Westlake Chemical Corporation declares quarterly dividend

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The Board of Directors of Westlake Chemical Corporation has declared a regular dividend distribution of USD0.2100 per share, as per the company's press release.

The dividend will be payable on March 13, 2018, to stockholders of record on February 27, 2018.

This is the 54th successive quarterly dividend that Westlake has declared since completing its initial public offering in August 2004.

As MRC informed previously, Westlake Chemical Corporation has recently announced that it will expand capacities for the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) at three of its chemical facilities. Two of the plants are located in Germany (Burghausen, Gendorf) and one is located in Geismar, Louisiana. The expansions in Burghausen and Geismar are expected to be completed in 2019. The Gendorf expansions are expected to be completed in 2020 and 2021.

Westlake Chemical Corporation is an international manufacturer and supplier of petrochemicals, polymers and building products with headquarters in Houston, Texas. The company's range of products includes: ethylene, polyethylene, styrene, propylene, chlor-alkali and derivative products, PVC suspension and specialty resins, PVC Compounds, and PVC building products including siding, pipe, fittings and specialty components, windows, fence, deck and film.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- As announced in March 2017, the new USD1.7 billion ethane steam cracker is being built alongside Total’s Port Arthur refinery and Total/BASF existing steam cracker, as per company's press-release.

The project, which is scheduled to start up in 2020, will create around 1,500 jobs during peak engineering and construction activity. "This agreement is a key milestone for this integrated petrochemicals project. This joint venture is aligned with Total’s strategy to strengthen our position by taking advantage of low-cost U.S. gas," said Bernard Pinatel, President, Refining & Chemicals, Total. "We look forward to working with Borealis and NOVA Chemicals to create world-class facilities and become a major player in the growing U.S. and global market for polyethylene."

"The JV with Total and NOVA Chemicals is a key project in advancing our global growth. Not only are we convinced of the excellent cost-economics of this integrated brownfield investment project, but we are also excited to bring our unique product grades based on our Borstar technology to the North American market," said Borealis CEO Mark Garrett.

"A key component of NOVA Chemicals’ growth strategy is to expand beyond our traditionally Canadian footprint by extending our presence in the U.S. Gulf Coast," stated NOVA Chemicals CEO, Todd Karran. “Partnering with Total and Borealis will allow us to better serve our customers throughout the Americas by delivering a broader slate of products that help make everyday life healthier, easier and safer."

NOVA Chemicals develops and manufactures chemicals and plastic resins that make everyday life safer, healthier and easier. Our employees work to ensure health, safety, security and environmental stewardship through our commitment to sustainability and Responsible Care®. NOVA Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is wholly-owned, ultimately by Mubadala Investment Company of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Borealis is a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers. With its head office in Vienna, Austria, the company currently has around 6,600 employees and operates in over 120 countries. Borealis generated EUR 7.5 billion in sales revenue and a net profit of EUR 1,095 million in 2017. Mubadala, through its holding company, owns 64% of the company, with the remaining 36% belonging to Austria-based OMV, an integrated, international oil and gas company. Borealis provides services and products to customers around the world in collaboration with Borouge, a joint venture with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)..

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall output of chemicals rose in 2017 by 4.7% year on year, with mineral fertilizers accounting for the greatest increase in production, according to Rosstat's data.

According to the Federal Service of State Statistics, last month's production of basic chemicals grew by 4.7% year on year. Production of mineral fertilizers went up significantly, whereas a number of other chemicals accounted for a minimal increase.

Thus, overall output of basic chemicals rose in 2017 by 4.3% year on year, with chemical fertilizers accounting for the greatest increase in production and ethylene - for the least growth.

274,000 tonnes of ethylene were manufactured in January, compared to 267,500 tonnes a year earlier, all producers maintained almost 100% of capacity utilisation. Overall, about 2,860,000 tonnes of this olefin were produced last year, up by 2.5% year on year.

Last month's production of benzene rose to 134,000 tonnes from 130,800 tonnes in January 2017. Overall output of this material reached 1,360,000 tonnes in 2017, up by 4.2%year on year.

January production of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) was 113,000 tonnes (100% of the basic substance) versus 112,000 tonnes a year earlier. Overall output of caustic soda grew to 1,240,000 tonnes in 2017, up by 6.1% year on year.

Last month's production of mineral fertilizers was 2,019,000 tonnes (in terms of 100% nutrients) versus 1,940,000 tonnes in January 2017. Overall, Russian plants produced over 22,520,000 tonnes of fertilizers last year, up by 8.2% year on year.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Ras Tanura Refinery (RTR) recently celebrated the successful completion of a major turnaround and inspection (T&I), with proper planning and a collaborative effort from everyone involved credited for the success, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

Responsible for a significant portion of fuel production in the Kingdom, production up-time of the RTR Gas Condensate Fractionation and the Platformer/Naptha Hydrotreater (NHT) units is of the essence at RTR. The T&Is on both units were completed in a new best-in-class duration for the respective units when compared to their global peers as per globally accepted Solomon Study refinery benchmarks. The Fractionation Unit T&I was completed in 27 days, and the Platformer Unit T&I was completed in 32 days, against their benchmarks of 28 days and 35 days, respectively.

"Planning and successfully executing the scope required a team effort," RTR general manager Yahya A. Abushal said during the celebration event. "The management team appreciates the efforts of the RTR team and the support extended by all of the departments within Saudi Aramco that went to extra lengths to support the RTR T&I, including Support Services and Central Engineering, along with all of our RTR contractor partners."

Refinery Maintenance manager Sami Burushaid said "beating Solomon top performers, increasing RTR’s 2017 cash margin significantly, and the additional value created are only glimpses of the success story of this exemplary T&I."

Raed AlSaadoun, Refinery Maintenance superintendent and T&I chairman, said: "The success of this major T&I was measured by zero safety incidents, worldwide best-in-class duration, significant cost avoidance, early startup, and most importantly, knowledge transfer to the major company asset — our young workforce."

The RTR Gas Condensate Fractionation unit, and the Platformer/NHT units were shut down for the T&I to carry out inspections and maintenance as per the Equipment Inspection Schedule (EIS), and to execute other maintenance and projects that require plant downtime. The plants are on a five-year T&I cycle.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Last year's overall imports of unmixed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into Belarus grew by 39% year on year, totalling 34,600 tonnes, according to MRC's DataScope report.

According to the statistical committee of the Republic of Belarus, local converters increased their purchasing of PVC in December on the back of low prices of some suppliers. December imports were 3,200 tonnes, compared to 2,800 tonnes a month earlier. Thus, PVC imports rose to 34,600 tonnes in 2017 from 24,800 tonnes in 2016, with local windows producers accounting for the main increase in demand.

Russian producers were the key suppliers of resin to Belarus. They accounted for about 83% of the Belarusian market in 2017 Producers from Germany with the share of about 12% were the second largest suppliers.

MRC