BASF starts new thermoplastics production line in Yeosu

MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF has started up a new production line for its high-temperature resistant thermoplastic Ultrason (polyarylsulfone) at its site in Yeosu, Korea, said the producer on its site.

With the new line the global annual capacity for Ultrason will increase by 6,000 metric tons to 24,000 metric tons, serving the growing market demand worldwide. The plant in Yeosu was opened in 2014 as the first Ultrason plant in Asia. Ultrason is the tradename for BASF’s product range of polyethersulfone (Ultrason E), polysulfone (Ultrason S), and polyphenylsulfone (Ultrason P). Latest innovations include the optimized Ultrason Dimension, a highly filled polyethersulfone known for its extraordinary dimensional stability and excellent flow properties.

"This capacity expansion will strengthen our competitive position and drive the global versatility of our polyarylsulfone business," said Giorgio Greening, head of BASF’s global business unit Styrenic Foams and Specialty Polymers. "The expanded production enables us to accompany our customers’ growth at a high technical level and with the optimum product portfolio."

BASF produces Ultrason in Ludwigshafen, Germany and in Yeosu, Korea. Both locations are designed to produce the entire product range of Ultrason S, E and P, and provide BASF with the flexibility to optimize supply capabilities to customers around the world. "With the new line we will continue to reliably serve customers and industry partners with high-quality material. Especially customers in Asia will benefit from fast response and proximity," said Olivier Ubrich, head of global business management Specialty Polymers. "With increasing urbanization and the growing need for clean water management, Ultrason is the ideal material for filter membranes thus contributing to the desalination and purification in water treatment."

Ultrason is widely used in the electronics, automotive and aerospace industries for the production of heat-resistant, lightweight components. The thermoplastic can withstand temperatures up to 220 C without altering its properties, and possesses outstanding chemical stability. For example, it enables the compact design of the new headlight reflector in the Hyundai ix35, owing to its superior temperature resistance. The high-performance material is employed in membranes for water filtration and medical devices, in hot water and food contact parts e.g. for espresso machines or microwave-proof dishes as well as in premium household appliances. It complies with the American FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the European regulations for food contact applications. Ultrason is also used in the production of carbon fiber composite materials.

We remind that, as MRC wrote before, in February 2018, BASF and Solvay signed an agreement for the sale of Solvay’s integrated poly­amide (PA) business to BASF.

BASF is the leading chemical company. It produces a wide range of chemicals, for example solvents, amines, resins, glues, electronic-grade chemicals, industrial gases, basic petrochemicals and inorganic chemicals. The most important customers for this segment are the pharmaceutical, construction, textile and automotive industries. BASF generated sales of EUR64.5 billion in 2017. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS).
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. (MCC) has begun full-scale sales of a new grade of its Durabio bio-based engineering plastic designed for bottles, according to GV.

Durabio is made from renewable plant-derived isosorbide. It features higher transparency than polycarbonate, higher strength than acrylic, and improved resistance to cracking, MCC noted.

The new grade allows for commercial production of bottles that are both "attractive and eco-friendly," the company added.

We remind that, as MRC reported previously, in October 2014, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co. decided to discontinue its PTA business. Mitsubishi currently operates a 260,000-t/y PTA plant at Mizushima, Japan, through its Mizushima Aroma joint venture with Toyobo Co. A spokesperson at Mitsubishi, when asked for the reason behind its decision to quit the PTA business, said "we cannot anticipate improvement of the profit without global oversupply." The company is "now examining" when to exit the business, he added.

Mitsubishi Chemical with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, is a diversified chemical company involved in petrochemicals, polymers, agrochemicals, speciality chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The company's main focus is on three business pillars: petrochemicals, performance and functional products, and health care.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Flexible packaging manufacturer ProAmpac has acquired Pactech Packaging, a Rochester, New York-based manufacturer specializing in pouch converting, as per Canplastics.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. In a statement, Cincinnati, Ohio-based ProAmpac said that Pactech’s products complement its existing flexible packaging offerings, which primarily serve the medical, industrial and consumer packaged goods markets.

"The acquisition of Pactech expands ProAmpac’s flexible packaging pouch manufacturing capabilities in dispensing and clean-environment production,” said ProAmpac CEO Greg Tucker. “In addition, the deal expands our short-run capabilities, allowing us to better serve our customers."

Pactech, which began manufacturing innovative flexible packaging in 1993, has expertise in pouch fitment and dispensing technology. The business will become part of the ProAmpac brand and operate under chief commercial officer Adam Grose.

With the acquisition of Pactech, ProAmpac now has 28 manufacturing sites globally with nearly 3,400 employees supplying more than 5,000 customers in 90 countries. ProAmpac primarily manufactures flexible products servicing various consumer, retail and industrial goods markets and also provides secure packaging for the transport of cash and valuables.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- SABIC has inaugurated the first ever polyacetal (POM) plant in the Middle East and Africa region at its joint venture manufacturing affiliate, The National Methanol Company (Ibn Sina), in Jubail, marking another milestone in its growth strategy in the highly competitive global engineering thermoplastics industry, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The new plant, with a capacity of 50,000 metric tons, was opened with a ceremony in the presence of SABIC Vice Chairman and CEO, Yousef Al-Benyan, SABIC executives and representatives from the joint venture partner, CTE, which is jointly owned by Celanese Corporation and Duke Energy. The new plant reflects SABIC’s 2025 strategy to provide new polymer solutions that answer customer challenges for changing market requirements, while supporting the development of local content in national industries, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, Executive Vice President of Petrochemicals at SABIC, commented, "The startup of the plant reflects our strategic commitment to diversify our solutions. We seek to create long-term value for our customers in a range of industries, including automotive, building and construction, consumer goods, appliances and lighting. This is how we create Chemistry that Matters."

Marcel van Amerongen, Vice President, Celanese added, "Ibn Sina is a fine example of successful collaboration between two large industrial companies by combining knowledge and a strong commitment. The new plant is expected to make a long-term contribution to the local economy and support the growth of the plastics industry."

Polyacetal is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material that has the potential to replace metal in many applications due to its high strength, exceptional dimensional stability and ease of machining. It makes an excellent candidate for applications in diverse industries such as automotive, construction, electronics, appliances, commodities, and consumer goods.

As MRC informed previously, in September 2017, SABIC continued its global expansion with the inauguration of a new polypropylene (PP) pilot plant in Geleen, the Netherlands, and the announcement of a new investment in a state-of-the-art PP extrusion facility to be built at the same location.

SABIC ranks among the worldпїЅs top petrochemical companies, and is among the world's market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene, advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers. SABIC manufactures on a global scale in Saudi Arabia, the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. The company operates in more than 50 countries across the world with 40,000 employees worldwide.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Chemical maker DowDuPont Inc. is planning to spend approximately USD100 million over the next two years to expand production of specialty plastic materials at its site in Orange, Texas, as per Canplastics.

According to a DowDuPont statement, the investments will incrementally expand production capacity to support global growth of specialty materials manufactured at the site, specifically the Surlyn, Nucrel, Fusabond and Vamac product lines. Additionally, DowDuPont is evaluating longer-term plans to invest in a new facility to further support market growth.

The joint investment will support customer growth of both the packaging and specialty plastics business of DowDuPont’s materials science division, as well as the transportation and advanced polymers business of its specialty products division.

The added capacity is expected to come online in several phases starting in 2020 and will enable both divisions to meet growing demand for Surlyn, Nucrel, Fusabond and Vamac specialty materials used for applications in food packaging, transportation, and consumer goods. "With this increased capacity, we will be able to support growth in the automotive space at a time when customer demand for our advanced polymers is very strong,” said Randy Stone, business president for DuPont transportation and advanced polymers. “This investment will enable us to continue to deliver innovative solutions that serve high-growth end markets and reinforces our commitment to enhancing our leadership position in these key market segments."

DowDuPont was formed in 2016 from the merger of plastics and chemicals companies Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co.

MRC