Borealis and Borouge introduce lightweight PP for Renault

(specialchem4polymers) -- Borealis and Borouge, amongst the leading providers of innovative, value-creating plastics solutions, have introduced a new grade of polypropylene (PP) specified for use in lightweight bumper applications for two new Renault automotive platforms.

High flow Borcom WH107AE was specified for the recently introduced Dacia Lodgy, a minivan produced at Renault's new plant in Morocco and for the Renault Twizy, Renault's first electrical car produced at its plant in Spain. Borcom WH107AE is already in use for new generation bumper applications in other Renault platforms including but not limited to the new Dacia Duster and Sandero in South America and Russia.

The specification of Borcom WH107AE underlines a number of major benefits to Renault. These include reducing the thickness of parts and density of materials used for car bumpers makes a significant contribution to Renault's strategy of overall vehicle weight reduction for fuel economy and lower emissions.

In addition, Borealis and Borouge deliver strong technical expertise and highly personalised support to Renault through a dedicated team for the development, ramping-up and production phases throughout the world.

MRC

(specialchem4polymers) -- Specialty chemicals company Lanxess is investing EUR 75 million in the construction of a new plant for high-tech plastics in Antwerp. The world-scale facility for polyamide plastics is designed for an annual capacity of 90,000 metric tons and scheduled to begin operation in the first quarter of 2014.

"This investment is yet another milestone on our way towards profitable growth, and a clear commitment to our Antwerp site. High-tech plastics play a critical role in our global strategy. Our plans for growth depend on innovations and technologies that support the global megatrends. Activities therefore are focused on solutions for sustainable mobility," said Axel C. Heitmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Lanxess AG, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new polyamide facility. Global demand for high-tech plastics is expected to rise by five to six percent each year through 2020. The automotive industry is one of the main growth drivers for Lanxess plastics.

Lanxess is one of the leading specialty chemicals companies with sales of EUR 8.8 billion in 2011 and currently around 16,800 employees in 30 countries. The company is at present represented at 49 production sites worldwide. The core business of Lanxess is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals.

MRC

(upstreamonline) -- Russian gas producer Gazprom has no plans to buy BP's stake in Anglo-Russian venture TNK-BP as of now, a company executive said.

"No," Alexander Medvedev, deputy chairman of the company's management committee, said when asked if Gazprom was interested in taking a stake in TNK-BP or was studying the possibility.

The company is generally interested in good projects, Medvedev said, adding the company would wait to see the details of plans to sell the stake in TNK-BP.

TNK-BP is Russia's third largest oil producer and BP's stake is one of the biggest foreign investments ever made in the country.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) – In early June, prices of LDPE in the spot market dropped on average by Rb1,000-1,500/tonne due to the increase in supply from Russian producers and seasonal decrease in demand, as per MRC analysts.

By the mid-May on the back of a high seasonal demand and a limited supply in the market the prices of Russian LDPE had reached their peak value. The prices of 158 LDPE reached Rb66,500-68,500/tonne, including VAT, CPT Moscow. The most notable deficit was seen in the market of LDPE for shrinkable films, the price quotations were at Rb70,000/tonne including VAT, CPT Moscow.

The tightened supply of LDPE in the Russian market resulted from 30-days’ turnaround of Kazanorgsintez, technical problems at Tomskneftekhim and reduced production at Ufaorgsintez in April.

By mid-May Tomskneftekhim had begun its operation and Kazanorgsintez resumed its production of 153 and 158 LDPE.

It resulted in the growth of LDPE supplies in the second half of May. Seasonal decline in demand also began to put a downward pressure on the prices.

In early June the price quotations of 158 LDPE in the spot market were cut to Rb65,500-67,000/tonne, including VAT, CPT Moscow. PE for shrinkable film is offered on average for Rb67,000-68,000/tonne, including VAT, CPT Moscow.

MRC

(canplastics) -- Los Angeles has become the largest city in America to pass a ban on plastic bags, joining Seattle and San Francisco, among other major cities, to enact such law.

Following a 13 to 1 vote in the Los Angeles City Council on May 23, the city will become the largest U.S. metropolis to enact a ban on plastic bags and add a 10-cent fee for each paper bag sold. Under the measure, the ban will undergo a four-month environmental study and then a final vote and signature from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The ban is set to go into effect July 1, with the estimated number of 2.7 billion plastic bags saved annually from being thrown out. Large and small stores alike will have 12 months to phase out the use of plastic bags with the exemption of plastic bags used in the produce department of supermarkets. Plastic garbage bags for trash bins and dog waste will still be legal.

Los Angeles joins San Francisco, San Jose, and Long Beach as California cities that have enacted a ban on plastic bags. Seattle City County also passed the same ban last December with the same tentative date of July 1 for the rules to go into regulation. Last week, Hawaii announced that it will be the first state to entirely ban plastic bags by July 2015.

MRC