Earthquakes in Japan to affect PET market

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Earthquakes in Japan may result in deficit of paraxylene in the region and affect the world balance, according to MRC analysts.

Japan is one of the biggest Asian exporter of paraxylene, main material for terephtalic acid (TPA) and PET. Over 2010 Japan has produced about 3.2 mln of paraxylene, 700 KT out of which were consumed within the country and about 2.5 mln were exported.

Capacity of the Russian market of PET makes about 600 KTa. Capacities of the enterprises (Sibur-PETF, Senegh, Polief) allow to cover about half of total consumption. About 300 KTa fall at imports from South Korea, China, Belorussia and some other countries. Traditional for the Russian market suppliers have already declared the decrease of PET production in connection with paraxylene deficit.

Over a week export quotations for PET in Asia have grown, on average, by USD 100/mt and exceeded the level of USD 1.950/mt, FOB. Next week further growth of granulate prices is expected.

mrcplast.com

(Plastics Today) -- A newly introduced extrusion line for thin-walled polyethylene tubes, such as the squeeze tubes used to package cosmetics, gives processors the flexibility to extrude a wide range of tube sizes, configurations (1-5 layers) and compounds, and even to quickly change from one tube specification to another.

Manufactured and marketed by extrusion systems supplier Boston Matthews (Worcestershire, England and Norwood, NJ), the new range of medium speed "Squeeze Tube" extrusion lines is part of the range of extrusion lines designed by the company specifically for the production of thin walled PE tubes. Machines are available sized to extrude tube sized from 15-60 mm.

Boston Matthews developed the new lines with some of its customers, squeeze tube manufacturers from around the world who already use the company's high-speed Squeeze Tube lines, which it introduced some six year ago. The new lines were developed to help processors of these plastic tubes meet the demands to manufacture a more diverse range of tube sizes, specifications, blends and colors.

MRC

(Celanese) -- Celanese Corporation, a global technology and specialty materials company and a North American leader in Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) polymers, announced that its subsidiary, Celanese EVA Performance Polymers Inc., will increase the price of all grades of Ateva EVA by USD 0.08/pound and all grades of LDPE by USD 0.06/pound effective April 15, 2011, or as contracts allow.

Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of specialty materials and chemical products which are used in most major industries and consumer applications. Our products, essential to everyday living, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Known for operational excellence, sustainability and premier safety performance, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with best-in-class technologies.

MRC

(Lanxess) -- Lanxess achieved an outstanding set of results in 2010 due to its strategic set-up and the general recovery in business. Sales in 2010 rose 41 percent year-on-year to EUR 7.1 billion, driven by strong volume growth and price increases. EBITDA pre exceptionals nearly doubled to EUR 918 million. Lanxess had forecast about EUR 900 million EBITDA pre exceptionals for 2010. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals for the full year was 12.9 percent compared to 9.2 percent in 2009. Net income rose nearly tenfold to EUR 379 million.

⌠Our growth story is set to continue after an outstanding 2010 and an excellent start to 2011, said Chief Executive Officer Axel C. Heitmann at annual press conference in Dusseldorf. Growth will be driven by our focus on emerging markets and premium products serving the global megatrends mobility, urbanization, agriculture and water.

Lanxess' core business comprises the development, manufacture and sale of plastics, rubber, specialty chemicals and intermediates. In addition, it supports its customers in developing and implementing made-to-measure system solutions.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- This winter weather conditions resulted in obstruct line navigation in the port of Saint-Petersburg. This circumstances haven't resulted yet in serious problems for the Russian market of polymers, according to MRC analysts.

In the eastern part of Gulf of Finland long-term low temperatures caused thick ice cover. Ice movement in the Eastern direction increases ice concentration and ridging. In some cases time spent for negotiation on the way to Saint-Petersburg reaches 10 days while, on average, it doesn't exceed 10 hours. Increased time of navigation resulted in serious overloading of port terminals.

Port of Saint-Petersburg is one of the most popular delivery points for volume polymers for some reasons. Last year about 100 KT from 350 KT of import PVC-S were shipped through this port. Over two months this year about 19 KT of resin from North America have been shipped through port of Saint-Petersburg. The second popular polymer for the Russian import is HIPS whose imports through this port in 2010 made about 47% from total number of imports. The share of linear polyethylene coming through this port makes about 15% from overall imports.

As per market players, current delays in deliveries through port of Saint-Petersburg aren't critical for the market. Many companies have insurance stocks of polymers, also not high demand for finished goods, in particular made of PVC, limits consumption.

MRC