Dow Europe revises price increases for polystyrene, ABS and SAN products

April 8 (Dow) -- Effective immediately, or as contract terms allow, Dow Europe GmbH and its affiliate companies revise their price increases for polystyrene, ABS and SAN products by an additional 30 Euro per metric ton. This revision of the April price increase announced March 24, 2010 is due to higher settlement of raw material costs than anticipated.

The updated price increases effective immediately are:

For all STYRON and STYRON A-TECH polystyrene grades by 130 Euro per metric ton;

For all MAGNUM ABS grades and TYRIL SAN grades by 180 Euro per metric ton.

These price increases are applicable across the European, Middle Eastern and African regions.

MRC

MRC Reference

Share in the Russian market, 2008:

polyethylene - 2.5% (including LLDPE - 33.1%);

polypropylene - 0.8% (including PP-impact - 1.1%);

polystyrene - 2.6%.

Annual sales growth in Russia, recent 5 years:

polyethylene - 55%;

polypropylene - 28%;

polystyrene - 2%.

Imports by processing technologies:

pipe extrusion;

film extrusion;

sheet extrusion;

foaming.

LDPE prices varied within the range of RUB54500-57500/mt, including VAT, FCA, depending on a grade and producer at the end of March - beginning of April.

By estimate, Russian LDPE exports fell to 17.6 kt in March. PE production increased by more than 5 kt.

MRC

For more detailed information on the polyethylene market, see MRC Price Report.

April 8 (arabianbusiness.com) -- Qatar's Ras Laffan Olefins Co's ethane cracker is producing ethylene and will reach maximum capacity by August, Oil Minister Abdullah bin Hamad al Attiyah said today in Doha.

The 1.3 million ton a year cracker supplies ethylene to Qatofin Co's new petrochemical plant, which produces linear low density polyethylene used to make plastic.

The Qatofin plant, which began operating last year, was to reach full output by last January, when the cracker was scheduled to start production, Qatar Petrochemical Co General Manager Mohammed Yousef al Mulla said in November.

MRC

April 7 (TextileWorld) -- Houston-based ExxonMobil Chemical Co. has introduced four new grades of its Vistamaxx propylene-based elastomers for flexible film applications including extrusion coated and laminated woven and nonwoven polyolefinic substrates, cast polypropylene (PP), PP raffia tape, surface protection film, and elastic hygiene films. Vistamaxx 6202FL, Vistamaxx 6102FL, Vistamaxx 3980FL and Vistamaxx 3020FL exhibit a low gel count, which offers enhanced sealability, improved adhesion, inherent elasticity and toughness, as well as excellent appearance and processing reliability, according to the company. The products also are compatible with a broad range of polyolefins.

"Vistamaxx propylene-based elastomers have been developed to enable converters and manufacturers to specifically tailor the properties of mono- or multi-layer films to meet customer needs," said Carol Fitzpatrick, global development manager for Vistamaxx propylene-based elastomers in film, ExxonMobil Chemical. "Because different processing techniques such as cast, blown, extrusion coating and extrusion lamination can be used, Vistamaxx provides opportunities to innovate and enhance the performance of a wide range of films."

MRC

April 7 (plastemart) -- In a move that will help Indonesia reduce its dependence on foreign refineries to produce naphtha (crucial as feedstock for high octane gasoline), state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina will collaborate with domestic and foreign petrochemical producers. The joint forces will construct three refineries within 10 years as part of a US$15 bln mega project. Each refinery is estimated to cost up to US$5 bln and will have a total combined capacity of 900,000 bpd of naphtha.

The first project will commence this year for a refinery in Cilegon, Banten. The partners for the project comprise PT Chandra Asri, Malaysia's PT Titan Petrochemical, PT Trans Pacific Petrochemical Industry, PT Tri Polyta and PT Polytama Propindo. The other two new refineries will be built in East Kalimantan's Bontang and East Java's Tuban. Indonesia's number one ethylene maker Chandra Asri has a long term plan to invest US$2 bln on expansion of its oil refinery unit, including US$1 bln on a naphtha cracking unit.

MRC