Evonik enters into strategic partnership with the University of Tokyo

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Evonik Industries, a leading specialty chemicals manufacturer,and the University of Tokyo plan to work together closely in selected fields in the future and have sealed a strategic partnership for this purpose, according to the company's press release.

The University of Tokyo, one of the most important universities in the world, is now Evonik’s fourth strategic university partner. Such partnerships already exist with the University of Minnesota in the USA, the renowned Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) in China, and with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, in the fall of 2013, Evonik signed a memorandum of understanding regarding a strategic partnership with the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, the leading major national research institution in Singapore. "These partnerships are an important tool for our international innovation strategy," stated Senior representative of the Evonik Group in Japan. "Networking worldwide with top institutions gives us access to scientific excellence and researchers with outstanding educational backgrounds."

Strategic partnerships with universities in all important regions of the world create a framework for Evonik for joint research projects and a regular sharing of research trends in science and industry.

As MRC informed earlier, Evonik Industries is paving the way for a new technology whose applications include automotive finishes that are more scratch-resistant than ever before. The specialty chemicals company has developed an industrial-scale method for producing silane-modified binders for automotive finishes.

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2013 more than 33,500 employees generated sales of around EUR12.9 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about EUR2.0 billion.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Jiangsu Sanfangxiang is likely to shut a purified terephthalic acid (PTA) plant, reported Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in China informed that the plant is likely to be shut in September 2014. It is likely to remain off-stream for around one month.

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

As MRC informed before, Jiangsu Sanfangxiang restarted its PTA plant in mid-April, following maintenance turnaround. It was shut in late March 2014. Located in eastern Jiangsu province of China, the plant has a production capacity of 1.2 million mt/year.

We remind that BP Zhuhai Chemical has deferred the startup of its new PTA plant. The commissioning of the plant has been postponed to 2015. It was earlier scheduled to start in Q4, 2014. The reason for the delayed startup has been attributed to weak margins for PTA. To be located in Zhuhai, southern Guangdong province of China, the plant will have a production capacity of 1.5 million mt/year.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Petroleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras, facing a growing scandal over its USD1.2 billion purchase of a refinery in Texas, said it bought the plant to maximize returns on heavy oil that it could not refine in Brazil, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The Pasadena plant still had good margins in 2008 when Petrobras began to negotiate increasing its stake, CEO Maria das Gracas Foster told a Brazilian congressional commission on Wednesday. The state-run company recognized a USD530 million loss from the deal, she said.

Opposition lawmakers are pushing for a formal investigation into the 2006 purchase from Astra Oil Trading, which Foster said paid at least USD360 million for the plant.

Opposition members collected enough signatures this month to create a separate commission to investigate the Pasadena deal, prompting government-allied senators to propose a wider commission to also look into projects that affect the two main opposition parties.

The senate could decide to increase the scope and to include representatives from the lower house. The court that oversees government spending and the Public Ministry is already investigating Petrobras for the purchase of the refinery. The state-run company said it’s collaborating with government agencies and created its own committee to investigate.|

As MRC wrote before, Petrobras awarded two ultra-deepwater contracts to the project management, engineering and construction company, Technip ( TKPPY ). The French company would deliver flexible pipes of about 100 kilometers that would support oil production, gas lift and gas injection.

Headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Petrobras is an integrated energy firm. Petrobras' activities include exploration, exploitation and production of oil from reservoir wells, shale and other rocks as well as refining, processing, trade and transport of oil and oil products, natural gas and other fluid hydrocarbons, in addition to other energy-related activities.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- PolyOne Corporation, a premier global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, presents its latest innovations at Chinaplas 2014, one of the world's largest plastics industry exhibitions, as per the company's statement.

The company's new technologies are the result of close collaboration with customers to help them reach new markets, achieve sustainability goals and improve profitability.

"Inspired by our customers, we are featuring advanced solutions that help solve the toughest issues in material selection, distribution, manufacturing, colorants and design at this important event," said Mark Crist, vice president of Asia and vice president of Global Key Accounts, PolyOne Corporation. "Our material science and formulation expertise enables customers to improve their performance and gain competitive advantage globally."

PolyOne new technologies on display at Chinaplas include:

-Authentication and Anti-Counterfeiting Solutions: Percept Authentication Technologies present a full-spectrum portfolio of formulations and consultative services that employ covert, overt and forensic techniques. With these solutions, manufacturers can reduce potential risks and loss of revenue from counterfeits in consumer goods, medical devices, packaging, and consumer electronics markets.

- Metal-to-Polymer Conversion for Electrical Applications: LubriOne PEEK Solutions for electrical power tool applications offer innovative options for replacing metal that also help customers to improve performance, reduce production cost and simplify product maintenance.

- Differentiating with Color: InVisiOSM Color Inspiration 2015, a collection of six insightful color directions for designers, brands and marketing managers, adds dimension to trend indicators by capturing visual effects and textural influences as well.

- Dual Light Barrier for Packaging: OnCap Light Shield additive effectively absorbs both ultraviolet (UV) and visible light from clear packages to protect light-sensitive substances, such as food and pharmaceuticals, from degradation. In addition, this specialty solution improves color stability and maintains polymer clarity.

- Food-Safe TPE: Versaflex thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) enables consumer products manufacturers to replace a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) silicone material with a softer, child-friendly TPE material, while maintaining strict compliance with food contact regulations in Japan and China.

- Vinyl Engineered Performance: Geon Vinyl solutions are formulated to provide high flow for easier processing and can be customized in a wide range of bright and metallic-look colors. This material portfolio also delivers excellent flame, chemical, and UV light resistance, making it a cost-effective replacement for various engineered polymers and metal in applications such as laundry consoles, circuit board housings, medical equipment, and LED lighting.

As MRC reported earlier, PolyOne Corporation has recently announced the addition of new capabilities to its OnColor HC Plus portfolio. These expanded offerings add medical-grade LDPE, nylon, PEBA, PS and PVC to the globally available palette of specialty healthcare colorants, and are pre-certified to meet or exceed biocompatibility requirements for ISO 10993 and/or USP Class VI protocols.

PolyOne Corporation is a global provider of specialized polymer materials, services, and solutions. PolyOne is a provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions with operations in specialty polymer formulations, color and additive systems, polymer distribution and specialty vinyl resins.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Shanghai Petrochemical shut down its No.1 monoethylene glycol (MEG) plant for maintenance turnaround, as per Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in China informed that the plant was shut on April 23, 2014. It is slated to remain off-stream for around two weeks.

Located in Shanghai, China, the plant has a production capacity of 225,000 mt/year.

As MRC informed earlier, Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical shut down its high density polyethylene (HDPE) plant in China on March 26, 2014 owing to feedstock issues. A restart date for the plant could not be ascertained. Located in Shanghai, China, the plant has a production capacity of 250,000 mt/year.

We remind that Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical restarted its acrylonitrile (ACN) plant on December 25, 2013. It was shut on November 20, 2013 for maintenance turnaround. Located in Shanghai, China , the plant has a production capacity of 130,000 mt/year.

Sinopec Corp. is one of the largest scale integrated energy and chemical companies with upstream, midstream and downstream operations. Its refining and ethylene capacity ranks No.2 and No.4 globally. The Company has 30,000 sales and distribution networks of oil products and chemical products, its service stations are now ranked third largest in the world.
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