Polimeri Europa and Novamont announced plans for a new chemical plant

(Plastics Today) -- Polimeri Europa and Novamont announced plans for a new chemical plant that will utilize vegetable oil feedstock for the production of bioplastics, biolubricants, and bioadditives for elastomers. The bio-based chemical complex will be located on the island of Sardinia in Porto Torres, with a total estimated investment cost of half a billion euros (USD 700 mln). The project consists of seven new plants spanning an integrated production chain from vegetable oil to bioplastics. The full project is scheduled to be completed within the next six years, but a new research center devoted to bio-chemistry will start up in the third quarter.

Called Matrica, which means mother in the Gallurese dialect of Sardinia, the 50:50 joint venture set up by Polimeri Europa and Novamont, has already completed basic engineering of the first phase, which will feature the bio-based chemical complex. Italian energy company Eni also plans to invest an additional Euro 250 million in a biomass power station to provide electricity. The overall installed capacity of so-called bio-products will be 350 KTa.

Matrica will target the global biobased chemical sector, which Polimeri Europa and Novamont say is forecast to grow at 17.7% per year and 8.1 million tons by 2015. Polimeri Europa will also convert existing Porto Torres production from traditional fossil into bio-based productions. All the traditional chemical plants at the site except for nitrilic rubbers will be shut down, with workers transferred to the new project.

MRC

(DSM) -- DSM's Arnitel Eco, derived from renewable resources, is creating higher value with lower environmental impact in the M&Q Packaging Corporation PanSaver ECO high-temperature ovenable pan liners.

M&Q Packaging Corporation has selected Arnitel Eco, for the production of PanSaver ECO, a range of high-temperature ovenable pan liners. PanSaver pan liners are used in food preparation, cooking and holding, to prevent food from "baking-on" and "burning-on" to the pot or pan surface. PanSaver can also be used for cold storage.

According to Michael Schmal, President at M&Q Packaging Corporation, PanSaver ECO is a true ECO+ bio-based alternative to conventional panliners.

Arnitel Eco is the latest addition to the Arnitel family. Arnitel copolyester elastomers combine the strength and processing characteristics of engineering plastics with the performance of thermoset elastomers.

First introduced in 2010, Arnitel Eco is designed to last a long lifetime under extreme conditions, making it highly suited for food related applications, as well as for use in automotive interior and exterior, applications in sports and leisure, furniture, consumer electronics and alternative energy.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Asian producers decreased export prices for HDPE pipe grades. Insignificant correction of prices was in the Russian market as well, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

In April-May, export prices for PE pipe grades reached their peak. This was caused by high prices for feedstock as well as scheduled shutdowns of some plants. Export prices for colored pipe PE100 in June decreased, on average, by USD 80-100/mt, compared to May.

In June, European producers decreased prices for pipe HDPE under the pressure of ethylene cheapening. Export prices in June decreased, on average, by EUR 30-55/mt compared to May.

Prices reduced in the Russian market as well - it concerned both PE80 and PE100. Price offer for the Russian colored PE 80 was within the range 65.800 - 67.500 RUB/t, including VAT; colored PE100 was offered within the range of 66.500 - 68.000 RUB/t, including VAT, FCA Kazan.

MRC

(ICIS) -- US federal health regulators on Friday declared that styrene is ⌠reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, a classification that sector officials have warned could have broad negative impact across multiple US industries.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued its long-expected 12th Report on Carcinogens (RoC) in which styrene is listed as a likely cause of cancer in humans.

That classification has long been anticipated by styrene industry officials who last month filed an appeal to the department seeking a review of the decision. More than 60 members of Congress also asked the department to revise or delay its styrene finding. But with publication of its Report on Carcinogens, HHS has effectively rejected those appeals.

Styrene industry groups were expected to file suit soon to seek court action to block or revoke the department's decision.

In listing styrene as a likely carcinogen, HHS said in a statement that the decision was made on the basis of ⌠human cancer studies, laboratory animal studies and mechanistic scientific information.

MRC