A major plant expansion by Eastman Chemical Co. that will double the European production capacity for its Therminol-branded heat-transfer fluids is approaching completion in Newport, Wales, United Kingdom.

Anellotech announced the completion of the commissioning of its T-Cat-8 pilot plant, and the commencement of the critical development and testing program. The unit is designed to demonstrate the Bio-T-Cat (thermal catalytic biomass conversion) process in a fluid bed reactor with internal process recycle streams and continuous catalyst regeneration.

Koch-Glitsch and Invista Performance Technology (IPT), affiliates of Koch Industries, announced a new partnership to offer DTL process technology, allowing refineries to capture the value spread between replacement fuel costs and high-octane gasoline blend stock.

Akzo Nobel Specialty Chemicals and Gasunie New Energy have joined forces to investigate the possible large scale conversion of electricity into hydrogen via the electrolysis of water.

Sanofi wants to enhance the environmental performance and water management of its manufacturing sites together with Suez Environment. Under a new agreement., Suez will develop solutions for energy efficiency and water reccyling.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM in Bremen have developed a paint primer on the basis of lignin, which, for example, can be obtained from plant residues. It is free of petrochemical raw materials and therefore has a significantly improved CO2 balance.

IGP Methanol has awarded Haldor Topsoe a contract for engineering of a methanol plant that will produce 1.8 million tons per year, which is part of a planned complex with a total production capacity of 7.2 million tons per year.

The chemical reaction at the heart of the world’s largest gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant starting up in Qatar is borne out of Shell’s long history and expertise in catalyst technology and innovation. A unique catalyst developed for the Pearl GTL plant is key to the efficient conversion of synthesis gas into heavy hydrocarbons that provide feedstock for advanced fuels, base oils and chemicals.

An extended recovery period for crude oil prices, exceeding five years, would have dramatic implications for the global petrochemical industry and could mean a “Back to the Future” experience for some companies and regions -- creating a more competitive environment for naphtha producers, according to a new IHS report.

BASF announced that it plans to increase its global Alkyl Polyglucosides (APG) production capacity with two production expansion projects at sites in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Jinshan, China.