EU chemicals production in March increased by 4.3%

(ICIS) -- EU chemicals production in March increased by 4.3% year on year amid a robust first quarter for the sector, European chemicals trade group Cefic said on Friday. According to the latest Cefic chemicals trends report, production in March increased by 1% from February, while prices rose by 10.5% year on year. Production expanded by 5.3% during the first three months of 2011.


Petrochemicals production in March increased by 8.1% year on year, while basic inorganics output rose by 5.6%, Cefic said.


Consumer chemicals production in March rose by 4.5% year on year, polymers grew by the same percentage, and speciality chemicals increased by 2.2%.


Petrochemicals prices in March registered a 17.4% year-on-year increase, basic inorganics prices rose by 11.4%, plastics rose by 14.1% and consumer chemicals increased by 1.7%.


MRC

BP to restore production of PTA in Alabama

(ICIS) -- BP plans to restore commercial production of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) at its sites in Decatur, Alabama, and Cooper River, South Carolina, by the end of next week, a company source said on Thursday.


BP's 1.15m tonne/year Decatur plant went down on 28 April following a storm-related power outage, while a unit at its 750-800, KTa Cooper River site did not restart on schedule after planned maintenance work.


As a result, UK-based BP declared force majeure (FM) on PTA on 28 April, imposing a supply allocation of 50%. On 1 June, this was cut to 25%.


The process of restarting the Cooper River unit should begin on 10 June, with BP estimating commercial production by 13 June.


Once the unit is operational again, it should be possible for BP to remove its 25% allocation on US PTA supply, the source said.


MRC

Schott Solar and BASF present a new roof-integrated photovoltaic concept

(BASF) -- At the Intersolar trade fair, Schott Solar and BASF are presenting a new roof-integrated photovoltaic concept based on the Schott Advance Series. The concept employs only two parts: a specially developed, multi-functional pan made from the BASF resin Ultramid B High Speed and a frameless double-glazed module from Schott. The product has been designed for large roof areas on industrial or agricultural buildings and is very light and easy to install.


The PV module from the Schott Protect Series employs proven double-glazing technology for reliable protection against rain, hail and other adverse weather conditions. To ensure safe handling of the double-glazed module, handles that are also made from Ultramid are provided on the back. This makes it easy to carry the PV module, place it on the integrated support edges of the plastic pan and simultaneously secure it at all four attachment points quickly and without the need for tools by sliding the module into the latching mechanism on the pan. Moreover, the new bayonet connection and screw-free attachment to the pan provide automatic tolerance compensation. The pan itself is stackable, thus minimizing shipping volume.


MRC

Kuwait's QPIC exits Sonatrach methanol project

(Arabian Oil and Gas) -- Kuwait's Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC) has decided to scrap the idea of establishing a methanol project in Algeria, and decided to set it in one of the GCC countries, according Issa Al-Issa, vice board chairman of QPIC.


⌠Instability within the management of our local partner Sonatrach doesn't help the project, Al-issa told reporters on the sideline of the general assembly of the company. ⌠It's better to re-locate the project in another GCC country, he added.


In 2007, QPIC won a USD 900m contract to establish a 1 million t/y methanol plant in Arzew, on the western coast of Algeria.


The company was a part of the Almet consortium which includes in addition to QPIC, Lurgi, Mitsui and Sotraco.


MRC

International Finance Corporation to provide loans for a new polyester plant

(Plastemart) -- The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, said it will provide up to USD 35 million in loans toward construction of a Egyptian Indian Polyester Company S.A.E., on the Red Sea coast. The new company, with capacity to produce 420 KTa of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), is a joint venture between India's Dhunseri Petrochem and Tea Limited, and two Egyptian government agencies. The project is also being financed through a USD 65.5 mln loan and a USD 11.3 working capital facility provided jointly by Commercial International Bank and Ahli United Bank.


MRC