PVC imports in Ukraine decreased by one third in January - June 2015

MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) in Ukraine decreased by 33% compared to the same period in 2014 and reached 31,700 tonnes, according to MRC DataScope.

June SPVC imports in Ukraine were 3,700 tonnes, compared with 4,100 tonnes in May, because of the further weakening demand from the local producers of window profiles and compounds. Ukraine's SPVC imports in the first six months of the year decreased to 31,700 tonnes, compared with 47,400 tonnes year on year. Serious economic problems in the country, military operations in the eastern regions were the main reasons for such a significant reduction in demand for PVC.

Demand decreased from all sectors of consumption, the largest drop in demand occurred for the producers of profile-moulded products. The demand for the resin in this sector declined to 21,400 tonnes over the reported period, down 36% year on year.

Demand for SPVC from producers of compounds decreased to 6,700 tonnes in the first six months of the year, down 12% year on year.
Structure of PVC imports in Ukraine over the reported period was as follows.

June imports of US PVC was completely absent, while in May the delivery of the material exceeded the level of 1000 tonnes. Peak of the supply of the North American resin occurred for January - February and exceeded the level of 3,100 tonnes per month when the major producers of window profiles were actively building stock inventories on lower prices in the United States. Total US PVC imports in the country decreased to 8,400 tonnes in January - June 2015, compared with 25,600 tonnes year on year.

June imports of European PVC were about 3,100 tonnes, compared to 2,700 tonnes in May on the growing supplies from Germany (Ineos).
Total imports of European SPVC decreased to 17,800 tonnes in the first six months of the year, compared with 20,600 tonnes year on year.

June imports Russian SPVC were about 600 tonnes, which is two times higher than in May. Total imports of Russian SPVC into the country reached about 5,200 tonnes in the first six months of the year, compared with 260 tonnes year on year.


MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Saudi Butanol Company (SaBuCo) is preparing to start trial operations at its largest butanol plant in Jubail in Q3-2015, as per Plastemart.

To be carried out for around six months, the trial operations will test equipment and production efficiency through technical licensing and contracts. Plant capacity comprises of 330,000 tons of n-butanol and 11,000 tons of iso-butanol on a yearly basis, with an estimated investment of SR1.93 bln, as per Arab News.

SaBuCo is a joint venture of Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company, Sadara Chemical Company - a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical Company - and Saudi Acrylic Acid Company (SAAC), an affiliate of Tasnee and Sahara Petrochemicals. The three partners in the joint venture will have equal stake in production quantities for use in manufacturing industries or for sales in local and overseas markets.

As MRC reported earlier, Sadara Chemical Company is progressing on-budget and on-schedule in alignment with Dow’s strategy to enable cost-advantaged growth in fast-growing regions such as Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern and Central Europe.

Significant progress has been made in starting up key infrastructure and utility systems. Overall construction of the manufacturing facility is now approximately 94% complete with 47,000 personnel on site in Jubail Industrial City II, Saudi Arabia. The commissioning and startup of key utilities infrastructure is underway and the process for first production units will begin in the second half of the year with initial polyethylene production beginning near the end of 2015. Full site operations remains on track for the end of 2016.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Enterprise Products Partners L.P. announced a series of projects to convert and expand segments of its petrochemicals pipeline network designed to increase throughput capacity for polymer grade propylene (PGP) and enhance system flexibility and reliability, said the company in its press release.

North Dean pipeline conversion and expansion – The 149 mile pipeline will be converted from refinery grade propylene (RGP) service to PGP service. The conversion is scheduled for completion in January, 2017. Originating at Enterprise’s Mont Belvieu, Texas complex, the converted pipeline will serve petrochemical facilities as far south as Seadrift, Texas in Calhoun County. Construction of a 33 mile lateral pipeline, new metering stations and additional pumping capacity will accommodate the additional volumes and increase total PGP delivery capacity to more than 150,000 bpd.

Lou-Tex propylene pipeline conversion – The 263 mile, bi-directional pipeline, which currently transports chemical grade propylene (CGP) between Sorrento, Louisiana and Mont Belvieu, will be converted to PGP service. The conversion is scheduled for completion in 2020.

RGP pipeline and rail terminal expansion – Construction of a new 65 mile, 10-inch diameter pipeline, which will transport RGP between Sorrento and Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, is scheduled for completion in early 2017. Rail receipt facilities at Mont Belvieu are also being expanded to give Enterprise the capability to unload up to 100 RGP rail cars per day.

Enterprise’s PGP infrastructure at Mont Belvieu currently consists of six propane/propylene fractionators. Following completion of the new PDH plant, which is scheduled for September of 2016, Enterprise will have the capability to produce 8 billion pounds of PGP at its Mont Belvieu complex. In addition, a portion of Enterprise’s salt dome storage capacity in Mont Belvieu is dedicated to PGP service.

As MRC informed earlier, last year Arkema, a France-based chemical manufacturer, has reached an agreement for the supply of propylene with Enterprise Products Partners L.P., a leading United States midstream Energy Company.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals was awarded in four categories at the annual presentation ceremony of Dyestuffs Manufacturers' Association of India (DMAI), held recently in Mumbai, as per the company's press release.

Clariant in India was recognized for its performance in four categories including Exports, Domestic Market, Pollution Control and Safety & Hazards Control.

This award is a recognition of the company's continuous efforts to provide competitive and innovative solutions to meet the specific needs of its customers, without compromising on performance and efficiency. Dr. Deepak Parikh, Region President - India, Middle East & Africa said, "Clariant is honored and humbled by this recognition from DMAI. It strengthens our commitment to sustainability and innovation, which is a true differentiator for us to stay ahead in the competitive and dynamic global market scenario. We will continue our efforts to promote a culture of deeper partnership with our customers to help generate significant revenues for their operations, and also co-create solutions with them for unmet needs in the market."

As MRC informed before, in April 2015, Clariant acquired the black pigment preparations portfolio of Lanxess, located at Nagda, Madhya Pradesh. This product line of Lanxess manufactures black pigment preparations used for processing of viscose fibre, which goes in the manufacture of mainly viscose-based apparels, knitwear, towels, bed-linen, etc. With this acquisition, Clariant in India gains additional pigment preparation capacity to cater to a larger, wider customer base.

Clariant in India has local pigment production activities at its Roha (Maharashtra) and Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu) sites. In the year 2014, Clariant invested in the expansion of its Roha pigments facility, thus strengthening its commitment to India.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF, the world's largest petrochemical major, and Poietis, the first company in the world for 3D laser-assisted bioprinting, have signed an agreement on research and development in cosmetics, reported BASF on its site.

Based on the combined expertise of both companies in tissue engineering and bioprinting, the agreement aims to apply the bioprinting technology of Poietis to improve BASF’s skin equivalent model Mimeskin. The terms and conditions of this agreement were not disclosed.

The 3D laser-assisted bioprinting technology, by which organic tissues can be reproduced, allows for a precise positioning of the skin cells in three-dimensional structures. Through this, cells are cultivated within BASF’s skin model Mimeskin, which is the closest equivalent to the original physiological tissue of human skin. Dr. Fabien Guillemot, Founder and President of Poietis, remarks: "We are extremely pleased about this collaboration. Having long-term expertise in solutions for the dermocosmetics market, BASF understands the benefits of 3D laser-assisted bioprinting compared to conventional cell culture technologies and other bioprinting methods. The partnership also emphasizes bioprinted tissue models as an alternative to animal testing in cosmetics and dermopharmacy."

As MRC said before, in April 2015, BASF developed new ingredients and innovative concepts for the personal care market. Driving forward the development of the brand Care CreationsTM, the company is taking a more and more science based approach to explore consumer needs: the focus is on a validated typology system with which users can define different consumer personalities.

BASF is the leading chemical company. It produces a wide range of chemicals, for example solvents, amines, resins, glues, electronic-grade chemicals, industrial gases, basic petrochemicals and inorganic chemicals. The most important customers for this segment are the pharmaceutical, construction, textile and automotive industries.
MRC