Many indicators point to current success and prosperity for U.S. petroleum refineries, but simultaneously, the industry is facing a future of massive changes in energy and transportation By many measures, the U.S. petroleum-refining industry is succeeding and prospering. According to…
This column is based on “Polyethylene Furanoate Production — Cost Analysis,” a report published by Intratec. It can be found at: www.intratec.us/analysis/polyethylene-furanoate-production-cost. Polyethylene furanoate (PEF) is a polymer synthesized from the copolymerization of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) with monoethylene glycol (MEG).…
Plant Watch Arkema starts up photocure resin expansion in China April 11, 2019 — Arkema (Colombes, France; www.arkema.com) started up the 30% capacity extension of its photocure liquid-resin production plant in Nansha, located near Canton, China. This new production line…
Mike Lassas has been appointed to the position of President of Proco Products, Inc. (Stockton, Calif.; www.procoproducts.com), effective May 1, 2019. In his new position as President, Lassas will handle all day-to-day operations at Proco. Lassas was born and raised…
According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) fell by 0.4 percent in March, following a revised 0.3 percent decline in February and a 0.1 percent gain in January. During…
The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB), a leading economic indicator created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com), rose 0.5 percent in April on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis, the second monthly gain after several weak months. On…
The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, D.C.; www.americanchemistry.com) reported that U.S. specialty chemicals market volumes eased 0.2 percent in March, after flat activity in February and a 0.3 percent gain in January. All changes in the data are reported on…
The preliminary value for the CE Plant Cost Index (CEPCI; the most recent available) for February 2019 decreased from the previous month's value. In addition, the final value for the January 2019 CEPCI was downwardly revised by a modest amount…
To determine the impact of the chemical industry’s contributions to the global economy, the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA; www.icca-chem.org) commissioned Oxford Economics to provide a detailed assessment. Last month, the results were released in the report: The Global…
Plant Watch Asahi Kasei plans LIB separator capacity expansions March 14, 2019 — Asahi Kasei Corp. (Tokyo, Japan; www.asahi-kasei.co.jp) will enhance its manufacturing infrastructure for lithium-ion battery (LIB) separator products at the company’s existing facilities in Moriyama, Japan and North…