Total to shut down permanently HDPE line in Belgium

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Total, Europe’s third-largest oil company, is in plans to permanently shut its high density polyethylene (HDPE) line, as per Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in Belgium informed that the line is planned to be shut by this year-end. The plant will be shut permanently owing to weak margins which have arisen on account of cheap imports in the region.

Located at Antwerp in Belgium, the line has a production capacity of 70,000 mt/year.

As MRC informed earlier, Total, Europe’s third-largest oil company, intends to invest EUR160m before 2016 to adapt its petrochemical platform in Carling, in the Lorraine region of eastern France, and to restore its competitiveness.

Total S.A. is a French multinational oil and gas company and one of the six "Supermajor" oil companies in the world with business in Europe, the United States, the Middle East and Asia. The company's petrochemical products cover two main groups: base chemicals and the consumer polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene) that are derived from them.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Traders have raised prices of imported Asian expandable polystyrene (EPS) on the back of higher purchase prices of material caused by the exchange rate difference and strong demand in the local market, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

Sellers said a shortage remained in the market, companies had to get customs clearance for new quantities at a higher exchange rate. Strong demand and the devaluation trend in the foreign currency market have led to higher prices.

EPS prices of Loyal (China) were heard in the range of Rb96,000-100,000/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT, in the central region. Traders said it was difficult to anticipate demand trend and it would be possible to say next week whether the price will be accepted by the market.

Prices of Korean EPS of LG were in the range of Rb105,000-107,000/tonne, CPT Moscow, including VAT.

At the same time, import prices CIF St Petersburg in dollars were reduced by Chinese suppliers this week.

As reported earlier, SIBUR had increased its November prices for the domestic market by Rb2,000/tonne, including VAT. November prices for the export market were not adjusted.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Arkema, a chemicals world major, CEA, a research public body in energy and technological innovation, and Arjowiggins Creative Papers, the world leader in technical paper, have set up the first European initiative to promote collaborative innovation in the field of printed electronics, said Arkema on its site.

Arkema offers a range of materials specifically for printed electronics, in particular through its subsidiary Piezotech. This unique range of electroactive inks provides solutions to the various requirements of the actuators and sensors industry. Meanwhile, Arjowiggins Creative Papers has developed a unique paper substrate technology for organic electronics. And finally, CEA provides support with its design tools as well as its PICTIC1 technological research and prototyping platform to validate and develop large area printing technologies in low-cost and flexible electronics.

The Open Innovation for Sensors and Actuators (OIS&A) initiative is underpinned by this unique partnership that pools all three players together in substrate, materials, and integration and design technologies, with a view to offering a comprehensive ecosystem to end-users eager to demonstrate new applications and develop new products in printed electronics. Original components and systems can be designed and demonstrated quickly by making full use of the partners’ infrastructure and know-how and by sharing R&D costs.

"Arkema develops high added value high performance materials, and our collaboration with CEA in the field of printed organic electronics addresses this challenge" explains Ian Cayrefourq, Emerging Technologies Director at Arkema. "We are launching this initiative with CEA and Arjowiggins Creative Papers in order to initially expand the scope of applications of our piezoelectric, pyroelectric and electroactive PVDF-based polymer materials developed by our subsidiary Piezotech."

As MRC informed previously, in early 2014, Arkema announced the construction of a new organic peroxide plant on its Changshu site in China. This investment will help double the site’s production capacity. By doubling its production capacity in China, Arkema will continue to support the strong growth in the organic peroxide market in Asia, a region in which the Group is also a producer in India, South Korea and Japan. The new Changshu plant is due to come on stream in early 2016.

Arkema with annual revenue of EUR6.1 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) -- PolyOne Corporation, a premier global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, has reported its third quarter results, as per the company's report.

As previously announced, the Ccmpany exited certain unprofitable products associated with the Spartech acquisition and operations in Brazil. These actions, coupled with recent weakness in Europe, resulted in revenues of USD958 million for the third quarter of 2014, compared to USD1.01 billion in the third quarter of 2013.

As a result of mix improvement and accelerated Spartech synergies, adjusted earnings per share increased 36% to USD0.49 for the third quarter of 2014, up from USD0.36 in the third quarter of 2013.

"Each of our strategic platforms delivered another outstanding quarter of both operating income and margin expansion," said Robert M. Patterson, president and chief executive officer. "Despite softer macroeconomic conditions in Europe, we achieved record-setting third quarter results. I am extremely pleased to report this marks our 20th consecutive quarter of strong double-digit adjusted earnings per share growth. Over this five year period, adjusted EPS has expanded at a 27% compounded annual growth rate."

Mr. Patterson continued, "We have never lost sight of the fundamental principles of our transformation, and we continue to deliver on our goals. By putting our customers first and investing in innovation, we have developed a full suite of specialty offerings unmatched in the industry. Today, 43% of our specialty revenues now come from products introduced in the last five years."

"As we focus on helping our customers grow, we are not reluctant to replace existing business with new technology. Our commitment to this strategy is unwavering. Our mix of earnings has never been stronger or more sustainable, and this has translated into market-beating performance for our shareholders," added Mr. Patterson.

Executive vice-president and chief financial officer Bradley C. Richardson said, "Our focus on working capital management and conversion of our accelerating earnings drove USD71 million in free cash flow, giving us USD264 million in cash as of September 30, 2014. During the quarter, we leveraged our strong financial position to continue to invest in innovation, realign assets supporting our specialty portfolio and repurchase 1.5 million shares."

Commenting on the company's outlook, Mr. Patterson said, "While our first half 2014 performance included solid growth in Europe, we experienced declining demand from customers in this region during the third quarter. With heightened geopolitical concerns and macroeconomic weakness, we view European business conditions as a headwind for the remainder of the year and going into 2015." Mr. Patterson continued, "Fortunately, we have a proven strategy, a relentless focus on execution and an outstanding management team aligned with achieving our 2015 goals. I have confidence that we will overcome the challenges in Europe, and we expect to deliver strong double-digit adjusted EPS growth in the fourth quarter and beyond."

As MRC informed earlier, 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, with 2013 revenues of USD3.8 billion, 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.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Negotiations on November contract prices for Russian polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are difficult.
Despite a significant price rise for imported PVC, competition in the domestic market made Russian producers to cut their prices significantly, according to ICIS-MRC Price Report.

Negotiations on November contracts for Russian PVC began in mid-October. Rouble devaluation led to a serious increase in the price for imported material, particularly for Chinese acetylene PVC. However, this factor did not have a serious impact on the market.

After the launch of RusVinyl competition in the local market seriously increased, which benefited to converters.
Winter is a traditionally difficult season for PVC sales. But this year the situation is aggravated by the growth in PVC supply, when converters traditionally reduce the volume of purchases. Given this difficult conditions, Russian producers went for significant concessions.

Last week deals for November deliveries of Russian PVC were done in the range of Rb49,000-51,500/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT, down on average of Rb2,000/tonne, compared with the level of October and significantly lower from the price for Chinese acetylene PVC. Nevertheless, some Russian converters were in no hurry to agree deals for the November delivery, hoping to achieve a bigger price cuts.

MRC