Keiyo Ethylene eyes to complete maintenance at naphtha cracker

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Keiyo Ethylene is likly to restart a naphtha cracker following a maintenance turnaround, according to Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in Japan informed that the company has planned to resume operations at the plant in early-July 2018. The cracker was shut for maintenance on May 13, 2018.

Located at Ichihara in Chiba prefecture of Japan, the cracker has a production capacity of 740,000 mt/year.

As MRC informed before, Keiyo Monomer planned to take its vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) plant off-stream for a maintenance turnaround in February-March 2018. The exact date and duration of the shutdown could not be ascertained. Located in Chiba, Japan, the plant has a production capacity of 200,000 mt/year.

Founded in 1991, Keiyo Ethylene Co. Ltd. produces and sells petrochemical products. The Company produces ethylene, propylene, and other petrochemical products.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) – Emerging Connected Plant technologies were the highlight when Honeywell kicked off its largest annual gathering of industrial customers, with a focus on showing manufacturers how digital transformation can help them achieve new levels of consistently high performance, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The ability of Honeywell Connected Plant’s offerings to deliver higher levels of safety, reliability, efficiency and profitability will continue to be the primary discussion point at the 43rd Honeywell Users Group (HUG) Americas symposium, which runs through Friday. More than 1,300 delegates from across the oil and gas, chemical, pulp and paper, and metals and mining sectors are attending the event, which features numerous displays of the newest technologies along with dozens of Honeywell- and customer-led sessions and technical discussions.

Throughout the conference, Honeywell will showcase how turning data into actionable insight requires more than just upgrading technology; it requires a system for capturing, retaining and sharing knowledge that allows both the plant and its workers to perform at their best every day. Honeywell Connected Plant enables this through proven industry solutions based on decades of domain knowledge and controls experience.

“Digital transformation has to be about more than just moving data into the cloud,” said John Rudolph, president of Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS). “It ultimately has to be about the outcomes, including driving increased productivity and savings for our customers while allowing them to increase knowledge capture, knowledge sharing and knowledge retention among their employees."

Rudolph was named president of HPS on May 31, 2018, succeeding Vimal Kapur, who was named president and CEO of Honeywell Building Technologies. Rudolph led the Projects and Automation Solutions, and Lifecycle Solutions and Services businesses for HPS over the past six years, driving significant growth. Rudolph also has held leadership roles with TAS Energy, General Electric and Ingersoll Rand.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Haldia Tata Chemicals has completed the divestment of its fer-tilizer unit and trading business in Haldia, West Bengal, India, to Indorama Holdings' wholly-owned IRC Agrochemicals subsidiary, as per Apic-online.

Tata recently said the divestment was in line with its strategic direction to focus on its specialty chemical and food businesses, while maintaining leadership in inorganic chemicals, Indorama noted.

The transaction, valued at Rs 872.84 crore, was closed on 1 June 2018.

We remind that, as MRC wrote before, in October 2017, global chemical manufacturer Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL) completed its purchase of DuraFiber Technologies Mexico Operations, S. A. DE C. V. (Durafiber). Durafiber is a leading Mexican producer of durable technical textiles for industrial, tyre reinforcement, and specialty applications globally.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Argosy International and Solvay have entered into a definitive agreement to enable direct service of Solvay’s advanced materials business in the Asia Pacific region, as per Technicaltextile.

Argosy and Solvay will work closely to ensure a seamless transition for all customers and will be contacting customer to discuss the particulars of this transition over the next two months.

The agreement effective from October 1 includes the purchase of certain Argosy assets that will be used to service the region. Solvay is an advanced materials and chemical company, committed to developing chemistry that addresses key societal challenges. Solvay innovates and partners with customers in diverse global end markets. Its products are used in planes, cars, batteries, smart and medical devices, as well as in mineral and oil and gas extraction, enhancing efficiency and sustainability.

"Solvay and Argosy have worked together for many years to serve the Asia Pacific region. With Solvay’s acquisition of Cytec, and its legacy of strong presence in Asia Pacific, the opportunity to further improve our service to the region and its customer base was clear to both parties. I am confident that our technology and operational leadership coupled with material qualifications on multiple platforms across the region will position our customers for continued growth. We look forward to rapidly implementing our direct business and serve our customers," Carmelo Lo Faro, president of Solvay Composite Materials business, said.

"After more than 26 years, we have helped grow Solvay's presence from a few customers to a major supplier in the Asia Pacific region – the world's fastest growing aerospace market," said Paul Marks, CEO/chairman of Argosy International. With Solvay's support, Argosy has helped win business on multiple Asian aerospace platforms.

"Specialty material distributors like Argosy work to get to an inflection point, where direct access to customers is both in the suppliers and customer's best interest. By moving customers back to Solvay, the customers will have access to direct service and innovation. We understand the time has come for Solvay to handle their business directly in the vibrant and expanding markets of Asia. Argosy will work closely with Solvay to effect a seamless transition for the customers. Going forward, Argosy will focus its efforts on growing its honeycomb and coatings businesses. In addition, Argosy will be expanding through several new businesses which leverage Argosy’s competencies," Marks explained.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- AkzoNobel has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Fabryo Corporation S.R.L. (Fabryo), becoming the leader in the Romanian decorative paints market, as per the company's press release.

The transaction includes two production facilities and six distribution centers for decorative paints, adhesives and mortars, including one of the largest decorative paints factories in the region, with capacity for further expansion.

The business generated revenue of around €45 million in 2017 and is the only player with both a leading product portfolio for consumers as well as professional segments in the Romanian market, including brands Savana, APLA and InnenWeiss.

Thierry Vanlancker, CEO of AkzoNobel, said: "This acquisition provides AkzoNobel with the number one position in a fast growing market and will contribute to delivering our Winning Together: 15 by 20 Strategy. Fabryo has a proven track record when it comes to growth and profitability. We are very happy to add top brands like Savana, APLA and InnenWeiss to our world class portfolio and look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to AkzoNobel."

Ruud Joosten, COO of AkzoNobel, added: "We are very excited about the acquisition of Fabryo; a strong market leader for decorative paints in Romania led by an excellent team. Savana is the number one decorative paints brand among Romanian consumers. The strong sales and distribution capabilities of Fabryo will help us to further improve our business in the region, leveraging our combined resources and expertise, and strengthen our position as the leading paints and coatings company in Europe."

The planned transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2018, subject to regulatory approval.

As MRC informed before, in December 2016, AkzoNobel finalized the acquisition of BASF’s global Industrial Coatings business, which supplies a range of products for industries including construction, domestic appliances, wind energy and commercial transport, strengthening its position as the global number one supplier in coil coatings. The transaction includes relevant technologies, patents and trademarks, as well as two manufacturing plants in the United Kingdom and South Africa. Approximately 400 employees from BASF’s Industrial Coatings business join AkzoNobel, bringing expertise to innovate and serve an expanded customer base worldwide.

Akzo Nobel N.V., trading as AkzoNobel, is a Dutch multinational, active in the fields of decorative paints, performance coatings and specialty chemicals. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the company has activities in more than 80 countries, and employs approximately 55,000 people.
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