Mitsui Chemicals announced that it has entered into a materials sector-based partnership agreement with Plug and Play, a Silicon Valley-based firm that supports the growth of startups.

Dow announced an agreement with the Fuenix Ecogy Group from the Netherlands for the supply of pyrolysis oil feedstock, which is made from recycled plastic waste. The feedstock will be used to produce new polymers at the chemical group's production facilities at Terneuzen, the Netherlands.

Saudi Aramco has completed the acquisition of Shell’s 50 % stake in the Sasref refining joint venture in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The move is in line with Saudi Aramco’s long term downstream growth strategy.

Skids, package units and flexible modules: The trends and facts in modular plant engineering – Flexible like a construction kit and powerful like a made-to-measure system: Modularisation has the potential to herald in a new era of plant construction. However, on the way there, there are not only technical hurdles to overcome — definitions are also being fought over. An status-report between PED, process skids and MTP.

Sibur and Sinopec have signed a framework cooperation agreement to produce SEBS. Under the terms of the agreement, both the companies will establish a 50/50 joint venture in Russia to produce at least 20 ktpa of SEBS.

BASF and Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG) intend to invest US$ 500 million in an integrated aroma ingredients project at their existing joint venture site BASF Petronas Chemicals in Gebeng, Kuantan. With this investment, the partners will help meet the globally growing demands of customers in the flavor and fragrance industry, especially in Asia Pacific.

Air Products has entered into a JV with the Debang Group to build, own and operate a coal-to-syngas processing facility in the Jiangsu Province of China. Under the terms of the agreement, Air Products will own 80 % of the JV while the remaining 20 % will be with the Debang Group.

On first sight process requirements in urban mining seem to be much less complex as in the classical mining of primary ore bodies since numerous metals are available in high concentrations. Anyhow the presence of many different metals makes the separation to pure end products very demanding and complex.

Mexichem has recently announced that it has changed its name to Orbia. The company has also introduced its new innovative logo concept – the Impact Mark which aims to measure the firm’s progress against six factors related to people, planet, and profit.

5,600 billion Euros is the ultimate Grand Prix for chemicals. But the winner is by no means identified — The chemical industry experienced above-average growth globally. With this development, chemical companies could pocket 5,600 billion Euros per year till 2035. But the global distribution is not equal: The North American market is growing strongly whereas the market in Europe has stagnated. The consequence: The significance of the old continent could get marginalized for this industry. There is still time to change course.