Xianglu Petrochemical to start PTA plant in China

MOSCOW (MRC) -- China based Xianglu Petrochemical is in plans to start a new purified terephthalic acid (PTA) plant, reported Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in China informed that the plant is planned to be started in end-November 2013.

Located in Xiamen, China, the plant has a production capacity of 1.5 million mt/year.

As MRC informed previously, in May 2013, Xianglu Petrochemical also announced its plans to start a new purified terephthalic acid (PTA) plant located at Fujian province, China, by the end of the third quarter. The 4.5 mln tpa PTA plant is being set up at an estimated investment of USD400 mln.

Xianglu Petrochemicals (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. produces petrochemicals. It offers terephthalic acid products. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Xiamen, China.
MRC

PP production in Russia increased by 23% in the first ten months 2013

MOSCOW (MRC) - Polypropylene (PP) production in Russia grew by 23% in the first ten months of the year, compared to the same period in 2012 on the back of launching of the new capacities on Omsk, as per MRC ScanPlast.

Russia's PP production in October was 74,200 tonnes, compared with 53,400 tonnes in September. The main reason for such a sharp increase in last month's PP output was the full capacity utilisation in Nizhnekamsk, (its pyrolysis was stopped, which resulted in a decrease in PP production rates) and Omsk, which was shut on a monthly maintenance works. Ufaorgsintez also increased its PP production significantly last month, helped by the imports of feedstock.

Total PP production in Russia grew to 668,600 tonnes in the first ten months of the year, compared with 541,800 tonnes year on year (not taking into account PP production at Tobolsk-Polymer). The structure of PP production in Russia looked as follows.

Stavrolen produced about 105,000 tonnes PP in the first ten months of the year, compared to 64,100 tonnes in the same period of 2012. Such a big increase in producer's PP output can be explained by the shutdown in January and February and not full loading of the capacities in 2012.

Neftekhimiya (Kapotnya) has achieved good results also. The company increased its PP production to 102,100 tonnes in the first ten months of the year, compared with 86,100 tonnes in the same period of 2012 on the back of optimizing of maintenance works.|

Nizhnekamskneftekhim (TAIF group) produced about 172,400 tonnes of PP in the first ten months of the year, compared to 176,900 tonnes in the same period in 2012. The decline in the producer's PP output resulted from the maintenance works at the pyrolysis furnaces in September; the producer did not carry out the turnaround in 2012.

Ufaogrsintez produced about 97,300 tonnes of PP in the ten months of the year, down by 5% year on year, because of feedstock (propane-propylene fraction) shortages since May.

Tomskneftekhim (SIBUR) reduced its PP production to 104,000 tonnes in the ten months of the year, compared with 112,800 tonnes year on year, because of long maintenance works in July and August.

Poliom of the Titan group launched a PP production plant with a capacity of 180,000 tonnes/year on 11 February. The plant was stopped for scheduled maintenance in September. The producer's PP output was about 88,000 tonnes in the first ten months of the year.

Tobolsk-Polymer (SIBUR group) launched it second PP line in the late May. The plant was officially launched on 10 October by the President Vladimir Putin. The plant has been working using imported feedstock since May; the information of the volumes of PP production was not disclosed.


MRC

Alpha olefin demand to grow at CAGR of 4.2% till 2018

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Alpha olefin demand will grow with a CAGR of 4.2% from 2013 to 2018 and reach 4.6 million metric tons, as per Plastemart.

The Alpha Olefin Market is mainly driven by polyethylene application, which accounts for the largest consumption share of alpha olefins.

Rising demand for co-monomers in the production of polyethylene and poly alpha olefins (used in synthetic lubricants) is driving the alpha olefin market. Along with polyethylene and poly alpha olefins (PAO), oil field drilling is also a growing application.

The alpha olefin players are constantly looking for capacity expansions and new product development targeting new applications which in turn would increase their market shares. This market has a very few large players that are mainly in the alpha olefin business. Most of these players are local companies operating in specific areas and capturing insignificant market shares individually. Shell is the largest player of this market followed by CP Chem and Sasol.

As MRC reported before, Ineos plans to build a new 350,000 tpy linear alpha olefins plant in the US Gulf Coast region. The project is targeted for completion by the end of 2016. Beyond then, it could be expanded by an additional 50%. Ultimately, the capacity could reach over 500,000 tpy.

Besides, Chevron Phillips Chemical mulls expansion of its normal alpha olefins (NAO) capacity by, at least, 20% at its Cedar Bayou Chemical Complex in Baytown, Texas, USA. The company has filed the necessary environmental permit application with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The construction is scheduled to begin in early in 2014 and the project would be completed in the fourth quarter of 2015, the company said in a statement.

Also, in March, 2013, Dow Chemical signed a long-term ethylene off-take agreement with a new Japanese joint venture that will allow the chemical producer to enhance its performance plastics franchise. The joint venture is being formed between Japanese companies Idemitsu Kosan and Mitsui & Co. to construct and operate a linear alpha olefins unit on the US Gulf Coast.
MRC

Pemex not searching to increase its holding in Repsol

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Mexican state-owned player Pemex is not looking to increase its holding in Spanish counterpart Repsol, reported Upstreamonline with reference to a Spanish government official.

Last week, reports suggested Pemex could be looking to tie-up with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim in an attempt to become the largest shareholder in Repsol.

One report out of Madrid quoted Spain's Minister of Industry, Energy & Tourism Jose Manuel Soria as saying Pemex has "absolutely no intention" of increasing its Repsol holding.

Pemex chief executive Emilio Lozoya this week denied that the company is moving on Repsol and instead criticised Repsol chairman Antonio Brufau’s pay package for being excessive.

Pemex has in the past threatened to sell out of Repsol due to differences with Brufau. The former does not agree with the manner in which Repsol has responded to the expropriation of assets by the Argentine government.

Argentina seized Repsol's majority stake in Buenos Aires-based YPF last year, arguing it had not done enough to invest in output.

Since then, Repsol has vowed to sue any company that partners with YPF to cover losses stemming from the expropriation, which it says merits a USD10.5 billion reimbursement. Pemex, which has a 9.4% stake in Repsol, has disagreed with the Spanish company's strategy.

Pemex has had talks about the prospect of exploiting the vast Vaca Muerta shale field owned by YPF as part of its bid to work on projects outside Mexico, stoking differences between Pemex and Repsol.

As MRC informed previously, Pemex and Mexichem have recently entered into a joint venture, which will enable greater competitiveness of the domestic petrochemical industry in the global market through the integration of a new company, which will create value to the chlorine-vinyl chain. The joint venture includes a cash investment and assets contribution up to the amount of USD518 million, of which Pemex will participate with USD228 million in assets while Mexichem will contribute with both, USD90 million in assets and USD200 million in cash in order to modernize the Pajaritos complex.

Pemex, Mexican Petroleum, is a Mexican state-owned petroleum company. Pemex has a total asset worth of USD415.75 billion, and is the world's second largest non-publicly listed company by total market value, and Latin America's second largest enterprise by annual revenue as of 2009. Company produces such polymers, as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene.

Repsol S.A is an integrated Spanish oil and gas company with operations in 28 countries. The bulk of its assets are located in Spain.
MRC

Arkema develops PVDF film for photovoltaic panel sheets

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Arkema, a France-based chemical manufacturer, has presented its new PVDF film for photovoltaic panel back sheets, according to the company's press release.

The lifetime of solar panels spans 25 to 30 years: therefore its components have to deliver long-lasting top performance. A challenge taken up successfully by Arkema thanks to its Kynar PVDF film for PV panel backsheet protection.

Kynar polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film is a key element in the design of the panel for back sheet protection. Its excellent temperature, moisture, abrasion and UV resistance, together with its white color stability which helps reflect light toward the silicon, are key factors in the panel’s long service life.

Recentlty, Arkema has teamed up with German company Krempel to develop a unique back sheet, branded KPK comprising two Kynar films over a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) core film.

"Our premium and very durable three-layers Kynar film has a proven lifetime expectancy of more than 25 years, especially when it is used in the KPK back sheet protection. Sufficiently competitive, this film is very well positioned to serve the domestic market of the photovoltaic solar field, especially in the deserts of the Middle East where abrasion from sandstorms and very high UV sunshine create extreme weather conditions", explains Bernard Schlinquer, Global Manager Kynar Film & Photovoltaics.

Arkema produces Kynar PVDF at its three plants in the US, France and China.

As MRC reported earlier, Arkema has recently officially started its new 60,000 mty emulsion polymers facility on its Changshu platform. The plant, part of Arkema’s Coating Resins business unit, will serve customers in the Asia Pacific region with a full line of waterborne emulsion polymers for coatings and adhesives applications.

Arkema with annual revenue of EUR6.4 billion is a leading European supplier of chlorochemicals and PVC. Kynar and Kynar Flex are registered trademarks of Arkema Inc.
MRC