Russian companies to increase EPS

MOSCOW (MRC) -- In May, import of EPS to Russia made 8.5 KT, according to MRC report DataScope. Since the year start, Russian companies have been increasing EPS imports. Over the five months, overall import exceeded 31.5 KT which was 47% more than a year ago.
Currency fluctuations as well as a high price for the European material changed the structure of supplies. The main share of supplies in 2011 fell at Asian material. In May, a share of supplies from Asia made 89% compared to 71% in May 2010.


It is expected that in the coming months tendency of increased EPS supplies to Russia will remain.


MRC

Egypt and India plan USD 160 mln PET plant in Ain Sokhna

(Daily News Egypt) -- A joint Indian-Egyptian venture will see the construction of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plant in Ain Sokhna at a cost of USD160 million, officials said. The factory's production capacity will reach 1,200 metric tons per day producing about 420 KT of PET plastic chips per year. These plastic products will include bottles, food containers, bottled water, bottled drinks, shampoos and cosmetics.


The Egyptian-Indian Polyester Company (SAE), a joint venture with Dhunseri Petrochem and Tea LTD, will own 70 percent of the shares, while the Egyptian Holding Company for Chemicals, will own 23 percent, and Egyptian-owned petroleum and chemicals company, Enppi, will own 7 percent of shares.


Representatives of the Indian business community were quick to lay the foundation of the planned plant, which will be located in the private free zone area of Ain Sokhna, just northwest of Egypt's Suez Gulf.


MRC

Solvay to build large specialty polymers production plant in China

(Solvay) -- Solvay announced today it has launched a project to build a specialty polymers production plant for SOLEF Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), TECNOFLON Fluoroelastomers (FKM) and their essential monomer VF2 in China to satisfy the growing demand for these high value-added specialty polymers in Asia.


The plant will be built at Solvay's industrial site in Changshu in the province of Jiangsu and is scheduled to become operational at the beginning of 2014. It requires the investment of EUR 120 million and will significantly boost Solvay's global production capacity for these specialty polymers.


The TECNOFLON FKM product family is used for demanding sealing applications in aggressive chemical and high heat environments where high purity and long service life are essential such as those found in the automotive, aerospace, oil & gas and energy markets.


SOLEF PVDF can withstand heat and pressure, aggressive chemicals, mechanical stress and abrasive particles in varied applications and is widely used in Lithium-ion batteries, the chemical industry, membranes for water purification and oil & gas extraction.


The new plant in Changshu will be built next to the compounding plant under construction for Amodel polyphthalamide (PPA), Ixef polyarylamide (PARA) and Kalix (modified PARA) which is scheduled to become operational in the last quarter of 2012.


MRC

Eastman to acquire Sterling Chemicals for USD 100 million

(CityBizList) -- Sterling Chemicals has entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Eastman Chemical Company will acquire all of the outstanding equity of Sterling Chemicals for USD 100 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments as provided in the merger agreement. Under the terms of the transaction, the holders of Sterling Chemicals' common stock, par value USD 0.01 per share, will receive USD 2.50 per share in cash, representing a 63% premium over the most recently reported market price of USD 1.53 and a 94% premium over the 90 day volume-weighted average trading price.


John V. Genova, Sterling's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated that, "We believe that we are an excellent strategic fit for Eastman, especially given our existing plasticizer manufacturing assets. The many other quality attributes of our Texas City site has the potential of adding further future value. We look forward to working with Eastman to ensure a smooth and effective transition."


MRC

BP is eyeing a possible investment in Oman

(Arabian Oil and Gas) -- Oil & gas supermajor BP is eyeing a possible USD 15 billion investment in Oman, and plans to make a decision on whether to proceed in spring 2012. "Today we have just three wells, with plans to have 300, and this will be one of the largest projects, could be, in BP's portfolio," CEO Bob Dudley told the World National Oil Companies Congress, as reported by Reuters.


Last month, Nasser al-Jashmi, the undersecretary of the Oman oil and gas ministry said BP would start early production from the three test wells in August.


Since the Deepwater Horizon disaster BP has divested itsself of western hemisphere assets and is looking east, with massive investments in the Middle East and Caspian.


MRC