Axel introduces process aid for modified polymers

(axel) -- Axel Plastics Research Laboratories Inc. has a new proprietary process aid for processing polybutylene terephthalate and PBT resin blends. "Axel's goal has been to offer a process aid additive that will offer improved flow of PBT and PBT resin blends," notes Axel product manager Nancy Teufel in a news release.


"We now have that with MoldWiz INT-35PHT, which allows more flexibility in the incorporation of filler types and loading levels, as well as an easier cavity fill and release performance for those same resins."
Tests on a polycarbonate/PBT blend show the product can decrease resin viscosity, reduce fluctuations in torque and boost output by as much as 100 percent, the Woodside, N.Y., firm claims. Tests were done at loading levels of 0.3 to 1 percent and showed no sacrifice in physical properties of molded parts.


MoldWiz INT-35PHT, a blend of modified polymers, organic fatty amides and glycerides, is a free-flowing powder or 100 percent active pellet.


MRC

Mitsui Chemicals to enhance PP capacity in Thailand

(chemmonitor) -- The Japan-headquartered maker Mitsui Chemicals decided to enhance polypropylene production at its Thailand site. The capacity will be increased by 18,000 tonnes per year. It will move up to 0.14 million tonnes per year. The firm is to construct a new line for this purpose.

The line will initiate activity in July-September of the existing year. The rise is targeted to satisfying the demand from a downstream automotive materials sector. The company will build a new storage unit, as well.

The Mitsui Chemicals Group has targeted intensification and expansion of polypropylene production in seven major world markets (Japan, United States, Mexico, Europe, Thailand, China, and India). The production augmentation in the Thailand will reinforce the Company's already world top class production capability for automotive material use polypropylene.


MRC

SM production suspended in Iran's Assaluyeh

(chemmonitor) -- The Iranian maker Pars Petrochemical was forced to suspend operations at one of its plants late in the previous month. The facility generates styrene monomer (SM). The plant's nameplate capacity is 0.6 million tonnes per year.


A decision to close the manufacturing unit was driven by utilities issues.
The company announced force majeure on SM produced at the facility on January 29.


Petrochemical Commercial Co. (PCC), established in 1990, is one of the largest business corporations in the Middle-East involved in marketing and sales of petrochemical products in the international markets as well as supplying Iran's petrochemical downstream industries.


MRC

Arkema completes acquisition of two Chinese chem companies

(arkema) -- Arkema has finalized the acquisition of Chinese companies Hipro Polymers, a producer of specialty biosourced polyamides 10.10, and Casda Biomaterials, the world's leading producer of sebacic acid processed from castor oil.


"This acquisition represents a large development potential for Arkema. It offers significant growth drivers for our high-tech polyamides, and will help us become the only chemical manufacturer in the world to offer the full range of polyamides 10, 11 and 12. Positioned in the green chemistry sector, this acquisition of companies in China fits in well with the growth strategy conducted by the Group in the last 5 years, " stated Thierry Le Henaff, Arkema Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.


By adding Hipro Polymers' PA10.10 to its existing high performance polymer portfolio, Arkema is strengthening its world leading position in specialty biosourced polyamides, which currently enjoy 15 to 20% annual growth. Arkema's strong reputation and application know-how in end-markets will help speed up the development of Hipro Polymers, in particular in transportation (automotive, trucks), renewable energies, and electronics. Hipro Polymers' site, near Shanghai, will see its polyamide production triple from mid-2012.

With Casda Biomaterials, the world's leading producer of sebacic acid, Arkema benefits from integrated feedstock for the production of PA10.10, and, through this strategic intermediate, will supply diversified world markets such as lubricants, plasticizers and corrosion-inhibiting additives, as well as the fast-growing biosourced and biodegradable polymers market.

Casda Biomaterials has been operating a new production line since 2010, using a reliable and competitive process, located in a recent industrial zone south of Beijing.


MRC

In 2011 the Russian market of polymers grew by 8%

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Last year the Russian market of basic volume polymers increased by 8% and reached 4.8 million tonnes. The greatest increase in demand was seen in the market of PVC and styrene plastics. The capacity of these markets grew by 14% and 10%, respectively, according to MRC ScanPlast.


In 2011, the Russian market of basic volume polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, styrene plastics and PET) increased by 8% and reached 4.8 million tonnes. The market of PVC (emulsion and suspension) grew most dynamically. The increase in demand for basic volume polymers was almost twice as the GDP growth, which in 2011 made 4.3%.


In 2011, the Russian market of polyethylene increased by 5% and reached 1.774 million tonnes. Positive dynamics in demand growth was observed in the market of HDPE and linear polyethylene. The capacities of these markets grew by 8% and 19%, respectively. The market of LDPE, on the contrary, decreased by 2%. The growing demand of the Russian market was met by imports of polyethylene. Having loaded their capacities by almost 100%, domestic producers increased output only by 2%, while imports grew by 19%.


Last year the growth of the Russian market of polypropylene (PP) slowed down. In 2011, the market capacity grew by 4% and exceeded the level of 810,000 tonnes, while in 2010 the demand grew by 22%. The growing needs of the market were met by growing production and lowering exports.


Before 2008, the Russian market of polypropylene had been growing on average by 18% per year and after the recession the growth slowed on average by 10% per year. The Russian producers increased the polymer output to 681,400 tonnes. Imports, on the contrary, decreased by 3% and made192,800 tonnes.

The Russian market of unmixed PVC (emulsion and suspension) increased by 14% and reached 1.135 million tonnes. The market suspension PVC in 2011 grew by 15% and exceeded the psychological record of 1 million tonnes. In 2011, the imports of PVC-S rose by 30% to 460,000 tonnes.


Last year North American producers became key players in the Russian market. The market grew only by 7% and reached 120,600 tonnes. The main growth in demand falls on linoleum producers.

In 2011, consumption of basic styrene plastics (HIPS, general purpose polystyrene, EPS and ABS) exceeded 480,000 tonnes that was by 10% more than in 2010. The share of HIPS in the total consumption of polystyrene and styrene plastics grew to 43% (209,800 tonnes).


The market of EPS reached 137,000 tonnes. The launch of Sibur-Khimprom new facilities in Perm helped to reduce the dependence on imports in the Russian market. In 2012, the second line of PVC-S production is expected to be launched in Perm, which will result in the growth of Russian production capacities by 50,000 tonnes of the material per year.


In 2011, the Russian market of general purpose polystyrene grew by 23%. The consumption growth was achieved mainly by imports, which increased from 25,000 tonnes in 2010 to 39,000 tonnes in 2011.


In 2011, consumption of PET granulate in the domestic market grew by 4.3% and made 600,000 tonnes. Domestic producers increased production volume by 31% year on year. The increase of production was reached by the launch of new PET granulate production in Kaliningrad (Alco-Naphtha). Overall imports did not change substantially. Last year total imports made about 273,000 tonnes, while in 2010, the supply of PET from foreign producers made nearly 271,000 tonnes.


MRC