BASF and top Asian universities establish joint research network

MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF, the world's largest petrochemical producer, has established the research initiative "Network for Advanced Materials Open Research" (NAO) together with seven leading universities and research institutes in China, Japan and South Korea, reported the company on its site.

The scientists aim to cooperate in developing new materials for a wide range of applications. The initial focus is on products for the automotive, construction, detergent and cleaners industries as well as the water and wind energy industries.

"The initiative is a further important step in BASF’s strategy to expand global research activities," said Dr. Christian Fischer, President Advanced Materials and Systems Research. BASF plans to conduct 50% of its research activities by 2020 outside of Europe - one quarter in Asia Pacific.

BASF has also launched similar initiatives around the world, the "Joint Research Network on Advanced Materials and Systems" (JONAS) in Europe, as well as the "North America Center for Research on Advanced Materials" (NORA).

Initial research projects have already been launched across the region and others are in preparation. One example at Hanyang University in South Korea is the development of a modelling tool to predict the aging properties of composite systems used in the wind industry. A project currently in progress at Fudan University in Shanghai is the development of novel coating systems based on hybrid materials.

MRC informed previously that, as part of BASF's major innovation investment in China, the company opened in November 2013 the first Innovation Campus Asia Pacific and its new Greater China headquarters at its site in Pudong, Shanghai. The investment amounts to EUR 55 million. With this expansion the company's site will be one of BASF's largest outside of Germany. The further expansion of the facility is also planned.

BASF is the leading chemical company. It produces a wide range of chemicals, for example solvents, amines, resins, glues, electronic-grade chemicals, industrial gases, basic petrochemicals and inorganic chemicals. The most important customers for this segment are the pharmaceutical, construction, textile and automotive industries.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Indonesia is set to see a likely influx of at least USD7 billion in new investment in the petrochemical sector in the next three years as the domestic industry tries to keep pace with rising demand, according to an industry association, as reported by Plastemart with reference to JakartaGlobe.

The director for Indonesian Olefin, Aromatic and Plastic Industry Association, said the investment will be made to expand domestic production capacity, which in turn could curb imports that rose to around USD8 bln last year. This investment would translate to 30-50% growth in the industry.

By 2020, Indonesia is expected to reduce petrochemical imports to zero. Indonesia produced 1.75 million tons of petrochemical products last year, while consumption was 3.5 million tons, with the difference filled by exports, according to data from the association.

Among the major expansion plans are Chandra Asri, which has earmarked USD965 mln to invest by 2015, and state-owned energy company, Pertamina, which has a joint venture agreement with Thailand’s PTT Global Chemical to build a USD5 bln petrochemical facility in Indonesia.

As MRC wrote earlier, in July 201, German petrochemical company Ferrostaal Industrial Projects GmbH and Jakarta-listed PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical, the country’s largest petrochemical producer, agreed to work on studies for the development of a petrochemical plant. Under an agreement, Ferrostaal and Chandra Asri will develop a methanol-based olefin production complex in Teluk Bintuni in West Papua, with a total investment amounting to USD1.89 billion.The complex is expected to produce up to 400,000 tonnes of polypropylene and 175,000 tonnes of ethylene annually.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Eastman Chemical Company has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Commonwealth Laminating & Coating, Inc, as per the company's press release.

The company, which had 2013 sales revenue of approximately USD100 million, is an independent manufacturer and global marketer and distributor of window films and specialty films for automotive, architectural, and protective applications. The acquisition will include Commonwealth’s manufacturing facility and master distribution center in Martinsville, VA, and nine sales distribution centers that serve the global market.

"With Commonwealth, Eastman extends our performance films global offerings for solar control window film and protective film applications. Adding Commonwealth supports our strategy of providing targeted and effective product, brand, and service solutions to meet the specific needs of our global, diverse customers and end-users," said Brad Lich, executive vice president.

With the addition of Commonwealth’s expertise, paint protection technology, brand and channels, and experienced workforce, Eastman expects continued growth in its performance films products. Subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, the acquisition is expected to be completed in the second half of 2014. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Following the completion of the transaction, the acquired business will become part of Eastman's Advanced Materials segment.

As MRC informed previuosly, Eastman Chemical Company has recently enhanced its medical packaging portfolio with Eastalite copolyester, the company’s first opaque offering, which is styrene-free and can be a sustainable alternative to high-impact polystyrene (HIPS). The material complements the company’s other medical packaging copolyester offerings: Eastman Eastar 6763 and Tritan MP100.

Eastman (headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA) is a global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With a portfolio of specialty businesses, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. Its market-driven approaches take advantage of world-class technology platforms and leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- South African petrochemicals group Sasol Ltd is keen to invest in a domestic shale industry once it gets off the ground, said Reuters.

Fracking in the region might tap what is believed to be some of the world's biggest reserves of the energy source and the government wants to develop an industry that it sees as a potential game-changer in Africa's largest economy.

Shell has applied for an exploration licence and once all of the new regulations are in place it is expected to be near the front of the line.

Sasol Chief Executive David Constable said the company wanted to take part. "We are really interested in what is going in the Shell block and would love to farm in or take a piece of it. Shell is issuing profit warnings and pulling back capex right now," he said.

Shell said in January that it planned to cut capital spending to USD37 billion this year from USD46 billion in 2013, following a profit warning.

Constable said the government should take Shell's strategy into account.

Fracking involves pumping pressurised water, chemicals and sand underground to release gas trapped in shale formations and the prospect of it occurring in the semi-arid and sparsely-populated Karoo region, known for its big skies and scenery, has raised concerns anong conservationists.

Constable said Sasol's experience in British Columbia would enable the company to carry out the process "in an environmentally friendly fashion."

As MRC informed before, Sasol reported it is making progress on the engineering and design of its Westlake complex, a multibillion-dollar project that includes an ethane cracker and a facility to turn natural gas into diesel in southwest Louisiana. The company expects to reach a final decision on whether to proceed with the ethane cracker sometime this year, and the gas-to-liquids facility 18 to 24 months afterward. The complex’s cost has been estimated at USD16 billion to USD21 billion.

Sasol Limited is an integrated energy and chemical company that began in Sasolburg, South Africa in 1950. It develops and commercialises technologies and builds and operates world-scale facilities to produce a range of product streams including liquid fuels, chemicals.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- PolyOne Corporation, a premier global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, has introduced two new formulations for automotive interior surfaces and instrument panels, reported the company on its site.

Thus, two novelties include Geon VBX 3577 vinyl powder for automotive interior surfaces and Geon VBX 3600 series for instrument panels with seamless airbags. Both formulations can deliver cycle time reduction benefits, allowing processors to improve profitability while meeting tough low-temperature OEM performance requirements for slush-molded automotive interior parts.

"These formulations were specifically developed to help automotive tier suppliers improve operating efficiencies in a challenging business environment," said James Petrie, marketing director, PolyOne Color and Additives. "These new materials can improve our customers’ profitability by boosting production rates and lowering total system costs."

VBX 3577 is designed to provide production efficiency improvements for all automotive interior surfaces that require -30°C temperature performance.

VBX 3600 is formulated to meet strict OEM safety standards for instrument panels that require airbag deployment ratings below -36°C. Both new solutions are available now to customers around the world.

As MRC informed previously, in February 2014, PolyOne Corporation announced the addition of new capabilities to its OnColor HC Plus portfolio. These expanded offerings add medical-grade LDPE, nylon, PEBA, PS and PVC to the globally available palette of specialty healthcare colorants, and are pre-certified to meet or exceed biocompatibility requirements for ISO 10993 and/or USP Class VI protocols.

PolyOne Corporation is a global provider of specialized polymer materials, services, and solutions. PolyOne is a provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions with operations in specialty polymer formulations, color and additive systems, polymer distribution and specialty vinyl resins.
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