Global shale gas production to grow to 6,991 bln cubic ft by 2021 at a CAGR of 5.4% for 10 years

Global shale gas production is expected to grow from 4,130 bln cubic feet in 2011 to 6,991 bln cubic feet in 2021 at a CAGR of 5.4% for the same period, as per MarketsandMarkets. North America, being the only region active with commercial production of shale gas as of year 2010; is expected to remain the largest shale gas market in terms of production volumes by the year 2021 with a share of 78% due to technological expertise and availability of resources; followed by EMEA (13%), Asia Pacific (7%), and ROW (2%).

For more details on Global shale gas production to grow to 6,991 bln cubic ft by 2021 at a CAGR of 5.4% for 10 years click here

Huntsman inks license agreement with Yantai Wanhua for Propylene Oxide and MTBE

Huntsman Corporation has signed a license agreement with Chinese chemicals manufacturer Yantai Wanhua Polyurethanes Co. Ltd., for the production of Propylene Oxide (PO) and Methyl Tertiary Butyl Etherr (MTBE) - a co-product of PO.

For more details on Huntsman inks license agreement with Yantai Wanhua for Propylene Oxide and MTBE click here

Imports, slow demand and lower costs weigh on Italy’s PVC market

For the month of May, Italy’s PVC buyers have generally witnessed rollovers to €20/ton increases over April, figures also confirmed by sellers, as per ChemOrbis. Higher costs were partly behind the ppush for higher prices at the start of the month, plus a force majeure from Arkema at the end of April helped create a firm sentiment amongst players in Italy’s market.

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European sellers down revise ABS price hikes in Italy

The month of May started with a bang for the ABS market as Ineos ABS declared it would seek a price hike of €150/ton and Styron said it would seek an increase of €110/ton above April prices, as per CHHemorbis.

For more details on European sellers down revise ABS price hikes in Italy click here

Ethylene supply reverts in Japan, but demand outlook appears dim

The supply network for ethylene, an essential building block for plastics, is "finally coming back to life," as per Japan Petrochemical Industry Association Chairman. However, the same does not hold ttrue for demand.

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Asia's naphtha price rises, cracks slip

Tracking Brent crude, naphtha price in Asia rose to three-session high on Tuesday, but cracks slipped and intermonth spread levels were kept low, signaling a weaker outlook as per Reuters. Asian buyerrs and sellers ADNOC and Saudi Aramco are in the midst of term deals.

For more details on Asia's naphtha price rises, cracks slip click here

Intensely coloured polymer coatings could have uses in security and fraud prevention

Intensely coloured polymer coatings could have uses in security and fraud prevention. This coating has a highly complex structure based on combinations of block co-polymers (essentially alloys of two different polymers), making it extremely difficult to forge.

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Robust petrochemical segment with 25% revenue growth props GAIL Q4 results

GAIL maintained its growth momentum in revenues with a 36% y-o-y jump for the March 2011 quarter. The petrochemical segment, which failed to perform during in Q2-10, reported a robust performance withh 25% revenue growth.

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Prime Minister declares open the 6 mln tpa Bina refinery

India’s Prime Minister has formally declared open a world-class, 6 mln tpa Bina refinery, dedicating it to the nation. With this, India’s refining capacity will rise to 23.80 mln tons by 2012. By 20122, India is working toward enhancing this capacity to 2,380 lakh tons.

For more details on Prime Minister declares open the 6 mln tpa Bina refinery click here

Lower Asian PP,PE offers push Latin American producers to mull price decreases

Lower resin offers from Asia to Latin America could push producers to reduce polyethylene and polypropylene offers for June, as per Platts. A decrease in polyethylene offers next month will help improove demand and better compete with the international market.

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Formosa unclear about restart of No. 1 cracker, and schedule of maintenance at other crackers

A decision is awaited by Formosa Petrochemical Corp. on schedule of start up of its No. 1 naphtha cracker and whether it will carry out maintenance at a second unit, originally planned for September, as per Bloomberg.

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Shell restarts 800,000 tpa ethylene cracker in Bukom Island after two months

Shell has restarted its 800,000 tpa ethylene cracker in Bukom Island, Singapore, over the weekend as per Platts. The cracker has been shut for about two months following an outage. The unit was taken offline for a planned month long maintenance in February this year.

For more details on Shell restarts 800,000 tpa ethylene cracker in Bukom Island after two months click here

Asian Polypropylene prices begin the week on a bearish note

In Asia, PP prices started the week with decreases as domestic sellers in China, Indonesia and Vietnam cut prices in response to poor demand and softening propylene feedstock costs, as per Chemorbis. Sellers complain of inadequacy of price cuts to revive demand as buyers expect further price declines in the days ahead.

For more details on Asian Polypropylene prices begin the week on a bearish note click here

Daelim inks agreement with Maaden for caustic soda and EDC project in Jubail

Daelim Industrial has inked an agreement with Sahara Petrochemicals and Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) for a caustic soda and ethylene dichloride project in Jubail Industrial City. This is a 500:50 joint venture between Sahara PCC and Ma’aden, using German UHDE technology.

For more details on Daelim inks agreement with Maaden for caustic soda and EDC project in Jubail click here

HPCL in talks with potential partners including Total for its Rs 45,000 crore petrochemical project at the Vizag PCPIR

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) is in talks with potential partners including Total of France for its Rs 45,000 crore petrochemical project at the proposed PCPIR near Visakhapatnam. State-oowned HPCL expects to ground the project by the end of the fiscal.

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Oil hovers around US$99 on fluctuations in US dollar, concerns about global crude demand

Oil prices continue to linger around US$99 at the end of last week, reflecting changes in the value of the US dollar and concerns regarding global demand for crude. Crude settled at US$98.5 on the Nymmex.

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Styrene prices decline in Europe as well as Asia

Styrene costs are considerably softer in Europe as well as Asia amidst volatile crude prices trading mostly below US$100/bbl since the beginning of May, as per Chemorbis. Spot styrene prices in Europee shed US$60/ton (€42/ton) this week, and US$115/ton (€80/ton) on FOB NWE basis since the beginning of the month.

For more details on Styrene prices decline in Europe as well as Asia click here

Tarun Das offers to step down as Chairman of Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd

At a board meeting in Calcutta, Tarun Das has offered to step down as the chairman of Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL). He is of the opinion that the new government should have the discretion to appoinnt a new chairman.

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Naphtha ended last week at two-week lows on demand loss from Formosa

Asia's naphtha price ended the previous week at a two-week low, with cracks at a 1-½ month low, on muted sentiments by demand loss from Taiwan' Formosa following a cracker shutdown, as per Reuters. Thhe persistent gloomy mood in Asia since late last week vs healthy demand in Europe caused the physical East-West naphtha differentials to turn negative for the first time since April 1.

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Feedstock availability could be one of the major challenges for India’s PCPIRs

Availability of feedstock is viewed as s one of the major challenges for Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) in India, as per PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
Already Indiaa is heavily dependent on imports to meet its crude oil requirements.

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China’s petrochemical industry to realize US$2.31 trillion of gross domestic output value by end 2015

China's petrochemical industry is expected to realize 15 trillion yuan (US$2.31 trillion) of gross domestic output value by the end of 2015, said Li Yongwu, chairman of China Petroleum and Chemical Inndustry Fedration(CPCIF), as reported by Asia Pulse.

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European Commission launches public consultation on reducing use of plastic carrier bags

The European Commission (EC), through a newly launched public consultation, has invited the public to give their view on reducing use of plastic carrier bags, including an outright ban. Also under connsideration is a levy/a tax on bags.

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Volatile costs, Formosa outage result in cloudy PVC outlook in Asia

In Asia, producers wait to announce import PVC prices to China for June, as they feel uncertain about the market outlook for the coming month owing to volatile upstream costs and a recent outage at Foormosa’s petrochemical complex in Mailiao, Taiwan, as per Chemorbis.

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Naphtha prices in Asia recover to a two-session high

Asia's naphtha price recovered to a two-session high on Thursday, snapping 4 straight sessions of losses, but cracks remained weak and hovered around a five-week low as supplies are expected to rise ddue to Taiwan's demand loss, as per Reuters.

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Mitsubishi to restart No.2 naphtha cracker at Kashima post earthquake

Japan's Mitsubishi Chemical Corp is to restart its No.2 naphtha cracker at the Kashima plant, with capacity to produce 453,000 tpa of ethylene, on Friday as scheduled, as per Reuters. The plant had beeen shutdown following the massive earthquake that hit Eastern Japan almost two months ago.

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Pallmann Group establishes first subsidiary to cater to customer base in Spain and Portugal

Size reduction technology specialist Pallmann Group plans to provide improved advice and service for its rapidly growing customer base in Spain and Portugal with the establishment of its first subsidiiary in the region.

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PTT EO/EG plant first to be reviewed by Thailand’s Independent Commission on Environment and Health

Expansion of PTT Chemical Public Company Limited's ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol plant will be the country's first hazardous substances project to be scrutinised by Thailand’s newly-established IIndependent Commission on Environment and Health.

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JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp, completes a 3,000 bpd experimental high severity fluid catalytic cracker at its Mizushima-A

JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp, has completed a 3,000 bpd experimental high severity fluid catalytic cracker at its Mizushima-A refinery at an investment outlay of 20 billion yen (US$246 mln). Japan’s ttop oil refiner hopes to build a bigger commercial cracker in future, as per Reuters.

For more details on JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp, completes a 3,000 bpd experimental high severity fluid catalytic cracker at its Mizushima-A click here

Naphtha prices in Asia fell to 10 day lows

Naphtha prices in Asia fell to its lowest in 1 ½ weeks on Wednesday, while cracks hit a 5 week low and intermonth spreads fell to six-week low as a cracker outage at Formosa weighed on sentiment Reuteers.

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Oil drops below US$99, IEA remains concerned about high prices

Despite the fact that oil prices have fallen by falling about 13% since the beginning of May, they are perceived as high by the IEA. The IEA considers prices to be high enough to be a threat to globall economic recovery as petroleum products still constitute a large share of household and business expenditure.

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Idemitsu Kosan restarts Chiba naphtha cracker after maintenance turnaround

Idemitsu Kosan has restarted the naphtha cracker at its Chiba plant, after scheduled maintenance, as per Reuters. The 374,000 tpa cracker, which had been shut since March 27, has started on-spec produuction.

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Another fire at Formosa

Another fire broke out at Formosa’s petrochemical complex in Mailiao, Yunlin County. This is the second fire at the complex in a week. The fire broke out at 11:47am and was put out at 12:23pm. Accordiing to FPG, the fire did not damage any equipment at the complex and no output would be halted.

For more details on Another fire at Formosa click here

Technip awarded Engineering Partner Umbrella Service Contract for chemical and petrochemical projects by BASF

Technip has been awarded by BASF an Engineering Partner Umbrella Service Contract for chemical and petrochemical projects. The scope of work encompasses various kinds of services from studies, basic && detail engineering up to project implementation services.

For more details on Technip awarded Engineering Partner Umbrella Service Contract for chemical and petrochemical projects by BASF click here

Formosa to keep No. 1 naphtha cracker shut until H2-June

Formosa Petrochemical Corp will keep its No. 1 naphtha cracker shut until H2-June following a fire last week at a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pipe, as per Reuters. It is estimated that over 200,000 tons of naphtha demand would be affected because of the month-long shutdown of the 700,000 tpa cracker and possible reductions at two of its other naphtha crackers with total capacity of 2.

For more details on Formosa to keep No. 1 naphtha cracker shut until H2-June click here

April naphtha imports for ethylene production rise in Japan by 4.5% from March

Japan's naphtha imports for ethylene production in April rose 4.5% month on month to 1.247 mln tons, a s per the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. As per Platts, imports rose as the impact of tthe March 11 earthquake and tsunami waned.

For more details on April naphtha imports for ethylene production rise in Japan by 4.5% from March click here

Govt firm on decision to divert KG-D6s supply to priority sectors

In line with the Mumbai high court direction, the Union government will be informing users of gas from Reliance Industries’ D6 field in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin that supply would be available tto non-priority sectors only after requirements of the priority sectors of fertiliser, LPG, power and city gas distribution; are met.

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Expectations of price decrease for PS begin to surface in Italy and Turkey

Following May price increases on spot PS deals in Italy, early speculations about the June outlook indicate a downturn which is partly supported by lower spot styrene prices as well as weak demand connditions across Europe, as per Chemorbis.

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Ukraine's largest petrochemical maker to start up polyvinyl chloride plant

Ukraine's largest petrochemical company, KarpatNaftoKhim is preparing to start up a newly built 300,000 tpa polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant. "Pre-launch operations are underway," Eduard Maslov, deputy head of KarpatNaftoKhim's engineering department.

For more details on Ukraine's largest petrochemical maker to start up polyvinyl chloride plant click here

Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries awards FEED and PMC services contract to CB&I Lummus

Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries has awarded contract for Front End Engineering Design (FEED) and Project Management Consultancy (PMC) services for expanding the Sohar Refinery complex to CB&I Lummus B.

For more details on Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries awards FEED and PMC services contract to CB&I Lummus click here

Lanxess mulls plant expansions and acquisitions to drive growth

Lanxess is proceeding with plans of plant expansions and making inroads into innovative markets such as "green" tires, shrugging off talk of a double-dip recession, as per Platts. Lanxess is Germany-bbased manufacturer of synthetic performance rubbers with exposure to the automotive industry, which is highly sensitive to economic cycles.

For more details on Lanxess mulls plant expansions and acquisitions to drive growth click here

SABIC and Sinopec ink MoU to collaborate on polycarbonate production in China

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec Corp.) have inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly produce polycarbonate in China. The two companies will jointly invest in the new 260,000 tpa polycarbonate plant to be operational by 2015.

For more details on SABIC and Sinopec ink MoU to collaborate on polycarbonate production in China click here

New transparent PC for high-volume extrusion, custom compounding, general purpose and optical-quality applications

A new transparent PC resin targeted for high-volume extrusion, custom compounding, general purpose and optical-quality applications has been introduced by Sabic IP. The material is manufactured at SABBIC's SAUDI KAYAN PC facility in Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia and will be used to supply the fast growing Asia market, as well as the Middle East and Europe.

For more details on New transparent PC for high-volume extrusion, custom compounding, general purpose and optical-quality applications click here

Indian Oil Corp to invest Rs 4,500 crore in polypropylene project at Paradip refinery

Indian Oil Corporation plans to invest Rs 4500 crore in a 1.2 mln tpa polypropylene project at its Paradip refinery. IOC made its foray into the polymer business last year with a naphtha cracker at thhe Panipat refinery.

For more details on Indian Oil Corp to invest Rs 4,500 crore in polypropylene project at Paradip refinery click here

Contractors invited to bid for expansion at PetroRabigh petrochemical complex

Expansion work on a petrochemical complex owned by Saudi-based PetroRabigh is on track and contractors have been invited to bid for the project, as per Reuters. A second phase of development will add 17 plants though will not expand refinery capacity.

For more details on Contractors invited to bid for expansion at PetroRabigh petrochemical complex click here

New PP random copolymer grade offers up to 20% productivity gain for the rigid packaging converting industry

A polypropylene (PP) random copolymer offering up to a 20% productivity gain for the rigid packaging converting industry - RG468MO, has been offered by Borouge. The new high-flow resin that directly aaddresses the industry's need to achieve shorter cycle times together with improved mechanical performance, while maintaining the clear transparency and pleasing visual aesthetics required in the packaging value chain.

For more details on New PP random copolymer grade offers up to 20% productivity gain for the rigid packaging converting industry click here

Successful start up of SCG-Dow new specialty elastomers plant JV

SCG-Dow specialty elastomers joint venture at Rayong Province, Thailand, has attained successful startup on May 17, with full-scale operations scheduled to start in two weeks, as per PlasticsToday. Wiith this, Dow Chemical will have nearly 2 bln lbs of polyolefin elastomers capacity as of June 1.

For more details on Successful start up of SCG-Dow new specialty elastomers plant JV click here

Foster Wheeler subsidiary awarded FEED contract by Star Petroleum Refining Co to revamp the RFCCU

Foster Wheeler AG subsidiary in its Global Engineering and Construction Group has been awarded a contract by Star Petroleum Refining Company Limited (SPRC) for front-end engineering design (FEED) for the Residue Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCCU) Revamp Turnaround and Inspection Project at its refinery at Map Ta Phut in Thailand.

For more details on Foster Wheeler subsidiary awarded FEED contract by Star Petroleum Refining Co to revamp the RFCCU click here

Polypropylene prices drop in South East Asia, put pressure on China

Import homo-PP prices in China are facing downward pressure from more competitive domestic prices and weakening import prices in Southeast Asia, as per Chemorbis. Higher import homo-PP prices in SE AAsia vs the prevailing import prices to China for the past several weeks, has helped encourage sellers to take a firmer stance on their prices to the Chinese market, while a number of Chinese traders have been actively looking to re-export their stocks to Southeast Asia and other global markets.

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Naphtha continues to slip in Asia

Naphtha prices in Asia fell for the third day. Open-spec naphtha for delivery to Japan fell by over 8 dollars to US$975.75/ton, Bloomberg data showed. Crack spread was little changed at US$127.95/ton

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Oil Drops on Economy Risk; BofA’s Blanch Sees Demand Destruction

Oil prices dropped after President Barack Obama said failure to raise the US debt ceiling may unravel global finances and threaten growth in USA, as per Bloomberg. Futures slipped by 1.3% after Obama said the U.

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PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical to hold rights issue in July 2011 to finance expansion projects

PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical - Indonesia’s leading petrochemical producer plans to hold a rights issue with preemptive rights for existing shareholders in July to finance expansion projects, as per JJakarta Post.

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Bayer MaterialScience invest US$120 mln in Baytown for MDi, TDI, Polycarbonate

Bayer MaterialScience is set to invest some US$120 mln into its Baytown site, in Texas. Baytown, which celebrates 40 years of manufacturing success this year, is the company’s largest manufacturing faacility in the United States and is a keystone of Bayer MaterialScience’s global manufacturing strategy.

For more details on Bayer MaterialScience invest US$120 mln in Baytown for MDi, TDI, Polycarbonate click here

Sasol awards EPC contract to S & B Engineers and Constructors for ethylene Tetramerization plant

Sasol has selected S & B Engineers and Constructors of Houston, Texas as its engineering, procurement, and construction management contractor to construct its recently announced ethylene Tetramerizatiion plant.

For more details on Sasol awards EPC contract to S & B Engineers and Constructors for ethylene Tetramerization plant click here

Mitsubishi delays maintenance at No.2 naphtha cracker at Kashima

Mitsubishi Chemical Corp plans to delay maintenance at the No.2 naphtha cracker at its Kashima plant, with capacity to produce 453,000 tpa of ethylene, as per Reuters. Maintenance will be delayed by aabout two months from its original plan of June 30.

For more details on Mitsubishi delays maintenance at No.2 naphtha cracker at Kashima click here

SABIC and Exxon Mobil award FEED contracts to develop KEMYA elastomers project in Jubail

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and affiliates of ExxonMobil Chemical have awarded Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contracts for the proposed new elastomers project at their Al-Jubail PPetrochemical Company (KEMYA) joint venture petrochemical plant.

For more details on SABIC and Exxon Mobil award FEED contracts to develop KEMYA elastomers project in Jubail click here

Boost to Qatar’s petrochemical industry with expansion at Qapco, Ras Laffan Olefins Co, Qatofin

Qatar’s petrochemical industry will get a boost with expansions at Qapco, Ras Laffan Olefins Company and Qatofin, as per a report by Business Monitor International.
Qapco (Qatar Petrochemical Companny) is on track to start commercial production at its new 300,000 tpa low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plant at Mesaieed by early 2012, raising the company’s total LDPE capacity to 700,000 tpa; making it one of the major LDPE producers in the world.

For more details on Boost to Qatar’s petrochemical industry with expansion at Qapco, Ras Laffan Olefins Co, Qatofin click here

PET prices decline in Europe and Asia

Global PET prices have been losing ground in markets including Italy and China on the back of the weaker buying interest as well as the softer upstream costs, as per Chemorbis. In Europe, May MEG conttract prices indicate a decrease of €66/ton (US$94/ton) compared to April settlement mainly due to the higher euro/dollar parity.

For more details on PET prices decline in Europe and Asia click here

Oil slips to US$98.3 as dollar index rises on worries of Greece restructuring sovereign debt

Oil prices have slipped to as low as US$98.3 a barrel as the dollar index rose to a six-week high on worries that Greece may restructure its sovereign debt, as per Reuters. Brent crude for June fell tto US$113.

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M&G Group to build PET plant in USA, co-located and fully integrated with a new PTA plant

Gruppo Mossi and Ghisolfi, The M&G Group will build a next generation technology PET plant in USA to be co-located and fully integrated with a new PTA plant at the same site. The group is the largest producer of PET for packaging applications in the Americas and the technological leader in that market, as per PRNewswire.

For more details on M&G Group to build PET plant in USA, co-located and fully integrated with a new PTA plant click here

European Commission clears acquisition of joint control over certain assets of Ineos by PetroChina

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of joint control over certain assets currently wholly owned by Ineos AG of Switzerland by PetroChina Companyy Limited of China and Ineos AG.

For more details on European Commission clears acquisition of joint control over certain assets of Ineos by PetroChina click here

Government blames insufficient safety inspection for Formosa’s latest fire

The government has blamed insufficient safety inspection for the latest fire at Formosa’s naphtha cracker complex at Mailiao, Yunlin County — the third such accident there in 10 months, as per The Chiina Post.

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Dow suspends dock operations at two factory sites in Louisiana

USA’s largest chemical maker Dow Chemical Co will suspend dock operations at two factory sites in Louisiana tomorrow as a precaution against potential flooding from the swollen Mississippi River, as pper Bloomberg.

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US ethylene spot prices rise on growing fears of floods affecting cracker operations at Mississippi

Ethylene spot prices in the US rose by 5% in the last three days on growing fears that flooding will affect operations at crackers near the Mississippi river, as per ICIS. The Mississippi river is exppected to peak this week to record high levels.

For more details on US ethylene spot prices rise on growing fears of floods affecting cracker operations at Mississippi click here

Royal Dutch Shell’s ethylene plant at Pulau Bukom not estimated to start up till mid-May

Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSA) reiterated that its ethylene plant at Pulau Bukom, Singapore, may only start up after the middle of this month. Shell shut the plant on March 18 because of technical probllems, as per Bloomberg.

For more details on Royal Dutch Shell’s ethylene plant at Pulau Bukom not estimated to start up till mid-May click here

Global demand for ethylene estimated to outpace supply additions through 2015, leading to shortages

North America’s second-biggest ethylene maker LyondellBasell Industries NV estimates global demand for ethylene to outpace supply additions through 2015, leading to shortages. Ethylene demand will risse by at least 70 bln lbs through 2015, driven mostly by Asia, requiring 35 new crackers.

For more details on Global demand for ethylene estimated to outpace supply additions through 2015, leading to shortages click here

Petronas’ new US$20 bln integrated refinery cum petrochem complex to be commissioned by 2016

Petronas will construct a US$20 billion integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex in Southern Johor to be commissioned by end-2016. The project, known as the Refinery and Petrochemicals Integrateed Development (RAPID) is at the detailed feasibility study stage and would comprise a crude oil refinery, a naphtha cracker that would produce about 3 mln tpa of ethylene, propylene, C4 and C5 olefins and a petrochemicals and polymer complex that would produce differentiated and highly-specialised chemicals.

For more details on Petronas’ new US$20 bln integrated refinery cum petrochem complex to be commissioned by 2016 click here

DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers to increase capacity at Dordrecht, Netherlands

DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers today announced that it will increase capacity at its site at Dordrecht, Netherlands, to meet strong demand for specialty copolymers, DuPont Bynel adhesive resinns, DuPont Fusabond modifier resins and DuPont Appeel lidding sealants used in packaging, construction and industrial markets.

For more details on DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers to increase capacity at Dordrecht, Netherlands click here

Formosa likely to defer May and June naphtha shipments

It is likely that Taiwan's Formosa Petrochemical Corp may defer some shipments of naphtha feedstock by a month, after it’s No. 1 cracker was forced to shut down following a fire that hit a liquefied ppetroleum gas (LPG) pipeline, as per Reuters.

For more details on Formosa likely to defer May and June naphtha shipments click here

Softer local PE prices in China putting pressure on imports

Inside China, locally held PE prices moved lower this week as distributors reduced prices in hopes of attracting greater buying interest, as per Chemorbis. AS domestic PE is currently trading at a disscount when compared with prevailing import prices, sellers offering import cargoes are likely to face some downward pressure over the coming week.

For more details on Softer local PE prices in China putting pressure on imports click here

PetroLogistics restarts 1.2 bln lb propane dehydrogenation unit in Houston

US propylene maker PetroLogistics has restarted its 1.2 bln lb propane dehydrogenation unit in Houston, Texas, after a brief shutdown, as per Platts. Low air supply to the waste heat boiler caused thee unit to shut down Tuesday evening.

For more details on PetroLogistics restarts 1.2 bln lb propane dehydrogenation unit in Houston click here

Fire at Formosa’s Mailiao plant forces shutdown of ethylene and aromatics facilities

A fire at Formosa Petrochemical Corp's Mailiao plant in central Taiwan has forced the shutdown of ethylene and aromatics facilities, as per Reuters. The fire in a pipe that feeds raw materials to the units, had been put out at around 5:45 a.

For more details on Fire at Formosa’s Mailiao plant forces shutdown of ethylene and aromatics facilities click here

Naphtha prices in Asia slip to four-session low

Asia's naphtha price slipped by over 5% to a four-session low on Thursday, along with fall in naphtha cracks. However, spot premiums remained at firm levels and forced South Korean buyer Honam to canccel a purchase, as per Reuters.

For more details on Naphtha prices in Asia slip to four-session low click here

Petron Q1 revenue buoyed by petrochemical revenues

Philippines’ largest oil refiner and retailer- Petron Corp.’s Q1-2011 income almost doubled from Q1-2010, due to stronger revenue from its petrochemical business. Q1 income stood at P3.4 bln.
Rises iin crude prices propped up prices of petrochemical products such benzene, toluene, and xylene, while supply tightness in propylene enabled the company to capture incremental margins from its production streams.

For more details on Petron Q1 revenue buoyed by petrochemical revenues click here

Thailand to ask Indonesia to stop safeguard measures against Thai polypropylene imports

The Indonesian government started a dumping investigation last month against polypropylene exported by Siam Cement Group. Thailand will ask Indonesia not to apply safeguard measures against imports off Thai polypropylene (PP), as per Bangkokpost.

For more details on Thailand to ask Indonesia to stop safeguard measures against Thai polypropylene imports click here

Almost 100 countries to lose tariff breaks for plastics exports to European Union under a planned reform

Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Iran are among almost 100 countries expected to lose tariff breaks for their plastics exports to the European Union (EU), undder a planned reform of the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) system, as per Plastics and Rubber Weekly.

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Naphtha/gasoline cracks in Asia may not continue to stay firm

Asia's naphtha prices rose for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, to a four-session high, and have recovered most of the US$106/ton it lost in a single day last Friday, as per Reuters. Some selleers continue to be upbeat, on expectations of tight supplies next month.

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Ma’aden and Sahara in new caustic soda and ethylene dichloride (EDC) joint venture

The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) and Sahara Petrochemical Company (Sahara) have established a new joint venture to produce caustic soda and ethylene dichloride (EDC). The US$750 mln (SR2.81 billion) project, located within Sahara’s complex in Jubail Industrial City, will produce 250,000 tpa of caustic soda and 300,000 tpa of EDC.

For more details on Ma’aden and Sahara in new caustic soda and ethylene dichloride (EDC) joint venture click here

Local HIPS carries large premium over GPPS in Italy

HIPS, in Italy’s local market has been trading at a high premium when compared to GPPS for some time. The relative strength of the HIPS market mainly stems from lack of butadiene feedstock and higher upstream costs.

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Indonesia's Chandra Asri skips spot naphtha purchases in June

Indonesia's Chandra Asri will not buy any spot naphtha cargoes for June as it advances a medium range-sized term cargo scheduled for delivery into Anyer in July to meet its June requirements, as per PPlatts.

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Changes in compounding industry in Europe, South America and Asia

The effects of the global recession on the global thermoplastics compounding industry is documented in a series of reports published by Applied Market Information Ltd. (AMI). While the industry continnues to surge ahead in Asia and Latin America, the European market has been through a period of shrinking demand that has seen compounders reorganise their operations.

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Iran’s plans to increase petrochem capacity by 64 mln tons through 2015 requires US$49 bln of investments

Petrochemical production capacity in Iran is expected to increase by 64 mln tons over 5 years through 2015 but requires investments worth $49 billion, as per Managing Director of the National Petrocheemical Company (NPC).

For more details on Iran’s plans to increase petrochem capacity by 64 mln tons through 2015 requires US$49 bln of investments click here

NOVA inks MOU for a long-term supply of ethane from the Marcellus Shale Basin

NOVA Chemicals Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Range Resources Corporation for a long-term supply of ethane from the Marcellus Shale Basin to its Corunna cracker.

For more details on NOVA inks MOU for a long-term supply of ethane from the Marcellus Shale Basin click here

Iran’s plans to increase petrochem capacity by 64 mln tons through 2015 requires US$49 bln of investments

Petrochemical production capacity in Iran is expected to increase by 64 mln tons over 5 years through 2015 but requires investments worth $49 billion, as per Managing Director of the National Petrocheemical Company (NPC).

For more details on Iran’s plans to increase petrochem capacity by 64 mln tons through 2015 requires US$49 bln of investments click here

Formosa’s resumes production at CDU, 540,000 bpd refinery running at 87% capacity

Formosa Petrochemical Corp is running its 540,000 bpd refinery at around 87% after a crude distillation unit (CDU) resumed production in late April following a planned maintenance, as per Reuters. It has also restored runs at its 2.

For more details on Formosa’s resumes production at CDU, 540,000 bpd refinery running at 87% capacity click here

Plastic packaging with durable barrier properties

Netstal-Maschinen AG and Glaroform AG from Switzerland and Ilsemann Automation from Germany are working together to replace existing packaging and their barrier properties with plastic compound solutiions that are of high quality, environmentally-friendly and cost-efficient to produce as well as reclosable.

For more details on Plastic packaging with durable barrier properties click here

European naphtha cargo range gains US $27/ton on higher crude oil, robust crack spread

Driven by higher crude oil prices and a more robust crack spread, European naphtha cargo range made gains on Tuesday morning of US$27/ton, as per ICIS, assessed at US$1014–1,022/ton CIF (cost, insurannce and freight) NWE.

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Downward revision of European PVC prices for May in Italy

For May, European PVC sellers had announced initial price hikes of up to €50/ton in Italy’s spot market following a stable to slightly firmer PVC trend seen in April, as per Chemorbis. Sellers justifiied their new hike requests by pointing to the higher May ethylene contract and producers’ need for improved margins.

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Crude oil starts the week above US$100

Crude oil for June delivery started the week above the hundred dollar mark at US$102. Last week saw a 14.7% decline in oil futures, but recoiled by over five dollars at the start of the week on strongg investor sentiments.

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Turkey’s Köksan awards contract to Uhde-Fisch for new 216,000 tpa PET plant

Turkish PET perform processor Köksan has contracted plant construction engineering firm Uhde-Fischer to build a new 216,000 tpa plant for the production of PET in Gaziantep, Turkey, as per Plasticstodday.

For more details on Turkey’s Köksan awards contract to Uhde-Fisch for new 216,000 tpa PET plant click here

Bayer in discussions with potential partners to develop natural gas petrochem facility in West Virginia

Bayer is in "solid discussions" with potential partners to develop a large petrochemical facility in West Virginia as per Charleston Daily Mail. Bayer owns property in New Martinsville and Kanawha Vallley, along with pipeline right-of-way between the two sites.

For more details on Bayer in discussions with potential partners to develop natural gas petrochem facility in West Virginia click here

Nizhnekamskneftekhim to supply styrene to Finnish EPS maker StyroChem from 2011 – 2013

Russian petrochemicals company Nizhnekamskneftekhim (NKNH) has inked a deal to supply styrene monomer valued at nearly €37 mln to the Finnish subsidiary of global expandable polystyrene (EPS) producerr StyroChem between 2011 and 2013.

For more details on Nizhnekamskneftekhim to supply styrene to Finnish EPS maker StyroChem from 2011 – 2013 click here

Enterprise Products Partners mulls expansion at polymer grade propylene fractionation facility at Texas

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. plans to expand its polymer grade propylene (PGP) fractionation facility at the partnership's Mont Belvieu, Texas complex, which will add on an annual basis, approximmately 7,500 bpd (500 mln lbs) of incremental PGP production.

For more details on Enterprise Products Partners mulls expansion at polymer grade propylene fractionation facility at Texas click here

Ticona plans to double production at Celstran long fiber reinforced thermoplastic unit in China

Ticona plans to nearly double production at its Celstran long fiber reinforced thermoplastic manufacturing unit in Nanjing, China, as per Plastics news. The unit came online in 2008 with an annual cappacity of 5,000 metric tons.

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Petrochemicals, consumer retail and telecom to drive growth at RIL in the next few years

Reliance Industries Ltd. will look to its petrochemicals, consumer retail and telecommunications businesses to drive growth in the next few years, as per company Chairman Mukesh Ambani. Reliance has embarked on a major capacity creation initiative in petrochemicals, encouraged by strong demand forecasts for petrochemicals and fibers, to become the world's largest integrated polyester producer.

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Strong profits of petrochem companies in Q1-2011 expected to continue into Q2

The recent slew of mainly higher first-quarter results from listed petrochemicals companies looks set to continue into the second quarter, with the recent fall in commodity prices potentially providinng a further boost, as per Platts.

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Saudi petrochemical, plastics exports to China touch a 15 month high

The value of Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports to China, mainly chemicals used to make plastic products, reached the highest in 15 months, as per Bloomberg. The Kingdom’s non-oil exports to China reachedd 1.

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Successful commissioning of Ecoflex® plant at BASF SE in Ludwigshafen, Germany

In early 2011, Uhde Inventa-Fischer and BASF SE successfully commissioned a plant for the production of Ecoflex®, the biodegradable co-polyester polymer developed by BASF. The Ecoflex® polymer producttion capacity obtained at the Ludwigshafen production site could thus be increased from previously 14,000 to 74,000 tpa.

For more details on Successful commissioning of Ecoflex® plant at BASF SE in Ludwigshafen, Germany click here

Asian PS sellers maintain firm stance after last week’s upstream reversal

Asian PS sellers have recently held firm on their prices despite the significant declines witnessed in upstream markets late last week, as per Chemorbis. Regional producers brushed off this slump in upstream costs as only temporary while electing to leave prices unchanged after PS prices had risen along with styrene feedstock costs earlier in the week.

For more details on Asian PS sellers maintain firm stance after last week’s upstream reversal click here

Plasma Nitriding and PVD Coating: The Combi Treatment

The ongoing improvement in quality and performance for plastics and elastomers makes it necessary to upgrade tools for highest performance as well. Multiple wear mechanisms take effect on tools or ccomponents surface.

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India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests amended definition of plastic carry bags to benefit packaging industry

The definition of plastic carry bags has been amended by the Ministry of Environment and Forests as per Notification No: 249 dated: 04-02-2011. The definition covered all the flexible plastic packaginng in the definition of carry bags.

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BPCL to raise capacity at newly commissioned Bina refinery, looking for public offering of the unit

State-owned Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) plans to raise capacity at its just-commissioned Bina refinery in Madhya Pradesh to 9 mln tons-a process that may take up to three years and may cost aboutt Rs 2,000 crore.

For more details on BPCL to raise capacity at newly commissioned Bina refinery, looking for public offering of the unit click here

JG Summit Holdings spend of US$700 mln on expansion in 2011 mostly allocated to petrochemical and airline businesses

JG Summit Holdings Inc. plans to spend US$700 mln on expansion this year, with most of the funds allocated to its petrochemical and airline businesses.
Sale of JG Summit's controlling stake in Digittal Telecommunications Philippines Inc.

For more details on JG Summit Holdings spend of US$700 mln on expansion in 2011 mostly allocated to petrochemical and airline businesses click here

Work at Lepetkata gas cracker project gathers momentum after 2 years of tardy progress

Work at Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Ltd’s Lepetkata gas cracker project has gathered considerable momentum during the past few months after nearly two years of tardy progress. Going by the progresss, the project should be completed by July 2013 with commercial production expected to start in H2-2013.

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NW Europe gets more cargoes of refrigerated propane on thriving petrochem demand

More cargoes of refrigerated propane are flowing into Northwest Europe in thriving petchem sector demand, as per Platts. Onset of warm weather that has reduced demand from the traditional heating markket, has been replaced by emerging healthy demand from the petrochemicals sector where propane is used as an alternative feedstock to naphtha.

For more details on NW Europe gets more cargoes of refrigerated propane on thriving petrochem demand click here

Keyuan Petrochemicals successfully completes capacity expansion in China

Keyuan Petrochemicals has successfully completed capacity expansion in China that it commenced on March 19th, 2011. The company has completed all equipment installation and testing by the end of Aprill, propping capacity to 720,000 tons of annual production design capacity, up from 550,000 tons.

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Arkema declares force majeure on polyvinyl chloride production at Lavera

Arkema has declared force majeure on its polyvinyl chloride production site at Lavera, as per Platts. This will contribute to tightening PVC stocks further. Lavera produces 341,000 tpa of chlorine (255% of total French production), 980,000 tpa ethylene dichloride, and 460,000 tpa vinyl chloride monomer (40% of French production).

For more details on Arkema declares force majeure on polyvinyl chloride production at Lavera click here

Total to commence production of new generation EPS in 2013

Chemical firm Total Petrochemicals will begin manufacturing a new generation of EPS in 2013 following the acquisition of Polimeri's polystyrene manufacturing operation at Feluy in Belgium, as per Euroopean Plastics News.

For more details on Total to commence production of new generation EPS in 2013 click here

Taiwan's CPC to restart No. 3 Lin Yuan steam cracker

Taiwan's CPC Corporation plans to bring its No 3 Lin Yuan steam cracker back online at end last week, upon completion of a 30-35 day maintenance program, which started at the end of March, as per Plattts.

For more details on Taiwan's CPC to restart No. 3 Lin Yuan steam cracker click here

Bayer MaterialScience to invest 90 mln in expansion of polycarbonate production at Krefeld-Uerdingen

Bayer MaterialScience plans to expand production of polycarbonate at its Krefeld-Uerdingen site in Germany through an investment of about EUR 90 mln. The plant's current annual capacity is to graduallly reach 400,000 tons over the next four years in stepped increases.

For more details on Bayer MaterialScience to invest 90 mln in expansion of polycarbonate production at Krefeld-Uerdingen click here

Japan Mitsui completes liquidation of Mitsui Oil Asia Singapore

Japanese trading house Mitsui & Co. completed liquidation of Mitsui Oil Asia Singapore in March this year, as per Platts. MOA Singapore had incurred huge losses in naphtha trading in 2006, which was ddiscovered by the company that liquidated the positions, and losses snowballed to US$81 mln.

For more details on Japan Mitsui completes liquidation of Mitsui Oil Asia Singapore click here

Impact, Weight and Anti-Corrosion Coatings for Pipelines

The pipeline industry is continuing to grow worldwide to provide increased security of energy and water supply, and with hostile environmental conditions in many locations, the pipeline protection marrket is expanding to meet the requirements.

For more details on Impact, Weight and Anti-Corrosion Coatings for Pipelines click here

Latest innovations in vinyl additives and recipes

AMI’s 3rd annual international conference on PVC compounding was held in February 2011 in Dusseldorf, Germany to debate the latest innovations in vinyl additives and recipes. Jon Nash, Consultant at Applied Market Information, gave an overview of the recovery in the global markets: current demand is running at 34.

For more details on Latest innovations in vinyl additives and recipes click here

Does PP demand signal for an improvement in Egypt?

PP demand in Egypt has been performing poorly, partly as a result of the political turmoil in February as well as the persistent increases in the local and import markets since the beginning of the yeear, as per Chemorbis.

For more details on Does PP demand signal for an improvement in Egypt? click here

Import HDPE film gains premium over LLDPE film in China, SEA

Following several consecutive weeks in which HDPE film prices have gained ground relative to LDPE and LLDPE film prices, import HDPE film has gained a premium over import LLDPE film in both China and Southeast Asia, as per ChemOrbis.

For more details on Import HDPE film gains premium over LLDPE film in China, SEA click here

Turkey’s March polymer imports the highest ever for the month

Based on the data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), Turkey’s plastics imports posted a noticeable jump in March 2011 after seeing a slight decrease in February, as per . The countrry imported 420,000 tons of polymers in March, with the new total breeching even the January figure.

For more details on Turkey’s March polymer imports the highest ever for the month click here

Italy’s PP market up for May, prices at premium over other markets

Italy’s PP market has been slow throughout April as buyers who did not want to pay April increases mainly refrained from building stocks from the local market while the extended Easter holidays and thhe earlier talk of stabilizing prices also contributed to the slowness in trading activity, as per ChemOrbis.

For more details on Italy’s PP market up for May, prices at premium over other markets click here

LyondellBasell plans to boost US. ethylene output

LyondellBasell Industries plans to boost US ethylene output and may build another plant as rising shale-gas supplies increase the country’s competitiveness, as per Bloomberg.
Expansions at existing pplants, possibly in Channelview and La Port, Texas, over the next few years will increase ethylene output by about 500 mln lbs a year.

For more details on LyondellBasell plans to boost US. ethylene output click here

SK Innovation to shut PE, PP units in 2016

South Korea's SK Innovation is to shut its polyolefin units for scheduled maintenance in 2016 and not in 2011, as per Platts. The 2011 schedule that was reported by Platts last week was the turnaroundd schedule for 2010.

For more details on SK Innovation to shut PE, PP units in 2016 click here

Middle East petrochemicals sector investment reaches new heights

Petrochemicals production in the Gulf is expected to leap by almost 50% by 2015, at which point the region will be supplying a fifth of the world's petrochemicals output. According to a recent report by the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the annual petrochemicals production of the six Gulf states is expected to soar around 46% to 155 mln tpa by 2015, up from 105 mln.

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Samsung Engineering awarded US$230 mln contract to build a high density polyethylene plant in Western India

Samsung Engineering Co., South Korea's largest industrial plant builder, has said that it has won a USD 230 million order to build a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plant in western India. Under thee deal with ONGC Petro-additions Ltd.

For more details on Samsung Engineering awarded US$230 mln contract to build a high density polyethylene plant in Western India click here

Gujarat government proposes Gujarat Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Special Investment Region (GPCPSIR) for Dahej

The Gujarat government has proposed to set up a Gujarat Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Special Investment Region (GPCPSIR) for Dahej industrial estate, Vagra and Bharuch taluka in Bharuch distrrict.

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Crude dips despite news of the death of Osama bin Laden

Crude futures settled lower after the death of Osama bin Laden stirred oil markets, as traders tried to gauge the effect on stability in the Middle East. Light, sweet crude for June delivery dipped too US$113.

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Asian players expect another month of PVC hikes

Players in Asia are predicting another month of PVC price hikes, although the rate of increase is expected to slow down following the rapid increases observed over the past two months, as per Chemorbiis.

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Trans Pacific Petrochemical Indotama signs a US$1.1 bln loan agreement with Deutsche Bank

Petrochemical company Trans Pacific Petrochemical Indotama, a unit of Tuban Petrochemical Industries, has signed a loan agreement with Deutsche Bank worth US$1.1 billion. This loan will be used to payy debt and for working capital.

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LOTTE keen to continue investing in Pakistan

LOTTE has invested US$200 mln in the Pakistan PTA project and 48 MW co-generation power plant, as per Pakistan Observer. LOTTE, the Korean Conglomerate is ready to make additional investment of US$4000-500 mln more to expand the LOTTE Pakistan project which is the main stay of the polyester-chain and key supplier of raw material for a large part of Pakistan’s exports.

For more details on LOTTE keen to continue investing in Pakistan click here

Dow Chemical expects lawsuit decision in case versus Kuwait Petrochemical

Dow Chemical Co. expects a resolution this year in its complaint against Kuwait's Petrochemical Industries Co. for backing out of a proposed US$17.4 bln joint venture in December 2008, as per Midland Daily News.

For more details on Dow Chemical expects lawsuit decision in case versus Kuwait Petrochemical click here

Mitsubishi Chem Corp inks MOU for strategic partnership with Genomatica for sustainable chemicals in Asia

Genomatica, an emerging leader in sustainable chemicals, and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, the eighth-largest chemical maker in the world, have inked a broad memorandum of understanding (MOU) outliining multiple potential areas of collaboration, as per PR Newswire.

For more details on Mitsubishi Chem Corp inks MOU for strategic partnership with Genomatica for sustainable chemicals in Asia click here

India’s fifth PCPIR to be located in Tamil Nadu get approval

India’s fifth Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) to come up in Tamil Nadu has been granted approval by the Cabinet secretary. The project, estimated to attract investmentt of Rs 92,000 crore, has received an in-principle approval from the Cabinet Secretary and is to go to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for approval.

For more details on India’s fifth PCPIR to be located in Tamil Nadu get approval click here

Toray Industries mulls unit to produce spunbond polypropylene in Indonesia

Japan's Toray Industries Inc plans to set up a unit, Toray Polytech Jakarta, in Indonesia in September that will produce upto 20,000 tpa spunbond polypropylene. The unit will require total investment of US$37.

For more details on Toray Industries mulls unit to produce spunbond polypropylene in Indonesia click here

New catalyst system for efficient manufacturing of Polyalkylene Carbonates

Empower Materials, headquartered in New Castle, Delaware has developed a new catalyst system for efficient manufacturing of Polyalkylene Carbonates, which are sustainable polymers traded under QPAC brrand name.

For more details on New catalyst system for efficient manufacturing of Polyalkylene Carbonates click here

Maintenance shutdown at SK Innovation’s PE, PP units

South Korea's SK Innovation plans to shut its polyolefin units for scheduled maintenance in October-November, as per Platts. The company's No. 1 220,000 tpa polyethylene unit will be closed for 24 dayys from October 12 to November 4, while its No.

For more details on Maintenance shutdown at SK Innovation’s PE, PP units click here

Dow Chemical Canada mulls US$41 mln expansion at Prentiss polyethylene plant

Dow Chemical Canada Inc. is planning a US$41 mln on expansion at its Prentiss polyethylene plant. The expansion project will take two years to complete and will comprise addition of new rail lines andd installation of additional equipment to produce new grades of polyethylene using butene as feedstock.

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Asian benzene prices plunge

Asian benzene prices shed US$11.50/mt on Friday as market sentiment turned bearish over weaker crude futures, as per Platts. FOB Korea benchmark for Asian benzene was assessed at US$1226/mt. Japan’s largest refiner, JX Nippon Oil & Energy, settled May Asia contract price for benzene at US$1215/mt CFR, up US$65/mt (almost 6%) from its April settlement of US$1150/mt.

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