Artenius developed a new bio-based PET

(chron) -- Aiming to reduce environmental footprint, the European PET industry prepares to include a new variety of green PET resin in their products.

"Artenius has successfully created a PET packaging material that includes recycled resin in its manufacturing process, but with the same quality as virgin PET," said Jorge Foguet, Technology Manager for PET resin firm Artenius Elite.

A new green PET resin developed by the firm is to soon be released into the market.
MRC

Arkema auto resin production delayed by weeks

(Reuters) - French specialty chemical group Arkema, one of the top three suppliers of auto resins in Europe, said on Monday it did not see the production of resin PA-12 returning to normal for several weeks, risking a slowdown in global auto production.

An explosion at the end of March at a chemical plant in Germany owned by Evonik industries is blamed for the shortage of PA-12, a resin used in the making of automobiles' break and fuel components.

"We are in a situation of force majeure," said a spokesperson for Arkema, France's leading PA-12 producer. "We cannot reach full capacity in the coming weeks."

PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault, would not comment on the affect the slowdown in production of PA-12 has on their car production.

She added that the group is currently looking for other suppliers of PA-12 and would offer clients two other polyamides, PA-11 and PA-10, to replace PA-12 when possible.

MRC

Huntsman strengthens polyurethanes business in Eastern Europe

(chemanager-online) -- plans to expand manufacturing capacity of specialty amines used as polyurethane catalysts at its manufacturing facilities in Petfurdo, Hungary and in Barcelona, Spain. The expansions extend the Huntsman manufacturing portfolio, further leverage the company's integrated amines capability and increase existing polyurethane catalyst production capacity by 25%. Financial details were not disclosed.

Stu Monteith, President of Huntsman's Performance Products division said: "The capacity expansion leverages our strong manufacturing and technology base and enhances what is already the widest in-house manufacturing capability across the industry. We have consistently improved capability and extended the product range manufactured at our Petfurdo location over the last 10 years.

However, in the last few years demand has begun to fill production capabilities across our two main production sites in Petfurdo and Conroe, Texas. The new capacity and addition of a third manufacturing site shows the commitment that we will build, ahead of the demand curve, to match our customers' growth."
MRC

SABIC picks Jacobs for engineering on Netherlands olefins cracker upgrade

(hydrocarbonprocessing) -- Jacobs has been awarded a contract from SABIC to provide engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) services to support the upgrade of an olefins at SABIC's complex in Geleen, The Netherlands. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Jacobs Engineering Group has been awarded a contract from Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) to provide engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) services to support the upgrade of an olefins at SABIC's complex in Geleen, The Netherlands.

Officials did not disclose the contract value. They noted that the project is scheduled to be completed in 2013 as part of the scheduled plant turnaround.

Jacobs is executing the work from its office in Meerssen, The Netherlands, which is close to the site, the company said.

The project involves numerous modifications to the existing Olefins 4 naphtha cracker, which are expected to result in a significant increase of energy efficiency as well as increased ethylene production capacity.

"We are extremely pleased to receive this new contract for SABIC at Geleen, said Jacobs vice president Robert Matha.
MRC

Sentiments improve in Turkey's PET market

(polyestertime) -- Turkish players report that sentiment has improved in the PET market over the last week. Sellers started to receive an increasing number of inquiries from buyers in line with the opening high season for PET bottle applications amidst warmer weather conditions.

Most sellers reported achieving better sales compared to March, although, firmer sentiment has yet to affect import prices. This is mainly because spot feedstock markets followed a steady to slightly softer path recently.

In Asia, where spot feedstock costs recorded gradual drops during March, MEG and PTA prices gained some ground during last week, while PX prices softened further.

Import PET offers into Turkey saw stable prices or relatively smaller decreases compared to the previous weeks when there were persistent price cuts during the the second half of March, owing to cautious purchases of buyers amidst their sufficient stocks as well as bearish feedstock markets.

In the light of better sentiment, domestic PET producers have been following flat pricing strategies since the
start of April after issuing price cuts late last month. A source from a PET producer reported that their sales
performance improved. ⌠

MRC