March prices of Chinese TiO2 dropped in the Russian market

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Traders will reduce their March spot prices of titanium dioxide (TiO2) for the Russian domestic market by USD60-100/tonne from February. Traders will reduce prices on the back of weak demand in the market, high carryovers and new quantities of material that have been entering the market, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

Spot prices of Chinese TiO2 will drop to USD2,900/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT, in March.

The strengthening of the rouble also contributed to reductions in TiO2 prices in roubles in Russia. At present, traders mostly announce their prices in dollars. Buyers pay for the goods in roubles at the exchange rate at the time of payment.

Some traders still reported large stocks of pigment imported in late 2014 and early 2015. Traders are trying to sell material at the old prices. Offer prices of these residues were heard in the range of USD3,000/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT.

According to ICIS-MRC Price report, last week's prices of Asian TiO2 were at USD2,962-3,064/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT, in the spot market.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Evonik Industries has announced a price increase in Europe for products under the brand TEGO for the coatings and printing inks industry up to 5%, effective April 1st, 2015, as per the company's press release.

This increase will apply to all orders on or after this date, unless otherwise contractually agreed.

This price adjustment is necessary to secure sustainable supply.

Evonik’s Coating Additives Business Line remains committed to continue the high level of innovation and service that customers have come to expect.

Under the TEGO brand Evonik offers the coatings & printing inks industry a unique range of products.

As MRC informed before, Evonik Industries is paving the way for a new technology whose applications include automotive finishes that are more scratch-resistant than ever before. The specialty chemicals company has developed an industrial-scale method for producing silane-modified binders for automotive finishes. The advantage of these silane-modified binders: silane groups increase crosslinking density, making it possible to create automotive finishes that are flexible yet harder, leading to improved scratch resistance.

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2013 more than 33,500 employees generated sales of around EUR12.9 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about EUR2.0 billion.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The market for polymer nanocomposites in terms of value is expected to cross USD5100 mln by 2020, growing at a significant CAGR from 2014 to 2019, as per MarketsandMarkets, reported Plastemart.

The demand of light weight automotive parts has given an edge to polymer nanocomposites due to its high strength and light weight properties. The use of polymer nanocomposites enabled automotive parts reduction in light weight vehicles, improved engine efficiency, reduction in CO2 emissions and superior performance. The automotive industry can benefit from polymer nanocomposites in several applications such as powertrain, suspension and breaking systems, exhaust systems and catalytic converters, lubrication, tires and body parts.

The advantage of nanocomposites over conventional composites is that their mechanical, electrical, thermal, barrier and chemical properties such as increased tensile strength, improved heat deflection temperature, flame retardancy etc.

The Asia-Pacific region dominated the polymer nanocomposites market in terms of values in 2013 and it is expected to grow at a higher CAGR, from 2014 to 2020. Large packaging industry and increasing automotive and aerospace industry in Asia-Pacific region helped it to dominate the global market.

The electrical & electronics market in Eastern Asian market, driving the polymer nanocomposites application market. Europe & Asia-Pacific accounted for more than 60% share in the polymer nanocomposites market in terms of value in 2013. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a highest CAGR and secure its leading market position by 2020, with developing new application areas in electrical & electronics and automotive market. In Europe the use of polymer nanocomposites continues to increase in automotive industries.

As MRC wrote before, thermoplastic elastomer (TPO) nanocomposites developed by Korea's Honam Petrochemical Corp. (Seoul) have delivered a 25% weight saving versus 40% talc-filled polypropylene through thinwalling and lower density in a side sill molding used in a Hyundai vehicle.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Grand Pacific Petrochemical Corporation (GPPC) is likely to shut its styrene monomer (SM) plant for maintenance turnaround, as per Apic-online.

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

Located in Tashe, Taiwan, the plant has a production capacity of 140,000 mt/year.

We remind that last year, GPPC shut down this SM plant for maintenance turnaround on February 15, 2014. The plant remained off-stream till March 11, 2014.

Besides, as MRC reported earlier, in April 2014, GPPC shut its SM plant in Taiwan for a one-month turnaround. Located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the plant has a production capacity of 250,000 mt/year.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Accella Performance Materials Inc. is acquiring IPS Polymer Systems Inc. to expand the firm’s growing polyurethane operation, said Plasticsnews.

The St. Louis-based Accella’s strategic plan is to build the leading polyurethane systems house in North America with an even stronger presence on the West Coast, it said. The addition of IPS, which operates out of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., will help accomplish those goals.

"IPS is an excellent fit with Accella’s current polyurethanes business and will bring expanded technology and capabilities to both companies," Accella CEO Andy Harris said in a statement.

Merger of IPS with Accella, which was formally called Dash Multi-Corp., brings together an expansive polyurethane technology portfolio, regional manufacturing and technical application expertise, Accella said.

As MRC wrote before, PolyOne Corporation announced the acquisition of specialty assets from Accella Performance Materials. Accella will retain its polyurethanes and rubber products businesses.

Accella Performance Materials is a group of chemical and material companies. Accella Performance Materials is a producer of plastisol, polyurethane and rubber industry.
MRC