Blow molding demand for PP, HDPE should grow

MOSCOW (MRC) -- U.S. blow molding demand for polypropylene and high density polyethylene should grow this year over the 2013 levels, Joel Morales, said Plasticsnews, citing polyolefins director at IHS Chemical at the SPE Blow Molding Conference.

Morales said PP will grow 9.9% in 2014 for blow molding. HDPE will increase 3.2%.

IHS thinks PET for blow molding will remain flat. Morales said blow molded bottles are a small part of the overall PET demand. Polyester fiber for clothing is the biggest market. "China’s really driving this thing," he said.

Morales said the North American polyethylene market is "snug," and is awaiting announced new capacity in the coming years, as petrochemical companies take advantage of low-priced ethane feedstocks from lower priced natural gas unlocked by hydraulic fracturing.

"It’s been a tough year for blow molding PE resin availability," he said. "The market is tight."

IHS is based in Houston.

As MRC wrote before, Europe remains among the globe’s highest-cost production regions for chemicals. But the verge of losing its competitiveness, a robust supply of US ethane imports present an opportunity for some Western European producers, with a potential to radically transform region’s feedstock landscape. European producers are urged to innovate, further consolidate and rationalize to stay afloat, according to the report.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Styron, a global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, has announced that it is increasing prices of all products sold into the carpet, paper, and performance latex markets in North America and Latin America, reported the company on its site.

The increase will be USD0.03/dry lb. (0.033/wet kg) for all styrene butadiene and acrylic latex products. This increase will be effective December 1, 2014 or as contract terms permit.

"Styron is investing considerable resources into developing new technologies for its Latex markets while continuing to focus on maintaining its high level of expertise and service.This price increase is being driven by increases in raw materials and higher transportation costs, which have resulted in margin erosion. We must implement this price increase to continue to provide the high quality of products and service our customers receive from Styron," says Todd Crook, Styron Business Director, Americas Latex.

As MRC informed earlier, in early November 2014, Styron has implemented a price increase of EUR50 per dry metric ton for all styrene butadiene and acrylic latexes sold into the paper, carpet and performance markets in Europe, Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI), reported the company on its site.

Styron is a leading global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, dedicated to collaborating with customers to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions. Styron’s technology is used by customers in industries such as home appliances, automotive, building & construction, carpet, consumer electronics, consumer goods, electrical & lighting, medical, packaging, paper & paperboard, rubber goods and tires. Styron had approximately USD5.3 billion in revenue in 2013, with 19 manufacturing sites around the world, and approximately 2,100 employees.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Middle Eastern producers went on a decrease in high density polyethylene (HDPE) prices for CIS countries on the back of falling oil prices, according to ICIS-MRC Price Report.

Middle Eastern producers announced a significant decline in export HDPE prices for CIS countries on a considerable drop in oil prices. At the same time, offers from Middle Eastern producers are nit as attractive as HDPE prices from European producers.

Negotiations on Middle Eastern HDPE for November delivery began last week and continued this week. November deals for Middle Eastern HDPE were discussed in the range of USD1,470-1,500/tonne, CFR St Petersburg and CFR Odessa.

Russian companies said that due to the rouble devaluation and a sufficient supply from local producers, they refrained from the purchases of Middle Eastern HDPE in November.

Ukrainian companies reported that because of the limited export quotas for European material they had to buy needed volumes at Middle Eastern producers despite the higher price level.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Prices of Russian polyethylene terephthalate (PET) rose by an average of Rb1,000/tonne in the domestic market this week, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

Market participants said the November price rise was expected. The fall of the rouble exchange rate against the dollar led to an increase in purchase prices of imported PET. Local producers raised prices of PET chips, despite weak demand in the spot market.

PET prices were heard in the range of Rb64,000-65,000/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT, in the domestic market. However, some buyers reported the availability of PET quantities in the market at Rb62,000/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT, a week ago.

Sellers said the price increase was fully justified and was caused by both higher prices of imported PET (in roubles) and the increased production costs (for plants that use in their production imported PTA and MEG). At the same time, the price difference between Russian PET and Asian material was about Rb5,000/tonne.

Demand remained weak in the market because of high inventories of finished products at converters' warehouses and sluggish sales of water, soft drinks and beer in the low season. However, demand for Russian material has been recovering gradually due to attractive prices. Producers said they anticipate a further rise in prices for their products.

As reported earlier, subject to customs clearance (given the rouble exchange rate from Rb41 to Rb42.5 per USD1) and the payment of VAT, the cost of procurement of such chips could have been Rb68,000-73,500/tonne CPT, including VAT, .

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Dow Chemical has announced that it signed a definitive agreement under which ANGUS Chemical Co. will be sold to Golden Gate Capital for USD1.215 billion, reported Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2015, subject to completion of customary regulatory filings.

Dow had previously announced its intent to divest this business on Oct. 2. The divestiture aligns to Dow’s efforts to achieve its identified target of USD4.5 billion to USD6 billion in proceeds from shedding non-strategic assets and businesses by year-end 2015.

To date, Dow says it has achieved USD2.5 billion in proceeds designed to remunerate shareholders, reduce debt, and fund growth.

"With today’s announcement, Dow continues to demonstrate its rigorous focus on selectively shifting our portfolio away from assets that are no longer a strategic fit and optimizing their value," said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow’s CEO.

The divestiture of ANGUS includes the business headquarters and R&D facility in Buffalo Grove, Illinois; manufacturing facilities located in Sterlington, Louisiana, and Ibbenbueren, Germany; a packaging facility in Niagara Falls, New York; as well as the associated business, inventory, customer contracts, process technology, business know-how and certain intellectual property.

As MRC wrote before, in September 2014, Dow hired investment bankers including Morgan Stanley to sell its Angus Chemical Co. subsidiary in Buffalo Grove, Ill., as well as AgroFresh Inc.

ANGUS is the world's only chemical company dedicated to the manufacture and distribution of nitroalkanes and their derivatives, which are versatile additives and intermediates that help customers to enhance their products’ performance. Industries successfully using ANGUS’ products include paints and coatings, life sciences and biopharma, metalworking, personal care, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, oil & gas and many others.

The Dow Chemical Company is an American multinational chemical corporation. As of 2007, it is the second-largest chemical manufacturer in the world by revenue (after BASF) and as of February 2009, the third-largest chemical company in the world by market capitalization (after BASF and DuPont). Dow is a large producer of plastics, including polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, and synthetic rubber.
MRC