HIPS imports to Russia decreased by 14.6% in 2014

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The February contract price of ethylene in Europe was agreed by EUR70/tonne lower from January. European producers announced a reduction of EUR40-100/tonne in export polyethylene (PE) prices, depending on the grade, for the CIS markets under the pressure of lower prices of monomer, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

Negotiations over February prices of European PE for the CIS countries began on Monday. Most market participants said they were able to achieve a reduction of EUR100/tonne, depending on the grade, in prices of European polymer.

Deals for high density polyethylene (HDPE) were negotiated in the range of EUR940-1,000/tonne FCA, down EUR80-100/tonne from January. Export quotas of most European producers were limited, while some producers intend to achieve price increases in March.

Deals for January shipments of low density polyethylene (LDPE) were negotiated in the range of EUR960-1,020/tonne, FCA.

At the same time, a producer announced a price increase of EUR20/tonne for all PE grades in the second half of the week. Higher prices were caused by strong demand from export markets, including Turkey.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Solvay, a privately owned multinational chemicals company, will build a new manufacturing and filling facility in the Netherlands to produce Hydrogen Peroxide grades that are used as disinfection and decontamination agents to meet growing demand from the pharmaceutical industry, as per the company's press release.

The new facility at Solvay’s Peroxide production site in Linne-Herten, in the southern part of the Netherlands, is due to be completed in July 2015 and is part of Solvay’s Global Business Unit Peroxides ambition to bolster growth in high value-added specialties.

With this investment, Solvay responds to the increased need in the pharmaceutical sector for its INTEROXPH grades when used as Active Pharma Ingredients(API), and INTEROXSG grades when used as decontamination agent in this industry.

Demand growth is driven by the European Union’s Falsified Medicines Directive, a legal framework to ensure the safe production and use of medicines.

The site in Linne-Herten already manufactures Solvay’s main Peroxides disinfection grades for the European market, for both peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. It has in-depth knowledge in the complex production of purified grades, filling, packaging and labelling operations ranging from bulk deliveries to packs of 1 liter bottles.

1GMP or Good Manufacturing Practices are quality assurance guidelines applied in the pharmaceutical industry. GMP inspections are performed by National Regulatory Agencies.

As MRC reported earlier, in October 2014, Swiss Solvay unveiled its breakthrough innovation for surface cleaning formulations. While Mirapol Surf S polymers are a well-established range of polymers for hydrophilization of surfaces such as ceramic, glass, stainless steel, Solvay launches a unique technology enabling formulators to deliver the key benefits consumers now expect for even modern plastic surfaces.

Solvay S.A. is a Belgian chemical company founded in 1863, with its head office in Neder-Over-Heembeek, Brussels, Belgium. The company has diversified into two major sectors of activity: chemicals and plastics. Solvay supplies over 1500 products across 35 brands of high-performance polymers – fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, fluorinated fluids, semi-aromatic polyamides, sulfone polymers, aromatic ultra polymers, high-barrier polymers and cross-linked high-performance compounds.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Eastman Chemical Company has announced it will begin a consultation period regarding a proposal to close its Workington, U.K., acetate tow manufacturing facility, said the producer on its site.

The proposed closure of the site is in response to changes in global market demand for acetate tow.

"With recent and announced global acetate tow manufacturing capacity additions, we need less capacity to supply our customers," said Linda Hensley, vice president and general manager of the Fibers segment.

Eastman also manufactures acetate tow at its facilities in Kingsport, Tenn., and Ulsan, Korea. Eastman’s global acetate tow capacity is 210,000 metric tons including the Workington, UK, site which produces 24,000 metric tons. In addition, Eastman's joint venture with China National Tobacco Company in Heifei, China, has 30,000 metric tons of acetate tow manufacturing capacity.

"Eastman remains committed to reliably supplying all customers with top quality products during and following this consultation process," Hensley said.

Eastman has informed the trade union and will work with union and employee representatives throughout the consultation period.

Eastman manufactures Estron acetate tow, which is a fibrous material downstream customers use to manufacture cigarette filter rods.

As MRC wrote previously, in August 2014, Eastman Chemical Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Knowlton Technologies, LLC. The company, which is located in Watertown, NY, is a leader in the design, accelerated prototyping and manufacture of wet-laid nonwovens in filtration, friction and custom designed composite webs.

Eastman is a global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With a portfolio of specialty businesses, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. Its market-driven approaches take advantage of world-class technology platforms and leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction and consumables. Eastman focuses on creating consistent, superior value for all stakeholders. As a globally diverse company, Eastman serves customers in approximately 100 countries and had 2013 revenues of approximately USD9.4 billion. The company is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA and employs approximately 14,000 people around the world.
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