BASF starts operations at expanded Ecoflex plant

(BASF) -- BASF has started operations at its expanded plant for the production of the biodegradable plastic Ecoflex. Expansion of the existing plant in Ludwigshafen will increase production capacity for Ecoflex from 14,000 to 74,000 metric tons per year. At the same time, BASF will ramp up compounding capacity for Ecovio, a derivative of Ecoflex.


Ecoflex is a plastic that has the properties of conventional polyethylene but is fully biodegradable under industrial composting conditions in accordance with DIN EN 13432. Ecovio is a derivative of Ecoflex that is also biodegradable and that contains up to 75 percent renewable raw materials.


Typical applications are shopping bags, organic waste bags, mulch films for agricultural applications, and food packaging. One of the latest innovations is Ecovio FS Paper, which is used to provide a biodegradable waterproof coating on the interior surfaces of paper cups and cardboard containers.


With Ecovio and Ecoflex, BASF is already one of the world's leading suppliers of biobased and biodegradable plastics. Both of these properties are increasingly in demand, and the market for biodegradable and biobased plastics is currently growing by more than 20 percent per year.


MRC

DSM Engineerging Plastics to increase prices for Akulon and Novamid PA6 and PA66

(DSM) -- DSM Engineerging Plastics Europe has announced it will increase prices for its Akulon and Novamid PA6 and PA66 portfolios, due to unprecedented and continued escalations in key raw materials costs (such as benzene, caprolactam, glass fiber, flame retardants and others).


DSM remains committed to the continued implementation of cost-saving initiatives, however, escalating costs necessitate this additional increase to sustain DSM Engineering Plastics' position as an innovative and reliable supplier.


Increases in the range of 200 Eur/tonne have already been implemented with many customers throughout January and will be implemented further as contracts allow.


MRC

Mexico's ALFA completes purchase of three South Carolina plants

(Plastemart) -- Mexican industrial conglomerate ALFA, S.A.B. de C.V. has completed purchase of 3 South Carolina petrochemical plants from Eastman Chemical Company for about US$600 mln. One of the plants produces PTA and the other two produce PET with an annual capacity of 1.27 mln tons. As per the agreement, ALFA's DAK Americas, LLC unit also gets the intellectual property of Eastman's integrated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and purified terephthalic acid (PTA) business, as well as access to the existing customer base.


MRC

Uzbekistan is to invest US$1.2 bln on upgrade of a polyethylene gas-chemical complex

(Plastemart) -- Uzbekistan is to invest US$1.2 bln on upgrade of a polyethylene gas-chemical complex at state owned plant in Mubarek to 400,000 tons. The project, to be financed jointly with Singapore's Indorama group, will have US$150 mln from national gas company Uzbekneftegaz and US$600 mln from Indorama, while The Uzbekistan Fund for Reconstruction and Development will contribute US$450 mln.


Upgrade of the plant built in 1971 is expected to be completed by 2015. This project constitutes part of the Uzbek government's economic plan to stimulate investment in the country.


MRC

Cereplast to sell bioplastics in Italy and Slovenia

(prw) -- Cereplast is continuing its push into the European market thanks to a new distribution deal with ColorTec to sell bioplastics in southern Italy and Slovenia. US-based Cereplast says Italian manufacturers, in particular, are looking towards bioplastics after the country's government announced a ban on PE bags earlier this year.


Under the terms of the agreement, Cereplast will supply ColorTec with its Compostable 3000 film for shopping and rubbish bags.


Last month, Cereplast targeted growing bioplastic demand in Europe by opening a new headquarters in Bonen, Germany.


The company also plans to open a manufacturing plant in Europe in 2012 with double the capacity of the US factory.


MRC