Japan Polypropylene to close two plants in 2011

(JPC) -- In a bid to reduce costs, Japan Polypropylene Corp. will close two relatively old polypropylene plants in 2011. A 90,000 tpa plant at Kashima, operational since 1970, will be shut in May 2011. A 79,000 tpa plant in Ichihara, operational since 1967, will be shut in June 2011.

This step has been taken by the company as part of its restructuring plans in a bid to cope with deteriorating PP demand in the domestic market and enhance the competitiveness of its PP. Japan Polypropylene is 65:35 owned by Japan Polychem and Chisso, and it currently has 11 PP plants in Japan with a total capacity of 1.244 million tpa.

MRC

(Sabic) -- Sabic has reported encouraging Q2 figures - net profit almost tripled from the same period last year, rising to $1.3bn as a result of higher sales and increased production.

The increase in the net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 compared with the same quarter in 2009 is attributable to the increased production and sales volumes with the new capacity coming on-stream at Sharq, Yahsab and the joint-venture with Sinopec in China.

MRCMRC Reference

Sabic. The share in the Russian market in 2008:
PE - 0.2%;
PP - 0.4%;
PS - 0.2%.

Annual sales growth in Russia over the last 5 years:
PE - 33%;
PP - 62%.

EKATERINBURG (BASF) -- BASF and Renova Stroygroup today announced a strategic partnership for energy-efficient construction in Ekaterinburg. Renova Stroygroup plans to construct housing for around 325,000 people with the aid of energy-efficient BASF construction materials and expertise in the new city district of Akademitscheskij Rayon, one of Europe's largest building sites.

The first building with a thermal insulation composite system has now been constructed in Akademitscheskij Rayon using insulation paneling made of BASF's Neopor. The paneling system enables energy savings of up to 50 percent compared with non-insulated buildings. In addition, BASF's subsidiary Luwoge consult will contribute to the conception and planning of a low-energy house in Akademitscheskij Rayon.

MRCMRC Reference

BASF. The share in the Russian market in 2008:
PS - 9.1% (GPPS - 5.9%, ABS - 11.4%, EPS - 10.6%).

Annual sales growth in Russia over the 5 years:
PS - 15%.

Imports by polymers processing technologies:
foaming;
injection molding

MOSCOW (SIBUR) - SIBUR affiliate ⌠Sibur-Gasservice and Interregional Oil and Gas Complex Exchange (IOGCE) have presented the joint project of exchange sales of liquefied petroleum gas to Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS).

SIBUR has been daily supplying IOGCE with over 20 lots of automotive propane-butane, technical propane-butane sales, EXW, and delivery in tank-containers to railway stations since April 2010. Sales of liquefied petroleum gas with IOGCE promotes the expansion of SIBUR sales geography and attraction of new customers.

MRC
MRC Reference

Sibur Holding is the largest Russian petrochemical group.

Shareholders:
Gazprombank (70% minus 1 share);
Gazfond (25% plus 1 share);
5% reserved for option program.

(Prime-TASS) -- Over the course of the first six months of the year Nizhnekamskneftehim has increased production 19,4% in comparable prices, 72,2% in present prices comparing with same period last year to RUB 42,76 bln. The growth was provided by polystyrene production - to 90 kt (up 12,4%), polyethylene - to 71,8 kt (up 39,8%, capacities were launched in 2009) and polypropylene - to 100,4 kt (up 5,6%).

MRC
MRC Reference

Share in Russian market in 2008:

polypropylene - 25% (including

PP-block - 34.7%,

PP-random - 22.1%);

polystyrene - 34.5%.

Leader in polymer processing technologies:

sheet extrusion;

film extrusion;

threads/fibers;

moulding.