PVC imports to Russia fell 64% in first nine months of 2017

September SPVC imports slumped to 432 tonnes from 2,500 tonnes a month earlier. Local companies almost completely ceased to purchase resin in foreign markets because of high export prices and sufficient supply from Russian producers. Thus, overall SPVC imports of resin to Russia were 42,400 tonnes in January-September 2017, compared to 117,600 tonnes a year earlier, with May accounting for the peak shipments, totalling 11,800 tonnes.

A major increase in the domestic production and further reduction of demand in the key processing segments led to a significant decrease in the dependence on PVC imports even in the period of high seasonal demand.

Chinese producers were traditionally the key foreign PVC suppliers for the past several years. Last month's overall imports of Chinese acetylene PVC fell to 58 tonnes from 2,300 tonnes a month earlier. Because of a major increase in export prices, Russian companies fully suspended their purchasing of resin in China back in the second half of July, and August shipments were, in fact, debts under contracts as of the first half of July. Thus, imports of Chinese resin were 39,500 tonnes in the first nine months of 2017, compared to 92,200 tonnes a year earlier. Imports of Chinese acetylene PVC are not expected to increase until the end of the year, even taking into account the October reduction in export prices.

European producers shipped small quantities of suspension, overall imports of European PVC fell to 2,400 tonnes over the stated period from 5,800 tonnes a year earlier.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global chemical producer, has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire DuPont Teijin Films (DTF), a leading global producer of Biaxially-oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BOPET) and Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN) films with total film/polymer capacity of 277,000 tonnes per annum, as per the company's press release.

The DTF acquisition includes 8 production assets in the US, Europe and China, with a global innovation center in the UK. The transaction is expected to be completed during late 2017 or early 2018, subject to the usual regulatory approvals.

DuPont Teijin Films (DTF), a joint venture between DuPont and Teijin Limited, is the world’s premier producer of BOPET and PEN polyester high value-added film with unique functionalities. The group specializes in film products for the specialty, industrial, packaging, automotive, advanced magnetic media, photo systems, electrical and electronics markets and many more products that are essential in modern life. DTF is recognized for their market leadership and product innovation, and is constantly inventing and developing new uses for their products.

Included in the transaction are manufacturing and R&D operations associated with four joint ventures in the United States, United Kingdom, Luxembourg, and Hong Kong (DTFC), which includes two JVs in China (51%), as well as sales and technical capabilities, intellectual property, licenses and the Melinex and Mylar registered brands.

The global BOPET film industry has expanded rapidly and there are increasing applications and end-uses. The global consumption of BOPET is expected to increase at an average rate of about 7% CAGR per annum making the acquisition attractive. Critical success factors are customer intimacy, product innovation and R&D capabilities, which align well with DTF’s core competencies. Through the acquisition, IVL will further enhance PET integration and value-enhancement through captive NDC, a specialty chemical used in high performance polymers and films. IVL is the world’s only commercial manufacturer of NDC.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Aloke Lohia, Group CEO of Indorama Ventures, said, "This acquisition marks a new chapter for IVL. It is the next step in creating a leading position for customer solutions in films. DTF provides prudent growth in an industry related to our core businesses and is a strong foundation for future growth. DTF has a strong history of R&D with over 700 patents, which makes it a strategic fit with our own innovation capabilities."

"We believe in diversity as a core value of the Company and we look forward to welcoming DTF’s strong management team and talented employees into our family."

Allen & Overy and Lowenstein Sandler LLP are serving as legal advisors to Indorama Ventures. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as joint financial advisor to DuPont and Teijin. Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott LLC is serving as legal advisor to DuPont. Terralink Advisors Inc. is serving as financial advisor, and Morrison & Foerster LLP is serving as legal advisor to Teijin.

As MRC informed before, in April 2017, IVL announced that it was in initial talks with The Chatterjee Group (TCG) to buy a stake in Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL). TCG, promoted by non-resident Indian businessman Purnendu Chatterjee, owns close to 48% in Haldia Petrochemicals. Tata has around 2.3% stake, Indian Oil around 7% and lenders around 6% stake in Haldia Petrochemicals.

DowDuPont Specialty Products, a division of DowDuPont, is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials, ingredients and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, building and construction, health and wellness, food and worker safety. DowDuPont intends to separate the Specialty Products division into an independent, publicly traded company.

Teijin is a technology-driven global group offering advanced solutions in the areas of environmental value; safety, security and disaster mitigation; and demographic change and increased health consciousness. Its main fields of operation are high-performance fibers such as aramid, carbon fibers & composites, healthcare, films, resin & plastic processing, polyester fibers, products converting and IT. The group has some 170 companies and around 19,000 employees spread out over 20 countries worldwide. It posted consolidated sales of JPY 741.3 billion (USD 6.5 billion) and total assets of JPY 964.1 billion (USD 8.5 billion) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017.

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a DJSI member, listed in Thailand, is one of the world’s leading petrochemicals producers, with a global manufacturing footprint across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. The company’s portfolio comprises Necessities and High Value-Added (HVA) categories of Polymers, Fibers, and Packaging, selectively integrated with self-manufactured Ethylene Oxide/Glycols and PTA where economical. IVL products serve major FMCG and Automotive sectors, i.e. Beverages, Hygiene, Personal Care, Tire and Safety segments. IVL has approx. 15,000 employees worldwide and consolidated revenue of USD 7.2 billion in 2016. IVL is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand with global operating sites in EMEA: The Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, France, UK, Italy, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey, Nigeria, Ghana, North America: USA, Mexico, Canada: Asia: Thailand, Indonesia, China, India, the Philippines, Myanmar.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) — Nigerian lawmakers have set up a committee to investigate allegations of corruption at the state oil company contained in a letter from the minister of state for petroleum, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

In the letter from Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu to President Muhammadu Buhari, dated Aug. 30 and confirmed by the oil ministry, the minister said the conduct of the head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) lacked transparency.

He said recent appointments by NNPC's group managing director (GMD), Maikantu Baru, should be suspended pending a review. He also accused Baru of largely bypassing the board of directors. A spokesman for NNPC on Thursday said the state oil company was awaiting written confirmation of the motion from the Senate.

Nigeria's upper chamber of parliament, the Senate, on Wednesday passed a motion to set up a committee to investigate the allegations. "The motion highlighted the fact that Duke Oil, one of the outfits that makes up NNPC Trading was incorporated in 1989 in Panama and does not pay tax in Nigeria," said a statement issued by Senate president Bukola Saraki.

The statement also referred to allegations that Duke Oil had received favorable treatment that gave it an advantage over competitors. "The Senate has constituted this ad-hoc committee to investigate the policies introduced by the current GMD of NNPC to allocate all products to Duke Oil and carry out a holistic investigation into the activities of NNPC Trading Limited," it said.

OPEC member Nigeria has struggled with low oil prices and suffered cuts in output caused by militant attacks and ageing infrastructure. The government relies on oil for roughly two thirds of its revenue.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- AkzoNobel’s Specialty Chemicals business has developed a novel technology platform for producing ethylene amines and their derivatives from ethylene oxide, said the producer on its site.

As well as significantly reducing raw material consumption per ton of product, it also offers a substantially improved cost and sustainability profile when compared with existing processes.

The flexibility of the technology will allow the selective production of a wide range of end products, enabling the company to expand its amines product offering. AkzoNobel intends to start construction of a demonstration plant in 2018 to showcase the competitiveness of the platform and validate the products with customers.

The range of ethylene amines targeted includes, but is not limited to, DETA (diethylenetriamine) and TETA (triethylenetetramine), which are key building blocks in a number of growth applications such as epoxy curing, oil and road additives, and paper.

"We are excited to announce this technology, which underlines our commitment to the global ethylene amines market," said Joppe Smit, General Manager of AkzoNobel’s Ethylene Amines business. "It offers unique benefits to our customers in comparison to mainstream technology and we strongly believe it has the potential to become a game-changer in the industry."

Added Egbert Henstra, Managing Director of AkzoNobel’s Ethylene and Sulfur Derivatives business: "Launching this technology strengthens our product portfolio and will further improve the company’s position as one of the leaders in the ethylene amines industry. Establishing this unique position is of strategic importance to our business."

Commenting on the development, Peter Nieuwenhuizen, RD&I Director of Specialty Chemicals at AkzoNobel, said: "The development of this novel technology is another great example of AkzoNobel’s commitment to growth through innovation. In addition, it underlines our commitment to make a positive and lasting impact on a more sustainable planet."

He added that substantial efforts have been made to protect the new technology platform via a comprehensive patent portfolio.

As MRC reported earlier, in December 2016, AkzoNobel finalized the acquisition of BASF’s global Industrial Coatings business, which supplies a range of products for industries including construction, domestic appliances, wind energy and commercial transport, strengthening its position as the global number one supplier in coil coatings. The transaction includes relevant technologies, patents and trademarks, as well as two manufacturing plants in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Akzo Nobel N.V., trading as AkzoNobel, is a Dutch multinational, active in the fields of decorative paints, performance coatings and specialty chemicals. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the company has activities in more than 80 countries, and employs approximately 55,000 people.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) — Some oil ports, producers and refiners in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama that shut facilities ahead of Hurricane Nate were planning reopenings as the storm moved inland on Sunday, away from most energy infrastructure on the US Gulf Coast, as per Reuters.

The storm, which weakened to a tropical depression and was moving inland toward Alabama and Tennessee, killed 30 people in Central America before speeding across the central US Gulf of Mexico, where more than 90% of oil output remained shut.

Oil producers Chevron Corp and Royal Dutch Shell began on Sunday to redeploy personnel, assess facilities and restore oil output in the Gulf of Mexico, including platforms, pipelines and terminals shut ahead of Nate, the companies said in statements.

Chevron also said it was assessing the impact of Nate on its 340,000-bpd Pascagoula refinery in Mississippi. About eight flares and limited steam were visible on Sunday at Chevron's refinery, indicating activity. Energy intelligence service Genscape said Chevron shut the facility on Saturday, but the company did not confirm the information.

Nate has forced the closure of more than triple the volume of Gulf offshore crude production than Hurricane Harvey did from late August to early September, with 92.6% of total oil output shut, according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE).

About 1.62 MMbpd of oil and 2.5 Bcfd of natural gas output remained offline on Sunday at 298 evacuated offshore platforms, almost unchanged from Saturday, the BSEE said. Vessel traffic and port operations at New Orleans resumed on Sunday afternoon, the US Coast Guard said. "New Orleans has reopened all waterways without restrictions," it said in a statement where it also warned about shoaling, storm debris, and other hazards that may exist after the storm.

In Alabama, the port of Mobile remained closed on Sunday and no estimated reopening date had been officially set, although no damage to the terminal and port had been reported, said Mike Forister, assistant terminal manager at Arc Terminals.

Forester said it was not much of a setback "because we are getting down to slower season," he said. Mobile's navigation channel could remain shut until Tuesday because of rough conditions, said Mike Buckley, operations manager at Alabama Bulk Terminal Company, whose facilities did not sustain damage.

About 18 oil tankers were sheltered on Sunday along the Mississippi River near New Orleans, half of them loaded with crude or refined products. Several container ships and cruise ships were also waiting for the port to allow disembarking.

In Mobile, two tankers were near the port, according to the Reuters data.
MRC