SABIC and POLYRAY collaborate to introduce renewable polycarbonate

MOSCOW (MRC) -- SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry and POLYRAY (Xiamen Hongtai Optical Co., Ltd.,) announced their collaboration for the use of SABIC’s polycarbonate (PC) resin based on certified renewable feedstock in the lenses of several eyewear end applications such as sunglasses, safety glasses and sports goggles, said the company.

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry and POLYRAY (Xiamen Hongtai Optical Co., Ltd.,), an innovative leader in the eyewear lens industry, today announced their collaboration for the use of SABIC’s LEXAN™ polycarbonate (PC) resin based on certified renewable feedstock in the lenses of several eyewear end applications such as sunglasses, safety glasses and sports goggles.

SABIC’s certified renewable polycarbonate – an engineering thermoplastic resin - is part of the company’s TRUCIRCLEportfolio and services. Based on SABIC’s cradle-to-gate peer-reviewed LCA study, use of SABIC’s LEXAN polycarbonate resin can potentially result in reductions in carbon footprint of up to 61% and fossil depletion reduction of up to 35%.

POLYRAY is the first ISCC PLUS certified lens supplier for the eyewear industry, giving their customers a consistent proof of a sustainable supply chain. ISCC is an independent global organization that provides the leading certification system offering solutions to address sustainability requirements for all feedstocks and markets, as well as traceability throughout the supply chain. ISCC PLUS certification can be a powerful tool for companies along the supply chain to address various environmental and social standards.

SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio and services for circular solutions span design for recyclability, mechanically recycled products, certified circular products from feedstock recycling of used plastics and certified renewables products from bio-based feedstock.

SABIC has not yet lifted the force majeure on the supply of high-density polyethylene (LDPE) from the plant in Wilton (Wilton, UK). So, since the end of September last year, the company has been carrying out preventive measures at this enterprise with a capacity of 400 thousand tons of LDPE per year, which should continue along with repair work at the cracking unit at the same site. However, unexpected technical problems were discovered at this plant, in connection with which force majeure circumstances were announced on November 3, 2020.

As per MRC' ScanPlast, Russia's overall consumption of polycarbonate (PC) granules (excluding exports from Belarus) totalled 8,100 tonnes in January 2021, up by 20% year on year (6,800 tonnes a year earlier). 1,600 tonnes of PC were consumed for the production of injection moulding products in Russia over the stated period, up by 4 times year on year (410 tonnes).

SABIC is a diversified company manufacturing chemicals, industrial polymers, fertilizers and metals. It is the largest state-owned company in Saudi Arabia. Sabic is currently the world's second largest producer of ethylene glycol, the third largest polyethylene producer, and the fourth largest polypropylene producer.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The first batch of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) has been received at the new production facility of DSSK PJSC Nizhnekamskneftekhim, Realnoe Vremya reports.

It is a polymer granule. The products are used for the manufacture of road surfaces, which improves the quality and durability of asphalt. Thermoplastic elastomers are also used in the production of roofing materials.

The thermoplastic elastomer production process is fully automated. Finished granules are packed on a special filling line in a special soft container - big bags. The key features of TPEs include high mechanical strength and the possibility of multiple processing without harm to the environment.

Earlier it was reported that the first briquette of a new brand of rubber was obtained at the production of DSSK of Nizhnekamskneftekhim.

According to the ScanPlast survey of MRC, Nizhnekamskneftekhim produced a little less than 17,200 tonnes of propylene polymers in February against 18,500 tonnes a month earlier. In January - February, the total polymer output at the Nizhnekamsk plant reached 35,600 tonnes against 36,100 tonnes in 2020.

PJSC "Nizhnekamskneftekhim" (NKNKH) is one of the largest Russian producers of petrochemical products. The production complex of the company includes ten factories of the main production and ten departments (railway transport, main ethylene pipelines, etc.). NKNKh produces over 120 types of chemical products, including synthetic rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, surfactants. Nizhnekamskneftekhim is part of TAIF Group.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Celanese Corporation, a global chemical and specialty materials company, has announces its intent to expand its GUR ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) production capacity in Europe, as per the company's press release.

In addition to the recently announced Bishop, Texas, GUR expansion of approximately 15,000 tonnes per year coming online beginning in 2022, Celanese intends to invest in additional capacity for GUR in Europe.

The expansion in Europe is expected to be online beginning in 2024 with an annual nameplate capacity of approximately 34K,000 tonnes. Site selection for this new European facility is underway, and Celanese is considering both existing and greenfield locations for a GUR production unit.

The addition of a new UHMW-PE production facility in Europe will support the significant growth in the company’s high-value GUR engineered materials portfolio. With this investment, Celanese will be able to support the double-digit growth for LIBS (Lithium Ion Battery Separators) in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The new facility will also have the option to produce medical grade GUR.

Financial details of this GUR expansion are not being disclosed at this time. Additional project details will be announced as further developments are available.

As MRC reported earlier, Celanese Corporation has also announced that its Clear Lake, Texas integrated chemical manufacturing facility will begin utilizing recycled carbon dioxide (CO2) as an alternative feedstock in the production of methanol, a key raw material in the manufacture of numerous acetyls products, including acetic acid, vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), ethyl acetate and other derivatives.

We remind that in H2 February, 2021, Celanese declared force majeure on its products in the Americas and EMEA region due to the severe winter weather that has heavily curtailed US petrochemicals and refinery production and operations on the US Gulf Coast.

According to MRC's DataScope report, January EVA imports to Russia rose only by 0,07% year on year to 3,084 tonnes from 3,087 tonnes a year earlier, and overall imports of this grade of ethylene copolymer into the Russian Federation dropped in January-December 2020 by 3,41% year on year to 38,170 tonnes (39,520 tonnes in 2019).

Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries and consumer applications. Based in Dallas, Celanese employs approximately 7,700 employees worldwide and had 2020 net sales of USD5.7 billion.
MRC

1. Oil prices fell over 3% on concerns that new coronavirus curbs and slow vaccine rollouts in Europe willl put downward pressure on demand

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Oil prices decreased more than 3%, hit by concerns that new pandemic curbs and slow vaccine rollouts in Europe will hold back a recovery in demand, while a stronger dollar also weighed, according to Hydrocarbonprocessing. Brent crude futures dropped by USD2.20, or 3.4%, to USD62.42 a barrel by 0948 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell by USD2.10, or %3.4, to USD59.46 a barrel. The market structure was also pointing to weakness, with the front-month Brent spread flipping into a small contango for the first time since January.


MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall polypropylene (PP) production in Russia grew in the first two months of 2021 by 8% year on year to 350,000 tonnes. All Russian producers increased their output, with Nizhnekamskneftekhim being the exception, according to MRC's ScanPlast report.

Russian producers' overall PP production did not exceed 168,100 tonnes in February, compared to 182,400 tonnes a month earlier, several producers simultaneously reduced their capacity utilisation. Russia's overall PP output reached 350,000 tonnes in January-February 2021 versus 323,800 tonnes a year earlier. Seven out of eight producers increased their capacity utilisation, with Stavrolen and ZapSibNeftekhim accounting for the greatest growth in the output.

The structure of PP production by plants looked the following way over the stated period.

SIBUR Tobolsk/SapSibNeftekhim raised its capacity utilisation in February, the plant's production was 91,900 tonnes versus 96,700 tonnes a month earlier. SIBUR Tobolsk's PP overall output reached 188,600 tonnes in the first two months of 2021, up by 14% year on year.

Poliom reduced its capacity utilisation last month, and, as a result, produced about 15,900 tonnes of PP, whereas its production was 18,200 tonnes a month earlier. Overall, the Omsk plant produced 34,100 tonnes of PP over the stated period, up by 2% year on year.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim produced a little less then 17,200 tonnes of propylene polymers in February versus 18,500 tonnes a month earlier. The Nizhnekamsk plant's overall output of polymer reached 35,600 tonnes in January-February 2021, compared to 36,100 tonnes a year earlier.

Tomskneftekhim produced 11,700 tonnes of propylene polymers last month versus 13,500 tonnes a month earlier. The Tomsk plant's total PP output reached 25,200 tonnes over the stated period, up by 2% year on year.

Ufaorgsintez's production capacities operated with lower capacity utilisation in February due to a shortage of propylene, the plant's PP production was 9,500 tonnes, compared to 11,900 tonnes a month earlier. The Ufa plant's overall output of polymer reached 21,400 tonnes in the first two months of 2021, up by 1% year on year.

Neftekhimiya (Kapotnya) produced 11,800 tonnes of PP last month, compared to 12,600 tonnes a month earlier. The producer's overall PP output reached 24,400 tonnes over the stated period, up by 2% year on year.

Stavrolen (LUKOIL) maintained high capacity utilisation in February and produced about 10,000 tonnes of propylene polymers versus 11,200 tonnes a month earlier. The Budenovsk plant's overall output of propylene polymers reached 21,200 tonnes in the first two months of 2021, up by 15% year on year.

MRC