Total acquires majority interest in Polyblend

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Total has acquired a majority 68% interest in Germany's Polyblend. Polyblend produces compounds, which are blends of polymers (polyethylene and polypropylene) and other ingredients such as mineral fillers, glass fibres, elastomers and additives, formulated to customer specifications, said Energyglobal.

The transaction is aligned with the Group's strategy of developing higher value added polymers and differentiating itself in markets away from commodity plastics.

Total recently began building two polypropylene compounding lines at the Carling Platform as part of its project to secure the French site's future. The lines are scheduled to start up in mid 2016.

"The acquisition allows Total to consolidate its position in the fast growing market for polymers for automotive solutions," explained Philippe Sauquet, President of Total’s Refining & Chemicals. "Accentuated efforts to lighten vehicles to improve their efficiency mean that this type of product, whose technology is constantly evolving, enjoys a strong growth outlook. The Polyblend acquisition complements the current investment in new production lines at the Carling site. We will be able to tap expertise and synergies at the main facility in Carling and the Polyblend site in Bad Sobernheim, just 150 km away, to productively expand in this field."

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) -- INVISTA Performance Technologies (IPT) and Hengli Petrochemical are delighted to announce the successful start-up of Hengli’s third PTA line utilizing INVISTA’s PTA process technology, said Reuters.

"The 2.2 million-tonne PTA production line is starting up quickly, with one of our streams reaching 100 percent utilization within 24 hours," said Mike Lin, Hengli vice general manager, said. "The smooth start-up is not surprising, however; our other two PTA lines onsite continue to operate in excess of 100 percent flow sheet rate."

Mike Pickens, IPT President, commented, “The successful PTA plant start-up represents the latest milestone in our relationship with Hengli. We continue to be impressed by excellent project execution and operational capability displayed by the Hengli team, achieving what we feel is a market-leading, competitive position.

"We are very appreciative of the trust that Mr. Chen Jianhua and his team have placed in INVISTA, recognizing that good plant performance is critical for our client’s return on investment."

This successful PTA plant start-up continues INVISTA’s reputation for PTA plants that start-up reliably and reach flow sheet rates quickly.

As MRC wrote before, INVISTA and LanzaTech signed a research and development agreement focused on the development of gas-fermentation process technology for the production of industrial chemicals from carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas (CO2 and H2) feedstocks.

INVISTA is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of chemical intermediates, polymers and fibers. The company’s advantaged technologies for nylon, spandex and polyester are used to produce clothing, carpet, car parts and countless other everyday products. Headquartered in the United States, INVISTA operates in more than 20 countries and has about 10,000 employees.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Despite a number of negative factors, in January - February of this year, imports of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) in Ukraine increased to 14,300 tonnes, up 30% compared to the same period of 2014, as per MRC DataScope.

February SPVC imports to Ukraine dropped to 6,200 tonnes, compared with 8,100 tonnes in January 2015. Nevertheless, in spite of the time factor (long holidays in January) and a severe recession in the economy, the Ukrainian companies in the current year continued to buy quite high SPVC purchases in foreign markets.

Ukraine's SPVC imports over the first two months of the year exceeded 14,300 tonnes, compared with 11,000 tonnes year on year.
The main increase in SPVC imports occurred for supplies from Europe.

Structure of PVC imports in Ukraine over the reported period was as follows. February imports of US PVC slightly decreased to 3,200 tonnes, compared to 3,400 tonnes a month earlier. Total imports of US resin into the country dropped to 6,600 tonnes in January-February 2015, compared with 7,100 tonnes year on year.

February imports of European PVC in Ukraine decreased to 1,600 tonnes, compared with 3,600 tonnes in January. Total imports of European SPVC were 5,300 tonnes in the first two months of the year, compared with 3,800 tonnes year on year.

Ukraine's imports of Russian PVC have significantly increased over the recent months. February imports of Russian PVC into the country exceeded 1,400 tonnes (953 tonnes in January). Total Russian PVC imports in Ukraine reached 2,400 tonnes in the first two months of the year, compared with 40 tonnes year on year.


MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Evonik has strengthened its technology platform for specialty silicones with a global investment initiative, since demand for additives for the construction, textile, coating, furniture, and appliance industries is driving the global market growth for specialty silicones, reported the company on its site.

Overall, Evonik plans to invest a triple-digit-million-euro amount in the coming years and gradually increase the production volume of specialty silicones.

"Evonik is one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty silicones. With our investment initiative we want to strengthen our position as a technology leader and reach new market opportunities" says Evonik Executive Board member and Chief Operating Officer Patrik Wohlhauser.

In Essen, the company is currently putting the expansion of a plant for the production of these special products into operation. The investment for this expansion is in the double-digit-million-euro range. Increasing the production in Germany Evonik accompanied the growth of its customers in the important European market. Within the global investment initiative for specialty silicones additional production expansions in Essen are planned.

The market for specialty silicones continued to grow in recent years. This development is mainly driven by the construction, textile, coating, furniture and appliance industries. Particularly strong was the demand in Asia. Evonik responds to this positive development by expanding its site in Shanghai (China) with a new production complex for specialty silicones.

As MRC informed previously, Essen-based Evonik Industries had invested in Nanocomp Oy Ltd. (Lehmo, Finland) and now holds a minority share in the company. It was made as part of an investment syndicate with Finnvera Venture Capital. The investment sum was not disclosed. Nanocomp is a leading developer and producer of micro- and nano-optical structures that are imprinted on polymer films. Their functionalities enable optical systems to achieve higher performance - and to become smaller at the same time.

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 2014 more than 33,000 employees generated sales of around EUR12.9 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about EUR1.9 billion.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of polycarbonate (PC) granules to Ukraine decreased to 365 tonnes in January-February 2015, down 20% compared to the same period last year, according to a MRC DataScope report.

Ukraine has imposed additional import duties since 1, March. So, if earlier rate of duty on PC was 0%, now it is 5%. Traders said, buyers took imports duties calmly. This factor does not affect the operation of large-scale converters.
However, this will make additional difficulties for small companies and will reduce their demand for PC. Some plants are looking for polymeric analogues PC at more affordable prices.

Some market participants said that Ukrainian government restricts the supply of products (mainly injection moulding) made from PC to the Russian market, which is an important market for domestic converters.

Imports of extrusion PC is expected to be resumed in spring, along with slight increase in the demand for bottle grade PC. Despite the tendency of downtrend of PC and its feedstock prices in Europe, import prices for Ukraine remained steady.

MRC