Braskem forms partnership with Tecnaro to supply green plastic

(noodls) -- Tecnaro , which specializes in biocompounds, signed a contract with Braskem, the world's leading biopolymer producer, for a new line of Green PE applications.

Tecnaro GmbH will produce compounds using Braskem's Green PE, a biopolymer made from sugarcane ethanol, in its special series called ARBOBLEND, which is a biopolymer compound that can be processed, depending on the formula, by injection molding, extrusion (film) or thermoforming.

"The goal of this partnership is to develop applications that are still largely unexplored, which will expand the portfolio of products made with Green PE," said Claudia Cappra, renewable chemicals sales manager at Braskem.

Tecnaro was chosen by Braskem to expand the penetration of its biopolymer in the Europen market through a line of products made from renewable resources. "We are very satisfied with our partnership with Braskem, which will allow us to take another important step forward in exploring opportunities in Brazilian and European markets," said Lars Ziegler, head of F&E at Tecnaro GmbH.

MRC

(taipeitimes) -- Formosa Petrochemical Corp reported the largest drop in monthly revenue among the Formosa Plastics Group’s four core companies, stock exchange filings showed.

The refiner said in the filing that its revenue last month fell 22.8 percent to USD2.21 billion from April due to recent declines in global crude oil and ethylene prices, which have affected sales of its petrochemical products.
Meanwhile, weakening petrochemical demand from China also contributed to sales declining last month from NTD86.16 billion in April.

On an annual basis, Formosa Petrochemical’s revenue dropped 3.8 percent, the filing showed.

Formosa Petrochemical president Tsao Mihn said that China consumption is slumping. While bank credit may be readily available in China, 40 percent of processing plants in the country are barely breaking even and 30 percent are in the red, while many companies are not borrowing because of fears they will not be able to repay the loans, he said.

Tsao worried that China had yet to bottom out and said that manufacturers were still cutting their inventories.
MRC

(plastemart) -- Gulf petrochemical companies witnessed a 10% decline year-on-year (y-o-y) in their net profit in Q1-2012 mainly due to rising cost of sales, which, in turn, impacted the gross margins in the sector.

The GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) petrochemical companies Q1 2012 earnings declined by 10.2% to USD3.1 bln compared to USD3.5 bln in the same period last year. On a quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) basis the earnings improved by 23.9% mainly due to stronger product prices and higher volumetric sales, Global Investment House said in its study.

Overall, the performance of regional petrochemical companies was mixed on a q-o-q basis with Sabic (Saudi Basic Industries, Industries Qatar, Yansab (Yanbu National Petrochemical Company), Sahara Petrochemical, Shell Oman, Petro Rabigh and Dana Gas reporting better than expected earnings while other stocks such as Saudi Kayan Petrochemical, Safco (Saudi Arabia Fertilizers), Tasnee (National Industrialization), Sipchem (Saudi International Petrochemical Co) and Nama Chemicals reporting drop in earnings or extended their losses.

Reasoning for the drop in year-on-year net profit for petrochemical companies, the study said cost of sales rose during the period by more than 16% which dropped the gross margins of the sector to an average of 33.1% in 1Q12 compared to 37.4% in the same period last year.

MRC

(specialchem4polymers) -- Borealis and Borouge, amongst the leading providers of innovative, value-creating plastics solutions, have introduced a new grade of polypropylene (PP) specified for use in lightweight bumper applications for two new Renault automotive platforms.

High flow Borcom WH107AE was specified for the recently introduced Dacia Lodgy, a minivan produced at Renault's new plant in Morocco and for the Renault Twizy, Renault's first electrical car produced at its plant in Spain. Borcom WH107AE is already in use for new generation bumper applications in other Renault platforms including but not limited to the new Dacia Duster and Sandero in South America and Russia.

The specification of Borcom WH107AE underlines a number of major benefits to Renault. These include reducing the thickness of parts and density of materials used for car bumpers makes a significant contribution to Renault's strategy of overall vehicle weight reduction for fuel economy and lower emissions.

In addition, Borealis and Borouge deliver strong technical expertise and highly personalised support to Renault through a dedicated team for the development, ramping-up and production phases throughout the world.

MRC

(specialchem4polymers) -- Specialty chemicals company Lanxess is investing EUR 75 million in the construction of a new plant for high-tech plastics in Antwerp. The world-scale facility for polyamide plastics is designed for an annual capacity of 90,000 metric tons and scheduled to begin operation in the first quarter of 2014.

"This investment is yet another milestone on our way towards profitable growth, and a clear commitment to our Antwerp site. High-tech plastics play a critical role in our global strategy. Our plans for growth depend on innovations and technologies that support the global megatrends. Activities therefore are focused on solutions for sustainable mobility," said Axel C. Heitmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of Lanxess AG, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new polyamide facility. Global demand for high-tech plastics is expected to rise by five to six percent each year through 2020. The automotive industry is one of the main growth drivers for Lanxess plastics.

Lanxess is one of the leading specialty chemicals companies with sales of EUR 8.8 billion in 2011 and currently around 16,800 employees in 30 countries. The company is at present represented at 49 production sites worldwide. The core business of Lanxess is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals.

MRC