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(Evonik) -- Evonik Industries has developed and launched on the market a novel combination of bio-based high-performance polyamides and bio-based high-performance fibers.
Reinforcing fibers are often mixed into a plastic to improve its mechanical properties. But in the case of bio-based polymers this means that the bio-content is lowered, reducing the ecological advantage. Polyamide grades of VESTAMID Terra with rayon fibers retain the high bio-content along with excellent reinforcing potential. The combination of viscose fibers and polymer matrix offers a significantly improved carbon balance.
With this product development, the company wants to further support the unrestricted expansion of bio-based products in technically demanding applications, according to the company.
Evonik Industries is an industrial corporation in Germany and one of the world?s leading specialty chemicals companies. 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
Evonik launches new bio-based polyamides and fibres
Bemis to shut two flexible-packaging plants
Bemis has been drifting away from the Twin Cities for decades. The company had been growing in Wisconsin, not Minnesota, and wanted to move its executives closer to its geographic center.
The St. Louis Park plant will close by Aug. 31, and the Minneapolis plant will close between Oct. 1 and the end of 2012, according to letters that Bemis sent to state officials.
Bemis, a packaging giant in North America with a 130-year history in the Twin Cities, calls itself the nation's largest producer of plastic packaging. It makes packaging for everything from diapers to grass seed to snacks, as well as pressure-sensitive packaging and sealed plastic for medical products. It has about 45 factories in North America, as well as operations in Europe, Latin America, Australia and Asia.
MRC
Plastics made out of algae to gain momentum
Now Algix is blending different kinds of algae with a variety of copolymers and base resins to product plastics with different characteristics. Some of the ingredients are polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), EVA, polyactic acid, and polyhydroxyalkanoate.
The company’s plastics can contain up to 70% aquatic biomass, but most of the time it uses a 50/50 blend. The products can be used for injection molding, compression molding, and thermoforming.
Algix is pursuing commercial applications that would allow it to take advantage of its materials’ unique qualities. Flooring and carpet companies have expressed interest in the company’s products. A major retailer has asked the company to develop packaging for paint, and lawn and garden products, which would help meet sustainability requirements, according to the company's source.
MRC
MRC news digest as of 20.08.12.
1. The production of polymers in Ukraine dropped by 7% in July.
MOSCOW (MRC) – In July the total volume of large polymers output in Ukraine slashed to the level of 24,000 tonnes. Ukrainian traders reduced the volume of PVC and PS production, report MRC analysts. In Q1 Karpatneftekhim quite actively increased the production volumes of suspension PVC. However, starting from April the plant started reducing the level of capacity utilization due to many factors. PP production capacity at Linik, as well as the oil refinery, still remains idle. The plant is going to return to oil refining as well as to PP production by the end of September-beginning of October. The volume of PS output at Stirol (Gorlovka) declined to 1,700 tonnes last month due to the limited supply of styrene by Russian makers. The total year-to-date output of large polymers in Ukraine made about 204,000 tonnes, up 32% year-on-year.
2. Prices of PVC keep rising in the foreign markets.
MOSCOW (MRC) -- Export prices of PVC are growing in the foreign markets in August, the exception made some Chinese producers. European producers have raised prices by EUR90-100/tonne. The suppliers of resins from the United States are planning to raise prices to USD960-1,000/tonne, CFR, St. Petersburg, and the USD980-1,000/tonne, CIF Odessa, for the September shipment, according to MRC analysts. Chinese makers still keep their export prices in the range of USD850-890/tonne, FOB, or USD880-920/tonne, DAP Dostyk. The producers in the north of China have been experiencing problems with rail rolling stock since May, causing serious disruption in the terms of shipments of PVC. The deliveries had been even suspended till August, 15th, due to the lack of railway wagons in the region.
3. SPVC import to Ukraine slashed almost by 15% in July.
MOSCOW (MRC) – The volume of suspension PVC import to Ukraine slashed to 8,800 tonnes in July. The total year-to-date import of suspension made about 44,000 tonnes, down 45% year-on-year, report MRC analysts. In July the total volume of SPVC exports to the Ukrainian market reduced to 8,800 tonnes while in June this index made about 10,300 tonnes. The volatility of PVC importing volumes to the Ukrainian market is determined by the cycling of resin purchases in the USA by some local converters. PVC importing volumes from Europe are expected to decline in August and, vice versa, it is expected that resin imports from the USA will grow on the June drop of export quotations.
4. July export volumes of Russian PET shrank to minimum from April 2012.
MOSCOW (MRC) – In July the exports of Russian PET to Europe fell to the lowest level since April 2011, amid weak demand from local converters and downtrend of PET prices, according to MRC analysts. In July, Russia exported about 2,400 tonnes of bottle PET granulate, down by 3,600 tonnes from June and having reached the minimum level since April 2011. In 2012, the peak of export shipments was in May, when the exports of PET to Europe made about 13,000 tonnes. July was quite difficult month not only for Russian exports, but also for many European PET makers. Due to the weak demand for PET preform the price of material in the domestic market in Europe fell to EUR1,100/tonne, FD Europe. In the first half of August, the situation in the European market for PET is changing for the better.
5. PE prices in Asia remain stable on low demand.
MOSCOW (MRC) – Low buying activity in the Asian market keeps prices down despite the rise of oil and ethylene quotations. PE prices remained almost intact last week, except for LLDPE prices, report MRC analysts. Last week there were mixed sentiments in the Asian PE market. Most converters were reluctant to replenish their stock inventories despite their restricted volumes. They prefer to wait for a more clear price trend. A steady growth of oil and ethylene prices do not make converters increase their PE purchases yet. The price situation for September remains unclear. LDPE prices remained practically unchanged last week and varied in the range of USD1,250/tonne, CFR. Linear butane polyethylene grew in value by USD10-30/tonne. The deals were concluded at USD1,250-1,310/tonne, CFR. HDPE prices remained without significant changes and were at the level of USD1,280/tonne, CFR.
6. Imports of Russian EPS to Ukraine hit a record.
MOSCOW (MRC) - In July, Ukrainian companies have imported 1,760 tonnes of Alfapor grade polystyrene from Perm, according to MRC analysts. Since the beginning of 2012 the deliveries of Russian EPS to Ukraine have been rising. The main increase fell in April and May 2012, when it was supplied 794 and 1,240 tonnes of the material respectively, from 350 tonnes in February and March. Since the beginning of the year it was imported 6,700 tonnes of EPS by Sibur-Khimprom production. The imports volumes grew significantly on the back of launching of the second line of 50,000 tonnes/year EPS production in Perm, in May 2012. The production volumes are expected to be increased in Q4 to the maximum level - 100,000 tonnes/year.
7. The further PVC price rise is expected in Asia.
MOSCOW (MRC) -- This week negotiations of contracts for September PVC supply have begun in the Asian region. Local makers are going to get higher prices than USD1,000/tonne, report MRC analysts. This week negotiations on PVC shipments in September have started in the Asian market. The deals for August shipments were concluded in the range of USD930-970/tonne, CFR. Many local producers intend to reach a higher price level than USD1,000/tonne, CFR, in September. Producers are sure that tightened PVC supply in the market and surging oil prices will let them achieve the desired increase in prices.
MRC
Prices for US and Mexican PVC showing upturn in the global markets
(chemmonitor) -- Offer prices for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from Mexico and the US have recently demonstrated an upward surge. The price increases since early Q3 resulted from stable consumption and values of the product in the world market. Moreover, strong PVC demand in the Indian market moved up the US offers for the material.
The upturn on PVC offers was registered in such countries as Vietnam, Turkey, Egypt, Italy and India.
As PVC supply in the Indian local market is curtailed, Indian and overseas suppliers had to enhance offers and admit raised US prices for PVC.
MRC