Investments into packaging sector down 2 times in 2009

Polyethylene imports dropped by 9% in that sector (24 kt), and those of PP went down by 23% (11 kt).

Imports replacement was actively developing in the packaging sector over the last years. Investments into equipment used to produce packaging amount to nearly 20% of the overall volume.

Alkor (Magnitogorsk) was the leader in investments into the packaging sector in 2009, having bought Kuhne, Anlagenbau and Gabler equipment.

Alpla group continues to expand its PET production capacities. In 2009, it imported about 10 lines to produce packaging for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals (Husky and Soplar equipment).

Schoeller Arca Systems imported Krauss Maffei moulding machines to produce Big Box. Alpha-plast, Polyer, Kutterer-Rus and Cerber are among the major investors in the packaging sector. Kamskie Polyany production complex is being actively developed, as well. Tatlesstroy expanded its capacities having imported equipment to produce s-type polypropylene sheets.

MRC

Detailed analysis of the events that took place in the Russian polymers market in 2009 and its development outlooks for 2010 can be found in MRC Annual reports.

(prw) -- Sharp Interpack has been purchased by the French packaging firm Groupe Guillin. Details of the deal, which includes the production facilities in Ayelsham, Bridgewater and Yate, were not revealed.

The UK company, which had a turnover of some GBP86m during its last financial year to March 2010, is now 100% owned by the French packaging giant, which claims the deal will be beneficial for both bottom line and cash flow.

"The combination of Groupe Guillin's expertise alongside Sharp Interpack's UK market exposure allows Guillin to reinforce its leading position in the European fruit and vegetable market, to widen its strategic positioning with meat products and to develop new industrial and commercial synergies," said a company statement.

MRC

(plasticstoday.com) -- Calling the system a "world first," KraussMaffei Berstorff has delivered an extrusion line to produce extra-large smooth-walled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe in diameters up to 2400 mm and with hourly (HDPE) output of 1700 kg. P.E.S. Co., which is a longtime KraussMaffei Berstorff customer, has been producing HDPE pipe on a range of KM's single-screw extruders for almost a decade, including extra-large pipe up to 1600-mm in diameter. Produced in the Persian Gulf, the large pipes are primarily used to supply seawater to desalination plants and cooling water to oil refineries.

In addition to KM's single-screw extruder, the system utilizes a spiral-distributor and runs high melt strength polyethylene (PE) XLS12B from Total Petrochemicals. A KM spokesperson said that to his knowledge, this is the first extrusion line in the world for the production of smooth plastic pipes with a diameter up to 2400 mm, eclipsing the usual limit of 1600 mm and the "extremely seldom" 2000-mm line.

The extra large pipe-extrusion line will allow P.E.S. to add smooth-walled HDPE pipes in diameters of 1800-, 2000-, 2200-, and 2400-mm. The system includes a KME 150-36 B/R single-screw extruder and a KM-RKW 40-2400 pipehead. The spiral-distributor design accounts for a material's rheological properties and utilizes a KraussMaffei Berstorff calibration system. By minimizing wall-thickness variations, the line can result in substantial material savings in the large pipes. That consistency also results in more uniform pipe dimensions, which help ensure tight joints in installation.

KraussMaffei Berstorff believes its 36D single-screw extruder, spiral-distributor tooling, and efficient calibration and cooling systems have helped it gain market share in the large-pipe-extrusion market. The company notes that in pipe production, material costs can account for up to 90% of total manufacturing cost, making stringent adherence to tight tolerances a money saver.

MRC

(prw) -- BASF's Neopolen P (expanded polypropylene) has been used to manufacture the Viavario roller ball run, a modular toy that features units that can be joined together to create new track configurations.

"We were particularly impressed with the wide range of high-quality colours ranging from black through signal red, grass green and blue to yellow and burgundy, said Manfred Bruer, managing director of Viavario manufacturer Isorast.

⌠Because Neopolen is easy to foam into different geometries, intricate constructions can be produced with arches and curves. It can also create shaped rails over which the balls travel with a minimum of vibration, friction and noise. The track therefore offers new combination options, such as switchbacks.

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.

(plastemart) -- Iran's Arya Sasol Petrochemical has planned a maintenance shutdown at its 1 mln tpa cracker at Assaluyeh. Scheduled to start mid-April, the shutdown is expected to last for two to three weeks and are expected to lead to reduced exports this month. Additionally, Morvarid Petrochemical is in the process of restarting its 500,000 tpa cracker at Assaluyeh after an unplanned shutdown in late March for technical modification works. The cracker had come on stream after mid-March this year and was to supply output as feedstock to Arvand Petrochemical Co's complex at Bandar Imam, which was in the commissioning process.

MRC