Arkema to restructure its functional polyolefin range

(Arkema) -- As part of a drive to optimize its functional polyolefin range, Arkema announces that it is to discontinue its Evatane 33-15 (High Content Ethylene - Vinyl Acetate Copolymers) and Lotryl 14MG02 (Ethylene - Acrylate Copolymers) grades.


This withdrawal is part of a rationalization program to be completed in 2012 designed to shorten production wheel and reduce inventories of finished products, while delivering even better customer service.


In the past three years Arkema has sought to methodically optimize its Evatane, Lotryl and Orevac T (Ethylene - Vinyl Acetate and Maleic Anhydride Terpolymers) ranges, and to channel its sales towards higher added value grades.


Marketed under the tradenames Evatane, Lotryl, Lotader and Orevac, Arkema's Functional Polyolefins are used in wide-ranging industrial applications, including hotmelt adhesives, cables, multilayer packaging films, technical polymer modification, solar panels, petroleum additives, bitumens and inks.

MRC

Arkema filed a complaint for patent infringement against South Korean SKC

(Arkema) -- As a supplier of PVDF-based fluorinated films used in the manufacture of photovoltaic panels, Arkema filed a complaint for patent infringement with the Central District Court of Seoul against the South Korean company SKC on November 30 2011. This claim is based on Arkema's patent KR 1016933 granted on February 16 2011 by the Korean Patent Office.
A global chemical company and France's leading chemicals producer, Arkema produces specialty chemicals that provide customers with practical solutions to such challenges as climate change, access to drinking water, the future of energy, fossil fuel preservation and the need for lighter materials. With operations in more than 40 countries, 15,700 employees and 9 research centers, Arkema generates annual revenue of ┬5.9 billion.

MRC

Total may become the sole shareholder in Fina Antwerp Olefins

(PlastEurope) -- Before 2011 came to a close, Total Petrochemicals signed an agreement with ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemicals BVBA - a member of ExxonMobil to acquire the latter's 35% stake in common joint venture Fina Antwerp Olefins. The deal, which was signed by Total affiliate PetroFina, still has to meet the approval of the European competition authorities. If approved, Total will become the sole shareholder in the Antwerp-based base chemicals producer.


According to Total's data, Fina Antwerp Olefins has capacity to turn out about 1.4m t/y of ethylene, 890,000 t/y of propylene, 190,000 t/y of benzene, 110,000 t/y of cyclohexane as well as 100,000 t/y of toluene - with some of the output earmarked for Total's downstream units in Antwerp and Feluy. Whereas the French petrochemical giant turns out 510,000 t/y of HDPE at the former site, in Feluy, Total has capacity for 930,000 t/y of PP, 170,000 t/y of HDPE as well as 160,000 t/y of PS.

MRC

Abu Dhabi to boost investments in the downstream sector

(Arabian oil and gas) -- As part of strategic vision for 2030, Abu Dhabi has revealed plan to set up two industrial zones in the Western region, local news agency WAM reported. The first industrial zone will be located in al-Rowais and covers an area of 14 square kilometers and dedicated mainly for chemical, petrochemical, plastic manufacturing, oil and gas, cement, building, and logistics industries.

The Madinat Zayed industrial zone will focus on the oil and gas, food manufacturing and logistics industries and will cover an area of 2.5 square kilometers. Both of these industrial zones will provide employment for the people of that region.


The development of an auto city which will be located adjacent to ICAD (Industrial City Abu Dhabi) was approved. It will act as a cluster development for all auto-related businesses and is intended to serve the future growth needs of the automobile sector in Abu Dhabi. The project will attract investment in automobile manufacturing and spare part logistics for facilities across the region and it is also anticipated that this will provide employment opportunities for UAE nationals.


MRC

BASF's carbonyl iron powder to improve electrical components for smartphones and tablet

(BASF) -- High-purity carbonyl iron powder (CIP) from BASF contributes decisively to solving the problem of different voltage: incorporated in the cores of high frequency coils it makes sure that the current flowing into the sensitive electronics always has exactly the required voltage.

"With our decades of experience in synthesizing CIP, we can precisely control the structure of the iron particles and thus their electromagnetic properties to create an optimal material, thereby making even very small high-frequency coils extremely efficient," emphasizes Dr. Frank Prechtl, Business Manager at BASF. "Every tablet PC contains three or four of these high-frequency coils with CIP core, and a notebook has as many as ten."


CIP is produced from normal scrap iron, which is finely ground and reacted with carbon monoxide at increased temperatures under high pressure. CIP differs markedly from iron powders manufactured using other techniques, such as electrolytic processes or spray methods. This is the decisive factor for many applications - for example, the perfect spherical shape of the CIP particles in the coil cores allows them to be packed together particularly tightly and the wires of the coil are


MRC