Emery Oleochemicals to expand its Loxstedt facility

(Emery Oleochemicals) -- Emery Oleochemicals has recently celebrated the groundbreaking of its Loxstedt manufacturing facility expansion and construction of the Technical Development Centre (TDC). The company is going to make its largest investment of approx. EUR20 million (USD25million) in the project, reinforcing its significance to the company’s global strategy of becoming a key player in the green polymer additives segment.

Scheduled for completion by end 2013, these expansion projects bring together over 70 years of pioneering technology and know-how to drive innovation in polymer product development intended to meet customers’ evolving demands in this growing segment. The marketplace will furthermore benefit from advancements in customisable higher-end product development as the company looks to leverage the success of its globally recognized high-performance plastic additives brands, LOXIOL and EDENOL.

Emery Oleochemicals is one of the world’s largest Oleochemicals producer with a worldwide distribution. Formed as a 50/50 joint venture between Sime Darby Plantation and PTT Chemical International Pte Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary and the international investment arm of PTT Global Chemical PLC. Emery Oleochemicals is headquartered in Malaysia but with a global presence in 3 continents with plants in North America, Germany and Malaysia.
MRC

MRC news digest as of. 03.08.12.

MOSCOW (MRC) -- MRC news digest as of 03.08.12.

1. Federal Antimonopoly Service is questioning PVC converters.

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of Russian Federation keeps investigating the case of cartel agreement in the PVC market. The executive department has begun interviewing clients of Russian SPVC makers, report MRC analysts. FAS brought an action for violation of antimonopoly legislation against Russian PVC makers (PLASTKARD, KAUSTIK, SayanskKhimPlast), suspecting them in cartelization. The United Trading Company, Sibmanagement Group have also fallen under suspicion of FAS. In August Russian converters started to receive letters from FAS with the request to answer a few questions regarding operating conditions and to provide information on purchases of PVC from these companies during the period of 2004-2006. Many converters, in their turn, do not share FAS’s opinion as regards cartel agreement in the PVC market.

2. Hurricane Isaac to worsen PVC shipment from US.

MOSCOW (MRC) -- An emergency situation was declared in the Louisiana State faced with the nearing storm Isaac. The shipments from Houston were suspended, which will worsen the ongoing delay in delivery of PVC from the U.S., as per MRC analysts. President Barack Obama declared the state of emergency in Louisiana on approaching of tropical storm Isaac. The operation of the plants as well as shipments had been stopped because of the oncoming hurricane until August, 30. The shipment of goods in the port of Houston was also suspended.

3. Russian PS to increase by Rb7,000/tonne in September.

MOSCOW (MRC) -- A high demand for polystyrene, as well as a big number of scheduled maintenances may result in the price hike of Russian polystyrene by Rb5,000-7,000/tonne for September, as per MRC analysts. The demand in the Russian market of polystyrene has been steadily growing since the beginning of 2012, both for the general purpose polystyrene (GPPS), and for the high impact polystyrene (HIPS). The peak of consumption fell on the second and third quarters of the year. However, the supply of the polystyrene has tightened in the Russian market.

4. China increased PVC import by 27% in July.

MOSCOW (MRC) -- In July, Chinese traders increased PVC import to 81,400 tonnes, up 27% from June. The year-to-date PVC import to China exceeded 554,000 tonnes, report MRC analysts. Last month Chinese traders significantly raised PVC imports amid rising seasonal demand and a major price cut. Meantime, PVC export from China dropped in July by 19% from June and made about 15,800 tonnes.

5. PVC prices in Russia will rise in September.

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Russian makers are going to get higher PVC prices for September shipments. Negotiations regarding contract September prices have just begun, but some market participants already report that one of the makers has raised the price by Rb2,000/tonnes, report MRC analysts. On Tuesday negotiations on the level of Russian PVC contract prices for September shipments started in the Russian market. Expectedly, Russian makers plan to achieve an increase in prices for September shipments on the back of tightened PVC supply in the domestic market and price rise in the foreign markets. In the foreign markets PVC prices keep growing. The most considerable price rise is expected in Europe. Some European producers have already announced a price rise of PVC for September shipments by EUR140/tonnes from August level (EUR750-810/tonnes, FCA).

6. European producers to increase PE prices in September.

MOSCOW (MRC) -- European negotiations on the prices of PE for September are on the sidelines, waiting for the setting of ethylene prices. However, some market players have announced a significant increase in prices of polyethylene by EUR100-150/tonne, as per MRC analysts. In recent months, amid the highly volatile oil prices the formation of monomer contract prices in Europe are deferred to the last day of the month. The contract price of ethylene in Europe for September has not been agreed yet. As a consequence, European makers do not hurry to form the prices of polyethylene.

Copol International to install a new PP line

(Canadian Plastics) -- Copol International Ltd. is in the process of commissioning a brand-new five-layer, Filmex cast PP line from Windmoeller & Hoelscher. The company has a variety of different CPP film structures, from three single-layer lines to one three-layer line. The addition of the new W&H line will expand Copol’s film gauge range from 0.7 mil up to 6 mil and facilitate the eventual production of CPP with up to nine layers, allowing the company to offer more to its current customers and pursue some new ones.

Copol International Ltd is a manufacture of highly customized cast polypropylene (CPP) film. Since its start-up date 20 years ago, when it took over a 90,000-square-foot plant that had been producing PVC stretch film, Copol has slowly grown into a major presence in the North American CPP industry, currently providing customized mono- and multi-layer films for food and textile packaging, industrial applications and heath care products for customers across North America.
MRC

Elasto Muller Kunststoffe expands TPE capacity in Germany

(Elasto) -- Elasto Muller Kunststoffe plans to install a new line at the group’s site in Lichtenfels, Germany, which is expected to come on-stream in early 2013 and will increase thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) production by 4,600 tonnes per annum, bringing the capacity of the Group to more than 55,000 tonnes.

The capacity increase underscores Elasto Muller Kunststoffe’s position as a key and growing player in the TPE market. Construction of a new TPE production line is also underway in China. The new production facility will operate from Hexpol’s existing Foshan site in the Guangzhou area, a key location for polymer component manufacturing.

Elasto Muller Kunststoffe supports the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) market with a sophisticated and innovative product range developed by highly qualified material experts. The company's products combine the performance of thermoset rubbers with the processing ease of plastics to deliver enhanced design possibilities to a diverse range of markets, including automotive, medical, caps and closures, construction, toy and household. ELASTO is part of the compounding business area of HEXPOL, one of the world's leading polymer groups.
MRC

Israel Petrochemical to sell 45% stake in Avgol

(Plastemart) -- The board of directors of Israel Petrochemical Enterprises Ltd has approved the sale of a 45% stake in its Avgol Ltd subsidiary to London-based private equity company Ethemba for USD106.8 million. An additional payment of USD16 million has been agreed to by the parties dependent on 2013 results.

Following the sale IPE will control 21% and the remainder is traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

Israel Petrochemical Enterprises Ltd. (IPE) is a public holding company whose shares are listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Avgol is a global leader in the nonwoven fabrics industry with manufacturing facilities in Israel, China, Europe and the US. Avgol manufactures and supplies nonwoven fabrics mainly for hygiene applications, such as diapers for infants and adults, feminine hygiene products and more.
MRC