Russia identified six locations for cracker-based petrochemicals clusters

(ICIS) -- Russia has identified six locations for cracker-based petrochemicals clusters over the next 10 years as part of plans to develop this sector in the country, an executive at Sibur said on Thursday. ⌠The government has set ambitious plans for the development of the petrochemicals industry by building six clusters of world-class ethylene capacities in the next 10 years, Maxim Savchenko, head of strategic development at the Russian producer said.

⌠Russia holds leading positions in oil and gas production but lags in petrochemicals, he told delegates at the Global Petrochemicals annual meeting, organised by the World Refining Association (WRA).

The clusters will be located at two "brownfield" sites and four "greenfield" sites, he told ICIS on the sidelines of the meeting.

They will be developed in phases, with the two brownfield sites - in western Siberia and in the Volga region - included in phase one.

Sibur already has gas fractionation and petrochemicals activities in Tobolsk, and is planning a new cracker project at the site. There is also already some petrochemicals production, including crackers, in Volga, he added.

Phase two of Russia's petrochemicals cluster plan involves developing a cluster in the Caspian region, he said. Phase three will involve developing clusters in the northwest region and eastern Siberia, and the final phase will involve a cluster in the far east of Russia, Savchenko added.

MRC

(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.

MRC