Europe PS spot values were almost firm in March, contract prices decreased in H1


(chemmonitor) -- Europe spot prices for polystyrene (PS) remained relatively stable through the previous month due to the absence of evident changes in the demand level.

Values of high impact material showed certain improvement in the first half of the month. They grew by USD 15 per tonne by March 15 from February 29.


MRC

China PE demand is below traditional level

(chemmonitor) -- China-based polyethylene (PE) traders experience hard times on the back of the weak demand from domestic users. The consumption is traditionally poor at some point in April-May. However, the country's demand is currently well below the usual level.

The sellers started to search for buyers in other parts of the Asian region. Potential purchasers were found in the Southeast where the availability of PE (linear low density one) is not sufficient.
MRC

Import of LLDPE to Russia increased by 21% in Q1

MOSCOW (MRC) - In March, the imports of linear polyethylene to the Russian market exceeded 14,000 tonnes. In general, over the first three months the total import of LLDPE to Russia made about 35,000 tonnes, up 21% year on year, according to MRC analysts.

In March, the imports of linear polyethylene to the Russian market exceeded 14,000 tonnes. About 90% of the total supply fell on the film grades. As the production of butane LLDPE was suspended, Russian companies actively contract the Middle Eastern material for the production of cast and blow moulding films.

In general, over the three months, the total import of linear polyethylene to Russia made to about 35,000 tonnes, up 21% year on year. The demand for film material increased more than by quarter. Cold weather in February and March resulted in 9% reduction of LLDPE import for the production of the products made by rotor forming.


Since last November Russian producers have not produced linear polyethylene. In recent years, only Nizhnekamskneftekhim produced LLDPE in Russia. In 2011, the total output of linear polyethylene of this enterprise made about 54,500 tonnes. After a long period of suspension Nizhnekamskneftekhim plans to resume the production of butene LLDPE in May.

MRC

Blast at Romania Petrobrazi refinery injures six workers

(financial-magazine) -- An explosion occurred Friday afternoon at the refinery owned by OMV Petrom Petrobrazi six people including Austrian citizens were injured.

Six were surprised when more channels cleaned. They have suffered first and second degree burns to the face and hands and their condition is stable, being transported to hospital in Ploiesti. Victims Austrian citizens working in the company.

According to the head Inspectorate for Emergency Situations Prahova, Nicolae Popescu, explosion occurred while workers were doing maintenance work on sewage and blast followed by fire was not , so that not Firemen intervention was required.

He said the ISU did not intervene because it was not the case, and the company management has ensured that there is no risk of new explosions and that work was not interrupted. Also, workers have been evacuated.

Petrobrazi Refinery is the only facility of its kind to Petrom that is functional, after closing Arpechim in Pitesti.

MRC

Fatal fire at Evonik will likely disrupt CDT supply

(pcimag) -- An explosion and fire that broke out March 31, 2012, at Evonik's CDT plant on the grounds of the Marl Chemicals Park, Marl, Germany, killed two Evonik employees and threatens to disrupt the supply of CDT-based products. Evonik announced that it is supporting the authorities investigating the cause of the fire and has started its own examination through an independent expert.

The company also announced that the incident will likely affect the supply of CDT-based products.

In a press release regarding the incident, the company said, "At the moment we still do not have any indication as to the full extent of the damage. While we do expect there to be substantial constraints with respect to our ability to provide supplies of CDT-based products, we are nonetheless confident that we will be able to provide alternative solutions in the form of substitutes such as VESTAMID Terra. It is possible to modify these bio-based polymers as required for many of the relevant applications to achieve much the same material attributes as PA12. We are already making every effort to ensure the facility is repaired and running and that we will be able to re-establish full supply capability as soon as possible."
MRC