Petrochemical complex owned by Saudi-based PetroRabigh to expand

(Plastemart) -- Expansion work on a petrochemical complex owned by Saudi-based PetroRabigh is on track and contractors have been invited to bid for the project, as per Reuters. A second phase of development will add 17 plants though will not expand refinery capacity.

A joint venture between Japan's Sumitomo Chemical and Saudi Aramco, the company currently produces an annual 18 mln tons of refined products and 2.4 mln tons of petrochemicals.
Japan's JGC Corp. is carrying out the front-end engineering and design (FEED) of the second phase of expansion.

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(Arabian Oil and Gas) -- Jacobs Engineering Group announced that it has been awarded the Ras Tanura Refinery Clean Fuels and Aromatics Project, the first major project to be awarded under the Saudi Aramco General Engineering and Project Management Services (GES+) Contract. Jacobs is executing the project from its office in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, the company said in a statement.

The scope of services for the Clean Fuels and Aromatics Project includes pre-front end engineering design (FEED) services. In addition, the project includes modifications to the refinery to comply with future environmental regulations. The Ras Tanura refinery is located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

In making the announcement, Jacobs Group Vice President Mike Coyle stated, "We are delighted that Saudi Aramco has chosen Jacobs for this major undertaking that has such environmental significance to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

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(Plastemart) -- Indian Oil Corporation plans to invest Rs 4500 crore in a 1.2 mln tpa polypropylene project at its Paradip refinery. IOC made its foray into the polymer business last year with a naphtha cracker at the Panipat refinery. However, stressed finances put the polypropylene unit on hold. The PSU has revived its plans for a PP plant and plans to take it to the board for approval, since this unit is not included in the Paradip project cost of Rs 29,777 crore. IOC currently has polypropylene capacity of 600 KT at Panipat, while competitor Reliance has capacity to produce about a million tons.

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(Dow) -- The Dow Chemical Company is continuing to invest in a ⌠Packaging Center of Excellence in Horgen, Switzerland to better serve the needs of the packaging industry across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Dow is doubling the staff of its packaging center to a total of approximately 20-25 people, and significantly expanding its capabilities for testing and prototyping adhesive laminating and film structures for food and beverage packaging needs.

The packaging center combines the extensive scientific and technical expertise of Dow's people, along with equipment and collaboration space for specialty adhesives, resins and formulated films in one place. It will also enhance customers' ability to test materials and formulations for new package functionality and design. The Center also will hold seminars and forums that will allow package makers and brand owners and others to occasionally share insights about the future needs of the packaging industry.

Dow will be sharing additional details of the Packaging Center for Excellence with customers across the European Region throughout the summer.

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(Plastics Today) -- Reifenhauser's (Troisdorf, Germany) Chinese manufacturing plant for blown film lines is in the process of shipping its last two lines. Reifenhauser had acquired an adjacent site for expansion but the local government is now taking back land including Reifenhauser's existing site due to its proximity to an under-construction subway line.

This in fact turns out to be an opportune turn of events for Reifenhauser, given it was planning to reassess its strategy in China. "It might take three to four more months longer than initially intended but this gives us the opportunity to relocated to a single larger site, says Singapore-base Reifenhauser Private Ltd. managing director Jurgen Rehkopf, who was speaking to PlasticsToday at the Chinaplas show in Guangzhou. "Whatever we do, it will be based on high-tech solutions," adds Rehkopf.

In the past, most of Reifenhauser's production in China has been exported but the company does intend to re-evaluate local competition, hinting that moving forward it might have a greater focus on the local market. The refocus is also timely given it has been around one year after the debut of the Reifenhauser Kiefel Evolution film line, notes Rehkopf.


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