Saudi Aramco

Ziad Al-Labban becomes new CEO of Sadara Chemical

Follow-up: Hurricane "Isaac" approaches Louisiana / Numerous US refinery complexes shut down or operating at reduced rates

14m t of new petrochemical capacity brought on stream in 2011 / Saudi Arabia leads the pack / Regional players are setting their sights to the east / Feedstock surplus will sweep global markets in near future

Engineering contract awarded for Saudi PE project / Start-up expected in 2015-2016

Agreement to source propylene from Aramco-Total joint venture in Al Jubail

Rabigh II petrochemicals expansion in Saudi Arabia approved / Investment cost estimated at USD 7 bn / Start-up expected in 2016

Dawn of the “Great Ethylene Era” / Five Year Plan calls for massive increase in domestic C2 capacities / Pinpointed regional investments / Foreign players race to form joint ventures

Alternative feedstocks rejuvenate global plastics sector/ Oilfield licences to be awarded in Brazil / Shale gas fever rages on three continents / Middle East resources still firmly driving / Saudi Arabia, Iran are major players / GlobalData reports

Thai propylene oxide jv begins production / Full output expected in Q4 / Feasibility study for new world-scale EPDM plant

New 50:50 joint venture in Jubail Industrial City / USD 20m integrated chemical complex expected on stream in 2016

Price gains on plastics drive strong earnings performance in Q4 2010 / Charges on Styron sale

More ethane as feedstock for US plastics production / Focus on cost advantages over traditional oil chain

Follow-up: Strategy shift for polyolefins / CEO Liveris reportedly wants to keep LLDPE business

PO supply agreement with SAIC and Tasnee / Polyols project planned

MOUs to supply 600,000 t/y of polymers to eight Chinese customers / Deal worth EUR 690m

Basic Plastics lead earnings turnaround / Sharp rise in volume sales / Saudi jv to be relocated?