MAUSER adjusts prices for HDPE and PP components in Europe

(mausergroup) -- Effective as of March 1st , 2012 or as contracts allow, the Mauser Group will increase its prices for Plastic packaging and IBCs by USD 150 / ton for recovering recent raw material price increases for HDPE and PP material. All contractual obligations will be honoured.

MAUSER Group is a worldwide leading producer of industrial packaging with approx. 4,000 employees and consolidated revenue of some EUR 1 billion. Founded in 1896 and headquartered in Bruehl near Cologne (Germany), the company has influenced the international market through innovative packaging technologies.

The portfolio for customers in the chemical, agrochemical, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical sectors as well as in the food and beverage industries includes plastic packaging, fibre drums, steel drums, Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC), and reconditioning services through the National Container Group (NCG), a MAUSER subsidiary.


MAUSER therefore provides sustainability-oriented full cycle services - from production to recycling (⌠ECO-CYCLE). With 60 MAUSER/NCG sites and multiple Joint Ventures in Europe, the Americas and Asia plus two licensee networks for plastic and steel packaging, the company is a presence around the globe.


MRC

Stavrolen resumes operation

(chemicalnorthwest) -- The polypropylene (PP) unit at Stavrolen's petrochemical plant in Budyennovsk, Russia, LUKOIL-held petrochemical entity was restarted on 11 March following a fire in December last year, LUKOIL informed.

The launching is provided by the raw purchase from Karpatneftekhim (Ukraine, Lukoil sub) and some Russian producers. Now about 6,000 tonnes of propylene are under transportation.

Stavrolen is a polyethylene producer. LUKOIL is ranked as the second by the crude oil output in Russia. The share capital is equal to 21264081.375 rub. The largest share of the enterprice is held by the top managers.

The proved reserves reached 17.3bn barrel of oil equivalent. The 2010-output gained 2.239mln barrel/day which is 1.2% higher prior year period.
MRC

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

Chemtura announces polyester polyols price increase

(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

Eaton to acquire hydraulic and industrial hose manufacturer Turkish company

(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