Methanol could be the answer of the one big question of the petrochemistry: How to become more independent from crude oil? Again China is being a trailblazer. A lot of Chinese plants convert methanol to petrochemicals. Scientists at ETH Zurich have now deciphered the complex chemistry behind the start of this process.

Chemieanlagenbau Chemnitz GmbH (CAC) has announced the completion of its first chlor-alkali electrolysis plant in Germany.

On August 1st, 2013, Karsten Radtke took over as Chief Executive Officer of Uhde Corporation of America, a business partner of ThyssenKrupp Uhde. The current economic trends in the US are good news for Uhde Corporation of America, which has offices in Greenwood Village, Colorado and Bridgeville, Pennsylvania.

Linde officially has opened its new Pilot Reformer research facility at Pullach near Munich, Linde’s largest location worldwide. The reformer will be used to refine steam reforming technology for the production of synthesis gas — a mixture consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The carbon feedstock for synthesis gas can be in the form of natural gas, liquid petroleum gas, naphtha or even carbon dioxide.

Technip FMC had supplied steam reforming technology and had also undertaken EPC of the 40 million standard cubic feet-per-day hydrogen plant which is now in full operation.

The new facility will supply carbon monoxide and hydrogen to Huntsman’s Geismar operations. The project is also expected to be connected to the world’s largest hydrogen pipeline and network system.

Technip supplies substantial equipment for the hydrogen train of Petronas Rapid refinery and petrochemical project: The French technology experts will deliver three hydrogen reformers with a combined capacity of 344,500 Nm3/h.

Praxair’s Southeast Louisiana pipeline network is supplying hydrogen and is being used by Marathon Petroleum in an ultra-low-sulfur diesel project.

Air Liquide is expected to invest 99 million dollars for the construction of a ‘new generation’ hydrogen production unit.

Shell has published a report, outlining its strategy for a transition to lower-carbon energy. The Shell Energy Transition Report describes its understanding of the transition and what it means for the company.