Rejuvenation treatment for a chemical senior–Bayer has shaken up TDI production with a gas phase phosgenation process. Now the chemicals giant puts its second large plant on-stream – in Europe, of all places.

Evonik announced that it is investing an amount in the upper double-digit million euro range in the expansion of its fumed silica capacities in Antwerp, Belgium.

This paper investigates the technical and economical feasibility of several concepts for a 30 % capacity increase of an old ammonia plant. It shows an interesting way to overcome the limitations in the two most critical plant units: Reforming capacity is increased by a newly added autothermal reformer, while capacity is added to the ammonia synthesis by the Uhde Dual Pressure Process.

Teaming up for China: Together, BASF, Huntsman, Shanghai Hua Yi Group, Shanghai Chlor-Alkali Chemical and Sinopec kicked off the construction of a new 240,000 tons MDI plant at Caojing, China. The facilities will complement existing lines of Shanghai Lianheng Isocyanate at the site, giving it a total 480,000 tons per year capacity.

A German chemicals group planning a major investment in Central Europe is certainly something out of the ordinary. But a company that spends several hundred million Euros in ramping up capacities in a seemingly saturated market must have something in mind. Just like the polymer specialists Lanxess, who, since 2004, have invested over 300 million euros in its Belgian flagship site in Antwerp. What is the story behind these? On the 50-year anniversary of caprolactam production on the banks of the river Scheldt, the Cologne-based company lets us have a look behind the scenes…

The TS4000H Intelligent Toxic Gas Detector from General Monitors is now IECEx approved. It offers protection against a wide range of hazardous industrial gases and is able to safeguard against oxygen deficiency.

Lukoil announced that it has taken the final investment decision on the delayed coker complex at Nizhny Novgorod refinery. The complex includes the construction of the delayed coker unit itself, the diesel hydro treatment unit, the gas fractionation unit, the sulfur and hydrogen production units and other infrastructure. The designed capacity of the complex is 2.1 million tonnes per annum.

Technip FMC announced that, jointly with Samsung Engineering and Tecnicas Reunidas, it has been awarded a $ 4.2 billion contract from Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) for the Bapco Modernization Program (BMP).

Inert coating technology, such as SilcoNert 2000 of SilcoTek Corp., allows petrochemical operators to obtain accurate sulphur data every time without any delay, sample errors or false readings. By adopting this technology, petrochemical plants can save thousands of rupees through improved yields, better test cycle times and improved system reliability.

New megaplant–project in the US: Chemicals and fertilizers company Borealis and Agrifos join forces for a new world-scale ammonia project through Gulf Coast Ammonia in Texas.