Styrolution has scored a success at automaker Skoda

(PlasticsToday) -- Styrolution Group GmbH (Ludwigshafen, Germany), the new joint venture between BASF (Ludwigshafen) and INEOS (Lyndhurst, UK), has scored a success at automaker Skoda, with the OEM now using a modified SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer) material for its vehicle exteriors. The grade in question, Luran HH 120, combines the advantages of classic SAN with improved temperature and weathering resistance.


Piano black SAN compound is tailored to meet weathering resistance and color depth requirements of auto industry.


Dura Automotive Systems GmbH (Dusseldorf, Germany), a German subsidiary of the American automotive supplier of the same name, was a development partner for the material. The company manufactures A-, B- and C-pillars and has recently started using Luran HH 120 for serial production of the B-pillar cladding of the Skoda Superb.


MRC

A new plant will produce the power cable insulation materials at Sipchem's site in Jubail

(Arabian oil and gas) -- Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) affiliate Gulf Advanced Cable Insulation Company has awarded on LSTK basis the engineering design, procurement and construction contract for the Wire and Cable Polymers Compounding Plant to POSCO Engineering Co, South Korea. The new plant will produce the power cable insulation materials at Sipchem's site in Jubail Industrial City. This plant comes as part of Sipchem's third phase expansion downstream program. Gulf Advanced Cable Insulation Company is equally owned by Sipchem and Hanwha Chemical of South Korea.


The estimated cost of the plant is around $61.3 million, which is expected to start up in the third quarter 2013. Feedstock for the plant will be sourced from the International Polymers Company, one of Sipchem affiliates.


MRC

Oleochemicals, biofuels face higher 2012 feedstock price

(ICIS) -- After bottoming out in September, the global fats and oils market is expected to see another upward price cycle in 2012, led by projected lower production volumes and increased consumption of biofuels, an industry consultant said on Wednesday.


⌠World fats and oils supplies are sufficiently ample until December 2011. Expect soybean oil export from South America to be reduced because of higher domestic consumption for biofuels," said Thomas Mielke, director of Germany-based agriculture consulting firm ISTA Mielke.


Growing global dependence on palm oil for food use will rise in the next several years, which will strain feedstock use for oleochemicals and biofuels, Mielke said. About 76m-77m tonnes of palm oil will be required in 2020, compared with 45.5m tonnes seen in 2010, he added. ⌠This means an annual average palm oil output growth of 3.1m tonnes will be needed worldwide. Indonesia has to bear that increase in consumption demand, as Malaysia palm oil production is already strained, said Mielke.


As of 2010, biofuels already accounted for 12% of the global fats and oils consumption, at 171.6m tonnes. Chemicals account for 4%, or 7.7m tonnes, of global fats and oils' use.


MRC

RusVinyl received the first batch of the large-size equipment

(SIBUR) -- Construction of the PVC plant in Kstovo of the Nizhniy Novgorod region, implemented by RusVinyl LLC, is actively under way and continues according to schedule. Actually, piling works are fully completed; concrete laying is near completion, laying of underground pipeline has started. At the construction site framing of production facilities has begun as well.


Kuehne+Nagel logistic company delivered two VCM storage tanks by river to the port. The third tank will arrive within the next few weeks. The gross weight of one such bullet is approximately 255 tons; it is 36.5 meters long, 8.75 meters wide and 8.16 meters high. In order to deliver this heavy equipment to the construction site RusVinyl carries out works for improvement and widening of certain sections of roads.


RusVinyl LLC is a 50/50 joint venture established by SIBUR Holding and SolVin for the construction of a 330 thousand t/y Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Integrated Plant in Kstovo of Nizhniy Novgorod region.


SIBUR is the leader of Russian petrochemistry, which operates from gas processing to the production of monomers and entire range of polymers, synthetic rubbers, specific chemical products as well as the processing of plastics.


MRC

In September Russian PP production grew by 10%

(MRC) -- In September, Russian producers increased output of polypropylene (PP) to 59,000 tonnes. Following the nine months results, overall PP production in Russia increased by 10% and made 510,600 tonnes, according to MRC ScanPlast.


In September, only Nizhnekamskneftechem suspended PP facilities for a scheduled turnaround. As a result, the company's PP output decreased by 11% compared to August. Other Russian producers increased PP production. The biggest production growth was reached by Stavrolen - about 16% compared with August.


In September, Russian producers reduced production of copolymers of propylene in favor of homopolymers of propylene. In general, this year the structure of PP production remains without big changes: a share of homopolymers made more than 80% of total production.


Following the nine months results, overall PP production by Russian producers made 510,600 tonnes, which was by 10% more year on year.


The biggest increase in production - about 25% - was demonstrated by Neftechemiya (Kapotnya). Such a high growth index was due to a long shutdown for a turnaround last year. Besides, Stavrolen increased PP production by 14%. Other Russian producers didn't show such a significant production volumes.


MRC