Linde to build natural gas terminal for Gassco AS in Germany

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The technology company Linde Group has been awarded a contract to build a natural gas terminal in the town of Emden in northern Germany, said Linde in its press release.

The deal is worth around EUR 260 million. The contract was awarded by Norwegian state-owned company Gassco AS on behalf of Gassled joint venture.

"Norway is one of Germany's most important energy suppliers. The new natural gas terminal is a key milestone in securing future supplies of Norwegian gas to Germany," explains Prof. Dr Aldo Belloni, Member of the Executive Board of Linde AG. "We have a wealth of experience in handling natural gas. This project enables us to further promote the use of this environmentally sound fossil fuel."

The new natural gas terminal will replace the 1977 Norsea Gas Terminal, which is currently being operated by Gassco. The terminal will distribute natural gas from Norwegian-owned gas fields in the North Sea to Germany.

The contract covers engineering, procurement and construction for the new terminal. The project is based on the front-end engineering design (FEED) provided by Gassco. The initial work will be carried out by Linde Engineering at the Group's site in Dresden. Construction will get underway in Emden in the autumn of 2013. The facility will be pre-assembled in modules to the greatest possible extent and put together at the construction site. The new natural gas terminal is set to go on stream at the end of 2015.

As MRC wrote earlier, Linde Group has received an engineering contract for the licensing and front end engineering design (FEED) of one of the world"s largest ethylene plants in Tobolsk, Western Siberia. The contract was awarded by Russia"s largest petrochemical company, Sibur LLC.

The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 62,000 employees in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2012 financial year, Linde generated revenue of EUR 15.280 bn. The strategy of the Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - In February, exports of Ukrainian titanium dioxide to foreign markets increased by 1,900 tonnes (up 18%) from January, according to MRC DataScope.

February exports of titanium dioxide made 12,100 tonnes. The first place in February exports took the Crimean Titan with 9,150 tonnes of titanium dioxide up 16% from January. Sumykhimprom has risen its exports by 25% from January to 2,840 tonnes.

Russia remains the leading market for Ukrainian exports of TiO2. In February TiO2 exports to Russia increased by 43% compared with January.

Supply of titanium dioxide to the markets of Germany and Turkey are also growing. Last month export shipments of the material to these countries increased by 17% and 33% from January.

However, export shipments of Ukrainian titanium dioxide in January-February 2013 are still low. In total in January-February exports of titanium dioxide from Ukraine amounted to 22,300 tonnes, which is 5% lower than in 2012 (23,600 tonnes).

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - The capacity utilization of the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in February fell by 2%. However, the current loading is still quite high. In February, the total output of PVC made 51,500 tonnes, according to MRC ScanPlast.

Capacity utilization of the production of a unmixed PVC (suspension and emulsion PVC) in Russia in February decreased by 2% compared with the January figure. However, the Russian makers of unmixed PVC continue to work at the maximum of their capacity. In February Russian producers loaded their capacities almost by 100%, the only exception was Kaustik (Sterlitamak). The total production of PVC made 49,800 tonnes, where emulsion PVC - 1,900 tonnes. In January this year, the total production of PVC made 56,600 mln tonnes (February's decline was due to the calendar factor), emulsion - 1,900 tonnes.

A leading maker of PVC SayanskKhimPlast last month produced 23,700 tonnes of resin. SayanskKhimPlast's facilities are loaded by almost 100%, at the same time by the end of this year the producer plans to boost production of resin to 280,000 tonnes. In 2012, total production amounted to 273,100 tonnes.

Kaustik (Sterlitamak) in February reduced the capacity utilization by 8% compared with the January. The output of PVC last month was 15,900 tonnes. Kaustik (Volgograd) in February increased by 1% its level of capacity utilization, the output of the resin made 7,400 tonnes.

Sibur-Neftekhim (Sibur Group) in February kept the capacity utilization at the January level. The output of resin was 2,84 tonnes. In July 2012 Sibur began stopping chlorine production at its subsidiary "Caprolactam". The production of PVC is planned to be stopped in April 2013.

In general, in January - February this year, the total volume of PVC in Russia amounted to 106,400 tonnes, while in January - February 2012, the figure was 106,700 tonnes.

The only producer of emulsion PVC in Russia - Khimprom (Volgograd) in February increased capacity utilization by 8%, production of the resin at the plant made 1,900 tonnes. During the first two months of this year, the total volume of emulsion PVC made 3,800 tonnes, an increase of 3% compared to the same period a year ago.


MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Condor Compounds announced investment in a new 150 mm 20d co-kneader line to manufacture Conlink crosslinkable halogen free and flame retardant cable insulation and sheathing compounds as well as Conguard thermoplastic LSFOH compliant compounds, reported GV.

The new manufacturing line is installed at Condor Compounds existing wire+cable compounds facility in Braunschweig, Germany.

The line adds about another 5000 tonnes to the company’s capacities of Conguard LSFOH compliant compounds as well as opening the door for further growth in a number of segments including PP, thermoplastic elastomer compounds, silane or e-beam cross-linked systems or peroxide crosslinked rubber compounds. The Conguard compounds are well-suited for extrusion applications such as wire, cable and conduit.

Strategically located in Central Europe, from March 2013 Condor Compounds is running five co- kneader lines, two internal mixers Banbury-type, one with tangential rotor system, and one with intermeshing rotor system, and one twin screw extrusion line with a total capacity of about 50.000 t/y depending on portfolio.

We remind that, as MRC wrote previously, in October, 2012, Teknor Apex Company named Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH (NRC) to distribute its engineering thermoplastic (ETP) compounds in Germany and six other nations in Central and Eastern Europe. Earlier last year, Teknor Apex had restructured and expanded its portfolio of engineering thermoplastic (ETP) compounds.

Condor Compounds is a privately-held company founded in 1982 and located in Braunschweig, Germany. This is a diversified material science company using complementary technologies to serve the Wire & Cable Industry, the Construction Industry, the Pipe Industry and other markets consuming compounded modified plastics.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Milacron LLC and Mold-Masters have announced they are combining to form a leading global solutions provider positioned to serve the full range of customer needs, according to USindustrysourcing.

Milacron is backed by its private equity investor CCMP Capital Advisors.

"This transaction is a major step in Milacron’s strategic growth plan which reinforces our support of the Company’s exciting prospects and our commitment to leveraging our extensive experience in the plastics industry to help Milacron maximize its global market opportunities and increase its value to customers."

The transformative transaction will create a rapidly growing company with world-class capabilities across five businesses: Milacron (Plastics Machinery), Mold-Masters (Hot Runners), DME (Mold Base Technologies), Aftermarket (Parts and Service) and CIMCOOL Fluid Technology (Metalworking Fluids and Services). Each business will continue to focus on the unique, value-added solutions they bring to their respective customers while leveraging the tremendous synergies that exist among all the businesses.

The combined entity will provide its customers with market-leading technologies, superb global engineering and R&D leadership. Through their complementary product lines, Milacron and Mold-Masters will be able to offer a broader portfolio of exceptional products and services, providing solutions for customers’ complex plastics needs.

Under the terms of the transaction, Milacron will acquire 100% of the shares of Mold-Masters for an enterprise value of CUSD975 million. The transaction, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the first half of 2013. In Russia and CIS countries, Mold-Masters' interests are represented by Portmold company.
MRC