Global bioplastics production capacity will more than double from 2010 to 2015

(Packaging Essentials) -- Capacity is predicted to pass the one million tonne mark already in 2011, according to a current study presented 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.


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.


Essential to this rapid growth is the swift expansion of bioplastics into an ever-increasing number of applications. From packaging to car manufacture to toys, carpets and electronic components - bioplastics are in demand as never before. The strongly growing group of dura- ble biobased bioplastics appeals strongly to the packaging market, for example. Several large brand producers such as Danone and Coca-Cola have brought products to market.


MRC

Styron to support their Asian business with new compounding capacity

(Plastics Today) -- Executives at the world's leading supplier of polystyrene said they are keen to support their Asian business, already strong, with new compounding capacity, most likely in China. Without revealing specifics, Styron president and CEO Chris Pappas also said he is actively eyeing potential acquisitions in the region.


The Styron executives spoke during the Chinaplas trade show, held May 17-20 in Guangzhou. Styron was acquired last year by Bain Capital from Dow Chemical; its plastics portfolio includes polystyrene (PS) - both general purpose and high impact (HIPS), plus expandable PS, copolymers ABS and SAN, and compounds based on polycarbonate (PC), PS and polypropylene (this last only for the automotive industry). It produces styrene-based plastics (PS, EPS, ABS and SAN) at two manufacturing facilities in China and one each in the U.S., Brazil, Indonesia, Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands. It has a PC plant in Germany, and compounding sites in Taiwan and The Netherlands.


MRC

Cretex acquired Pacific Plastics & Engineering

(Plastics Today) -- Cretex, a privately held, diversified manufacturing company that owns companies in the metalworking and contract manufacturing space, has expanded its plastics portfolio with the acquisition of Pacific Plastics & Engineering. PPE is a contract manufacturer of injection molded, assembled and packaged devices for the medical and bio-tech markets.


PPE, based in Soquel, CA, offers its customers services including engineering and design, tooling construction, prototype, short-run and production molding, and assembly services in its FDA-registered location.


Terms of the acquisition will not be revealed. PPE founders Stephanie and Jack Harkness will remain engaged in the business they've built over the past 22 years. PPE claims Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, Tyco Healthcare and more than 150 other companies in its custom list. In 2010 the processor added a second cleanroom to its California facility. With 20 presses, the majority being Toshiba all-electric presses, the company provides complete contract manufacturing from single components to sterilized complex device assemblies.


In 2001 PPE opened a joint venture molding facility in Bangalore, India, which, with a vendor alliance in Taipei, Taiwan, gives PP&E the ability to provide contract manufacturing services globally.


MRC

Ethylene supply in Japan is coming back to life

(Plastemart) -- The supply network for ethylene, an essential building block for plastics, is "finally coming back to life," as per Japan Petrochemical Industry Association Chairman. However, the same does not hold true for demand. With Mitsubishi Chemical Corp.'s resumption of production at its Kashima complex in Ibaraki Prefecture, all of the country's ethylene capacity is going back online, as per Asia Pulse.


Japan's largest imported of ethylene - China is plagued with inventory pile up amid Beijing's inflation-fighting policies and slowing demand. For the domestic market, Takahashi sees a short-term drop-off in ethylene shipments to the automobile and electronics industries.


MRC

Celanese to increase the price of all emulsions sold in the Americas

(Celanese) -- Celanese Corporation, a global technology and specialty materials company and global leader in emulsion polymers, announced today that it will increase the price of all emulsions sold in the Americas effective June 15, 2011, or as contracts allow.


The increase will be as follows: vinyl acetate homopolymers by USD 0.03 / pound, vinyl acetate ethylene (VAE) emulsions by USD 0.03 / pound, vinyl acrylic emulsions by USD 0.05 / pound and pure acrylic emulsions by USD 0.09 / pound. Sustained price increases in raw materials are the primary reason for this price increase.


This price increase includes all emulsions and affects applications including, but not limited to, adhesives, paint and coatings, building and construction, nonwovens, glass fiber, carpet and textiles.


Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of specialty materials and chemical products which are used in most major industries and consumer applications. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 7,250 employees worldwide and had 2010 net sales of USD 5.9 billion, with approximately 72% generated outside of North America.


MRC