Qapco in talks to build a petrochem project in Vietnam

(DowJonesNewswire) -- Qatar's state-run petroleum company is in the final stages of negotiations with Itochu Corp. (ITOCY) and others to build and operate a petrochemical complex in southern Vietnam.

The move is part of the oil-rich Middle Eastern nation's efforts to invest in oil refinery and petrochemical operations in consumer countries, Qatar Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Abdullah Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah told in an interview.

In Vietnam, Qatar Petroleum is in talks with Itochu and Thailand's top materials producer, Siam Cement PCL, Al-Attiyah said.

MRC

(Amcor) -- Amcor said soaring raw material costs are behind its announcement to increase prices for most of its flexible packaging products.

The price rises, which came into effect on 20 September, are above those previously announced, said Amcor Flexibles Europe and Americas (AFEA).

MRC

(prw) -- Evonik has announced it will sell its carbon blacks business as part of a strategic refocusing of the group's business.

Klaus Engel, chairman of the executive board of Evonik Industries, said: "Our declared aim is to find a solution that is equally convincing for customers, employees and business partners. The decision to divest this business provides the best basis for sustained investment in carbon blacks, new growth prospects and for securing future-oriented jobs in the long-term."

The company said its ⌠carbon black activities are no longer defined as part of Evonik Industries' core business and have already been carved out to a separate legal entity.

MRC

(prw) -- Eastman Chemical is expanding capacity to make 2-EH in Longview, Texas, in part to support growth in sales of non-phthalate plasticizers.

The Kingsport-based company announced September 17 that it will increase capacity by about 32,000 tonnes, and will include a 4,500 tonne debottlenecking that will bring the total capacity increase to about 37,000 tonnes.

MRC

(prw) -- Uzbekistan fertilisers and chemicals group OJSC Navoiyazot has installed a second polypropylene sack production line at its complex in Navoi city.

Output from the new unit is intended to help satisfy the group's internal packaging use. Navoiyazot has an annual consumption of around 20 million sacks.

Five years ago, the group installed its first PP sack production line which has a capacity of 10 million bags per year.

MRC