Velox signs distribution partnerships with Elix Polymers and FRX Polymers

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The Hamburg-based German company Velox GmbH will be the preferred distributor for the ABS/SAN-based modifier product range from Spanish company Elix Polymers, S. L., Tarragona, and licensed distributor in Germany, France, Italy, Austria, as well as Switzerland, reported GV.

The modifier range offers various advantages, including improved impact resistance for PC, PBT, PVC and SMA blends, increased mechanical properties of ABS and PC/ABS, improved flow and dimensional stability, superior heat distortion and thermoformability to opaque PVC as well as ABS compounds, as anti-dripping additive for flame retardant ABS, PC/ABS, and HIPS, as intermediate for the production of polymer blends, and as base resin for colour concentrates (ABS, SAN, PVC, PC).

Furthermore, Velox has signed a distribution partnership with the US company FRX Polymers for its Nofia polymeric phosphorus-based flame retardant solutions for PC, PC/ABS, PU, TPU, polyester as well as unsaturated polyester and epoxy resins. Nofia homopolymers, copolymers, and oligomers are non-migrating, halogen-free polymers that are transparent, have outstanding flame retardant properties, and a high melt flow. The products will be distributed by Velox in the UK, France, Scandinavia, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

We remind that as MRC informed previously, in March 2013, Arkema appointed Velox, as its exclusive distributor for the medical business development in Europe. Besides, in June, Styron Europe, the global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, appointed Velox, as the European distributor for medical product offerings from Styron. Velox, a supplier and marketer of raw materials specialties will represent products for Styron medical applications, including CALIBRE MEGARAD polycarbonate resins and MAGNUM ABS Resins.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Polymers and high-performance plastic maker Bayer MaterialScience has just announced the debottlenecking of its MDI production facility at the Bayer Integrated Site Shanghai (BISS) in Caojing, Shanghai, according to GV.

The production capacity of the current facility will increase from 350,000 t/y to 500,000 t/y by mid-2014.

"MDI is an important raw material for the production of polyurethane rigid foam, which is an effective insulation material for buildings and refrigerators. The debottlenecking will allow the company to further expand its business in China, which is one of the largest markets in the world for Bayer MaterialScience," said Wolfgang Miebach, President of Bayer MaterialScience China.

We remind that, as MRC wrote previously, last year, Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) bought the polycarbonate sheet business of Arkema Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of the French firm Arkema Group. The transaction included the acquisition of Arkema’s Tuffak brand, which is used in such markets as aerospace, transportation and heavy equipment.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., BMS is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,800 employees at 30 production sites around the world. The company’s 2011 sales in North America were USD2.9 billion.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- SeaWorld San Diego announced today it has eliminated polystyrene foam tableware and plastic flatware at its restaurants and employee cafeterias, as per KPBS. Polystyrene foam products are not biodegradable. They pile up in landfills or get scattered on beaches or oceans, harming marine life, SeaWorld officials said.

SeaWorld says the conservation move will have a positive impact because it serves millions of meals in the park each year. "SeaWorld is proud to be a responsible steward of the environment, not just here in our park, but in the oceans and the world we share,'' said John Reilly, president of the park. "We hope our actions will inspire others to take similar steps that, combined, can make a huge difference.''

The park stopped handing out plastic shopping bags two years ago. SeaWorld now uses bowls and plates made of molded fibers, flatware made of cornstarch and hot cups from recycled paper. All are biodegradable.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Relocating production of 31 items from Taiwan to Mainland China is prohibited. Ethylene was one of them. It has now been excluded from Taiwan’s list of those products, the production of which may be relocated to China in order to save costs. According to Plastemart, Taiwan's Executive Yuan or Cabinet decided on Sept. 16 to lift bans against ethylene plants and allow related production to be relocated to Mainland China. The possible reason could be that Taiwanese companies have experienced difficulties setting up gas and petrochemical plants at home, as they continue to be faced with opposition from local residents and environmentalists.

The Cabinet has decided that Taiwanese shareholders must retain over 50% stake in the mainland production facilities. The headquarters must be based in Taiwan and the company must not relocate its cash to China; furthermore the company must not lay off its Taiwan-based employees and Taiwan must be the priority market for the company's products.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Tbk has signed cooperation contract of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) for the construction of production facility of the Company's Naphtha Cracker with Toyo Engineering Corporation. According to Plastemart, the expansion will increase its Naphtha Cracker production capacity up to 43%. Among them is an increase in the production capacity of Ethylene up to 860,000 tpa from 600,000 tpa, propylene from 150,000 tpa to 470,000 tpa, Py-Gas by 120,000 tons to 400,000 tpa, and Mixed C4 by 95,000 tons to 315,000 tpa.

The production capacity expansion ill be conducted by adding furnaces, changing, and modifying major equipment in Company's plant located in Cilegon, Banten. The construction process ofNaphtha Cracker production facility is targeted to commence in Q3-2013 and will be completed and operating in Q4-2015. lnvestment cost for the expansion is estimated at US$380 million, with sources of funding from the combination of loan and equity.

MRC