Chennai Petroleum, Indian Oil plan USD3.8-billion refinery including PP plant

TMOSCOW (MRC) -- The Board of directors of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) has proposed the implementation of the 9 MMTPA Refinery Project at Cauvery Basin Refinery, Nagapattinam district, to the Board of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), said Business-standard.

CPCL plans to do this through a joint venture, at an anticipated cost of Rs 28,983 crore. This project encompasses a polypropylene unit apart from the refinery complex. The refinery complex will provide impetus for economic development of the region. As a preparatory step, operations at the refinery were ceased starting April 01, 2019. CPCL entered into a MoU with Government of Tamil Nadu for availing a structured package of incentives. Its request for additional land acquisition has also been permitted by Government of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.

CPCL and IOCL together will be holding 25 per cent stake each in the joint venture and the remaining 50 per cent would be held by a strategic/financial/public investor. The Board of CPCL has given in-principle approval to invest an amount till about Rs 2,500 crore in the joint venture, subject to required authorizations.

CPCL has two refineries located at Manali and Nagapattinam with a combined refining capacity of over 11.5 million tons per annum (MMTPA). Its main products include LPG, motor spirit, high-speed diesel, naphtha, bitumen, superior kerosene, aviation turbine fuel, lube base stocks, paraffin wax, hexane, fuel oil and petrochemical feed stocks.

Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

According to MRC's DataScope report, PE imports to Russia dropped in January-June 2020 by 7% year on year to 328,000 tonnes. High density polyethylene (HDPE) accounted for the main decrease in imports. At the same time, PP imports into Russia rose in the first six months of 2020 by 21% year on year to 105,300 tonnes. Propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) accounted for the main increase in imports.

IOCL is engaged in refining business and its segments include sale of petroleum products, sale of petrochemicals and other businesses. Its other businesses segment includes sale of gas, explosives and cryogenics, wind mill and solar power generation, and oil and gas exploration activities.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Huntsman reported a net loss of USD59m for the second quarter of 2020 compared with net income of USD118m in the equivalent period last year, said the company.

Sales were down 30%, at USD1.247bn. The coronavirus crisis severely impacted volumes in the quarter and prices fell on lower raw material costs. The company said its balance sheet remains strong with a net leverage of 1.5 times and total liquidity of approximately USD2.6bn.

"We were fortunate to have been more prepared than ever as we entered the second quarter in an unprecedented global economic crisis, with little to no visibility,” said CEO Peter Huntsman. “With our transformed balance sheet, there was no need to access capital markets."

Sales volumes were down sharply in all the company’s operating segments, and by as much as 48% in Textile Effects and 31% in Advanced Materials. Volumes were down 16% in Polyurethanes but earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were down 80% for the segment. EBITDA for Huntsman’s third largest business, Advanced Materials, slumped 45%. Second-quarter adjusted EBITDA for the company as a whole was USD54m, down from USD245m in the prior year period.

“While the ongoing related global effects of COVID-19 remain uncertain and visibility continues to be poor, we see improving trends within most of our major markets and are optimistic that the worst of this economic slowdown is behind us," Peter Huntsman said.

The company expects to reach targeted USD100m cost savings, including savings related to recent acquisitions, by the end of 2021.

As MRC reported previously, in April 2020, to further aid in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, LyondellBasell (LBI) donated a key ingredient to Huntsman Corporation to produce hand sanitizer for US first responders.

We remind that, in January 2020, Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global chemical producer, completed its acquisition of Huntsman’s world-class integrated oxides and derivative businesses, including a large flagship site on the US Gulf Coast (USGC) at Port Neches, as well as Chocolate Bayou and Dayton in Texas, Ankleshwar in India, and Botany in Australia, as per IVL's press release.

Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, PE imports to Russia dropped in January-June 2020 by 7% year on year to 328,000 tonnes. High density polyethylene (HDPE) accounted for the main decrease in imports. At the same time, PP imports into Russia rose in the first six months of 2020 by 21% year on year to 105,300 tonnes. Propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) accounted for the main increase in imports.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Sahara International Petrochemical Co. (Sipchem) reported a net loss after Zakat and tax of SAR 151.8 million for the first half of 2020, compared to a net profit of SAR 325.6 million in the year-earlier period, said the company.

The loss was driven by lower netbacks on most products, a decline in sales volumes of acetic acid, vinyl acetate monomer, ethyl acetate and carbon monoxide, as well as unplanned shutdown and turnaround maintenance at Al Waha.

Furthermore, Sipchem’s net loss includes results from Sahara Petrochemicals Company for the full six months in the current period. In contrast, the prior period only includes Sahara Petrochemicals Company results for one month.

The company reported a net loss after Zakat and tax of SAR 99 million in Q2 2020, compared to a net profit of SAR 201.9 million a year earlier, due to lower sales volumes and lower netbacks for most products.

As MRC informed earlier, in line with their social responsibility towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sadara Chemical Company (Sadara) and Sahara International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) have partnered to supply high-quality ethanol which is required for the manufacturing of hand sanitisers.

As MRC informed earlier, Russia's output of chemical products rose in June 2020 by 2.6% year on year. However, production of basic chemicals increased year on year by 4.9% in the first six months of 2020. According to the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation, polymers in primary form accounted for the greatest increase in the output in January-June. Production of benzene was 106,000 tonnes in June 2020, compared to 110,000 tonnes a month earlier. Overall output of this product reached 721,000 tonnes over the stated period, up by 3.9% year on year.

Sadara Chemical is a USD20 billion petrochemical joint venture between national oil giant Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Axalta Coating Systems Q2 sales fell 43.6% year on year as demand declined because of impact of the coronavirus, said the company.

The company swung to a Q2 net loss, driven primarily by volume decline impacts. Sequentially, sales improved month on month, following a bottom in April. June net sales were 82% higher than in April.

In the current Q3, Axalta continues to be impacted by the coronavirus pandemic across its business, although impacts on customer demand related to the virus continues to gradually improve month-to-month, it said.

In light of the “demand headwinds”, Axalta will undertake a global restructuring, aimed at addressing the continued effects of the pandemic and to improve its cost structure, it said.

The restructuring is expected to result in a net 5% reduction of Axalta's global workforce, or about 550 employees, with the potential for additional reductions from Europe, subject to works council consultations and local legal requirements.

The workforce reduction is expected to be completed over 24 months, generating savings of about USD50m, with USD40 million expected by the end of 2021.

As MRC informed earlier, Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended Dec. 31, 2019. Net sales of USD1,098.4 million for the fourth quarter decreased 5.8 percent, including 1.3 percent negative foreign currency translation impact and a two percent impact from the sale of a consolidated Joint Venture interest in Q2 2019.

As MRC informed earlier, Axalta Coating Systems has completed its previously announced acquisition of the Spencer Coatings Group, a leading manufacturer of high performance industrial coatings for heavy-duty equipment, general industrial, oil and gas, and glass coatings segments.

As MRC informed earlier, Russia's output of chemical products rose in June 2020 by 2.6% year on year. However, production of basic chemicals increased year on year by 4.9% in the first six months of 2020. According to the Federal State Statistics Service of the Russian Federation, polymers in primary form accounted for the greatest increase in the output in January-June. Production of benzene was 106,000 tonnes in June 2020, compared to 110,000 tonnes a month earlier. Overall output of this product reached 721,000 tonnes over the stated period, up by 3.9% year on year.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- US-based materials science specialist Dow and Malaysia-based plastic stretch cling film producer Thong Guan has introduced a new range of bio-based polyethylene (bio-PE) cling film for Asia Pacific region, according to BIO MARKET INSIGHTS.

According to Dow, this marks a milestone in the region’s commercialisation of a plastics offering made from renewable feedstock, enabling industry providers to produce high-performance plastics while reducing carbon footprint.

In a joint effort, Thong Guan will be using Dow’s bio-based resin derived from renewable feedstock. The feedstock comes from tall oil, a residue of paper production, from sustainably managed forests.

Unlike other alternative renewable feedstocks, it does not compete with the human food chain, and no extra land is required for its production, Dow said in a statement. Dow uses a mass balance approach, which encourages the use of renewable feedstock, by supporting sustainable systems for producing plastic. This approach enables the industry to transition away from its dependency on fossil fuels as a feedstock.

Nano Bio, the new range of stretch cling films by Thong Guan, will be made using Dow’s linear low-density polyethylene, ELITE 5230GC R Enhanced Polyethylene Resins. Without compromising on quality, the new bio-based stretch cling films will support brand owners in addressing Asia Pacific’s increasing demand for renewable plastics, Dow maintained.

“To achieve our new sustainability targets, Dow is committed to implementing and advancing technologies to manufacture products using fewer resources, thereby helping our customers to reduce their carbon footprint. Introducing Dow’s first bio-based polyethylene in Asia Pacific based on renewable feedstock is an important step in this direction,” said Bambang Candra, Asia Pacific commercial vice president at Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics.

Candra added: “In addition, as a part of the new sustainability targets, Dow is also committed to stopping the leakage of plastic waste into the environment by enabling 1 million metric tonnes of plastic to be collected, reused or recycled by 2030 and closing the circular economy loop by having 100% of its products sold into packaging applications be reusable or recyclable by 2035.”

The Nano Bio range of stretch cling film is produced by state-of-the-art nanotechnology, downgauged with increased strength, flexibility, and durability. In addition to being environmentally friendly, this optimised packaging ensures pallet load stability and curtails damages and accidents during transportation.

“This is a landmark moment for Dow. Introducing bio-based resins for the first time in Asia Pacific, our fastest growing market, is key in advancing a circular economy. We are proud to embark on this journey with our long-term partner, Thong Guan, and further both our sustainability offerings in order to meet our environmental goals,” Eunice Ch’ng, senior marketing manager at Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics, Asia Pacific.

“We are committed to preserving the environment and resources for the future world. The continuous collaboration with Dow illustrates our dedication to offering renewable products and promoting sustainability,” said Dato’ Ang Poon Chuan, managing director at Thong Guan Industries. “With Dow’s bio-based resins, our Nano Bio reduces the use of plastics while maintaining the same high-performance, thus meeting our customers’ business and sustainability needs.

David Ang, sales and marketing general manager at Thong Guan Industries said: “Sustainability is not just a buzz word. At Thong Guan, our commitment is not solely on our products, but also in our processes and daily consumptions. It is our unequivocal commitment to protect our home, reduce carbon footprint, and innovate our way towards an ecological balance for our future generations.”

Dow’s bio-based polyethylene portfolio is produced using bio-naphtha from tall oil, which is a by-product of paper pulp production. This new supply chain from bio-feedstocks enables a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to standard fossil-derived PE resins. In addition, our PE resins production is certified by ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) based on a mass balance approach. This approach helps industries become more sustainable by supporting the sourcing of sustainable ingredients within complex manufacturing or production systems, meaning all steps meet traceability criteria.

As MRC reported earlier, Dow Chemical restarted three polyethylene (PE) plants it shut in April on improving demand after widespread economic shocks in April and May, confirmed a company spokeswoman July 23.

According to MRC's DataScope report, PE imports to Russia dropped in January-June 2020 by 7% year on year to 328,000 tonnes. High density polyethylene (HDPE) accounted for the main decrease in imports.

The Dow Chemical Company is an American multinational chemical corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan, United States. Dow is a large producer of plastics, including polystyrene (PS), polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, and synthetic rubber.
MRC