HMC Polymers to increase annual capacity of PP at plant in Map Ta Phut by 300,000 tons

March 22 (plastemart) -- HMC Polymers will inaugurate its PP plant in Map Ta Phut after capacity expansion in Q2-10. Annual polypropylene production capacity has been increased by 300,000 tons in addition to the existing capacity of 450,000 tons in a bid to serve growing demand for polypropylene both domestically and internationally. The company is an affiliate of PTT and LyondellBasell.


HMC Polymers' capacity expansion project for polypropylene was not included in the recent Central Administrative Court's suspensions for the Map Ta Phut area, so it can proceed with construction work. HMC Polymers is Thailand's first polypropylene resin manufacturer.

MRC

LyondellBasell reorganization delays finance of Kazakh petrochemical plant

March 22 (plastemart) -- The Development Bank of Kazakhstan, which was to finance a US$6 billion natural-gas chemical plant has decided to delay the funding as the project's strategic partner, LyondellBasell Industries, seeks to reorganize. Before the Development Bank of Kazakhstan takes a decision on financing the project, it would want to have a clear understanding of this issue. Export-Import Bank of China agreed to help finance the construction of the plant.


The gas chemical complex will have capacity to produce 800,000 tpa of polyethylene and 450,000 tpa of polypropylene when completed in 2014. KazMunaiGaz National Co., and KazMunaiGas Exploration Production, a London-traded unit of KazMunaiGaz National, each own 50% of the stake.

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.

HDPE imports up 1.5 times in Russia over two months

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Over the course of January-February, HDPE imports in Russia went up by more than 1.5 times (to 26.59 kt) compared to the same period last year - according to MRC DataScope Report.

Imports of Borealis' material increased nearly three times. The share of Borealis' HDPE has moved at about 44% of overall imports this year.


Imports of HDPE used for extrusion coating hiked by nearly 3.5 times (to 11.66 kt). Again supply of Borealis' feedstock increased more than three times (only Brocoat HE 3450 grade has been imported to the Russian market this year).

Imports of pipe-grade HDPE during January-February 2010 were almost similar to the last year's figure (5.94 kt). Demand for pipe-grade material has been extremely weak this year. Seasonal growth of demand will not start earlier than April. At the same time, some trading companies are gradually increasing imports of Asian material. In February, imports of Korea Petrochemical's pipe-grade HDPE went up by 25%, compared to the previous month.

MRC

For more detailed information, see DataScope Report.

Dow Europe increases PE price

March 22 (plasteurope) -- As of 1 April 2010, Dow Europe will raise the prices of its polyethylene resins across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. Whereas LDPE will cost an additional EUR 80/t, the prices of LLDPE and HDPE will rise by EUR 60/t.

The group last raised the price of PE on 1 January 2010.

MRCMRC Reference

Hyundai to hand over polypropylene plant to PetroVietnam by end of May

March 22 (plastemart) -- Plant contractor Hyundai plans to hand over a 150,000 tpa polypropylene plant in Dung Quat oil refinery complex to the investor PetroVietnam. About 99.4% of construction has been completed and a trial production is scheduled for the end of April. Hence the hand over should happen by the end of May.


The VND3 trillion (US$166 mln) hi-tech plant will be supplied with 260,000 tons of propylene feedstock from the refinery.

MRC