Saudi Basic Industries Corp. announced last week that it is proceeding with plans to build a 150,000-metric-ton linear alphaolefin plant in Saudi Arabia, having awarded the construction contract to a German firm. The plant, to be built on the Persian Gulf coast, in Jubail Industrial City, is scheduled to begin operating in the third quarter of 2006. Sabic awarded a contract covering engineering, procurement and construction to Linde AG, but did not disclose the cost of the project. Sabic said th...

A fire last Friday morning has disrupted operations at Crompton Corp.s Elmira, Ontario, factory, which produces polyalphaolefins and lubricant antioxidants, among other materials. A spokeswoman said the plant is operating at approximately 20 percent capacity and that deliveries will probably be affected. At this point we are only making products that do not generate much wastewater, Stacey Ferris-White told Lube Report. About 80 percent of operations have been interrupted, so it will definitely ...

Dow Corning Corp. emerged from bankruptcy this month, ending a nine-year ordeal triggered by lawsuits filed by women who received silicone-gel breast implants. The case was the longest Chapter 11 bankruptcy ever in the United States. Dow Corning is the worlds largest supplier of silicone products, including lubricants. The case was closed after a federal judge approved a $1.2 billion commercial creditor payment plan, removing the companys last major hurdle. The plan calls for commercial creditor...

Online petroleum supply chain network TakGroup has been purchased by eNucleus, a software company serving the health care, education, insurance and financial services industries. In announcing the transaction June 2, the companies said TakGroup shareholders will receive 650,000 shares of eNucleus stock over a three-year period but did not otherwise disclose the price. Formed in 1996, Houston-based TakGroup uses its Internet network to provide back office services such as procurement, transaction...