GS Caltex to start up new cracker in South Korea

MOSCOW (MRC) -- GS Caltex, a major South Korean petrochemical producer, is planning to start up its new mixed-feed cracker in Yeosu in June 2021, reported S&P Global.

This schedule is earlier than the initial plan of 2022.

The new cracker can produce 790,000 tons/year of ethylene and 430,000 tons/year of propylene.

As MRC informed before, this June, the company also plans to start up its new high density polyethylene (HDPE) in Yeosu with an annual capacity of 500,000 tons/year that would concentrate on producing the film (TR-144, TRB-115), blow molding (5520BN or BM593), and injection (6060 or 6060UV) grades.

The company also operates 180,000 tons/year polypropylene (PP) plant at the same complex.

The project is a 50-50 joint venture between GS Energy Corp. and Chevron Corp., costing 2 trillion won (USD1.84 billion) that started construction work in 2019.

Ethylene and propylene are the main feedstocks for the production of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), respectively.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 576,270 tonnes in the first three month of 2021, up by 4% year on year. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) shipments increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market totalled 410,890 tonnes in January-March 2021, up by 56% year on year. Supply of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Russia's overall polypropylene (PP) production grew in the first four months of 2021 by 16% year on year to 693,900 tonnes. All Russian producers increased their output, with Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Ufaorgsintez being the exception, according to MRC's ScanPlast report.

Russian plants' total PP production fell to 160,500 tonnes in April from 182,600 tonnes a month earlier, ZapSibNeftekhim reduced its capacity utilisation because of a shutdown for a short turnaround. Russia's overall PP production reached 693,300 tonnes in January-April 2021, compared to 597,900 tonnes a year earlier. Five out of seven producers increased their capacity utilisation, with Poliom and SIBUR Tobolsk/ZapSibNeftekhim accounting for the greatest growth in the output.

The structure of PP production by plants looked the following way over the stated period.

SIBUR Tobolsk/ZapSibNeftekhim reduced their output in April, their total PP production was 76,500 tonnes versus 98,000 tonnes a month earlier due to the shutdown for a short scheduled maintenance. Tobolsk complex's PP overall output reached 363,200 tonnes in the first four months of 2021, up by 32% year on year.

Poliom (Omsk) maintained high capacity utilisation in April, and, as a result, produced about 17,500 tonnes of PP, whereas its production did not exceed 17,800 tonnes a month earlier. Overall, the Omsk plant produced 69,400 tonnes of PP over the stated period, up by 9% year on year.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim produced a little less then 18,600 tonnes of propylene polymers in April, which corresponded to the previous month's figure. The Nizhnekamsk plant's overall output of polymer reached 72,800 tonnes in January-April 2021, compared to 73,100 tonnes a year earlier.

Tomskneftekhim produced 12,800 tonnes of propylene polymers in April versus 13,100 tonnes a month earlier. The Tomsk plant's total PP output reached 51,400 tonnes in the first four months of 2021, up by 1% year on year.

Ufaorgsintez operated with higher capacity utilisation in April, the plant's total PP production was about 11,500 tonnes versus 11,400 tonnes a month earlier. The Ufa plant's overall output of polymer reached 44,300 tonnes in the first four months of 2021, down by 2% year on year.

Neftekhimiya (Kapotnya) produced 12,500 tonnes of PP in April, compared to 13,000 tonnes a month earlier. The plant's overall PP output reached 49,900 tonnes over the stated period, up by 1% year on year.

Stavrolen (Lukoil) produced slightly over 11,000 tonnes of propylene polymers in April versus 10,700 tonnes a month earlier. The Budenovsk plant's overall output of propylene polymers reached 42,900 tonnes in the first four months of 2021, up by 4% year on year.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- US-based global thermoplastics resin distributor Nexeo Plastics has acquired Italian thermoplastics distributor and compounder Nevicolor, said the company.

In a deal that expands its European footprint, resin distributor Nexeo Plastics LLC has acquired Nevicolor SpA, a resin supplier and compounder based in Luzzara, Italy, for an undisclosed amount.

Headquartered in The Woodlands, Tex., Nexeo is an affiliate of GPD Companies Inc., a group of distributors formed by One Rock Capital Partners.

In a June 1 news release, Nexeo officials said that Nevicolor “has provided value-added thermoplastic resins, compounds and application development services for over 57 years.” The company’s products serve a variety of customers and suppliers in the industrial components, healthcare, automotive, advanced packaging, agriculture and electrical sectors. “Nevicolor serves more than 800 customers with a portfolio of over 3,000 grades of high-quality polymers, including recycled materials,” Nexeo officials said.

"This strategic acquisition increases GPD’s scale and affords Nexeo Plastics access to Nevicolor’s highly technical and analytical specialization,” said GPD CEO Paul Tayler. “Nevicolor has built a reliable network of international suppliers, and we look forward to continuing to serve its customers with the customized solutions they have come to expect."

"Our customers in Europe will now have access to a robust offering of tailor-made compounds, specialty polymers, lab services, and recycled material,” said Joost d’Hooghe, vice president of EMEA at Nexeo.

As MRC informed earlier, New York City-based Investment firm One Rock Capital Partners completed its acquisition of Nexeo Plastics, which is the plastics distribution business of Nexeo Solutions Inc., a subsidiary of Univar Inc.

MRC earlier said, Nexeo Univar Inc., announced that it has completed the acquisition of Nexeo Solutions, creating a leading global chemical and ingredients solutions provider. The combined company will conduct business as Univar Solutions, reflecting a commitment to combining the 'best of the best' from each legacy organization.

As MRC informed before, Russia's output of chemical products rose in March 2021 by 5.4% year on year. Thus, production of basic chemicals increased year on year by 6.7% in the first moths months of 2021. March production of polymers in primary form was 958,000 tonnes versus 861,000 tonnes in February. Overall output of polymers in primary form totalled 2,740,000 tonnes over the stated period, up by 8.5% year on year.

Nexeo Plastics is a leading global thermoplastic resins distributor, representing quality products from world-class suppliers, and serving a diverse customer base across North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. From material selection assistance to identifying supply chain and inventory solutions, we go beyond traditional logistics to provide value-added services across many industries, including automotive, healthcare, packaging, wire and cable, 3D printing and more
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Crude oil futures were higher during midmorning trade in Asia June 2 as negotiations over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action continued to dawdle, and as a rebound in oil demand in China, the US and Europe threatened to outpace impending increases in supply, reported S&P Global.

At 10:50 am Singapore time (0250 GMT), the ICE August Brent contract was up 38 cents/b (0.54%) from the previous settle at USD70.63/b, while the NYMEX July light sweet crude contract was up 35 cents/b (0.52%) at USD68.07/b.

Any resolution on the JCPOA remained far from certain as the fifth and final round of negotiations proceeded in Vienna, putting into question the prospect of increased Iranian oil hitting the market.

Crude oil prices were also supported by a strong demand outlook for regions undergoing economic rebounds, including China, the US and Europe.

The market was particularly exuberant about the demand outlook in the US, where the Memorial Day weekend kick-started the country's summer driving season. Gasoline demand in the US was already on an uptrend even prior to the Memorial Day holiday, with Apple mobility data showing US driving activity averaging 152% of the baseline in the week ended May 28 - marking a second straight week the index has hit a fresh all-time high in records dating back to January 2020.

With rising oil demand in China and the West expected to compensate for curtailed demand in parts of Asia still grappling with elevated COVID-19 infection numbers, and with the prospect of additional Iranian crude still in flux, the OPEC+ coalition decided during its June 1 meeting to proceed with initial plans to relax its output quota by 840,000 b/d in July.

OPEC will convene June 24 and then hold an expanded meeting July 1, with Russia and nine other partners in the OPEC+ supply accord to decide on production quotas for August and beyond.

Despite more OPEC+ crude coming into the market, concerns have emerged that the market is on the cusp of overheating.

"Over the next six months, I see very clearly that there is a strong recovery of oil demand in the US, China, Europe and elsewhere and if OPEC+ sticks to its current policies, we may see a wider gap between supply and demand," International Energy Agency's director Faith Birol told Bloomberg Television in an interview June 1.

In its latest oil market report released in May, the IEA had cautioned that current production plans by OPEC+ meant supply "won't rise fast enough to keep pace with the expected demand recovery, even if a nuclear deal with Iran sees more volumes coming from the OPEC member later this year."

As MRC wrote earlier, Indian refiners, anticipating a lifting of US sanctions, plan to make space for the resumption of Iranian imports by reducing spot crude oil purchases in the second half of the year. The world"s third-largest oil consumer and importer halted imports from Tehran in 2019 after former US President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 accord and re-imposed sanctions on the OPEC producer over its disputed nuclear programme.

Ethylene and propylene are the main feedstocks for the production of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), respectively.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 576,270 tonnes in the first three month of 2021, up by 4% year on year. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) shipments increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market totalled 410,890 tonnes in January-March 2021, up by 56% year on year. Supply of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Michael Heinz takes over as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, said the company.

Heinz will lead all activities of the North American affiliate of Germany-based BASF SE, one of the leading chemical companies worldwide.

"I am eager to take over responsibility for one of BASF’s major markets and to further develop our strong presence in the North American region,” said Heinz. “Given my experience with BASF in the United States, I am honored by this appointment as it allows me to lead an outstanding team and, at the same time, return to a country that feels like a second home to me."

Heinz has been with BASF for almost four decades and during that time, has spent more than 10 years in various leadership positions in the United States. Earlier in his career, he oversaw BASF’s activities in Ecuador and Mexico, led the global Crop Protection division and was responsible for the integration of two major company acquisitions, Ciba AG and Cognis GmbH. Heinz has been a Member of BASF SE’s Board of Executive Directors since 2011 and will continue serving in this role in addition to leading the company’s North American activities. As part of his Board duties, Heinz is also responsible for BASF’s global Chemicals and Materials business segments as well as the South America region.

Heinz succeeds Wayne T. Smith, who led BASF Corporation for six years. Smith has shaped the company’s business success in the North America region with a strong focus on customers, Diversity & Inclusion and asset reliability.

As MRC informed earlier, BASF, the world's petrochemical major, aims is to electrify its production processes for basic chemicals, which are currently based on fossil fuels. The project envisions an additional offshore wind farm with a capacity of 2 gigawatts (GW) to provide the Ludwigshafen chemical site with green electricity and enable CO2-free production of hydrogen.

Ethylene and propylene are the main feedstocks for the production of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), respectively.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia"s estimated PE consumption totalled 576,270 tonnes in the first three month of 2021, up by 4% year on year. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) shipments increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market totalled 410,890 tonnes in January-March 2021, up by 56% year on year. Supply of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased.

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 17,000 employees in North America and had sales of USD18.7 billion in 2020.
MRC