Formosa Plastics announces process technologies for Texas PE & PP production expansions

MOSCOW (MRC) – Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A. announced the process technologies being used for the polyethylene and polypropylene production expansions in Point Comfort, Texas, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

• The new tubular low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plant’s technology has been licensed from ExxonMobil Catalysts and Licensing, LLC; the plant will have a production capacity of 400,000 MT/year.

• The new dual-purpose polyethylene (PE) plant’s technology will use UNIPOLTM PE Process technology, licensed from Univation Technologies, LLC. The plant will be able to produce both high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), with a combined production capacity of 400,000 MT/year.

• The new polypropylene (PP) plant’s technology has been licensed from Japan Polypropylene Corporation (JPP); the plant will add 250,000 MT/year of capacity to the site’s current PP production.

The addition of these three process technologies and plants at Point Comfort will expand the company’s product offerings and increase production flexibility. The LDPE plant will initiate the company’s entry into the North American LDPE market. The ExxonMobil technology is recognized for producing high-quality resins safely and reliably. Univation Technologies’ UNIPOLTM PE Process is world-renowned for producing outstanding HDPE and LLDPE resins. Since our first JPP license in 2001, our PP product offerings have expanded to include high impact copolymer and random copolymer resins.

"We look forward to introducing our new line of Formolene® LDPE resins and expanding our current Formolene® HDPE and LLDPE product lines,” states Ken Mounger, Vice President & General Manager, Polyolefins. “Our additional supply of Formolene® polypropylene will enable us to grow in key strategic markets, too."
MRC

Evonik increases prices for superabsorbent polymers

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Evonik raised the prices for its superabsorbent polymers, offered in Europe and the Americas, up to 15% with effect as of 4 May, 2018, as per the company's press release.

All existing contracts will be honored and are not affected by the price increase.

The price increase has become unavoidable to compensate higher raw material costs.

This adjustment will enable the business line Baby Care to continue to provide to its customers a superior quality, excellent service with special focus on supply reliability.

As MRC informed previously, Evonik Resource Efficiency invested in a capacity expansion of its performance foams business at its production site in Darmstadt, Germany. The investment increased the output of the facility by about 20% as a first step. The Group will be adding production equipment to its operations complex that manufactures products marketed under the Rohacell brand. The expanded production capacity was expected to be operational by the second half of 2017.

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world.
MRC

Petrobras begins binding phase for Pasadena refinery sale

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) has started the binding phase of its earlier announced proposal to sell subsidiary Pasadena Refining Systems Inc.’s (PRSI) refinery in Pasadena, Tex., said Ogj.

At this stage of the project, process letters are issued to potential undisclosed buyers qualified in the previous phase with instructions about the divestment process, including the guidelines to conduct due diligence and submit binding offers, Petrobras said on May 4.

Petrobras formally is seeking a qualified buyer for affiliate Petrobras America Inc.’s (PAI) interest in the entire Pasadena refining operations system, the sale of which includes PAI’s stake in PRSI, PRSI Trading LLC (PRST), and PRSI Real Property Holdings LLC (REAL).

Alongside the 110,000-b/d Pasadena refinery, the transaction will include sale of 5.1 million bbl of oil and products storage capacity, an associated marine terminal and logistics system, existing inventory, and land on the Houston Ship Channel usable for potential future expansion.
MRC

Wacker opens new production site for silicones in South Korea

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Wacker Chemie AG has opened a new production site for silicone elastomers in South Korea, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The plant is located around 100 kilometers southeast of Seoul at Jincheon, where the Group has already been producing silicone sealants since 2010 and specialty silicones for the electronics industry since 2012. In moving to the new site, WACKER is significantly expanding its production and therefore its position as a leading silicone manufacturer in the region. Some EUR15 million has been invested in the new production site.

"The opening of our new plant is a milestone for us and sends a signal to our customers that we want to continue growing in Asia and in South Korea especially," said Executive Board member Christian Hartel at the opening ceremony, which was attended by high-ranking officials and business partners. Asia is already one of the Group’s most important sales regions. "We generate around 40 percent of our sales in Asia. Our operations in South Korea play a key role here", said Hartel. "Our new production site enables us to strengthen and expand our position in the region over the long term."

Wacker has produced silicone sealants in Jincheon since 2010 and has also manufactured specialty silicone elastomers there for the electronics industry since 2012. "Due to the strong growth in demand for our silicones, production was increasingly being stretched to its limits", explained Executive Board member Auguste Willems. As it was not possible to expand the facilities on the existing premises, Wacker decided to move sites. "Our new plant in Jincheon is four times as big as the old one and provides enough space for future capacity expansions", he said.

The centerpiece of the new site is a 13,000 square meter production building. Silicone sealants for the construction industry and specialty silicone elastomers for electronic applications will be manufactured in separate facilities. The production lines have been equipped with cutting-edge manufacturing technology that enables fully automatic and therefore highly efficient production processes. Hyperpure silicones are produced and packaged in a dedicated cleanroom - a service that is becoming increasingly important for customers from the electronics industry in particular.

"Jincheon offers the space and technical facilities we need to meet the rising demand for silicones in the region long term. That applies both to our sealants and to our high-performance silicones, which our customers use to produce automotive displays or use in other demanding electronic applications", emphasized Willems. "With this investment, we can broaden the regional scope of our silicones business continuously and strengthen our presence as a leading silicone manufacturer in South Korea and Asia."

As MRC wrote before, Wacker Chemie AG is expanding its existing production plants for dispersions and dispersible polymer powders in South Korea. The Group is building a new spray dryer for dispersible polymer powders at its Ulsan site, which will have a total capacity of 80,000 metric tons per year. The Munich-based chemicals company is also constructing an additional reactor for dispersions based on vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer (EVA), which are needed as the raw material for the spray dryer to produce dispersible polymer powders.

Wacker Chemie AG is a worldwide operating company in the chemical business, founded 1914. The company is controlled by the Wacker-family holding more than 50 percent of the shares. The corporation is operating more than 25 production sites in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The product range includes silicone rubbers, polymer products like ethylene vinyl acetate redispersible polymer powder, chemical materials, polysilicon and wafers for semiconductor industry.
MRC

European PVC prices decreased in May for CIS markets

MOSOCW (MRC) - Negotiations on European polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prices for May delivery into the CIS markets began last week. Despite the rise in the cost of ethylene, European producers have decreased export prices this month, according to the ICIS-MRC Price Report.

The May contract price of ethylene was agreed up by EUR20/tonne from April, which led to an increase of, at least, EUR10/tonne, in PVC production costs. Thus, despite this fact, European producers had to reduce export prices for supplies to CIS markets due to low demand and high competition from other suppliers.

Demand for PVC from the main consumers was weak in March-April due to a long winter, and there was no significant demand surge for May shipment. In addition, the suppliers of North American PVC also significantly cut export prices in April and May, while in the Ukrainian producer announced a reduction in prices for the May supplies.

The current easing of the euro against the dollar and other regional currencies is slightly improving the export positions in the CIS markets.

Negotiations over May shipments of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) to the CIS markets were held in the range of EUR735-780/tonne FCA, whereas deals were done in the range of EUR755-800/tonne FCA a month earlier.
MRC