BASF announces strategic partnership with Solix Biofuels

(plastemart) -- BASF SE and Solix Biofuels, Inc. have signed an agreement to investigate the use of algae to produce certain chemicals for BASF. Solix is a leading developer of algae cultivation technology systems and will test multiple algae species in its proprietary growth system, AGS, for BASF. Further terms were not announced.

Russian polymers market outlooks will be discussed at Russian Polymers Summit on October 14, 2010 organized by ICIS and MRC. For more information please refer to http://www.icisconference.com/russianpolymers/ Summit official web page.

MRC

(plastemart) -- KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH and RAMPF Giessharze have formalized their worldwide cooperation in the field of high-pressure polyurethane processing by signing a cooperation agreement. The long-awaited, single-sequence process to injection mold a part and immediately add a PUR seal is now a reality. The two cooperation partners in this project have both forged ahead with new technological developments. KraussMaffei contributes the mixing head for high-pressure metering of very small output volumes, RAMPF supplies the high pressure sealing foams. The two companies are now offering their new turnkey solution worldwide. It is of special interest to customers in the automotive and electrical sectors, but will also find application in other fields. KraussMaffei supplies the high-performance machinery and the successful multiprocess solution (injection molding plus a reaction process). RAMPF Giessharze contributes the polyurethane casting resin engineered for this specific application. ⌠The customer profits from the combined know-how of both specialist partners, from expert advice and planning and optimized production processes, was how Frank Peters from the Managing Board of KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH summed up the benefits of the cooperation for customers. The outcome is a continuous production process: the still-hot injection molded parts are immediately foamed with RAMPF material in a high-pressure process. The logistics effort is reduced and the cost eliminated, because parts need not be stored or even buffered between molding and foam application.

MRC

(plastemart) -- HC Petrochem Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Japan's Cosmo Oil and South Korea's Hyundai Oilbank, will use the UOP Parex process and the UOP Isomar process to help triple production of high-purity para-xylene to support growing, long-term demand for petrochemicals worldwide. Paraxylene is a key ingredient in the production of purified terephthalic acid (PTA), which is used to make polyester for fabric and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) chips for carbonated soft drink and water bottles.

Basic engineering design of the plant has begun and start-up is projected for the second half of 2013. HC Petrochem Co., Ltd. plans to expand production of paraxylene from 380,000 tpa to 1,180,000 tpa. The new Parex and Isomar process units will use mixed xylene as feedstock supplementing the existing UOP CCR Platforming, Sulfolane, Tatoray, Isomar and Parex process units at the plant to expand the production. UOP is the world's leading licensor of process technology for the production of aromatics and has licensed more than 725 individual process units for the production of aromatics.

MRC

(plastemart) -- As planned in April, Japanese oil refiner Idemitsu Kosan Co and petrochemical maker Mitsui Chemicals Inc will combine operations of their two naphtha crackers on the first day of October, marking the start of their 50-50 joint venture.

Combining of the two crackers at the same complex in Chiba will lead to total production capacity of 920,000 tpa of ethylene.

MRC

(KoreaTimes) -- LG Chem said Thursday that it has signed an agreement with Renault to supply lithium batteries for the French auto manufacturer's upcoming electric vehicles, which the company said will be its biggest deal in the battery business.

Under a multi-year contract, the LG Group's chemical component-making affiliate will ship the batteries for Renault's EVs, which are expected to be marketed from mid-2011.

"Considering the expected production volume of Renault's EVs, the latest deal will be the largest that LG Chem has inked with automakers so far," said Song Choong-sup, a senior company spokesman.

LG Chem's Executive in Russia James Han is going to participate in Russian Polymers Summit on October 14, 2010, organized by ICIS and MRC. For more information please refer to http://www.icisconference.com/russianpolymers/ Summit official web page.

MRC