Ajinomoto and Toray to conduct joint research on biobased nylon

(ajinomoto) -- Ajinomoto Co., Inc. ("Ajinomoto") and Toray Industries, Inc. ("Toray") have entered into an agreement to begin joint research for manufacturing the nylon raw material 1,5-pentanediamine (1,5-PD) from the amino acid lysine produced from plant materials by Ajinomoto using fermentation technology, and commercializing a biobased nylon made from this substance.

Biobased nylon is a type of nylon manufactured by polymerizing chemicals produced from plant materials. The biobased nylon that Ajinomoto and Toray will research and develop is produced from plant materials by decarbonating the amino acid lysine through an enzyme reaction to make 1,5-PD, which Toray then polymerizes with dicarboxylic acid.

The amino acid lysine is a core product of the Ajinomoto Group produced using fermentation technology. This biobased nylon fiber made from 1,5-PD is not only sustainable because it is plant-based, but also shows promise for development into highly comfortable clothing. For example, nylon 56 fiber manufactured using 1,5-PD is pleasing to the touch, yet has the same strength and heat resistance as conventional nylon fiber made from the petrochemical derivative hexamethylenediamine. It also absorbs and desorbs moisture nearly as well as cotton.

The two companies have already carried out successful test production of 1,5-PD using Ajinomoto's feed-use lysine, as well as test production of biobased nylon made by polymerizing 1,5-PD. They plan to further expand the scope of their collaboration to include development of production processes and evaluation of use in textile and plastics applications.
MRC

(investor.chemtura) -- Chemtura Corporation announces today that effective March 26, 2012, or as contracts allow, it will increase prices up to USD0.05 lb for its Polyester Polyols, including FOMREZ, products globally. This price increase is necessary given the continued escalation of raw material costs.

Chemtura Corporation, with 2011 sales of USD3.0 billion, is a global manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemicals, agrochemicals and pool, spa and home care products. Chemtura Corporation is a global specialty chemicals company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (CHMT), with leading positions in diversified markets.

The compony builds the chemistry that makes other products more durable, safer, cleaner and more efficient. Major industries served include agriculture, building & construction, electrical & electronics, consumer, general industrial and transportation.

MRC

(plasteurope) -- Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton (Cleveland, Ohio / USA) has agreed to acquire hydraulic and industrial hose manufacturer Polimer Kaucuk Sanayi ve Pazarlama (Istanbul / Turkey). The company's headquarters are located near Istanbul and many of its products are sold globally under the SEL Hose brand name. Primary markets include construction, mining, agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing, food and beverage, as well as chemicals. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Polimer Kaucuk manufactures a wide range of hoses in two plants totalling 125,000m2. PVC and thermoplastic copolymer hoses are manufactured in a 55,000m2 plant in Avcilar, Istanbul and rubber hoses in Cerkezkoy, 100km west of Turkey's largest city. The business employs over 2,100 people and had sales of around USD 335m in 2011.

⌠The planned acquisition of Polimer Kaucuk will significantly broaden Eaton's portfolio of hose products. We anticipate the transaction will close early in the second quarter, said Alexander Cutler, Eaton chairman and chief executive officer. Polimer Kaucuk said its SEL brand is regarded as the leading name for hoses in Turkey.

MRC

On tax holiday scheme, four companies are planning to invest in Indonesia. First company is Posco Korea with total investment six billion USD. The second is Kuwait Petroleum in Balongan II Refinery with total investment in eight billion USD. The next is Saudi Aramco in Tuban refinery and Honam Petrochemical in Titan Petrokimia Nusantara Company in about 4.5 billion USD.


Wisnuwardhani said the last year production target of Smooth Fluid 05 (SF05) which became the oil base mud component in drilling was 70.000 metric tonnes (mt), but the realization was only 27.000 mt.
The trading target of petrochemical products this year hits 1.7 million mt, the Marketing Support Manager Petrochemical Trading Oos Kosasih said. "The margin target is 650 billion IDR," Kosasih said.

MRC

He expressed hope that Iran's petrochemical exports would hit the planned target of 14 billion dollars by March 19, the last day of the Iranian calendar year.

Last year, Iran exported 16.2 million tonnes of petrochemical products to 60 countries and regions around the world.

According to the report, Western Europe and China are the main recipients of Iran's petrochemical exports, followed by Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Subcontinent, Africa and Latin America.

MRC