New POM plant in Frankfurt is officially inaugurated

(Plasteurope) -- After dispelling rumours about alleged delays in the start-up of its new and improved 140,000 t/y polyoxymethylene (POM) plant in the Industrial Park Hochst, in Frankfurt (Germany). The cornerstone for the plant - which Ticona says is the world's largest POM facility - was first laid in 2008. The faciliy was moved from its erstwhile location following the expansion of Frankfurt airport.

MRC

(IANS) -- With India's petrochemical industry poised to grow by 11 percent annually by 2017, the central government was in the process of reviewing the policy that guides the sector, an official said Wednesday. ⌠The Indian petrochemical industry is projected to grow by 11 percent per annum by 2017. The sector, currently accounting for 13 percent of the national exports and 8 percent of its imports, is currently in an expansion mode, said Chemicals and Petrochemicals Secretary K. Jose Cyriac.

The government is in the process of reviewing the policy for promotion of Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Regions (PCPIR) to bring it in sync with the ground realities, Cyriac said.

The rollback of the tariff and non-tariff barriers incorporated as a safeguard against the after-effects of the 2008 global meltdown has also started, said Cyriac speaking at an event organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce here.

West Bengal Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee said the government was committed to formulating more investor-friendly policies for fostering the growth of the industry in the state.

MRC

(Plastemart) -- Green EnviroTech Holdings Corp. has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with 5 Stone Green Capital, LLC (5 Stone), a fund manager based in New York. Under the LOI, both parties agree to collaborate to establish joint venture projects in recycling waste into plastic and oil within the United States and internationally, the initial focus being in the United States. The initial project identified for collaboration under the LOI is the development of a plant in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, that is anticipated to require USD 5 million in the form of convertible debt financing, or alternative financing that will acquire the building or equipment required for the plant. Under the LOI, 5 Stone has a right of first offer to provide financing on subsequent GETH projects where shredder residue will be consumed, plus the right to participate in any future financing of projects for shredder residue recycling for up to 20% of the total financing.

MRC

(Plastemart) -- Indian Oil Corporation Ltd is undertaking feasibility studies for production of polypropylene and phenol in the state of West Bengal. Post feasibility studies, an investment outlay of Rs 3500 crore has been earmarked for the 60000 tpa PP project, likely to be sited at Paradip where a cracker is under construction and will be commissioned in 2012-13. A feasibility study is to be undertaken for a 250 KTa phenol unit in West Bengal for which he site has not been identified.

MRC

(Plasteurope) -- Pipe and systems manufacturer Wavin Ltd, the UK subsidiary of Wavin (Zwolle / the Netherlands), is now producing PVC drain and soil pipe incorporating a core of recycled polymer. It has termed the three-layer coextrusion process ⌠Recycore Technology and says it contains at least 50% recycled material. The inner and outer layers of the pipe are both produced in virgin PVC; the internal layer to ensure a smooth surface and the outer layer as it is easier to colour. The resulting composite pipe looks and performs identically to one produced entirely from virgin material.

The development of Recycore has involved an investment of GBP 3m (EUR 3.4m) and was a joint operation between the parent company and its UK offshoot. The process will initially be used at the Chippenham site to produce two sizes of pipe, 110mm diameter and 160mm. Their recycled content is slightly above 50% and Wavin UK says it hopes to increase the level as long as the pipe's properties can be maintained. The recycled polymer is being bought in, primarily from window and door fabricators.

MRC