Taiyo Petrochemical to shut down SM plant in Japan for maintenance

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Taiyo Petrochemical is likely to shut its styrene monomer (SM) plant for maintenance turnaround, reported Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in Japan informed that the plant was is likely to be taken off-stream in October 2015. It is likely to remain shut for around one month.

Located at Ube in Japan, the plant has a production capacity of 370,000 mt/year.

As MRC informed previously, Taiyo Petrochemical took off-stream its SM plant in Ube for maintenance in September 2014. The shutdown lasted for around 30 days.

We also remind that Grand Pacific Petrochemical Corp is likely to shut its SM plant for maintenance turnaround in November 2015. It is likely to remain off-stream for around one month. Located in Tashe, Taiwan, the plant has a production capacity of 140,000 mt/year.
MRC

TPSC Asia to shut PS plant in Singapore for maintenance

MOSCOW (MRC) -- TPSC Asia will be shutting its polystyrene (PS) plant on schedule for maintenance turnaround, as per Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in Singapore informed that the plant will be shut in mid-April 2015. It will remain off-stream for around one month.

Located in Singapore, the plant has a production capacity of 100,000 mt/year.

We remind that, as MRC wrote before, Hong Kong Petrochemical is likely to shut its PS plant for maintenance turnaround in Q1, 2015. Located in Yuen Long industrial estate, Hong Kong, the plant has a production capacity of 140,000 mt/year.

Besides, French Total, Europe’s third-largest oil company, is in plans to start a new PS plant in China in September 2015. To be located at Ningbo, China, the plant is expected to have a production capacity of 200,000 mt/year.
MRC

PlastiComp and Xenia Partner to develop applications for carbon fiber reinf

MOSCOW (MRC) -- PlastiComp Inc., a global leader in long fiber thermoplastic (LFT) materials and technologies, and Xenia, a materials development company specializing in carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites, said the producer in the press release.

As part of the partnership, Xenia will develop innovative solutions based on PlastiComp’s Complet long carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites and Xenia’s XECARB short carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites for the European market.

Injection moldable Complet long fiber composite pellets from PlastiComp are available with 15-50% carbon fiber in thermoplastic polymers from polypropylene to PEEK. Composite formulations can be custom engineered to include wear reduction, electrical conductivity, and flame retardant functions in addition to long fiber structural reinforcement. Continuous fiber reinforced tapes are available in 0.5 to 7.5 cm widths in the same polymer range as pellet products.

PlastiComp recently developed a line of hybrid long glass+carbon fiber composites that combine long glass and carbon fiber together into a single ready-to-mold pellet. Hybrid products are available with variable combinations of the fiber types to bridge the performance gap between using either of these two fibers alone, they also lower the entry cost for adopting carbon fiber technology by reducing the quantity of carbon fiber needed to obtain high-performance properties.

Xenia engineers and manufactures reinforced thermoplastic composites for structural applications used in the most advanced fields. They combine reinforcing fibers, such as carbon or aramid, with functional additives, such as PTFE, to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of thermoplastic polymers. Xenia compounds fiber reinforcement with thermoplastic elastomers for applications where flexibility, resistance to fatigue, and impact are required or with stiffer engineering thermoplastic polymers, such as PA, PPS, PPA, or PEEK, for heavy duty, high-performance, and high temperature environments. Their products are highly recommended for the replacement of metals in applications ranging from industrial, transportation, oil and gas, agriculture, to technical sports.

As MRC wrote before, Royal DSM signed a partnership agreement with PlastiComp, Inc., based in Winona, Minnesota, USA, to develop new innovative bio-based Long Fiber Thermoplastic (LFT) composite materials for the automotive and other performance-driven markets.

PlastiComp, Inc. is a globally recognized leader in long-fiber reinforced composite thermoplastics, providing, as well as developing the marketability of, long-fiber reinforced thermoplastic (LFT), direct long-fiber reinforced thermoplastic (D-LFT), and direct-glass mat thermoplastic (D-GMT) technologies.
MRC

Clariant launches three new color solutions

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, has developed three new products offering product differentiation to brand owners. These three new products - PV Fast Orange HGR, PolyFast Pigment Dispersions and PolyRich Pigment Dispersion are tailor-made solutions for India’s trending industries that cater to the aspirational middle class population, as per the company's press release.

Mr. Sambit Roy, Regional Director - Marketing and Sales (Pigments), Clariant in India, said, "Growing awareness among consumers about safe and compliant products is a welcome trend. Trickling down the attributes of sustainability and global compliance through the entire value chain, from Clariant to the brand-owner and then to the society, is our aim."

Dr. Uwe Dahlmann, Head - India, MEA and SEAP, BU Pigments, Clariant International added, "The launch of these products will support our hypergrowth in the domestic Indian market where we continue to see double digit figures. Clariant in India is fully geared up to address new challenges, by way of local availability of high performance pigments and pigment dispersions. Our products being Halogen-free and FDA-compliant, they reinforce Clariant’s commitment to sustainability."

PV Fast Orange HGR is a unique product which is transparent, thus it can replace dyes with high fastness. It displays excellent heat stability even in lowest concentrations. One of its main features is that it does not induce warpage in polyolefins. "Unexpected shrinkage, distortion or warpage problems can occur when pigments are used for the coloration of polyolefins. This pigment ensures that polymer packages of FMCG products are warpage-free and presentable on the retail shelves," said Mr. Roy. This reddish orange pigment is easily dispersible and ensures sustainable processing operations of polyolefins.

PolyFast Pigment Dispersion is launched for the growing PVC leather cloth/synthetic leather industry. This easily dispersible PolyFast Pigment Dispersion ensures high speed production of finished goods. Besides, being free from phthalates, heavy metals and banned aromatic amines, these dispersions adhere to global norms. "Natural leather is being replaced by synthetic leather. In India, furniture and automobiles are the two major industries capitalizing on this trend. Rising number of new cities is further fuelling this number. The demand for synthetic leather in India is around 192 million metre per annum, as per industry figures, indicating the huge potential for the industry. And sustainable credentials of Clariant’s PolyFast Pigment Dispersion make it well-placed in the market," added Mr. Roy.

PolyRich Pigment Dispersion, available in pre-dispersed flake form is launched for EVA coloration applications, meant for the footwear industry. These are based on pigments that are free of heavy metals and banned primary aromatic amines. "The footwear industry in India in recent times has become part of the fashion industry, thereby increasing the demand for vibrant colors. These dispersions, being easily miscible with each other thus offer a wide range of shades to the brand owners. Besides, these dispersions are also safe for use in the growing baby footwear industry in India," said Mr. Roy.

As MRC informed earlier, in 2014, CB&I and Clariant announced that their new Ziegler-Natta (ZN) polypropylene catalyst plant in Louisville, Kentucky, is on schedule to begin production in 2015. The plant is part of a long-term strategic partnership between Clariant’s catalysts business and CB&I’s Lummus Novolen Technology business. Based at Clariant’s largest US production hub, the new facility will combine innovative catalysts jointly developed by both companies with high-capacity output.

Clariant AG is a Swiss chemical company and a world leader in the production of specialty chemicals for the textile, printing, mining and metallurgical industries. It is engaged in processing crude oil products in pigments, plastics and paints.
MRC

PVC plant planned to be shut by Sichuan Jinlu

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Sichuan Jinlu is likely to shut its polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant for maintenance turnaround, said Apic-online.

A source in China informed that the plant is likely to be taken off-stream on March 23, 2015. It is likely to remain off-stream for around one month.

Located in Sichuan province, China, the plant has a production capacity of 340,000 mt/year.

Before that, Sichuan Jinlu Group planned to shut one line at its 340,000 tonne/year polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant on 25 January for maintenance.

Sichuan Jinlu Group Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets polyvinyl chloride resins, caustic soda, and other chemical products. Through its subsidiaries, the Company also manufactures white spirits and textile products, develops real estate, operates in commercial trading, as well as sells natural gas.
MRC