BASF to acquire Solvays global polyamide business

MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF and Solvay have signed an agreement related to the sale of Solvay’s integrated polyamide business to BASF, said the company on its website.

The purchase price on a cash and debt-free basis would be EUR1.6 billion. According to applicable laws, the intended transaction is subject to consultations with the relevant social bodies of Solvay, following which both companies will enter a binding purchase agreement. Solvay and BASF aim to close the transaction in the third quarter of 2018, after customary regulatory approvals have been obtained and the formal consent of a joint venture partner has been received. The partner has already committed to grant its consent subject to the delivery of definitive documents with BASF.

The acquisition would complement BASF’s engineering plastics portfolio and expand the company’s position as a solution provider for the transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer industries. Regionally, the transaction would enhance access to key growth markets in Asia and South America. At the same time, the purchase would strengthen BASF’s polyamide 6.6 value chain through increased polymerization capacities and the backward integration into the key raw material ADN (adipodinitrile).

For the full year 2016, net sales of the business to be purchased from Solvay amounted to EUR1,315 million and EBITDA to around EUR200 million. It has approximately 2,400 employees globally, thereof approximately 1,300 in France. Worldwide, it operates 12 production sites, 4 R&D locations and 10 technical support centers. The business would be integrated into BASF’s Performance Materials and Monomers divisions.

Solvay is a multi-specialty chemical company, committed to developing chemistry that addresses key societal challenges. Solvay innovates and partners with customers in diverse global end markets. Its products and solutions are used in planes, cars, smart and medical devices, batteries, in mineral and oil extraction, among many other applications promoting sustainability. Its lightweighting materials enhance cleaner mobility, its formulations optimize the use of resources and its performance chemicals improve air and water quality. Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with around 27,000 employees in 58 countries. Net sales were EUR10.9 billion in 2016, with 90% from activities where Solvay ranks among the world’s top 3 leaders.

BASF is the largest diversified chemical company in the world and is headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF 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

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Russia's output of products from polymers grew by 2.4% year on year in August after the July decrease. Thus, this figure increased by 3.8% year on year in January-August 2017, reported MRC analysts.

According to the Russian Federal State Statistics Service, August production of plastic pipes, hoses and fittings was 60,500 tonnes, compare to 60,900 tonnes a month earlier. Overall output of these products totalled 358,800 tonnes in the first eight months of 2017, down by 1.8% year on year.

Last month's production of unreinforced and non-combined films was 98,000 tonnes, compared to 96,400 tonnes in July. Output of films products grew in January-August 2017 by 5.4% year on year to 699,000 tonnes.

August production of porous boards, sheets and polymer films was 26,200 tonnes, whereas this figure was 26,300 tonnes a month earlier. Overall output of these polymer products increased by 3.4% year on year in January-August 2017 to 174,000 tonnes.

August production of plastic door blocks grew to 88,800 sq m versus 86,100 sq m a month earlier. Output of these products totalled 591,400 sq m in the first eight months of 2017, down by 7.5% year on year.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- ELIX Polymers, a leading manufacturer of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resins and derivatives in Europe with a 40-year track record, has developed a range of specialty grades of ABS and PC/ABS to reduce the squeak that is generated by the contact of plastic parts with other plastic parts, leather, PVC-foil or other products, said the producer in its press release.

These undesirable noises can negatively affect the driver's comfort and the quality impression of a car.

Typical critical Automotive interior parts affected include door handles, seating parts, cup holders, and air vents. However, these newly developed grades may also be suited for other segments such as E&E, white goods or consumer goods.

The new grades were submitted to stick-slip tests at several premium Automotive OEMs according to VDA230-206 at testing machines from Ziegler Instruments with very positive test results: a 10 point scale is used where 10 is the highest risk level. The newly developed ELIX grades managed to score 1 – the lowest risk level. Tests were conducted with different forces (10N, 40N) and speeds (1mm/s and 4mm/s) at several temperatures.

The new grades use ELIX Polymers base polymers: standard ABS, high heat ABS, ABS/PC or PC/ABS - and because their key properties remain the same, this does not affect existing OEM approvals of ELIX grades. Furthermore, as the shrinkage of the materials stays the same, current moulds can be used without further need for modifications.

According to Fabian Herter, Industry Manager Automotive at ELIX Polymers, with these new grades, significant cost savings are possible: "Until now, in many instances, fabrics or grease had to be added afterwards to reduce squeak and rattle. However, this involves additional costs and manual labour - and therefore is not ideal. Now, thanks to these new ELIX grades, we are able to offer a more competitive solution when compared to other resins that are currently available."

Mr Herter added: "This new development is the result of our close partnership with leading OEMs. Together we identified the need to address this issue and we were able to develop tailor-made solutions. This approach is fully in line with our strategy to focus on specialty added-value materials."

As MRC informed earlier, in February 2016, ELIX Polymers unveiled an upgraded version of P2MC as well as new ABS grades to complete the plating portfolio. Target applications for these electroplating grades include radiator grilles, logos, profiles, tailgate handles, and decorative interior parts.

ELIX Polymers is one of the most important manufacturers of ABS resins and derivatives in Europe, with 40 years of experience in engineering plastics and an installed capacity of 180,000/year from their plant in Tarragona (Spain) to the world. The operation starts in 1975, when the Tarragona ABS and SAN production plant was inaugurated.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Siam Cement Group (SCG) and PetroVietnam have signed an agreement to accelerate the progress of the Long Son petrochemical project in Vung Tau province, Vietnam, reported GV with reference to Vietnam News Agency.

The USD 5.4 billion complex will include a 1 million t/y ethylene cracker with flexible gas and naphtha feed, which will have the capacity to produce up to 1.6 million t/y of olefins, depending on the feedstock mix. It also includes the downstream production of 2.7 million t/y of polyethylene and polypropylene. Start-up is expected in 2021.

The partners agreed to implement the engineering, procurement and construction contract in the fourth quarter of 2017, and agreed to each contribute capital to the project.

Earlier this year, SCG, through its wholly-owned Vina SCG Chemicals Co. subsidiary, entered into an agreement with QPI Vietnam (QPIV), a subsidiary of Qatar Petroleum, to acquire QPIV's 25 % stake in Long Son Petrochemicals Co. (LSP). The transaction, valued at USD 36.1 million, will increase SCG's direct and indirect stake in LSP to 71 % from 46 %. PetroVietnam holds the remaining 29 % interest.

As MRC reported earlier, in March 2017, SCG through its wholly-owned subsidiary Vina SCG Chemicals Co. entered into a share purchase agreement with QPI Vietnam Ltd. (QPIV), a subsidiary of Qatar Petroleum (QP), to acquire QPIV's 25% interest in Long Son Petrochemicals Co. (LSP).

SCG Chemicals is a subsidiary of SCG and is one of SCG’s 3 core businesses consisting of Chemicals, Paper and Cement-Building Materials. SCG embarked upon the chemicals business in 1989. At present, SCG Chemicals manufactures and supplies a full range of petrochemical products ranging from upstream petrochemicals such as Olefins, intermediate petrochemicals such as Styrene Monomer, PTA, and MMA, to downstream petrochemicals such as Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyvinyl Chloride, and Polystyrene resins. SCG Chemicals is now one of the largest integrated petrochemical companies in Thailand and a key industry leader in the Asia-Pacific region.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall imports of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) into Russia increased by 12% in the first eight months of the year to 33,200 tonnes, according to MRC's DataScope report.

Higher HIPS imports boosted the overall shipments, whereas GPPS imports remained at the last year's level.

August GPPS imports were 3,200 tonnes versus 1,400 tonnes a month earlier. Imports of a major converter of Singapore material of Denka Styrol (1,100 tonnes) was the main factor for the increase in last month's deliveries. Shipments from China also grew sharply to 780 tonnes from 70 tonnes in July.

GPPS imports reached in the first eight months of 2017 the last year's figure and totalled 17,600 tonnes. Styrolution accounted for 9,700 tonnes or 55% of the total GPPS imports in January-August 2017.

August HIPS imports were 2,400 tonnes, compared to 2,900 tonnes a month earlier. In terms of producers last month, it is worth noting the reduction in shipments of Styrolution's material to 900 tonnes from 1.3 tonnes a month earlier.

Overall HIPS imports rose by 28% year on year in the first eight months of 2017 to 15,700 tonnes from 12,200 tonnes a year earlier. All major HIPS suppliers to Russia increased their imports. Styrolution's shipments grew by 30% to 6,200 tonnes, compared to 4,800 tonnes a year earlier. Polimeri Europa's shipments increased by 36% to 4,200 tonnes versus 3,100 tonnes, LG Chem's imports - by 19% to 2,400 tonnes versus 2,000 tonnes. Converters directly purchased 13,000 tonnes or 83% of the total GPPS imports in January-August 2017.

In late summer, demand for HIPS and GPPS was strong in the Russian market on the back of a shortage of Nizhnekamskneftekhim's quantities and absence of Gazprom neftekhim Salavat's material.

MRC