ENERGY

Union Carbide to Buy Plastics Unit: The Danbury, Conn.-based company said it will acquire the plastic-polymer business of Shell Oil Co. for an undisclosed price. Union Carbide Corp. will buy Shell’s polypropylene technology and manufacturing facilities and the polypropylene assets jointly owned by the two companies. Houston-based Shell is a unit of the Anglo-Dutch concern Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Cos. Polypropylene is used to make carpeting and upholstery, apparel, film packaging, food containers, housewares and appliances, and automobile interior trim and panels. Union Carbide expects the transaction to be completed by year-end, pending approval by the Federal Trade Commission.