Weidenhammer began production of composite cans at Russian JV

March 9 (plasteurope) -- Weidenhammer Packaging Group has begun production of composite cans on a single production line at a plant in Vladimir, 150 km north-east of Moscow / Russia. The facility is operated as part of a 50:50 joint venture with Greiner Packaging Russia, which has been manufacturing at the Vladimir site for six years.

The plant will supply the local market as well as international food companies and consumer goods businesses, Weidenhammer said. Vladimir is the first Weidenhammer plant in Russia and the company's twelfth production facility worldwide.

MRC

LDPE output moved at 59.09 kt in January. Production decreased 3% compared to December 2009. The most serious decrease in LDPE output (by 19%) was recorded at Ufaorgsyntez.

Shipments to the domestic market were seriously limited by high exports (23.04 kt). The situation in the Russian LDPE market became more stable at the end of February because producers had cut down their exports.

LDPE imports fell by 67% compared to December. Imports of Polymir's material did not exceed 20 mt. In 2009, supply of Polymir's material moved at 43% of overall LDPE imports. Supply of Russian oil to Belarusian refineries was stopped at the beginning of 2010, and that was the reason of a serious decrease in utilization of LDPE production capacities at Novopolotsk.

MRC

For more detailed information on the Russian PE market, see Monthly Report.

March 5 (plasteurope) -- Dow Europe has announced a price increase of EUR 120/t, effective immediately, for its ABS and SAN resins sold in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. Dow's last price increase for the resins marketed under the trade names ⌠Magnum (ABS) and ⌠Tyril (SAN) was announced for early January.

The US group has just revealed plans to sell its worldwide Styron business, including ABS and SA, to Bain Capital.

MRC MRC Reference

Share in the Russian market, 2008:

polyethylene - 2.5% (including LLDPE - 33.1%);

polypropylene - 0.8% (including PP-impact - 1.1%);

polystyrene - 2.6%.

Annual sales growth in Russia, recent 5 years:

polyethylene - 55%;

polypropylene - 28%;

polystyrene - 2%.

Imports by processing technologies:

pipe extrusion;

film extrusion;

sheet extrusion;

foaming.

March 5 (adsalecprj) -- SABIC Innovative Plastics will exhibit at Plastimagen Mexico 2010 in Mexico City, March 23-26 where the company will showcase the advanced thermoplastics technologies and dedicated on the ground support it is delivering to its customers in this important growth region. The company will feature a broad range of high-performance and sustainable products for the Mexican market for industries ranging from automotive, appliances, and building and construction to aerospace, electrical, transportation, and emerging sectors.

SABIC Innovative Plastics' high-performance materials technologies that will be on display include:

- STAMAX composite, long fiber structural materials, offering three key advantages: a density that is typically 10 - 25 percent lower than traditional materials and hence lighter weight; a better surface finish than short glass fiber products which enables molded in color solutions; and a 10 -15 percent potential reduction in cycle times.

- Cycolac* ABS resin, manufactured at SABIC Innovative Plastics' Tampico, Mexico facility providing ultraviolet (UV) resistance to outdoor lighting applications, and enhanced flame retardance to electrical applications such as washing machine laundry covers, and control panel housings.

- Ultem PEI resin-based structural composites for aircraft bins and floorings; Ultem foams for lightweight cores; and Ultem fibers for carpets and fabrics.

mrcplast.com

MRC Reference

Sabic. The share in the Russian market in 2008:
PE - 0.2%;
PP - 0.4%;
PS - 0.2%.

Annual sales growth in Russia over the last 5 years:
PE - 33%;
PP - 62%.

March 5 (adsalecprj) -- BASF Polyurethane Solutions announced that it has entered into an agreement with Dynamic Runflats, Inc. (DRI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Defense Venture Group based in Indian Land, South Carolina, to manufacture and market run-flat tire components and systems for military and other applications.

BASF brings to the agreement two technologies that form a system to help enable tires to run when flat. BASF's proprietary elastomer technology, Elastocast, is molded into specially designed parts, and inserted into tires so that if the tire loses air pressure the vehicle would still maintain control and stability allowing drivers the opportunity to delay fixing the flat until they are in a permissive location to accomplish the repair. The other part of BASF's proprietary system is a polyurethane foam technology, Elastofoam, which helps hold the elastomer inserts in place within the tire cavity. "DRI selected the BASF Polyurethane technology because it truly stood out and performed better than any other technology available today," said Mike Marquart, General Manager of DRI.

BASF's polyurethane technology passed rigorous testing to meet all military requirements. In fact, BASF's polyurethane system proves extremely ballistic resistant, even 50 caliber rounds pass through without affecting the runflat.

In addition, the design of the run-flat tire that uses BASF's technology is 60 percent faster to install than currently used technology and no special tools are required. "'No tools required' is very important in military theater operations," said Marquart.

The first vehicle to be built using this proprietary run-flat tire technology was unveiled in North Carolina in late February.

MRC

MRC Reference

BASF. The share in the Russian market in 2008:
PS - 9.1% (GPPS - 5.9%, ABS - 11.4%, EPS - 10.6%).

Annual sales growth in Russia over the 5 years:
PS - 15%.

Imports by polymers processing technologies:
foaming;
injection molding.