Petrochemical plant builders Linde (Munich / Germany; www.the-linde-group.com) and Univation Technologies (Houston, Texas / USA; www.univation.com) have joined hands for projects involving integrated PE and cracker hubs. While Linde specialises in the construction and planning of ethylene crackers, Univation’s technology is used in PE plants across the globe. Under the agreement, the two companies said they will offer streamlined technology, capital expense and operational expense reduction opportunities as well as better quality in the early design stages of an integrated PE project. The collaboration extends to both new plants as well as retrofits. Irrespective of the agreement, both companies will continue offering their respective technologies on an independent basis, too.