Wacker Chemie to expand EVA production in South Korea

(plastemart) -- The Munich-based chemical group, Wacker Chemie AG, is building a new plant with an annual capacity of 40,000 metric tonnes at its site in Ulsan, South Korea. The new facility is aimed to produce vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer (EVA) dispersions for applications in the paints and coatings, construction, nonwoven, paper and carpet industries.

The plant has a budget of around EURO10 million and is expected to start up in January 2013.

Wacker already produces VAE dispersions of the Vinnapas brand in South Korea for the adhesives industry. This expansion will almost double company's Ulsan EVA dispersion capacity, making the enlarged production complex one of the biggest of its kind in South Korea. The company considers the expansion to be essential for reliably and enduringly meeting the market growth that industry experts anticipate in the region and thus strengthens its position as one of the world’s major suppliers of EVA dispersions.
MRC

Graham Partners acquires Scandia Plastics to promote the further growth

(Graham Partners) -- Graham Partners has announce acquisition of Scandia Plastics, a US leading manufacturer of blow molded bottles, containers, and light industrial parts. The Company’s products are sold into a variety of end markets, including medical diagnostics, healthcare, household and industrial chemical, and general packaging.

Scandia joins an established alliance of Graham Partners holdings, which participate in industries as diverse as aerospace, medical products, packaging, water management, building products, electronics, and wireless communications devices, among others. Graham Partners seeks to invest not only capital into these businesses, but also to utilize its longstanding industry knowledge, resources, and contacts to improve operations and promote organic growth.

Graham Partners is a private investment firm focused on investing in businesses with advanced manufacturing know-how, innovative product development capabilities, and strong growth potential. Graham Partners adds value to its portfolio by leveraging its extensive operating resources, financial expertise and industrial heritage.
MRC

Sabic expands its PP Qrystal range

(pressreleasefinder) -- SABIC has developed a new, high-clarity SABIC PP Qrystal polypropylene. This random copolymer is a cost-effective, clear and stiff material for small and medium-sized bottles and provides a good option for extrusion blow molding companies.

SABIC PP Qrystal QR681K has good impact strength as well as the chemical resistance typical of polypropylene, making it typically suitable for packaging household chemicals, as well as typical shampoo and personal care applications. The new material is intended for containers up to 5L in volume. Although principally targeted at extrusion blow molding (EBM), tests by SABIC on injection blow molding (IBM) equipment have also yielded promising results. The SABIC PP Qrystal range now comprises five grades, which are produced both in Europe and the Middle East.

Sabic is ranked among the world"s largest petrochemicals manufacturers. It is the largest public company in Saudi Arabia. The comany manufactures chemicals and intermediates, industrial polymers, fertilizers and metals. It is currently the second largest global ethylene glycol producer. Among its products are propylene, paraxylene, styrene, polystyrene (PS), melamine, vinyl chloride monomer, polyvinyl cloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyester.
MRC

Dow Chemical to permanently shut its four plants in Europe and the USA

(plastermart) -- Dow Chemical permanently closed its extruded foam polystyrene plants at Estarreja, Portugal and Balatonfuzfo, Hungary, at the end of September. Dow will continue to supply products to customers from the remaining stocks.

In April, Dow announced that as part of a drive to reduce costs it would close five petrochemical plants across Europe, North America and Latin America over the next two years.

The other XPS facilities earmarked for closure are located in Terneuzen, the Netherlands and in Charleston, Illinois. Dow will also close its toluene diisocyanate plant in Camacari, Brazil.

The move was in response to continued weakness in the European economy, the company said, as part of its previously announced cost-reduction efforts and its "Efficiency for Growth" program initiated in 2011. Dow estimates it will save around USD250 million from these closures.

The Dow Chemical Company is an American multinational chemical corporation. Dow Chemical is a provider of plastics, chemicals, and agricultural products. It is a large producer of plastics, including polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, and synthetic rubber.
MRC

PET imports to Russia slashed in September by 11%

MOSCOW (MRC) -- In September, PET import to the Russian domestic market dropped by 11% from August and made about 10 000 tonnes, according to MRC DataScope.

The decline in imports in September is no surprise. Traditionally, PET-preform makers reduce purchases of granulate from abroad following the end of the season. It is worth mentioning that September PET import volumes almost did not change year-on-year. Domestic companies purchased 9,200 tonnes of PET from the foreign markets during the same month year ago.

Chinese PET dominated in September shipments. The total amount of bottle PET from China made 6,200 tonnes. About 2,700 tonnes of the Korean PET were shipped at the same time. Normally, Russian consumers prefer mostly the Korean material. Such a significant imbalance for the said period can be explained by an attractive discount in the prices of Chinese feedstock producers.

The total import volumes in January-September 2012 made about 125,000 tonnes. This is almost twice less than the year-on-year indices, when the total volumes of imported PET made 247,000 tonnes. The share of domestic plants consumption keeps growing, thus displacing import suppliers. To achieve these goals the domestic PET producers had to reduce prices significantly. Due to this, many plants report the decline in their margins.

MRC