Evonik invests in Singapore

(Evonik Industries) -- Evonik’s new polyamide 12 line is planned to be built in Singapore by 2014 to increase the availability of this specialty plastic.

Following the initial announcement in 2011, the basic planning for the construction of a 20,000 mt plant for the production of the specialty plastic polyamide 12 (PA12) in Asia is now entering the final phase. Subject to the approval of the relevant bodies, the new plant will be built in Singapore and is scheduled to be completed by 2014.

Adding to the capacity of the existing facility in Europe, this second production plant for PA12 in Singapore is designed to substantially increase the availability of the product and its guaranteed delivery. It will also bring Evonik even closer to its customers in Asia’s fast-growing markets.

PA12 is used in innovative, high-quality products in the automotive sector, electrics and electronics, household equipment, sports equipment as well as in manufacturing industry. Together with some of its customers, Evonik has also developed new PA12-based applications for oil and gas production as well as for the solar industry. Evonik markets PA12 as a construction material under the Vestamid brand name and as a coating powder under the name Vestosint.

The damaged CDT plant in Marl is currently being repaired and, according to current planning, is expected to recommence operations in the fourth quarter of 2012. Afterwards, Evonik’s entire PA12 capacity will be available once more.

Evonik is one of the world's leading specialty chemicals companies. The company's specialty chemicals activities focus on high-growth megatrends — especially health, nutrition, resource efficiency, and globalization — and on entering attractive future-oriented markets.
MRC

US bioplastics demand to exceed 550M lbs in 2016

(Converting Quarterly) -- US demand for bioplastics is forecast to climb at a 20 percent annual pace through 2016 to 550 million pounds, valued at USD680 million. Although they have achieved a considerable degree of commercial success, bioplastics remain in an early stage of development, representing only a small niche within the overall plastics industry. Going forward, technical innovations that enhance the properties of bioplastics and lower their price will drive growth.

Although biodegradable resins accounted for the vast majority of bioplastics volume in 2011, the emergence of non-biodegradable bioresins will dramatically alter the market landscape going forward. By 2021, these materials will represent more than two-fifths of volume demand, up from 13 percent in 2011.

Growth will be propelled by large-volume production of bio-based polyethylene, as well as the eventual commercialization of bio-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Since these resins are chemically identical to their conventional counterparts, market acceptance is forecast to occur at a rapid rate. Among these bio-based plastics, PET is projected to offer significant growth potential over the longer term, particularly as large corporations - especially those in the soft drink industry - are investing heavily in the development of this material.

Bio-based polyethylene - which entered the market in 2010 - is expected to offer the best opportunities for growth through 2016, increasing rapidly from a small base. These exceptionally strong gains are predicated on the expansion of production capacity, which will reduce prices and enable this resin to compete more effectively with its petroleum-based counterpart.
MRC

ACN plant of Taekwang running at 80% capacity

(Fibre2fashion) -- The acrylonitrile (ACN) plant of South Korea based Taekwang Petrochemical is currently operating at 80 percent capacity rates.

An official of the company informed that due to weak demand fundamentals, they had reduced operating rates since mid-June 2012.

The ACN plant located in Ulsan which has a capacity of 290,000 tons per annum, underwent a maintenance turnaround in February-March 2012.

It is an important monomer for the manufacture of useful plastics. Acrylonitrile is used principally as a monomer to prepare polyacrylonitrile, a homopolymer, or several important copolymers such as styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) and other synthetic rubbers such as acrylonitrile butadiene (NBR).
MRC

Ineos to limit its polymer price cut in July to EUR70/tonne

(industryintel) -- Ineos Nova International SA does not plan to reduce its polymer price in July by more than EUR70 (USD88) per tonne, saying that there was an "over-correction" in polymer prices in May and June.

The Switzerland-based company also pointed to the rapid increase in oil and naphtha prices recently. On June 26, Naphtha reached USD800/tonne cost, insurance and freight Northwest Europe for the first time since May 30.

However, the cost of feedstock ethylene and propylene has declined by EUR170/tonne compared with June, settling on June 28 at EUR1,035/tonne free delivered NWE and EUR935/tonne, respectively.

Ineos’ pricing strategy is supported by other polyethylene producers. One producer said that it would "limit the decrease to two digits."
MRC

Styrolution lifts global force majeure for certain specialty grades

(styrolution) -- Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, today announced that on June 30, 2012, it lifted force majeure in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region for Terluran HH, Luran S, Luran, Luran HH, Lustran and Terlux grades.

Force majeure has been in place since October 24, 2011 following a fire that occurred in a part of Styrolution’s production network in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Due to the nature of the supply chain, the company will lift force majeure within the next 45 days for these grades in Asia and the Americas.

The grades affected by force majeure belong to Styrolution’s specialties portfolio. With this portfolio, Styrolution serves customers across all industries by understanding their unique requirements and offering high-quality, innovative products and customization.

The company’s specialty grades can be found in various applications across multiple industries, including automotive, healthcare & diagnostics, building &construction, electronics and household goods.
MRC