Monday 25 May 2015

Petrochemical news

Petrochemical news international





Naphtachimie Takes Cracker Offline

Following Fire at Lavera Complex Lavera—Naphtachimie, an equally-owned joint venture of Ineos and Total, has halted production at its Lavera, France, steam cracker and other production units following a 17 May fire. The fire occurred on an electrical cable and spread to the substation, cutting off the supply of electricity necessary to operation of the complex. Naphtachimie’s Lavera complex includes the capacity to produce 740,000 t/y of ethylene, 500,000 t/y of propylene and 130,000 t/y of butadiene. The company noted that its cracker is “one of the biggest in Europe.” The units have been stabilized, with no risk to people or the environment. Repairs are underway and the company's "priority is to restart part of the plant and our utilities." A cause for the accident was not given.

Cepsa Inaugurates Shanghai Facility For Production of Phenol & Acetone

For Production of Phenol & Acetone Shanghai—Cepsa has inaugurated its first Asian chemical project – a phenol and acetone production plant at China's Shanghai Chemical Industrial Park (PCN, 27 Oct 2014, p 1). The plant, with a design capacity of 250,000 t/y of phenol and 150,000 t/y of acetone, makes Cepsa the “second largest producer of these products,” and gives it access to
the Chinese market, “the largest consumer of phenol in the world,” the company noted. UOP supplied its process technology for the phenol and acetone facility, that is to be integrated with a 360,000-t/y
cumene plant being built by Cepsa at the same site. Cepsa explained the project is part of a growth strategy and international expansion plan agreed to with International Petroleum Investment Co., which acquired a controlling interest in Cepsa in 2011 (PCN, 11 July 2011, p 1). "The Asian continent, and in particular China, is a region where we want to see our operations grow," Cepsa Director Pedro Miro added.

Manali Petrochem Spending Rs 100 Crore To Triple Polyols Production Capacity

Manali Petrochemical Ltd. has received the necessary approvals to invest Rs 100 crore to triple polyols production capacity at its existing Manali, India, complex, according to several local sources.
“In a bid to consolidate its position and meet the aggressive challenge from multi-nationals, Manali . . . plans to increase its capacity to produce polyols from the current 50,000 t/y to 150,000 t/y using an innovative technical process to produce propylene oxide,” Manali said. The first phase of the expansion, scheduled for completion by March 2016, will increase capacity to 75,000 t/y. The second and third phases, to be implemented 12 and 24 months after the initial phase, will each add 25,000 t/y of polyols capacity.

Global Bioenergies, Cristal Union in JV For French Bio-Based Isobutene Unit

For French Bio-Based Isobutene Unit Paris—Global Bioenergies and Cristal Union have established IBN-One as a limited liability joint venture to build and operate the first French facility for the conversion of renewable resources into isobutene. Initially, IBN-One will carry out a detailed project
study covering technical, regulatory, commercial and financial aspects for the plant. Prior to formation of the joint venture, the two partners conducted a preliminary design study at several potential industrial sites. IBN-One has been granted a non-exclusive license to
use Global Bioenergies’ process for the production of 50,000 t/y of isobutene in France.
“Right from the outset, our plan was to grant nonexclusive licenses on a plant-by-plant basis,” said Global Bioenergies Chairman and Chief Executive Marc Delcourt. “With the increasing technological  maturity of the isobutene process, we can now turn this dream into reality.
Many other licenses are expected to be granted over the next few years,” he added.
The joint venture is expected to finance the cost of the engineering work with a financing round scheduled for next year. Additional funding will be needed for construction
and plant start-up, which is anticipated by 2018. Alain Commissaire, chief executive of Cristal Union,
noted that “IBN-One provides a bridge between the sugar
and petrochemicals industry.”

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