IVL to acquire SASA Polyester Sanayi

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Indorama Netherlands B.V, a subsidiary of Indorama Ventures Company Ltd (IVL) has signed a sales and purchase agreement for the acquisition of 51% of Turkish leading polyester and PET producer SASA Polyester Sanayi from Haci Omer Sabanci, as per IVL's press release.

Indorama Netherlands will be conducting a mandatory tender offer for the remaining 49% of SASA’s share as per Turkey’s legislative requirements, IVL said.

SASA incorporates integrated feedstock and polymer facilities producing dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) polymers, staple fibers, filament yarns and specialty chemicals with a total capacity of 600,000 tonnes/year.

SASA’s production facilities are located in the Adana region in southern Turkey and the company supplies its products both to Turkish and European markets.

The total value of the acquisition, calculated in accordance with the regulations of the Capital Market Supervisory Board and the Stock Exchange of Thailand, is less than 15 percent as prescribed by the regulation of the Stock Exchange of Thailand Re: Disclosure of Information and Other Acts of Listed Companies Concerning the Acquisition and Disposition of Assets, 2004 (as amended).

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.

Indorama Ventures is a leading producer in the polyester value chain in Thailand with strong global network and manufacturing across Asia, Europe and North America. Its products serve major players in diversified end use markets, including food, beverages, personal and home care, health care, automotives, textile, and industrial. The company's main products are PTA, PET and polyester fibre, which are distributed across the world.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Sasol Ltd reported a 25% hike in H1-2014 headline earnings, helped by a weaker rand currency and higher chemical prices, as per Plastemart.

"This achievement was on the back of a strong operational performance from our global businesses, coupled with a 19% weaker average rand/US dollar exchange and improved chemical prices," the company said.

Sasol group has successfully commissioned a project in Lake Charles, Louisiana, which is using unique technology to convert ethylene into higher value chemical products used to strengthen plastic for consumer products such as food packaging. The project is currently in start-up and first product was successfully produced. The plant is expected to be fully operational by mid-2014.

Sasol Limited is an integrated energy and chemical company that began in Sasolburg, South Africa in 1950. It develops and commercialises technologies and builds and operates world-scale facilities to produce a range of product streams including liquid fuels, chemicals.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, has announced a significant investment to expand its plant in Casablanca, Morocco and increase its global footprint with the production of polymers and chemical blends for the African and Middle East mining industry, reported the company on its site.

This new investment will also include the opening of a Clariant Mining Solutions laboratory where the focus will be on supporting the phosphate industry in flotation, fertilizer additives and process chemicals. The lab will enable Clariant Mining Solutions to better support the growing customer base and the market growth of the company in the region.

"Clariant is a globally-focused company, committed to serving the unique needs of our customers by improving the supply chain and offering chemical expertise at each Clariant Mining Solutions lab," said Patric Scheidner, Head of Clariant Mining Solutions Europe, Africa and the Middle East. "This new investment will fully equip Clariant with the infrastructure and expertise needed to provide exceptional service as the African and Middle East mining industry continues to grow."

Strategically situated near the country’s main harbor, airport and other points of trade and entry, the 9.3 acre complex serves as the country headquarters for warehousing, laboratories and offices.

As MRC wrote previously, in February 2014, Clariant Mining announced that it was going to upgrade to significantly larger laboratory facilities filled with state-of-the-art equipment when Clariant Oil & Mining Services moves into its new global headquarters. In conjunction with Clariant's Innovation Center located in Frankfurt, Germany, the North American lab will be used to develop new flotation products to meet the demands of regional customers. Other capabilities include mineral analysis and laboratory-scale beneficiation testing from crushing to concentrate.

Clariant is an internationally active specialty chemical company, based in Muttenz near Basel. The group owns over 100 companies worldwide. Clariant is divided into eleven business units: Additives; Catalysis & Energy; Emulsions, Detergents & Intermediates; Functional Materials; Industrial & Consumer Specialties; Leather Services; Masterbatches; Oil & Mining Services; Paper Specialties; Pigments; Textile Chemicals.

Clariant Mining is a leading provider of flotation chemicals and explosion emulsifiers to the global mining industry. Clariant Mining's strong and growing team of technical experts operates around the globe and is dedicated to providing world-class specialty chemical solutions that add value to customers' mining operations.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Film and flexible packaging group RKW SE is planning to open its first business unit in China at the end of 2014, signalling its entry into the Chinese market, according to the companie's press-release.

Construction has started at the premises of RKW’s affiliate Renolit in Guangzhou. Renolit has maintained a presence in Guangzhou since 2006. RKW China will supply personal care films for the Chinese market.

The company based in Frankenthal, Germany, has one Asian facility already, located in Ho-Chi-Minh-City, Vietnam. This plant produces packaging for household products and foodstuffs such as food bags, waste bags or carrier bags.
"This move ... is entirely consistent with our global growth strategy," said Roland Roth, CEO of the executive management board of the RKW Group.

We remind that RKW Agri GmbH & Co. KG intends to take over the business operations of the German film manufacturer Biofol Film GmbH and is thus pursuing its objectives of growth in the agricultural and construction sectors. The acquisition is conditional on approval by the German Anti-Trust Commission.

The RKW-Group is a globally-active company that manufactures films and nonwovens. Since its founding in 1957, the family-owned and operated company, which is not listed on the stock exchange, has made a name for itself with its high quality and innovative products. Around 3,000 employees in 20 locations set high standards in quality, innovation, and customer service and ensure that the Group will continue to occupy a leading position in the European plastics industry for many years to come.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Sumykhimprom, the largest producer of complex fertilizers in Ukraine in the first quarter of 2014 increased the production of complex fertilizers "NPK 15-15-15" by 63% compared with same period last year - up to 23,079 tonnes, titanium dioxide - by 18.7%, to 8,590 tonnes, according to the press service of the company.

The company also increased the production of other types of its products. The producer's production of ferrous sulfate increased by 47% to 8,607 tonnes in Q1 2014. At the same time Sumykhimprom reduced the production of sulfuric acid by 5% - up to 61,785 tonnes over the reported period.

According to the company, the growth in the production of phosphorus fertilizer was achieved due to the stronger demand from farmers. "If in January export shipment was only 1,000 tonnes of fertilizers, than in February and March export volumes exceeded 46,000 tonnes of fertilizers. Fertilizer "NPK 15-15-15" remains one of the most popular, so it is logical that we are increasing its production" - said the Senior manager of Sumykhimprom Igor Lazakovich.

JSC "Sumykhimprom" produces phosphate mineral fertilizers and other goods of inorganic chemistry. Its activities include design and research; wholesale and retail trade; intermediate services on consumer goods sales; and construction organizations. Its products include granphos, superphosphate ammoniated, sulfuric acid, oleum, reactive sulfuric acid, coagulants to treat potable water and sewage, paints, construction lime, cement activator, and consumer goods. 100% of shares of "Sumyhimprom" are state-owned. In 2013 the company reduced the output of titanium dioxide by 17% to 32,620 tonnes; mineral fertilizers down by 45.7%, to 206,550 tonnes.
MRC