PP imports into Russia increase 34%

MOSCOW (MRC) -- In January - March 2010 imports of polypropylene (PP) into Russia went up by 34% (to 26,63 kt) comparing with same period last year. In March PP imports have reached maximum volumes in five last months and formed 12.51 kt - according to MRC DataScope report.

Imports of propylene homopolymer (PP-homo) increased 19% (to 14,99 kt). Growing imports help to stabilize the situation in the Russian market. PP-homo supplies from Turkmenistan were resumed. In March Turkmenian material formed 48% from the whole PP-homo imports. Over 1 kt of the material were delivered by Linos, Ukrainian PP producer.

Imports of block-copolymer of propylene (PP-impact) have increased more than 1,5 times (to 5,33 kt). In March suppies of the material from Ineos Polyolefins (144 ton). Russian companies have received 433-NA00/Ineos Polyolefins grade.

Imports of stat-copolymer of polypropylene (PP-random) went up by 32% (to 3,7 kt). From the beginning of the year supplies of the material from Sabic have almost totally disappeared (in Q1 just 25 ton were delivered).

MRC

For more information please refer to MRC DataScope reports.

(DuPont) -- DuPont leaders recently told security analysts and investors that the company is executing a rapid commercialization strategy in its Applied BioSciences (ABS) business for a diverse portfolio of high-performance, renewable products that address the needs of large markets. The company has set goals for the ABS business of $1 billion in revenue and $250 million in pretax earnings by 2015.

⌠DuPont is uniquely positioned to lead in industrial biotechnology. We are connecting our core technology capabilities to markets that can be transformed by our science, and this strategy is beginning to pay off, said Tom Connelly, DuPont executive vice president and chief innovation officer. ⌠The Applied BioSciences portfolio is developing solutions to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and continues to be one of the most significant growth opportunities in the company's history.

Investors were invited to Tennessee to see the business' first commercial biomaterials facility and its first demonstration biofuels facility, each of which is bringing DuPont ABS technology to market. The DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products facility in Loudon, Tenn., produces 100 million pounds annually of Bio-PDO. The DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol demonstration facility in Vonore, Tenn., is preparing this second-generation biofuel technology for market.

MRC

(Evonik) -- ⌠We started this year with strong figures, commented Klaus Engel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries AG, today, when the company published its key financial data for the first quarter of 2010. The Group reported a substantial improvement in all major financial indicators. In particular, earnings have increased steadily. ⌠The economy is starting to recover and our confidence is growing. Nevertheless, the economic situation remains uncertain, said Engel.

The Evonik Group grew sales to ┬3,769 million in the first quarter of 2010, a rise of 18 percent on the year-back quarter, which was marked by the economic crisis. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) increased 126 percent to ┬744 million, principally due to far higher volume sales. The EBITDA margin improved to 19.7 percent (Q1 2009: 10.3 percent), bringing it to a good level. EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) more than quadrupled to ┬554 million, driven mainly by the pleasing development of the Chemicals and Energy Business Areas. Overall, the Evonik Group's net income was ┬290 million, compared with a loss of ┬46 million in Q1 2009.

The cash flow from operating activities advanced 20 percent to ┬530 million. This was mainly attributable to a far higher operating result, while net working capital increased as a result of a perceptible upturn in business. The cash flow was sufficient to finance capital expenditures of ┬117 million and to reduce net financial debt to ┬3,192 million, a decline of ┬239 million compared with year end 2009.

MRC

(prw) -- Polish polystyrene manufacturer Synthos, which emerged battered but intact from the worst effects of the economic crisis last year, now aims to benefit from the exit from the region of several big multinational producers.

The Oswiecim-based chemical group, whose styrene division recorded a ┬4.6m operating loss in the first three quarters of 2009, could gain from changes in a market suffering from overcapacity.

Synthos, Europe's third ranked foamed polystyrene producer, has survived, while notable competitors like BASF and Dow Chemical called a halt to local manufacture. The effects of the crisis were exacerbated, not just by oversupply but also by rising benzene prices which together made production there unprofitable.

But recovery has been patchy with some market sectors like construction and industrial packaging still blighted. So Synthos, which, as a group also manufactures synthetic rubbers, will have to take advantage of those more stable markets such as food packaging where demand is up.

MRC

(plastemart) -- A world-class petrochemical hub in the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) that currently houses two operational integrated petrochemical complexes, is set to attract investors from the Middle East. Of the two complexes, Kertih Integrated Petrochemical Complex in Terengganu, located within the Petronas Petroleum Industry Complex (PPIC), focuses on ethylene-based products; while Gebeng Integrated Petrochemical Complex in Pahang focuses on propylene-based products.

PPIC is home to 41 plants and facilities with investment from Petronas and offers world-class infrastructure and facilities, including logistics and distribution system to support downstream manufacturing activities, and polymer feedstock availability.

The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) investment mission is headed to the Middle East from May 7 to 17 to attract investors from the Gulf region to ECER, as well as to enhance bilateral business relationship between Malaysia and the Middle East countries.

MRC