BASF launches new polyurethane applications technology center near St. Petersburg

(BASF) -- On 23 October, BASF officially opened its first Russian applications technology center for polyurethane systems in Vsevolozhsk, near St. Petersburg.

Like the System House in Nishnekamsk, which went into operation in 2000, this site will also be a part of the BASF joint venture Elastokam with the Russian company Nishnekamskneftechim (NKNC).

This center will provide comprehensive technical services and sales know-how for modern polyurethane systems to quickly and competently serve customers all over Russia and other CIS countries. Equipment installed will make it possible to test PU materials for a wide range of applications in the automotive and construction industries, as well as in CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers) related areas.

According to BASF press release, this investment is part of the systematic implementation of the company's worldwide strategy of having sites that are close to the customer which will strengthen BASF's leadership position in the polyurethanes market.

BASF is the largest diversified chemical company in the world and is headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF's Polyurethanes business consists of diverse technologies and finished products. Urethane chemicals are raw materials used in rigid and flexible foams commonly used for insulation in the construction and appliance industries, furniture, packaging and transportation.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The negotiations on contract prices of Russian PVC for November shipments have begun this week. Local converters are going to get a significant price cut; converters, in their turn, do not see serious grounds for price-cutting, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

This week started for the Russian PVC market with the negotiations regarding the level of contract prices. Local converters are going to get a reduction of contract prices for Russian PVC for shipments in November by Rb4,000-5,000/tonne amid seasonal falling demand for the finished goods and drop of export prices in the USA.

Russian makers, in their turn, claim that they do not see any grounds for such a substantial reduction in PVC prices in November. The decline in demand is expected next month, but imports are going to slash in November as well. There is no surplus of PVC supplies in the market. Export prices of North American PVC for November shipments were reduced by USD80-100/tonne from October. However, the resin at such prices will arrive in Russia not earlier than in the second half of December. At the same time, North American PVC at the prices on average by USD50-70/tonne higher than in October will arrive in the market in November.

According to some market participants, Russian makers still intend to decrease prices in November, however, they are going to limit the price correction by Rb1,000-2,000/tonne.
MRC

(gv) -- A. Schulman, Inc. announced plans to acquire ECM Plastics, Inc., for USD 36.5 million.

The privately owned plastics compounder located in Worcester, MA, USA, generates approximately USD 40 million in annual sales. ECM Plastics provides custom colour matching, speciality additive formulations and compounding. The standard grade materials inventory includes among many others copolyesters, polyurethanes, and fluoropolymers.

A. Schulman is a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and resins, which are used as raw materials in a variety of markets. The Company's principal product lines consist of proprietary and custom-formulated engineered plastic compounds, color concentrates and additives that improve the appearance and performance of plastics in a number of specialized applications. A. Schulman's plastics give enhanced performance characteristics for blow moulding, injection moulding and extrusion applications.
mrcpast.com

(gv) -- Following its intention to acquire A. Schulman's vinyl chloride compounding plant in Bellevue, OH, USA, as MRC informed earlier, Mitsubishi Chemical Performance Polymers, Inc. (MCPP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporatio, finilized the deal.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed. The sale will allow A. Schulman to continue its US focus on higher-value technical products in keeping with its global strategy, while MCPP will expand its presence in North America’s vinyl chloride compounding market.

With this acquisition MCPP will enhance its competitiveness in the PVC compound field and meet increasing demand in the North American market. MCPP plans to capitalize on this strategic acquisition by entering into a variety of markets beyond automotive components, as well as by expanding its existing business in thermoplastic elastomers for automotive injection and extrusion applications.
MRC

(gv) -- Teknor Apex Company has named Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH (NRC) to distribute its engineering thermoplastic (ETP) compounds in Germany and six other nations in Central and Eastern Europe, announced Neil Croucher, ETP sales director for Teknor Apex.

As MRC informed earlier, Teknor Apex had recently restructured and expanded its portfolio of engineering thermoplastic (ETP) compounds. As Croucher said, ETP compounds from Teknor Apex are a natural fit in the company’s extensive portfolio of plastics and elastomer products.

In addition to Germany, Nordmann, Rassmann will represent Teknor Apex ETP products in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. The compounds to be available through NRC include Beetle polyamide, PBT, and PET products and automotive polyamide compounds under the Chemlon brand.
MRC