Communicator

Eastman’s Kingsport, Tenn. plant was initially estimated to cost $250 million over two years, but recent financial filings suggest the price tag has crept upward. | William Griffith/Shutterstock

Eastman Chemical Company has positioned itself as a leader in “molecular recycling,” focusing on advanced chemical processes to recycle hard-to-recycle polyester plastics. The company’s flagship technology, known as Polyester Renewal Technology (PRT), uses methanolysis to break down polyester waste into its original monomers, enabling the production of new, virgin-quality plastics from waste streams that cannot be recycled mechanically. This article reviews the status of Eastman’s key projects in the United States and France, the technology used, and the specific challenges—both technical and regulatory—facing these ambitious initiatives.

Existing Facilities and Technology

Eastman’s molecular recycling facility in Kingsport, Tennessee, has been operational since early 2024 and is claimed to be profitable as it is already generating revenue. This plant serves as the model for Eastman’s subsequent molecular recycling projects and showcases the company’s advanced PRT. At steady-state capacity, the Kingsport asset will recycle 110,000 metric tons of polyester waste annually and achieved sustained operating rates of ~70% capacity by mid-2024. While Eastman resolved a mechanical issue in July 2024 and continues ramping production toward its full capacity target, current output remains below nameplate levels. Kingsport facility is recognized as a benchmark for the company’s future sites.

At the core of this technology is the chemical recycling of polyester waste—primarily polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly found in packaging, textiles, and various consumer products. The facility uses methanol under controlled heat and pressure to break down PET into its original monomers: dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and ethylene glycol (EG). Once separated and purified, these monomers are used as raw materials to manufacture new, virgin-quality polyester products. The plastics produced through this process are indistinguishable in quality and performance from those made with fossil-based feedstocks, supporting the development of a true circular economy for polyester materials.



Eastman Polymerisation Renewal Technology (PRT) description by Portfolio Planning PLUS

One of the key advantages of Eastman’s methanolysis-based recycling is its ability to process types of plastics that are unsuitable for traditional mechanical recycling. This includes colored, opaque, multilayer, and contaminated PET waste—materials that typically end up in landfills or are incinerated. By converting these challenging waste streams back into high-value inputs for new products, Eastman’s technology significantly reduces plastic waste and the environmental impact associated with virgin plastic production. According to Eastman, the Kingsport facility’s process results in greenhouse gas reductions of 20–50% compared to conventional production methods using fossil resources.

Projects in Development

Longview, Texas (USA)

Eastman is planning a second molecular recycling facility in Longview, Texas, which is expected to become operational in 2028. The facility will use the same PRT (methanolysis) as the Kingsport plant, with added innovations such as thermal batteries and on-site solar power to further decarbonize the PET production process. Designed to process approximately 110,000 metric tons of hard-to-recycle plastic waste annually, the Longview project is part of Eastman’s broader $2.25 billion investment in new recycling infrastructure. The facility is anticipated to create around 1,000 temporary construction and trade jobs, as well as 200 permanent full-time positions once complete.

A significant development affecting the Longview project occurred on 30 May 2025, when the Trump administration canceled a $375 million federal grant that had been allocated to support the facility’s construction. This grant, which was part of a larger Department of Energy initiative, was initially approved under the Biden administration in March 2024 but was revoked as part of a broader rollback of renewable energy and decarbonization funding. The estimated total cost of the Longview project is more than $1.2 billion. Despite this setback, Eastman has publicly maintained its commitment to the project as a key component of its global circularity strategy, though the loss of federal funding introduces new financial and logistical challenges for its timely completion.

Port-Jérôme-sur-Seine, Normandy (France)

A third molecular recycling facility using is planned to be built in the Port-Jérôme industrial zone in Normandy, France, which Eastman announced on March 15, 2024. The facility is designed to be developed in two phases: Phase I aims to recycle more than 110,000 metric tonnes of hard-to-recycle polyester waste annually, while Phase II is planned to expand capacity to over 200,000 metric tonnes per year. The plant will also use PRT, which breaks down polyester plastics into their monomers for reuse.

For Phase I alone, Eastman has planned an investment exceeding $1 billion. The project is expected to create 350 direct jobs and 1,500 indirect jobs, including 500 positions during the construction phase. To secure a steady supply of feedstock, Eastman has signed agreements with partners such as Interzero Plastics Recycling to provide PET household packaging waste for the facility. Additionally, several global brands—including LVMH Beauty, Estée Lauder Companies, Clarins, Procter & Gamble, L’Oréal, and Danone—have signed letters of intent for multiyear contracts to supply the plant.

This project is currently on hold as Eastman closely tracks the evolving regulatory landscape within the European Union regarding plastic waste and packaging. However, more crucially, according to a private source, the project’s future is fundamentally threatened by the absence of any plan to supply electrical power to the plant before 2028 at the earliest—a factor that places its timely realization in serious jeopardy, regardless of regulatory developments.

Outlook: Expansion at Risk Due to Regulatory, Funding, and Power Supply Issues

Eastman’s molecular recycling initiatives face significant uncertainty, as its two flagship development projects—the Longview, Texas facility and the Normandy, France plant—are both under threat from major external challenges. The Texas project is at risk due to the loss of critical federal funding, while the Normandy facility faces not only ongoing regulatory uncertainty in the EU but, more crucially, a lack of any planned electrical power supply to the site before at least 2028. If these obstacles are not resolved, both projects could ultimately be cancelled. Eastman’s ability to realize its circular economy ambitions now depends on overcoming these substantial financial, regulatory, and infrastructure barriers—an outcome that remains highly uncertain in the current environment.

#eastman  #circularity  #recycling  #molecularrecycling  #chemicalrecycling  #plasticwaste  #mixedplasticwaste  #polyesterrecycling  #depolymerization  #methanolysis  #longview  #kingsport  #portjerome  #Sustainability

Chevron Phillips Chemical's Singapore HDPE complex | Credit: Chevron Phillips Chemical Co.

Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) has agreed to sell its entire stake in Chevron Phillips Singapore Chemicals (CPSC), a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) manufacturing joint venture located on Jurong Island, Singapore. The buyer, Aster Chemicals and Energy—a joint venture between Indonesia’s Chandra Asri and global commodities trader Glencore—will acquire CPChem’s 50% interest, alongside stakes held by Singapore’s EDB Investments and Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical. The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed, and the deal is subject to customary closing conditions.

CPSC’s facility, with an annual capacity of 400,000 metric tons of HDPE, is a significant supplier to regional markets, sourcing ethylene feedstock from local partners. The plant employs around 150 people, who are expected to be offered positions with Aster to support a smooth transition and maintain operational continuity.

This divestment aligns with CPChem’s broader strategy to streamline its global asset base and focus on more integrated, higher-margin operations. Despite the sale, CPChem will maintain its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore, ensuring continued engagement with the region’s markets.

For Aster, this acquisition expands its manufacturing presence in Southeast Asia, complementing its recent purchase of Shell’s refinery and petrochemical assets in Singapore. The addition of CPSC’s HDPE plant is expected to strengthen Aster’s product portfolio and support its regional growth ambitions.

Overall, the transaction reflects ongoing changes in the global petrochemical sector, with companies seeking greater integration and efficiency. For Singapore, it highlights the continued attractiveness of Jurong Island as a site for advanced chemical manufacturing.

#capcg  #aster  #cpchem  #shell  #singapore  #refinery  #petrochemicals  #acquisition  #martech  #hdpe  #cpchem  #glencore 

PRefChem Refinery Complex. Credit: prefchem.com

Malaysia’s Pengerang Refining Company (PRefChem Refining) has resumed operations by mid of May at one of its two residue fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) units at the Johor complex, following an extended shutdown for repairs since late January. The two RFCC units at PRefChem have a combined processing capacity of 170,000 barrels per day (bpd), making them among the largest of their kind in the region

Operational Challenges and Market Impact

• Both RFCC units had previously encountered operational disruptions in the fourth quarter of last year, further impacting production reliability. The recently restarted RFCC unit, which primarily produces gasoline, is not yet operating at full capacity, according to sources familiar with the matter. The unit had been offline since the last week of January due to technical issues, contributing to a significant reduction in overall refinery throughput.
   
• During the shutdown, crude processing rates at the 300,000-bpd refinery dropped to around 50% on average over the past four months. Since the recent restart, sporadic offers for gasoline cargoes loading in June have appeared in the market, signaling a gradual return to normal operations.
   
• In addition to gasoline, the refinery is expected to load 5–6 cargoes of diesel (each 300,000 barrels) in May, according to trade estimates, rebounding from less than 1 million barrels in April.
   
• On the petrochemical side, PRefChem’s only steam cracker, with an ethylene capacity of 1.2 million metric tons per year, has also been offline for repairs since late January. The cracker is slated for a restart in the second half of June, according to industry sources.

Strategic Context

PRefChem, a 50:50 joint venture between Malaysia’s state oil company Petronas and Saudi Aramco, operates the integrated refinery and petrochemical complex at Pengerang, Johor. The facility is a cornerstone of the Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC), which is Malaysia’s only fully integrated refinery, steam cracker, and petrochemical site. The complex is designed with multiple train configurations—including the two-train RFCC system using Axens technology (R2R) —to enhance production reliability and flexibility. Despite facing recurring operational disruptions since 2023, the company continues to invest in new technologies and capacity expansions to support long-term growth and regional energy security:

• New Projects: The $5.3 billion Pengerang Energy Complex, securing $3.5 billion in financing in December 2024, will add 2.6 million metric tons/year of aromatics capacity by 2028.
   
• Specialty Chemicals: The recently commissioned isononanol plant (250,000 tons/year) at the Pengerang Petrochemicals Complex achieved on-spec production in 2024, targeting full capacity by 2025.

Market Positioning

PRefChem remains strategically positioned as a major supplier of Euro 5-grade fuels and petrochemical feedstocks in Southeast Asia:

• Euro 5 Fuels: The refinery produces high-specification gasoline and diesel.
   
• Integrated Complex: The site houses 3.4 million tons/year of petrochemical capacity, including propylene and ethylene, though recent spot propylene tenders suggest inventory management amid cracker downtime.

Analysts note that while near-term operational reliability concerns persist, PRefChem's long-term growth pipeline and low-carbon investments position it to capitalize on Southeast Asia's rising petrochemical demand.

#prefchem  #saudiaramco  #petronas  #pengerang  #rfcc  #gasoline  #diesel  #steamcracker  #malaysia 

Cilegon Plant - LOTTE Indonesia New Ethylene (LINE). Credit: PT Lotte Chemical Indonesia

PT Lotte Chemical Indonesia (LCI) is undergoing a transformative phase marked by significant investment, new long-term supply agreements, and persistent industry headwinds. The company’s strategy and recent developments provide insight into both its growth ambitions and the broader challenges facing the Southeast Asian petrochemical sector.

Major Expansion: New Cracker Facility

LCI is set to commence operations at its new mixed-feed cracker in Cilegon, Banten province, Indonesia, in the second half of 2025. This facility, part of a $3.95 billion investment, will have an annual production capacity of 1 million metric tons of ethylene. The new cracker is a central component of the Lotte Chemical Indonesia New Ethylene (LINE) project, which aims to strengthen the company's upstream integration and supply chain resilience.

Strategic 10-Year Ethylene Supply Deal

In May 2025, LCI secured a 10-year ethylene supply contract with PT Asahimas Chemical, an integrated chemical producer in Indonesia. The contract, effective from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2035, commits LCI to supply approximately 150,000 tonnes of ethylene per year to Asahimas Chemical. The agreement’s value is expected to exceed 10% of Lotte Chemical Titan (the Malaysian-listed parent)'s latest annual consolidated revenue, underlining its financial significance. Pricing for the contract is pegged to prevailing market rates, ensuring flexibility in a volatile market environment. The long-term deal provides both revenue stability for Lotte Chemical and supply security for Asahimas, supporting downstream chemical industries in Indonesia.

Financial and Market Pressures

Despite these strategic moves, Lotte Chemical Titan continues to face financial challenges. The company reported its eighth consecutive quarterly loss in Q1 2025, though losses narrowed year-on-year due to improved product spreads and contributions from its US associate. For Q1 2025, Lotte Chemical Titan posted a net loss of RM125.67 million, compared to RM178.03 million a year earlier, with revenue dropping 22.3% to RM1.49 billion on lower sales volume and prices. The global petrochemical sector is currently experiencing margin compression due to oversupply, particularly from China, which has weighed on profitability and forced companies like Lotte Chemical to operate existing Malaysian crackers at reduced capacity (45%-50% since December 2024).

Ownership Restructuring and Strategic Flexibility

To bolster its financial position, Lotte Chemical reduced its stake in the Indonesian venture from 49% to 24% in early 2025, selling the shares to a consortium of South Korean financial institutions. Lotte Chemical Titan retains a 51% stake in Lotte Chemical Indonesia. The company is also exploring feedstock flexibility for the new cracker, planning to source naphtha from the Middle East and potentially substitute up to 50% of naphtha feedstock with natural gas liquids such as LPG or ethane, depending on market economics.

Sector Outlook and Strategic Positioning

The Southeast Asian petrochemical industry is in a phase of consolidation, with mergers and acquisitions on the rise as companies seek to enhance shareholder value amid challenging conditions. Lotte Chemical’s long-term supply contract and the new Indonesian cracker position it to capitalize on regional  demand growth, even as it navigates short-term market volatility and restructuring pressures. The new supply agreement is not expected to impact the company’s share capital or ownership structure, maintaining stability for investors.

Conclusion

Lotte Chemical Indonesia’s ambitious expansion and strategic supply agreements reflect a commitment to long-term growth and regional market leadership. However, the company continues to navigate a difficult economic landscape characterized by global oversupply, margin pressure, and the need for financial restructuring. The coming years will be pivotal as the new cracker comes online and the company seeks to leverage its strengthened position in Indonesia’s growing chemical sector.

#lotte  #lottechemical  #indonesia  #malaysia  #lci  #lineproject  #cilegon  #asahimas  #agc  #asahiglass  #ethylene  #steamcracker  #ethyleneplant 

The description of the SAMREF refinery has been updated.


#samref  #gasoline  #refinery  #aramco  #exxonmobil  #distillates  #motorfuels  #saudiarabia 

Polyolefin plants with technologies and capacities have been added.

#lotte #lottechemical  #malaysia  #unipolpe  #univation  #lyondellbasell  #spheripol 

Mexico, 29 April 2025 -- Mexico’s state-owned energy giant Pemex closed 2024 with a staggering net loss of $30.3 billion, a dramatic reversal from its modest $398 million profit in 2023, as plummeting crude production, refining inefficiencies, and soaring debt obligations crippled its financial health. The results, detailed in company filings and analyst reports, underscore deepening challenges for a firm critical to Mexico’s economy but increasingly seen as a liability in global energy markets.

Financial Freefall and Debt Crisis

Pemex’s revenue fell 2.4% in 2024, driven by declining oil exports and weaker international crude prices. The company’s refining segment, despite processing 905,607 barrels per day-its highest volume since 2016-remained a drag, operating at just 46% of capacity. The much-touted Olmeca refinery, a $24 billion project initially promised to revolutionize domestic fuel production, processed a meager 23,275 barrels per day on average, barely 6.8% of its 340,000-barrel capacity.

Debt, however, remains Pemex’s most pressing issue. By year-end 2024, liabilities reached $97.6 billion, rising to $101.1 billion by March 2025. Government bailouts, including an 80 billion peso ($3.9 billion) infusion in early 2025, have done little to stabilize finances. Fitch Ratings affirmed Pemex’s ‘B+’ credit rating in December 2024 but warned that interest payments alone-estimated at $8.3 billion annually-consume over half its operating cash flow.

Production Woes and Leadership Turbulence

Crude and condensate output averaged 1.67 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024, far below the government’s 1.8 million bpd target. Aging fields and delayed drilling projects exacerbated the decline, with Q1 2025 production dropping 11.3% year-on-year to 1.5 million bpd. Pemex’s inability to reverse this trend has raised doubts about President Claudia Sheinbaum’s pledge to achieve energy self-sufficiency by 2030.

Leadership instability further complicates recovery efforts. In May 2025, Pemex abruptly reinstated Ángel Cid Munguía as head of exploration and production after his predecessor, Gustavo Martínez, resigned unexpectedly. The shuffle reflects mounting pressure to address operational setbacks, including a 31% reduction in drilling activity
compared to 2023.

Strategic Gambles and Long-Term Risks

Pemex’s $109.4 billion five-year investment plan, announced in February 2025, aims to revive production and modernize infrastructure. Yet skepticism abounds. The company owes suppliers $19.9 billion, jeopardizing partnerships essential for new projects. Meanwhile, its refineries—burdened by decades of underinvestment—remain reliant on imported feedstock, costing Mexico $18 billion annually in fuel imports.

The Olmeca refinery epitomizes these struggles. Despite claims of “progress,” the facility operated sporadically in 2024, with December output at just 13% of capacity. Analysts warn that without significant operational overhauls, Pemex’s refining ambitions will remain unmet, perpetuating reliance on foreign gasoline and diesel.

Outlook: A Precarious Balance

Pemex’s survival hinges on continued government support and successful debt management. While officials tout joint ventures with private firms-offering at least 40% stakes to attract capital-investors confidence remains fragile. The firm’s reliance on volatile oil prices and political favoritism leaves it vulnerable to external shocks.

As Mexico grapples with Pemex’s systemic issues, 2025 looms as a pivotal year. Will the energy titan stabilize its finances and production, or will it become a cautionary tale of resource nationalism gone awry? For now, the scales tip perilously toward the latter.

#pemex  #refineryutilization  #refining  #refinery  #olmeca  #mexico  #oilrefinery 

Oil Majors Market Capitalization. By: Aniekpong D. Effiong. Data source: CompaniesMarketCap.

By Portfolio Planning PLUS, 6^th May 2025

BP, the British energy giant, has become a focal point of merger speculation as rivals Shell and Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC weigh strategic moves to acquire the company. The developments highlight BP’s vulnerability amid lagging stock performance and shifting energy priorities, with potential bids reflecting divergent visions for the future of the oil sector.

Shell’s Calculated Interest

Shell is actively evaluating a takeover of BP, according to Bloomberg and Reuters sources, with advisers assessing regulatory, financial, and operational implications. The rationale centers on BP’s discounted valuation-its shares have fallen nearly 30% over 12 months-and the strategic appeal of combining Shell’s $197 billion market cap with BP’s assets to rival U.S. giants ExxonMobil and Chevron.

A merger would create a $320 billion behemoth, dominate LNG and deepwater drilling portfolios, and unlock an estimated $5–7 billion in annual synergies. However, Shell CEO Wael Sawan has emphasized caution, telling the Financial Times that share buybacks and smaller acquisitions remain priorities. Regulatory scrutiny in the EU and U.S., particularly over overlapping downstream assets, could also complicate a deal.

ADNOC’s Earlier Overtures

ADNOC, the UAE’s state-owned energy leader, previously explored acquiring BP in 2024 but abandoned the idea after deeming the company a poor strategic fit. Sources cited BP’s renewable energy pivot and political sensitivities as key deterrents. Instead, ADNOC has focused on gas and chemical ventures, including a $3.6 billion Fertiglobe acquisition and a joint venture with BP in Egypt.

The UAE giant’s decision underscores BP’s challenging position: criticized by investors for its energy transition strategy yet still seen as insufficiently green by some state-backed players. ADNOC’s pivot toward partnerships rather than outright acquisitions suggests BP’s mixed appeal in a sector prioritizing either scale or decarbonization.

BP’s Crossroads

BP’s struggles are multifaceted. Its market capitalization of $110 billion trails Shell’s by nearly half, and its revised transition plan-scaling back renewables investment to focus on oil and gas-has yet to reassure markets. Activist investor Elliott Management acquired a 5% stake in late 2024, intensifying pressure to improve returns.

CEO Murray Auchincloss, who took the helm in 2024, has pledged $20 billion in asset sales by 2027 to streamline operations. However, these efforts have done little to lift its stock, leaving BP exposed to takeover interest.

Industry Implications

A Shell-BP merger would accelerate consolidation among European majors, mirroring U.S. deals like Exxon-Pioneer and Chevron-Hess. For ADNOC, BP’s appeal lies in LNG and trading capabilities, but its renewables portfolio clashes with the UAE’s oil-focused growth strategy.

Analysts note that BP’s future hinges on whether it can stabilize operations independently or becomes a target for firms seeking to bolster reserves and market share. “BP is caught between competing visions: too green for some, not green enough for others,” said energy strategist Kathleen Brooks. “That paradox makes it a compelling but risky target.”

What’s Next?

Shell’s next steps depend on BP’s stock trajectory and oil price stability. ADNOC, while out of the running for now, could re-engage if geopolitical or market conditions shift. For BP, the path forward involves either executing its turnaround plan or succumbing to the pressures of an industry increasingly defined by scale.

As the energy transition reshapes priorities, BP’s fate may well determine whether European majors can compete globally-or become acquisition targets themselves.

#energytransition  #renewableenergy  #oilmajors  #oilandgas  #shell  #adnoc  #bp  #exxonmobil  #chevron  #fertiglobe  #lng  #naturalgas  #crudeoil  #merger  #acquisition 

Portfolio Planning PLUS provides a comprehensive overview of refining and petrochemical activities in every world' s country. Screenshot shows Spanish refineries via the platform's refining module.

Portfolio Planning PLUS | April 30, 2025

A massive power outage swept across Spain and Portugal on April 28, forcing all major Spanish refineries and several petrochemical plants into an emergency shutdown. The blackout, which struck at around 12:30 CET, caused an abrupt drop of over 10GW from the Spanish electricity grid, disrupting industrial complexes, halting metro and rail services, and even grounding flights across the region

• All five of Repsol’s Spanish refineries-representing a combined refining capacity of 890,000 barrels of crude oil per day-were compelled to cease operations, alongside the company’s petrochemical plants in Tarragona and Puertollano.
• Moeve, another key Spanish refiner with 464,000 barrels per day of refining capacity, also shut down its Algeciras and Huelva refineries, as well as two petrochemical plants in southern Spain.
• Dow Chemical Spain’s Tarragona industrial complex was similarly affected, and emergency flaring was observed at some sites as part of safety protocols during the shutdown.

Following the restoration of power from late on April 28, refinery operators began the complex process of restarting their facilities. According to Repsol, crude oil crude distillation units require about three days to come back online, while secondary conversion units, including hydrocrackers, may take up to a week to resume normal operations. The company confirmed that its Bilbao refinery was the first to restart, aided by electricity imports from France, and emphasized that no significant damage occurred during the outage.

Moeve and other operators are also in the process of progressively bringing their plants back online, though none have specified when output will return to pre-outage levels.

The outage has prompted Spain’s petroleum reserves corporation Cores to temporarily relax strategic reserve requirements, reducing the obligation by four days to help mitigate potential supply disruptions. Meanwhile, Exolum, the country’s main pipeline and storage operator, reported that its infrastructure is functioning normally and that essential services and airports continued to receive fuel throughout the blackout

While most industrial activity is expected to recover within a week, the incident has highlighted the vulnerability of Spain’s energy infrastructure and the critical importance of grid stability for the country’s refining and petrochemical sectors.


#electricitygrid  #electricity  #poweroutage  #refineryshutdown  #refineryrestart  #refining  #spain  #repsol  #moeve  #petronor  #dowchemical 

Wanhua Chemical (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. has been added.


#wanhua  #ningbo  #china  #mdi  #polyurethane  #chloralkali

Japan Polyethylene Corporation  and its four polymer manufacturing locations have been created.

Polymerization technologies and plant capacities need to be added.


#japan  #polyethylene  #corporation  #mitsubishi  #chemicals 

Japan Polychem Corporation has been created.


#mitsubishi  #japan  #polychem 

MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC. has been created.

#mitsubishi #gas  #chemicals  #japan  #tokyo  #methanol 

Maruzen Petrochemical and its Chiba and Yokkaichi plants have been created.



#japan  #maruzen  #chemiway  #yokkaichi  #chiba  #petrochemicals 

TotalEnergies Marketing Belgium S.A. has been created.

#totalenergies #belgium  #marketing  #brussels 

The Moscow Exchange has been added.


#moscow  #russia  #moex  #moscowexchange  #stockmarket 

Dec 16, 2024 | Phillips 66 News Release

Two world-scale joint venture projects being developed by Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (CPChem) and QatarEnergy remain on track to start operations in 2026, Phillips 66 said on Monday. Phillips 66 and Chevron hold equal stakes in Chevron Phillips Chemical.

The US project is Golden Triangle Polymers, an integrated polyethylene (PE) complex in Orange, Texas. Chevron Phillips holds a 51% stake, and construction started in 2023.

The Qatari project in Ras Laffan is another integrated PE project. It is a 70:30 joint venture between QatarEnergy and CP Chem. Construction on this project started in 2024.

Remarquably, these two ethane crackers employing Technip tecnology will be the world's two largest, producing each above 2 Mt/a of ethylene when they are starting up, and each of the two CPChem MarTECH Single Loop polymerization plants also the world's largest with an output of 1 Mt/a of HDPE each at Golden Triangle and 850 Kt/a each at Ras Laffan.


#phillips  #chevron  #qatarenergy  #cpchem  #technip  #martech  #slurryloop  #ethylene  #polyethylene  #raslaffan  #goldentriangle  #steamcracking

Description of the DICP Methanol-to-Olefins Technology (DMTO) has been completed.

#syn  #sinopec  #dicp  #dmto  #methanolstoolefins  #china  #dalian  #lepc  #synenergy  #coaltoolefins 

TECHNOLOGIE ALREADY OPERATING

Coal Gasification
▪️Startup Date: August 2015 (Phase I), July 2021 (Phase II)
▪️Plant Capacity: Supports total methanol production of 2×1.8 million tons/year
▪️Technology Provider: Yanchang Petroleum (integrated proprietary technology)
▪️Feedstock: Coal
▪️Products: Synthesis gas (syngas)

Natural Gas Steam Reforming
▪️Startup Date: August 2015 (Phase I), July 2021 (Phase II)
▪️Capacity: Integrated into methanol production capacity
▪️Provider: Proprietary integrated technology by Yanchang Petroleum
▪️Feedstock: Natural gas
▪️Products: Synthesis gas (syngas)

Rectisol Gas Cleaning
▪️Startup Date: August 2015 (Phase I), July 2021 (Phase II)
▪️Capacity: Integrated into methanol production capacity
▪️Provider: Proprietary integrated technology
▪️Feedstock: Raw syngas from coal gasification and natural gas reforming
▪️Products: Purified syngas for methanol synthesis

Methanol Synthesis
▪️Startup Date: August 2015 (Phase I), July 2021 (Phase II)
▪️Capacity: 2×1.8 million tons/year
▪️Provider: Yanchang Petroleum proprietary integrated technology
▪️Feedstock: Purified syngas (coal-based and natural gas-based mixed syngas), DCC hydrogen-rich gas
▪️Products: MTO-grade Methanol

Methanol to Olefins (DMTO)
▪️Startup Date: August 2015 (Phase I), July 2021 (Phase II)
▪️Capacity: 2×600,000 tons/year
▪️Provider: Proprietary DMTO technology
▪️Feedstock: Methanol
▪️Products: Ethylene, Propylene

Residual Oil Catalytic Thermal Cracking (DCC)
▪️Startup Date: August 2015
▪️Capacity: 1.5 million tons/year
▪️Provider: Institute of Petroleum Technology (Double riser technology)
▪️Feedstock: Residual oil
▪️Products: Olefins, Naphtha, Light Diesel

Veba Combi Cracking (VCC) Plant
▪️Startup Date: Operational since 2015
▪️Capacity: 450,000 tons/year
▪️Provider: KBR/BP alliance
▪️Feedstock: FCC slurry oil and coal slurry
▪️Products Made: Naphtha, ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD)

Polyolefin Units
▪️6 sets of polyolefin units (operating or scheduled) totaling 1.9 million tons/year.
▪️High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): 300,000 tons/year
▪️Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE):300,000 tons/year
▪️Polypropylene (PP): 600,000 tons/year

Near-zero Wastewater Discharge System
▪️First phase started July,20,2014; upgraded in October,2020.
▪️Capacity: Phase I initial design scale 876m³/h – 
Phase I expansion to 1300m³/h▪️Feedstock: Industrial wastewater, domestic sewage, rainwater
▪️Products Made: Recycled water, sodium sulfate salt, sodium chloride salt

TECHNOLOGIES CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR IN PROJECT PHASE

Naphtha and Light Diesel Comprehensive Utilization Project
▪️Estimated Startup Date: End of March,2024
▪️Plant Capacity: Naphtha hydrorefining unit – 250,000 tons/year, Light diesel hydrorefining unit – 200,000 tons/year, Olefin raw material refining unit – 250,000 tons/year, Heavy aromatics adsorption separation unit – 200,000 tons/year.
▪️Technology Provider: Heavy aromatics adsorption separation technology provided by CNOOC Tianjin Chemical Research and Design Institute Co., Ltd.
▪️Feedstock: Naphtha and light diesel produced as by-products from DCC unit.
▪️Products Made: Benzene, toluene, mixed xylenes, aromatics.

Low Density Polyethylene and Copolymer Plant
▪️Startup Date: License secured September 24, 2024.
▪️Capacity: 150,000 tons/year.
▪️Technology Provider: ECI Group
▪️Technology: Proprietary hybrid reactor high-pressure polymerization technology developed from ICI autoclave technology.
▪️Feedstock: Ethylene with co-monomers such as vinyl acetate (for EVA) and butyl acrylate (for EBA).
▪️Products Made: LDPE (packaging films, coatings), EVA (adhesives, solar encapsulants), and EBA (sealants, specialty applications).

Methanol Gasification Slag Comprehensive Utilization Project
(No explicit startup date provided)

MTBE Unit Low-temperature Heat Utilization Project
(In progress; no explicit startup date provided)

Coal Gasification Conversion Condensate Environmental Protection Comprehensive Management Project
(Currently in project/research stage; no specific startup date provided.)

Methane Conversion Air Preheater Upgrade Energy-saving Project
(Currently in project/research stage; no specific startup date provided.)

Photovoltaic Power Generation Project
(Currently in project/research stage; no specific startup date provided.)

Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Demonstration Project
(Currently under development; no explicit startup date provided.)
▪️Plant Capacity: 360,000 tons/year CO₂ capture and storage
▪️Technology Provider: Proprietary CCUS technology developed by Yanchang Petroleum Group.
▪️Feedstock: CO₂ emissions from coal chemical enterprises.
▪️Products Made: Enhanced oil recovery through CO₂ flooding and underground storage.

ADDITIONAL RELEVANT TECHNOLOGIES MENTIONED BUT WITHOUT EXPLICIT OPERATIONAL STATUS OR DATES PROVIDED

These technologies are mentioned as part of the company's comprehensive utilization strategy or future plans without clear operational status or startup dates explicitly indicated:

C₄ Mix to Olefin Conversion Unit (OCU) (mentioned implicitly as part of the olefin downstream processing chain)

C₅ Mix Recycling (implied as part of comprehensive utilization but not explicitly detailed with dates or capacities.)

Coal-Methane Co-gasification Technology (mentioned as a future planned project without explicit details on dates or capacities.)

Propane and Isobutane Dehydrogenation for Acrylic Acid and Esters Production (mentioned as planned projects without explicit details on dates or capacities.)


#coaltoolefins  #gasification  #methanol  #dmto  #methanoltoolefins  #dcc  #fcc  #catalyticcracking  #vcc  #vebacombicracking  #polyolefins  #netzero  #mtbe  #sustainability  #ccus  #ocu  #olefinconversionunit 

The Shahen TC2C Project Mass Balance has been completed. 
The TC2C Plant will import 46,000 bpd of Arab Light crude oil, corresponding to 2,300,000 tonnes annually.
However, in order to obtain the announced product quantities (1,800,000 tonnes of ethylene, 770,000 tonnes of propylene, 200,000 tonnes of butadiene, and 280,000 tonnes of benzene) our calculation based on typical cracking yields show that the feedstock needs to amount to almost 5 million tonnes.
The cracker will use ROG so that certainly some ethane will be additionally consumed by the cracker, but the feedstock balance reaquired for the precise product quantities is made of 150,000 tonnes of ethane, 1,300,000 tonnes of LPG (C3/C4 = 1:1 ratio) and 3,500,000 tonnes naphtha. Therefrom, 275,000 tonnes of LPG and 1,350,000 tonnes of nahptha  will be provided by the TC2C plant.
We assume that the supplemental feedstock will be imported, unless additional crude oil will be imported and processed with conventional distillation units.
As this is a TC2C demonstration project, it is assumed that only the theoretical quantities of pygas and pyoil originating from the TC2C provided feedstock to the cracker will be recirculated to the TC2C hydrocracking and hydroreating units (270,000 from 475,000 tonnes of pygas, and 65,000 from 113,000 tonnes of fuel oil).
In reality, the sizing of the various hydroprocessing/hydrotreatment units maybe different, but absent confirmation on units capacities, this is our best educated guess.


#tc2c  #shaheen  #massbalance  #crudetochemicals  #crudeoiltochemicals  #c2c  #tc2c  #cotc  #aramco  #soil  #southkorea 

Cangrejera gas cracker has an ethylene production capacity of 500,000 tpa

Mexico City, Mexico - February 12, 2025 - Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Mexico's state-owned oil and gas company, has announced a significant investment of $975 million to bolster the country's petrochemical industry. This investment is part of the Mexican government's broader plan to revitalize the sector and reduce reliance on imports.

The funds will be used to reactivate the Cangrejera complex, transforming it into a petrochemical refinery. This move aims to increase domestic production of essential petrochemical products, thereby meeting the growing demand within Mexico and potentially reducing reliance on imports.

Pemex CEO Víctor Rodríguez emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, "This initiative aligns with our commitment to strengthen Mexico's energy independence and foster economic growth." He further highlighted the collaboration between Pemex and other government agencies, including the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Citizen Security, to combat fuel theft and ensure efficient logistics.

The Mexican government's 2024-2030 Hydrocarbon Sector Work Plan outlines several strategic actions for Pemex, including:

▪️Efficient exploration and sustainable production
    of hydrocarbons
▪️Strengthening the refining system
▪️Expanding petrochemical and fertilizer output
▪️Securing efficient logistics
▪️Promoting clean energy generation


#pemex  #petroleosmexicanos   #pemextransformacionindutrial   #veracruz   #mexico   #coatzacoalcos   #cangrejera 

Motiva Port Arthur Is Now the Largest US Refinery (Source: The Railroad Commission of Texas, Infographic credit: Bloomberg)

February 11, 2025 | Port Arthur, Texas, USA (Bloomberg)

Motiva Enterprises, a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, has successfully expanded its refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, solidifying its position as the largest fuel-making facility in the United States. The refinery's capacity has grown to 654,000 barrels of oil per day (b/d), surpassing other major refineries in the country.

The Port Arthur refinery has been a key asset for Motiva since Saudi Aramco became its sole owner in 2017. This expansion aligns with Aramco's strategic goals to strengthen its global refining and petrochemical footprint. The upgraded facility is expected to enhance fuel production capabilities while contributing significantly to the local economy by creating jobs and boosting industrial activity in the region.

This development marks a significant achievement for Saudi Aramco and underscores its commitment to expanding its influence in North America's energy sector.

#motiva  #aramco  #portarthur  #refinery  #crudeoil 

Please check our descriptions for the various types of polyethylene highlighting the relationship between molecular architecture and density scale. 

Illustration is used for the main product 'Polyethylene' and the various subproducts (LDPE, HDPE, MDPE, LDPE, etc.).

#ldpe  #mdpe  #lldpe  #vldpe  #uldpe  #polyethylene  #pe 
 

The description of the butadiene extraction process has been updated.


#butadiene  #solventextraction  #raffinate  #crudec4  #mixedc4 

1,2-butadiene has been added.


#mixedc4  #butadiene  #12butadiene  #steamcracking  #raffinate 

All Polyolefin and EO/EG Technologies from Phase 1 and Phase 2 have been added as well as their production capacities.

#polyethylene  #polypropylene  #ethyleneglycol  #hpeo  #meg   #hdpe  #lldpe  #pp  #ineos  #lupotech  #spheripol  #spherizone  #univation  #unipolpe  #master  #lyondellbasell  #shell  #cnooc  #china  #cspc 

PE, PP, steam cracking, RFCC technologies and their production capacities have been identified. Mass balance improvement performed.


#unipolpp  #martech  #dualloop  #martechadl  #technip  #rfcc  #wrgrace  #cpchem 

 

July 2, 2018 | KBR SCORE™ Technology Selected for GS Caltex Grassroots Olefins Plant in South Korea
KBR, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a contract to supply its proprietary SCORE™ Ethylene Technology to GS Caltex Corporation for a grassroots mixed feed cracker (MFC) for its project in Yeosu, South Korea.  Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide its innovative Selective Cracking Optimum Recovery (SCORE™) technology license and basic engineering design services for a 700 KTA ethylene mixed feed cracker to be built by GS Caltex, a company owned by GS Energy and U.S. based Chevron Corp. The new plant will use naphtha, liquefied petroleum gas and refinery off-gases as its main feedstocks. It will be constructed in the South Korean southern city of Yeosu where GS Caltex's 790,000 barrels-per-day refinery is located. The project will use KBR's highly selective SC-1 furnaces for the highest yield and flexibility. (Source)

29^th Aug 2018 | GS Caltex to Build Olefin Plant in Yeosu for 2.6 Tln Won
GS Caltex said on Aug. 7 (2018) that the company decided to build an olefin production facility capable of producing 700,000 tons of ethylene per year and 500,000 tons of polyethylene annually by investing about 2 trillion won ($1.8 billion) in a 430,000-square-meter site near its second plant in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province.

11^th Nov 2022 | GS Caltex completes construction of $2 billion petrochemicals manufacturing plant.
GS Caltex completed the construction of its 2.7-trillion-won ($2 billion) petrochemicals manufacturing plant in Yeosu, South Jeolla.
The newly-built production plant, a mixed feed cracker (MFC), will mainly produce olefins such as ethylene and polyethylene. Olefins are widely used as raw materials for plastics, rubbers and chemical products.
The MFC will annually produce 750,000 tons of ethylene, 500,000 tons of polyethylene, 410,000 tons of propylene, 240,000 tons of mixed C4 raffinate and 410,000 tons of pyrolysis gasoline, according to GS Caltex.
Unlike naphtha crackers, which uses only naphtha for petrochemicals production, MFCs can use not only naphtha but other feedstock such as liquid petroleum gas and refinery off-gas, which are crude refining byproducts. The facility can also produce hydrogen using naphtha and refinery off-gas, replacing the previously-used liquefied natural gas, and therefore cut carbon emissions by 76,000 tons a year, said GS Caltex.

4^th Jul 2024 | Korea’s GS Caltex to debottleneck Yeosu cracker in Sep
The cracker will undergo a turnaround and debottlenecking from 23 September to 25 November, according to sources at the company. GS Caltex's mixed-feed cracker currently has a nameplate capacity of 750,000 t/yr of ethylene and 410,000 t/yr of propylene. Its ethylene capacity will increase by 150,000 t/yr to 900,000 t/yr after the debottlenecking process, while propylene capacity will rise by 60,000 t/yr to 470,000 t/yr.
The debottlenecking process will also raise GS Caltex's crude C4s output from the existing 250,000 t/yr to 300,000 t/yr. The company now feeds its crude C4s to a 90,000 t/yr butadiene extraction unit, a joint venture (JV) plant between GS Caltex's parent company GS Energy and fellow producer Lotte Chemical.
GS Caltex also owns two polymers units at the same site — a 500,000 t/yr high density polyethylene (HDPE) and a 180,000 t/yr polypropylene (PP) plant. The PP unit takes in propylene from GS Caltex's existing refinery fluid catalytic crackers (FCC).
The debottlenecking will raise olefins output, resulting in a surplus of 400,000 t/yr of ethylene for domestic sales and exports after supplying its HDPE plant. The propylene surplus will be 800,000 t/yr after factoring in GS Caltex's 500,000 t/yr propylene output from existing FCCs and its PP consumption.
This will also mark the first turnaround of GS Caltex's cracker since it was commissioned in 2021. GS Caltex's mixed feed cracker can take in a combination of naphtha, liquefied petroleum gas and off-gas from its FCC.

#olefinsplan  #mixedfeedcracker  #steamcracker  #yeosun  #gscaltex  #southkorea 

Caustic treament process description has been updated. 


 #caustic  #caustictreatment  #chloralkali #sweetening  #mercaptan  #disulfide 
 

Electricity [TWh/yr] required globally to provide green fuels for all shipping segments where actual data uncertainties are included.

A newly published academic article addresses the availability of green alternative fuels for marine shipping (and aviation). The article makes a compelling case for nuclear propulsion or otherwise see freight will stay fossil in the foreseeable future.

The paper presents some basic realities of replacing fossil fuels in shipping with green alternative fuels for the same amount of work being performed. The required amount of electric power for producing these green alternative fuels is subsequently calculated. Compared on a scale equal to major industrial entities globally, it is proven beyond any doubt that there is basically not enough electricity in the world to make a relevant amount of green alternative fuels for shipping.

Basically, the gravimetric energy densities are orders of magnitude too low, or the thermodynamical losses are too high, for electricity to replace fossil fuel in this particular application. This finding also questions the conventional wisdom of the merit of an all-encompassing electrification of society. There are, however, niches where a relevant supply of green alternative fuels is possible to secure, albeit difficult.

Therefore, much of today’s research on green alternative fuels rests on a hidden assumption—that there will be available fuels. However, green alternative fuels will not be available in relevant quantities unless the research is well contextualized for small ships on short, domestic distances. The fuel availability is, therefore, a key constraint to incorporate in future work on green alternative fuels for shipping.

Furthermore, it seems prudent to open up a wider search for solutions, including nuclear propulsion, based on the fact that the gravimetric energy densities are physical realities that we must respect.

Source: Emblemsvåg, J. A Study on the Limitations of Green Alternative Fuels in Global Shipping in the Foreseeable Future. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13, 79.

#marinefuel  #bunkerfuel  #fueloil  #marinediesel  #aviationfuel  #greenhydrogen  #greenammonia  #greenmethanol  #nuclearenergy 

Ethyltoluene has been added.


#ethyltoluene  #methylethylbenzene  #ethylmethylbenzene  #aromatics  #aromaticnaphtha 

Ethyl methyl sulfide has been added.

#ethylmethylsulfide #methylethylsulfide  #mes 

Liquid mercaptans added (thiols) as commonly found in liquid fuels, have been added.


#mercaptan  #liquidmercaptan  #ethanethiol  #sulfurcompounds 

Methyl acrylate has been added.

#methylacrylate #acrylate  #acrylicacid 

Sumitomo MMA technology description has been updated.


#sumitomo  #mma  #pmma  #isobutene  #oxidation 

BPLC Bina Refinery

India's Bharat Petroleum Corp. (BPLC) plans to expand its refining capacity to 45 MMtpy by 2028 from the current 35.3 MMtpy, its head of refining, Sanjay Khanna, said on Dec 17, 2024 at an industry event, as reported by Hydrocarbon Processing.

As part of the plan, BPCL—the country's second-biggest fuel retailer—will increase the capacity of its 15.5-MMtpy Kochi refinery, situated in the southern state of Kerala, to 18 MMtpy.

It will also boost the capacity of its 12-MMtpy Mumbai refinery to 16 MM tpy, Khanna said.

The state-run company additionally expects to expand its 7.8-MMtpy Bina refinery in central India to 11.3 MMtpy by May 2028, he added.

The refiner, which is always on the scout for cheaper oil grades to maximize its profit margins, is also keen to test low-sulfur grades from South America including those from Argentina, Khanna said.

#crudeoil  #lowsulfur  #refining  #refinery  #bplc  #bharat  #bina  #kochi  #mumbai  #india  #capacityexpansion 

The two Unipol PE plants have been added with their production, to complete the mass balance.


#unipol  #polyethylene  #univation  #fulldensity  #metallocene  #prodigy  #catalyst  #tarim  #ethylene  #dushanzi  #petrochina  #korla 

Several plants and productions added.


#anqing  #refinery  #sinopec  #massbalance 
 

Details about Dagang area refinery added.


#massbalance  #tianjin  #binhai  #dagang  #sinopec  #steamcracker  #ethyleneplant  #tianjin 

Sinopec INEOS (Tianjin) Petrochemical Co., Ltd. and manufacturing site have been added.


#sinopec  #ineos  #tianjin  #petrochemical  #olefins  #steamcracking  #ethylene  #polyethylene  #polypropylene  #hdpe  #lldpe  #poe  #elastomers  #acrylonitriele  #butadiene  #pygas  #aromatics  #mtbe 

AIR LIQUIDE Lurgi Megamethanol™ technology has been added.
 

#airliquide #lurgi  #methanol  #syngas  #megamethanol  

Methanol description has been updated (Main Product definition).

#methanol 
 

Guangxi Huayi Energy Chemical Co., Ltd. and Gas Island Project in Qinzhou have been added.
 

#guangxi  #shanghai  #china  #huayi  #energychemical  #gasislandproject  # coal #coalgasification  #methanol  #ethyleneglycol  #meg  #aceticacid  #coaltochemicals  #coaltomethanol  #coaltoolefins 

Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical's annual production of 250,000 tons of PVC and 220,000 tons of caustic soda project was completed and put into production.

Sun Tingwen and Li Jinghai, December 2, 2016 19:18 Source: China News Network

On Dec 2^nd, the second phase of the chlor-alkali project with an annual output of 250,000 tons of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and 220,000 tons of caustic soda of Xinjiang Zhongtai Group Shengxiong Energy Company (referred to as "Zhongtai Shengxiong Energy") was completed and put into production, and the launching ceremony of the Toksun Energy Chemical Company's high-performance resin industrial park project was held in Toksun County, Turpan City.

It is reported that the total investment of the Zhongtai Mahatma Energy PVC Phase II project is about 2.7 billion yuan. Construction started in October 2012. After Zhongthai Chemical reorganized Mahatma Energy in September 2015, Zhongtai Chemical transferred in the management team to optimize the design and speed up the project construction. The project was put into trial operation on October 30, 2016. The project adopts modular design, with compact equipment layout, clear functional division and centralized control. In addition to advanced equipment, the newly developed double-effect evaporation process technology has been added to realize the recycling of wastewater, and the wastewater treatment has achieved recycling and zero emission.

　　After the project is put into production, it will form a production capacity of 500,000 tons of PVC and 400,000 tons of caustic soda projects, drive the production of calcium carbide and power generation, and the mining of coal, salt, and lime, realize "industrial integration, investment concentration, resource intensiveness, and benefit concentration", and form a coal-electricity-salt circular economy industrial chain. It can add an annual sales revenue of 1.83 billion yuan and an annual profit and tax of 368 million yuan, solve the employment of more than 700 local people, transform Turpan's advantageous resources into economic advantages, drive the employment of local employees of all ethnic groups and the development of the tertiary industry, and promote economic and social development and social stability.

　　On the same day, the high-performance resin industrial park of Toksun Energy Chemical Company, which was also started, was a special new material project determined by Zhongtai Chemical to be built in the southern area of ​​Toksun Industrial Park in order to change the current situation of single calcium carbide PVC product structure, only general varieties, and lack of special and special functional resins, and to achieve structural and transformation and upgrading. The terminal market products of the project are: special material resin for bulk method refers to special material resin for high-transmittance film bag, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride resin, 100,000 special paste resin, 50,000 tons/year CPE (or 30,000 tons/year CPVC), composite functional resin, solid sodium hydroxide, liquid chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid, etc. The project investment is about 2.7 billion yuan, and the annual sales after production is expected to be 2.9 billion yuan, which can provide employment for 1,300 people.

　　Zhang Wenquan, secretary of the Turpan Municipal Party Committee, said that the completion of the second phase of PVC and caustic soda projects and the launch of the high-performance resin industrial park construction project marked a new level in the economic development of Toksun County. It also marked that Turpan City has taken another solid step in the journey of economic transformation and upgrading. It is also a concrete manifestation of leading the new normal of the economy and releasing new economic momentum.

　　Zhongtai Shengxiong Energy, formerly Xinjiang Shengxiong Energy Co., Ltd., was established in 2006. It mainly engages in mineral resource development, calcium carbide, PVC, caustic soda, building materials, etc. It completed an investment of more than 10 billion yuan in 2014. With the rapid expansion of the company's investment scale, the debt ratio continued to rise. In addition, after the project was put into production, the market price of the terminal product PVC continued to be sluggish, and financial institutions tightened their credit. The company faced serious difficulties in subsequent development funds.

　　In 2014, under the coordination and promotion of government departments at all levels in Xinjiang Autonomous Region and the CPC Turpan Municipal Committee and Government, and the CPC Toksun County Committee and Government, Zhongtai Group began to discuss restructuring matters with Mahatma Energy. Finally, in September 2015, Zhongtai Group formally completed the strategic restructuring of Mahatma Energy. In the more than one year since the restructuring, the company has paid off a total of about 1.086 billion yuan in debts. In October 2016, the company began to make a small profit, turning losses into profits since the restructuring.

#chloralkali  #shengxiongenergy  #mahatmaenergy  #zhongtaich #chloralkali #pvc 

Mass balance has been further developed, with more assets and productions added. Several technologies need to be identified and some others require confirmation as there seems to be duplicate technologies that may come from initial announcements not executed, such as for residue hydrocracking. 

#massbalance  #zpc  #zhoushan  #china    

SYN Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (formerly DICP) is a technology company promoting DMTO (Direct Methanol To Olefin) proprietary technology.


#dmto  #mto  #methanololefins  #dicp  #synenergy  #shaanxi  #dalian  #xian  #china  

Multiple technologies and productions have been added.

#gasoline #diesel  #jetfuel  #kerosene  #hydrotreatment  #adu  #polypropylene  #axens  #mitsui  #hypol  #R2R  #fcc #delayedcoker  #sydec 


 

Lotte Chemical Titan (LCT) entities and production sites in Malaysia have been created.

LCT (M) Sdn Bhd is 1the manufacturing entity and a 100% subsidiary of LCT Holding Berhad, itself a subsidiary controlled by Lotte Chemical Corporation in Korea. 

LCT (M) Sdn Bhd operates two manufacturing sites in Pasir Gudang and Tanjung Lansat. 


#lottechemical  #lottechemicaltitan  #lct  #malaysia  
 

Ningbo Huatai Wealthy Polymer Materials plans to build a new 400,000 tons per year low-density polyethylene LLDPE plant in Ningbo (Zhejiang Province, China). The new plant will mainly produce metallocene PE. The new plant is scheduled to start operating in November 2024. The new plant will double the company's polyethylene capacity to 800,000 tons per year.

#mlldpe  #metallocene  #lldpe  #china  #wealthpolymer  #huatai  #shengfu 

Shandong Binhua New Materials site created and project description added.
 

#shandong #china  #binhuanewmaterials  #befargroup  #MTBE  #propyleneoxide 

Full Density Range Polyethylene has been added.


#fdpe  #polyethylene  #fulldensity  #hdpe  #lldpe  #mdpe  #linearpolyethylene 

Alterra closes investment round with the expectation to accelerate the commercialisation of its plastics pyrolysis technology

Investors Infinity Recycling, Chevron Phillips Chemical, LyondellBasell, and Neste, along with long-term support from Potenza Capital, have successfully closed their latest round of equity funding in Alterra Energy (formerly Vadxx Energy). This investment round is expected to accelerate the commercialization of Alterra’s plastics pyrolysis technology, designed to transform discarded plastic into valuable raw materials.

Alterra's advanced recycling technology has been modeled on ppPLUS and the mass balance of the company's demo plant in Akron has been created. One main product the technology is producing is plastics pyoil, which may be fractionnated to separate naphtha, which can be used as a feedstock returned to the cracker to produce ethylene among other products. The feedstock the technology is accepting is mostly clean polyolefin waste.

Source: Alterra, 22^nd Oct 2024 & portfolio planning PLUS.

#alterra  #lyondellbasell  #neste  #cpchem  #pyrolysis  #plasticwaste  #advancedrecycling  #molecularrecycling  #chemicalrecycling  #pyoil  #steamcracking  #naphtha  #ethylene  #polyethylene  

LyondellBasell Spherizone technology model has been updated with PFD and technology units.

#polypropylene  #spherizone  #lyondellbasell  #multizone 

SD EO/EG technology and purified EO and MEG production volumes added.


#ethyleneoxide  #ethyleneglycol  #meg  #scientificdesign  #eoeg 

The Scientifc Design technology to manufacture EG via direct hydrolysis of EO has been added.

Not so many details are available, which need to be improved.

#ethyleneoxide  #ethyleneglycol  #meg  #directhydrolysis  #scientificdesign 

The description of the Shell EO Direct Hydrolysis Process has been updated.

#ethyleneoxide  #ethyleneglycol  #meg  #directhydrolysis  #shell 

DOW Ethylene Oxide only process (METEOR HEXTEO) description has been updated.

#dow  #hexteo  #ethyleneoxide  #ethylene  #meteor  #ethyleneglycol 

The CPChem MarTECH Dual Loop technology has been added.

#martech  #cpchem  #chevronphillips  #slurryloop  #polyethylene #adl  #dualloop 

MEGlobal Prentiss site has been added.

#meglobal #dow  #canada  #prentiss  #reddear  #ethyleneglycol  #eoeg 

Shareholding of INEOS Aromatics Belgium has been reassigned to Ineos Manufacturing Belgium.

#ineos  #manufacturing  #belgium  #ineos 

MTO process and productions have been added to site and thus mass balance initialized.

#mto  #methanol  #sailboat  #petrochemical  #olefins  #ethylene  #propylene 

Dichloromethane has been added.

#dichloromethane  #methylenechloride 

In its 2023 sustainability report, published in March, Shell is stating that:

“In 2023 we concluded that the scale of our ambition to turn 1m tonnes of plastic waste a year into pyrolysis oil by 2025 is unfeasible.”

The report justifies this step back from the previous commitment due to changing market conditions:
 
“While Shell sees customer demand for circular chemicals, the pace of growth globally is less than expected due to lack of available feedstock, slow technology development and regulatory uncertainty.”

On its website, Shell advocates for chemical recycling (photo) with the following statement:

“Chemical recycling through pyrolysis, where hard-to-recycle plastic waste like snack bags, ready meals, or plastic film, that are not suitable for mechanical recycling, are turned into pyrolysis oil, a liquid that replaces hydrocarbons to produce circular chemicals.”

Shell has started its strategy to build up chemical recycling capaciities by signing a strategic supply agreement with Nexus Fuels (now Nexus Circular) back in 2019. Nexus operates a 'pilot' Nexus Pyrolysis plant with a rated capacity of 50 tonnes per day at its production site in Atlanta .

Since that date, Shell has successively invested in Dutch  company BlueAlp, signed pyrolysis oil supply agreements with Pryme, another Dutch  company, and with Finnish  company Lamor in Europe, with Environmental Solutions Asia in Singapore , and with Freepoint Eco-Systems in the U.S.A. , invested in two pyrolysis oil upgraders at its Mordijk site in The Netherlands   and signed a LOU with Dialog Group Berhad in Malaysia  and a MOU with the European branch of Agilyx in Norway  for the development of chemical recycling plants.

This step back from the pledge to develop chemical recycling follows on the previous announcement that Shell is pulling out of planned e-SAF project in Sweden.

#chemicalrecycling  #advancedrecycling  #molecularrecycling  #mechanicalrecycling  #plasticwaste  #pyoil  #pyrolysisoil  #plasticspyoil 

Mass Balance of SOCAR Türkiye Refinery initialized with crude oil imports.

#crudeoil #massbalance  #Refinery #refining 

Go to Solutions

#Sustainability #hydrogen  #refining 

Enverus Intelligence Research (EIR) analysts have provided an overview of merger and acquisition (M&A) activity within the U.S. upstream sector for both the fourth quarter and the entirety of 2023.

The final quarter of 2023 witnessed unprecedented activity, marking a historical high in observed M&A transactions within the U.S. oil and gas industry, totaling $144 billion. Over the course of the entire year, M&A deals amounted to $190 billion, also setting a new record.

Notably, two significant transactions significantly contributed to these figures: Exxon's acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources for $65 billion and Chevron's purchase of Hess for $60 billion.

This surge in M&A activity is noteworthy considering the backdrop of a decade-long decline in investment in oil and gas exploration. Despite the identification of major shale oil fields in the U.S., investment in new wells has waned, with industry giants opting to acquire existing assets instead.

Analysts at Dittmar observed that the market is currently characterized by an imbalance, with more buyers than sellers, resulting in escalated prices.

#oil &gas #m &a #upstream  #oilandgas  #exxonm  #chevron 

While president Joe Biden himself is hampering the U.S. energy sector by suspending new LNG export permits, his Mexican counterpart says he regrets not buying more oil refineries for Mexico.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador admitted he regrets not authorizing the purchase of two more oil refineries similar to Deer Park in Texas.

At one time, AMLO admitted, he and others believed refineries were becoming obsolete due to the growing popularity of electric cars.

AMLO revealed that three years ago, about a dozen refineries in Houston were up for sale at significantly lower prices, and Shell had a few available. He said the decision not to purchase the refineries was influenced by the lack of confidence in the future of gasoline and the difficulty in obtaining U.S. approvals for the deal.

Lopez Obrador said he would encourage the next president to build and buy new refineries.

#mexico  #Refinery 

Link