Economic Indicators: Business News

Plant Watch Construction of AkzoNobel’s unit for ethylene amines in China progresses December 17, 2008 — AkzoNobel Functional Chemicals (Amersfoort, The Netherlands) is installing production capacity for ethylene amines in Ningbo, China, including ethylene oxide and monoethanolamine (MEA). Startup of the plants is scheduled for the 3rd Q 2010. In conjunction with this and for the purpose of effectively carrying out the Chinese ethylene amines business, a new company, AkzoNobel Ethylene Amines China Ltd, has been established. LyondellBasell grants 20th Lupotech T license since 2000 December 15, 2008 — Polimérica, the joint venture (JV) between Pequiven, Petroquímica de Venezuela, and Braskem S.A., has selected LyondellBasell’s Lupotech T technology for a new 300,000 ton/yr low-density polyethylene plant to be built in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Startup is expected in 2013. Dow streamlines its operating model to reflect current economic realities December 8, 2008 — The Dow Chemical Co. (Midland, Mich.) has announced a series of aggressive actions to accelerate its strategy in light of current economic realities. Dow’s transformation to a lean corporate center, a shared business…