Dow expands CONTINUUM polyethylene resin family

(PR Newswire) -- The Dow Chemical Company has expanded the availability of CONTINUUM EP High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resins. This new generation of bimodal HDPE resins bridges the gap between conventional unimodal and bimodal HDPEs by offering the potential for enhanced performance, processing, and profits in blow molded bottle and drum applications. The resin was initially introduced in 2009 and, with customer testing complete, is now commercially available.


The CONTINUUM EP product family currently includes two bimodal resins: CONTINUUM EP-6630 HDPE for blow molded bottles and XDMDA-6670 EP HDPE for large blow molded parts such as drums.


The dramatically enhanced environmental stress crack resistance of these resins offers the potential for significantly improved performance in existing applications and equivalent or better performance in lightweighted containers.

MRC


BP may pay billions for `missed signals' that led to disaster

(Bloomberg) -- BP Plc remains at risk for billions of dollars in fines and legal costs even after a U.S. commission said safety wasn't sacrificed for profit in the weeks and days leading up to the worst U.S. offshore oil spill.


The presidential panel said yesterday it found no evidence so far that BP, operator of the Gulf of Mexico well that erupted in April and spewed 4.9 million barrels of crude, intentionally jeopardized safety to cut costs. The catastrophe stemmed from ⌠several very human decisions made by competent persons who missed signals, said William Reilly, co-chairman of the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.


The panel's finding contradicted allegations by environmental groups, lawmakers and a joint U.S. Coast Guard- Interior Department board that BP cut corners to rein in costs and pressured employees to accelerate work on the Macondo project in the Gulf.


The London-based energy producer still may be held liable in civil and criminal courts, said David Uhlmann, a University of Michigan law professor. ⌠BP has a broader corporate culture that does put profits ahead of safety, and that message permeates throughout the company and down through the rank and file, Uhlmann said in a telephone interview. ⌠BP will still have to pay tens of billions of dollars in natural resources damages and compensation to victims for economic losses.


MRC


Gulf stabilizers to increase its NDB capacity

(Arabian Oil and Gas) -- Gulf stabilizers industries is expecting to commissioning its fourth expansion project of its non dust blends (NDB) plant during the first half 2011, according to Baker Khan, general manager of Gulf Stabilizers Industries, the only producer of antioxidants and NDB in the Middle East.


Currently, the company produces 10,000t/y of NDB, and is adding 6000 t/y by 2011. ⌠Upon completion, our total capacity will reach 16,000 tonne per year of NDB, said the general manager of the Saudi based company.


The antioxidants are added to various polymerization processing units along with other desired additives. Meanwhile, NDB is a blend of antioxidants and other desired additives.


MRC


India & China halt anti-dumping levy on KSA goods

(Arabian Oil and Gas) -- India has suspended its anti-dumping taxes on the import of Saudi polypropylene products, according to Mohamed Al Mady, CEO of SABIC.


The move follows intense efforts made by the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with Saudi exporting companies to change the Indian stance on the matter.


India recently imposed a tax of over 22% on Saudi polypropylene. India made the decision to levy the tax in June 2009 on a preliminary basis and in August 2010 on a final basis.


MRC


Sibur launched EPS, ethylbenzene and styrene production

(Sibur) -- Today the company Sibur-Khimprom held a ceremonial launch for three interrelated products - Alphapor ethylbenzene, styrene and expandable polystyrene. The total investment in the renovation and construction of new capacity was more than 8 billion rubles.


The reconstruction of the styrene production facility gave an increase in productivity of 100,000 tonnes per year to 135,000 tonnes per year. During reconstruction, production was transferred to vacuum dehydration thereby reducing consumption of the raw material - ethylbenzene, as well as reducing energy consumption.


The new production of Alphapor expandable polystyrene with a capacity of 50,000 tonnes was built by the Austro-Norwegian technology company Sunpor. The new product of European quality will be produced in Russia for the first time.


All the brands of expandable polystyrene meet stringent European standards for fire safety, grain composition, density and physical-mechanical characteristics. The brands of expandable polystyrene designed for the manufacture of building insulation will necessarily contain flame retardants preventing the spread of fire.


MRC