BASF and Cognis presented their latest formulation concepts and innovations

(BASF) -- At this year's In-Cosmetics trade show, BASF and Cognis - which is now part of the BASF Group - presented their latest formulation concepts and innovations for personal care products. Together with their cosmetic active ingredients businesses, BASF Beauty Care Solutions and Laboratoires Serobiologiques (LS), the companies showed how their combined technical skills, market expertise and product ranges can even better help their customers meet the latest consumer demands.


During the show, a selection of new formulation concepts was presented for sun and skin care. For skin care, the focus was put on advanced photostable UVA protection as a key factor in the prevention of premature skin aging (photoaging). The formulation concept ⌠Daily Skin Treasure with Advanced UVA Protection is one example for a skin care lotion with optimal photostable UVA protection.


Also on show was the BASF Sunscreen Simulator, which has become a very popular in silico tool among the community of sunscreen developers worldwide. It enables formulators to see immediately how a given UV filter combination is likely to perform in terms of Sun Protection Factor and the various UVA metrics and criteria used in different countries and regions.


MRC

Ineos Oxide to expand its Ethylene Oxide and Ethylene Oxide Derivatives capacity

(INEOS) -- Ineos Oxide confirmed that it is considering plans to expand its Ethylene Oxide (EO) and Ethylene Oxide Derivatives (EOD) capacity as part of its strategy to grow its global business over the next few years. As part of its growth strategy Ineos'Oxide business is considering an investment in the US Gulf which would incorporate EO, Glycol and EOD's, building on its existing presence and experience in this market.


Various sites are currently under consideration in the Gulf Coast area as part of the company's growth strategy. Other locations globally are also being considered and confirmation of the location of the first investment is expected later this year.


Ineos has also confirmed that the construction of its new one million tonne per annum Ethylene Terminal, at its Zwijndrecht facilities in Belgium is progressing well. Operation of the new deep-sea terminal, announced in July 2010, is expected to start in 2012, as planned.


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Three South Korean petrochemical makers shut down some of their naphtha crackers

(Reuters) -- Three South Korean petrochemical makers said on Tuesday that they will shut down some of their naphtha crackers for maintenance in April, meaning all five local players will proceed with scheduled shutdowns next month. Heavy cracker maintenance schedules through May have been weighing on Asian naphtha markets, which are also facing pressure from the loss of Japanese naphtha demand after the country's worst quake on record on March 11, according to traders.


Samsung Total Co Ltd will close its 850 KTa naphtha cracker for about a month from late April. Honam Petrochemical Corp will shut down a 750 KTa naphtha cracker for 10 days from April 1, their officials said.


Korea Petrochemical Ind Co Ltd (KPIC) will close its 460 KTa cracker from April 3-30, the officials said, adding that Honam would close another 1 million-tpy cracker for 30 days in October.


On March 17, rival LG Chem Ltd started a 30-day maintenance shutdown of its 800 KTa naphtha cracker to raise capacity by 100 KT. YNCC will shut down its largest 857 Kta naphtha cracker from April 5 as planned.


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Redevelopment of the West Qurna 1 field to significantly boost Iraq's energy resources

(Arabian Oil and Gas) -- ExxonMobil Iraq Limited, together with the South Oil Company of Iraq and co-venturers Shell West Qurna B.V. and Oil Exploration Company of Iraq, announced Monday the ⌠major production milestone of 285.000 barrels per day (bpd) from 244.000 bpd at the redevelopment of the West Qurna I oil field in Southern Iraq. This exceeds the 10% improved production target established under the technical services contract, according to ExxonMobil.


⌠This important development has been made possible by a strong partnership with the South Oil Company based on common values and goals, said James Adams, vice president of ExxonMobil Iraq Limited. ⌠ExxonMobil is an industry leader in the timely and cost effective execution of complex long-term projects and we are committed to working with the South Oil Company to help fulfill Iraq's strategic energy development plans."


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Specialty chemicals distributor Azelis to expand its operations in Russia

(Azelis) -- Specialty chemicals distributor Azelis is expanding its operations in Russia into the coatings market. Alexander Serbin has been appointed as sales manager dedicated to grow sales in this important market, which is estimated to be worth in the region of 1.2 million tons of paint.


International Business Director for Coatings, Michel Dumusois said: ⌠We are building on our established strengths in the coatings market in Western and Eastern Europe, where we have seen annual growth in sales exceeding 10% in recent years, to open up new countries like Russia for coatings.


⌠We will utilise our International logistics infrastructure offering flexibility of shipment size from regularly audited facilities. This, together with local warehousing, our stringent SHEQ standards and full REACH compliance, plus dedicated local commercial support, means that Principals can be confident in the ability of Azelis to offer effective penetration of the attractive growth market for coatings in Russia.


Azelis has had a presence in Russia since April 2008 when an office was opened in Moscow with local warehousing facilities nearby. Later, the local presence has been extended to St Petersburg and Novosibirsk to service customers spread throughout this vast country. Operations in Russia are headed up by Regional Managing Director, Igor Loginov.


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