Celanese filed a patent infringement lawsuit in Europe against three Chinese manufacturers

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Celanese Corporation, a global technology and specialty materials company, announced that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in Europe against three Chinese manufacturers of high-potency sweeteners, specifically Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K), said the company on its site.

The complaints allege that Suzhou Hope Technology Co., Ltd., Anhui Jinhe Industrial Co., Ltd., and Vitasweet Co., Ltd., are infringing newly granted European Patent No. 2 861 569 by continuing to unlawfully import infringing Ace-K sweetener into Europe. The ’569 patent is directed to improved production processes for making its Sunett Ace-K sweetener.

In a temporary shift in focus, Celanese has withdrawn its complaint from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and requested the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office review additional claims to its already-patented and improved Ace-K manufacturing process described in U.S. Patent No. 9,024,016.

Celanese continues to invest in manufacturing and quality improvements and is dedicated to robust research, development and customer support for the Sunett sweetener products manufactured by its patented processes. The company will protect these investments to supply customers with quality engineered products, and will vigorously defend its patented technology against unlawful importation and uses in the United States, Europe, China and globally.

Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries and consumer applications. Our two complementary business cores, Acetyl Chain and Materials Solutions, use the full breadth of Celanese's global chemistry, technology and business expertise to create value for our customers and the corporation. As we partner with our customers to solve their most critical business needs, we strive to make a positive impact on our communities and the world through The Celanese Foundation. Based in Dallas, Celanese employs approximately 7,300 employees worldwide and had 2016 net sales of USD5.4 billion.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Sylvin Technologies, Inc. has developed a new and innovative series of bio-based flexible PVC compounds made with only FDA sanctioned ingredients, reported Plastemart.

Formulated from renewable feedstock, Sylvin's new 39 series compounds are formulated with a plant-based plasticizer rather than traditional petroleum-based plasticizers such as phthalates.

The 39 series incorporates only ingredients that are sanctioned for use by the FDA and the compounds have the same feel, flexibility and ease of processing as traditional flexible vinyl products. "With today's increasing regulations, we recognized the need for eco-friendly alternatives that are also compliant with the FDA's stringent requirements," says Chris O'Connell, Vice President of Sales. "These products allow FDA applications to offer a lower carbon footprint without compromising performance."

39 Series compounds are suitable for both injection molding and extrusion processing and are available in 55-95 Shore A hardness. Compounds can be purchased clear or in custom colors and can be tailored to meet the specific performance and regulatory requirements of a wide variety of applications including tubing, toys, food processing belting and medical devices.

We remind that, as MRC informed before, in 2013, Lubrizol, an innovative specialty chemical company, is planning a four-year, USD400 million global expansion of its chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) resin and compounding manufacturing sites.

Sylvin Technologies, Inc., manufacturer of flexible and semi-rigid vinyl and vinyl alloy compounds is located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1978, Sylvin Technologies has evolved as a leading supplier of vinyl compounds - available in custom and standard formulations in a broad spectrum of colors and material enhancements - for a variety of markets and applications including automotive; general purpose/industrial - including products for extrusion and injection molding; specialty blends - high performance vinyl blends; highly regulated - FDA, medical, appliances, toys, etc.; building and construction; wire and cable and electrical.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Oil major BP has signed an agreement with Indonesian petroleum and chemicals logistics company AKR Corporindo for the joint development of a "differentiated" domestic fuel retail business, said Reuters, citing BP.

The joint venture will form a company, PT Aneka Petroindo Raya, which will operate as BP AKR Fuels Retail, and expects to open its first retail site in Indonesia in 2018, the statement said.

"We are delighted to be working with AKR to help meet Indonesia's growing demand for fuels and provide superior convenience offers," BP downstream chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic said.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Oman Oil Duqm Development Company, a vertical of the wholly government owned strategic investment group Oman Oil Company, has unveiled plans for the establishment of a mammoth petrochemicals complex at the Duqm Special Economic Zone (SEZ), featuring as many as 10 large-scale plants and involving several billions of dollars in investment, as per ZAWYA.

Hilal al Kharusi (pictured), Executive Managing Director, said a dedicated zone earmarked for the sprawling development will host 10 plants producing over 20 products ranging from commodities to specialty products, paving the way for over 30 chemical processing businesses to be set up further downstream of the value chain.

The centrepiece of the ambitious development is the Duqm Refinery, a green-field refinery with a capacity to process 230,000 barrels per day (bpd) of domestic and export crude. Oman Oil Company (OOC) and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation are the 50:50 equity joint venture partners in the estimated USD6 billion refinery venture. A formal partnership agreement will be signed here in Muscat on April 10, 2017.

"This is the first major cross-country refinery and petrochemical investment in the GCC. It is also the first GCC refinery that will import and export crude and petrochemicals," he added.

As MRC wrote before, Oman Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) plans to raise capacity of its polypropylene (PP) plant to 340,000 tpa of high quality PP from 200,000 tpa. The plant is part of the government's vision to develop the petrochemical industry. It is also part of the efforts made by the Sultanate to diversify sources of national income and benefit from gas production.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Slovak oil refiner Slovnaft, part of the Hungarian oil and gas group MOL, will shut down some production starting over the Easter holiday in April for a general turnaround lasting until June, said Reuters.

The company will invest 57 million euros into the turnaround during which it will undertake inspections, maintenance and upgrades, it said in a statement on its website on Wednesday.

The shutdown will not impact its Bratislava refinery customers, Slovnaft said, adding stocks and production within the MOL group will cover needs.

A total of 16 productions will be gradually shut down and a restart of full production is expected in mid-June.
MRC