Clariant Mining Solutions invests in chemicals manufacturing and lab in Morocco

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

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Goldman Sachs maintained a Buy rating on Axiall Corporation and raised its price target to USD66.00 (from USD60.00), said Streetinsider.

The change is tied to PVC margin gains. Analyst Brian Maguire said, "We see non-integrated ethylene buyers such as AXLL as the biggest beneficiary of the March ethylene contract settling down 4 cents on Friday (April 4).

Meanwhile the PVC contract price rose 3 cents in March for a net 5 cent increase in PVC margin for the month. This puts March prices up 9 cents for PVC year to-date and down 2.75 cents for ethylene.

On paper, this puts PVC margin in March up over 10 cents from December. Were this margin gain to hold for a full year, we estimate it would add roughly USD250mn to AXLL EBITDA given their 2.5bn pounds of PVC capacity.

However, we expect some of the margin gains to fade this summer as PVC supply disruptions ease. Still, we now expect 2014 PVC margin to be nearly 6 cents higher than 2013, with another 2 cent margin gain expected in 2015."

As MRC wrote before, Axiall Corp. is considering building a USD3 billion ethane cracker and chemical plant somewhere in Louisiana. The Atlanta-based chemical manufacturer says it could make a decision sometime early next year. Axiall would invest USD1 billion of its own money, while an unnamed partner would put in USD2 billion.

Axiall Corporation is a leading integrated chemicals and building products company. It is an international manufacturer of chlor-alkali and derivatives, chlorovinyls and aromatics products including chlorine, caustic soda, vinyl chloride monomer, chlorinated solvents, calcium hypochlorite, ethylene dichloride, muriatic acid, phosgene derivatives, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl compounds, acetone, cumene and phenol. It also manufactures vinyl-based building and home improvement products, including window and door profiles, mouldings, siding, pipe and pipe fittings, and decking. Axiall, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has manufacturing facilities located throughout North America and in Asia to provide industry-leading materials and services to customers.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Ufaorgsintez, owned by United Petrochemical Company, announced an increase in the contract prices of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP), effective from 15 April, according to ICIS-MRC Price Report.

Company raised contract prices for polyolefins by Rb500-4,500/tonne, compared with the level on 1 April. The most significant increase occurred for LDPE, whereas PP rose slightly.

Prices for 108 and 158 PE rose by Rb2,500/tonne and Rb4,500/tonne, respectively, compared with the level at the beginning of the month. Prices for homopolymer PP of raffia grade increased to Rb1,250/tonne, while the prices for block copolymers (PP-block) increased by Rb500/tonne. Prices for injection moulding homopolymer PP remained mostly steady.

Ufaorgsintez JSC was founded in 1956 and is based in Ufa, Russia. Ufaorgsintez JSC manufactures organic synthesis products in Russia and Europe. Its products include ethylene, propylene, ethanol, cumol, ethyl benzol, phenol, acetone, copolymer rubber, polyolefines, poly vinyl chloride and polyethylene items, thinners, and dilutants. PP production capacity of the plant is 100,000 tonnes/year. Total production of polyethylene and polypropylene at the plant exceeded 23,100 tonnes and 32,600 tonnes in Q1 2014, respectively. As of January 22, 2010, Ufaorgsintez JSC operates as a subsidiary of United Petrochemical Company OAO, with 87.76% of the "Ufaorgsintez"capital.
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