Celanese raises January prices for UHMW-PE polymers in Europe, Americas and Asia

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Celanese Corporation, a global specialty materials company, has announced price increases for its GUR and GHR grades (UHMW-PE) to be shipped starting from January to Europe, the Americas and Asia, as per the company's press release.

The price increases below will be effective for orders shipped on or after 1 January, 2019, or as contracts otherwise allow, as follows:

- in Europe - by EUR150/tonne;
- in Asia - by USD150/tonne;
- in North and South America - by 10%.

Meanwhile, final price for individual grades may vary.

As MRC informed earlier, Celanese Corporation has raised list and off-list selling prices for Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) sold in Asia Outside China (AOC). The price increase below is for orders shipped and is effective as of 21 December 2018, or as contracts otherwise allow, and is incremental to any previously announced increases. Thus, Celanese increased VAM list and off-list selling prices by USD50/mt for AOC.

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. Based in Dallas, Celanese employs approximately 7,600 employees worldwide and had 2017 net sales of USD6.1 billion.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF Venture Capital GmbH is investing in Prismlab, a provider of 3D printing processes and 3D printers, headquartered in Shanghai, China, according to GV.

Prismlab has developed a patented printing process that is characterised by a very high printing speed, high level of precision and lower printing costs. BASF’s venture investment will enable Prismlab to further accelerate its product development and innovation while strengthening its market reach to the global market.

"This is our first direct investment in a Chinese company," said Markus Solibieda, Managing Director of BASF Venture Capital GmbH. "The trailblazing technology from Prismlab allows large and stable components, such as medical braces and anatomical models, to be 3D printed for the first time. This investment supports BASF’s strategy of actively advancing our technologies and expanding our product offering in the 3D printing sector."

"China is transforming from a manufacturing-driven to an innovation-driven economy. This investment in Prismlab reflects our commitment to further expanding our innovation capabilities in China, and BASF Venture Capital plays an important role in helping us identifying potential partners that lead us to success," said Dr. Zheng Daqing, BASF’s Senior Vice President, Business and Market Development Greater China.

"The 3D printing technology must continue to evolve before it is set to change the world. At Prismlab, we aim to spearhead and accelerate that change by providing solutions through specialised customisation. The investment allows us to stay laser-focused on our R&D capability, a key factor to achieve that goal," said Hou Feng, Founder and Chairman of Prismlab.

Prismlab has developed a patented 3D printing process, "Pixel Resolution Enhanced Technology", based on stereolithography (SLA). SLA allows comparatively large components to be produced using light-curing resins. Prismlab’s technology increases the printing resolution without compromising printing speed. In order to increase the amount of energy brought into a pixel, Prismlab’s technology divides each pixel in the resin into several small sections, which can be cured individually by exposure to LCD light. This makes the energy input into each pixel significantly higher than similar processes that expose each pixel to light once. This allows comparatively large and stable components or numerous parts to be printed in the same production step. With the use of LCD light, it also reduces process costs. This advantage opens opportunities in the footwear and furniture industry, said the company.

Along with this patented process, Prismlab also markets 3D printers and other related services. The Prismlab technology can be used in various key customer applications, including invisible braces, and anatomical models for medical, and education and training purposes.

SLA uses a laser for layer-by-layer curing of a photopolymer solution to shape the required workpiece. SLA and LCD based printing processes determinate the size, stability, and usability of the components to be produced as they are limited by the size of the light spot and the intensity of the light.

As MRC wrote before, in November 2016, BASF SE unveiled plans to invest globally within the next five years more than EUR200 million in its plastic additives business, approximately half of which in Asia, focusing on capacity expansions and operational excellence. Plastic additives improve product properties such as scratch resistance or light stability, and optimize plastics manufacturing processes. As the leading global supplier of plastic additives with manufacturing assets in all regions, BASF is a major partner to the plastics industry.

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.
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MOSCOW (MRC)-- TechnipFMC has been awarded a significant Engineering, Procurement support and Construction management services contract by Neste for the expansion of their renewable products refinery in Singapore, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

This project will increase the overall Neste Singapore Refinery renewable products production by up to 1.3 million tons per year and includes TechnipFMC’s steam reforming technology.

This expansion aims at meeting the market demand for renewable products. The production process is based on Neste’s proprietary NEXBTL state-of-the-art technology.

Nello Uccelletti, President of TechnipFMC’s Onshore-Offshore business, stated: “This award demonstrates our long-standing relationship with Neste, established in 2007, with the delivery of two world-scale renewable fuels units in Rotterdam and Singapore. We are proud to support Neste in the quest for renewable products, as well as collaborate with this client on a leading-edge technology. This confirms the interest by both parties to embrace the energy transition supported by today’s market trend."
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Dammam, Saudi Arabia: The Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP), a multilateral development bank, announced a USD100m investment as part of a consortium of international and regional banks to finance the construction of Oman’s Duqm Refinery, according to Hydrocarbonprocessing.

Situated within the Duqm Special Economic Zone the refinery is a joint venture between Kuwait Petroleum International and Oman Oil Company. Duqm Refinery is a milestone project which will contribute to the transformation of Oman’s economy. APICORP contributed USD100m to the financing of the refinery, USD50m sharia compliant, and USD50m conventional tranche. This is a demonstration of APICORP’s commitment to Oman with over $380m currently committed to the energy sector in the country.

The announcement continues APICORP’s collaboration with Kuwait, a 17% shareholder in APICORP, with a continued partnership in the financing of foreign investments in petrochemical projects such as MEGlobal in Canada and the Netherlands, and for Equipolymers in Switzerland, as well as the Nghi Son refinery and petrochemical plant in Vietnam.

Dr. Ahmed Ali Attiga, Chief Executive Officer of APICORP, commented: "We are delighted to be working with Kuwait Petroleum International and Oman Oil Company on this prestigious project - Duqm Refinery. As the Arab energy sectors most trusted financial partner, we look forward to further strengthening our existing partnerships with the governments of Kuwait and Oman. Once operational, the refinery will play a significant role in boosting Oman’s exports and will be a key driver for the growth of the region providing investment opportunities for new related projects."

Mr. Nabil Bourisli, President of Kuwait Petroleum International and Chairman of Duqm Refinery commented said, "We are pleased to be working with APICORP on Duqm Refinery. This reflects the trust and confidence of local, regional and international financial institutions in our economic ties that are deeply rooted in history. Our vision is aiming at maximizing the value of our natural resources and driving the two countries towards expanding their economic potential, leading to balanced economic growth."

Duqm Refinery is based in Al Duqm in the South East Al Wusta Governorate of the Sultanate of Oman. A strategic maritime location providing immediate access to international shipping lanes in both the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, helps the process of transport in and out of the region and gives the project a significant competitive advantage. Duqm Refinery recently celebrated the laying of the foundation stone and the commencement of the USD5.75b construction work for the project. Once the refinery is completed, it will have the capacity to process around 230,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Its primary products will be diesel, jet fuel, naphtha and LPG.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Houston-based Ascend Performance Materials is investing USD35.3 million in an expansion of its Greenwood County facility, creating 30 new jobs, according to SC BIZ News with reference to the S.C. Department of Commerce.

Located at 1515 Highway 246 South in Greenwood, Ascend plans to upgrade several lines in early 2019 to increase capacity of nylon polymer production. Last year, the company added 24 million pounds of staple fiber production capacity at the facility, according to a news release.

"The polymer we make at Ascend in Greenwood forms the building blocks for things we use every day, from air bags to high-end carpet to tennis balls," said Hal McCord, Ascend Performance Materials senior site director, in the release. "Thanks to the hard work of our employees and the support of leaders in Greenwood County and South Carolina, this expansion will allow us to increase our polymer production by 50%, creating more jobs for local residents."

With six manufacturing plants in the southeastern United States and Europe and more than 3,200 employees and contractors around the world, Ascend manufactures fibers, resins and compounds.

"We are excited that Ascend Performance Materials is once again expanding in Greenwood County. Ascend Performance Materials has been an exemplary member of our manufacturing community for the past 58 years, and we look forward to continuing this partnership for years to come," said Steve Brown, chairman of the Greenwood County Council, in the release.

As MRC reported before, in early 2018, Ascend Performance Materials, the world’s largest fully integrated producer of polyamide 66 resin, launched Vydyne FR350J, a new high performance compound based on polyamide 66 (PA66) that will bring extra safety to electrical connectors used in unattended home appliances.

Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in the production of Nylon 6,6.
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