BASF to expand German specialty amine capacity

MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF is significantly expanding its production capacity for about 20 specialty amines at its Verbund site in Ludwigshafen, Germany, said the producer on its site.

BASF says it will invest a double-digit million euro amount in expanding current production facilities, which are planned to go on stream gradually by early 2017. The specialty amines are especially used for the manufacturing of coatings, lubricants, crop protection products and pharmaceuticals.

With this investment, BASF strengthens its worldwide amine production network with plants in Ludwigshafen and Schwarzheide, Germany, in Antwerp, Belgium, in Geismar, Louisiana and in Nanjing, China.

"This investment will allow us to meet the growing demand that our European customers have for specialty amines," said Stefan Blank, president of BASF's intermediates division.

In March and April 2014, BASF announced the construction of two new multiple product plants for the manufacturing of specialty amines at the BASF Verbund sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany and Nanjing, China, where startup is planned for 2015.

With about 200 different amines, BASF says it has the world’s most diverse portfolio of this type of chemical intermediates. Along with alkyl-, alkanol-, alkoxyalkylamines, the company offers heterocyclic and aromatic as well as specialty amines. The range is completed by an expanding portfolio of chiral amines of high optical and chemical purity.

The versatile products are used mainly to manufacture process chemicals, pharmaceuticals and crop protection products, as well as cosmetic products and detergents. They also serve to produce coatings, special plastics, composites and special fibers.

As MRC informed previously, BASF will build a new world scale production plant to manufacture specialty amines at its existing wholly-owned site in the Nanjing Chemical Industry Park in China. The plant, which is scheduled to come on stream in late 2015, will have dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) and polyetheramines (PEA) as the main products. With this new facility BASF will further strengthen its global production network. The new plant complements existing facilities in Germany and the US for DMAPA and PEA.

The BASF Group’s Intermediates division develops, produces and markets a comprehensive portfolio of more than 700 intermediates around the world. Its most important product groups include amines, diols, polyalcohols, acids and specialties. Among other applications, intermediates are used as starting materials for coatings, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, detergents and crop protectants. Around the globe the division generated sales to third parties of about EUR2.8 billion in 2013.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Because of the ethylene price rise European producers announced as a serious increase of the prices of polyethylene (PE). At the same time, export prices of pipe high density polyethylene (HDPE) have grown not proportionally o the prices of ethylene, according to ICIS-MRC Price Report.

Contract price of ethylene in Europe for March delivery was agreed up by EUR100/tonne than in February, which leads to the same increase in the cost of production of PE. However, European producers announced an increase in export prices of pipe HDPE by EUR120-170/tonne, compared with the level of February.

Deals for coloured PE100 were discussed in the range EUR1,150-1,200/tonne, FCA. Deals for coloured PE80 were agreed in the range EUR1,120-1,160/tonne, FCA. Most producers continue to limit their PE export quotas.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The March contract price of ethylene in Europe was agreed by EUR100/tonne higher than in February. However, on the back of tight supply of polyethylene (PE), European producers announced an increase of EUR120-170/tonne in export prices, depending on the grade, for the CIS markets, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

Negotiations over March prices of European PE for the CIS countries began on Monday. Most market participants said export quotas of European producers were limited for various reasons, so that it was not possible to fully meet the March needs in PE.

High density polyethylene (HDPE) accounted for the greatest price increase. Deals for HDPE were negotiated in the range of EUR1,100-1,140/tonne FCA, whereas last month's deals were done in the range of EUR930-1,000/tonne FCA. Export quotas of most European producers were limited. At the same time, some producers said they had closed all their deals for March HDPE shipments to the CIS markets by Thursday.

Deals for March shipments of low density polyethylene (LDPE) were negotiated in the range of EUR1,130-1,180/tonne FCA, up by EUR120-140/tonne from February.

Prices of metallocene linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) rose in March by EUR120-150/tonne from February, deals were negotiated in the range of EUR1,240-1,300/tonne FCA. PE supply of most producers was also tight.
MRC

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