PTT Chemical looking to invest in China

(plastemart) -- In a bid to exploit rapid demand growth in China, Thailand's PTT Chemical is seeking an opportunity to invest in new chemical production in the country. The company, South East Asia's largest olefin maker views China as its largest export market, and wishes to join the ranks of the major global petrochem makers who have a presence in China.


However, PTT's investment plans will depend on market demand with a focus on the lifestyle of its biggest markets - Asean and China. The new criteria for investment will require the adaptation of human management as a novel way of thinking is needed to serve the new policy of the company. Its new investment strategy allows various options, from joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions to green field investment.

Russian polymers' market prospects are going to be discussed at Russian Polymers Summit on October 14, 2010 organized by ICIS and MRC. For more information please refer to http://www.polmersummit.ru/ Summit official web page.

MRC

INEOS completes the sale of its global films business

(INEOS) -- INEOS Group today confirmed the completion the sale of its global films business to Bilcare AG. The completion of the sale follows the announcement to sell the business, for the sum of ┬100 million, made on August 2nd, 2010.

The global films business which had 2009 annual sales of ┬240 million will now become a part of the Bilcare group, a leading international pharmaceutical packaging and research company.

INEOS Films division is a global producer of high quality polymer films built on expertise and innovation. As part of the Bilcare group it will continue to play a major role across international markets for pharmaceutical blister packaging, films for printing and decoration, shrink film for sleeves, capsules and plastic credit cards.

Russian polymers' market prospects are going to be discussed at Russian Polymers Summit on October 14, 2010 organized by ICIS and MRC. For more information please refer to http://www.polmersummit.ru/ Summit official web page.

MRC

Formosa expands capacity at Mailiao refinery

(Argus) -- Taiwanese private sector refiner Formosa Petrochemical has restarted 80,000 barrels per day residual desulphurization unit and raised operating rates at its 540,000 barrels per day Mailiao refinery after a week long disruption.

The increased output has done little to boost sentiment the Asian gasoil market that is already well supplied, exacerbated by poor arbitrage economics to Europe or the US.

Formosa restarted the residual desulphurization unit on September 9th 2010, while runs rates at two of its three 180,000 barrels per day capacity crude distillation units were raised to around 95%. The residual desulphurization unit was shut a week ago to allow Formosa to carry out further investigations and make design corrections at the refinery following a fire in late July 2010.

Russian polymers' market prospects are going to be discussed at Russian Polymers Summit on October 14, 2010 organized by ICIS and MRC. For more information please refer to http://www.polmersummit.ru/ Summit official web page.

MRC

BP suspends No 4 cracker in Gelsenkirchen

LONDON (ICIS) -- A planned six to seven week maintenance turnaround is underway at BP Refining & Petrochemicals' (BPRP) No 4 cracker at Gelsenkirchen, Germany, a company source said on Wednesday.


The cracker, which has the capacity to produce 525,000 tonnes/year of ethylene and 260,000 tonnes/year of propylene, according to ICIS data, is one of two owned and operated by BPRP at the site.


It had started to ramp down operations last week and was one of a number of other European crackers which were down for maintenance in the September-October time frame.

Russian polymers' market prospects are going to be discussed at Russian Polymers Summit on October 14, 2010 organized by ICIS and MRC. For more information please refer to http://www.polmersummit.ru/ Summit official web page.

MRC

Baerlocher presents new PVC stabilizer

(PlastEurope) -- Baerlocher has launched a Ca/Zn stabiliser for use in the manufacture of plastisols for PVC flooring, which that it claims greatly reduces VOC emissions in flooring systems. ⌠Baerostab LOW-VOC Ca/Zn solid and paste products retain the performance benefits of traditional liquid stabilisers in PVC flooring applications, the company said.

They are free from solvent, phenol and ethylhexanoic acid and are claimed to achieve plastisol viscosity properties equal to those seen with traditional liquid stabilisers. They are suitable for use in filled, pigmented and transparent plastisols and have been developed primarily for application in the stabilisation of topcoat flooring.

Russian polymers' market prospects are going to be discussed at Russian Polymers Summit on October 14 2010 organized by ICIS and MRC. For more information please refer to http://www.polmersummit.ru/ Summit official web page.

MRC