European masterbatch industry expects moderate growth in coming years

(plasteurope) -- Although the medium-term prospects for Europe's masterbatch industry are not exactly exciting, the market is nevertheless expected to grow at a modest 2% per year in the near future.

Europe's masterbatch consumption rose by an average 2% each year in the period from 2005-2010, reaching an overall market value of EUR 2.9 bn in 2010. In volume terms, eastern Europe and Russia are expected to see above average consumption growth of about 2.5% a year, shoring up demand development for the entire continent. Given these prospects, European masterbatch consumption is set to rise from its present 900,000 t to about 1m t by 2015, the latest report by British market researcher Applied Market Information has found.

Aside from overall market data and forecasts, "Corporate performance and ownership among masterbatch producers - A review of Europe's 50 largest players" also profiles Europe's 50 leading masterbatch producers, indicating key financial data, output figures as well as individual production portfolio.

Contrary to Asia, where masterbatch demand is set to see the world's highest growth rates amid China's rapid economic development, Europe's masterbatch industry is more mature. Following a dramatic alignment as a result of the 2008/2009 financial crisis, at a time when European producers were already grappling with lower growth rates, the situation has meanwhile calmed down, AMI says. With no more room for consolidations, few players have entered the European masterbatch scene in recent years and the M&A activities of existing producers have also abated.

MRC

(biofuelsdigest) -- In the Netherlands, Avantium announced a Joint Development Agreement for the development of PEF bottles with Danone Research. Based on the YXY technology, the Avantium and Danone Research joint objective is to contribute to the emergence of a new renewable material generation which will not be in direct competition with food.

YXY is used as a fast and efficient chemical-catalytic technology to convert carbohydrates produced from plants, grains, energy crops, lignocellulosic matter, waste streams, waste paper or agricultural residues, into a wide variety of bio-based polymers. Based on ongoing R&D programs, Avantium will also continue to develop PEF from renewable feedstock not competing with food.

Avantium has recently opened its pilot plant in Geleen, the Netherlands, with the capacity of producing 40 tons of PEF for application development. The collaborations with Danone and The Coca-Cola Company are key to secure a smooth transition into the mass production phase of PEF bottles. Avantium is in active discussion with other leading brand owners to develop PEF bottles, fibers and film. In the longer term Avantium will license its YXY technology to enable large scale, world-wide production and use of its bio-sourced plastic materials.

MRC

(plastech) -- Invista Engineering Polymers and Hromatka Group recently signed a distribution agreement to sell Invista's new Torzen polyamide resin in Europe.

The agreement with Hromatka includes Graesslin, Plastoplan, Lenorplastics and Polymix IP. Among European distributors, Invista's Torzen polyamide is available only through Hromatka Group in countries including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, France, Italy and Hungary.

⌠The benefit for our customers will be access to Invista's high-quality, high-value Torzen polyamide resin grades through the well-organized sales network of Hromatka Group's subsidiaries, said Adrian Kaminski, Europe distribution manager, Invista Engineering Polymers.
MRC

(plastemart) -- In 2012, Gazprom Neft plans to invest up to RUB3 bln (EUR70 mln) in developing its petrochemical business, in cooperation with Sibur.

The deal will allow Sibur and Gazprom Neft to expand its business in the profitable segment of the market. The two companies have already launched a joint project for polypropylene production at a Moscow refinery.

Neft and Sibur are currently working on the next project, which will involve production of polypropylene at a plant in Omsk which is owned by the Titan Group.

MRC