Polyethylene and polypropylene prices hiked in Europe

In a bid to restore margins and stay in line with its innovation strategy, Borealis has announced an increase in prices of all polyethylene and polypropylene prices by €100/ton, with effect from Januaary 25, 2010.

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China’s petrochem industry expected to post double-digit growth this year

China's petrochemical industry will show better performance this year, as per the deputy secretary general of China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association. The industry is expected to post doublee-digit growth in output value, revenue and profits this year.

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BPRP running two crackers at Gelsenkirchen at reduced rates

BP Refining & Petrochemical’s (BPRP) is running its two crackers at Gelsenkirchen, Germany, at reduced rates caused by a glitch due to fouling of the internal pipes system, as per ICIS. A 10% reductioon in deliveries to its customers has been announced for an indefinite period.

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International developments in plastics pipes

Jon Nash of AMI Consulting has been conducting extensive studies on the plastics industry in the Middle East and is presenting a market overview at the international conference, Middle East Plastic Piipes 2010, which takes place from 17-19 May 2010 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai.

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Additive for transparent biodegradable polycarbonate

Biodegradable additive for polycarbonate applications requiring totally transparent materials has been developed by Bio-Tec Environmental. The company is known for its EcoPure™ additive that accelerattes the biodegradation of plastics.

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US economy growing faster than expected, oil prices rise to US$74

Supported by a robust growth in exports and business spending on equipment and software, the US economy grew at a healthy 5.7% annual growth rate in Q4-09, the fastest pace of growth since 2003. A staatement by the government that the US economy is growing faster than expected suggests a rise in energy consumption and has propped up crude oil prices.

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Italian PE buyers report yoy improved end demand

Several PE converters in Italy are doing definitely better than the same period of last year, despite the lackluster performance of their end product markets, as per Chemorbis. A buyer who has recentlly concluded his LDPE agreements with West and South European producers paying €100/ton increases stated that end product demand for compounds has improved with respect to 2009 while other converters from the packaging industry also said that their end product demand has been regular in January.

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Short supply of prompt PE in Indonesia

In Indonesia, distributors and converters report that the market is facing a shortage of promptly-available PE cargoes, driving spot prices for prompt cargoes sharply higher when compared with the passt week, as per Chemorbis.

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Spot ethylene prices in Asia remain firm amid weakening crude oil, polyethylenes

In Asia, spot ethylene prices have risen by ten dollar in the past week to US$1365/ton CFR Northeast Asia, as per Chemorbis. Since the beginning of the month, spot ethylene prices have risen by US$2100/ton, with most of the increase occurring in the earlier part of the month.

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New office bearers at IPF Indian Plastics Federation

A new team of office bearers has been elected at Indian Plastics Federation for the year 2009-2010

Mr. Sourabh Khemani - President
Mr. Rajesh Mohta - Vice President
Mr. R.A. Poddar - Hony. Seccretary
Mr.

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World demand for ABS expanded by 4.5% in 2009

World demand for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) expanded by 4,5% in 2009 although the demand was considerably affected by output reductions in the automotive industry, as per MarketPublishers.ccom.

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Benzene supply and pricing in Europe to be manipulated by cracker and reformer operations

Benzene demand in Europe declined essentially in Q1-09 compared with Q1-08. Demand improved by the end of 2009, although it's still faced with difficulties as the recession affects the derivative perfformance as per a report by MarketPublishers.

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New armor system using aramid (Kevlar®) fibers

Naxcer Composites Group, specializing in new manufacturing technologies for composite materials has announced development of its new armor system. A novel manufacturing process has been developed usinng aramid (Kevlar®) fibers.

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Kuwait and Dow Chemical Co resume talks?

Unconfirmed reports claim resumption of talks between Kuwait and Dow Chemical Co, possibly for settling a US$2.5 bln penalty which has been associated with a kaput US$17.4 bln petrochemical deal. Will

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DSM announces start up of wet polyester, specialty resins plant in Germany

Royal DSM N.V. has started up a new plant for the production of wet polyesters and other specialty resins at the existing site of DSM NeoResins in Meppen (Germany) at an investment outlay of €15 mln. Further expansion of capacity is possible in the future.

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US propylene producers seek to hike prices for February contracts

US propylene producers have nominated increases of up to 14% for February contracts, due to tight supply amid low refinery operating rates. This will extend an uptrend that began in November, when conntracts started to climb on the back of tight supply of the main feedstock- refinery-grade propylene (RGP).

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Japanese mull departure from Thailand if Map Ta Phut issue remains unresolved

Japanese companies may consider departure from Thailand if the Map Ta Phut issue remains unresolved for an extended period. They mull to relocate their Thai operations if the controversy over the susppension of industrial projects drags on for over six months, as per the Japanese Chamber of Commerce.

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Asian naphtha prices at 6 week lows, cracks at 4 week lows, in anticipation of growing supplies

Concern over mounting supplies ahead have pulled down naphtha prices in Asia to 6 week lows, while cracks are at around 4 week lows, despite demand from Japan.

Idemitsu has bought a parcel for H1-MMarch arrival at premium of US$11/ton to Japan spot quotes, C&F.

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South Korean PVC to China dips to unusually low levels in H2-08, replaced by American PVC

According to statistics from Chinese customs, imports of South Korean PVC have dipped to unusually low levels in H2-08 in view of the massive upsurge in overall polymer imports into China. As per Chemmorbis, other global markets report seeing an increasing number of offers for South Korean cargoes at or close to par with the offer levels seen in China.

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China’s plastics imports peaks to all time highs :45% growth in 2009

China imported approximately 1,495,000 tons of polymers in December, according to statistics revealed by China’s Customs. After the steep decrease of imports witnessed in October, there was a slight rrebound in November, traced by a larger increase in December, as per Chemorbis.

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