Braskem mulls new US plant fed by cheaper shale gas feedstock

(plasteurope) -- While announcing its Q1 2012 results, which were down amid rising feedstock costs, especially naphtha, Brazilian petrochemical giant Braskem said it was looking into switching its US polypropylene plants to shale gas feedstock. CEO Carlos Fadigas said Braskem was close to reaching a decision on whether to build its own plant to process propane from natural gas or form a joint venture.

Fadigas reportedly said the decision on whether to build such a facility and in what constellation would be made this year. Braskem had bought Dow Chemical?s (Midland, Michigan / USA) polypropylene business in the US last year.
MRC

(plasteurope) -- Extending its market reach to India, Swiss colorants, dispersed pigments and speciality compounds producer Colorant Chromatics Group (Zug) recently entered into a cooperation with Nishigandha Polymers (Mumbai / India) under the terms of which the latter will distribute the Swiss group?s entire production portfolio.

The range includes colour concentrates, specialty compounds, pigment dispersions and additives as well as high performance plastics and fluoropolymers, including PEEK and PTFE, for instance.

The Swiss group operates plants in Aland / Finland, Shanghai / China as well as Bethel, Connecticut / USA. In addition, Colorant Chromatics runs a distribution centre in Germany and works with sales agents in Spain, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey and India.

The Swiss group in 2007 became part of US liquid colourant, additive and fluoropolymer producer ColorMatrix (Berea, Ohio), which was acquired by PolyOne (Cleveland, Ohio / USA) earlier this year.
MRC

(Reuters) - Valero Energy Corp's 142,000 barrel per day (bpd) Corpus Christi, Texas, refinery reported flaring in its West Plant on Friday because a third party facility was starting up, according to a notice the refinery filed with the U.S. National Response Center.

The Markwest Javelina Co in Corpus Christi, which processes exhaust gases from the area refineries to extract chemicals such as ethane, ethylene and hydrogen for further industrial use, has been performing maintenance has been performing maintenance on its plant.

Valero Energy Corp said work underway Wednesday on a butanizer in the west plant of its 142,000 barrel per day (bpd) Corpus Christi, Texas, refinery would have no material impact on production at the refinery.

The work triggered flaring at the refinery, according to the Corpus Christi Local Emergency Planning Committee.
MRC

(scidev) -- Cities in a number of Asian countries, including China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan, are currently on the warpath against plastic shopping bags.

The cities have passed local laws that ban such bags, on the basis that they clog sewers and drainage canals, cause street flooding, choke animals and are responsible for other forms of environmental damage.

China and Taiwan, for example, impose heavy fines on violators. Other countries are appealing for a switch to the production and use of biodegradable bags.

Plastic bags were designed to satisfy a need. Thin plastic can do many things that paper, which is recommended as a good substitute for plastic, cannot. Indeed, there are ways in which thin plastic may be more useful than paper.
MRC

(member.bnamericas) -- Brazilian petrochemicals company Braskem has signed an agreement with Australian bioplastics company Plantic Technologies for the use of polyethylene resin produced by Braskem from sugarcane in Plantic's eco Plastic product line.

Braskem said in a statement that Plantic's eco Plastic line will be the first ultra-high barrier packaging made from renewable raw materials.

"Braskem's strategic vision is to become the world leader in sustainable chemicals by 2020. The partnering of Plantic products with Braskem's green plastic will lead to new packaging options that are not only better for the environment, but also offer superior performance for retailers and brand owners," said Marcelo Nunes, director of the renewable chemicals
MRC