The new strategy aims at making the UAE self-sufficient in gas reserves as well as a net gas exporter over a period of time. In terms of oil production, the company intends to escalate its capacity to 4 mmbpd by the end of 2020 and 5 mmbpd by 2030.

Solvay taps into the fast growing Chinese epichlorohydrin market: The company's affiliate Vinythai plans the construction of a new facility for bio–based epichlorohydrin in Taixing, PR China. China's epichlorohydrin market is expected to grow on average by 8% per year, becoming the largest single market in the world, analysts believe.

European private equity firm Permira plans to buy German chemical company CABB: The investor plans to acquire the former Clariant business with operations in Europe and Asia from Bridgepoint for an undisclosed value.

Speciality chemicals company Lanxess announced investments of € 30 million in a tire rubber facility at Port Jérôme, France until 2015. The site, that celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2012 shall undergo productivity and energy efficiency upgrades, the company said.

Linggu Chemical Co. has awarded the contract to KBR and under the agreement the new 1,500 metric tonnes per day ammonia synthesis facility will utilise KBR's proprietary ammonia synloop technology.

Awarded by the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation, the new plant is expected to be the largest fertiliser plant in Bangladesh. On completion, the plant will produce 1,600 tonnes of ammonia and 2,800 tonnes of urea per day.

Daniele Ferrari, CEO of Versalis (Eni) and President of Plastics Europe was elected President of Cefic, effective immediately, at Cefic’s annual General Assembly.

With MTP (Module Type Package) and NOA (Namur Open Architecture), Namur has launched important game changers in process automation. While the complexity of the topics in the context of the digitization challenges continues to increase, the users need simple solutions. Are sensors the key or the driver for successful digitization? This was discussed under the motto “Field Instruments Supporting Digital Transformation” at the annual users meeting of process automation technology.

Praxair’s largest investment in China comes after the company signed a long term agreement with Shanghai Huayi to supply oxygen and other industrial gas to the latter’s new chemical material facility.

There is currently a lot of talk about mega-trends, such as globalisation. Our look at the trends will not centre on these headline issues. Read here what is on the mind of the process industry at this year’s ACHEMA.