Ukrainian PVC imports down by 23% in Jan-Sep 2021, exports up by 17%

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Imports of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) into Ukraine fell in the first nine months of 2021 by 23% year on year, totalling 20,800 tonnes. Export sales of Ukrainian PVC rose by 17% year on year partially due to record high prices in a number of regions of the world, according to MRC's DatasScope report.

Last month's SPVC imports to the Ukrainian market decreased to 2,300 tonnes from 2,700 tonnes in August, Ukrainian companies reduced their shipments of polymer from the USA. Overall SPVC imports reached 20,800 tonnes in January-September 2021, compared to 26,800 tonnes a year earlier. Limited export quotas of European and North American producers were the main reason for such a major fall in imports.

European producers with the share of about 86% of the total imports over the stated period were the key suppliers of resin to the Ukrainian market.
Last month, Karpatneftekhim maintained its export sales at a good level, export sales of Ukrainian resin were 16,300 tonnes versus 13,300 tonnes in August. Overall, slightly less than 146,000 tonnes of PVC were shipped for export in the first nine months of 2021, compared to 124,300 tonnes a year earlier.

MRC

Celanese introduces Hostaform RF for rotomolding tank applications

Celanese introduces Hostaform RF for rotomolding tank applications

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Celanese Corporation, a global chemical and specialty materials company, has announced the launch of Hostaform RF, a low permeation acetal copolymer tailored for Small Off-Road Engine and marine fuel tanks, hydraulic reservoirs, and industrial bulk containers, as per the company's press release.

“Celanese’s long history and expertise in acetal polymer formulation and processing helped us design a specific solution optimized for the rotational molding process,” said Adam Larkin, Senior Manager, Acetal Product Marketing. “This single-layer solution enables optimal tank designs without any secondary operations, thereby increasing efficiency and productivity for our customers.”

As the leading acetal copolymer supplier for automotive fuel systems, Celanese has specifically formulated Hostaform RF to deliver an easy-to-use, drop-in solution for traditional rotational molding. The rotational molding method creates parts by placing material inside a heated, hollow, rotating mold where material is dispersed evenly.

The new RF resin system delivers the excellent mechanical and chemical-resistant properties of Celanese’s Hostaform acetal copolymer while also providing a single-layer solution versus multilayer tank systems requiring secondary treatment, such as fluorination. Hostaform® RF delivers an unprecedented balance of impact and durability performance along with low fuel permeation that customers need to meet US EPA regulations.

We remind that, as MRC reported earlier, Celanese Corporation has recently announced a force majeure (FM) in China for vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) shipments from its plant Nanjing, China. Celanese has temporarily shut down its acetic anhydride and VAM production in Nanjing to comply with recent requirements of government departments in order to achieve dual energy consumption targets in the Jiangsu Province in 2021. Thus, its VAM plan with the capacity of 300,000 mt/year was shut on 17 September, 2021, and its was expected to resume operations in late September.

According to MRC's DataScope report, June EVA imports to Russia fell by 18,32% year on year to 2,400 tonnes from 2,940 tonnes a year earlier, and overall imports of this grade of ethylene copolymer into the Russian Federation rose in January-June 2021 by 26,19% year on year to 22,020 tonnes (17,450 tonnes in the first seven months of 2020).

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 7,700 employees worldwide and had 2020 net sales of USD5.7 billion.
MRC

European PVC prices rose by EUR60/tonne for CIS markets in October

European PVC prices rose by EUR60/tonne for CIS markets in October

MOSOCW (MRC) - Negotiations on European polyvinyl chloride (PVC) prices for October shipment to the CIS markets began last week. Under the pressure of rising ethylene prices and the cost of electricity in the region, European producers raised their export prices for the current month by EUR60/tonne, and in some cases even increased by EUR90/tonne, according to the ICIS-MRC Price Report.

October contract price of ethylene was agreed up by EUR25/tonne from the previous month, which theoretically allows to talk about an increase of EUR12,5/tonne in the net cost of PVC production. But recently, the price of electricity has risen significantly, which also affects the cost of polymer production.

Because of significant shortage of PVC in the region and an increase in production costs in October, European producers increased export prices by EUR60/tonne or more.

More than a quarter of European capacities are shut due to planned and unscheduled shutdowns for repairs , and the unstable work of producers in the US and the decline in exports have negatively affected the balance of the European PVC market.

As a result, over the past three months, some buyers from CIS countries reported an almost complete lack of PVC for them from some producers in Europe.

Overall, deals for October shipments of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) to the CIS markets were discussed in the range of EUR1 500-1 605/tonne FCA, whereas the previous month's deals were done at EUR1 440 - 1 515/tonne FCA.

MRC

EFS-plastics acquires blow molder Exi-Plast

EFS-plastics acquires blow molder Exi-Plast

MOSCOW (MRC) -- In a deal involving two Ontario companies, post-consumer plastic recycler EFS-plastics Inc. has acquired custom blow molder Exi-Plast Custom Moulding for an undisclosed amount, said Canplastics.

Both companies will continue to operate under their organizational structures, officials with Listowel, Ont.-based EFS said in a news release.

Founded in 1992, Exi-Plast is headquartered in Huron Park, Ontario.

"Having worked closely with EFS as a supplier since 2016, it felt natural for Exi-Plast to join the EFS Group of Companies,” said Exi-Plast president Jeffrey Lang. “With EFS’s backing, we are looking forward to increasing our production capacity and upgrading equipment over the next several months."

EFS said the acquisition fits into its goal of reducing plastic waste by replacing the use of virgin plastic with low-carbon recycled plastic. “By purchasing Exi-Plast, [we] can directly manufacture finished products with high levels of post-consumer recycled plastic for its customers,” the company said. “Given the commitments made by brands and the Canadian federal government to increase their use of post-consumer recycled plastic, this enhanced vertical integration will allow EFS to recycle higher volumes of plastic collected from Canadian households."

"As we closely watch action being taken by both the federal government and the private sector, we see the increasing demand for recycled content as a lasting trend,” EFS president and CEO Martin Vogt added.

As per MRC, Dow, Midland, Michigan, announced several advancements in its efforts to prevent plastic waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide customers with recycled plastic products. The company says these advancements will help it to provide initial supply of fully circular polymers to customers starting in 2022.

As per ICIS-MRC Price Report, prices of Russian EPS remained steady during last week. Prices for the spot volumes of the Russian material were at roubles (Rb) 188,000-205,000/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT. Some market participants continued to report a shortage of EPS in the domestic market. Demand for material was strong.

MRC

McDonalds Canada eliminating most single-use plastic foodservice products

McDonalds Canada eliminating most single-use plastic foodservice products

MOSCOW (MRC) -- McDonald’s Canada has announced plans to eliminate plastic cutlery, stir sticks and straws in its restaurants by December, said Canpastics.

In an Oct. 7 news release, the company said that it will introduce wooden cutlery, wooden stir sticks and paper straws to its more than 1,400 restaurants across the country.

The only piece of plastic cutlery that McDonald’s Canada will continue to offer will be plastic spoons used with McFlurry ice cream products.

"By being part of the Canadian fabric and serving close to three million guests every day… McDonald’s Canada is playing an important role in the ongoing reduction of single-use plastics in the country,” Rob Dick, supply chain officer, McDonald’s Canada, said in the release. “By removing these single-use plastics in our restaurants, we show our ongoing commitment to minimize our environmental footprint and to help protect the planet for future generations."

Removing plastic cutlery, stir sticks and straws from McDonald’s Canada locations will remove approximately 840 tons of plastics from the Canadian system annually, the news release said.

As per MRC, Ford is looking to partner with McDonald's to recycle coffee chaff, the husk of coffee beans that peels off during roasting. To start with, the chaff will be recycled and molded into headlamp housings for Ford products, which will produce lighter components and, in turn, improve the cars' efficiency. Both companies want to carry on collaborating with one another for a more sustainable future.

According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 1,176,860 tonnes in the first half of 2021, up by 5% year on year. Shipments of exclusively low density polyethylene (LDPE) decreased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market were 727,160 tonnes in the first six months of 2021, up by 31% year on year. Supply of homopolymer PP and block-copolymers of propylene (PP block copolymers) increased. Supply of statistical copolymers of propylene (PP random copolymers) subsided.

McDonald’s has been operating in Canada since 1967.
MRC