ABS imports to Ukraine dropped by 14% in 2013

MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) to Ukraine increased by 53% in 2013 on the back of stronger demand and shutdown of Karpatneftekhim (LUKOIL), according MRC DataScope.

Last year external supplies of SPVC to Ukraine increased more by one and a half compared with the level in 2012 and totalled about 144,400 tonnes. The outage of the local producer Karpatneftehim (LUKOIL) and the growth in demand for finished PVC products were the main reasons for such a significant increase of the external supply.

Key suppliers of PVC to Ukraine continued to be US producers. Imports of US resin to Ukraine in 2013 rose to 76,400 tonnes, compared with 34,500 in 2012. Lower price level of the North American PVC and limited export quotas of European material during the high season significantly contributed to the growth of US resin imports.

Imports of SPVC from Europe totalled about 65,600 tonnes in 2013, from 57,000 tonnes a year earlier. Key suppliers of European resin continued to be producers from Hungary and Poland, with 29,300 tonnes and 24,400 tonnes delivered in 2013, respectively.

The largest petrochemical complex in Ukraine - Karpatneftekhim (LUKOIL) has 300,000 tonnes/year ethylene production, 100,000 tonnes/year polyethylene (PE) production, 200,000 tonnes/year caustic soda production and 300,000 tonnes/year polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production, which was launched in May 2011. Karpatneftekhim's capacities can fully meet the needs of the domestic market of PVC.

However, because of economic instability, producer shut PVC production in September 2012. Karpatneftekhim resumed SPVC production after a long shutdown on 7 November 2013, but in the end of December 2013 it was shut again for indefinite period. Karpatneftekhim's SPVC production in 2013 totalled 12,200 tonnes.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- German compounder Polymer-Chemie is collaborating with Resysta International (Pfaffing-Forsting/Germany) to further develop processing opportunities for its "Active Resysta Filler" (ARF), reported Kunstoffweb.

To date Resysta, a fibre-reinforced hybrid material mostly made from rice husks, has been produced as a pre-fabricated product for floor boards, facades and marine decks.

Polymer-Chemie will concentrate on markets in Russia, including the former CIS states, Ukraine and Czech Republic.

Dirk Breitbach, managing director of Polymer-Chemie, said: "Resysta has unique properties which will open up completely new markets for us."

Resysta said ARF is totally recyclable, with 100% water-resistant and UV-resistant properties, and can achieve the look and feel of wood through further processing.

As MRC wrote previously, in December 2013, Polymer-Chemie expanded the PVC product range and capacity at its Russian subsidiary Polymer-Chemie Rus in Russia’s Tula region. The company installed a new extrusion line to produce rigid PVC granules at its plant in Tula. Polymer-Chemie’s latest project is part of an ongoing expansion programme for the site which already serves the CIS countries.

Polymer-Chemie is an independent, privately owned company serving as a link between polymer manufacturers and the plastics processing industry. Polymer-Chemie modifies and compounds polymers, develops customer-specific solutions and keeps adapting its product portfolio to the latest market requirements.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF has launched two new Joncryl products for water-based inks and overprint varnishes (OPV) used in the paper and corrugated board industry, as per the company's press release.

Joncryl 8053 and Joncryl 633-E expand BASF’s portfolio with two water-based styrene acrylic emulsions. Due to their high efficiency, the two products allow inks and OPVs to be manufactured at lower cost but with the same high quality and performance.

Joncryl 8053 is a low cost-in-use film-forming emulsion. As an effective film former, Joncryl 8053 ensures that less soft emulsion is needed in the final ink or OPV formulation to achieve the required properties. It also enables the printing companies to add extra water in their ink or OPV formula without losing application properties.

Joncryl 633-E is an opaque acrylic emulsion that can replace up to 75% titanium dioxide in white inks for corrugated board and natural kraft substrates. As the mileage of the ink improves thereby, significant cost savings can be achieved. In colored inks for paper, board and corrugated board, Joncryl 633-E offers good hiding of the brown substrate which results in bright colors.

As MRC wrote previously, last year BASF presented its innovative solutions for energy-efficient and low-maintenance construction in Russia. The company's new wide-range construction portfolio is aimed to increase energy efficiency in buildings and enhance durability and, thus, reduce repair and maintenance costs.

BASF is the largest diversified chemical company in the world and is headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF produces a wide range of chemicals, for example solvents, amines, resins, glues, electronic-grade chemicals, industrial gases, basic petrochemicals and inorganic chemicals.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- DCM Shriram Consolidated Limited (DSCL) has entered into a joint venture agreement for its polymer compounding business with Axiall Corporation, a North American manufacturer of chloro-vinyl, aromatics and building products, said Business-standard.

Under the agreement, Axiall will invest Rs 34.65 crore to acquire a 50% stake in in Shriram Vinyl Polytech (SVP), a 100% subsidiary of DCM Shriram Consolidated. Consequently, SVP will have access to Axiall’s polymer compounding technology and market knowledge. This arrangement is intended to enable SVP to launch latest-generation polymer compounds in India, offering more cost-effective polymer solutions for different applications to Indian customers.

Axiall's products can be used in high-performance plastics, pulp and paper production, packaging, chemical intermediates, pharmaceuticals, medical and agricultural applications, and paints, acrylics and varnishes. Under the Royal Building Products and Exterior Portfolio brands, Axiall manufactures a complete line of custom and other vinyl-based building and home improvement products including window profiles, siding, pipe and fittings, mouldings and trim, and decking.

As MRC informed before, Axiall Corp. says it is considering building a USD3 billion ethane cracker and chemical plant in Louisiana. The Atlanta-based chemical manufacturer says it could make a decision sometime early next year. Axiall would invest USD1 billion of its own money, while an unnamed partner would put in USD2 billion.
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