Arkema announces new blowing agent for polyurethane foams

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Arkema, a France-based chemical manufacturer, has announced commercialization in 2014 of Forane 1233zd, a new molecule for use as a low global warming potential (GWP) blowing agent for polyurethane foams, reported the company on its site.

Arkema has patented the use of Forane 1233zd as a blowing agent in the manufacture of polyurethane
foams. Forane 1233zd blowing agent provides exceptional energy performance and environmental benefits
over existing blowing agents, such as HCFC, HFC, and hydrocarbon molecules.

As a leading refrigerant gas and liquid blowing agent producer with global reach, Arkema is adapting to a world of ongoing regulatory changes, seeking for competitive, environmental-friendly solutions, and eager to bring effective support and dedication to its customers.

Fundamental to this commitment is Arkema’s wellestablished strategy to bring next-generation, low GWP technology to its global markets. The development of the Forane 1233zd blowing agent, in addition to Arkema’s recent announcement of planned production for the next-generation refrigerant, HFO-1234yf, are the latest milestones in this strategy.

Forane 1233zd blowing agent is a liquid, non-ozone depleting, non-flammable, high performance blowing
agent with a global warming potential of 7. Its target markets include polyurethane foams used in the manufacture of household refrigerators and freezers, commercial refrigeration, spray foam, and polyurethane panels for commercial and residential building and construction applications.

As MRC wrote previously, this summer, Arkema announced a comprehensive range of PEKK (Poly Ether Ketone Ketone) ultra high performance polymers comprised of three families of products whose properties meet the requirements of aerospace, oil exploration and electronics applications. These new materials significantly expand Arkema’s high performance materials offerings to high added value markets.

Arkema is a leading European supplier of chlorochemicals and PVC. Kynar and Kynar Flex are registered trademarks of Arkema Inc. As MRC reported previously, Moody's Investors Service had upgraded Arkema S.A.'s senior unsecured rating to Baa2 from Baa3. The outlook on the rating was changed to stable from positive.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - September of imports of polycarbonate (PC-granulate) to Russia grew by 68% compared to the August level to 4,600 tonnes, according to MRC DataScope report.

The largest suppliers of PC to Russia in September remained Sabic Innovative Plastics with 63,3% of total imports and Bayer Material Science AG with share of imports 18.2%. The supplies of Chi Mei Samsung and Cheil Industries also increased over the reported period.
The main consumers of PC granulate in Russia at the moment are two companies - "Samsung Electronics Rus Kaluga" (production of household and electrical) and "SafPlast" (production of PC sheets).

Imports of PC-granulate to Russia totalled 23,600 tonnes in January-September 2013, which is almost half as much than the volume of imports during the same period in 2012.

MRC analysts expect that imports of PC-granulate to increase in the autumn-winter period. According to statistics, about 40% of imported to Russia PC is used for the production of polycarbonate sheets.

PC-sheets are widely used in the construction sector.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- European polystyrene (PS) producers have reduced October contract prices for high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) by EUR70-85/tonne, including buyers from the CIS countries, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

Lower import prices in the local market went down following falling prices for styrene monomer (SM). As reported previously, October SM prices dropped by EUR92/tonne from September. New contract SM prices are EUR1,450/tonne FOB ARA (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp).

European producers have made concessions to buyers this month amid decreased production costs and weaker demand in the PS market in September. At the same time, PS consumers in Europe said prices for HIPS and GPPS dropped not as much as SM prices.

Despite lower prices, demand in Europe remained at the same level and did not meet sellers' expectations. Many converters use stock residues. Buyers are waiting for further price reductions to boost purchases.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The talks between INEOS Grangemouth (UK) and Unite the Union opened at 1.00p.m. on Tuesday 15th October and closed at 6.00a.m. on Wednesday 16th, as the Union had agreed to cancel the current industrial action and proposed strike, reported the company on its site.

INEOS, in its turn, had agreed to restart all plants as quickly as possible provided that the Union agreed not to take further industrial action before the end of March.

The Union had refused, offering a limit of a 24-hour strike per month during Q1 2014. This was not acceptable to INEOS, due to the significant safety risk (especially in the winter months) of having to shut down and restart plants multiple times.

INEOS had asked the Union to stop the wave of protest actions against INEOS’s customers, suppliers and financial lenders. The Union had refused.

INEOS had agreed to follow a proper consultation process for the changes to Terms and Conditions that it had announced in its Survival Plan and had committed to fully engage with the Union and to involve ACAS.

INEOS had asked the Union to accept that the Site is in serious financial distress. The Union had refused.

The Union had offered to drop the dispute over Mr Deans entirely and had agreed that the Company could continue its investigation without further interference. In addition the Union had agreed there would be no further industrial action over this matter regardless of outcome.

The Union had asked that INEOS withdraw its defamation claim against Unite. INEOS had agreed provided that the Union issue an apology for the defamatory statements. The Union had refused.

As MRC wrote previously, the Grangemouth site employs 1,400 people, including 700 at the petchem operations. Ineos under its ‘survival plan’ proposal is seeking to reduce the number of workers at the petchem operations by an unspecified number and make changes to the pension benefits. The proposed job cuts would not affect the refining operations, which are run by a joint venture between Ineos and PetroChina.

INEOS Group Limited is a privately owned multinational chemicals company consisting of 15 standalone business units, headquartered in Rolle, Switzerland and with its registered office in Lyndhurst, United Kingdom. It is the fourth largest chemicals company in the world measured by revenues (after BASF, Dow Chemical and LyondellBasell) and the largest privately owned company in the United Kingdom.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, has successfully expanded production capacity for Houdry dehydrogenation catalysts at its Louisville/Kentucky, USA plant, reported the company on its site.

The double-digit million Swiss francs debottlenecking investment will support increasing demand for Houdry catalysts driven mainly by shale gas development. The facility will come on-stream in mid-October 2013 as planned.

Houdry dehydrogenation catalysts are used in the petrochemical industry to produce C3- and C4-olefins (including butadiene) from light paraffin using the CATOFIN and CATADIENE technologies, which are licensed through CB&I, one of the world’s leading engineering, procurement and construction companies and a major process technology licensor.

CATOFIN technology and catalyst correspond to a reliable and less complex production process for on-purpose olefins/butadiene production with efficient energy consumption. New generations of catalysts with significant performance improvement have been commercialized successfully in the last few years. CATOFIN technology has been selected by 32 licensees worldwide and is in operation in 12 units today, including the largest propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit currently in operation with a capacity exceeding 500,000 tpa. Over the last four years, 15 new plants have been licensed. A 600,000 tpa CATOFIN PDH unit will start operation in 2013, while a 750,000 tpa CATOFIN PDH will start up in 2015. The CATOFIN process offers superior selectivity, on-stream efficiency and revamp potential.

Stefan Heuser, Senior Vice President, Head of BU Catalysts at Clariant comments: "Increasing production capacity for our proprietary, high-performance Houdry catalysts is an important part of Clariant’s growth strategy to capture opportunities driven by shale gas development which creates significant need for on-purpose olefin production. With vast experience gained over decades to support our customers in achieving reliable operation, Clariant is well positioned to serve this market".

As MRC wrote previously, Clariant has recently introduced AddWorks, its new brand for polymer additives solutions. It consists of: AddWorks, application oriented solutions specifically designed by segments of the plastics industry
AddWorks LXR, a new range of polymer additives designed to provide particular effects in a wide variety of applications.

Clariant AG is a Swiss chemical company and a world leader in the production of specialty chemicals for the textile, printing, mining and metallurgical industries. It is engaged in processing crude oil products in pigments, plastics and paints.
MRC