Altuglas and NatureWorks to supply new biopolymer alloys

(plastemart) -- Altuglas International (subsidiary of Arkema group) and NatureWorks, one of the leaders in the bio-plastics market with its Ingeo biopolymers derived from plants, have signed a global co-marketing agreement.

The agreement is designed to deliver a range of newly formulated bio-based, high performance alloys based on polymethylmethacrylate and Ingeo.

The new materials will be marketed by Altuglas International as Plexiglas/Altuglas Rnew biopolymer alloys. Primary co-marketing efforts for these materials will be for durable goods applications, where the Plexiglas/Altuglas brand is synonymous with high performance, durability and clarity.

This unique range of resins affords customizable formulating latitude providing exceptional impact- and chemical-resistance properties. In addition, the resins offer a significantly reduced carbon footprint due to the Ingeo biopolymer content.

The collaboration of the two companies offers a compelling combination of properties designed to open new doors in the market, including significant opportunities for durable applications such as signage, lighting, consumer products, transportation, cosmetic packaging and large and small appliances. Through the collaboration, Altuglas International and NatureWorks will pool resources to accelerate the introduction of these new high performance biopolymer alloys into the market.

We remind that, as MRC informed previously, Arkema announced earlier this year that its 2016 ambition is to become a world leader in specialty chemicals and advanced materials. The acquisition of Hipro Polymers and Casda Biomaterials in China beginning of this year and the divestment of its Vinyl business beginning of July, were the last steps of the highly successful turnaround of Arkema into a strong player in specialty chemicals.
MRC

SABIC affiliates ink initial deals to build UHMWPE plant in Jubail

(plastemart) -- Saudi Kayan and Petrokemya - two affiliates of Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) have signed initial deals to build an ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) plant in Jubail.

Both the affiliates will equally own and finance the project, located at Kayan's petrochemicals complex. The plant will have production capacity of 35,000 tpa and is expected to start production in H2-2014. The plant would use ethylene from Saudi Kayan’s olefins plant.

Saudi Kayan and Petrokemya will equally own and finance the project, located at Kayan's petrochemicals complex, Kayan said in a statement to the Saudi bourse, without giving a cost figure.

The plant will have production capacity of 35,000 tonnes per year and is expected to start production in the second half of 2014. UHMWPE is used in industrial applications including batteries and industrial fibres.

Kayan said in April that the plant would use ethylene from its olefins plant and in June, US firm Jacobs Engineering said it would conduct engineering and design work for the plant.

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, vinyl chloride monomer.

MRC

Crimean Titan increased exports of TiO2

MOSCOW (MRC) - Crimean Titan, the largest Ukrainian maker of titanium dioxide increased exports of titanium dioxide (TiO2) in January-November by 3,110 tonnes, compared to the same period last year. After increasing the exports the company’s share in the sales of TiO2 in Ukraine increased by 3%, according to MRC DataScope.

Despite the poor conditions in foreign markets in 2012, the export of Crimean titanium dioxide has increased by 3,110 tonnes and the eleven months’ production amounted to 88,890 tonnes. It is worth noting that Ukraine’s total exports of TiO2 over the same period decreased by 850 tonnes, compared to the previous year, and amounted to 126,250 tonnes.

Considering the fact that Sumykhimprom reduced its exports, the share of Crimean Titan in Ukraine’s total exports increased by 3% to 70.5%.

The largest buyer of Ukrainian dioxide is Russia. Though, in 2012, the sales to Russian customers decreased by 5,500 tonnes and made 23,700 tonnes.

Ukrainian producers managed to compensate the drop in sales to Russia by increasing exports to Germany, Turkey, USA, Italy, Spain and others.
Summing up the results for January-November, we note that the most popular Ukrainian grade of titanium dioxide in the external markets is CRIMEA TiOx-230 produced by Crimean Titan, which is used for the production of coatings based on organic solvents and water. In the reporting period, the total exports for this position made 35,500 tonnes.



MRC

US shale gas to support chemical industry despite unfavourable economic situation

(hydrocarbonprocessing) -- Favorable oil-to-gas price ratios driven by the production of natural gas from shale will drive a renewed US competitiveness that will boost exports and fuel greater domestic investment and economic growth within the business of chemistry, according to the Year End 2012 Situation and Outlook, published by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) trade group.

After three years recovering from the recent recession, the global economy stumbled in 2012. The euro area entered a recession again, and a pronounced slowdown in China helped spread economic uncertainty around the world, the ACC said. In the US, although GDP surpassed its pre-recession peak, growth is slow and a typical business cycle expansion has yet to emerge. Despite this, the business of American chemistry remains a bright spot. The business of chemistry is a USD760 billion enterprise and one of America’s most significant manufacturing industries, with more than 96% of all manufactured goods touched by products of chemistry.

Though rising uncertainty over the fiscal cliff, debt ceiling negotiations and tax reform have hindered business confidence, the most important domestic energy development in the last 50 years is poised to reshape American manufacturing. Access to vast, new supplies of natural gas from shale deposits creates a competitive advantage for US petrochemical manufacturers, as MRC informed earlier. Ethane, a natural gas liquid derived from shale gas, is used as a feedstock by American chemical companies, giving them an advantage over foreign competitors that rely on a more expensive oil-based feedstock.

"Aided by a favorable oil-to-gas ratio, chemical exports grew 1.8% to USD191 billion in 2012, helping to turn a trade deficit into a modest surplus," said Kevin Swift, ACC’s chief economist and lead author of the report. "We’ll see exports continue to grow 4.7% in 2013 and another 6.2% to USD209 billion in 2014."

While overall shipments in the business of chemistry slipped 1.5% in 2012, they are expected to increase nearly 9% over the next two years, to USD794 billion in 2013 and USD833 billion in 2014.
MRC

Georgia Gulf and PPG industries to finilize a merger in late January 2013

(Daily Finance) -- Georgia Gulf Corporation has recently announced that a favorable private letter ruling has been received by PPG Industries from the U.S.

Internal Revenue Service with respect to the previously announced separation of PPG's commodity chemicals business and subsequent merger of a newly formed company with a subsidiary of Georgia Gulf Corporation. The receipt of the ruling is a closing condition and an important milestone in moving towards completion of the transaction.

As previously disclosed, the Georgia Gulf Board of Directors has called a special meeting to be held on January 10, 2013, for shareholders to approve the issuance of Georgia Gulf shares in the proposed merger with PPG's commodity chemicals business. If approved by Georgia Gulf's shareholders at the special meeting, the merger is expected to close in late January 2013.

The Georgia Gulf Corporation has historically been a major manufacturer and marketer of chlorovinyls (caustic soda, chlorine, VCM, EDC, PVC resins, PVC rigid and flexible compounds) and aromatics (acetone, cumene, phenol). With the acquisition of Royal Group Technologies the company is now also a major producer of building materials ranging from piping and siding to window profiles, decking, and fencing.

PPG Industries Inc. is an Americain international company that produces paints, chemicals, optical components, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company consists of more than 150 production units and offices in more than 60 countries. PPG industries is in the list of the top 500 U.S. corporations in terms of sales of. As MRC reported previously, PPG Industries plans to open its first factory in Russia near Tver. As of today, PPG Industries has no production facilities in Russia.
MRC