Feedstocks

MTO plants in China to remain a key source of olefin supply despite weak economics

On-purpose methanol-to-olefins (MTO) chemistry will continue to play an important role in olefins supply in the coming years, despite weakening economics, says Steve Lewandowski, vice president/global olefins at IHS Markit.

Benzene and styrene markets lengthen as capacity wave rolls on

The long-anticipated wave of new benzene capacity build that began in 2018 continues to come on-line, mostly in northeast Asia, and its impact on operations in Europe has become a key concern for European producers.

Para-xylene markets braced for impact of China capacity glut

Para-xylene (p-xylene) markets in Asia have entered a phase of huge capacity additions, particularly in China, that are expected to depress plant operating rates worldwide, and drive down prices and margins.

BP, Zhejiang Petrochemical reveal plans for 1-MMt/y acetic acid plant in China

BP and Zhejiang Petroleum and Chemical Corp. (ZPCC; Zhoushan, China) say they have signed an agreement to consider establishing a joint venture (JV) to build and operate a 1-million metric tons/year (MMt/y) acetic acid plant in eastern China.

Exclusive: Oman Oil and Orpic Group to decide on $9-billion Duqm petchems investment

Oman Oil and Orpic Group (Orpic; Muscat) is carrying out front-end engineering design (FEED) on a petrochemicals project downstream from a refinery planned at the Duqm special economic zone (SEZ). 

K 2019: Inovyn launches PVC manufactured using bio-attributed ethylene

Inovyn, the vinyls subsidiary of Ineos, has launched a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) brand that will be manufactured at the company's Rheinberg, Germany, facility using bio-attributed ethylene from Ineos's nearby Cologne steam cracker, which will be derived from renewable biomass feedstock.

Sabic to invest in 2 MMt/y methanol plant in Russia's Far East

The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF; Moscow), Russia’s sovereign wealth fund; Sabic; and the Russian private equity group, ESN Group, have agreed to design, build, and operate a methanol plant in the Amur Region of Russia’s Far East. 

China National Chemical Engineering Co. awarded large contracts for gas-based petchem project in western Russia

China National Chemical Engineering Co. (CNCEC) says it has signed contracts together worth up to €12.0 billion ($13.2 billion) to construct a gas-based petrochemical complex on Russia's Baltic coast. 

Equate announces start-up of MEGlobal Oyster Creek EG plant

MEGlobal’s 750,000-metric tons/year ethylene glycol (EG) plant at Oyster Creek, Texas, is officially online, says parent Equate (Kuwait), a joint venture (JV) led by Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC; Kuwait) and Dow.

Attacks on Aramco facilities have massive impact on petrochemicals production

Drone attacks on Abqaiq, the world’s largest oil-processing facility, and on the Khurais oil field in Saudi Arabia are causing massive disruption to feedstock supplies. 

LyondellBasell and Bora sign agreement for Chinese cracker JV

LyondellBasell has signed an agreement with Liaoning Bora Enterprise Group (Bora; Panjin, China) to form a joint venture (JV) in northeast China that will initially operate a 1.1-million metric tons/year ethylene cracker to produce olefins and polyolefins.

Attacks on Saudi oil facilities spark rally in Asian aromatics markets

Aromatics markets in Asia rallied on Monday after Brent crude futures surged following the weekend attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Featured data

US ethane and ethylene exports on upward curve

Worldwide production of ethylene totaled 160 million metric tons (MMt/y) in 2018. 

Polyolefins feedstocks & markets