DSM presents new grade for auto lighting and electronics components

(pressreleasefinder) -- DSM has recently introduced its new thermally conductive thermoplastic polyester for such components, as foglamp housings, lens holders and AFL (Adaptive Forward Lighting) frames. In addition, as future LED Lighting systems do get more efficient and consume less power, this material will offer weight and cost saving potential for these electronics driven systems as well by its unique combination of heat management, mechanics and high dimensional stability. It is also suitable for numerous types of automotive electronic components.

The new grade, available worldwide, is a further development of Arnite PET-XL, which DSM successfully introduced in 2009. Both products are based on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and are highly suitable for engineering applications. In developing Arnite PET XL-T, DSM has matched in extensive experience in thermoplastic polyesters for high performance, high precision applications, with detailed understanding of material properties as diverse as thermal conductivity and outgassing.

DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials.
MRC

Petrobras incurs losses in Q3 on refining loss

(Reuters) - Brazilian state-led oil company Petrobras announced its third-quarter profit had fallen as refining unit losses rose, an unexpected result after being granted its first wholesale fuel-price increase in six years in June.

Consolidated net income fell 12% to 5.57 billion reais (1.6 billion pounds) in the three months ending September 30 compared with 6.34 billion reais in the third quarter of 2011, Petrobras said in a statement.

Net sales, or total sales minus sales taxes, rose 15 percent to 71.8 billion reais, narrowly beating the average estimate of 71.1 billion reais. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, fell 13 percent to 14.36 billion.

Despite the company's losses in Q3, Petrobras plans to launch the first of its new refineries in November 2014. The second line will be put in operation in May 2015. The refinery will add 230,000 bpd of processing capacity, as MRC reported ealier.
MRC

Formosa Petrochemical to increase run rate at its naptha cracker in Taiwan

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Formosa Petrochemical (FPCC) is going to increase capacity utilization at its 2.93m tpa naphtha cracking complex by 10% to 90% in three days, which might result in higher demand for naphtha. The comlex's run rate was lowered to 80% from 100% in late September following the fire at Nan Ya Plastics' 720,000 tpa MEG unit, as MRC informed earlier.

Formosa Petrochemical, a sister company of Nan Ya Plastics, postponed the planned spot purchases of naphthal for delivery to Mailiao for the first half of November in connection with a fire at the plant, accoring to the company's source. The fire at Nan Ya's MEG plant also resulted in reduction of demand for ethylene. Formosa supplies ethylene feedstock to Nan Ya Plastics.

According to a trader, since demand for petrochemicals is slow at present, FPCC has no plans yet to increase operating rates to the full nominal capacity, though the incident was resolved and Nan Ya Plastics' MEG plant resumed operations on October 22.
MRC

Dow Chemical reduced earnings by 35% in Q3 2012

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Net income of the largest U.S. producer of petrochemicals, Dow Chemical, dropped by 35% in the 3rd quarter of this year to USD582 million. The company's sales decreased by 10% to USD13, 6 billion, according to the company's press release.

The EBITDA decreased by 3.5 times to USD1,798 billion. The company's sales in the plastics segment dropped by 15% and amounted to USD3,5 billion. Despite a 5% sales increase, their growth was offset by a 10% decline in prices.

According to the Chairman and CEO of Dow Chemical, Andrew Liveris, the company's financial results for the third quarter shows the effect of the measures that have been taken to reduce costs. As MRC informed earlier, the U.S. Dow Chemical, had reported plans to close 20 plants worldwide and cut 5% of staff (2.4 thousand workers). The company also closed four plants that produce extruded polystyrene plates in Europe and the U.S. Thus, Dow expects to save around USD500 million. Given the measures taken previously, the company plans to achieve savings of USD2,5 billion.
MRC

Petronas Chemicals to discontinue vinyl business

(chemicals-technology) -- Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG) is planning to terminate its vinyl business to help optimise its portfolio.

"With the discontinuation, VCMSB will halt operations starting from 1 January 2013 and also decommission its plants."
The Group has decided to stop the business due to low margins, high operational costs and lack of integration within its product value chain, as the vinyl business depends on the open market to obtain its feedstock, ethylene di-chloride.

The three plants located in the Kerteh Integrated Petrochemical Complex, Malaysia, and a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant in Vung Tau, Vietnam, form PCG's vinyl business.

The vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and PVC plants in Kerteh are owned by Vinyl Chloride (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (VCMSB), while the Vietnam PVC plant is owned by Phu My Plastics and Chemical Company Limited (PMPC).

The discontinuation is also expected to provide additional flexibility to divert ethylene, currently committed to VCMSB to manufacture higher margin products within the Group's portfolio.

Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG) is the leading integrated chemicals producer in Malaysia and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. Company is involved primarily in manufacturing, marketing and selling a diversified range of chemical products, including olefins, polymers, fertilisers, methanol and other basic chemicals and derivative products.
MRC