SOCAR commissions new storage facilities

MOSCOW (MRC) -- SOCAR's Azerkimya production association has commissioned new storage facilities for the nitrogen- oxygen complex at the ethylene- polyethylene plant, as per the company's statement.

The new facilities consist of 16 storage tanks. In case of ceasing the nitrogen-oxygen unit's activity, it will provide ethylene production by high and low pressure nitrogen within 20-28 hours, SOCAR reported.

Commissioning of new storage facilities will ensure rational, stable and reliable operation of EP- 300 and Polimir- 120 facilities.

As MRC wrote previously, in September 2013, SOCAR announced production of polypropylene and polyethylene of high density in Sumgait will launch in 2016. The construction of two new plants for the production of polypropylene and polyethylene of high density will complete in 2015.

SOCAR includes Azneft (production association of enterprises producing oil and gas onshore and offshore) and Azerkimya (production association of chemical industry enterprises) and Azerigaz (production association dealing with gas distribution). The company also includes a number of processing enterprises, service enterprises and institutions dealing with geophysical and drilling operations. SOCAR also has assets in Europe and Turkey (Petkim). Petkim is the leading petrochemical company of Turkey. Specializing in petrochemical manufacturing, the company produces ethylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene and other chemical building blocks for use in the manufacture of plastics, textiles, and other consumer and industrial products.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Arkema, a France-based chemical manufacturer, is increasing the price from 4 to 5% depending solvent product range, from 1st of April 2014 excluding existing contractual obligations, reported the company on its site.

Diacetone Alcool (DAA), Methyl IsoButylKetone (MIBK), MethyI IsoButylCarbinol (MIBC), Mesityl Oxide (OM), Hexylene Glycol (HG), Hexasol and Isophorone (IPHO) are concerned.

Arkema's oxygenated solvents are mainly used in formulations and synthesis in various applications such as fragrances, coatings, personal care, agrochemicals, pharmaceutical and mining.

As MRC wrote before, Arkema increased the price by 6% from April 1, 2014 on its amines range. Thus, the price increase will be applied to the following products:

- N,N-diethylhydroxylamine 85% in solution (DHEA 85%);
- ethylamine range: monoethylamine 70% in solution (MEA 70%), diethylamine (DEA) and triethylamine (TEA).

These products are used as synthesis intermediates or active ingredients in many applications and industry sectors (pharmacy, fine chemicals, polymers, water treatment, coatings, etc.)

Arkema with annual revenue of EUR6.4 billion is a leading European supplier of chlorochemicals and PVC. Kynar and Kynar Flex are registered trademarks of Arkema Inc. Arkema operates 11 organic peroxide plants on the three continents.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- European polypropylene (PP) producers have announced price increases for April deliveries to the CIS markets by EUR10-30/tonne from March, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

The April contract price of propylene in Europe was agreed by EUR10/tonne higher compared with the March level. However, European producers announced price increases for April PP shipments, citing not only rising feedstock costs, but also export quota restrictions.

Deals for European homopolymers of propylene (homopolymer PP) were negotiated this week in the range of EUR1,175-1,250/tonne FCA. Offer prices for block copolymers of propylene (PP-impact) started from EUR1,240/tonne FCA.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Taiwan's Formosa Plastics Corp (FPC), the nation’s largest producer of polyvinyl chloride, is in plans to shut a caustic soda plant for maintenance turnaround, according to Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in Taiwan informed that the plant is likely to be shut in H1, 2014. However, a definite schedule for the closure could not be confirmed.

Located in Mailiao, Taiwan, the plant has a production capacity of 1.3 million dry metric tonne (DMT)/year.

As MRC reported earlier, FPC is considering building a factory to make 1.2 million tonnes of ethylene a year in the US state of Louisiana, using shale gas. The company did not disclose how much it might invest because it needs to conduct further studies to evaluate the project. The company plans to process ethylene and propylene in the US instead of shipping these products to Asia, because of the high cost of transporting them.

Formosa Petrochemical is involved primarily in the business of refining crude oil, selling refined petroleum products and producing and selling olefins (including ethylene, propylene, butadiene and BTX) from its naphtha cracking operations. Formosa Petrochemical is also the largest olefins producer in Taiwan and its olefins products are mostly sold to companies within the Formosa Group. Among the company's chemical products are paraxylene (PX), phenyl ethylene, acetone and pure terephthalic acid (PTA). The company"s plastic products include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resins, polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) and panlite (PC).
MRC