Icis
en
MOSCOW (MRC) -- The output of finished products from polymers grew over the first six months of 2014. At the same time, the construction sector still demonstrated negative figures, reported MRC analysts.
The production growth index of key products from polymers in Russia was 8.6% in the first half of the year. Films producers still accounted for the main increase in the output, while the construction sector retained a negative result.
According to the Federal State Statistics Service, June production of unreinforced and non-combined films rose to 99,600 tonnes (in May - 95,000 tonnes). Thus, the output of these products in Russia totalled about 500,000 tonnes from January to June 2014, up by 23.2% year on year.
Last month's production of plastic pipes, hoses and fittings increased to 48,700 tonnes after the May fall (45,600 tonnes). The overall output of these products reached 246,600 tonnes over the first six months of 2014, down by 12.7% year on year.
June production of plastic windows, their frames and sills dropped to 2.1 million square meters (in May - 2.2 million sq. m.). The output of plastic windows and window sills totalled about 10.6 million square meters from January to June, down by 6.6% year on year.
MRC
Production of products from polymers in Russia rose by 8.6% in H1 2014
Elevance collaborating with Genting in production of bio-based chems
MOSCOW (MRC) -- Elevance Renewable Sciences has announced a collaboration with Gen¬ting Plantation, through Genting Integrated Biorefinery (GIB), for the production of high-performance olefins and specialty chemicals from palm oil, as per Apic-online.
The partnership, in which Elevance will hold a 25% interest, will build a 240,000-t/y metathesis biorefinery based on Elevance's proprietary metathesis technology in the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia.
As part of the collaboration agreement, GIB has agreed to pay Elevance license and design fees, and Elevance will provide intellectual property rights, knowledge transfer, and technical and consulting services. Elevance will also be exclusively responsible for the sale of all chemicals produced at the biorefinery.
We remind that, as MRC informed before, Total, Europe’s third-largest oil company, in cooperation with IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) and its affiliate Axens, has recently developed Atol, a technology for the most profitable production of polymer grade bio-ethylene by dehydration of 1G and 2G-renewable ethanol.
The bio-ethylene can be integrated in existing downstream polymerization installations such as polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polyethyleneteraphthalate (PET), polyvinylchloride (PVC) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) without need for modifications.
MRC
Westlake Chemical concludes revolving credit agreement
MOSCOW (MRC) -- Westlake Chemical Corporation has announced the completion of a third amendment and restatement of its USD400 million revolving credit agreement, thereby extending the maturity to 2019, reducing interest costs, and increasing financial flexibility, reported StocksMoney.
"We are pleased to have completed this agreement as it increases our company's financial flexibility and provides the liquidity to fund our continued growth," said Albert Chao, Westlake's President and Chief Executive Officer.
As MRC wrote previously, in February 2014, Westlake Chemical held a dedication ceremony for its new chlor-alkali plant in Geismar, Louisiana. This new chlor-alkali plant has the capacity to produce 350,000 electrochemical units (ECU's) annually and utilizes state of the art membrane technology. The plant is adjacent to the existing vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) facilities at the Geismar complex and has added approximately 70 full-time positions at the site.
Westlake Chemical Corporation is a manufacturer and supplier of petrochemicals, polymers and building products with headquarters in Houston, Texas. The company's range of products includes: ethylene, polyethylene, styrene, propylene, caustic, VCM, PVC resin and PVC building products including pipe and specialty components, windows and fence.
MRC
Mitsubishi Chemical shut down No.2 naphtha cracker at Kashima complex
The move comes as the cracker, whose capacity has recently been expanded by about 50,000 tpa to offset lost production from the mothballed Kashima No.1 unit, has been having a problem in the cracked gas compression process, a company spokeswoman said.
We remind that, as MRC reported earlier, in April 2013, Mitsubishi Chemical has purchased all of the assets related to Comtrex's compounding business. The acquisition of the Comtrex business is expected to help MCC speed up the expansion of its performance polymers business through its networks across the world. Having been engaged in the PVC compounding business for more than 30 years, Comtrex started developing a line of vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers (TPV) in 2000 and selling the product in 2002.
Mitsubishi Chemical with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, is a diversified chemical company involved in petrochemicals, polymers, agrochemicals, speciality chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The company's main focus is on three business pillars: petrochemicals, performance and functional products, and health care.
MRC
Styron announces price increase for polycarbonate in Europe
MOSCOW (MRC) -- Styron, the global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, and its affiliate companies in Europe has announced an increase in its polycarbonate (PC) prices, as per the company's press release.
Thus, effective August 1, 2014, or as existing contract terms allow, the company will increase the selling price of natural PC, as follows:
- CALIBRE polycarbonate resins - by EUR180/tonne.
This price increase is in response to escalating costs of key raw materials used in the production of polycarbonate.
As MRC informed previously, recently Styron (Hong Kong) Limited, an affiliate of Styron and its affiliate companies in Asia Pacific have increased prices for all polystyrene (PS) grades in July.
The prices for the products listed below will increase as follows:
- STYRON general purpose polystyrene grades (GPPS) - by USD20tonne;
- STYRON and STYRON A-TECH high-impact polystyrene grades (HIPS) - by USD20/tonne.
"The price increase responds to the rising costs associated with the manufacturing of polystyrene grades in Asia Pacific," said Samer Al Jabi, Global Product Manager for Polystyrene.
Styron is a leading global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, dedicated to collaborating with customers to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions. StyronпїЅs technology is used by customers in industries such as home appliances, automotive, building & construction, carpet, consumer electronics, consumer goods, electrical & lighting, medical, packaging, paper & paperboard, rubber goods and tires. Styron had approximately USD5.3 billion in revenue in 2013, with 19 manufacturing sites around the world.
MRC