Dow and Mitsui complete formation of joint venture

(Plastemart) -- Dow and Mitsui & Co. Ltd. have completed the formation of a previously announced 50:50 manufacturing joint venture to construct, own and operate a new membrane chlor-alkali facility located at Dow's Freeport, Texas, integrated manufacturing complex.

Named Dow-Mitsui Chlor-Alkali LLC, this landmark joint venture combines the strengths of two global companies to build a world-scale chlor-alkali plant on the U.S. Gulf Coast that will drive integration advantage for downstream businesses and customers. Dow will operate and maintain the new facility under contract to the joint venture.

Dow's share of the chlorine produced by Dow-Mitsui Chlor-Alkali LLC will serve the growing feedstock needs of the Company's performance and market-driven businesses with cost-advantaged chlorine supply. Dow will market the caustic soda on behalf of the joint venture. Mitsui's share of the chlorine produced by the joint venture will be converted to ethylene dichloride (EDC) by Dow for Mitsui's use. Mitsui will market the EDC world-wide.

The new chlor-alkali facility is expected to begin operations in mid-2013, and will have a capacity of approximately 800,000 tpa.

MRC

(Plastemart) -- The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has said there are no legal grounds to request that Formosa Plastics Group to pay health and welfare surcharges for its naphtha cracker plant in Mailiao Township, Yunlin County. EPA added that the group was still in talks with the county government over how it should -compensate residents for the pollution from the plant.

The EPA in October held a comprehensive review on the impact that the plant has had over the past decade. Representatives from the Yunlin County Government proposed that Formosa appropriate between 0.1-0.3% of its after-tax revenue from the plant to establish the Yunlin Medical Development Fund. The county government representatives suggested that Formosa cover the costs of student lunches at Yunlin's primary and junior high schools, as well as the commuting charges for junior high school students, and offer subsidies to married couples with children.

Formosa should provide schools near the plant with the means to cope with chemical-related hazards, and should also provide internships and jobs to local residents.

MRC

(Styron) -- Styron will expand its SSBR (Solution Styrene Butadiene Rubber) capacity with a new production line at Styron's production facility in Schkopau, Germany. The additional capacity of 50,000 metric tons will allow Styron to help customers around the world meet the increasing demand for high performance tires.

Solution Styrene Butadiene Rubber is a synthetic rubber used in a wide variety of applications, including the production of tires. The major trend in tires is towards low rolling resistance, which significantly contributes to improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.

SSBR in high performance tires allows for an optimum performance balance of improved wet grip, high abrasion resistance, low road noise, light weight and low rolling resistance, resulting in better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.

The construction of the new production line will start with the groundbreaking in May 2011. The new train will be built alongside existing trains and will focus on SSBR production, with the capability to produce all existing clear and oil extended Styron grades. Production is expected to start in Q4 2012. The new production line will supply customers around the world.

MRC

(Azelis) -- Leading pan-European specialty chemicals distributor, Azelis, has launched a corporate re-branding programme which will unite its 36 companies under one brand from the 1st of January 2011. Capitalizing on more than 10 years of acquisitions, Azelis announced today the re-branding of all its companies into one Azelis'.

Today, Azelis offers complete pan-European coverage, with additional operations in, Mumbai and Shanghai. With sourcing and distribution channels in every major market around the world, Azelis offers access to the specialised market segments of animal nutrition; chemicals; coatings; composites; food & health; materials, pigments and additives (MPA); personal care; pharma; polymers and rubber.

MRC

(Construction Week Online) -- Saudi International Petrochemical Company (SIPCHEM) has announced that it has awarded a contract to build a new $800m Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) in Jubail's Industrial City.

The contract has been awarded to Korean firm GS Engineering & Construction Corporation and covers the engineering design, procurement and construction of the plant. It's envisaged the new factory will be operational by Q2, 2013, will employ 200 workers, and will have an annual production capacity of 200,000 metric tons.

In a statement to the Saudi stock exchange, SIPCHEM's board chairman said that the award of the contract is considered an important step in the company's expansion and development program.

MRC