ChemChina looks to buy majority stake in Rosneft’s FEPCO project in Russia

MOSCOW (MRC) -- China National Chemical (ChemChina) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rosneft to acquire a majority stake in Far-East Petrochemical Company (FEPCO) project in Nakhodka, Russia, said Chemicals-technology.

The agreement was signed by Rosneft management board chairman Igor Sechin and ChemChina chairman Ren Jianxin during Russia President Vladimir Putin's visit to China. The transaction is subject to due diligence, and corporate and regulatory approvals. "The achieved agreements are indicative of a special level of cooperation with our Chinese partners."

FEPCO is a petrochemical and crude oil refining project that is planned to be completed in 2020. Being executed in three phases, the complex will have a throughput capacity of 30 million tonnes per annum.

The complex will produce ethylene, propylene, benzene, and butadiene following the completion of the first two phases, and 50,000t a year of linear alpha-olefins. ChemChina and Rosneft also signed a heads-of-agreement, pursuant to which Rosneft will buy a 30% stake in the Chinese firm.

The parties have entered into a MoU to supply alternative crudes and other feedstocks to CCPC ESPO and Sokol, and will sign a long-term contract for delivery of four million tonnes within three years with an option to extend contract.

Sechin said: "The achieved agreements are indicative of a special level of cooperation with our Chinese partners.
"Joining efforts will further improve efficiency of our work by developing cooperation in all areas, including such strategically important projects as FEPCO."

ChemChina produces special chemical materials, basic chemicals, oil refining, agricultural chemistry, rubber products, and chemical equipment.
MRC

CPIA partners with Quebec cities for polystyrene recycling

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) is partnering with the Quebec city of Pointe-Claire to organize special events for polystyrene collection, said Canplastics.

Residents of Pointe-Claire are invited to bring the post-cosumer polystyrene – which is marked with the number "6" inside a triangle – they have collected to the Public Works Yard in Pointe-Claire on September 5 and October 3.

"We are proud to be involved with this polystyrene recycling pilot project on the next two Ecocentre collection days," said Pointe-Claire mayor Morris Trudeau. "This initiative further proves our commitment to reduce the amount of trash we send to the landfill by adopting the best environmental protection and sustainable development practices. Our citizens have been outstanding environmental stewards for years, and we have led the way in Greater Montreal. Plastic #6 recycling is one example. We want to make this initiative permanent by next year."

The plastic N6 will be collected by Polyform, a Granby, Que.-based company that recycles millions of kilos of plastic each year, including the polystyrene containers and packaging found regularly in households.

The two recycling days in Pointe-Claire follow an earlier such event held on August 29-30 in the Quebec city of Beaconsfield. More than 500 pounds of polystyrene were collected by Polyform, CPIA said.

As MRC informed earlier, an additional 9% of plastic packaging was recycled in Canada in 2013 compared with 2012, a new report concludes. Complied by Moore Recycling Associates Inc. and released by the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA), the report attributes the increase to more material being collected for recycling as well as more companies providing recycling information.


MRC

Davis-Standard acquires Gloucester Engineering

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Plastics production equipment firm Davis-Standard LLC, Pawtucket, Connecticut, has acquired Gloucester, Massachusetts-based Gloucester Engineering, an equipment maker specializing in the production of blown plastic films, said Recyclingtoday.

In a news release Davis-Standard says the acquisition adds "experienced design and process engineering capabilities, a large installed base and greater aftermarket capabilities worldwide."

"We’re excited about combining the strengths and market reach of Davis-Standard and Gloucester," says Jim Murphy, Davis-Standard’s president and CEO. "Gloucester has always been a strong company, so bringing its technology and engineering expertise to our operation is significant for our combined customer base. It also supports our ongoing goal of continuing to provide equipment and service that improves process efficiency and profitability."

Says Carl Johnson, vice president of sales at Gloucester Engineering, "The alignment of our companies leverages our sizable base of installed equipment with the industry’s best resources for sales, engineering and service."

Ernie Plasse, Davis-Standard’s executive vice president, will lead Gloucester’s integration into Davis-Standard.

Davis-Standard designs, develops and distributes for than 10 product lines of plastic extrusion and converting machinery, including extrusion and compounding equipment designed for reprocessors and recyclers.
MRC

Dow initiates exchange offer for chlorine value chain businesses

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The Dow Chemical Company has commenced its exchange offer for the split-off of a significant portion of its chlorine value chain, said Coatingsworld.

The split-off transaction is the next step in the separation, from Dow, of its U.S. Gulf Coast Chlor-Alkali and Vinyl, Global Chlorinated Organics and Global Epoxy businesses. The exchange offer provides Dow shareholders with the opportunity to exchange their shares of Dow common stock for shares of Blue Cube Spinco Inc. (Splitco) common stock, which will convert into shares of Olin common stock upon completion of the proposed transaction.

The exchange is expected to be tax-free to participating Dow shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. "This landmark transaction is the latest in a series of milestones we have achieved that enables Dow to significantly exceed our collective divestiture targets, and enables Olin to create a premier chlor-alkali and derivatives company with the scope and capabilities to leverage long-term growth opportunities and generate significant shareholder value," said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow’s chairman and chief executive officer.

"This exchange offer is designed to maximize total shareholder return through the ability to own shares in the combined company, which is expected to benefit from substantial synergies and create significant benefits for customers."

As MRC informed earlier, early this yar Dow Chemical Company announced the completed sale of ANGUS Chemical Company to Golden Gate Capital. The company finalized the divestiture of its Sodium Borohydride business to Vertellus Performance Chemicals LLC and certain of its affiliates.

The Dow Chemical Company is an American multinational chemical corporation headquartered in Midland, Michigan, United States. Dow is a large producer of plastics, including polystyrene (PS), polyurethane, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and synthetic rubber. EBITDA was up 15% in 4Q at USD2.4 bn. Net profits were down 24% at USD734. Dow's sales in 4Q were unchanged on a year earlier at USD14.38 bn.
MRC

Transcontinental acquires U.S.-based flexible packaging supplier for USD80 million

MOSCOW (MRC) -- In a bid to expand the reach of its American business, Canadian printing giant Transcontinental Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire Ultra Flex Packaging Corp., a U.S.-based supplier of flexible packaging, for USD80 million, said Canplastics.

Headquartered in Brooklyn, N.Y., Ultra Flex employs close to 300 workers and generated USD72 million in annual revenues and USD12 million in operating income in its last fiscal year.

In a statement, Transcontinental CEO Francois Olivier said the acquisition builds on last year’s acquisition of Capri Packaging in Clinton, Missouri, which does plastic packaging for food products such as cheese and fresh pasta.

Ultra Flex’s three co-owners will remain with the company to support its growth.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval in the U.S. and is expected to close before the end of Transcontinental’s fiscal year.

Montreal-based Transcontinental is said to be Canada’s largest printer, with operations in print and digital media as well as flexible packaging and publishing, and more than USD2 billion of annual revenues.

Ultra Flex Packaging Corp. provides flexible packaging solutions. The company offers custom ploy bags, pouches, packets, and multi layer rollstock. It serves customers in coffee, bakery, snack foods, confectionary, dry mixes and powders, industrial, tobacco products, liquids and condiments, consumer goods, and textile markets worldwide. The company was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. It has operations in China, Hong Kong, Thailand, El Salvador, Israel, India, and the United States.
MRC