Celanese to build methanol production plant in Texas, US

(chemicals-technology) -- Specialty materials and technology company Celanese is planning to build a new 1.3mtpa methanol production plant at its existing acetyl plant in Clear Lake, in Texas, US.

The new plant will use the company's existing infrastructure to capture the opportunities created by US natural gas supplies, according to Celanese. "The new methanol plant is expected to start its operations from 1 July 2015."

The acetyl plant, which includes a research and development centre, produces acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer and will use a portion of the methanol produced at the new unit to support the company's operations.
The company expects to collaborate with one or more additional entities interested in the remaining methanol. The new methanol plant is expected to start its operations from 1 July 2015.

The company is also finalising construction of its TCX ethanol technology development unit.
Mark Rohr, Celanese chairman and chief executive officer, said the positive developments in the US energy complex and the current and emerging natural gas surplus make it advantageous for the company to produce its own methanol requirements for US acetyl production.
MRC

FMC completes acquisition of Phytone

(chemicals-technology) -- Diversified chemical company FMC Corporation has completed the acquisition of Phytone, a UK-based producer of natural colours.

Phytone's natural colour products and formulations are used by the personal care, food, beverage and nutrition industries. FMC operates its businesses in three segments, including FMC BioPolymer, FMC Agricultural Products and FMC Alkali Chemicals.

Mike Smith, FMC BioPolymer division manager, said there is a growing demand from consumers who favour natural ingredients from renewable and sustainable sources.
"FMC operates its businesses in three segments, including FMC BioPolymer, FMC Agricultural Products and FMC Alkali Chemicals."

"Phytone further expands FMC's natural colours capabilities and augments FMC BioPolymer's industry leading, naturally sourced specialty ingredients that are used across food, pharmaceutical and personal care markets for texture, binding, stabilization and appearance," Smith said.
MRC

Braskem Ethylene plant gets USD700mn credit line

(fibre2fashion) -- Braskem Idesa announced on June 5th the approval of a line of credit in the amount of USD$ 700 million by the Brazlian National Economic and Social Development Bank - BNDES to finance the construction of the largest petrochemical complex being developed in the Americas: Braskem Idesa- Etileno XXI Project.

These funds come in addition to the amounts already approved by the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) in the month of April, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), an organization that belongs to the World Bank Group, and the Italian credit bureau - SACE, both in May.

The group of financial institutions will also include Mexico's development banks, BANCOMEXT and NAFINSA- Nacional Financiera, and commercial whose loans are subject to the completion and closing of the formal documentation.

The loan will be granted to Braskem IDESA SAPI, the joint venture controlled by the Brazilian Braskem, S.A. and with a relevant participation of the Mexican group IDESA in order to build and operate a petrochemical complex that will have a capacity of 1 million tons of polyethylene, through an ethane cracker and three polymerizations plants (two high density polyethylene and one low density polyethylene).

Etileno XXI Project, located in Nanchital, Veracruz, Mexico, continues to progress within schedule, land movement and site preparation works are 70% completed and the civil construction started on may 18th with the first foundations.
MRC

Nizhnekamskneftekhim affirmed the dividends

(akm) -- At the Nizhnekamskneftekhim annual meeting the decision to pay the 2011-dividends in the total volume of 4.319bn rub. (2.36 rub./pcs) was affirmed, the company informed.

The annual report, accounting and 10 BOD members were approved.PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit was affirmed as an auditor. The first BOD sitting was held after the meeting of the holders. A.Shigabutdinov, director general of TAIF, was elected as a chairman.

The Company (TIN 1651000010) is one of the largest petrochemical complexes in Eastern Europe. Its products are diversified to involve 120 kinds of chemical and petrochemical products, especially, synthetic rubber and styrene.

The share capital is equal to 1.83bn rub. split in 1611256ths (88.04% of share capital) common and 218983.75ths (11.96%) preferred stocks of 1 rub. par.

The 2011-net profit (IAS) rocketed 88.8% up to 16.8bn rub.; consolidated revenues from sales moved up by 29.5bn rub. to 126bn rub. (30.6% higher prior year figures).

The 2011-net profit rallied up (RAS) 86.19% to 14.413bn rub.; revenues - 29.97% to 122.699bn rub. from 94.407bn rub.; profit from sales - 20.076bn rub. from 13.043bn rub
MRC

Import of GPPS to Russia reached its maximum

MOSCOW (MRC) – In May, the import volumes of general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) increased to 6,200 tonnes, which made a historic peak in the supply of material to the Russian market over the last few years, according to MRC analysts.
Since the early 2012 the imports of GPPS have been increasing significantly, reaching its peak in May. Since the beginning of the year it was imported more than 19,000 tonnes of material to the Russian market, up 13% compared with the imports volumes in January-May 2011.

In May, the imports of GPPS made 6,200 tonnes, up 44% compared with the previous month – 4,300 tonnes. Such a sharp increase in imports of GPPS is not typical for the Russian market, which in 2011 was by 88% covered by domestic production. Main producers of the material are Nizhnekamskneftekhim, PG Prof and Gazprom neftekhim Salavat.


The increased consumption of material in the second quarter of 2012 resulted in an excess of demand over the capacity of Russian producers. Market participants compensated the emerged shortage by imports of the material.

MRC