Lubrizol CPVC strengthens relationship with ASPE

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The Lubrizol Corporation, an innovative specialty chemical company, announces its CPVC Piping Systems Division has become a member of the Affiliate Sponsorship Program of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) for 2014, reported the company on its site.

As the world leader in chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) resins and compounds used in the production of plumbing pipe and fittings, fire sprinkler systems and industrial piping, Lubrizol welcomes the opportunity to connect directly with the 6,000 ASPE members who make specifying decisions about plumbing and piping systems.

The Affiliate Sponsorship will allow Lubrizol to speak directly to ASPE members through the Society's various print and digital outlets as well as schedule events.

"We're looking forward to strengthening our partnership with such a well-established and highly respected organization as ASPE through its Affiliated Sponsorship Program," says John Nunnari, general manager, Lubrizol CPVC. "One of Lubrizol's key initiatives is to provide quality education about piping and fitting systems to the industry. Teaming up with ASPE helps us to achieve this goal."

As MRC wrote previously, in March 2013, Lubrizol unveiled a four-year plan of USD400 million global expansion of its chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) resin and compounding manufacturing sites. With continued strong global demand for the company's CPVC compounds, Lubrizol's expansion efforts will be divided into two phases.

The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is an innovative specialty chemical company that apart from its production develops and supplies technologies to customers in the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets. Lubrizol's advanced polymer technology delivers exceptional performance for the plumbing, fire sprinkler, industrial and other building and construction related applications.
MRC

January PVC import to Ukraine decreased by 36%

MOSCOW (MRC) - Weak seasonal demand and long holidays in January led to a serious reduction in the imports of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to Ukraine, which decreased by 36% in comparison with January of 2013, according to a survey MRC DataScope.

Ukraine's imports of suspension PVC (SPVC) reduced to 6,000 tonnes in January, from 9,300 tonnes in January 2013 (in December 2013 it was 9,200 million tons in December 2013).

More than half of the total PVC imports occurred for US resin. January imports of US PVC to Ukraine was about 3,800 tonnes, compared with 6,200 tonnes in January 2013 (in December 2012 it was 5,900 tonnes).
It is interesting to note that a substantial part of the North American PVC was contracted in November last year. Import of European SPVC was about 2,200 tonnes in January, from 3,000 tonnes in January 2013 (in December 2012 it was 3,200 tonnes). About 99% of total European PVC shipments accounted for PVC from Hungary and Poland.

SPVC imports are expected to decrease in February this year on the back of weak demand from converters and hryvnya devaluation.
MRC

PS imports to Ukraine fell by 2% in January 2014

MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of polystyrene (PS) and styrene plastics to Ukraine fell by 2% to 3,100 tonnes in January, compared to January 2013, according to MRC Monthly Report.

Total imports of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and general purpose polystyrene (GPSS) in January was 1,300 tonnes, down 7% from January 2013.

Imports of expandable polystyrene (EPS), on the contrary, increased by 81% to 1,100 tonnes, compared to the same period in the previous year. Such a surge in EPS imports resulted from the shortage of Ukrainian material.

Buying activity in ABS market declined in January. January imports of ABS to Ukraine decreased by 33% to 240 tonnes.

There were not export deliveries of Ukrainian PS in January. MRC analysts reported Stirol (Gorlovka) resumed its PS operation in January.
The company produces only GPPS at the factory. Because of strong demand for the domestic market producer mostly sold PS in Ukraine.

MRC

January PC imports to Russia surged by 43%

MOSCOW (MRC) -- January imports of polycarbonate (PC) into the Russian domestic market totalled 4,400 tonnes, up by 43% from Decmeber 2013, according to MRC DataScope.


Imports have been growing gradually because of seasonally stronger demand for PC. Demand was mainly met by increased imports, which was especially seen in extrusion PC segment. This material is used in the production of cellular PC sheets, profiles and thermoplates. These products are widely used in agriculture and construction.

Thus, January imports of extrusion PC grades increased by about 120% from December. Overall, more than 3,000 tonnes of PC for the production of cellular sheets were shipped to Russia in January.

Seasonality of demand for extrusion PC is traditionally shown in a gradual increase in demand since the end of winter. March and April account for the peak of buying activity, which then begins to gradually go down. Then there is a slight upsurge in demand in early autumn.


Imports of injection moulding PC, containing acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), which is used in the automotive industry, rose in January. Thus, the increase in imports was 107% over the stated period compared with December 2013. The overall January imports of PC/ABS to Russia totalled 442 tonnes.

Thus, seasonality in demand for PC most affects such sectors, as construction and agriculture.

MRC

Exports of titanium dioxide from Ukraine dropped by 2% in 2013

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Ukrainian plants reduced exports of titanium dioxide (TiO2) to foreign markets in 2013 by 2% from 2012. The overall exports totalled 131,700 tonnes last year, while a fall in shipments has been registered for the third consecutive year, according to MRC DataScope.

The overall exports have been falling because of the reduced output of TiO2 at SumyKhimprom, whereas Crimean Titan's export shipments have been growing. Crimean Titan accounted for about 75% of the overall exports of titanium dioxide, and the plant's total exports rose by 3% to more than 99,000 tonnes.

It should be noted that supplies dropped to the Russian market and increased to Germany and Turkey. Exports to Russia have been falling for the third consecutive year, and Germany occupied the first position among Ukrainian TiO2 consumers last year. Overall, 26,400 tonnes of titanium dioxide were shipped to Germany in 2013.

Crimean Titan's Crimea TiOx- 230 grade remained the most popular grade in export shipments. Exports of this grade were 36,500 tonnes in 2013. At the same time, demand for Crimea TiOx- 220 grade is falling in the foreign markets. In its turn, the plant continues to increase shipments of Crimea TiOx- 220 and Crimea TiOx- 280 grades.
MRC