Global bioplastics production capacity will double in next five years

(Ceepackaging) -- Global bioplastics production capacity will more than double from 2010 to 2015. Capacity is predicted to pass the one million tonne mark already in 2011, according to a current study presented yesterday by the industry association European Bioplastics in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Hanover at the interpack trade fair in Dusseldorf.

From a figure of around 700 KT in 2010, the production capacity for bioplastics will increase to a predicted 1.7 million tonnes by 2015. The current year will see capacity pass an important threshold: the first half of 2011 already shows production capacity exceeding 900 KT. The million tonne mark is close, and will likely be passed by the bioplastics industry within this year. ⌠The encouraging trend in production capacity allows us to assume, that the figures presented today will even be exceeded in the coming years, explains Hasso von Pogrell, Managing Director of European Bioplastics.

A further change is evident in the composition of global production volume. In 2010, the bio-plastics branch primarily produced biodegradable materials, totalling around 400 KT(compared to 300 KT of biobased commodity plastics). This ratio will be reversed in the coming years - despite overall growth.

Europe is the world's largest and most interesting market for bioplastics and is the leader in research and development. The number of production facilities, in contrast, is growing most markedly in Asia and South America. The competitiveness of European industrial sites must therefore be improved through better frameworks and regulations.

MRC

(BASF) -- Effective May 16, 2011, or as contracts allow, BASF will increase its prices globally of up to 9 % for the Emgard line of synthetic lubricants. Emgard is a registered trademark of Cognis which is now part of BASF. The price adjustments are necessary due to significantly increased raw material costs.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and agricultural products to oil and gas. BASF posted sales of about EUR 63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year.

MRC

(Afa) -- Interpack 2011 visitors will be the first to experience Flairfresh - the innovative dispensing solution for washroom hygiene products that offers operational efficiency and sustainability benefits. Flairfresh is the first application using Afa's Flair technology platform that will be launched in the market.

Developed by Afa Dispensing Group (Afa) together with Vendor Washroom Hygiene, Flairfresh is a unique product range that, amongst other benefits, offers an alternative to aerosol based air fresheners and enhances the supply chain efficiency for Vendor.

Flairfresh is based on Afa's revolutionary Flair all-plastic bag-in-bottle technology that was first introduced at the Interpack in 2008. The Flairfresh range is built up around durable dispensers and disposable Flair containers. The products that will be launched in 2011 are an air freshener, manual & touchless soap dispensers (liquid and foam) and a urinal sanitizer. Vendor and Afa are developing further product line additions including door-activated air fresheners and toilet seat cleaners, for later release to the market.

MRC

(Clariant) -- Clariant's commitment to support customers in emerging markets with the latest efficiency-addressing, safety- and ecology-focused innovations will be reinforced at the leading South American and China plastics events Brasilplast and Chinaplas this May.

Under the motto ⌠Power Your Performance, the specialty chemicals expert will showcase a host of pigments, additives and masterbatches at the forefront of helping customers respond to the plastics' sector's most significant challenges.

In the spotlight will be Clariant's new dedicated range of color and performance masterbatches and compounds for medical and pharmaceutical applications; making their debut appearance before the Sao Paulo and Guangzhou show visitors. Clariant's MEVOPUR portfolio meets the latest industry trends for surface functionality and aesthetics, still taking into account safety and regulatory compliance, and the need to minimize risk at every stage of design and production.

MRC

(Malaya Business Insight) -- Petron Corp.(Philippines), the country's largest oil refiner and retailer, yesterday said income for the first three months almost doubled from the same period last year due to stronger revenue from its petrochemical business. Petron said its first-quarter income stood at P3.4 billion, up 88.88 percent from P1.9 billion.

The company said export sales rose about 60 percent to 1.38 million barrels in the first quarter compared with only 867,000 barrels in the same period last year.

Petrochemical export volumes increased 32 percent to 774,000 barrels.

Petron said the spike in crude prices pushed up the prices of petrochemical products such benzene, toluene, and xylene, while supply tightness in propylene enabled the company to capture incremental margins from its production streams.

MRC