EPS prices in Kazakhstan rose by Tenge 4,000-5,000/tonne

MOSCOW (MRC) -- October prices for Chinese expandable polystyrene (EPS) grew by Tenge 4,000-5,000/tonne in the domestic Kazakh market following rising purchase prices in September and increased rail fares, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

Prices for Chinese EPS were heard in the range of Tenge 412,000-418,000/tonne CPT Astana, including VAT, this week. Traders were forced to raise their prices because of increased procurement costs. At the same time, demand fell slightly in the first half of October, nevertheless, it remained rather strong, a source said.

Russian EPS grades were also available in the market. Prices for Russian EPS of Alphapor grade were heard in the range of Tenge 392,000-397,000/tonne CPT Astana, including VAT.

Summing up last month's results, traders noted that September EPS sales were high. All sales plans were fulfilled. Sellers also said that sales would be entirely dependent on the activity in the construction market in the coming months. According to traders' estimates, strong demand for EPS will last till December.
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SPVC imports to Ukraine increased by 71% in January - September 2013

MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) to Ukraine increased by 71% in January - September 2013 on the back of long time outage of Karpatneftekhim (LUKOIL group ), according to MRC DataScope.

SPVC imports to Ukraine reached its record 180,200 tonnes in September. Overall, Ukraine's imports of SPVC totalled about 108,000 tonnes in the first nine months of this year.

Unscheduled shutdown of Ukrainian producer - Karpatneftehim made Ukrainian companies buy actively resin in foreign markets, particularly in US. Imports of US SPVC to Ukraine for the first nine months of this year rose to 56,600 tonnes (in September, imports from US amounted to 12,500 tonnes) against 19,400 tonnes in the same period of 2012.

External supply of PVC from Europe in January - September to Ukraine totalled about 49,700 tonnes from 42,100 tonnes in the same period of 2012. PVC imports are expected to be reduced in November - December under the pressure of the seasonal factor (in winter demand for finished products made of PVC is weak), and due to the resumption of the Karpatneftehim.


Karpatneftekhim (LUKOIL group ) announced plans to restart its PVC production on 1 November. Its monthly capacity utilisation will not exceed 10,000 tonnes. Karpatneftehim is going to deliver all the produced PVC only to the domestic market, part of which will be used for the production of the window profile (used for the production of plastic windows).


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Eastman to expand Texas City plasticizers plant

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Eastman Chemical is expanding capacity of its Eastman 168 non-phthalate plasticizers at its manufacturing facility in Texas City, Texas, USA, according to the company's press release.

The expansion at the site will increase the overall capacity of Eastman 168 by approximately 15% and is expected to be operational by mid-2014.

"We are pleased to announce this capacity addition at our Texas City manufacturing facility," said Jon Woods, unit director for Eastman's plasticizers business. "Since this expansion leverages an existing asset, it will be completed with minimal capital investment and also positions us to execute another similar expansion on the same line in the near future.

"These planned capacity additions are consistent with our expectations of market growth envisioned when we acquired the Texas City facility in 2011," he added. "Demand for non-phthalate plasticizers continues to strengthen across a variety of end-markets and end-uses and this investment will allow Eastman to sustain its leadership position of serving the needs of current and new customers, particularly in North America and Europe."

Non-phthalate plasticizers are broadly used in products such as toys, childcare items, food contact materials and medical devices, and are also used to provide flexibility to PVC in a wide variety of applications.

End markets for non-phthalate plasticizers include building and construction, health and wellness, and a broad range of consumer products.

As MRC informed previously, Eastman Chemical Company has increased prices on Eastman 168 non-phtalate grade, DOP and other products in North America starting from 1 September.

Eastman (headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA) is a global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With a portfolio of specialty businesses, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. Its market-driven approaches take advantage of world-class technology platforms and leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables.
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PolyOne expands India operations with new plant

MOSCOW (MRC) -- PolyOne, a premier global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, has begun building a new facility in Pune, India, that will manufacture specialty materials, including solid masterbatch, liquid colorant and additives, reported the company on its site.

"With advanced design capabilities and enhanced manufacturing flexibility, we will offer customers in India an even broader array of solutions and improved delivery times," said Vikas Vij, managing director for PolyOne's operations in India.

"Demand for advanced specialty solutions in India is increasing - particularly in automotive, packaging, wire and cable and healthcare - and our expanded presence will position PolyOne exceptionally well to collaborate with and serve our customers."

The facility will operate development labs and the sales and customer service center for the region. It is expected to open in the first quarter of 2014.

"Consistent with PolyOne's globalization strategy, our investment in India augments other recent announcements, including a new joint venture specialty colorant facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and plans to begin thermoplastic elastomer production in Sao Paulo, Brazil," said Robert M. Patterson, executive vice president and chief operating officer for PolyOne, which describes itself as a global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions.

As MRC wrote previously, PolyOne Corporation announced it will realign its North American manufacturing assets. This company will relocate is assets in order to better serve customers, improve efficiency, and deliver previously announced synergy-related cost savings in connection with its March 2013 acquisition of Spartech Corporation. Over the next several months, the company will close six manufacturing plants and relocate production to other PolyOne facilities. These actions are expected to be completed by the end of 2014 and generate annualized pre-tax savings of approximately USD25 million in 2015. Cash costs are expected to approximate USD45 million over the next 12-18 months, primarily related to severance, asset relocation and additional capital investment.

PolyOne Corporation, with 2012 revenues of USD2.9 billion, is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, tailored services and end-to-end solutions.
MRC

Clariant announces major investments

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, underlined its commitment to the Plastics and Coatings industry at its K 2013 press conference and demonstrated how the megatrends that drive the plastics industry are at the root of the company’s market strategy, said Plastemart.

Christian Kohlpaintner, Member of Clariant’s Executive Committee, outlined a number of major investments to support increasing demand from plastics processors and end-markets for sustainable, high-performance additives, colorants and masterbatches, with a particular focus on the growth markets and regions.

Clariant’s significant recent investments for its Business Unit Masterbatches in the Middle East cover a 10 million Euro investment in Riyadh and the addition of 3 production lines for additives, fibers and color masterbatches. The Masterbatches Joint Venture, still subject to merger control clearance, in Saudi Arabia between Clariant and Tasnee, a strong and established player in the Middle East, will add a significant investment and capacity increase in white masterbatches. Clariant will enhance its regional and global supply capabilities for the important high performance Pigment Violet 23, with a new world scale Pigment PV23 plant in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China.

This will supplement its recent acquisition of the Organic Pigment business of Jiangsu Multicolor, a leading organic pigment producer. PV23 is used in a very wide range of formulations and applications in Coatings, Plastics and Printing inks.

Looking ahead, Clariant is exploring options for expanding production capacity of its high-performance Licocene® low molecular polyolefins to meet increasing demand from the plastics sector, as well as from the technical textile segment. Its first Licocene production plant, which started operation in 2006, will near full utilization over the next years.

Innovation highlights unveiled at K 2013 include: new AddWorks polymer additives solutions for key sectors such as automotive, electrical & electronics (E&E), agriculture, packaging, and for specific effects e.g. process or light stabilization; Exolit flame retardants for thermoplastics; a new range of low halogen controlled colorants (LHC) for the E&E, toys, consumer goods and food packaging markets; and the launch of The Project House – a two million Euro facility in Italy to pursue breakthrough concepts and solutions in Masterbatches products and processes. A second Project House is to be built in Asia. HiFormer - high performance integrated liquid masterbatches – is a new, innovative Liquid Masterbatches system for all polymers and all production processes. It sets a new industry standard by offering the right mix of consultancy, engineering and chemistry for world class performance, flexibility and excellence. The new Clariant Innovation Center, opening at the end of October, will provide a focal point for coordinating Clariant’s global R&D activities. Located in Frankfurt, the facility represents an investment of 100 million Euro.

As MRC wrote before, Clariant announced that it has signed a long-term supply contract with OMV. From 2015, the Austrian oil and gas company will supply Clariant’s site in Gendorf (Germany) with ethylene. This agreement will enable Clariant to source most of its requirements for this important basic chemical in southern Bavaria.

Clariant AG is a Swiss chemical company and a world leader in the production of specialty chemicals for the textile, printing, mining and metallurgical industries. It is engaged in processing crude oil products in pigments, plastics and paints.

MRC