Germany's Kraiburg TPE launched two new TPE product ranges in Europe

(plasteurope) -- Thermoplastics elastomer manufacturer Kraiburg TPE (Waldkraiburg / Germany) has launched two new TPE product ranges in Europe. The "Copec" and "For-Tec E" ranges have already been successfully launched in the USA, and the company hopes to replicate that success in Europe, says European director Oliver Zintner. The products, which are designed for use in consumer sectors, have superior haptic and adhesion properties and are resistant to influences such as sweat, alcohol and weather, Kraiburg TPE says.

The Copec products feel like velvet or silk to the touch, and have excellent adhesion properties in the multi-component injection moulding process with thermoplastic materials such as ABS, PC or PC/PBT, the company says. Applications include computer mice, games consoles and ear plugs.

The For-Tec E series was developed for reliable adhesion to semi-aromatic polyamides and PA 6.6. The compounds are also suitable for use in the consumer electronics sector, as well as in power tools.

Kraiburg TPE was awarded in April the 2011 European Frost & Sullivan New Product Innovation Award for its TPE products. Deepan Kannan, industry analyst at market research company Frost & Sullivan (London / UK), said: "Innovative products from Kraiburg TPE such as Copec and For-Tec E have overcome the technical limitations of conventional SBCs, for example with respect to mechanical values or adhesion."
MRC

(plasteurope) -- The European Organization for Packaging and the Environment (Europen, Brussels / Belgium) has published a revised edition of its guide to European legislation affecting packaging and packaged goods. The guide incorporates details on important EU policy developments and voluntary initiatives, as well as changes introduced at national level since the previous edition was published in 2007.

Embracing the most significant legislation in this area – the EU packaging directive – the guide contains an analysis and interpretation of the legal environment in which the industry operates and an explanation of the standards set by the European Committee for Standardisation (Comite Europeen De Normalisation, CEN, Brussels / Belgium). Legislation covering packaging is constantly evolving in the 27 member states, and the guide details relevant laws country-by-country.

Veronique Bagge, Europen managing director, said: "Our industry’s strategy on sustainability and the legislation have both moved on significantly since the guide was last published five years ago. For Europen’s multinational members, a clear understanding of both European and national legislation is crucial to their business. I believe the industry is taking great strides in sustainability, and the up to date information and analysis in this guide can help us make things better, together."

MRC

(ineoschlor) -- INEOS ChlorVinyls Announces Suspension PVC Price for June 2012. List prices for INEOS ChlorVinyls Suspension PVC grades have been decreased by Euro 25 per metric tonne with effect from 1st June and as contracts allow.

INEOS ChlorVinyls is one of the major chlor-alkali producers in Europe, a global leader in chlorine derivatives and Europe's largest PVC manufacturer.
MRC

(eastman) -- Eastman Chemical Company and Solutia Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement, under which Eastman will acquire Solutia, a global leader in performance materials and specialty chemicals. Under the terms of the agreement, Solutia stockholders will receive USD22.00 in cash and 0.12 shares of Eastman common stock for each share of Solutia common stock.

Based on yesterday’s closing prices, Solutia shareholders will receive cash and stock valued at USD27.65 per Solutia common share, representing a premium of 42 percent and a total transaction value of approximately USD4.7 billion, including the assumption of Solutia’s debt.

"The acquisition of Solutia is a significant step in our growth strategy and one that I am confident will strengthen Eastman as a top-tier specialty chemical company with strong, stable margins," said Jim Rogers, chairman and chief executive officer of Eastman.

"This transaction is also expected to deliver immediate value to our stockholders in the form of accretion and strong cash generation, as well as create potential upside through the combination of two leading global chemical companies," said Rogers.

MRC

(upstreamonline) -- Spanish giant Repsol has revealed it will invest EUR19.1 billion (USD24 billion) over the 2012-2016 period as it unveiled its new strategic plan to investors on Tuesday.

Repsol said EUR2.9 billion per year, or almost 80% of the planned investment, would be ploughed into its upstream business as the company looks to almost double its net profit in the five years from 2011, excluding profit from YPF which was recently expropriated by Argentina.

The growth will be driven by the company’s exploration and production segment, with investment focused on 10 key growth projects in the US, Brazil, Russia, Spain, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia and Algeria.

Repsol said the development of the projects would result in an annual production growth rate of 7% to reach 500,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2016.

The strategic plan will be self financed with Repsol's own cash generation and it will also carry out "selective divestments" of non-core strategic assets over the period to 2016 worth between EUR4 billion and EUR4.5 billion.

MRC