Polystyrene imports to Ukraine in January 2013 decreased by 37%

MOSCOW (MRC) - Ukraine's imports of polystyrene (PS) in January 2013 decreased by 37% from December 2012 and made 3,241 tonnes, according to MRC DataScope.

PS deliveries in January 2013 were up by 11% compared to the imports in January 2012. In January 2013 Russia's imports of polystyrene and styrene plastics made 12,221 tonnes.
The largest share in imports showed general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) - 912 tonnes, or 28% from the total imports of polystyrene. Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Styrolution divided the imports volumes equally.

The second place in the supplies took styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBS), deliveries of which amounted to 660 tonnes of material (20% of total imports). All the deliveries of the copolymer used in the production of films, were made by "Ukrplastic."


Imports of expandable polystyrene (EPS) decreased to 660 tons of material, compared to 813 tonnes in December 2012, where 580 tonnes of material were provided by SIBUR-Khimprom (Alfapor).

Imports of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) dropped almost 2.5 times compared to the previous month and made only 485 tonnes. Decline in Russia's exports in the second half of 2012 and early 2013 affected significantly the imports of HIPS to Ukraine.



MRC

Era Polymers strengthens its floor coating business

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The Australian PU systems supplier Era Polymers has acquired Urethane Coatings Pty Ltd. in Brookvale, NSW, Australia, strengthening its Floor Coatings Business, according to the company's press release.

Financial details were not disclosed.

Urethane Coatings' portfolio includes coatings and ancillary products suitable for all species of timber, parquetry, cork, and concrete. The company also offers the development of unique products for special requirements.

Mark Webb has been appointed as the National Coatings Manager for Urethane Coatings and Era Polymers.

We remind that in late 2012, Amcor, Australian-based multinational packaging company, signed a deal to sell three plants for the production of flexible packaging to Australia's Integrated Packaging. The transaction amounts to 22 million Australian dollars, as MRC wrote previously.

Era Polymers is an Australian owned and operated Company specialising in the field of polyurethane chemistry. The company was started in April 1986. Since then it has grown to become the largest polyurethane systems house in Australia. It operates SIX divisions: Elastomers, Foams, Coatings, Machinery, Trading, Toll Manufacturing.
MRC

Rockwood to control Sachtleben

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Specialty chemicals company Rockwood Holdings Inc. ( ROC ) has agreed to buy Kemira Oyj's 39% stake in their titanium dioxide (TiO2) joint venture "Sachtleben" for EUR97.5 million (USD130 million), said Nasdaq.

The transaction, which will provide Rockwood full ownership of Sachtleben, is expected to complete by Feb 19, 2013.

Sachtleben, a leading producer of high-quality TiO2, was formed in Sep 2008 through the union of Rockwood's TiO2 pigments and functional additives business and Finland-based specialty chemicals maker Kemira's TiO2 business. Its major products include TiO2 in anatase grade, TiO2 in rutile grade and titanium specialties.

Sachtleben caters to a bevy of industries including synthetic fibers, plastics, paints, packaging inks, coatings, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The entity, in July 2012, purchased specific assets of German TiO2 producer crenox GmbH, bringing its total capacity to roughly 340,000 metric tons.

The weak TiO2 market conditions appear to have triggered Kemira's decision to divest its interest in the joint venture. Weak performance of Sachtleben led to a decline in its operating profit in fourth-quarter 2012.

Rockwood is also contending with a deteriorating TiO2 market. Its third-quarter 2012 profit (from continuing operation) fell roughly 19% year over year to USD61.6 million or 77 cents per share on lower sales. Revenues slipped roughly 8% year over year to USD862.8 million, hurt by negative currency translation and weak demand in the TiO2 business.

While the company recorded higher sales from its lithium business, it saw declines across surface treatment, performance additives, TiO2 pigments and advanced ceramics businesses.

Rockwood expects demand for TiO2 to remain soft in the fourth quarter. However, it sees continued strength in its lithium franchise.

Rockwood makes titanium dioxide (TiO2), a major ingredient in architectural paints and coatings and considered a good chemical indicator of the health of the US housing market.

As MRC wrote earlier, UK mining group Rio Tinto has abandoned plans to build new TiO2 facilities in Canada and Madagascar, on-going decline in global titanium dioxide prices.
MRC

Asahi Kasei introduces long glass fiber reinforced Polypropylene (20-2-2013)

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Asahi Kasei Plastics has announced a new long glass fiber reinforced polypropylene for improved impact performance and 20% cost savings compared to traditional long glass fiber reinforced polypropylene, said
Plastemart.

Thermylene I provides a proven balance of stiffness and toughness over a broad range of temperatures positioning it to replace metal, long glass and many other engineering resin applications. "Automakers will find Thermylene I especially appealing as it offers excellent mechanical and cost performance compared to traditional long glass fiber reinforced polypropylene," said Ramesh Iyer , vice president of commercial operations at Asahi Kasei Plastics.

"Applications that currently use long glass polypropylene will benefit from a cost savings and improved impact resistance, knit line strength, and better flow," said Iyer. "Thermylene I also provides high strength and stiffness at elevated temperatures, isotropic mechanical and dimensional properties and improved fatigue and creep resistance."

Key automotive applications include front-end modules, instrument panel retainers, battery trays, luggage racks and accelerator brake clutch modules. It is also ideal for a wide variety of other structural, functional and appearance parts as the glass content can be tailored to the specification for best performance. Key non-automotive applications include water filtration reverse osmosis units and office furniture.

As MRC wrote earlier,Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc. is undergoing a major expansion program to accommodate increased business with the Leona and Xyron engineering plastics product families.

Asahi Kasei Plastics is a leading custom compounder of advanced engineered polymers. AKCC is a leading producer of high performance engineered thermoplastics, petrochemicals and monomers and performance chemicals.

MRC

ONGC to set up Mangalore LNG terminal in India with Bharat Petroleum and Mitsui

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Oil & Natural Gas Corp. is considering the possibility of setting up a terminal to handle liquefied natural gas in the south Indian city of Mangalore in a joint venture with Bharat Petroleum and Mitsui & Co., reported Hydrocarbonprocessing with reference to the state-run explorer's chairman.

India is increasing its import of liquefied natural gas to meet a domestic supply shortfall. Many companies are setting up LNG terminals, which are specialized ports used to handle such imports.

ONGC, India's largest producer of crude oil, and Mitsui had last year signed an initial agreement to cooperate in the gas business.

The amount to be invested in the proposed LNG terminal is not disclosed, but a typical terminal which can handle 5 million metric tpy of LNG usually takes around USD1 billion to build.

We remind that, as MRC informed earlier, in summer 2011, ONGC was in talks with Russia's Bashneft and RussNeft to merge its Russian assets, but no approval had been received from the Indian government. ONGC has long eyed a deal with Bashneft, a unit of telecoms-to-oil group Sistema as well as involvement in the Arctic fields of Trebs and Titov, as it seeks to broaden its oil and gas base in Russia, the world's top energy exporter. But a merger of Bashneft and RussNeft is a long way off. Sistema President Mikhail Shamolin said the company may consider merging Bashneft and RussNeft once the latter's debt falls below USD 4 billion, but it may be a few years before that debt falls to the required level.
MRC