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(BASF) - - BASF will exhibit at the 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC), presenting its range of innovative products for the solar industry. This year's conference and exhibition, which belong to the most important in this field, will be taking place in Hamburg, Germany.
A new photovoltaic concept study, developed by SCHOTT Solar and BASF, comprises a one-piece plastic pan, which can be installed on the roof instead of the conventional roofing, and a frameless double-glazed module. After installing the pan on the roof substructure, in a second step the double-glazed module only needs to be inserted into the pan's precision mounting system and secured in position by means of an integrated latch - tool-free and screw-free. A plastic handle as well as integrated support edges of the plastic pan facilitate the installation. Thanks to the rain channels, cable channels and a large opening in the center of the pan, the photovoltaic module weighs only 8 kg and has adequate back ventilation . The plastic that makes these characteristics possible is Ultramid B High Speed by BASF (polyamide 6): the material is not only easy-flowing but also tough, rigid and weather-resistant - and it satisfies the criteria required for such construction applications.
Alongside the product innovation plastic pan, BASF presents SELURIS Clean, the eco-friendly cleaning fluid and the plastics Ultramid for manufacturing connectors and junction boxes again this year. Moreover, plastic additives like Uvinul and Irganox, cutting fluids from the Pluriol range, inks and pastes for metallization (Cyposol) and polyurethane casting systems COLO-FAST for framing will be topics on the BASF booth.
BASF to present innovative products for the solar industry
Solvay's bid to become a world leader reached the finishing line
(Expatica) -- Belgian chemicals giant Solvay's bid to become a world leader reached the finishing line on Friday, when EU anti-trust regulators cleared its 3.4-billion-euro (USD 4.8-billion) takeover of France's Rhodia.
The European Commission said checks "concluded that the proposed transaction would not raise competition concerns because a sufficient number of competitors will remain active on all markets concerned."
Brussels regulators decided that "there will be a number of credible and significant competitors who will continue to exercise a competitive constraint on the merged entity in each of the relevant markets."
The EU decision was the last remaining hurdle to the new business, expected to have annual sales of some 12 billion euros, benefitting from an increased exposure to emerging markets, thanks to Rhodia's stronger presence in Brazil and China.
The deal was expected to bring annual cost savings of EUR 250 million within three years.
Bayer provides immediate aid in East Africa
(Bayer) -- In light of the catastrophic drought in East Africa, Bayer has provided immediate aid in the form of a EUR 100.000 donation to the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP).
The UN World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency and needs to provide food assistance to more than eleven million people in East Africa. Through airlifts to Mogadishu WFP is delivering special food for undernourished children in the region. Approximatly 500,000 refugees in reception camps in Kenya are also being supported by the WFP. A
Bayer's donation is being handled by its Kenya-based subsidiary Bayer East Africa. Alongside these immediate measures, Bayer is currently sounding out other projects that could make a long-term contribution in the region.
PE buyers in Europe are in no hurry to settle prices for August
(ICIS) -- Polyethylene (PE) buyers in Europe are in no hurry to settle prices for August as upstream volatility continues to affect crude oil pricing and demand remains soft, in spite of bullish talk from producers that are targeting price increases, several said on Monday.
Food packaging, which has so far weathered the storm of poor demand, is beginning to be affected. UK-based Premier Foods reported an unprecedented slump in half-year profits earlier this month, blaming ⌠a combination of reduced consumer spending and significant raw-material inflation. The southern European buyer of PE for food packaging said that most of its manufacturing was for distribution within Europe as a whole, and that all regions had shown a drop in demand.
Another buyer told the same story.
Some PE producers in Europe made public price-hike announcements, with Dow looking for an increase of EUR 100/tonne (USD 143/tonne) in August. Others talked of plus EUR 50/tonne.
MRC
In Asian petrochemical shares closed sharply lower
(ICIS) -- Asian petrochemical shares closed sharply lower on Monday, in line with heavy losses across regional bourses, on concerns that the global economy is on the brink of another downturn.
Shares of Japan's petrochemical majors fell at the close of trading, with Mitsui Chemicals falling 3.24%, Mitsubishi Chemical down 1.59% and Asahi Kasei slipping 2.09%.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 index shed 202.32 points or 2.18% to settle at 9,097.56. In South Korea, LG Chemical slumped 4.91% and Hanwha Chemical declining 4.27%, with the KOSPI composite index declined 3.82% or 74.30 points at 1,869.45. In Hong Kong, PetroChina settled 3.09% lower, with the Hang Seng index settled at 20,490.57, down 455.57 points or 2.17% from Friday's close.
The downgrade of US' credit ratings by Standard & Poor's (S&P), days after the world's biggest economy averted a debt default weighed down on the overall market sentiment.
In China's styrene butadiene rubber market, the mood has turned cautious on the back of the global stock market plunge, with traders retreating on the sidelines awaiting clearer direction