Evonik to expand production capacities of precipitated silicas

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The German speciality chemicals group Evonik Industries plans to expand its capacities for precipitated silicas worldwide by about 30 % by 2014, as compared to 2010, as per GV.

The company says it is investing funds in the upper double-digit million EUR range. Half of the expansion plans have already been realised, says Evonik.

The facilities for Ultrasil and Sipernat precipitated silicas in Asia and Europe have already been expanded. According to the company, the market development for precipitated silicas is carried primarily by the trend toward low-rolling-resistance tyres.

The company is also currently investing in a new development centre in Wesseling, Germany, which will pool knowledge of silicas and silanes and drive developments. The company produces precipitated silicas at ten sites in nine countries.

Evonik also produces the fumed silica Aerosil for such applications as silicone rubber, paints or adhesives and sealants. In all, the company has a worldwide annual capacity of about 500,000 tonnes in precipitated and fumed silicas, as well as matting agents.

We remind that, as MRC informed previously, Evonik's new polyamide 12 line is planned to be built in Singapore by 2014 to increase the availability of this specialty plastic. Besides, Evonik invested over EUR100m (GBR131m) in a new hydrogen peroxide plant in Jilin, China. The plant is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013 where it will annually produce 230,000 tons of hydrogen peroxide, which is mostly used as a bleaching agent in the textile and pulp industry.

Moreover, as part of the company's strategic portfolio expansion, Evonik has recently announced its plans to launch a new generation of PVC plasticizers. Apart from its product lines expansion, the company will also develop a new brand of products. Thus, Evonik is broadening its range of sustainable plasticizers.

Evonik Industries is an industrial corporation in Germany and one of the world?s leading specialty chemicals companies. Company's specialty chemicals activities focus on high-growth megatrends, especially, health, nutrition, resource efficiency, and globalization, and on entering attractive future-oriented markets.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) mulls to take a controlling stake in the troubled Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) following the West Bengal government's decision to appoint a consultancy firm - Deloitte to advise on the proposed sale of its shares, reported Plastemart with refrence to IANS.

The consultancy firm would evaluate the shares of the company after which WBIDC, the West Bengal government's industry promotion arm, is likely to put its entire block of shareholding in HPL for auction.

Public sector IOC already has an 8.89% stake in HPL, the second largest maker of polyethylene in India and co-promoted by the Bengal government and The Chatterjee Group (TCG).

HPL is a joint venture project having the government of West Bengal, The Chatterjee Group (TCG), and IOC as major stakeholders. The West Bengal government had decided to quit its showpiece project, Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd, as a shareholder by June 30 this year. IOC already holds close to 9% stake in HPL.

Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd is a modern naphtha based petrochemical complex at Haldia, West Bengal, India. Haldia has played the role of a catalyst in emergence of more than 500 downstream processing industries in West Bengal with a capacity to process more than 3,50,000 TPA of polymers, among which are polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP)
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) volume market is expected to reach 76.7 million tonnes by 2016 primarily supported by the product types - films, fibers and sheet extrusion, as per ResearchandMarkets, said Plastamart.

Globally, bottles & container and food packaging segments together accounts for approximately 62.6% of the market share to expected the support for Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) industry going forward. Geographical analysis shows that the highest Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.7% is anticipated from European region during the analysis period 2011-2016. Asia-Pacific follows Europe with a CAGR of 11.3%, while The Americas forecasts to drive with a growth rate of 10.9% respectively.

As MRC wrote earlier, in 2012, the main sectors of Russia's consumption of PET, such as the production of mineral water, carbonated soft drinks and other industries increased. The only sector that showed a negative trend for the third year in a row is brewing, according to MRC analysts. In total in 2012 Russian bottlers produced 378 mln. dkl of carbonated soft drinks. Production of mineral water increased by 9.6% for the year amounted to 3.690 million half-liters.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- In 2012, imports of titanium dioxide to the Russian domestic market decreased by 15,000 tonnes (18.67%) year-on-year, according to MRC DataScope.

In 2012, imports of titanium dioxide to Russia amounted to 66,000 tonnes, down 15,000 tonnes year-on-year. According to market players, carry-over stocks of the material from the previous year caused cuts in imports, which resulted in decline in shipments in the first two quarters and the general decrease in demand from key consumers of the material in Russia.

The major supplier of TiO2 to Russia is Ukraine. Last year, about 25,000 tonnes of titanium dioxide produced by Sumykhimprom and Crimean Titan were shipped to Russia, while in 2011, Russian producers and traders purchased 31,000 tonnes of the material.

The leader in terms of sales in Russia is the world's largest TiO2 producer - DuPont. Last year, the company shipped to Russia 10,000 tonnes of the material under the brand 'ti-pure'.

The lion's share of TiO2 consumption accounts for manufacturers of coating compositions. In 2012, the share of coating compositions in TiO2 consumption made more than 63%. Converters off polymer products account for about 18% of consumption of titanium dioxide.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - In January, Ukraine's imports of polyethylene (PE) made 31,500 tonnes, down 7% from December. The supplies of all grades of PE were cut on the back of the seasonal factor, the only exception made high-density polyethylene (LDPE), according to a MRC DataScope.

While PE imports to Ukraine in January 2013 decreased, from December 2012, comparing the PE imports with January 2012 (27,000 tonnes), it should be noted that this year imports in January soared. Such significant indicators in the low season resulted from the desire of some companies to form a low-cost supplies of polyethylene in anticipation of seasonal growth in demand (the second half of February - March), and a rise in prices in international markets.
As MRC analysts had expected, imports of low density polyethylene to Ukraine in January made about 13,000 tonnes. This is a record high since August 2012. In December of 2012, imports of LDPE made slightly more than 11,000 tonnes.

Ukrainian companies traditionally buy LDPE actively in December - January to form a low-cost stocks on low prices in foreign markets. January 2013 was no exception, and producers preferred to buy polyethylene in Russia. In December 2012, domestic supplies of LDPE made 5,400 tonnes, in January 2013, it increased to 6,800 tonnes.


Last month's HDPE imports were cut by 22% compared to December 2012 and amounted to 11,200 tonnes. Ukrainian companies did not form inventories, despite expectations of a rise in prices in international markets. The main reason was large carry-over stocks of HDPE from October - December (imports in October amounted to 17,200 tonnes, and in November and December to 14.3 thousand tons each month) and a serious decline in demand in key sectors of consumption. In January 2013 compared with December 2012 imports of pipe HDPE were cut twofold to 1,300 tonnes, the import of film HDPE by 23% to 6,000 tonnes.

External supplies of linear polyethylene to Ukraine in January made about 6,500 tonnes, down 15% from December 2012. Decline in imports resulted from seasonal factors.


MRC