Chexpress - March 8, 2011

North America

Soy Status

A new 2,4-D- and glyphosate-tolerant crop trait system that’s expected to be available in the U.S. in 2013 is expected to be launched in Canada in the next few years. Dow AgroSciences announced pending U.S. regulatory approvals for the components of what it’s dubbed the Enlist Weed Control System, starting with corn varieties. The company describes Enlist as a "new herbicide-tolerant trait system that will provide robust tolerance to an innovative 2,4-D product, in addition to glyphosate."

Contractor Selected

Westlake Chemical Corp. has selected Chlorine Engineers Corp, LTD as the process technology provider and engineering contractor for the previously announced new chlor-alkali plant being constructed at its complex in Geismar, Louisiana. The project is targeted for start-up in the second half of 2013 and will be partially funded by the Gulf Opportunity Zone bonds issued by the company.

$100M Investment

The Dow Chemical Co. will accelerate energy efficiency and conservation improvements within its operations through an investment of $100 million in projects that will reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. The investment capital will be awarded to Dow business units and manufacturing sites that present projects with the greatest impact in several key performance areas, including reductions in energy use and greenhouse emissions and accelerated cost savings.

World

Going Green

Dow Chemical is considering an expansion of its operations in Thailand to include renewable energy-related products and water recycling. More environmentally friendly investments may include raw materials for solar panels.

Joint Venture

China’s National Development and Reform Commission has approved a previously announced $9-billion refinery and petrochemical joint venture between Sinopec and Kuwait Petroleum. The news follows environmental and technical approvals of the project by the Chinese government last year. The Donghai Island complex will include a 300,000 barrels/day refinery and a petrochemical complex based on a 1-million m.t./year ethylene plant. Completion is expected in 2013. Kuwait Petroleum will supply the crude oil to the venture.

Additional Plant

BASF plans to build a production plant for sodium methylate in Argentina. This, the company’s second plant in South America, will have an annual capacity of about 60,000 metric tons.

Nylon Plant

INVISTA plans to construct a manufacturing facility at the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park in China to meet the region’s demand for nylon 6,6 intermediates and polymer. The company is currently engaged in project engineering, which will include an environmental impact assessment to be completed by the end of 2011. INVISTA expects to begin construction of the plant in 2012 and commence production in phases beginning in 2014.

New Unit

Bayer MaterialScience has inaugurated a manufacturing facility for polyisocyanates in Ankleshwar, India. The unit resulted from a EUR 20 million investment and is part of the company’s plan to expand its business in India and to participate in the strong growth of this local market for coatings and adhesives.