Polymer-Vector plans to double its recycling capacity of plastic wastes

MOSCOW (MRC) - Polymer-Vector (Kemerovo), engaged in the processing of chemically contaminated plastic wastes, is going to double its processing volumes in 2013, reports Interfax-Siberia with the refrence to the General Director, Vladimir Rogov.

Thus, the company will be able to process up to 1.2 thousand tonnes of plastic wastes and to increase the production of special granules up to 80 tonnes per month to be used in the production of plastic containers, paving tiles and curbs, the polypropylene (PP) tape (the analogue of metal packaging tape).

LLC "Polymer-Vector", founded on October 2, 2007, is a resident of the Kuzbass Technopark. The company's activity includes the processing of chemically contaminated plastic wastes by using innovative waste technology. The company manufactures products from the recycled plastic granules, obtained from the processing of plastic wastes into such products as, for example, LDPE sleeve, polypropylene (PP), plastic plugs (stemming) for wells, the polymer-sand tightening, polymer-sand tiles and curbs to them, and many more.

According to the company's data, the polymer wastes makes about 12% of all the household wastes in Russia. During one year, the country produces nearly 800,000 tonnes of plastic wastes, the bulk of which is stored in landfills and only 10% is recycled.
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Pertamina, Mitsubishi agree to develop Indonesia petrochemical facility

(hydrocarbonprocessing) -- Pertamina said earlier this week that domestic petrochemical production isn't keeping up with over USD5 billion worth of annual demand, making related industries heavily dependent on imports.

Indonesian state energy company PT Pertamina said Friday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Mitsubishi Corp. to construct a petrochemical facility in Indonesia.

"We have huge potential to integrate the refinery and petrochemical industries... to become the main player in Indonesia and in the region," Pertamina CEO Karen Agustiawan said in a statement.

Pertamina didn't specify a financial value or a timeframe for the project. Product details were also not disclosed.

Pertamina also signed similar agreements with Thailand's PTT Global Chemical and South Korea's SK Global Chemical.

Pertamina said in a statement earlier this week that domestic petrochemical production isn't keeping up with over USD5 billion worth of annual demand, making related industries heavily dependent on imports.


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US demand for post-consumer plastic rising: study

(canplastics) -- Demand for U.S. post-consumer recycled plastic is expected to rise 5.9% annually to nearly 3.4 billion pounds in 2016, according to a new study by market research firm The Freedonia Group.

Gains will be driven by a number of factors, the report said, including a growing emphasis on sustainability among packaging and consumer product manufacturers, advancements in processing and sorting technologies allowing a wider variety of plastic to be recycled, and an improved collection infrastructure that raises the plastic recycling rate. Continued support by federal, state, and local governments for recycling efforts will also provide a significant boost to recycled plastic collection, processing, and demand.

But the overall U.S. plastic recycling rate will remain relatively low through 2016, with less than 7% of total plastic demand. Some of the challenges include minimal recycling in construction products, motor vehicles and packaging film. Packaging will continue to lead the recycled plastic market in 2016, the study said, with strongest gains expected for food and beverage bottles and clamshell containers, fueled by rising production of recycled resins suitable for food contact uses.

A rebound in U.S. construction activity will drive strong demand for recycled plastics in construction product markets, particularly lumber and pipe applications. While advances in the motor vehicle market will be limited by the highly mature battery segment, use of recycled plastic in fabrics and other vehicle interior applications will increase at a robust pace.

Last year, PET and HDPE were the two leading resins used in recycled plastic products, accounting for more than 70 per cent of demand; going forward, PET will see "average gains" in demand, the study said, due to increased recycled content in bottles and thermoformed containers. HDPE will see fewer increases and will limit the availability of recycled resin.

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Dow Chemical disputes positive findings from US study on LNG exports

(hydrocarbonprocessing) -- Dow's CEO noted that many capital investments have already been planned based on the assumption of abundant and affordable natural gas, yet those were not reflected in the report. Dow, for example, is planning to build new ethylene and propylene capacity in the US Gulf region by the end of the decade.

Dow Chemical believes a recently-completed study showing a positive US economic impact from proposed LNG export projects is misleading and fails to give due consideration to the importance of manufacturing, the US-based company said on Friday.

"The report issued by the DOE on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports is flawed, misleading, and based on outdated, inaccurate and incomplete economic data," said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow’s CEO.

Liveris said the report also fails to consider the "tremendous competitive advantage" that cheap natural gas prices could offer to the US if held for domestic use.

"Instead, the report offers the baffling conclusion that the US would be better off using its domestic natural gas advantage to fuel growth and jobs in other regions versus strengthening the US economy through manufacturing and benefiting consumers with lower energy costs," Liveris said.

The CEO noted that numerous capital investments had already been made that were predicated on abundant and affordable natural gas, yet those were not reflected in the report. Dow Chemical, for example, is planning to build new ethylene and propylene capacity in the US Gulf region by the end of the decade.

"Unfortunately, policy makers have been given a flawed report that overlooks vital dynamics, including a manufacturing renaissance that is already underway and much needed by this country," Liveris said.

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.
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Showa Denko plans drastic reorganization in response to changing business climate

(apic-online) -- Showa Denko KK (SDK), citing the rapidly changing business environment, has decided to "drastically reorganize" the roles of its plants, business divisions and research and development organization.

Effective 4 Jan. 2013, plants will serve as the core of SDK's production and development, and contribute to the benefit of customers by creating new technologies and productions, while business divisions will be responsible for devising and implementing strategies for their respective businesses. Research and development will be reorganized to improve efficiency so that next generation businesses can be created and the development in growth areas can be accelerated.

Among numerous changes, the existing Olefins Division will be integrated with the existing Organic Chemicals Division to form the Petrochemicals Division, which will be under the direct control of the chief executive and will include olefins and organic chemicals departments.

SDK also announced several executive changes that will take effect on 4 Jan. These include Takashi Miyazaki, currently executive officer of the petrochemicals sector and general manager of the Olefins Division, being appointed general manager of the new Petrochemicals Division and olefins de-partment.

Showa Denko K.K. is mainly engaged in the petrochemical business. The Petrochemical segment manufactures and sells olefin, organic chemicals and others. The Chemical Product segment supplies chemicals, industrial gases, special gas and functional drug for semiconductors, functional high molecular materials, among others.
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