Polyscope Polymers highlighted benefits of use of XIRAN SMA copolymers

(Polyscope) -- In a recent benchmark analysis of heat boosters, Polyscope Polymers has highlighted the benefits that can be obtained by the use of readily available XIRAN SMA copolymers as a modifier in thermoplastic polymers.


Because XIRAN SMA has a high glass transition temperature it is able to significantly boost performance and value of various virgin and recycled resins, particularly acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Available in a broad range of molecular weights and maleic anhydride (MA) contents, XIRAN can improve thermal stability to widen the application window, make parts easier to bond, paint or print on at a cost significantly below that of several other additives and proprietary polymer modification techniques. The material can also act as excellent compatibilizer between resins that are normally immiscible, such as PA/ABS.


Polyscope is leading the way in expanding the use of this polymer as a property enhancer. The Company has the industry's broadest offering of SMA additives. Grades vary in molecular weight and maleic anhydride content, both of which have important effects on host polymer properties.


Perspectives of development of polymer markets, pricing issues and other important aspects will be discussed at The Polymers Summit-2011, which will be held in Moscow on November 30, 2011 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The Summit will be organized by MRC with the support of ICIS. The main idea of the Summit is to find a "the golden mean" between producers and converters. When producers receive exactly such margin of production, which helps them to invest in production expansion in order to substitute polymers imports, and the converters receive such price of feedstock that helps them to compete imported finished products. The Summit site gives an access to the live video of the Summit, speakers" presentations, as well as opportunities to ask questions or make appointments to any Summit partcipant.


MRC

Sumitomo Chemical to skip 2012 cracker turnaround

(Reuters) -- Sumitomo Chemical Co said on Thursday it plans to skip maintenance work at
its sole naphtha cracker in 2012. A company spokesman said it has lowered the cracker's
utilisation rate to around 90 percent this month due to weakening ethylene demand in Asia. It carried out maintenance work on the cracker from Sept. 1 to early October.


Perspectives of development of polymer markets, pricing issues and other important aspects will be discussed at The Polymers Summit-2011, which will be held in Moscow on November 30, 2011 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The Summit will be organized by MRC with the support of ICIS. The main idea of the Summit is to find a "the golden mean" between producers and converters. When producers receive exactly such margin of production, which helps them to invest in production expansion in order to substitute polymers imports, and the converters receive such price of feedstock that helps them to compete imported finished products. The Summit site gives an access to the live video of the Summit, speakers" presentations, as well as opportunities to ask questions or make appointments to any Summit partcipant.


MRC

The outlook for polyethylene demand in Europe remains flat

(ICIS) -- The outlook for polyethylene (PE) demand in Europe remains flat, but many players feel that prices will go no lower than current levels in the near future as the spread between ethylene and PE narrows and crude oil and naphtha prices remain strong, market sources agreed on Friday. ⌠The cutbacks are not helping yet, said a major PE producer. ⌠Market demand is very low. We need to continue to produce at low rates and keep pricing stable now. Even at the big accounts there is an acceptance that prices can't really go much further [down].


Another major producer said: ⌠We expect December pricing to remain at the same level as in November, and a mild increase in January and February [of] no more than ┬10/tonne ($14/tonne) or ┬20/tonne. The eurozone remains very uncertain and we don't expect this to change much in the short term.


In most spot PE business in Europe at present, prices are lower than the headline ethylene contract price, which stands at ┬1,095/tonne FD (free delivered) NWE (northwest Europe). This is a gross price, subject to discounts, but the spread between spot low density polyethylene (LDPE) levels - at ┬1,040/tonne FD NWE, and even below in a couple of extreme cases - and ethylene is clearly not sustainable long term.


Perspectives of development of polymer markets, pricing issues and other important aspects will be discussed at The Polymers Summit-2011, which will be held in Moscow on November 30, 2011 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The Summit will be organized by MRC with the support of ICIS. The main idea of the Summit is to find a "the golden mean" between producers and converters. When producers receive exactly such margin of production, which helps them to invest in production expansion in order to substitute polymers imports, and the converters receive such price of feedstock that helps them to compete imported finished products. The Summit site gives an access to the live video of the Summit, speakers" presentations, as well as opportunities to ask questions or make appointments to any Summit partcipant.


MRC

Foster Wheeler announced Qatargas EPC agreement

(Arabian oil and gas) -- Foster Wheeler announced that a subsidiary of its Global Engineering and Construction (E&C) Group and the subsidiary's joint venture partner, Qatar Kentz WLL, have signed an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCm) framework agreement with Qatargas Operating Company Limited (Qatargas).


The framework agreement covers projects associated with the existing Qatargas LNG facility at Ras Laffan Industrial City and will include both onshore and offshore work. The agreement will be for three years with an option to extend for a further two years. The booking values for the projects will be recorded as individual service orders are received.


Qatargas plans to issue invitations to its framework contractors to bid for specific packages of work, which packages may include pre-front end engineering design (pre-FEED), FEED and EPCm services.


Perspectives of development of polymer markets, pricing issues and other important aspects will be discussed at The Polymers Summit-2011, which will be held in Moscow on November 30, 2011 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The Summit will be organized by MRC with the support of ICIS. The main idea of the Summit is to find a "the golden mean" between producers and converters. When producers receive exactly such margin of production, which helps them to invest in production expansion in order to substitute polymers imports, and the converters receive such price of feedstock that helps them to compete imported finished products. The Summit site gives an access to the live video of the Summit, speakers" presentations, as well as opportunities to ask questions or make appointments to any Summit partcipant.


MRC

Damietta locals vow to continue their sit-in against MOPCO petrochemicals company

(Daily News Egypt) -- After a six-day strike across the governorate, Damietta locals vow to continue their sit-in against MOPCO petrochemicals company despite a decree by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to shut down the plant. In Damietta, where the Nile and Mediterranean meet, roads across the city are still blocked with burnt tires and broken palm trees, keeping workers from going in and out of the main port in the city.


Ahmed Fekry, a leading member of the Freedom and Justice Party of Damietta said that the minute residents hear that there might be a violent crackdown by security, 3,000 to 4,000 citizens can immediately hit the streets


Protesters are demanding that governorate officials finally heed their calls to shut down the factory, which they say is ⌠deadly and hazardous to residents, marine life, as well as agricultural. ⌠We want to see in the hands of Damietta's governor a clear written statement saying that the factory will be shut down giving concise reasons, said Fekry.


However, executives from Egypt's Petrochemical Holding company told DNE that they have indeed received orders to shut down the plant but were not given details as to why. ⌠The SCAF has ordered every phase of the plant to be completely shut down to respect the people's will, a spokesman from the ruling military council told DNE in a telephone interview.


Perspectives of development of polymer markets, pricing issues and other important aspects will be discussed at The Polymers Summit-2011, which will be held in Moscow on November 30, 2011 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The Summit will be organized by MRC with the support of ICIS. The main idea of the Summit is to find a "the golden mean" between producers and converters. When producers receive exactly such margin of production, which helps them to invest in production expansion in order to substitute polymers imports, and the converters receive such price of feedstock that helps them to compete imported finished products. The Summit site gives an access to the live video of the Summit, speakers" presentations, as well as opportunities to ask questions or make appointments to any Summit partcipant.


MRC