BASF has received approval for a 400,000 metric tons per year MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) project in Chongqing, China. The investment will total RMB 8 billion (approximately €860 million). The facility, which will produce a core component mainly used for polyurethane foams, is expected to start up by 2014.

Ingleside Ethylene, the 50/50 joint venture between Oxychem and Mexichem, announced that its ethylene cracker in Ingleside has begun operations on schedule and on budget.

Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical Company started its UOP Advanced Methanol-to-Olefins (MTO) unit during a 10-day test to confirm successful operation.

A new, especially efficient distillation system helps to cut the energy bill of a Japanese methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) production in half. The new two stage distillation column marks the world’s first practical use of a revolutionary concept that as long haunted researchers. We took a closer look at the technology behind the energy wonder.

Device integration and life cycle management are the talk of the town these days, but not always in a positive sense. The keyword is compatibility. To guarantee the investment security of FDT (Field Device Tool) technology demanded by users, the associated device drivers or DTMs (Device Type Managers) must be both upward and downward compatible. Vega is showing that it works.

The plant which is capable of converting renewable electricity into green hydrogen can be scaled up from 20MWs to 60 MWs. The move will enable the facility to convert 9,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year and meet the demand for sustainable aviation fuel.

How do the rolling blackouts in Japan affect the chemical companies and how big is the damage at the chemical sites caused by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami? We have a continuos look on the leading local players.

Arkema is on shopping spree in Asia: The French based petrochemical and specialties company has acquired 160,000 tons/year acrylic acid production capacity in Asia for around US $ 240 million. These acquisitions nevertheless are only the first stage of Arkema's growth plans.

Sadara Chemical Company and Saudi National Automobiles Manufacturing Company (Snam) have signed a Cooperation Agreement for the planned Automobile Manufacturing Cluster in Plaschem Park.

AkzoNobel is to invest more than €60 million in boosting production capacity for its Bermocoll cellulose derivatives, providing additional momentum for the company's accelerated growth strategy which includes doubling revenue in China to $3 billion by 2015.