Amcor launched new technology for rigid plastic containers

MOSCOW (MRC) -- A new technology that significantly simplifies the manufacture of rigid plastic containers has been launched by Australia’s Amcor (Hawthorn, Victoria), said Plasteurope.

"LiquiForm" uses the consumable liquid instead of compressed air to hydraulically form and fill the container, simultaneously combining both processes into one step. Described by Amcor as a breakthrough, the technology claims to cut operating costs by up to 25% as well as reduce manufacturing risk and provide greater flexibility in container design.

Managing director and CEO of Amcor, Ken MacKenzie, said: "I have been in the packaging industry for over 20 years and in my opinion "Liquiform" has the potential to be one of the most important breakthrough technologies in liquid packaging. This technology will transform the rigid plastic container manufacturing industry, providing significant benefits to all players throughout the value chain."

Amcor developed the “Liquiform” concept in 2006 and subsequently formed a joint venture which owns the patented technology. Amcor and Swiss beverage packaging provider Sidel (Hunenberg) own 50% each in the joint venture which will license "Liquiform" to machine manufacturers. Amcor estimates that the technology would be suitable for approximately 800 blow moulding and filling machines per year and the joint venture will target a significant portion of that annual demand for conversion to "Liquiform". The first full-scale operation is expected to be commercialised in two to three years.

Agreements have been signed with Sidel, Japan’s largest plastic bottle manufacturer, Yoshino Kogyosho (Tokyo/ Switzerland).

As MRC wrote before, Amcor Ltd. has entered into an agreement to buy an Indonesian flexible packaging business, Jakarta-based Bella Prima Packaging Ltd., for USD25.2 million.

Amcor Limited is an Australian-based multinational packaging company. It operates manufacturing plants in 42 countries. It is the world's largest manufacturer of plastic bottles.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Ufaorgsintez, owned by "United Petrochemical Company" (UPC), has shut production of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) for scheduled maintenance works, according to ICIS-MRC Price Reports.

Ufaorgsintez has begun a successive shutdown of its 90,000 tonnes/year LDPE production and 100,000 tonnes/year PP capacities for scheduled turnaround on 14, August. Maintenance works will last three weeks.

LDPE capacities will be shut in two stages. The second line of LDPE production (158 and 153 grades) will be on maintenance works from 15, August to 3, September. The first stage of LDPE capacities (108 grade) will be shut for the maintenances from 27, August to 24, September.

Ufaorgsintez OAO was founded in 1956 and is based in Ufa, Russia. As of January 22, 2010, Ufaorgsintez OAO operates as a subsidiary of Bashneft Joint Stock Oil Company. "United Petrochemical Company" (UPC) owns 87.76% of Ufaorgsintez"s registered capital. Bashneft sold Ufaorgsintez's stake to UPC in May 2013.

Ufaorgsintez OAO manufactures organic synthesis products in Russia and Europe. Its products include ethylene, propylene, ethanol, cumol, ethyl benzol, phenol, acetone, copolymer rubber, polyolefines, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene items, thinners, and dilutants. The plant's annual polypropylene (PP) production capacity is 100,000 tonnes. Ufaorgsintez's overall output of PE and PP totalled 51,300 tonnes and 73,800 tonnes, respectively, over the first seven months of 2014.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Tomskneftekhim (part of SIBUR) has resumed polypropylene (PP) production after a scheduled outage for maintenance, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

Tomskneftekhim began start-up works at its PP production on 14 August after the scheduled turnaround. The plant reached a stable PP production mode on Friday, 15 August. The shut down of the plant for maintenance took place on 20 July.

Earlier, on 9 August, Tomskneftekhim resumed production of low density polyethylene (LDPE) after a scheduled turnaround.

Tomskneftekhim is a subsidiary of SIBUR and one of the largest Russian producer of polymers - polypropylene (PP) and low density polyethylene (LDPE). The plant's annual LDPE and PP production capacity is 240,000 tonnes and 140,000 tonnes, respectively.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Phillips 66 and Chevron Phillips Chemical are teaming up with the Sweeny Independent School District in Texas to help fund the creation of a petrochemical academy, reported Hydrocarbonprocessing.

Phillips 66 and Chevron Phillips Chemical are making an initial combined contribution of USD1.6 million to the academy as part of their continued commitment to education and workforce development initiatives in the communities where they operate.

"I believe that the significant support from Phillips 66 and Chevron Phillips Chemical in developing our petrochemical academy relates well with the intent of House Bill 5 in that it will assist the district in preparing students to be career-ready," said Randy Miksch, superintendent of the Sweeny ISD.

"It is our hope that these educational and internship opportunities will help us produce highly qualified career-ready future employees for both Phillips 66 and Chevron Phillips Chemical."

The USD1.6 million combined contribution by Phillips 66 and Chevron Phillips Chemical will support the purchase of equipment, building renovations, and scholarships for juniors and seniors enrolled in Sweeny ISD and surrounding school systems. Subsequent contributions will be made in coming years to help cover ongoing maintenance and operation costs and additional equipment.

"We have significant growth plans for our operations in this region, so it’s exciting to know that students who enroll in classes at the academy will gain college-level skills before they even graduate high school," said Willie Tempton, manager of the Phillips 66 refinery in Sweeny. "That means a well-trained workforce for industry in our area and good paying jobs for young Texans looking for a career right here at home."

The petrochemical academy is expected to kick off classes with the start of the new school year on August 25.

As MRC informed previously, Chevron Phillips Chemical has recently announced the construction of a world-scale ethylene cracker in Baytown, Texas, two world-scale polyethylene reactors in Old Ocean, Texas and the start-up of the world’s largest 1-hexene facility in Baytown. The 1-hexene plant, capable of producing up to 250,000 tpy, is co-located with this expansion project at the Cedar Bayou plant. Chevron says the two plants will enjoy synergies as they both share the same infrastructure and workforce talent.

Chevron Phillips Chemical, headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas (north of Houston), USl is one of the world’s top producers of olefins and polyolefins and a leading supplier of aromatics, alpha olefins, styrenics, specialty chemicals, piping, and proprietary plastics. Chevron and Phillips 66 each own 50% of Chevron Phillips Chemical.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Celanese Corporation, a global technology and specialty materials company and a global leader in vinyl acetate ethylene (EVA) emulsions, has announced that Stefan Kutta, global director of the company's transportation business line, will relocate to the Celanese Shanghai, China, Asia headquarters where he will lead the company's transportation industry business line with a focus on the Asia region, reported the company on its site.

"The Asia region is experiencing impressive growth in a variety of industries, especially automotive," said Phil McDivitt, vice president and general manager of the Celanese engineered materials business. "We are well positioned in the region and are continuing to build a local network of technical and commercial resources to meet the needs of our global and local customers. Stefan will continue to lead the global transportation business line for Celanese, focusing on innovative growth in the transportation space and supporting customers in the region. This move reflects our commitment to grow this business in Asia."

Prior to his current role, Mr. Kutta held positions of increasing responsibility within Celanese in Europe and the United States, including European automotive director, global director for polyacetals, and as general manager of the company's acetate films business, Clarifoil.

Mr. Kutta has more than 15 years of global business experience in developing strategies and managing global sales and marketing programs, with key roles specific to the automotive industry. Mr. Kutta's educational background includes studies at Osnabruck in Germany, the University of Ireland in Limerick, and practical studies at Hoechst AG in Durban and Johannesburg, South Africa as well as Melbourne, Australia.

As MRC wrote before, Celanese Corporation has developed new emulsion products for architectural paints. The company has also expanded its product portfolio for the coatings and adhesives industries, including Celansese's solvents, vinyl acetate monomer, EVA polymers and emulsions. Thus, the company's new emulsion products - EcoVAE 450, Avicor 385 and Avicor 390 - represent solutions to many of the industry's issues including low-VOC primers, stain resistance and broad formulation latitude.

Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries and consumer applications. Based in Dallas, Texas, Celanese employs approximately 7,400 employees worldwide and had 2013 net sales of USD6.5 billion.
MRC