BASF expands Technical Competence Center in Shanghai

April 12 (adsalecprj) -- Global chemical supplier BASF has recently inaugurated a new section of its Technical Competence Center for intermediates at its Shanghai Pudong site. The new laboratory will specialize in epoxy systems for fiber-reinforced composites, which are used, for example, in wind turbine blades. BASF sells these systems under its Baxxodur brand. The competence center integrates this new epoxy laboratory with BASF's existing PolyTHF laboratory, which will also expand the scope of its services.



In the new epoxy laboratory BASF can simulate its customers' production processes using Baxxodur epoxy systems under production conditions. BASF's application engineers develop tailored solutions and provide onsite technical support to their customers.



At BASF's expanded Technical Competence Center various polymer synthesis facilities can be used to customize new formulations, improve existing ones and adjust mechanical and thermal properties of PolyTHF-based products to specific applications. Sample and specimen analysis as well as laboratory support for starting up customer plants round off the service offer.

MRC

MRC Reference

BASF. The share in the Russian market in 2008:
PS - 9.1% (GPPS - 5.9%, ABS - 11.4%, EPS - 10.6%).

Annual sales growth in Russia over the 5 years:
PS - 15%.

Imports by polymers processing technologies:
foaming;
injection molding.


Dow Construction Chemicals announces price increases

April 12 (Dow) -- Dow Construction Chemicals will implement a price increase of 13% in Europe - including Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Turkey - and Middle East and Africa for all emulsions sold to the building and construction industries.

The increase, effective April 15th 2010, or as contracts allow, will affect all acrylic and styrene-acrylic emulsions.The increases are necessitated by the continued cost escalation of key raw materials used to manufacture these products.

MRC

MRC Reference

Iran to privatise oil and gas sector

April 12 (plastemart) -- Mehr Iran plans to privatise all its refineries and petrochemical units, seeking to speed up the sale of state assets in a bid to encourage private investment and boost the economy. Currently, the Iranian economy is under U.S. and U.N. sanctions over Tehran's disputed nuclear program. Western companies shirk from investing in Iran due to the long-running nuclear dispute. Few of the companies on sale may end up being transferred within the country's vast public sector.

Work on ceding (ownership of) oil companies has begun and based on plans, all petrochemical units and refineries will be ceded, including service, drilling and support companies. Iran has transferred shares in six petrochemical plants and power stations to a social welfare investment organisation of the Islamic Republic's armed forces, instead of debt payment.

MRC


Sperle to retire from Borealis

April 12 (plasteurope) -- Henry Sperle, executive board member of Borealis (Vienna/Austria), is to retire on 31 May 2010. Sperle is considered to be one of the leading players responsible for establishing the petrochemical and polyolefins industry in Norway.

Before joining Borealis in 1994, when it was established through the merger of Statoil and Neste, he worked in various roles in process technology and manufacturing and in 1992 was appointed to the position of vice president responsible for polyolefins at Statoil. Sperle was a member of the first executive board of Borealis and made a major contribution to the group's creation and formation.

In 1998, he played a leading role in the establishment of Borouge (Abu Dhabi / United Arab Emirates) with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc, Abu Dhabi / UAE) in the Middle East, resulting in the successful commissioning and start up of the Borouge 1 world-scale polyolefins production facility.

Sperle (62) concludes over 35 years at Borealis and its founding companies as the executive vice president responsible for the Middle East and Asia, including the major expansion projects Borouge 2 and Borouge 3.

MRCMRC Reference

Borealis. The share in the Russian market in 2008:

polyethylene - 4.1% (including HDPE - 4.7%, LLDPE в─⌠ 8.7%);
polypropylene в─⌠ 3.2% (PP-impact - 7.5%).

Annual sales growth in Russia over the last 5 years:
polyethylene - 11%;
polypropylene в─⌠ 6%.

Leader in polymers processing technologies:
extrusion coating;
cable extrusion;
injection molding.


Braskem to set up polyethylene plant in Bolivia

April 12 (fibre2fashion) -- Braskem, a Brazilian petrochemical company, intends to set up polyethylene plant in Bolivia, by investing US $2 billion to $3 billion. However, the final project and the investment per say, will be determined on the basis of the studies that will be carried out for this installation, said Carlos Brenner, International Projects Director, Braskem.

This plant is likely to be installed in Puerto Suarez, Santa Cruz province. Announcement for this new development was made after discussions with, Carlos Villegas, President of Bolivia's state-owned hydrocarbons company, YPFB, in La Paz. After a firm decision is taken, the project will be implemented within a five-year time period.

According to Brenner, Braskem will utilise ethane derived from natural gas, to produce plastic resin. A part of the investment has to be carried out by Bolivia for the process of separation of ethane from gas to make the project feasible, while Braskem will undertake the remaining procedures, said Brenner.

MRC