Air Liquide announces a major Healthcare acquisition in Japan

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Air Liquide is expanding its healthcare business in Japan with the acquisition of Sogo Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha (“SSKK”), a major Japanese player with a strong presence in the home healthcare and medical gases markets especially in the Tokyo region, said the company on its website.

Present in the Japanese market for 60 years, SSKK is specialized in the medical gases field serving more than 2,000 hospitals and clinics and home treatment for patients suffering from respiratory diseases including: sleep apnea, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and chronic respiratory failure. This acquisition represents a major development of the Healthcare activity locally where it increases the number of patients served at home by Air Liquide in Japan to reach 20,000.

Well known for its medical staffs’ know-how, SSKK has more than 150 employees and generated revenue of approximately EUR27 million in 2016. Air Liquide will rely on the commitment of the teams in place to pursue the development of SSKK business.

Worldwide, Japan now ranks as the third-largest Respiratory Home Healthcare market after the US and France. Home Healthcare services in Japan are expected to continue increasing, supported by a robust healthcare system and social welfare coverage reaching almost 100% of the population. With this acquisition, Air Liquide strengthens its footprint in Japan both in medical gases to hospitals and in home healthcare business.

Francois Jackow, member of the Air Liquide Group’s Executive Committee, supervising the Healthcare activities, said: "With this acquisition Air Liquide pursues the development of its Healthcare activity in a growing Asian market that benefits from a strong potential. We are delighted to welcome SSKK’s teams in Air Liquide Group. Thanks to their know-how combined with Air Liquide expertise, we will deliver greater value to healthcare professionals and patients. This acquisition, which allows us to develop our activities in Japan, will also fuel our future growth".
MRC

Air Liquide forms new joint venture with Sinopec in Beijing


MOSCOW (MRC) -- Air Liquide recently entered into a new joint venture with Sinopec (China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.) in Beijing, for the take-over and optimization of three existing ASUs (Air Separation Units) and the building of a new nitrogen production unit, for a total investment of 40 million euros, said the company on its website.

In the third quarter 2017, Air Liquide also commissioned a new state-of-the art ASU for the supply of oxygen and nitrogen to Sinopec in South China. The new joint venture, Air Liquide-BYPC Gases, is located in Beijing and will supply oxygen and nitrogen to Sinopec Beijing Yanshan Co. with a total capacity of 340 tonnes of oxygen and 1,110 tonnes of nitrogen per day.

In South China, located in Maoming City of Guangdong Province, the newly commissioned ASU1 supports the new ethylene oxide plant of Sinopec’s subsidiary, Maoming Petrochemical (MPCC), by supplying oxygen (850 tonnes per day) and nitrogen (840 tonnes per day).

Sinopec is one of the largest integrated energy and chemical companies in China. Cooperation between Air Liquide and Sinopec dates back to 2007. The two parties have established three joint ventures so far.

Francois Abrial, member of the Air Liquide Group’s Executive Committee supervising Asia Pacific, said: "The continuous expansion of our partnership with Sinopec showcases their confidence in Air Liquide’s ability to provide state-of-the-art technologies and competitive solutions. We are proud to provide our expertise to Sinopec, in support of their expansion in China."
MRC

Reliance starts up new Jamnagar PE complex, eyes stable output soon

MOSCOW (MRC) -- India's Reliance Industries Limited is in the process of stabilizing production at its new Jamnagar polyethylene (PE) complex, a company source said Tuesday, reported Apic-online.

The new complex was started up in September. It comprises a 550,000 mt/year linear low density polyethylene swing plant (LLDPE) and a 400,000 mt/year low density polyethylene (LDPE) unit.

The ethane-based plants will use refinery offgas as feedstock.

Meanwhile, RIL is building a 1.37 million mt/year steam cracker at the same site.

As MRC informed before, initially, RIL planned to start commercial operations at its new PE plants in Q2 2017.

Reliance Industries is one of the world's largest producers of polymers. Thus, the company produces among others polypropylene, polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride.
MRC

US starts anti-dumping probe into PET resin imports

MOSCOW (MRC) — The US Department of Commerce said on Tuesday it began an investigation into whether imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin from Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea, Pakistan and Taiwan were being dumped in the US market, said Reuters.

The US International Trade Commission is expected to make a decision by Nov. 13 on whether imports of the material used to make clothing and plastic bottles harm or threaten to harm US producers, the department said in a statement

If they are found to do so, the Commerce Department would continue its investigation and make a preliminary antidumping decision by March 5, 2018, the department said.

The probes were prompted by petitions filed by DAK Americas LLC of North Carolina, Indorama Ventures USA Inc of Alabama, M&G Polymers USA LLC of Houston, and Nan Ya Plastics Corp America of South Carolina, a unit of Taiwan’s Nan Ya Plastics Corp, the department said. Indorama Ventures USA Inc is not a petitioner with respect to the Indonesia investigation, it said.

The estimated dumping margins alleged by the petitioners range from 18.76% to 115.87%, 8.49% to 53.50%, 55.74% to 101.41%, 25.03% to 43.40%, and 14.67% to 45.00% for Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea, Pakistan and Taiwan, respectively, the statement said.

In 2016, imports of PET resin from Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea, Pakistan and Taiwan were valued at an estimated USD51.7 MM, USD35.7 MM, USD24 MM, USD34.1 MM and USD109.8 MM, respectively.
MRC

Total, Saudi Aramco discussing JV refinery expansion

MOSCOW (MRC) — Total is in talks with Saudi Aramco to expand their Saudi joint venture refinery by more than 10%, the chief executive of the French energy company said on Wednesday, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

Capacity at their Saudi Arabia Total Refining and Petrochemical (SATORP) complex in Jubail can raise its capacity to 440,000 bpd through greater efficiency, Patrick Pouyanne said.

"We are working with Saudi Aramco, discussing gas allocation," Pouyanne told reporters at the Oil & Money conference.

"To go up to 440,000 bpd can be quick," he said.

The SATOROP refinery on Saudi Arabia’s east coast was launched in 2014 and is considered one of the world’s most advanced plants producing fuels and plastics.
MRC