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

Chineese government raises fuel prices

(news.flanders-china) -- The Chinese government raised fuel prices on March 20 by a larger than expected 6% to 7% to help refiners reduce losses.

Retail prices for gasoline and diesel were raised by CNY600 per ton, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said.

The last increase was on February 8 when prices went up by CNY300 per ton. PetroChina Chairman Jiang Jiemin said earlier this month that its refining loss last year was larger than the CNY50 billion expected and was still widening.


MRC

China PVC traders forced to keep domestic prices low despite global uptrend

(chemmonitor) -- Global polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufacturers have executed a series of price increases in the current year. The shifts were based on more expensive feedstock and tighter supply.

However, China-based PVC companies did not succeed in their attempts to enhance prices in the country's market. This is partially explained by the poor downstream demand. Most users adopted a cautious position and mainly obtain the product on a hand-to-mouth basis.

MRC