LyondellBasell uninterested in Reliance buy

March 9 (plasteurope) -- Insolvent polyolefins producer LyondellBasell is making it clear it doesn't want to be acquired by Reliance, Indian reports say. Some analysts see the enhanced Reliance offer of USD 14.5 bn as too low, as the polyolefins economy appears to be improving. Others believe the acquisition would not benefit Reliance, anyway.

For 2009, LyondellBasell reported an operating profit of USD 317m, thanks largely to restructuring, but the bottom line was a negative USD 2.9m. The 39% sales slip against 2008 to USD 31 bn is blamed on lower selling prices and lower volumes.

MRC

MRC Reference

LyondellBasell. The share in the Russian market in 2008:
PE - 1.4% (including HDPE - 2.5%, LDPE - 0.3%);
PP - 4.1% (including block-copolymers - 9.5%).

Annual sales growth in Russia, during the recent 5 years:
PE - 27%;
PP - 88%.

The leader in the following polymers processing technologies:

pipe extrusion;

film extrusion;

injection molding.

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%.