Canadian bioplastics developer Solegear enlisted two plastics compounders

(PlasticsToday) -- Canadian bioplastics developer and supplier Solegear has enlisted two plastics compounders, one each in California and Georgia, to help support production of its Polysole brand of bioplastics and Traverse brand of bioplastic-based composites.

Ferco Compounding Inc. (Ontario, CA) is one of the two compounders now working with Solegear. "Ferco's core values and long-term commitment to partnerships tie-in well with Solegear's goals for the growth of the bioplastics market," said Ferco president Jennifer Thaw in a release distributed by Solegear. "We're excited to be working with the team over at Solegear. We'll be supporting them with our attention to delivering high quality product and will be looking forward to helping grow the Solegear brand."

The other manufacturing partner is Standridge Color Corp., a supplier of thermoplastic compounds, color concentrates and masterbatches based in Social Circle, GA. Solegear (Vancouver, BC) says it expect to begin manufacturing its materials at both facilities this spring. Processors interested in data sheets on the Solegear materials should contact the company.

MRC

(Bloomberg) -- DuPont Co. is restarting a cogeneration plant and ethylene unit after a possible lightning strike caused a steam loss at the Sabine River Works chemical complex in Orange, Texas, said Aaron Woods, a company spokesman.

⌠They are in the process of getting the cogen plant restarted, Woods, based in Houston, said in a telephone interview. The ethylene plant had to be shut because of the loss of steam from the cogeneration plant, he said. There was no damage to the steam cracker.

The cracker, splits oil products like naphtha and liquefied petroleum gases through pressure and heat. Outages can increase prices for ethylene and propylene as companies turn to spot markets to help them meet supply contracts.

MRC

(CNA) -- The Taiwanese government will consider moving its Kuokuang petrochemical project abroad to any country other than China, according to an economic affairs official Tuesday. Hwang Jung-chiou, vice minister of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), made the remark at a global technology forum while responding to media inquiries about where the USD 20.74 billion project could be moved to overseas.

China currently bans wholly foreign-owned enterprises from building naphtha cracking plants within its borders, which is why it is not an option for the government, explained the vice minister.

Economic Affairs Minister Shih Yen-shiang on Saturday ruled out the possibility of the Kuokuang project being built in Taiwan, a day after president Ma Ying-jeou withdrew support for the construction of the complex in central Taiwan's Changhua county, where it was originally planned.

The investment project has spurred nation-wide protests from students, environmental and local groups, who were concerned that the project could cause severe damage to Taiwan's environment and ecology.

MRC

(Plastemart) -- PTT Tank Terminal Co plans to invest Bt5 bln to expand its tanks for new petrochemical products such as feedstock for producing bioplastic goods, once parent PTT invests in this business.

Currently, PTT Tank Terminal has six tanks to store petrochemical products, including sulphuric acid, propylene, methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile and ammonia. It has storage capacity of 70 KT at one time and 400 KTa. PTT recently completed construction of two ports, with total storage capacity of 2 mln tpa. It is currently using only one port.

MRC

(Bernama) -- Malaysia has decided to maintain the anti-dumping measure regarding imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or commonly known as plastic resin originating or exported from Thailand. This follows an administrative review initiated on Oct 14 last year on imports of the product from Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand upon the request from a domestic producer.

In a statement, the International Trade and Industry Ministry said: "The government has now completed the investigation and has confirmed the likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury to the Malaysian domestic industry with respect of imports of PET originating or exported from Thailand, if the anti-dumping duties were removed."

The ministry said the Malaysian Royal Customs Department would enforce the collection of the definitive duties. "The final measure will be in effect for five years from the day the government gazettes the final determination of the investigation", it said.

MRC