The mega project is expected to include a 1.2 MMt/y ethylene unit; pyrolysis gasoline hydrogenation; aromatics extraction; and production facilities for butadiene, high-density PE, low-density PE, PE plastomers and elastomers, PP, and other derivatives, reports Chemical Week.

The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has entered into a joint development agreement with Brahms Oil Refineries to develop and finance Guinea’s maiden refinery project in Kamsar, Guinea. The project is expected to reduce the country’s dependence on imported refined products and enhance its balance of payments.

Clariant has licensed its sunliquid cellulosic ethanol technology to Anhui Guozhen Group and Chemtex Chemical Engineering for establishing a commercial cellulosic ethanol facility in China. The plant is expected to handle a production capacity of 50.000 tonnes of cellulosic ethanol annually.

BASF has completed the previously announced sale of its ultrafiltration membrane business to Dupont. The chemical company explained its decision with the lack of synergies within the group.

Exxon Mobil has set another benchmark by producing oil in the Liza field located offshore Guyana in record time. Production from the first phase of the field is anticipated to reach full capacity of 120,000 barrels of oil per day.

The acquisition is in line with Lanxess’ strategic focus on profitable specialty chemicals. With this deal, the Lanxess Material Protection Products business unit aims at strengthening its global presence and serving its South American customers via a domestic production facility.

Under the sale and purchase agreement, Total plans to hold 50 % interest in Block 20/11 and 80 % interest in Block 21/09 located in the Kwanza Basin, offshore Luanda. With the acquisitions, Total intends to create a new production hub in the region.

After 25 years of operations, the Panna-Mukta Fields were transferred back to ONGC by Shell and Reliance Industries, the JV partners for the project. The Government of India had entered into production sharing contracts for the oil and gas fields with the leading companies.

Ascend has plans to construct cogeneration units and expand adiponitrile capacity at its Decatur, Alabama site. The move is expected to create 150 skilled jobs during the construction phase, offer 10 high-profile manufacturing jobs and lower emissions by 60 %.

The expansion is expected to create 2,000 jobs during construction and a study by Ernst & Young stated that Exxon Mobil contributed over 43 billion dollars to the U.S. gross domestic product in 2017.