SABIC positioned to meet rising automotive OEM demand for PP in North America

(Sabic) -- SABIC's Innovative Plastics business today celebrated a major milestone with the official opening of its specialty polypropylene (PP) compounding operation at its Bay St. Louis, Mississippi manufacturing site. The new compounding operation will supply SABIC PP compounds and SABIC STAMAX long glass fiber-filled PP (LGFPP) composites for a wide range of automotive applications.

SABIC's new PP operation answers fast-accelerating demand from automotive OEMs and tiers for local supply of globally-consistent PP materials in North America, supporting production of both regional and global vehicle platforms. This is the second time in 17 months that SABIC has opened a PP compounding facility, having celebrated the start-up of its Genk, Belgium plant in June 2010. SABIC's PP investments underscore the company's commitment to provide high-performance materials that can help automotive OEMs pursue weight reduction opportunities and achieve energy-efficient improvements in vehicles.

Perspectives of development of the polymers 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 is 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

(PlastEurope) -- At an investment cost of about EUR 8m, Serioplast (Dalmine / Italy) is planning to build a new facility for plastic containers in Poland's soecial economic zone in Lodz. The zone's administration reports that the new 4.5 ha site in Kutno will create at least 66 new jobs. Come 2017, subsidiary Serioplast Poland is scheduled to begin producing HDPE, PET, PP and PVC bottles and containers earmarked for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries. Serioplast operates 10 plants in Italy and the new site brings to seven its production units in other European countries.

Perspectives of development of the polymers 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 is 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

(PlastEurope) -- Perstorp (Perstorp/Sweden) and PTT Global Chemical (PTT GC, Bangkok/Thailand) intend to create a joint venture for the worldwide production and sales of TDI and aliphatic isocyanates. Perstorp said the venture will include its former coating additives business, with its manufacturing sites in Pont-de-Claix / France and Freeport, Texas / USA. The venture also plans to invest in new manufacturing facilities to meet rising demand from the global PU industry.

PTT GC will own a 51% stake in the joint venture and Perstorp will own the remaining 49%. The Thai group said in a regulatory filing that it will invest EUR 114.8m to acquire the 51% stake.

Vanchai Tadadoltip, executive vice president of specialty chemicals at PTT GC, said: ⌠Establishing the jv between Perstorp and PTT GC will provide a key strategic entry point for PTT GC to further diversify its product portfolio in specialty chemicals. The venture will focus on TDI and the aliphatic isocyanates isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and derivatives.

Perspectives of development of the polymers 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 is 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

(Arabian oil and gas) -- Kuwait and China held a groundbreaking ceremony for a US$9 billion refinery and petrochemical complex in the southern Chinese city of Zhanjiang, with completion scheduled for late 2014, Kuwait News agency reported. "The project is a major pillar that helps spur investments, trade, and the oil industry between the two countries," KUNA quoted Kuwaiti Consul General in Guangzhou Abdulwahab Al-Sager as saying. "At the ceremony, leaders across the province have expressed happiness in realizing their dream to start this important project, which is vital in the field of energy, and have also shown their interest in future cooperation with Kuwait in other mutually-beneficial projects," the diplomat added.

Perspectives of development of the polymers 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 is 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

(Arkema) -- Arkema presented to the Central Works Council a plan for the spinoff and divestment of its Vinyl Products activities. By refocusing on its specialty activities, namely Industrial Chemicals and Performance Products, Arkema would continue to implement its growth strategy in innovative solutions dedicated to sustainable development and in emerging economies. Accordingly, our Group should assert its place as a major world player in specialty chemicals, explains Thierry Le Henaff, Arkema Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Since its creation, Arkema has developed world-leading positions in Industrial Chemicals and Performance Products. At the same time, the Group has initiated a major program to improve the competitiveness of its Vinyl Products business segment.

At the end of 2010, the Group reaffirmed this strategy, and announced its firm ambition for accelerated growth in the specialty chemicals within its Industrial Chemicals and Performance Products business segments, while continuing to boost the competitiveness of its Vinyl Products segment. The pursuit of this strategy in the coming years requires significant investments to secure the long-term success of each of these activities.

Perspectives of development of the polymers 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 is 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