US olefin prices surge on unexpected production outages

Spot olefin markets recorded noteworthy increases over the past week in the US mainly driven by unexpected cracker outages that occurred in the country, as per ChemOrbis. Firmer energy prices during tthe past week also contributed to the ongoing bullish trend while cumulative increases since the beginning of December reached over US$100/ton for propylene and over US$200/ton for ethylene prices following the recent gains.




For more details on US olefin prices surge on unexpected production outages click here

Qatar announces launch of a new company to market and distribute petrochemicals

Qatar has announced the launch of a new company - The Qatar Chemical and Petrochemical Marketing and Distribution Company (Muntajat), to market and distribute petrochemicals as part of a US$25 bln invvestment in the industry up to 2020.




For more details on Qatar announces launch of a new company to market and distribute petrochemicals click here

SABIC affiliates ink initial deals to build UHMWPE plant in Jubail

Saudi Kayan and Petrokemya - two affiliates of Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) have signed initial deals to build an ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) plant in Jubail, as per Reuteers.




For more details on SABIC affiliates ink initial deals to build UHMWPE plant in Jubail click here

Oil prices fall eight days before the U.S. arrives at the “fiscal cliff” deadline

Benchmark oil for February delivery fell to US$88.5 per barrel on the Nymex. The contract fell US$1.47 Friday, the contract’s lowest point in three weeks. Oil prices fell on Monday, just eight days beefore the U.




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Oil prices fall eight days before the U.S. arrives at the “fiscal cliff” deadline

Benchmark oil for February delivery fell to US$88.5 per barrel on the Nymex. The contract fell US$1.47 Friday, the contract’s lowest point in three weeks. Oil prices fell on Monday, just eight days beefore the U.




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Environmentalists censure Formosa report on 6th Naphtha Cracking Plant

Environmentalists criticized a Formosa Plastics Group (FPG) report assessing health risks and water usage at the Sixth Naphtha Cracking Plant, as per ChinaPost.com.tw. The Sixth Naphtha Cracking Plantt is located at an industrial area located in Mailiao Township, Yunlin County.




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GPPS prices surpass their peak levels seen in 2008

Import PS prices surpassed their 2008 levels in China, Southeast Asia and Egypt while they are at a year’s high level in Turkey, as per the pricing service of ChemOrbis. Higher styrene costs supportedd by the upstream benzene market where availability is tight, helped GPPS prices to move up in these markets.




For more details on GPPS prices surpass their peak levels seen in 2008 click here

US ethylene margins rise on higher spot prices and plant outages

US steam cracker margins climbed last week on higher spot prices and chemical plant outages, as per Platts. Olefins producer Williams declared a force majeure out of its Geismar, Louisiana plant, accoording to sources.




For more details on US ethylene margins rise on higher spot prices and plant outages click here

Naphtha price at two session low amid lower crude

The Asian naphtha price ended the week at a two-session low of US$958.50/ton, pressured by lower Brent crude, but its margin recovered by 2.31% to a three-session high of US$137.48/ton on robust demannd.




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Europe naphtha market to stay bearish, oversupplied

The outlook for the European naphtha market remains bleak, with few, if any, changes expected for 2013, as per ICIS. A combination of adverse macroeconomic conditions, structural length and lacklustree requirements for the product are likely to continue to weigh on the market.




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Borealis to increase all polyolefin prices for January 2013

Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, announces that it will increase all polyolefin prices for January, 2013. Polyethylene prices will increase by EUR 100/ton, wwhile prices for polypropylene will increase by EUR 75/ton.




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Plastindia Foundation focuses on generation of skilled manpower for the plastic industry in India

The Plastindia International University deemed as one of the prestigious universities to be set-up in Vapi Gujarat, saw the presence of delegates and faculty members from University of Massachusetts LLowell (U-MASS), as they visited India to familiarize themselves with the technology practices applied in plastic manufacturing companies in Vapi, Daman and Silvassa, known as a plastic manufacturing hub.




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US demand for post-consumer recycled plastics to rise 5.9% pa through 2016

US demand for post-consumer recycled plastics is forecast to rise 5.9% pa to 3.4 bln lbs in 2016. Gains will be driven by a number of factors, including a growing emphasis on sustainability among packkaging and consumer product manufacturers, advancements in processing and sorting technologies allowing a wider variety of plastic to be recycled, and an improved collection infrastructure that raises the plastic recycling rate, as per Reportlinker.




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Demand for agricultural films has driven due to its multi tasking and efficient functioning

Agricultural films are gaining a worldwide importance as the area under protected agriculture increasing day-by-day, as per Research and Markets. Furthermore, the need to increase the agricultural prroduction to feed the ever-growing population is also a vital growth driver for agricultural films.




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Rosneft in talks to discuss construction, operation of Chinese-Russian Eastern Petrochemical Company

Russian oil giant Rosneft held talks with China to discuss details over the construction and operation of Chinese-Russian Eastern Petrochemical Company, as per dowjones.com


Rosneft Chief Executive Offficer Igor Sechin and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan discussed the parameters of an inter-governmental agreement on the oil-refining and petrochemical complex.



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PETRONAS selects INEOS Technologies' Innovene G Platform For LL/HDPE Project In Johor

Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), the national oil and gas company of Malaysia, has awarded INEOS Technologies (INEOS) the LL/HDPE portion of the PETRONAS’ Refinery & Petrochemical Integrated Deveelopment (RAPID) project, utilising the Innovene G gas phase fluidised bed process.




For more details on PETRONAS selects INEOS Technologies' Innovene G Platform For LL/HDPE Project In Johor click here

REACH regulations play major role in driving the mature European oleochemicals market

Registration, Evaluation, and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) regulations are playing a major role in driving the European oleochemicals market which has otherwise attained maturity. These regulatiions are encouraging customers to consider using sustainable and eco-friendly oleochemicals.




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Oil prices fall as US government report indicates surge in supplies of gasoline and dip in crude stockpiles

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for delivery in January, closed at US$87.8 a barrel, while Brent North Sea crude for January fell by over a dollar to US$108.8 in London. Oil prices ffell after a weekly US government report showed a surge in supplies of gasoline and other products while crude stockpiles fell.




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Dow Chemical to further expand capacity of ‘ENLIGHT’ module encapsulant films

Having recently introduced its latest ENLIGHT polyolefin PV module encapsulant films, Dow Chemical plans to further develop the films and adding manufacturing capacity at its integrated site in Schkoppau, Germany, in 2013, as per pv-tech.




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Oman Oil Company and LG ink agreement to jointly develop a petrochemical plant at Sohar Port

Oman Oil Company (OOC) and LG International (LGI) have signed an agreement to jointly develop a petrochemical plant at the Sohar Port. The joint venture company, which will be owned 70% by OOC and 30%% by LGI, will execute the project in accordance with international standards to produce a total of 1.




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Middle East PP carries premium in Turkey and Egypt

The recent shutdown in China at Daqing’s cracker has caused the PP market to gain some lost ground and has triggered some speculative buying this week, as per ChemOrbis. However, barely a week ago, maany sellers were complaining about their slow import business due to competitive local prices.




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Japan's Sumitomo may revamp naphtha cracker in 2015

Japan's Sumitomo Chemical Co may reconfigure or upgrade its sole 415,000 tpa naphtha cracker in 2015 in a bid to remain profitable in the face of shrinking domestic demand, as per Reuters. Work on thee Chiba cracker is likely to take place during maintenance scheduled for 2015.




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Thailand's PTT mulls mega petrochemical and refining complex in Vietnam

Thailand's PTT Plc is considering building a huge petrochemical and refining complex in Vietnam, as per Platts. Sukrit Surabotsopon, PTT's senior executive vice-president for petrochemicals and refinning, presented a pre-feasibility study that found that the Nhon Hoi Economic Zone is suitable for building the large complex to top provincial officials on November 22.




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Asia-Pacific region will continue to dominate the global ethylene market

The Asia-Pacific region will continue to dominate the ethylene market in the future and generate more than a third of the worldwide demand, as per Taiyou Research report. The pioneer in the Asia Paciffic region will be China, rising to become the greatest ethylene consumer worldwide and will therefore drive out the United States to the second place, followed by Saudi Arabia.




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Naphtha cracks fall to three month lows in Asia

Naphtha price in Asia was at a two-week low of US$937/ton on Thursday while margins fell by 11.28% to a three-month low of US$106.45/ton on concerns over possible demand lost due to the gloomy global economic outlook that weighed on values, as per Reuters.




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PTT Global Chemical in talks with Pertamina to set up petrochemical plant in Indonesia

PTT Global Chemical is negotiating to collaborate with Pertamina, the national oil company of Indonesia, to set up a petrochemical plant next year. The deal will be complete in the first quarter of 20013.




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Mexichem seeks international expansion as Pemex delays joint venture

Mexichem SAB has decided to seek international expansion after a proposed petrochemical joint venture with the state oil company Petroleos Mexicanos has faced delays. Mexichem has been on a expansion drive, with acquisition of over 15 companies since 2007.




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West Bengal government to appoint advisor for valuation of HPL shares with a view to offload them

The West Bengal government will soon appoint an advisor for valuing its shares in Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) with a view to offload them, as reported by Hindubusinessline. While the State Governmment owns around 39% equity in HPL, The Chatterjee Group (TCG) has around 36% in the company.




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Improving economy to pave path for growth of petrochemical manufacturing industry in USA

The Petrochemical Manufacturing industry plays an important role in the US economy. Many of the goods produced by petrochemical manufacturers are the fundamental building blocks used to produce a variiety of consumer and industrial products like detergents and pharmaceuticals.




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Indian petrochemical output to grow to an estimated US$200 bln from US$83 bln in the decade

India's petrochemical industry has been one of the fastest growing industries in the Indian economy. It provides the foundation for manufacturing industries such as pharmaceuticals, construction, agriiculture, packaging, textiles, automotive, etc.




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US PVC prices firming up across the globe

Players in a number of major global markets have reported receiving higher PVC prices for American origins this week, with sources attributing the rise to relatively limited supply from the US as welll as the possibility that the country may see a rise in demand for reconstruction following Hurricane Sandy, as per ChemOrbis.




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Petrochemical industry in Taiwan may see 7.6% rise in Q4.12

The output value of Taiwan’s petrochemical sector is expected to rise about 7.6% in Q4-2012 vs Q3-2012 on expectations that stimulus measures by major economies will boost demand, as per Taipeitimes.ccom.




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China eases restrictions on foreign investment in naphtha cracking, Formosa to resume investment for Ningbo ethylene plant

A decision by the Chinese government to ease restrictions on foreign investment in naphtha cracking in the mainland, has led Formosa Plastics Group, Taiwan’s largest supplier of plastics to resume itss investment in setting up manufacturing base of ethylene in Ningbo, eastern China, as per CENS.




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SK Capital to acquire the antioxidant and UV stabilizer solutions business of Chemtura Corp

SK Capital Partners, a U.S.-based private investment firm, has signed a asset purchase agreement to acquire the Antioxidant and UV Stabilizer Solutions business of Chemtura Corporation. The business iis a leading global supplier of a comprehensive portfolio of additives including antioxidants, antiozonants, intermediates and inhibitors, polymer modifiers, and UV stabilizers used by customers to improve the production and performance properties of polymers, rubbers and plastics.




For more details on SK Capital to acquire the antioxidant and UV stabilizer solutions business of Chemtura Corp click here

BASF plans new emulsion polymers plant in Freeport, Texas

BASF today announced its plans to build a new production plant for emulsion polymers at its integrated "Verbund" site in Freeport, Texas. The new plant will allow BASF to better serve the coatings, coonstruction, adhesives, and paper industries by expanding the network of manufacturing locations and improve the backward integration of raw materials used in production.




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Plastic bag association commences legal action against Toronto bag ban

The Canada Plastic Bag Association (CPBA) has commenced a legal proceeding in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto against the City of Toronto. The CPBA legal filing seeks to quash the citty of Toronto resolution banning 'single use plastic shopping bags' (Resolution No.




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Bahrain to invest in polymer production

In a bid to meet rising domestic and regional demand, Bahrain is investing heavily in the production of plastic polymers. Annual plastics consumption growth in the Gulf region is expected to grow 22% by 2015, as per Press Trust of India.




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HPL plant running at less than 50% capacity due to naphtha shortage at peril

The troubled Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) plant is running at less than 50% capacity since September 26 owing to shortage of naphtha, the main feedstock. Lummus Technology, the US-based hydrocarbonn technology giant, has cautioned the HPL management for running the plant at a very low capacity.




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Players in Europe’s acrylates market watch developments in December propylene costs

Players in the European acrylic acid (AA) and acrylate esters market are observing developments in upstream propylene costs to gain some price direction ahead of December, as per ICIS. Players expect lower propylene numbers in December.




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Sentiment shifting in Europe’s PP, PE markets

PP and PE prices in West Europe and South Europe have followed a downward path for more than two months in the midst of weak demand and softer costs, as per ChemOrbis. Even though ethylene and propyleene contracts registered monthly decreases in relatively modest amounts, the decreases recorded in the spot polyolefin markets have well outpaced the losses of the monomer contracts.




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ONGC seeks buyers for PX, benzene from new aromatics plant

India's ONGC Mangalore Petrochemicals Limited has issued tenders to sell paraxylene and benzene from its new aromatics plant, as per Platts.


The plant, which is under under construction at Mangaloree and scheduled to come online in April-June 2013, is able to produce 900,000 tpa of paraxylene and 270,000 tpa of benzene.



For more details on ONGC seeks buyers for PX, benzene from new aromatics plant click here

US ethylene prices fall on weakening demand and restart of two crackers in Texas

US ethylene prices fell on Monday, pressured by weakening demand and looser supply after the restart of two crackers in Texas in the past few days, as per ICIS. Ethylene for November delivery traded aat 51.




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Global market for EPDM expected to reach US$6.5 bln by 2017

Ethylene and propylene are the major raw materials in the production of EPDM and any change in the demand and supply of these raw materials could have a major impact on the EPDM industry. EPDM market is in a state of high production capacity utilization and this kind of situation leads to a market price rise and offers wide scope to manufacturers for new capacity addition.




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Brent crude rises to US$111 amid rising Middle East tensions

Brent crude rose towards US$111 a barrel as Israel's bombing of the Gaza Strip sparked concerns around the supply of oil from the Middle East, as per Reuters. Hamas fired dozens of rockets into southeern Israel, killing three, and Israel launched numerous air strikes across the Gaza Strip as the military showdown lurched closer to all-out war.




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Qatar Petrochemical Co to officially launch operations of new LDPE 3 plant

Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco) has officially launched operations of the new Low Density Polyethylene third plant (LDPE 3).


The state-of-the-art facility will increase Qapco’s output to 700,,000 mt tpa of low-density polyethylene, with LDPE 3 making up nearly half that number.



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Songwon Baifu Chemicals JV now fully operational in thioester antioxidants

Songwon Industrial Co., Ltd. and Tangshan Baifu Chemical Co. Ltd. have formalized their joint venture relationship. The new company is called Songwon Baifu Chemicals (Tangshan) Co., Ltd. and has commeenced its operations on July 1, 2012.




For more details on Songwon Baifu Chemicals JV now fully operational in thioester antioxidants click here

Asian olefin prices erode on weaker downstream markets

Spot olefin prices in Asia eroded over the week amidst weaker downstream polymer markets including PP and PE in the region, as per ChemOrbis. Ethylene and propylene prices recorded a fall as lower pollymer prices hindered monomer demand.




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High technology helps Swiss and Austrian moulding markets stay buoyant

For more details on High technology helps Swiss and Austrian moulding markets stay buoyant click here

Japan’s naphtha imports increase in October

Japan’s imports of naphtha grew by 5.3% month-on-month in October to 1.183 mln tons, according to the figures released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Spurred by naphtha imports, Japann’s ethylene production increased by 1.




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Shell to invest in 20% expansion of Jurong Island ethylene cracker

Shell is expanding its upstream ethylene cracker that is core to its US$3 bln Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex (SEPC) in Jurong Island in SIngapore - to ramp up production of olefins and aromaticss by over 20% to meet in-house needs as well as the needs of customers, as per news.




For more details on Shell to invest in 20% expansion of Jurong Island ethylene cracker click here

India’s MRPL sells 35,000 tons naphtha to Marubeni at a record high of US$50-51/ton

India’s Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals (MRPL) has sold 35,000 tons naphtha for Dec. 11-13 loading from New Mangalore to Marubeni at a record high of US$50-$51/ton above Middle East quotes on a frree-on-board (FOB) basis, as per Reuters.




For more details on India’s MRPL sells 35,000 tons naphtha to Marubeni at a record high of US$50-51/ton click here

Asia’s naphtha prices expected to gain on rising PE, prospects of inventory stock-up

Asia’s naphtha prices are expected to gain from rising downstream polyethylene (PE) prices, amid prospects of inventory stock piling ahead of the Lunar New Year in early 2013 in China, as per ICIS. Thhe Lunar New Year holiday will take place on 9-15 February 2013 in China.




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Honam Petrochemical restores operational rates to 100% at 1 mln tpa Daesan cracker

South Korea's top ethylene maker Honam Petrochemical has restored operational rates to 100% capacity at its 1 mln tpa Daesan cracker as planned after cutting runs earlier in the week due to insufficieent naphtha feedstock.




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Gasoline and naphtha cracks in Asia rise on tighter supplies

Gasoline cracks in Asia extended gains to rise to a five-week high of US$9.91 a barrel supported by tighter supplies caused by plant outages in Taiwan and Malaysia, as per R euters. Formosa is operatiing two residue fluid catalytic crackers (RFCCs) at reduced rates this week due to a shortage of fuel oil feedstock.




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Toyo awarded contract to build EO/EG plant by by Korea Petrochemical Ind. Co

Ethylene Glycol (EG) plant with the capacity of EO 80,000 tpa and EG 205,000 tpa planned by Korea Petrochemical Ind. Co., Ltd. (KPIC), in Ulsan petrochemical complex in Korea. The Mechanical Completioon of this plant is scheduled to be end of May, 2014.




For more details on Toyo awarded contract to build EO/EG plant by by Korea Petrochemical Ind. Co click here

SABIC unit awarded US$400 mln contracts for new storage, handling, shipping terminal at port in Jubail

Jubail Chemicals Storage and Services Company (JCSSC), a unit of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) has awarded contracts for a new storage, handling and shipping terminal at King Fahd Industrrial Port in Jubail, at an estimated investment of US$400 mln.




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Uniplas Petrochemicals mulls locations besides India for US$1 bln petrochemical project

UAE-based major polymer & petrochemical trading company- Uniplas Petrochemicals Ltd is exploring the option of setting up a greenfield petrochemical complex in the PCPIR’s located either in Gujarat, OOrissa or any other PCPIR, as indicated in a letter to the Department of Chemicals.




For more details on Uniplas Petrochemicals mulls locations besides India for US$1 bln petrochemical project click here

Thailand’s IRPC to boost propylene output by 2015

IRPC, Thailand’s fourth-largest petrochemical company is planning to invest about US$ 1 billion to expand its production capacity and thereby double its earnings over the next three years.The new petrrochemical plant, when it goes operational in 2015, will increase IRPC’s propylene production by about 80%, as per fibretofashion.




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Initiation of Sunset Review of Anti-Dumping duty on imports PVC Suspension grade

Sunset Review of Anti-Dumping duty on imports PVC Suspension Grade Resin originating in or exported from Taiwan, People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea RP, Malaysia, Thailand and USA has been initiated in India.




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18 companies to ink LOI to invest in Taichung, Kaohsiung, Keelung, Hualien Harbor

Eighteen companies, including China Petrochemical Development Corp. and Kuokuang Petrochemical, will sign a letter of intent for investments with Taiwan International Ports Corp. for investing in the four major ports of Taichung, Kaohsiung, Keelung, and Hualien.




For more details on 18 companies to ink LOI to invest in Taichung, Kaohsiung, Keelung, Hualien Harbor click here

Haldia Petrochemicals announces polymer price revisions

With effect from 16 November 2012, Haldia Petrochemicals has announced the following price changes


HDPE - Rollover

LLDPE – Rollover

PP HP – Increased by Rs. 2000/ MT

PP CP - Increased by Rs. 1



For more details on Haldia Petrochemicals announces polymer price revisions click here

Rotomolding market expected to show growth for 2012 after three years of declining volume

A 3% drop in the number of rotational moulders listing in Applied Market Information Ltd.’s guide to the rotational moulding industry in Europe, highlights the effects of the global economic crisis onn the European plastics industry.




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Spot olefin prices lose ground in Europe

European olefin markets moved down owing to volatile energy prices and weak downstream markets over the past week, as per ChemOrbis. Spot propylene, ethylene and styrene prices posted weekly drops undder downward pressure from scant demand and comfortable supplies despite several recent cracker outages in the region.




For more details on Spot olefin prices lose ground in Europe click here

Shell plans to expand petrochemicals capacity in Singapore by 20%

Royal Dutch Shell plans to increase by more than 20% the production capacity of olefins and aromatics at its petrochemicals complex in Singapore, as per Reuters. The investment outlay has not been diisclosed.




For more details on Shell plans to expand petrochemicals capacity in Singapore by 20% click here

Mitsui Chemicals mulls investment in petrochem business in USA

Mitsui Chemicals Inc. is considering investing in the U.S. petrochemical business using cheap natural gas there as a feedstock. Talks are underway with several companies.




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Saudi Polymers suspends operations at Al-Jubail for about four weeks

Saudi Polymers has suspended operations at its facilities in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia over the weekend, with the shutdown expected to last around four weeks, as per its parent firm The National Petrochhemical Co (Petrochem) in ICIS.




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Lackluster demand, weaker feedstock costs pull down ABS prices in Asia

ABS prices in China and Southeast Asia softened over the past week as unspectacular demand and declining feedstock costs weighed down on sentiment, as per ChemOrbis. Most players predict that ABS priices will continue to lose ground in the coming weeks as buying interest is not expected to see any major change over the coming week.




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Middle Eastern producers reveal Nov PP, PE offers in global markets

Middle Eastern producers have revealed new PP and PE offers for November in Asia and Europe amid new price announcement to the Middle Eastern markets including Turkey, Egypt and UEA, where players werre in the sidelines due to the Eid holiday last week, as per ChemOrbis.




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Indian Oil Corp has announced polymer price revision with effect from Nov 1

Indian Oil Corp has announced the following polymer price revision with effect from Nov 1, 2012:


HDPE/LLDPE: Increase of Rs 1500/MT

LBM: Rollover

PP: Increase of Rs 2000/MT





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Asian naphtha cracks ease from 6 week highs

The Asian naphtha crack eased by US$2.57 a barrel from a 1-1/2 month high to US$140.23 on Wednesday but demand for December shipments continued to be seen strong as petrochemical makers were ready to pay high premiums in a tightly supplied market, as per Reuters.




For more details on Asian naphtha cracks ease from 6 week highs click here

Two new PTA plants go operational in China, lead to increased PX imports

Two new purified terephthalic acid (PTA) plants have become operational in China, which has led to a rise in demand and consequently an increase in imports of paraxylene (PX) in September 2012, as perr fibretofashion.




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Thermoplastics enabling automotive innovation

Touted as America’s most fuel-efficient five-passenger vehicle, the all-electric Ford Focus relies on its high-voltage EV battery pack to achieve an extended driving range of 76 miles, fuel economy off 105 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) and a fast charge time.




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Oil rises as Sandy threatens to inflict more damage inland

Oil prices rose Wednesday after a superstorm Sandy, that caused havoc across the northeastern U.S. and was threatening to inflict more damage inland. As per Economictimes, concerns about oil supplies pushed benchmark crude for December delivery up to US$85.




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Asia propylene returns to premium over ethylene

After being in negative territory for most of H2-October, Asian propylene flipped back to a premium over ethylene Tuesday, as per Platts data. Propylene prices edged up against ethylene on Tuesday to be assessed at US$1357/mt CFR China, while ethylene was assessed at US$1355/mt CFR Northeast Asia.




For more details on Asia propylene returns to premium over ethylene click here

How will Petronas’ exit affect PVC supply in Malaysia?

Following Petronas’ announcement that the company will exit the vinyls business by the start of 2013, players in Malaysia’s PVC market have started to speculate about the likely impact on the country’’s PVC trade balance, as per ChemOrbis.




For more details on How will Petronas’ exit affect PVC supply in Malaysia? click here

Kraton Performance Polymers to expand hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) capacity

Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers, announced plans to expand hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) manufacturing capability in Asia on a sttand-alone basis.




For more details on Kraton Performance Polymers to expand hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) capacity click here

US demand for pipe expected to grow 6.2% pa in 2016, plastic to see fastest growth

US demand for pipe is expected to grow 6.2% pa to US$50.1 bln in 2016. Sales of pipe will benefit primarily from a rebound in building construction. In addition, the expansion of oil and gas exploratiion and transmission activity, an improved outlook for state and municipal infrastructure spending, and the continued need to replace and repair the country's aging water pipe networks will contribute to growth.




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Dow plans to build a new world-scale metallocene ethylene propylene diene monomer plant

The Dow Chemical Company announced plans to build a new world-scale plant for the production of metallocene ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), sold under the trademark of NORDEL ™ IP Hydrocarbonn Rubber.




For more details on Dow plans to build a new world-scale metallocene ethylene propylene diene monomer plant click here

Engineering plastics gradually substitute traditional materials in diverse applications in Brazil

Traditional materials such as commodity plastics, metal, and glass are slowly giving way to engineering plastics, as consumers demand more sophisticated products. The growth of the middle class has coonsiderably aided the development of this market and made Brazil one of the most attractive consumer markets in Latin America.




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5.5% yoy decline in chemicals output in UK in Q2-12

In H1-12, the UK’s chemicals and chemical products index saw a steady decline as the country headed into recession. BMI estimates that chemicals output declined by 5.5% year-on-year (y-o-y) in Q2-12 aand the situation has deteriorated markedly since.




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Formosa Petrochemical’s residue desulphurizer unit resumes operations at China

Formosa Petrochemical has resumed operations at its only refinery’s secondary unit in China. The 80,000 bpd residue desulphurizer unit (RDS) was closed for unscheduled maintenance on 12 October after a leak was reported.




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17% decline in Pemex Q3 petchem output due to maintenenace shutdown

Mexico’s Pemex produced 1.08 mln mt of petrochemicals in Q3- a 17% decline compared with Q3 of last year, as per Platts. The fall was due to the temporary suspension of aromatics production as a resullt of maintenance on a unit at the La Cangrejera complex in the state of Veracruz.




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Two major crackers return in Europe, import availability grows

The European ethylene market saw two major crackers return to operations after delayed restarts last week, as per ChemOrbis. Cracker shutdowns in the region had led to tight prompt supplies in Northwwest Europe earlier in the month.




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Tongsuh ACN plant goes offstream for annual maintenance turnaround

South Korea based - Tongsuh Petrochemical has taken off-stream an Acrylonitrile (ACN) plant located in Ulsan on October 5 for an annual maintenance turnaround. “Tongsuh will also begin commercial prodduction of its new ACN line which has a capacity of 245,000 tpa in January 2013”, an official informed fibre2fashion.




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Naphtha spreads surge to near one month high

Naphtha's prompt inter-month timespread surged to a near one-month high on Monday as prospects of firmer physical demand supported sentiment among traders, as per Reuters. The November/December contraact was transacted several times in the over-the-counter (OTC) market in a backwardation of $10.




For more details on Naphtha spreads surge to near one month high click here

Formosa Petrochemical to raise run rate at 2.93 mln tpa naphtha cracker

Taiwan's Formosa Petrochemical Corp plans to raise run rate at its 2.93 mln tpa naphtha cracking complex by 10 percentage points to 90% in three days, as per traders reported in Reuters. This will ressult in higher demand for naphtha.




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Petronas Chemicals to discontinue vinyl business in a bid to streamline assets, focus on higher value products

The petrochemical arm of Malaysia's state oil firm Petronas plans to discontinue its vinyl business as it looks to streamline its assets and focus on higher value products, as per Reuters. As per a sttatement, Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad announced plans to stop operations at its two Malaysian plants from Jan 2013 and begin a sales process for its interest in a plant in Vietnam.




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Technip wins FEED contract for Dow ethylene plant in Texas

The Dow Chemical Company has awarded Technip a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract and cracking furnaces engineering and procurement services for a previously announced new large world-sccale ethylene production plant to be located at Dow Texas Operations in Freeport, Texas.




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Oil prices fall as Sandy hits US East Coast

As Hurricane Sandy bears down on US East Coast, US refineries have anticipated a fall in energy demand and reduced crude production. As a result, oil prices have dipped. Oil on the Nymex has fallen too US$85.



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Jindal PolyFilm inks agreement to buy ExxonMobil Chemical's global BOPP film biz

Jindal Poly Films Ltd (JPFL) has signed an agreement with ExxonMobil Chemical to acquire its biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) global film business. The pact signed between JPFL and ExxonMobil CChemical, part of the oil and gas giant Exxon Corporation, is subject to approvals.



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First right of refusal for HPL to be given to TCG

The West Bengal government has chosen the auction route for selling off its shares at Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL). However, after the auction, the first right of refusal would be given to another promoter The Chatterjee Group (TCG), that hold 37% stake, as per Business Standard.




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Improved US economic growth in Q3, concerns over Hurricane Sandy prop oil prices

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for December rose to US$86.2 while Brent North Sea crude for delivery in December gained over a dollar at US$109.5 a barrel in London trade. Oil prices havee closed higher, on better-than-expected US economic growth in Q3 and worries about Hurricane Sandy churning toward the heavily populated US east coast.




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Japan’s naphtha imports rise in Sept

Japan’s imports of naphtha, used in the production of ethylene, rose 11% year-on-year to 1.18 mln tons in September 2012, as per data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry revealed. On a moonth-on-month basis, Japan’s September naphtha imports increased 0.



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A new laser-activated bio-adhesive polymer

A new laser-activated bio-adhesive polymer- a chitosan-based polymer, SurgiLux, was developed by scientists at the University of New South Wales, as per JoVE, Journal of Visualized Experiment. Chitosaan is a polymer derived from chitin, which is found in fungal cell walls or in exoskeletons of crustaceans and insects.




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Petkim reduces PP, PVC prices by US$20-25/mt as demand weakens

Turkish petrochemicals group Petkim has reduced polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride prices by US$20-25/mt this week on the back of weakening demand, as per Platts. List prices for polypropylene were lowered by US$25/mt to US$1650-1660/mt FCA Aliaga, and for PVC by US$20/mt to US$1140-1170/mt.




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Naphtha price in Asia recovers at end of week

Naphtha price in Asia recovered on Friday and ended the week at a three-session high of US$963/ton, as per Reuters. The intermonth premium stayed at US$13/ton for the fifth straight session in a markeet marked by limited spot purchases from petrochemical makers.



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Naphtha price in Asia recovers at end of week

Naphtha price in Asia recovered on Friday and ended the week at a three-session high of US$963/ton, as per Reuters. The intermonth premium stayed at US$13/ton for the fifth straight session in a markeet marked by limited spot purchases from petrochemical makers.



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Eastman introduces new Polyethylene Terephthalate grade for extrusion blow molding

As the leader of innovative specialty copolyesters, particularly extrusion blow molding (EBM) resins, Eastman Chemical Company announces the addition of Aspira™ One polymer to its portfolio of resins..




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ICA Fluor part of joint venture to design and build new petrochemical complex in Mexico

Fluor Corporation announced that ICA Fluor, the industrial engineering partnership of Fluor and Empresas ICA, is part of the joint venture that was awarded a multi-billion dollar engineering, procuremment and construction contract by Braskem Idesa.




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Global market for carbon fiber reinforced plastics to more than double to US$36 bln in 2020

As innovative new production technologies lower carbon fiber cost, the global market for carbon fiber reinforced plastics, or CFRPs, will more than double to US$36 bln in 2020, growing at a compound aannual growth rate of 13% from US$14.




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Essar sells late Oct naphtha to Itochu at premiums that reflect a firm market

India's Essar Oil has sold 35,000 tons of naphtha to Itochu for Oct. 26-30 loading from Vadinar at about US$31-32/ton above Middle East quotes on a free-on-board (FOB) basis, with traders saying the ppremiums reflect a firm market, as per Reuters.




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Wait and watch sentiment prevails in polymer markets

An increasing number of buyers appear to have taken a wait and watch stance this week due to several reasons including volatile crude oil prices, poor end product markets, political tensions and, mostt importantly, the absence of the Chinese market, as per ChemOrbis.




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Baskem Idesa awards over US$2.7 bln contract for EPC of petrochem complex in Mexico’s Veracruz

Baskem Idesa S.A.P.I. awarded to a joint venture formed by Odebrecht (40%), Technip (40%) and ICA Fluor (20%) a contract worth more than US$2.7 bln for the engineering, procurement and construction (EEPC) of a petrochemical complex to be built in the Coatzacoalcos/Nanchital region, in the Mexican state of Veracruz.




For more details on Baskem Idesa awards over US$2.7 bln contract for EPC of petrochem complex in Mexico’s Veracruz click here

Propylene market in Asia active, unaffected by absence of buyers from China, S Korea

Asian propylene prices fell by US$41/mt or 3% from Monday to be assessed at US$1344/mt CFR China on Wednesday despite there being no buyers from China or South Korea, Platts data showed. The market waas expected to be subdued this week as China is on a week-long National Day holiday and South Korea is shut on Monday and Wednesday for national holidays.




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ONGC sells naphtha to Total at lower premium

India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) has sold 35,000 tons of naphtha to Total for Oct. 26-27 loading from Hazira at around US$30/ton above Middle East quotes on a free-on-board (FOB) basis, down frrom previous sales for the month, as per Reuters.



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Marginal improvement in oil prices on positive US economic reports

Benchmark oil on the Nymex for November delivery rose to US$88.3 per barrel at midday in Asia. On Wednesday, oil fell by 4.1% to US$88.14 per barrel in New York - its biggest decline since May 4. Breent crude has inched up to US$108.




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Lukoil resumes production of ethylene and propylene at Stavrolen complex

Independent Russian oil producer Lukoil has finally resumed production of ethylene and propylene at its Stavrolen complex after it shutdown post a devastating fire in December 2011, as per Europeanplaasticnews.




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Will plunging energy costs impact PE outlook in October?

Global PE markets have been on a firm trend for almost three months on the back of higher costs and supply issues, as per ChemOrbis. However, energy markets witnessed a sudden, sharp decline this weekk.




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European petrochemical companies restrict naphtha purchases ahead of Q4

European petrochemical companies are limiting purchases of naphtha feedstock for steam cracking ahead of the fourth quarter, as per Platts. The hesitant buying comes despite a recent rise in North Seaa propane prices, a feedstock competing with naphtha in the steam cracking process.

For more details on European petrochemical companies restrict naphtha purchases ahead of Q4 click here

LyondellBasell launches new family of fifth-generation Polypropylene catalysts

LyondellBasell announced the launch of a new family of fifth-generation non-phthalate catalysts for polypropylene (PP) production. These catalysts will be sold under the existing Avant trade name and complement the company's well-established third-, fourth- and fifth-generation Ziegler-Natta PP catalysts.

For more details on LyondellBasell launches new family of fifth-generation Polypropylene catalysts click here

October polyolefins allocation from Middle East to Asia may be lower

The October polyethylene and polypropylene allocation to Asia from Middle East may be lower because of high European prices, as per Platts. European PE and PP prices have jumped since the start of Sepptember as converters replenished stocks amid rising feedstock costs.

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BPCL signs MoU for 20,000 crore worth of expansion projects in Kerala

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for its expansion project and the setting up of a petrochemical joint venture to be implemented in three years time at KKochi, as per ANI.

For more details on BPCL signs MoU for 20,000 crore worth of expansion projects in Kerala click here

Total Petrochem reports pollution in excess of permitted levels at Port Arthur

Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA reported pollution in excess of permitted levels from a coking unit at the company's 225,500-barrels-per-day Port Arthur, Texas refinery on Friday, as per a notice the plant filed with regulators, as reported by Reuters.

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Fluor selected for Dow Chemical Company's propylene production project in Texas

Fluor Corporation has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract by The Dow Chemical Company for a propylene production asset project in Freeport, Texas. Fluoor successfully completed the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract thereby setting the stage for this next-phase EPCM project award.

For more details on Fluor selected for Dow Chemical Company's propylene production project in Texas click here

Centre for biopolymer science unveiled in South India

India’s first Centre for Biopolymer Science and Technology was inaugurated at Kochi in Kerala state, jointly by Union Fertilisers and Chemicals Minister and State Chief Minister. This Centre is a unitt of the Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology at Chennai, and will be conducting MSc in Biopolymer Science and doctoral programmes in the area of Biopolymer Science and Technology in collaboration with the Cochin University of Science and Technology.

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Thai petrochemical industry likely to lose out to Indonesia

The Thai petrochemical industry risks losing out to its Indonesian rivals when the Asean Economic Community (AEC) kicks off in three years, as per Industry Minister M.R. Pongsvas Svasti in Bangkok Posst.

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PetroLogistics seeks permission to double propylene output in Houston

PetroLogistics LP , operator of the only dedicated U.S. propylene plant, is seeking permission to double the Houston factory’s output as supplies fall and competitors including Dow Chemical Co. plan ssimilar facilities, as per Bloomberg.

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Oil prices rise amid tensions in Libya and ruling on Eurozone bailout fund

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in October, inched up to US$97, while Brent North Sea crude rose to US$116. Oil prices rose in Asian trade today as tensions sparked by the killling of the US ambassador to Libya and a German court ruling on a eurozone bailout fund helped boost prices.

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Naphtha margins in Asia sink to two week lows

Naphtha price in Asia fell for the first time in a week to US$996/ton as margins plunged 11% to a two-week low of US$127.5/ton. This is the biggest percentage fall in a month triggered by anticipationn of easing of tight supplies, as per Reuters.

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Import PVC prices rise in India, high end fails to find support

Players in India report that initial October PVC prices have been announced with increases from September on the back of firm upstream costs and limited regional availability, as per ChemOrbis. Howevver, prices at the upper end of the new import range are struggling to find support as a major Taiwanese producer’s new prices stand close to the lower end of the import range, pressuring sellers at the higher end to moderate their hike targets.

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Honeywell’s UOP C4 Oleflex™ selected to provide technology for petrochemical production in China

UOP LLC, a Honeywell technology has been selected to help produce key ingredients for fuels, synthetic rubber and plastics in China.China's Heilongjiang Anruijia Petrochemical Co. will use Honeywell'ss UOP C4 Oleflex™ process to produce isobutylene, a key ingredient for fuels and synthetic rubber.

For more details on Honeywell’s UOP C4 Oleflex™ selected to provide technology for petrochemical production in China click here

L&T awarded two EPC projects in Dahej PCPIR

L&T Construction has bagged orders worth Rs 1,065 crore which include two major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects in the Petroleum, Chemicals, Petrochemicals Investment Region ((PCPIR) of Dahej, Gujarat.

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High polyethylene prices in Europe attract imports for October

High European polyethylene prices are attracting import offers for October delivery from Asia and the Middle East, as per Platts. According to Platts data, low density FOB NWE prices have steadily cliimbed after touching 2012's low of US$1227.

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Oil prices stagnate below US$97 as market awaits news from Europe and USA

Oil prices traded virtually flat below US$97 on the NYmex, as traders await news from Europe and USA that could largely impact the financial markets. In London, Brent crude, used to price internationaal varieties of oil, inched up to US$114.

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Pertamina mulls seizure of PT Trans Pacific’s assets on failure to repay debts

PT Pertamina says it will seize the assets of local petrochemical company PT Trans Pacific Petrochemical Indotama (TPPI) for failure to repay its piling debts, as per Jakarta Post.
Pertamina finance director Andri T.

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Rosbank provides credit line and guarantees of US$100 mln to oil major Tatneft and its petrochem subsidiary

Rosbank has provided a credit line and guarantees totaling US$100 mln to Russian oil major Tatneft and its petrochemical subsidiary Taneco, as per Ros Business Consulting. The proceeds will go towardss boosting working capital and paying excise tax.

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Azerbaijan plans to commission a modern petrochemical laboratory year end

The Azerbaijan State Committee on Standardisation, Metrology and Patents plans to commission a modern petrochemical laboratory by the end of the year, the State Committee told Trend on Tuesday. The neew lab will be located in the city of Sumgait (35 km from Baku).

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Pipeline construction industry continues to make advances in securing pipeline integrity

The pipeline construction industry continues to make advances. In some regions this is for energy security (oil and gas) and in others water security is the critical issue. Steel pipes are coated inteernally and externally for long-term performance: Applied Market Information (AMI) is organising an international conference on Pipeline Coating in February 2013 in Vienna, to facilitate discussions between global pipeline protection professionals.

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Keyera Corp. to invest US$110 mln on a fractionating tower at Fort Saskatchewan facility

Keyera Corp. plans to invest US$110 mln on a fractionating tower at its Fort Saskatchewan facility with an aim to fueling Alberta’s petrochemical industry with a new source of ethane, as per fortsaskaatchewanrecord.

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Growing trend towards protectionist measures on polymers

Governments’ protective measures have recently moved to the forefront in global polymer markets as Egypt, China, Turkey and India have started to apply or are investigating taking measures on polymer imports in an attempt to protect their local producers, as per ChemOrbis.

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Jiutai Energy to License UNIPOL™ Polypropylene Process Technology from Dow

Jiutai Energy (Zhungeer) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Jiutai Energy Group, has signed a license agreement with Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Cheemical Company (Dow) for a 350,000 tpa methanol-to-olefin based polypropylene plant.

For more details on Jiutai Energy to License UNIPOL™ Polypropylene Process Technology from Dow click here

Naphtha firms in Europe

European naphtha margins firmed on Monday, buoyed by on-going refinery outages and maintenance season while gasoline came off recent multi-year highs after meeting technical resistance, as per Reuterss.

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Rosneft to invest US$5.4 bln to build petrochemical plant in Far East

Russian oil major Rosneft plans to invest 173 bln roubles (US$5.36 bln) to build a petrochemical plant in the Far East, as per CEO Igor Sechin reported by Reuters.
"Today it (the construction) will sstart," Sechin told President Vladimir Putin during a presentation of the project.

For more details on Rosneft to invest US$5.4 bln to build petrochemical plant in Far East click here

Tropical Storm Isaac compounds production issues in the US

Seven years after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Katrina, the US Gulf Coast is on alert again due to Tropical Storm Isaac, which was on the verge of becoming a hurricane, according to the US Nattional Hurricane Center.

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Naphtha prices down, but spreads rise

Naphtha in Asia slipped nearly 2% to dip to a four-session low of US$973.50/ton on Tuesday, but intermonth premiums rose for the fifth session to peak to a five-week high on steady demand and tighter supplies.

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Isaac strengthens enroute to Gulf of Mexico’s oil and refinery operations, oil rises

Forecasters report strengthening of Isaac into a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph winds. Oil prices have moved up as Isaac gathered strength on its way into the heart of the Gulf of Mexico’s oil and rrefinery operations.

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Larsen & Toubro to sell plastics machinery business to Toshiba as part of strategy to exit non-core business

Engineering conglomerate Larsen & Toubro will sell its plastics machinery business to Japan's Toshiba Machine as part of its strategy to exit non-core business and rationalise its portfolio. As per Ecconomic Times, L&T did not disclose the financial consideration for the sale of its subsidiary L&T Plastics Machinery, which manufactures and markets injection moulding machines, and reported a gross revenue of Rs 206 crore and net profit of Rs 11 crore in 2011-12.

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US monomer markets see new round of increases

Although energy prices fluctuated over the past week, when September delivery crude oil contracts expired last Tuesday, they continued to stand noticeably above the levels in early August, as per ChemmOrbis.

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Mitsui Chemicals to restart 612,000 tpa naphtha cracker at Ichihara plant

Japan's Mitsui Chemicals Inc plans to restart the 612,000 tpa naphtha cracker at its Ichihara plant in Chiba, a week after an unplanned shutdown, as per Reuters. The cracker has been shut due to a prroblem with a power line, which cut off the electricity supply from Tokyo Electric Power Co early on Aug.

For more details on Mitsui Chemicals to restart 612,000 tpa naphtha cracker at Ichihara plant click here

Oil rises on concerns that Tropical Storm Isaac could strike Gulf of Mexico and disrupt supplies

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for October delivery spiked by over a dollar to US$97.50 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for delivery in October spiked to US$114.99.
Crude prices surgeed as supply of oil and gas from the Gulf of Mexico was curtailed after Tropical Storm Isaac forced the closure of production facilities in the region.

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Williams to shut Louisiana cracker before Tropical Storm Isaac strikes

On Monday, olefins producers in Louisiana began bracing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Isaac. As per Platts, Williams plans to shut, for a week, its 612,000 tpa steam cracker in Geismar at 4 p.m. CCDT on Monday as part of precautionary measures.

For more details on Williams to shut Louisiana cracker before Tropical Storm Isaac strikes click here

Naphtha exports from India for September at 4 month low

Strong gasoline demand, refinery maintenance and higher domestic need for naphtha are driving India's September exports down. September naphtha exports will be restricted to 550,000 tons, the lowest iin four months, as per Reuters.

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PTT Global Chemical to revise 2011-20 investment plan on euro-zone debt crisis and global slowdown concerns

PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) will revise its 2011-20 investment plan worth US$11 bln (Bt347 bln) as a result of the euro-zone debt crisis and concerns over a slowing global economy, as per The Nation.
Anon Sirisaengtaksin, chief executive officer of the major petrochemical and refinery company, said that PTTGC plans to re-prioritise spending.

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Williams Energy mulls US$800 mln investment to build propane conversion facility near Redwater

Williams Energy is mulling an investment of over US$800 mln to build a facility near Redwater to convert propane into a higher value feedstock for the petrochemical industry, as per The Edmonton Journnal.

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Global PVC demand to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% to 64.3 mln tons in 2020

The impact of global economic downturn has resulted in the slowdown in the construction industry worldwide. As more than 50% of the PVC is used in construction applications, there has been a downturn in the demand of PVC in many countries in the last few years.

For more details on Global PVC demand to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% to 64.3 mln tons in 2020 click here

Naphtha in Asia lingers at near 15 week highs

Naphtha in Asia lingered near a 3-1/2 month high of US$960.50/ton on Thursday but margins fell by over 7% to a two-session low of US$86.45/ton on ample supplies, as per Reuters. Weak fundamentals ruleed in favour of the buyers as Honam Petrochemicals paid the lowest price the petrochemical maker had paid in nearly two months.

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Mexichem mulls US$1 bln cracker venture with Occidental

Mexican industrial conglomerate Mexichem is mulling a US$1 bln venture with Occidental Chemical Corp (Oxychem), to build a cracker that would be fully operational in 2016, as per Reuters. A feasibilitty study for the new cracker is expected to be ready in Q2-2013.

For more details on Mexichem mulls US$1 bln cracker venture with Occidental click here

Oil prices strengthen on report of falling US crude inventories

Oil strengthened and continued to linger above US$94 a barrel on Thursday in Asia on report of an unexpected fall in crude stockpiles in USA amid stronger retail sales. Oil on the Nymex inched up to UUS$94.

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RIL in talks to acquire BP Plc’s petrochemical plant in Malaysia

India’s Reliance Industries Ltd. is in talks with BP PLC about buying the British oil company’s petrochemical plant in Malaysia, as per Economic Times. RIL has expressed interest in BP’s 610,000 tpa ppurified terephthalic acid (PTA) plant in Malaysia.

For more details on RIL in talks to acquire BP Plc’s petrochemical plant in Malaysia click here

Players in SE Asia predict further PVC increases for September

Players in Southeast Asia report that they expect to see another round of PVC increases in September in line with firmer international trends, limited supplies and expectations that buying interest wiill open the coming month on a strong note, as per ChemOrbis.

For more details on Players in SE Asia predict further PVC increases for September click here

BASF and Astra Polymers ink contract to work together in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

BASF Plastic Additives Middle East and Astra Polymers have signed a new contract that will see the two companies continue to work together to produce Customer SpecificBlends (CSB) in the Kingdom of Saaudi Arabia (KSA).

For more details on BASF and Astra Polymers ink contract to work together in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia click here

July naphtha imports in Japan spike 25% on month

Japan's naphtha imports for ethylene production in July jumped 25.2% month on month to 1.238 million mt, as per the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, as reported by Platts.
During the month, demand for naphtha increased as turnarounds at two naphtha-fed steam crackers came to an end.

For more details on July naphtha imports in Japan spike 25% on month click here

Planned maintenance at Tianjin Petrochem’s 1 mln tpa ethylene complex till September end

Sinopec’s, Tianjin Petrochemical Corp plans to shut down its 1 mln tpa ethylene complex for maintenance during till end of September for a 45 day shutdown. China's Sinopec Corp will shut down 300,000 bpd crude processing facilities at its unit in northern Chinese city Tianjin from Thursday for a planned 45-day turnaround, as per Reuters.

For more details on Planned maintenance at Tianjin Petrochem’s 1 mln tpa ethylene complex till September end click here

Naphtha demand in NW Europe slows as petrochem, gasoline blenders wait in the sidelines

The Northwest Europe naphtha market is experiencing slow demand as petrochemicals and gasoline blenders remain on the sidelines, leaving buyers and sellers in a deadlock, as per Platts. Although petroochemicals have reportedly been buying "a bit of volume" due to rising propane prices, they are not expected to buy significant quantities of naphtha until September.

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Oil eases as data indicates weaker US energy demand

Oil prices have dipped globally as data showing weaker US energy demand prompted traders to sell, as per AFP. Brent North Sea crude for September dipped to US$113.6. Data from the American Petroleum IInstitute showed an unexpected rise in crude oil inventories, indicating softer energy demand.

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Turkey’s PP market regains premium over China

Turkey’s PP market lost its traditional premium over China in early June and mostly traded at a discount for one and a half months, as per ChemOrbis. In line with the upward trend that took effect in early July in the Turkish market, import PP prices pared some of the earlier losses in the first half of July.

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July naphtha imports in Japan spike 25% on month

Japan's naphtha imports for ethylene production in July jumped 25.2% month on month to 1.238 million mt, as per the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, as reported by Platts.
During the month, demand for naphtha increased as turnarounds at two naphtha-fed steam crackers came to an end.

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Spot ethylene prices spike globally

Spot ethylene markets recorded noteworthy increases in major monomer markets including Europe, Asia and the US. The main driver behind the bullish trend was surging naphtha costs which continued to raally as energy prices remained high despite fluctuations during last week, as per ChemOrbis.

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Indorama completes acquisition of PET assets of PT Polypet Karyapersada

Indorama Ventures Public Co Ltd has complete resin asset acquisition of PT. Polypet Karyapersada with a capacity of 100,800 tons per annum at Cilegon, Indonesia through its wholly owned subsidiary, PTT.

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US styrene arbitrage to Europe opens, fails to attract players

US styrene arbitrages to Europe has opened. However, as styrene supply is tight in the US and two producers down, many sources said producers and traders are not looking to take advantage of the arbittrage opportunity to Europe, as per Platts.

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Fire forces shutdown of Formosa Chemicals’ 300,000 tpa styrene monomer plant

Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corp. has shut a 300,000 m tpa styrene monomer plant in Taiwan following Sunday’s fire. The facility, part of the company's flagship Mailiao petrochemical complex in Yunlin ccounty, produces intermediate petrochemicals for other units under the Formosa Group and for other small local customers, Formosa Chemicals President Hong Fu-yuan told Dow Jones Newswires.

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