European producers keep November PP prices for December

MOSCOW (MRC) - Despite a decrease in the contract price of propylene, European makers have agreed the December export prices of polypropylene at the rollover from November. In January, the European makers are going to raise prices, according to ICIS-MRC Price Report.

In Europe contract price of propylene for delivery in December was agreed down by EUR17/tonne, from November level. As a result, many market participants expected at least a proportional price cut of polypropylene from European makers.

Limited offer for export of polypropylene and an increased buying interest in the CIS markets allow European producers to keep November prices for shipments in December. Some producers raised the price by EUR30-40/tonne, but this refers more for the lower price bound.

Most European producers settled December export prices for homopolymer propylene for the CIS markets at EUR1,170-1,240/tonne, FCA. The offers for the supply of copolymers of propylene are in the range of EUR1,240-1,320/tonne, FCA.

In January 2013, many European manufacturers are going to raise their export prices of polypropylene, citing the low margins of production.

MRC

(Evonik) -- Materials technology group Umicore and the Evonik Group subsidiary Evonik Litarion GmbH have announced a business relationship for the supply of lithium-ion cathode materials.

Evonik selected Umicore as the supplier of cathode materials for large format Li-ion batteries that are used in electric vehicles and in energy storage systems for stationary applications.

Evonik manufactures battery cell components for large format Li-ion batteries in Kamenz, Germany. Li-ion rechargeable batteries are seen as one of the most promising solutions for advanced energy storage systems in electric vehicles.

We remind that earlier this year Evonik Industries has developed and launched on the market a novel combination of bio-based high-performance polyamides and bio-based high-performance fibers, as MRC informed previously. Reinforcing fibers are often mixed into a plastic to improve its mechanical properties. The combination of viscose fibers and polymer matrix offers a significantly improved carbon balance.

Evonik Group is one of the world's leading specialty chemicals companies. Evonik Litarion GmbH, an Evonik Group subsidiary, manufactures LITARION electrodes, which improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. Evonik Litarion acts as a system manufacturer and supplies separators, anodes, and cathodes all from the one source.

Umicore is a global materials technology group. It focuses on application areas where its expertise in materials science, chemistry and metallurgy makes a real difference. Its activities are centred on four business areas: catalysis, energy materials, performance materials and recycling. Each business area is divided into market focused business units offering materials and solutions that are at the cutting edge of new technological developments and essential to everyday life.
MRC

(pressreleasefinder) -- DSM has developed a new thermoplastic elastomer - Arnitel VT - for production of waterproof and highly breathable ultrathin membranes to be used in outdoor clothing, according to the company's press release.

Arnitel VT is a very flexible thermoplastic elastomer that, when made into membranes just a few microns thick, is 100% waterproof but also highly breathable and comfortable. The material contains no PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals) and is 100% recyclable.

Unlike competing products, Arnitel VT does not rely on perforations to make it breathable. Perforated membranes can have their waterproofness compromised when they are washed or come into contact with liquids such as alcohols or fuels. Perforations also reduce the strength of the membrane, making it easier to rip. Perforations can get clogged too, causing the membrane to lose its breathability. Because Arnitel VT is not perforated, it acts as a barrier not only to liquids, but also to bacteria and viruses. For this reason, Arnitel VT is used in surgical gowns with the highest level of protection. Arnitel VT has already been used for many years in membranes for clothing.

We remind that in November Royal DSM reached an agreement with Borealis AG for the sale of DEXPlastomers, a 50/50 Joint Venture of DSM with an affiliate of ExxonMobil Chemical, according to MRC's earlier report. DSM will also sell its LLDPE Compact Solution Technology to Borealis. Subject to customary approvals and notifications, the transaction is expected to close in Q1 2013.

Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials.
MRC

(LyondellBasel) -- The largest coal company in the world, China Shenhua Coal to Liquid and Chemical Co. has selected the LyondellBasell Lupotech T process technology for a 270 KT per year low density polyethylene (LDPE) plant to be built in Xinjiang, China.

It is the second time this year that Shenhua chooses the LyondellBasell technology, having previously announced plans for a LDPE plant using the technology in Yulin, China.

"Shenhua’s continued confidence in the Lupotech T process technology is another demonstration of why Lupotech is the leading technology for LDPE and EVA production, and we look forward to continuing a strong relationship with Shenhua," said Bob Patel, LyondellBasell Senior Vice President of Olefins and Polyolefins for Europe, Asia, International, and Technology.

Key features of Lupotech T technology include low manufacturing and investment costs, fast start-up and grade changes, high reliability and capacities of up to 450 KT per year, which makes it today’s technology of choice for the production of LDPE and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers.

We remind that PETRONAS (Petroliam Nasional Berhad) has chosen the Spheripol technology from LyondellBasell for two 300 KTA polypropylene (PP) units to be located in Pengerang, Malaysia, as MRC reported earlier. Besides, earlier this year ZapSibNeftekhim L.L.C, a fully owned subsidiary of SIBUR, selected the Spheripol process technology from LyondellBasell for a new 500 KT per year single-line polypropylene (PP) plant to be built in Tobolsk, Russia Federation.

LyondellBasell is a leading licensor of polypropylene and polyethylene technologies. The more than 250 polyolefin process licenses granted by LyondellBasell are twice that of any other polyolefin technology licensor.
MRC

(apic-on-line) -- In Egypt, players moan about limited local supply levels for the locally held PVC and PE markets.

Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) demand in Egypt is weakening in the uncertain political climate ahead of a referendum on Saturday on a controversial draft constitution.

In the PVC market, a source from the local producer EPC, had commented on their price cut decision and said, “Our prices are reasonable considering the current market conditions in December but we might issue some increases if import prices continue to move up.” The source had also added that they had no supply issues and that they were running their plant at full capacity.

However, players in the market complain about the limited supplies from EPC. A converter noted, “EPC has limited supplies to provide the market and this situation coupled with increasing import American PVC prices cause local distributors to hold onto their offer levels.” A trader also commented, “Overall PVC demand is not bad but availability is limited.”

Meanwhile, similar supply issues are pronounced in the PE market, too. Players cry that there are no HDPE film supplies from the local producer SIDPEC, who had previously informed the market that they are not going to supply HDPE injection until the end of year but reported no issues on HDPE film and blow moulding.

A trader remarked last week, “SIDPEC supplies no HDPE film and we believe that this situation might stem from the fact that they switched their production line to HDPE blow moulding. This situation provides distributors ground to lift up their prices.” Another trader noted, “Overall demand is very weak due to the ongoing political issues inside the country and most converters are running their plants at lower capacities. Yet, limited supplies continue to pull up prices. Some traders, fearing further increases, prefer to hold on to their existing quantities.”

Egypt's local PE production is limited to Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals Co (SIDPEC), while PP production is limited to Oriental Petrochemicals Co (OPC) and Egyptian Propylene and Polypropylene Co (EPPC).
MRC