Hong Kong Petrochemical to shut down its PS plant in Q1 2015

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Hong Kong Petrochemical is likely to shut a polystyrene (PS) plant for maintenance turnaround, according to Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in Hong Kong informed that the plant is likely to be shut in Q1, 2015.

Located in Yuen Long industrial estate, Hong Kong, the plant has a production capacity of 140,000 mt/year.

As MRC reported previously, Hong Kong Petrochemical shut down its PS plant in Hong Kong informed for a 10-day maintenance turnaround on 10 February, 2014. Located in Yuen Long Industrial Estate, Hong Kong, the plant has a high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) capacity of 70,000 mt/year each.

Besides, in September 2014, Styron Hong Kong, an affiliate of Styron, the global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, shut down its PS plant in Hong Kong for a one-month maintenance turnaround. Located in Hong Kong, the plant has a production capacity of 200,000 mt/year.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Taiwan Styrene Monomer Corp (TSMC) is in plans to undertake a maintenance turnaround at its styrene monomer (SM) plant, as per Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in Taiwan informed that the plant is planned to be shut in Q3, 2015. It is likely to remain off-stream for around one month.

Located at Linyuan in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the plant has a production capacity of 180,000 mt/year.

As MRC informed previously, TSMC has extended the shutdown at its SM plant in Taiwan by another two weeks. It was shut on October 1, 2014 owing to technical issues. Located at in Yuan in Taiwan, the plant has a production capacity of 160,000 mt/year.

Besides, Styrindo Mono Indonesia (SMI) shut down its No.1 styrene monomer plant for maintenance turnaround in H2 November 2014. The plant is slated to be shut for around one month. Located in Merak, Indonesia, the plant has a production capacity of 100,000 mt/year.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Albemarle Corporation has announced that it plans to increase production capabilities of its curatives products at its facility in Pasadena, TX, USA, reported GV.

The capacity investment will support the company's Ethacure 100 liquid curative product for application in polyureas, urethanes and epoxies.

Albemarle's Ethacure 100 curatives are curing agents and chain extenders for polyurethane and polyurea elastomers, as well as epoxy resins, particularly in reaction injection moulding and spray applications. According to the manufacturer, these diamine curatives allow for adjustable reaction time and substantially reduce dust exposure while providing processing advantages and improved final product properties.

"We are excited to announce our plans for increased production at a robust production site," said Chris Knight, Albemarle's vice president, Specialty Chemicals. "This expansion will allow Albemarle to meet the needs of our customers by continuing to provide high quality products and customer service and will strengthen our position as a leading supplier in the curatives industry."

Production in the expanded facility is expected in 2015.

As MRC informed before, Albemarle and ICL have recently entered into an agreement to establish a manufacturing joint venture for the production of ICL's FR-122P polymeric flame retardant and Albemarle's GreenCrest polymeric flame retardant.

These flame retardants are designed to replace hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). HBCD has been the leading flame retardant used in expanded (EPS) and extruded (XPS) polystyrene foam applications, but is being phased out in the European Union (EU), Japan and other countries. The joint venture and its partners will own and operate a 2,400-tpy Netherlands plant, which is currently operating, and a 10,000-tpy Israel plant, which is scheduled to start operations in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals for consumer electronics, petroleum refining, utilities, packaging, construction, automotive/transportation, pharmaceuticals, crop protection, food-safety and custom chemistry services.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Mexichem, Mexican PVC and specialty chemicals maker, has announced that it completed the acquisition of Vestolit GmbH on 1 December 2014, reported Heraldonline.

Mexichem completed the acquisition after receiving all relevant regulatory approvals. Vestolit was acquired from funds managed by Strategic Value Partners LLC for a total purchase price of EUR219 million in cash and assumed liabilities.

As of 1 December, 2014, Vestolit will be consolidated under Mexichem’s chlorine-vinyl chain for accounting purposes.

Based in Marl, Germany, Vestolit is Europe’s only manufacturer of High Impact Suspension PVC (HIS-PVC) for weather-resistant windows and is Europe's second-largest producer of paste PVC for floors and wallpapers. Vestolit also produces alkyl-chlorides, a value-added intermediary used for a variety of chemical and industrial applications and is vertically integrated in a single site from Salt through Specialty PVC. Total installed PVC capacity is 415,000 tons per year.

Mexichem views this transaction as an opportunity to expand its European footprint, enter a new market segment and acquire new technology and best practices.

Vestolit will continue to operate under its current management and with its existing portfolio of branded products.

As MRC wrote previously, in August 2014, Mexichem announced that it had reached an agreement to acquire Dura-Line Corp. from CHS Capital for a total of USD630 million in cash and assumed liabilities, advancing Mexichem’s strategy of global growth in high-end specialty products. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Dura-Line is a global leader in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) conduit, duct and pressure-pipe solutions for telecom and data communications, energy and infrastructure industries. Dura-Line has manufacturing facilities in North America, India, Oman, Europe, and South Africa.

Mexichem, of Tlalnepantla, an industrial municipality close to Mexico City, is Latin America’s largest manufacturer of PVC pipe, vinyl resins and compounds. The company has annual revenues of more than USD5 billion and has been listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange for more than 30 years.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The tire industry has urged the government to take decisive measures against the anti-dumping and countervailing duties imposed on tires imported from China after the United States Department of Commerce claimed on 24 Nov. 2014 that Chinese manufacturers benefited from government subsidies, according to GV.

The US government said tires for passenger cars and light trucks produced in China were unfairly subsidized and should be subject to punitive tariffs ranging from 17.7% to 81.3%, depending on the manufacturer.

Fan Rende, honorary chairman of the Beijing-based China Rubber Industry Association, said US tire makers are aware that high labor and material costs are the biggest obstacles to generate profit. The move shows that the US is adopting a tough stance on China’s tire industry.

The association is discussing solutions and appealing to the government to take measures to protect the interest of Chinese tire makers in the US market.

As MRC reported earlier, on 8 September 2014, China ended its anti-dumping duties on styrene-butadiene-rubber (SBR) imports from Russia, Japan, and South Korea, effective Monday. In 2009, China extended its 4-38% anti-dumping duties on SBR imported from the countries by five years. The tax expired in September, and the ministry has been reviewing whether to extend it. The ministry said the domestic industry urged it not to continue imposing the anti-dumping duty and, therefore, it decided not to continue it.
MRC