Shell on the verge of commercialising a technology for the production of diphenyl carbonate

(Plastemart) -- Shell is on the verge of commercialising a technology for the production of diphenyl carbonate (DPC) as a feedstock for the production of polycarbonate, as per theengineer.co.uk. Over recent years, Shell has been in talks with major manufacturers of the engineering polymer, for whom DPC offers a potential replacement to phosgene - a highly toxic feedstock precursor.

Production of polycarbonate is, today, predominantly based on reacting phosgene with bisphenol A (BPA) to produce the polymer (interfacial or solution polycarbonate). Due to its toxicity, though, phosgene requires stringent exposure management and controls. The phosgene-based process, said Shell, is also complex and energy intensive, involving the use of carbon monoxide, caustic soda and a chlorinated solvent, which has its own health and safety issues. During the reaction process the chlorine is converted to sodium chloride, which then has to be removed from the finished polymer in an additional washing stage in order to achieve the material's optical clarity. Disposal of the waste salt presents another issue. These issues have led polycarbonate manufacturers to develop phosgene-free routes to DPC.

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

(LyondellBasell) -- LyondellBasell announced that its Management Board has declared a special dividend of $4.50 per share payable on Dec. 16, 2011 to shareholders of record on Nov. 25, 2011. The Management Board also declared an interim dividend of $0.25 per share payable on Dec. 16, 2011 to shareholders of record on Nov. 25, 2011.

LyondellBasell is one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies. The company manufactures products at 58 sites in 18 countries. LyondellBasell products and technologies are used to make items that improve the quality of life for people around the world including packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home furnishings, construction materials and biofuels.

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) -- Dutch precision moulder Helvoet Holding (Hellevoetsluis) announced the acquisition of Rosti Nederland (Tilburg/The Netherlands), part of Sweden's Rosti (Malmo) group. The Dutch group says the purchase, the price of which was not disclosed, would help strengthen its position in the medical devices and packaging as well as beverage systems markets. Pending the approval of the relevant competition authorities, the deal is expected to receive the official go-ahead in December 2011.

⌠The acquisition of Rosti Nederland strengthens the position of Helvoet in the markets for medical devices and packaging and beverage systems. It also contributes significantly to a healthy distribution of our activities in our key markets for automotive and industrial applications, said Helvoet CEO Peter Rijkoort. Once the acquisition has been approved, Rosti Nederland will be renamed Helvoet (Tilburg), with earnings expected to be accretive immediately.

Founded in 1939, Helvoet specialises in custom-made, high-precision plastic and rubber components for the automotive, industrial and medical packaging sectors. The group's 550 employees last generated sales of EUR 65m. Helvoet owns facilities in Hellevoetsluis / The Netherlands, Lommel / Belgium, Pune / India and also operates sales departments in Detroit / USA and Singapore.

Rosti Nederland is an injection moulder and contract manufacturer specialised in the food, beverage, industrial, medical and pharmaceutical markets. Its 65 employees last generated sales of EUR 15m.

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

(MRC) -- One of the speakers of The Polymers Summit-2011 to be held in Moscow on 30 November, 2011, in The Ritz-Carlton Moscow will be CEO of Biaxplen Anton Matvienko. The Summit is organized by MRC (Market Report Company) and supported by ICIS.

Biaxplen is a major producer of biaxially-oriented films in Russia. Today the company produces more than 40 grades of films. In addition, the company produces barrier films and synthetic paper.

Among others, the Summit participants will discuss the issues of pricing, PET and PVC market conditions, PP surplus, resources saving. The Summit program is formed on the basis of questions to speakers. The reports will be short and the speakers' time will be mainly devoted to negotiations with colleagues. The Summit site gives a possibility to ask questions to the speakers, invite for a cup of coffee and confirm or postpone a meeting. Registration on a site is free. For now there are 287 registered users of the Summit site - representatives of major Russian and foreign petrochemical companies.

MRC

(MRC) -- Deputy General Director of Commercial Affairs of Nizhnekamskneftechem Evgeny Tsyganov and Head of Sales Management of Nizhnekamskneftechem Valery Valk will take part in the The Polymers Summit-2011 to be held in Moscow on 30 November, 2011, in The Ritz-Carlton Moscow. The Summit is organized by MRC (Market Report Company) and supported by ICIS.

Nizhnekamskneftechem is a dynamically developing high-tech petrochemical company of Russia. The company's production complex embodies 10 major plants, 7 centers (including Research & Development and Design Centers), as well as Auxiliary Facilities and Departments, located in two production areas and having centralized transport, electric and telecommunication infrastructure.

Among others, the Summit participants will discuss the issues of pricing, PET and PVC market conditions, PP surplus, resources saving. The Summit program is formed on the basis of questions to speakers. The reports will be short and the speakers" time will be mainly devoted to negotiations with colleagues. The Summit site gives a possibility to ask questions to the speakers, invite for a cup of coffee and confirm or postpone a meeting. Registration on a site is free. For now there are 287 registered users of the Summit site - representatives of major Russian and foreign petrochemical companies.

MRC