The world’s largest chemical company is expanding in the Houston area.
Germany-based BASF said it completed two plastic and chemical expansions just outside of Houston at its Pasadena complex.
The capacity expansions contribute to the production of plasticizers used to soften and increase the flexibility of rigid materials like polyvinyl chloride, called PVC.
BASF said it increased its production of dioctyl terephthalate, or DOTP, which is a general purpose plasticizer, by 60,000 metric tons a year. Likewise, BASF upped its production of 2-ethylhexanol, which is a DOTP raw material, by 100,000 metric tons annually.
Chemical engineering researchers have developed a new catalyst that significantly increases yield in styrene manufacturing, while simultaneously reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
With efficiencies above 90%, Topsoe’s proprietary SOEC electrolyzers offer superior performance in electrolysis of water into hydrogen, when compared to today’s standard alkaline or PEM electrolyzers.
Chevron Phillips Chemical announced that Bruce Chinn, currently president, Chevron Chemicals, will become chief executive officer. B.J. Hebert, currently executive vice president and chief operating officer, will become president and chief operating officer.
