Clariant offers polymer additive solution for agriculture film producers in China

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, is taking a step closer to satisfying customer needs in the agri-film production sector in China by hosting a seminar in Jinan, Shandong province of China recently, reported the producer on its site.

Organized by the Clariant business unit of Additives, the occasion gathered the leading players in agri-film manufacturing in China to learn about Clariant's capabilities as a innovative, sustainable and cost-effective partner in the field, The issue of global food crisis has caused major concerns for both under-developed and well-developed countries in the world.

In this area of the agricultural sector, where plastic film is produced to improve growing environment of greenhouses, Clariant is known for its innovative polymer additives solutions offered to agri-film producers in China. At the Jinan seminar, Clariant illustrated to the audience the current successful value propositions in different regions globally, including the Middle East, Latin America and Asia.

In addition, results of field tests conducted in Kunming of China in 2014 were shared with the industry to demonstrate how Clariant's AddWorks AGC additives are customized to provide outstanding protection and up to 80% remaining elongation to greenhouse crop after 20 months of direct exposure under the sun. Clariant's AddWorks AGC series for high versatility For the rest of the seminar, Clariant highlighted how its innovative polymer additives solutions are able to help the agri-film market in China overcome its challenges. The showcase value propositions are AddWorks AGC (Light stabilizer solution for Green House Film), AddWorks LXR 1352 (Light stabilizer solution for mulch), AddWorks LXR 1189 (IR absorber for GHF), and AddWorks PKG 902 (High performing Processing stabilizer).

As MRC reported earlier, 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

DSM and CVC finalize partnership for polymer intermediates and composite resins

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Royal DSM, the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, and CVC Capital Partners (CVC), one of the world’s leading investment advisory firms, today announced that the partnership for DSM’s activities in Polymer Intermediates (сaprolactam and фcrylonitrile) and Composite Resins through the formation of a new company, ChemicaInvest B.V., has been finalized. The partnership was announced on 16 March 2015, as per the company's press release.

With all regulatory approvals now received, DSM and CVC have completed the transaction effective as per 31 July 2015. All approximately 1,900 employees have transferred to ChemicaInvest, which is 65% owned by CVC and 35% by DSM.

DSM contributed its global caprolactam business (Europe, North America, its 60% stake in DNCC (China) and the caprolactam licensing business), acrylonitrile business and composite resins business including its 75% stake in JDR (China). DSM’s 65% stake in the service organization Sitech Services held via its caprolactam and acrylonitrile businesses was also transferred. ChemicaInvest operates as an independent company with three business units: caprolactam, acrylonitrile and composite resins.

As MRC wrote before, in 2013, Royal DSM signed a partnership agreement with long fibre thermoplastic (LFT) specialist Plasticomp (Winona, Minnesota / USA) to develop bio-based LFT composite materials based on DSM’s "EcoPaXX" polyamide 4.10.

CVC Capital Partners (CVC) is one of the world's leading private equity and investment advisory firms. Founded in 1981, CVC today has a network of over 20 offices and over 300 employees throughout Europe, Asia and the US.

Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials.
MRC

July PET prices fell by USD94/tonne in Russia

MOSCOW (MRC) -- July spot prices of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in Russia fell by USD94/tonne, according to MRC ScanPlast report.

The price range of PET chips in the domestic market, if recalculated in dollar prices, were at USD1,348-1,419/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT, at the beginning of the month. PET prices had fallen to USD1,254-1,407/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT, by the end of the month, which was caused by the exchange rate fluctuations and the general decrease in prices of import suppliers. Thus, in July, the rouble devalued from 55.84 per USD 1 (according to the Bank of Russia as of 1 July) to 58.99 per USD 1 as of 31 July.

The overall buying activity remained low in the spot market. There was no shortage in the market, which did not allow sellers to raise prices, following the depreciation of the national currency.

At the same time, the overall prices of Russian PET chips in roubles did not change. Spot prices were announced by Russian producers for the domestic market in the range of Rb76,000-78,000/tonne FCA, including VAT, at the beginning of the month. Spot prices announced by Russian plants were at Rb76,000-77,000/tonne FCA, including VAT, at the end of the month. Prices of Asian grades in Russia were at Rb77,000-78,500/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT, at the beginning of the month. At the end of the month, prices of Asian grades in Russia were at Rb81,500-83,500/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT. Prices of Chinese grades grew because of the exchange rate difference and new quantities of material arrived by the end of the month.

Producers' prices were announced in roubles for the spot market. Importers took an advantage of the stability of prices in roubles, said a producer.
MRC

European producers reduced August export PVC prices by EUR25-30/tonne

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Negotiations over prices of European polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for August shipments to the CIS countries began this week. Many producers limited their price reduction by EUR30/tonne, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

The August contract price of ethylene in Europe was agreed by EUR70/tonne lower from June, which suggests the reduction of this month's PVC production costs by EUR35/tonne. However, many European producers lowered export prices in August for the CIS markets only by EUR25-30/tonne.

Negotiations over August shipments of suspension polyvinylchloride (SPVC) for the CIS markets have been held in the range of EUR825-890/tonne FCA this week, whereas the July deals were done in the range of EUR850-920/tonne FCA. Some companies said some European producers still had restrictions on exports, but there were no serious problems with procurement of resin in Europe.

The August fall in export PVC prices has been the second one after a rapid price rise from March to June. Prices of resin in Europe grew by EUR270-320/tonne over the first four months of 2015 and reached a peak in June - EUR870-960/tonne FCA. The minimum level was registered in February, deals were done in the range of EUR600-640/tonne FCA.
MRC

PP exports from Russia surged by two-fold

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The overall exports of polypropylene (PP) from Russia exceeded 202,600 tonnes over the first six months of 2015, up by two-fold year on year. China, Turkey, Belarus and Belgium are the key PP consumers, according to MRC ScanPlast report.


Russian producers increased export PP sales to 34,500 tonnes in June after the May decrease (22,100 tonnes). The Chinese market accounted for the lion's share of sales. The overall export PP sales increased to 202,600 tonnes from January to June 2015 on the back of a major rise in production of Russian producers versus 101,100 tonnes a year earlier. The markets of China, Turkey, Belarus and Belgium accounted for the largest exports, which were about 70%.

Tobolsk-Polymer, Poliom and Stavrolen with each producer's share of 50%, 21% and 7%, respectively, in the total exports are the key PP exporters. It is also worth noting a significant growth in this year's export sales of Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Ufaorgsintez - over 7,500 tonnes and 7,000 tonnes over the stated period, respectively.


The geography of exports of Russia PP is quite extensive. Over 55,400 tonnes were shipped to Turkey over the stated period, 43,400 tonnes - to China, 28,300 tonnes - to Belarus, 13,600 tonnes - to Belgium.

In the exports structure by grades, propylene homopolymers (homopolymer PP) accounted for more than 94% of the total shipments, block copolymers of propylene (PP-block) - about 5% and statistical propylene copolymers (PP-random) - only 1%.

MRC