Inovyn to convert Stenungsund chlorine cell to membrane

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Inovyn has announced intention to undertake major investment to convert its mercury chlorine cellroom at Stenungsund (Sweden) to membrane technology, said the producer on its site.

Initial design and feasibility studies for the conversion project are under way, with targeted completion of the project by the end of 2017.

Converting the chlorine plant at Stenungsund to the most modern membrane technology forms part of Inovyn’s wider Chlorine Strategy. Through this strategy the company is already well advanced on the expansion of its membrane chlorine cellroom at Antwerp/Lillo (Belgium), which is due to come on line in Q4 2016.

The company has also previously announced a major investment in a large scale potassium hydroxide (KOH) production facility, also at Lillo, which is expected to be on line in late 2017.

Once completed, these projects will complement INOVYN’s existing high quality membrane based production portfolio across Europe, with assets in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Norway and the UK.

Comments Jean-Michel Mesland, Operations Director for Inovyn: "Our project at Stenungsund is another major investment by INOVYN that will underpin the sustainability and competitiveness of our business in the long term.

"This and other investments we are making across our European asset base will deliver our commitment to phase out mercury cellroom production in accordance with European regulations.

As MRC reported previously, in early April 2016, Solvay and Ineos agreed to end their Inovyn chlorvinyls joint venture earlier than originally announced. Solvay will receive a final payment of EUR335 million (USD381.3 million) and Ineos will become the sole owner of Inovyn on the completion of the transaction, which is expected in the second half of 2016. The partners formed Inovyn in mid-2015 and announced then that Solvay would exit the jv in July 2018.

Headquartered in London, INOVYN has pro-forma sales of more than EUR3 billion, with 4,300 employees and assets across 14 sites in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Governance of the Joint Venture is equally split between the partners.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Essen-based Evonik Industries, a leading specialty chemicals manufacturer, has presented its innovative products and solutions, said the producer in its press release.

"Fostering strong relationships and collaborations with our customers are keys to success in business", said Jay Janis, Head of Evonik’s North America’s Paint & Coatings Industry Team.

Thus, Evonik introduced in the US market the following innovative products and technologies: SILIKOTOP new binders for high solids protective coatings, SPUR technology for ambient cure polyurethane coatings, novel matting agents for low VOC coatings, dynasylan silanes for acrylic polymer modification, VISIOMER specialty methacrylates for post-crosslinking.

As MRC informed previously, in 2015, Evonik Industries invested over EUR400 mln in its plants in Germany in 2015. The lion’s share of the funds (around two-thirds) was divided among Evonik’s five-largest sites in Germany: Marl (hundreds of millions of euros), Hanau, Essen, Darmstadt, and Wesseling (tens of millions of euros at each site). Evonik is planning further large-scale projects in Germany. One of these is the construction of a new plant for production of specialty copolyesters in Witten by 2018 with an investment in the double-digit million euro range.

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.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Celanese Corporation, a global technology and specialty materials company, is launching Ateva ExtruBond ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) to meet the growing need for stronger, more flexible extrusion coating materials for food packaging and other applications, said the producer in its press release.

Manufacturers can use various grades of this latest flexible packaging and thermal lamination polymer to package food, for packaging lids, and for document lamination and gift cards.

"Where manufacturing speed is critical, we’ve created a material that allows converters to run lines both faster and more efficiently to improve machine utilization and increase a converter’s capacity," said Stephanie Barden, global business development manager for the EVA Polymers business of Celanese. "We formulated Ateva ExtruBond EVA to hit this sweet spot with a chemical makeup that provides a much stronger bond to substrates commonly used in packaging and lamination processes."

Celanese developed this material using a combination of unique polymer properties, deep technical expertise and regulatory knowledge to create a polymer that is equally safe to package and preserve food, film or tubing. This new polymer technology proves in extensive customer testing and early use to increase line speeds and dramatically improve adhesion during the extrusion coating process for a stronger, more reliable bond.

As MRC informed earlier, Celanese Corporation increased list and off-list selling prices for Ateva EVA and low density polyethylene (LDPE) polymers, effective April 1, 2016 or as contracts allow. Prices of Ateva EVA rose by USD0.03/lb (USD 0.07/kg or USD70/tonne) for North and South America and by USD50/tonne for Asia, whereas LDPE prices increased by USD0.04/lg (USD 0.09/kg or USD90/tonne) for North and South America and by USD50/tonne for Asia.

Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries and consumer applications. Based in Dallas, Celanese employs approximately 7,000 employees worldwide and had 2015 net sales of USD5.7 billion.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- LyondellBasell, one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies, has announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of the polypropylene (PP) compounding assets of Zylog Plastalloys Pvt. Ltd. (Zylog) in India, said the producer on its site.

The company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Zylog's PP compounding assets in November 2015.

LyondellBasell has supplied the Indian market through imports and tolling arrangements since 2009. In October 2015, LyondellBasell acquired SJS Plastiblends Pvt. Ltd.'s PP compounding business which is located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. With the acquisition of Zylog's manufacturing operations in Sinnar, Maharashtra, and Chennai, Tamil Nadu, LyondellBasell is now the third largest producer of PP compounds in India with an annual capacity of 44,000 metric tons (97 million pounds).

In addition to the already existing product lines offered at these sites, LyondellBasell will produce its Hostacom glass fiber-reinforced, mineral filled and unfilled colored grades as well as Hifax high impact thermoplastic olefins. These compounds are used to manufacture automotive parts, home appliances and other products.

"Our investments in India demonstrate LyondellBasell's continued focus on strategic growth projects that increase our competitive advantage and provide a strong return on assets," said Bhavesh (Bob) Patel, CEO and chairman of the management board of LyondellBasell. "We are proud of the high-quality products we provide to the automotive manufacturers, and our expansion in India underscores our commitment to meeting customer needs globally," he added.

LyondellBasell is the world's largest producer of PP compounds with an annual capacity of 1.3 million metric tons (2.8 billion pounds).

India represents the fourth largest growth market for automobiles globally with 3 million new vehicles produced each year. According to IHS Inc., India's automotive market is expected to continue growing by 6 to 8 percent annually through 2021. In its latest Global Economic Prospect report, the World Bank projected that India's GDP will grow by 7.8 percent in 2016 and 7.9 percent annually in 2017 and 2018.

LyondellBasell is one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies and a member of the S&P 500. LyondellBasell manufactures products at 57 sites in 18 countries. LyondellBasell products and technologies are used to make items that improve the quality of life for people around the world including packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home furnishings, construction materials and biofuels. Hostacom and Hifax are trademarks owned by LyondellBasell. The manufacturing facilities in India are owned and operated by Basell Polyolefins India Pvt. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of LyondellBasell.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Solvay announces the certification of its Halifax, UK manufacturing site in accordance to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) guidelines, said the producer on its site.

Halifax joins sister sites in Zhenjiang and Zhangjiagang, China and Itatiba, Brazil in achieving the RSPO Mass Balance accreditation which is highly coveted by its home and personal care customers. Solvay aims at having all its global business unit Novecare sites using palm oil and palm kernel oil derivatives worldwide to be certified by the end of the year.

In line with Solvay Way, Solvay Novecare’s sustainability ambition is structured around four main principles: build partnership with our customers, innovate for consumers’ well-being, save natural resources and share value. In this context, RSPO certification is an important feature of Solvay Novecare’s commitments.

Solvay uses palm oil and palm kernel oil derivatives to manufacture specialty surfactants and help its customers to develop innovative formulations that enter into body cleansing, skin care and hair care applications. Solvay Novecare is now able to offer its customers RSPO Mass Balance certified palm-based ingredients from Europe, Asia and Latin America. This certification enables Solvay Novecare to control purchases and sales of RSPO certified palm oil and its derivatives, which will be also audited by an external and independent party. Solvay is a member of RSPO since 2011.

Beyond RSPO certification, Solvay Novecare is engaging in specific projects to help smallholders to develop good agricultural practices to increase yields while preserving the environment and ending deforestation. Building both on its experience with other small landowners projects such as the “Sustainable Guar Initiative” in India and its agro-chemistry know-how, Solvay Novecare will start field trials this year with its Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer solutions. The technology can positively act to promote sustainable yields while limiting greenhouse gas emissions derived from nitrogen-based fertilizers.

As MRC reported previously, in early April 2016, Solvay and Ineos agreed to end their Inovyn chlorvinyls joint venture earlier than originally announced. Solvay will receive a final payment of EUR335 million (USD381.3 million) and Ineos will become the sole owner of Inovyn on the completion of the transaction, which is expected in the second half of 2016. The partners formed Inovyn in mid-2015 and announced then that Solvay would exit the jv in July 2018.

Brussels-based Solvay saw sales of EUR12.4bn in 2015. Ineos, which set up new headquarters at its Grangemouth, UK site in 2015, states it has annual sales of around EUR3.5bn.
MRC