (LAB) plant at Vadodara in Gujarat by Aug 2004. The company has appointed Samsung Engineering for constructing the $150 M, 140,000 tonnes/y LAB plant, which will source feedstock from IOC’s existing plant. IOC will emerge as the fourth LAB producer in India following the completion of the project. A table is included depicting the capacity for LAB in India from 1999 through 2002 (estimated). Chemical Weekly, 24 Sep 2002, 48 (5), 104
Company profile: Petresa [1 figure] Petresa, Spain, is a leader in the manufacture and marketing of linear alkyl benzene (LAB). A chart shows the structure of the company. Petresa Spain and Petrochema, Slovakia, are wholly owned by Cepsa Spain. Petresa Deten is a joint venture between Petresa and Petrobras (Brazil). Petresa Canada (Quebec) is a joint venture with SGF. Petresa has capacity for 560,000 tonnes LAB, 20% of total world capacity. Petresa Spain has a 400,000 tonnes normal paraffin plant, the main raw material 2
Chemical Week, 2 Oct 2002, 164 (39), 17
Linear alkylbenzene projects in Egypt, India and Dubai Egyptian Petrochemicals has been given government approval for an 80,000 tonnes/y linear alkylbenzene plant to be built near Alexandria. The $200 M plant using benzene produced by Alexandria National Refining will supply alkyl benzenes for use by the Egyptian detergents industry. Samsung of South Korea has been awarded a $150 M contract to build a 12,000 linear alkylbenzene plant for Indian Oil in Gujarat. This new plant is scheduled for completion by Aug 2002. Ballestra of Italy has been contracted to build a 30,000 tonnes/y linear alkylbenzene plant for Emalab of Dubai. The new plant supplying detergent producers in the Middle East and East Africa is scheduled to become operational during 1Q 2004. Chimie Hebdo, 23 Sep 2002, (185), 8 (in French)
LAB project in Saudi Arabia Foster Wheeler Energy will complete the definition phase of Gulf Farabi Petrochemicals’ linear alkyl benzene (LAB) and n-paraffin project by end 2002. UOP will provide process technology. The project will cost $250 M and will have a capacity of 70,000 tonnes/y of LAB and 120,000 tonnes/y of n-paraffin. The project is scheduled to start up at end 2004. European Chemical News, 21 Oct 2002, 77 (2026), 38
Jin Tung to start test runs of China LAB Jin Tung Chemical will start test production at its 72,000 tonnes/y linear alkylbenzene (LAB) plant in
Oilgas, Sep 2002, 33 (407), 12 (in Spanish)
ICIIC, n-paraffin, LAB expansion in 2003 Iran Chemical Industries Investment Co (ICIIC) will complete the expansion of its n-paraffin and linear alkylbenzene (LAB) plants at Esfahan, Iran, in early 2003. The LAB capacity will rise from 50,000 tonnes/y to 75,000 tonnes/y and the n-paraffin capacity will go up from 45,000 tonnes/y to 140,000 tonnes/y. 70,000 tonnes/y of n-paraffin will be available for export. Asian Chemical News, 7 Oct 2002, 8 (374), 4
Long chain alcohols Shell Chemicals idles alcohols capacity Shell Chemical is to take 100,000 tonnes/y Neodol detergent alcohols capacity offstream at Geismar, LA. The company has cited the possibility for higher returns elsewhere in the value chain. Chemical Week, 16 Oct 2002, 164 (41), 7
Oleochemicals Oils in brief: oleochemicals Indonesian palm products producer PT Musim Mas is building a 110,000 tonnes/y fatty acids and glycerine plant. Start up is scheduled for 1Q 2003. The company has a 60,000 tonnes/y soap chip plant. Chemical Market Reporter, 30 Sep 2002 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
DECEMBER 2002