Bayer MaterialScience develops film technologies for printed polymer electronics

(China Plastic & Rubber Journal) -- Bayer MaterialScience, one of the world's leading polymer and chemical company, has developed extensive technology know-how and a wide range of materials for customers who print polycarbonate films with electronic functions and process these into 3D electronic components using the film injection molding process.

Films can be printed in a limited space with several electronic functions such as wiring diagrams, actuators, sensors and antennae, which previously had to be applied as separate components. Integrating these functions therefore cuts the number of parts required and the amount of logistical and assembly work. This results in compact, ready-to-install electronic modules.

"This printed polymer electronics technology is seen as a next-generation technology for delivering cost-effective production of highly integrated, complex molded electronic components," explains Dirk Pophusen, head of business development for functional films in the Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America region at Bayer MaterialScience.


According to forecasts by British market research company IDTechEx, the global market for polymer electronics is set to grow to almost US$100 billion by 2020 and reach US$250 billion just five years later.

MRC

French refineries struggle to operate as strike continues

LONDON (ICIS) -- French unions continued to strike on Monday, forcing the country's refineries to shut production altogether or operate at minimum levels as the government sought to reassure the public that there was no threat of an imminent fuel shortage.

French oil major Total confirmed that it's operating refineries in Donges, La Mede, Grandpuits, Feyzin and have all now completely stopped output after striking workers and crude supply issues, caused by protests at the Fos-Lavera oil port, forced the group to begin production shutdowns last week.

ExxonMobil's merged refinery at Port Jerome-Gravenchon and its plant at Fos-sur-Mer were also still both on strike, company spokesperson Catherine Brun confirmed. Product supplies from ExxonMobil's refinery at Fos-sur-Mer continued to be blocked and the facility was still running at minimum throughput levels, Brun added.

LyondellBasell's refinery at Berre L'Etang and Petroplus's refineries at Petit Couronne and Reichstett were also forced to begin a production shutdown last week due to crude supply issues and strike action taken by workers, which had prevented the plants operating within required safety standards.

INEOS was also progressively turning down production at its Lavera plant to stand-by mode after being affected by the current industrial action as raw material feedstocks ran low.


The strikes were also now beginning to affect downstream users, with a variety of chemical producers feeling the effects of a lack of refined feedstock. Some producers have already begun to cut down chemical production or declare force majeure on products as availability of supplies diminished.


On 13 October, the International Energy Agency's (IEA) monthly oil report said that major strike action in France could result in a shortage of European gasoil supplies and higher spot prices.

MRC

Samsung Engineering and Linde awarded construction deal for Saudi-based acrylic acid complex

(Plastemart) -- A consortium of South Korea's Samsung Engineering Company and Germany's Linde has been awarded an EPC contract for an acrylic acid complex in Saudi Arabia. The complex is to be built at an estimated cost US$1.1 bln.


75% of the complex is owned by Tasnee Sahara Olefins Co - a joint-venture of Tasnee and Sahara Petrochemicals Company, and 25% belongs to US-based Rohm and Haas. Rohm and Haas will provide the technology for the complex and will market its annual production 230,000 tons of acrylic acid and derivatives.

Feedstock propylene will be provided by Saudi Ethylene and Polyethylene Co. Production is expected to commence by Q1-2013.


MRC

New Salamander mixing facility for production plant in Poland

(Online PR News) -- Salamander Industrie-Produkte GmbH, manufacturer of PVC profiles for windows and doors opened a state-of-the-art mixing facility for hard PVC and additives at the production plant of its subsidiary Brugmann S.A. in Wloclawek, Poland. This event is the culmination of a series of investments initiated in the previous year for the targeted strategic development of this location.

Production erected on an area totalling 800 square metres will already start in October 2010 and will not only supply Brugmann S.A. but will also function as a hub for supplying the rest of Salamander's eastern operations.


Salamander Industrie-Produkte GmbH is amongst the leading European systems providers and is a manufacturer of PVC profiles for windows and doors. Salamander has a total of about 1150 employees in several European locations and sells its profile systems in more than 70 countries throughout the world.


MRC

PVC-S Imports to Ukraine made up 13,6 kt

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Following the September results the PVC-S imports volumes to Ukraine made up 13,6 kt, herewith American PVC share exceeded 60%, MRC DataScope says.


From the beginning of the year the PVC-S imports volumes to the Ukrainian market had been continuously growing. They reached their maximum in July - 14,4 kt.


Despite lowering of the imports volumes in August up to 10 kt, in September the supplies volumes increased up to 13,6 kt. Mostly such volumes were stipulated by favorable contract prices for PVC-S from North America during July with September supply.


For the first time after a few years PVC-S supplies from North America to Ukraine exceeded 8,2 kt, that is more than 60% of the total volume. From April till June 2010 there was an increased demand for PVC-S from the European producers, and its share in total supplies was 70-80%.

The growth of the price for European PVC resulted in retargeting of the Ukrainian companies to PVC-S from North America whose share in total September imports was 60,3%. The growth of euro/dollar cross-rate marked in September may contribute to keeping of the increased demand for North American PVC-S.

MRC