Hungarian Plastics Industry Association established

(PlastEurope) -- In an effort to boost competition, win markets and introduce Hungarian plastics products to other countries, about 100 different plastics companies at the end of November 2011 established the Hungarian Plastics Industry Association MMSZ. Although already existent on paper since the early 1990s, MMSZ now exists as a separate legal entity from the Hungarian Chemical Industry Association MAVESZ (Budapest/Hungary), of which it previously was a part.


According to local media reports, the decision to split off was based on ⌠challenges resulting from a new system of interest representation that arose in the wake of a new MAVESZ board having been elected in May this year.


Hungary's plastics sector employs about 40,000 people. Earlier this year, a market review by Business Monitor International (BMI, London/UK) predicted that the country's plastics sector would resume growth in 2011- following several lean years in the shadow of the global economic downturn - with gains driven largely by the country's automotive and construction industries.


MRC

Arla Plast expanded its ABS range

(Arla) -- Arla Plast, Swedish thermoplastic sheet supplier, extended its ATECH product portfolio with the development of a new texture.
The new texture is numbered n42 and is actually deeper and more enhanced pin seal texture. Arla Plast ATECH range now offer a choice of the pin seal textures and a further 10 varying textures.

MRC

SABIC's Innovative Plastics announced a new high-performance Lexan EXL copolymer resin

(Sabic) -- SABIC's Innovative Plastics business announced a new, high-performance Lexan EXL copolymer resin that addresses the fast-moving trend toward miniaturization of photovoltaic (PV) connectors and junction boxes. The enhanced electrical and flame-retardant performance of the new Lexan EXL resin grade enables designers to miniaturize the entire system by creating thin-wall parts, moving conductors closer together and integrating junction box systems - helping to drive down solar energy costs and increase efficiency. New Lexan EXL resin helps customers strengthen their competitive footing by contributing significantly to the benefits of PV systems and further accelerating the move to solar energy.


The PV market is one of the most dynamic global sectors, with compounded annual growth rates above 20 percent1 and significant attention as a viable and growing mainstream alternative energy source. "SABIC provides specialized materials that enable our photovoltaic customers to improve the value of solar energy as a cost-effective environmental solution,' said Andrew Kodis, solar marketing director, Innovative Plastics. 'Our focus on the photovoltaic market reflects SABIC's active support for environmental trends such as alternative energy, which depend upon technological breakthroughs to make them economically feasible."


The new Lexan EXL 9330S grade surpasses traditional materials in its electrical performance as demonstrated by a comparative tracking index (CTI) Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) standard with PLC-2 rating. Compliance with this tough standard means Lexan EXL 9330S copolymer resists arcing in the presence of moisture and salts and, therefore, can be used in parts that are placed closer together (4 mm vs. 12 mm under Class 3). The flame-retardant material also complies with the UL94 V0 standard at 0.8 mm, allowing thinner-wall parts to be designed.


MRC

Karpatneftechem successfully tested all PVC grades - Alexander Rappoport

MOSCOW (MRC) -- By now Karpatneftechem (Lukoil group, Kalush, Ukraine) had produced over 76.5 thousand tonnes of PVC. Production capacity of the enterprise makes 300,000 tonne/year of PVC, 200,000 tonne/year of caustic soda, 250,000 tonne/year of ethylene and 100,000tonne/year of polyethylene. Alexander Rappoport, Head of gas and energy operations and sales of petrochemical and gas processing products of Lukoil, said about this at his speech at The Polymers Summit-2011.


According to Rappoport, the production operates at 100% of its capacities utilization. All grades of PVC have been tested and now meet the standards of world analogues. Moreover, the residual content of VCM in PVC decreased by 3 times compared to the European brands.
At the same time, Alexander Rapppport noted that PVC production at Karpatneftechem was launched not in the most favourable period in the market, so the enterprise had to arrange production of a high quality product very quickly.


Since the shipment had started, two major problems concerning the product quality appeared. At present, the problems have been successfully solved, said the head of the gas and energy operations and sales of petrochemical and gas processing products of Lukoil.


MRC

E-Chem in talks with France's Total to establish an olefin project

(Arabian oil and gas) -- Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding (E-Chem) is in talks with France's Total to establish an olefin project in the induatrial zone located north-west the Gulf of Suez, according to local media.

We expect to sign the deal in the near future, al-Masri al-Yawm newspaper quoted an official from the Ministry of Petroleum as saying. The project would cost USD3bn, and will produce 470,000 t/y of polypropylene and other products.


The project will be executed in three years. The project will boost Egypt's production capacity of polyolefins, the source added.


MRC