Huntsman Textile signs partnership deal with DBL Group

(yarnsandfibers) -- Huntsman Textile Effects and DBL Group have embarked on a strategic partnership that is set to drive sustainable excellence, improve overall cost efficiency while enhancing textile differentiation and quality without compromising the pressing needs of the environment.

A global leader in developing total textile solutions across all aspects of the textile chain and a committed player in developing sustainable, high performing processing and effects chemicals that have low environmental impact, Huntsman Textile Effects will support DBL Group to drive environmental and economic sustainability through the implementation of the Productivity Improvement Program (PIP).

In addition to the PIP, Huntsman Textile Effects will provide technical service support to DBL Group to improve compliance standards in keeping with the rigorous global customer requirements. As part of the partnership, DBL Group will award the preferred supplier status to Huntsman Textile Effects, to supply materials for their production facilities in Bangladesh. Kent Kvaal, Vice President of Global Sales and Technical Services at Huntsman Textile Effects, "Bangladesh is an important market for Huntsman Textile Effects as we continue to expand our presence in the Asia Pacific region."

MRC

(evonik) -- Evonik Industries (Germany) announces a capacity increase at Evonik Agroferm Zrt., a 100% affiliated company of Evonik, in Kaba (Hungary). The nameplate capacity is expected to be expanded to 30,000 metric tons L-threonine per annum, which represents an increase of 10,000 metric tons. The new capacity is scheduled to come on stream in the third quarter of 2013. The additional quantities shall serve the growing demand.

"This expansion will transform the Hungarian site into a world-scale plant with state-of-the-art technology. It is our ambition that all investment projects lead to a significant performance improvement of the process and the product form. This shall help us to meet rising needs and requirements of our customers," explains Dr. Walter Pfefferle, head of Bioproducts business line of Evonik.

The expansion complements two recent expansion announcements by Evonik, namely the construction of a new 150,000 metric ton MetAMINO (DL-methionine) production complex on Jurong Island (Singapore), which is scheduled to come on stream in 2014, and the expansion of Biolys (L-lysine source) to an annual capacity of 280,000 metric tons in Blair (Nebraska, USA), by the end of 2012.

MRC

(bizjournals) -- Oxea, a leading global supplier of Oxo Intermediates and Oxo Derivatives, today announced a significant earnings increase for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. Net sales of EUR372 million were up by 13% and Adjusted EBITDA amounted to EUR45million reflecting an increase of 25% from the fourth quarter of 2011.

After a challenging fourth quarter of 2011 which was affected by the softening of the world economy and destocking activities along the value chain in the entire industry, Oxea was able to significantly increase revenues and EBITDA during the first quarter of 2012. This positive trend was recognized across the entire product portfolio.

Despite the difficult macroeconomic environment still affected by the financial turbulence stemming from the European debt crisis, Oxea's Adjusted EBITDA of EUR45 millionclearly outperformed the expectations for the first quarter of 2012.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- In April, the import volume of suspension PVC to the Russian market expectedly decreased. Last month, imports fell by 14% to 33,000 tonnes, according to a MRC DataScope.

In April, Russian companies reduced their imports of suspension PVC to 33,000 tonnes, which was down 14%, compared with the March level. Russian companies expectedly reduced their purchases of PVC due to several reasons.

Firstly, it resulted from high export prices of PVC in the U.S. and the low solvency of Russian converters amid high volatility of the rouble against the dollar. As a consequence, over the last two months, the purchases of North American PVC were significantly reduced. In April, the imports of resins from the U.S. fell to 8,700 tonnes.

Secondly, due to the April rise in prices and limited volumes of Ukrainian PVC last month, the imports of resin from the Ukraine declined.

At the same time, considering attractive export prices of PVC in China and easy logistics, the imports volumes of acetylene resin have been growing significantly from the beginning of the year. By April, the imports of PVC from China had exceeded 13,000 tonnes.

Over the four months of this year, the imports of suspension PVC to the Russian market made about 117,000 tonnes, which was down 19% year on year.


MRC