BASF to develop a modular mounting system for flat-roof solar installations

(BASF) -- The plastics processor Ensinger located in Nufringen, Germany and BASF have entered into a joint undertaking with the Goldbeck Solar company to develop a modular mounting system for flat-roof solar installations in which the load-bearing elements are made of a BASF engineering plastic for the first time. Thanks to the new system, solar panels can be installed on flat roofs more easily and more quickly.

The advantages of the new support elements made of this application-optimized thermoplastic include especially the fact that the roof membrane is not punctured or damaged during the installation work. The roof remains water-proof without the need for any additional sealing measures. Moreover, Ensinger was able to benefit from injection molding of thermoplastics, integrating numerous functions into the plastic structure.

The substructure consists of very few individual parts: two identical pedestals made of plastic are joined together by a metal rail. A plastic bracket is mounted vertically on the rear pedestal by means of a snap-on connection and simple screw elements.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas.

BASF posted sales of about EUR73.5 billion in 2011 and had approximately 111,000 employees as of the end of 2011. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN).
MRC

(plastemart) -- Kazakh national oil and gas company KazMunayGas is considering participation in USD1 bln investment project of the Belarusian company Mogilevkhimvolokno, which includes a complex to make terephthalic acid (PTA) out of Kazakh paraxylene (PX).

Terephthalic acid will then be processed by OAO Mogilevkhimvolokno to make polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and after that polyester fiber. The new complex will be much more effective as far as energy costs involved in the manufacturing process are concerned. Mogilevkhimvolokno will build a new complex able to make about 600,000 tonnes of polyester fiber per annum.

The Belarusian state petrochemical concern Belneftekhim and its subordinate organizations have put together a government program (to be discussed and approved by the Council of Ministers Presidium in December 2012) for the development of the national petrochemical industry till 2015 and till 2020.

In particular, the program provides for implementing a USD1 bln project at OAO Mogilevkhimvolokno in association with the Kazakh company KazMunayGas. An agreement on cooperation with KazMunayGas was reached during the visit of Prime Minister of Belarus Mr Mikhail Myasnikovich to Kazakhstan in November 2012.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- As part of its strategy to harness the power of the sun and in a move to improve the energy efficiency of its manufacturing operations, Dow Chemical has installed a high-efficiency solar system on the roof of the plant that makes ENLIGHT polyolefin encapsulant films at Map Ta Phut, Thailand, according to the company's press release.

The Map Ta Phut site is Dow’s largest in the Asia-Pacific region. The new system is expected to generate about 100 kilowatts of electricity annually for about 25 years.

Jirasak Singmaneechai, Thailand Country Manager for Dow, said: "This step represents another good commitment to doing what is right for Dow and for the environment."

We remind that Dow Chemical announced in August, 2012, that it had begun production of enlight polyolefin encapsulant films in Thailand to be used in photovoltaic solar panels. Market demand for these innovative films remains very strong and new production capacity will allow Dow to meet the needs of this fast-growing sector.

As MRC informed earlier, Dow Chemical had previously commenced production of films at its plant in Ohio, US, in 2010 and has recently announced the further development of ENLIGHT polyolefin PV module encapsulant films and adding manufacturing capacity at its integrated site in Schkopau, Germany, in 2013. Besides, the company also opened a new photovoltaics films applications laboratory in Shanghai, China.
MRC

(plastemart) -- Engro Polymer and Chemicals Limited (EPCL) will invest up to USD15 million in 2013 to enhance the production capacity of PVC resin, according to the company’s chief executive officer, as reported by Thenews.com.pk.

Almost USD10-15 mln will be invested in 2013 to enhance production from the existing three PVC resin plants at Port Qasim, Karachi. The company is looking into multiple ways for raising investment funds. It could be debt, equity, or a mix of debt and equity.

Debottlenecking will help produce an additional 35,000 to 40,000 tonnes of PVC resin.

Engro Polymer & Chemicals Limited (EPCL) is the only fully integrated chemical complex in Pakistan. EPCL is a subsidiary of Engro Corporation, involved in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of quality Chlor-Vinyl allied products and PVC under brand name ‘SABZ’.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - A world leader of petrochemical industry, concern BASF, has become one of the key suppliers for the automotive giant - Group PSA Peugeot Citroen, according to the company's press release.

Jean-Baptiste Formery, Purchasing Executive Director Vehicle Components at PSA Peugeot Citroen, has announced that the company BASF Coatings, part of the concern BASF, has won the title of a 'key supplier' for the automotive Group PSA Peugeot Citroen.
It should be noted that the automaker Group PSA Peugeot Citroen determines those companies as its 'key suppliers' that have the best expertise in the field and set standards in their respective market segments. Thus, BASF Coatings has been included in this prestigious list as a reliable supplier of high-quality coatings with in-depth technical competence in the various markets.

The Coatings Division of the BASF Group develops, produces and markets a high-quality range of innovative automotive OEM coatings, automotive refinishes and industrial coatings as well as decorative paints.Company. One of its enterprises is located in Clermont (France). In Russia, the interests of BASF Coatings represents LLC "BASF East," whose main production facilities are located in the Moscow region (Pavlovsky Posad).

We remind that BASF's experts have met the representatives of the leading automakers to discuss the technologies to reduce vehicle weight and decrease the harmful effects on the environment at the conference "Innovative BASF solutions for the automotive industry", held on 28 August, 2012, as part of the exhibition "MIMS-Automechanika 2012" (Moscow, Expocentre).

Also, as MRC reported earlier, at the end of the year BASF plans to begin construction of a second Polish catalyst plant for offsetting vehicle emissions, which will allow BASF to increase its European capacities for the production of catalysts to offset emissions by more than half.
MRC