The Russian market of polymers grew by 1 mln MT

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Capacity of the market of volume polymers (polyethylene, PVC, polypropylene, polystyrene and PET) in Russia grew last year by one mln MT and reached the level of 4.5 mln MT. Overall consumption of polymers in comparison to 2009 increased by 28%, according to MRC annual reports.

The market, in literal sense, jumped to the unpredicted level, that's why all our reports are united with the general visual idea of a jump. Frankly speaking, the received estimates may not fully correspond to the real situation in the market, and they need extra explanation. In our reports we will present our arguments, where such significant numbers came from, - said Olga Sinelnikova, the head of annual reports department, MRC.

Polyethylene sales grew by 420 KT (or by 32%), PVS sales - by 247.5 KT (34%), polypropylene - by 141 KT (22%), polystyrene - 88 KT (29%), PET - by 98 KT (22%). Now the average annual consumption of volume polymers by one Russian has reached its historical maximum and makes 32 kg/per.

A positive factor last year was the growth of overall domestic production of basic polymers by more than 500 KT. New capacities are launched in Salavat, Nizhnekamsk, Kazan and Perm.

Despite a positive dynamics in polymers production the Russian market still depends on imports whose total volume exceeded 1.49 mln MT in 2010. Converters are forced to use 35% of imported polymers in their production. In 2010 in many directions record import indices were fixed: PE - 457 KT, PVC - 485 KT, PP - 198 KT.

As we suggested a year ago (see news dated January 15, 2010), the creation of Customs Union has a considerable impact on the Russian market. In 2011 we expect non less significant changes connected with possible Russia's joining WTO. In MRC annual reports there are several scenarios of the polymers market development in terms of WTO. The tags cloud for all reports is available lower. The reports will be issued on March 20, 2011.

MRC

(Food Productiondaily) -- UK plastic processors have warned that soaring raw material costs will lead to significant price increases for the their products, while a leading packaging body said higher costs will inevitably be passed down the supply chain.

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) served clear notice yesterday that increases of up to 80 per cent for some plastics over the last two years would mean that sectors such as packaging should expect to be hit by further price rises this year.

''Some grades of polyethylene and polypropylene have increased by 70 per cent and 80 per cent respectively since January 2009, said BPF director-general Peter Davis.

He added that in the last 12 months alone polypropylene registered a 40 per cent increase, while polystyrene prices had almost doubled since January 2009.

Dick Searle chief executive of The Packaging Federation, in the UK, said packaging manufacturers have been faced with unprecedented raw material costs across the industry. Searle indicated that faced with such raw material hikes packaging producers would also have no option but to pass such cost increases on in order to stay in business.

MRC

(MandaDeals) -- Key Capital Partners (KCP) has provided expansion financing to Wells Plastics, and taken a minority stake in the company. KCP has invested 3.8 million pounds in equity in the company, alongside senior debt facilities from Natwest and investment from incoming executive chairman, Paul Richardson. Members of the existing management team including sales and marketing director Carl Birch, technical director Andrew Barclay and former managing director David Nelson will retain a role at the company

The buy-out of the additive manufacturer will enable Wells Plastics to target markets in the Middle East, Africa and South America.

Staffordshire-based Wells produces specialist additives for plastic manufacturers and processors, which modify the properties of the plastic to improve characteristics such as UV and flame resistance.

Growth in demand for its Revert product, which speeds up the natural degradation process of plastic, such as carrier bags, has driven increased sales at Wells, according to a statement from the company.

MRC

(Styron) -- Styron, the global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, will present its plastics for the LED Lighting industry as an exhibitor at the 12th annual Strategies in Light show in Santa Clara, Calif. Among the products showcased will be Styron's innovative CALIBRE 301-58LT Polycarbonate Resin combining high light transmission, comparable to acrylics, with high melt flow ideal for LED Lighting applications.

Styron offers a broad spectrum of extrusion and injection molding grade polycarbonate resins and compound and blends under the brand names CALIBRE Polycarbonate Resins and EMERGE Advanced Resins. These materials feature properties required by the LED Lighting sector, i.e., high light transmission, excellent light diffusion, impact strength, heat resistance and UV stability, and are used in applications ranging from signs and retail displays to traffic signals and light sources in appliances.

The LED Lighting market is growing globally in response to environmental regulations and consumer preference for environmentally-friendly products. This has caused lighting to move from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescents to light emitting diodes (LED), with regional and regulatory requirements dictating the pace of conversion.

MRC

(LyondellBasell) -- Audi has selected a new Softell polypropylene (PP) compound from LyondellBasell to manufacture the rear door panel of its new A1 model. Use of the new grade has enabled the auto maker to produce an interior part with exceptional surface aesthetics and soft-touch qualities, without the need for typically required painting.

Interior applications in premium-class models have been dominated by other polymer solutions such as PC/ABS (polycarbonate/acrynitril butadiene styrene) with soft-touch painting.

The gloss level of a conventional PP compound is between 2 and 3 GUs (measured at an angle of 60╟). Tests conducted using a gloss meter show that Softell resins have a gloss level below 1.5, which is required to achieve good matt surface characteristics. To attain this level of gloss, the use of soft-painted surfaces typically has been required.

Compared to traditional polymers, the grade also provides the automaker with improved flowability in high shear and injection molding conditions.

MRC