EU chemicals production in January increased 7.0%

(ICIS) -- EU chemicals production in January increased 7.0% year on year as the sector continues to move closer to the peak output levels of 2007, the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) said on Wednesday. Chemicals production in the EU now stands at about 1.4% below the peak output achieved in 2007, Cefic said.

In its latest chemical trends report, Cefic said the EU has a trade surplus with all major markets except for China. There was a EUR 47bn (USD 67bn) trade surplus for the EU chemicals sector in 2010, up by 10% from 2009.

⌠The record trade surplus reflects a long-term trend of increased trade flows between the [EU] and the rest of the world, he said.

In terms of output, polymers production in January rose by 6.5% year on year, while basic inorganics and petrochemicals rose by 5.9% and 6.0%, respectively. Specialty chemicals production was up by 3.6% from January 2010, while consumer chemicals output rose by 9.3%.

MRC

(LANXESS) -- Substantial amounts of hydrocarbons leak through the walls of plastic fuel tanks in gasoline engines to the outside and pollute the atmosphere - a phenomenon known as permeation. Lanxess is therefore working on special blow-moldable grades of polyamide 6 that act as an extremely effective barrier against gasoline fuels. One example of such a material is Durethan TP 142-011. ⌠The polyamide 6 is so effective in suppressing fuel permeation that test results are well below the upper limit for motorcycle tanks, which was recently tightened considerably by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is also impact-resistant, a quality it lends to the blow-molded tanks it is used to make, said Maik Schulte, a development engineer at LANXESS. The material is an especially good alternative to high-density polyethylene, which has been used to make many plastic tanks for gasoline engines until now. It also has considerable advantages over other tank materials, such as aluminum, sheet steel and multi-layer plastic composites.

MRC

(LANXESS) -- The megatrend towards electric and hybrid vehicles is opening up varied and promising areas of application for Durethan polyamides and Pocan polybutylene terephthalates (PBT) from Lanxess. ⌠We anticipate that the potential for lightweight designs offered by our high-tech plastics will be harnessed even more effectively in the future to significantly cut the weight of vehicles. We also expect numerous new applications to be opened up for batteries and electrical and electronic components, some with completely new requirements in terms of the materials used, said Ralf Zimnol, head of Application Development in the Semi-Crystalline Products business unit. Lanxess is already working closely with system suppliers and automakers to develop innovative yet cost-effective technical solutions in response to the megatrend of electromobility.

Lanxess high-tech plastics are perfect for the production of battery trays, for example. These structural parts bear the weight of the battery and attach it to the bodywork. They need to be lightweight while also exhibiting a high absorption capacity for crash energy. Lanxess' plastic-metal composite technology based on polyamide 6 and sheet steel or aluminum is perfect for meeting these requirements. Also known as hybrid technology, these lightweight plastic designs usually weigh between 20 and 30 percent less than similar sheet steel solutions.

MRC

(SIBUR) -- SIBUR has reached an agreement for the acquisition of a 26.3% stake in the company Cherepovets "Azot" from a group of investors. The acquisition is aimed at improving the current capitalization of SIBUR business with respect to the production of mineral fertilizers. The company's strategy to phase out the non-core lines of the business through their sale or merger with other producers of nitrogen fertilizer has not been changed. The deal is expected to be concluded following the approval from the appropriate regulatory authorities.

MRC

(SABIC) -- At the VDI conference SABIC Innovative Plastics announced its collaboration with IAV GmbH, a world leader in advanced vehicle and powertrain systems, to develop advanced thermoplastic solutions that can replace metal in electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid powertrain components. Specifically, the two companies are targeting new ways to optimize vehicle performance and efficiency, including lightweighting to offset heavy battery packs and shielding in areas of high voltage.

IAV has been developing innovative concepts and technologies for future vehicle generations for 27 years. In the area of e-mobility, the company develops powertrains, control units, on board systems, high voltage battery systems and other systems and components for battery and hybrid electric vehicles.

MRC