The average large project in the chemical process industries (CPI) overruns its sanctioned budget, including contingency, by 21%. Even more alarming, 10% of large projects overrun their budget by more than 70%. These are findings based on research by the…
Hexpol AB (Malmö, Sweden; www.hexpol.com) has acquired the business of Portage Precision Polymers Inc., a well-known rubber compounder in the U.S. market. Portage Precision Polymers, with two manufacturing facilities in Ohio (Ravenna and Mogadore), had a turnover of $29 million…
Plant Watch Momentive to construct two formaldehyde plants in Louisiana November 10, 2014 — Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. (Columbus, Ohio; www.momentive.com) plans to build two new formaldehyde plants in Geismar and Luling, La., with operations expected to begin in…
Amec Foster Wheeler (London, U.K.; www.amecfw.com) has announced the award of a contract for the design, supply and erection of a circulating fluidized-bed (CFB) boiler island for Deven JSCo, asubsidiary of Solvay Sodi. The boiler island, the second that Amec…
Vale Canada Ltd. has awarded Pöyry (Montreal) Inc. (www.poyry.com) with the detailed engineering and construction site assistance services assignment for the nickel emissions project at Copper Cliff Nickel Refinery in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The project involves a new baghouse with…
BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) today announced plans for a major investment in a pioneering superabsorbent technology platform of its hygiene business. BASF will invest up to €500 million ($625 million) over the next two to three years to establish…
Neste Jacobs Oy (Porvoo, Finland; www.nestejacobs.com) and SunPine (www.sunpine.se) have signed an agreement for Neste Jacobs to perform engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services to construct a tall-oil-rosin production facility in Piteå, Sweden. The facility is expected to be…
The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB), a leading economic indicator created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), logged a 0.2% gain this month, following an upward revision in October which reflected zero growth, as measured on a three-month…
The Lubrizol Corporation (Wickliffe, Ohio; www.lubrizol.com) has signed an agreement to purchase Warwick Chemicals (North Wales, U.K.), a global developer, producer and supplier of stain-removal technology with hygiene benefits. This acquisition will complement Lubrizol's existing home-care product line, strengthening its…
Gevo, Inc. (Englewood, Colo.; www.gevo.com) has announced that Highlands EnviroFuels, LLC has signed a letter of intent to become a Gevo licensee to produce renewable isobutanol. Highlands will build a commercial-scale syrup mill in Highlands County, Fla., which would have…