Vinnolit to expand capacities for specialty PVC

(vinnolit) -- Vinnolit invests in paste PVC and hence makes the next step in expanding its global leading position in specialty PVC.
In particular, the dynamic markets in Eastern Europe, Turkey, China, India and Brazil offer excellent growth opportunities.

Already in the years of 2011 and 2012, Vinnolit’s market position could be strengthened by investments in the field of paste PVC and copolymers at Burghausen and the introduction of innovative products. 2014 another step of strategic importance shall follow: At the Cologne site an additional 50,000 tons of paste PVC capacity is projected.

Commercial Director Dr Wolfram Pro?dorf says, "By investing in Cologne, we are able to engage in new growth markets intensely and to play an important role in the development of these markets. Thereby, we build on our traditional strengths: outstanding product and service quality, deep global customer relationships and an innovative product portfolio."

With the expansion in Cologne, Vinnolit?s capacity for PVC specialties will increase from today’s 470,000 tons to 520,000 tons per year. "We have access to all major technologies for the production of specialty PVC and will continue to develop them further," Managing Director Dr Ralph Ottlinger points out.

According to MRC in 2011, Vinnolit was among the five largest importers of PVC to Russia with 8% from the total imports of PVC. Russian companies bought such grades as Vinnolit E 80 TT, Vinnolit E69ST, Vinnolit EP 6953, Vinnolit E68FO and Vinnolit E67ST.
MRC

(romania-insider) -- Romania has committed to privatize Romanian state-controlled PVC-maker Oltchim SA with a strategic investor by mid-September, which will highlight the potential of this economic unit and of the closely associated Arpechim.

Romanian state tried to privatize Oltchim several times.

Based at Ramnicu Valcea in southern Romania, Oltchim produces caustic soda, petrochemicals, agrochemicals, inorganic products and building materials, including insulating PVC for panels, doors and window frames.

As per MRC, Oltchim at the present does not supply PVC to the Russian market. Insignificant amounts of PVC-S had been delivered from 2005 to 2009 and on average made 1,900 tonnes per year.
MRC

(Plasticker) -- Styron Europe GmbH and its affiliate companies in Europe announced price increases for all polystyrene and copolymer grades. Effective immediately, or as existing contract terms allow, the August contract and spot prices for the products listed below, will increase as follows: general purpose polystyrene grades (GPPS), and high impact polystyrene grades (HIPS) by 120 Euro per metric ton, ABS resins and SAN resins by 130 Euro per metric ton.

The price increase responds to the rising costs associated with the manufacturing of polystyrene and copolymers grades in Europe.

MRC

(Guardian) -- Federal investigators probing the cause of a massive Chevron oil refinery fire are focusing on possible corrosion in a decades-old pipe the company inspected late last year.

Investigators with the US Chemical Safety Board said Saturday they are trying to determine why Chevron did not replace the pipe when it had a major five-year inspection last November.

That inspection led Chevron to replace an old pipe connected to the one that failed on Monday, catching fire, sending up black smoke and causing thousands to seek medical attention for health issues in one of the most serious US refinery fires in recent years. Chevron said Saturday it too is seeking to understand why the accident occurred.

The inspectors have not yet seen testing records for the pipe that failed, but given its age and the condition of pipes connected to it, they believe corrosion is a strong possible cause of its failure.

Also, investigators told The Associated Press that more than a dozen Chevron refinery workers were engulfed by vapor and narrowly escaped serious injury when it ignited.

The Richmond refinery, located about 10 miles northeast of San Francisco, produces about 16% of the region's daily gasoline supply.
MRC

(yarnsandfibers) -- SOHAR Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) said that its production of world class high quality polypropylene homopolymer at Sohar plant has crossed 1 million tonnes.

This is a significant milestone for the polypropylene plant in Sohar, which began production in October 2006.

The Sohar facility is the only polypropylene manufacturing unit in the Sultanate and is part of the country’s vision to develop downstream petrochemical products. Orpic’s refinery at Sohar is the main supplier of feedstock for polypropylene production, a key part in building the domestic integrated petrochemicals industry.

Khalid Al Gaithi, operation engineer at the poly propylene plant, said: “This was a proud moment for all in the PP plant as it achieves the main aim behind the economic ventures; thanks to the team spirit of all employees.

Orpic exports its polypropylene products to markets in the UAE, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and other countries in the Middle East. Part of the production is marketed in the local market.
MRC