SOCAR to build 550,000 tpa polypropylene plant in Azerbaijan

(fibre2fashion) -- The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) will be building a petrochemical complex having a capacity to produce 550,000 tons of polypropylene, which is widely used in the textile industry, Vice President of SOCAR has announced.

SOCAR will be constructing the oil and gas processing plant and petrochemical complex at an estimated total cost of EUR13 billion, near the capital Baku. 30% of the capital would be invested by the Azerbaijan Government and SOCAR, and the remaining amount would be private investment.

The petrochemical complex is likely to be commissioned by 2020. Besides its own thermal power plant, it will have 30 processing plants to process 10 million tons of oil and 10 billion cu m of gas.
MRC

Belgian plastics and rubber industry confronted by sharp resin increases

(Federplast) -- After a strong year 2011, the Belgian plastics and rubber industry is confronted by sharp resin price increases. Maintaining margins is priority number 1 for the near future.

More expensive energy and resources will stimulate in the long term the demand for plastics. At its general meeting, Federplast.be, the Belgian Association of Manufacturers of Plastic and Rubber Products, released the results of a survey of its members.

The production volume of the plastics and rubber industry in 2011 experienced a growth of 3.7%. For 2012, 40% of general managers foresee future growth while nearly 1/3rd expect stabilization. Employment increased by 1.6 %. In the first 2 months the prices of commodity plastics such as polyolefins and polystyrene increased by 11 to 16 %. As the raw materials are by far the biggest cost factor for plastics and rubber converters, these increases will in general lead to higher prices for all kind of plastic and rubber products .

The plastics and rubber converters recorded, after a growth of 5.7 % in volume in 2010, a further growth of 3.7 % in 2011 and even of 13 % in turnover. Although employment has grown by 1.6 %, 86 % of the businesses managers expect stable or decreasing employment for 2012.

The Belgian plastics and rubber processors fear a significant erosion of margins due to the sharp increase in polymer prices. Since the beginning of the year, the prices of commodity plastics have risen steadily, from 11 to 16 % in only 2 months' time. The explanation lies in the price evolution of oil and naphtha (+27% since October 2011) and the strengthening of the dollar compared to the euro.

MRC

Dow to invest an additional USD125 mln in Thai operation

(plastemart) -- Dow Chemical Co plans to invest an additional USD125 miln into its Thai operations, strengthening the country's role in transforming the US-based firm from a manufacturer of basic chemicals to a maker of specialty products.

The new investment follows the recent completion of Dow's USD3 bln Thai Growth Project that began in 2006. Two new projects are set to finish construction this year - a USD100 mln propylene glycol (PG) plant with an annual capacity of 150,000 tons and a USD25 mln polyolefin encapsulant film factory to produce materials for solar panels.

Last week saw the inauguration of the Thai Growth petrochemical complex at the Asia Industrial Estate in Map Ta Phut. Built with investment partners Siam Cement Group and the Belgium-based Solvay, the complex comprises five downstream plants producing polyethylene, specialty elastomer, hydrogen peroxide and propylene oxide. The investments have made Thailand the largest manufacturing centre for Dow in Asia-Pacific.
MRC

Composite PVC materials using nanofillings

(plastemart) -- A research team from the Public University of Navarre (UPNA) together with the L'Urederra R+D Centre and Compuestos y Granzas is developing composite PVC materials using nanofillings.

In the project, which includes the production of the nanofilled PVC composite materials, the research team will synthesize and treat nanoclays and then insert them into the polymer matrix. Antonio Gil-Bravo, one of the researchers from UPNA, informed that the primary objective of the project is to enhance the polymer materials' photostability properties, which produce discoloration and decrease the performance of the materials, and eventually reduce their useful life.

Moreover, the material's resistance to ultraviolet radiation can be increased by introducing molecules that can absorb light radiation. These molecules may be an ionic type, which can be added to the polymer matrix utilizing a variety of techniques, such as ion-exchange. The material's absorption range in the ultraviolet-visible region and photoresistance properties vary with the option selected, thus every method can be customized to the two major types of material production applications, colored products and opaque plastic nanocomposites. In colored products, the designated color in the final product will decide the type of coloring molecules utilized.
MRC

Global refining catalyst market driven by growth in hydroprocessing

(hydrocarbonprocessing) -- Refining catalysts are experiencing strong growth this year, driven by demand for cleaner fuels, increasing use of heavier and dirtier feedstocks and major additions to refining capacity.

Refining catalysts are moving to a more balanced market, the report says, shifting from one characterized by oversupply to a more stable sales effort.

The market picture for hydroprocessing catalyst supply and demand continues to evolve, the report says.

Hydroprocessing catalysts are the fastest-growing refinery catalysts, according to ReportsnReports. These catalysts help control and improve the operational efficiencies in the petroleum refining process.

Hydroprocessing catalysts are also used to create cleaner fuels, especially ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD).

Demand is lower for the more mature FCC catalysts than the hydroprocessing catalysts, allowing hydroprocessing catalysts to pass FCC catalysts and become the largest segment of the refinery catalyst market.
MRC