Tianjin, China's fourth largest city relies more and more on the petrochemical industry for its economic development. The city government and Sinopec, China's largest state-owned chemical company have signed a new framework agreement according to which an additional 70 billion yuan (around 10.3 billion dollars) will be invested in key projects in Tianjin.

Gather has resolutely continued the further development of its pump range with the 3 series. The new chemical process pump achieves flow rates of up to 4,000 l/h (with pressure differences of up to 14 bar).

Amidst growing demand, Neste has plans to expand its renewable products refinery in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. With this move, the company will expand its overall renewable product capacity by 1.3 million tons annually, thus, leading to the firm’s total renewable product capacity in Rotterdam to 2.7 million tons per annum.

S&B Engineers and Constructors has been awarded an EPC contract for expanding New Hope Energy’s plastics pyrolysis unit in Texas, USA. On completion, the expansion is expected to add 420 metric tons of capacity daily to convert plastic waste to chemical feedstocks in the existing facility.

Lyondell Basell's proprietary Moretec molecular recycling technology is based on chemical recycling but it also includes a catalyst-based approach. The technology aims to return post-consumer plastic waste back to its molecular form and use it as feedstock for the production of new plastic materials. Currently, the company has set up a pilot plant in Italy to advance its technology towards commercial scale.

Exxonmobil, Cnooc and Shell have plans to assess the potential of developing a mega carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in China with an aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project is expected to capture up to 10 million metric tons of CO2 annually.

BASF’s Puristar R0-20 catalyst and Sorbead Adsorption Technology is being assessed by Shell for producing green hydrogen. Both the technologies are now under Shell’s portfolio for potential use across its global green hydrogen projects.

PTTGC America (GCA) and the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio have entered into a MOU to develop and operate a new recycling complex in Swaco’s green economy business park in Ohio, USA. The complex, which includes the construction of a new plant, is expected to manufacture recycled polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate into products.

Air Products and Gunvor Petroleum Rotterdam have plans to develop a green hydrogen import terminal in Rotterdam. Green ammonia will be received at the site from Air Products’ green hydrogen production locations.

Técnicas Reunidas has bagged a contract for project management, engineering, procurement and construction management and supervision services for Ineos’ mega ethylene facility in Europe. Claimed to be a milestone project in the European chemical sector, the plant will be built in the Belgian port of Antwerp and will have a production capacity of 1.5 million tons annually.