Huntsman develops a series of polyurethane-based footwear

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The polyurethanes division of US chemicals major Huntsman (The Woodlands, Texas) is teaming up with German fashion footwear manufacturer ara Shoes (Langenfeld) in a pre-production development project, said Plasteurope.

With signs pointing to a return of footwear manufacturing across Europe, ara called on Huntsman to assist in the development of a series of polyurethane-based prototypes ahead of the German company’s plans to open a new production line based in Portugal.

According to Huntsman, its technical resources and ability to create a replica production environment were important for the shoe manufacturer’s goals of identifying and resolving any potential production issues straight away. The samples were created at Huntsman’s footwear development centre in Belgium. The polyurethanes division has its international headquarters and global research and technology facilities situation in Everberg, near Brussels.

"Though China remains the biggest shoe manufacturing country in the world – producing around 13 bn pairs annually – labour costs have increased dramatically in recent years. Chinese wage bills are now around four times higher than they were eight years ago. While costs have been creeping up in China, European suppliers to the footwear industry have adopted a more automated approach to manufacturing – narrowing the cost differential between the regions," stated Alfons Tremml, a commercial manager for footwear at Huntsman Polyurethanes.

As MRC informed earlier, last year, Huntsman Corp. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Oxid LP, a privately-held manufacturer and marketer of specialty urethane polyols based in Houston, Texas. Oxid's polyols are a key component in the production of energy-saving polyurethane insulation products that are used in residential and commercial construction.

Huntsman Polyurethanes is one of the global leaders in MDI-based polyurethanes and serves more than 3,000 customers in 90 countries. MDI is manufactured at its Dutch site in Rozenburg near Rotterdam. Aniline and nitrobenzene – key ingredients in MDI production – are made at UK facilities in Wilton. The division also has production facilities in the US and China along with 19 downstream facilities worldwide.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Kuraray, Japanese manufacturer of performance-based polymer and synthetic chemistry technologies, successfully completed its acquisition of DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions/Vinyls, a segment of DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers, according to a Kuraray press release.

The USD543-million acquisition will double the size of Kuraray’s presence in the United States, Central and South America. The companies announced about this deal back in 2013.

GLS/Vinyls is a supplier of polyvinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate-derived products used in a variety of architectural, automotive and industrial applications. The acquisition allows Kuraray to expand its technical and operational strength in the areas of technology, R&D, manufacturing and sales network. The purchase also offers Kuraray an integrated supply chain, presence in six new markets worldwide and increased availability of resources through DuPont’s strong market penetration, officials report.

"These increased capacities allow us to better meet the huge demand of current customers and acquire new ones, ultimately laying the groundwork for Kuraray to advance our goal of transforming into a global and integrated vinyl acetate company," said Keiji Murakami, president of Kuraray’s Vinyl Acetate Company.

DuPont is an American chemical company that was founded in July 1802. It is the world's ninth largest chemical company based on revenue in 2012. DuPont developed many polymers such as Vespel, neoprene, nylon, Corian, Teflon, Mylar, Kevlar, Zemdrain, M5 fiber, Nomex, Tyvek, Sorona and Lycra. DuPont developed Freon (chlorofluorocarbons) for the refrigerant industry, and later more environmentally friendly refrigerants. It developed synthetic pigments and paints including ChromaFlair.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Russian and Ukrainian companies began actively purchasing of high density polyethylene (HDPE) in foreign markets. The main volume of purchases occurred for PE from the USA and Middle Eastern countries, according to ICIS-MRC Price Report.

In early June, the Russian and Ukrainian companies have significantly increased their PE purchases in the foreign markets. The reason for such a surge in PE buying in both countries were the shutdowns of the local producers and a seasonal increase in demand. The main volume of purchases occurred for the HDPE from the USA and the Middle East.

Russian companies reported they had to increase HDPE purchasing because of the outage of the second largest local PE producer- Stavrolen and oncoming series of the turnarounds of other Russian producers amid the high season.
Deals for film HDPE from North America and the Middle East were done in the range of USD1,590-1,640/tonne CFR St. Petersburg, and USD1,640-1,660/tonne CFR St. Petersburg, respectively.

A similar situation was in the Ukrainian market. Local producer Karpatneftekhim shut down its production in November last year, but it continues to sell its material in June. Nearest alternative suppliers - producers from Europe and Russia are also gradually reducing its export quotas due to the strong domestic demand and production cutbacks.
Ukrainian companies active contracted Middle Eastern HDPE, with June deals done in the range of USD1,600-1,640/tonne CIF Odessa.

Market participants in both countries noted that HDPE supply from Middle Eastern producers were reduced because of strong demand from the Asian market and the approaching Ramadan.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and general purpose polystyrene (GPSS) in Ukraine decreased by 16.6% in January-April 2014, compared to the same period a year earlier, according to MRC DataScope report.

Converters and traders reduce import volumes because of the general instability and unrest in the eastern regions of the country. Devaluation of hryvnya decreased purchases of Ukrainian companies, which resulted in the reduction of PS imports.

Since the year beginning, the exchange rate of the hryvnia against the US dollar fell from 8.25 UAH = 1 USD, to 11.6 UAH = 1 USD on April 30. Exchange rate of the Russian rouble fell to 0.325 UAH = 1 Rb (from 0.251 UAH = 1 Rb in early January).

Total volume of HIPS and GPPS imports in Ukraine were 7,300 tonnes in the first four months of the year. The reduction in imports were seen in almost all regions of Ukraine. In particular, it is worth noting Lugansk and Donetsk regions.

PS imports in the Donetsk region in January-April fell by 14% to about 2,000 tonnes. The largest refrigerators producer in Ukraine reduced its PS purchases. PS imports in Lugansk region fell by 53% to 658 tonnes over the reported period.

The exception was Dnipropetrovsk region. PS supplies in this region increased by 96% to 1,200 tonnes in the first four months of the year.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- ALTANA more than doubles production capacity for BYK additives in the U.S, said the company in its press release.

The specialty chemicals group ALTANA announced today the grand opening of its BYK USA Inc. expanded facility in Wallingford, Connecticut. With this state of the art plant, BYK more than doubles production capacity in the U.S. and increases worldwide supply chain security for its additives.

The expansion project represents a USD50 m investment from ALTANA, the largest single investment the Group has made outside of Germany. "Today marks a very important moment in ALTANA’s growth strategy," said Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO, ALTANA AG. "With this expanded facility we will accelerate our growth in North America."

Currently, ALTANA operates eight subsidiaries, 18 production facilities and 19 laboratories in the U.S. With more than 1,000 employees here, the company generated sales of around EUR290 million, or 16 percent of its entire global business in 2013.

"This expansion enables us to efficiently service our U.S. customers with an enhanced portfolio of BYK additives manufactured in a facility built to the highest standards of safety", said Dirk Plas, President, BYK USA Inc. "We are fully committed to investing in our customers’ future and to growing our business."

As MRC wrote before, ALTANA acquired technologies and customer-specific know-how in the field of polypropylene wax emulsions from Royal DSM. The products can be used to coat glass fibers which are needed for the manufacturing of composites. They are typically used in the construction industry and the automotive sector.

ALTANA develops and produces high-quality, innovative products in the specialty chemicals business. The ALTANA Group, with headquarters in Wesel/Germany, with about 85% of its sales generated by international activities. The ALTANA Group has four divisions: BYK Additives & Instruments, ECKART Effect Pigments, ELANTAS Electrical Insulation, and ACTEGA Coatings & Sealants. All of these divisions occupy a leading position in their target markets with respect to quality, product solution expertise, innovation and service.
MRC