Arlanxeo to increase its EPDM output in China by 15%

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Arlanxeo is to increase the annual production capacity of its EPDM plant in Changzhou by 15%, according to ERJ with reference to the Dutch-based synthetic rubber company's statement.

“Independently designed and implemented” at the Chinese plant, the project involves “upgrading downstream applications to achieve efficient and sufficient product supply.”

In its statement, Arlanxeo added that an acceleration of new infrastructure and automotive industry projects in China were driving increased demand for its elastomers.

The operational efficiency programme covers the production of various grades of Keltan-branded EPDM materials produced at the 160 kilotonnes per annum plant.

These products, noted Arlanxeo, are used in component parts for 5G construction, ultra-high voltage, charging pile and ‘big data’ centres in new infrastructure areas. Other applications include: parts for trains and rail transit systems; profiles for new energy vehicles; washing machine gaskets; and air-conditioner dampers.

As MRC informed before, in October 2020, Arlanxeo sold its Canadian olefins business, which produces butadiene and raffinate in Sarnia, Ontario, to Mitsubishi Corp. for an undisclosed sum.

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 2,487,450 tonnes in 2021, up by 13% year on year. Shipments of all grades of ethylene polymers increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market totalled 1,494.280 tonnes, up by 21% year on year. Deliveries of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased, whreas.shipments of PP random copolymers decreased significantly.

Arlanxeo is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Dulux, the flagship decorative paint brand from AkzoNobel India has launched the next generation of colour innovation for consumers in India, said Chemindigest.

Dulux’s iconic Velvet Touch ultra-luxury interior emulsions now come power-packed with the Tru Color technology edge across the entire range (of Dulux Velvet Touch Diamond Glo, Dulux Velvet Touch Pearl Glo and Dulux Velvet Touch Platinum Glo).

Rajiv Rajgopal, Managing Director AkzoNobel India says, “Dulux Velvet Touch epitomises the best quality of paint. As Indian consumers are increasingly spending more time rejuvenating their homes, walls have become a canvas of self-expression. Dulux India is now further empowering consumers to flourish through colours. We’re delighted to present the all new Dulux Velvet Touch with the Tru Colour technology. This is our promise of intense rich colours with ultra-smooth finish so that every living space feels like home."

Inspired by global contemporary design themes, Tru Color brings to life a specially curated palette of intense rich colours made with the finest ingredients and colour pigments for an ultra-smooth finish. AkzoNobel’s global aesthetic center at Amsterdam has distilled its colour expertise into three design palettes – Essential, Accent and Atmosphere.

As per MRC, AkzoNobel expects business in Russia to wind down in the next couple of months due to difficulties accessing raw materials and the increasing deterioration of supply chains. The firm, which operates four plants in the country, expects its Russian assets to go out of business within the next couple of months due to the impact of sanctions imposed on the country and intensifying supply chain disruption, as well as the ability of key customers to finance orders.

As MRC previously reported, AkzoNobel completed a capacity expansion at its industrial coatings plant in Songjiang, near Shanghai, China, in March 202, doubling its packaging lacquer and coating capacity. After expansion, the plant became one of the world's largest enterprises for the production of industrial coatings, as well as epoxy and polyester resins.

AkzoNobel is the world's largest manufacturer of paints and coatings, also a leader in specialty chemicals.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- KBR announced that it has been awarded a 7-year contract with an option to extend for another 3 years, for the provision of General Maintenance Services (GMS) by Saudi Aramco TOTAL Refining and Petrochemical Company (SATORP), for its project in Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, according to CISION.

Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide preventive, predictive, corrective, and shutdown maintenance services at the refinery, with a focus on continuous improvement and sustainable asset performance. By integrating lessons learned from a decade-long partnership, KBR aims to achieve top quartile plant performance while optimizing costs.

Through this partnership, KBR reaffirms its commitment to Saudization and maintaining a Zero Harm safety culture at the refinery.

KBR has been a pioneer in the downstream industry for over 70 years and has delivered several large-scale maintenance projects for some of the world's largest and technically complex downstream facilities.

As MRC reported earlier, KBR and ExxonMobil Catalysts and Licensing will collaborate to bring significant advancements to propane dehydrogenation (PDH) technology. Under the collaboration, ExxonMobil's new proprietary catalyst technology will be combined with KBR's proprietary K-PRO PDH technology to convert propane into propylene. Enabled by the superior performance of ExxonMobil's new catalyst, the combined technology solution could offer financial savings compared to PDH technologies currently available.

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 2,487,450 tonnes in 2021, up by 13% year on year. Shipments of all grades of ethylene polymers increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market totalled 1,494.280 tonnes, up by 21% year on year. Deliveries of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased, whreas.shipments of PP random copolymers decreased significantly.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- German chemicals maker Henkel AG will exit its business activities in Russia, joining a parade of companies leaving the country over the war in Ukraine, reported Bloomberg.

Henkel will work closely with its teams in Russia to ensure an orderly process, the Dusseldorf-based manufacturer said in a statement Tuesday.

The financial impact of the decision can’t be quantified at this time, the company added.

Henkel’s 2,500 employees in Russia will continue to be employed and paid. The move comes hours after carmaker Stellantis NV announced plans to halt production at a van factory outside Moscow.

As MRC informed earlier, Huhtamaki has decided to initiate the process to divest its operations in Russia. This follows an earlier decision to stop all investments in Russia at the outbreak of the invasion of Ukraine.

Huhtamaki considers that the current evolution of the situation and the long-term outlook in Russia will prevent the realization of its growth strategy and long-term ambitions in the country. Huhtamaki will continue to prioritize investments that capture the significant growth opportunities in the rest of the world, in line with its global ambitions and 2030 Strategy.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Worley has bagged a front-end engineering and design (FEED) services contract from Trinseo for its first-of-a-kind chemical recycling plant in Belgium, said Chemindigest.

Trinseo is a global materials company and manufacturer of plastics and latex binders. The plant will use gasification technology to depolymerise post-consumer polystyrene waste into pure styrene. It’s a first-of-its-kind project on an industrial scale.

Trinseo’s plant will process 15,000 tons of recycled polystyrene flakes every year. These will be transformed into high quality recycled styrene and used for the production of new polystyrene and/or styrene derivatives, including acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene acrylonitrile (SAN). ABS and SAN are thermoplastics polymers. They are durable and impact resistant, making them useful in the manufacture of car parts, medical devices, consumer electronics and more.

Worley completed the pre-FEED services for the project in 2021. The FEED scope covers the engineering of the feedstock, storage, condensation and distillation areas, utilities and hot oil unit. It also includes the cost estimate for the project. “Circularity in the chemical industry will be key if producers want to retain their license to operate in the coming years and decades,” says Geert Reyniers, Senior Director Process and Technology. He adds, “Our work today means we can help customers, like Trinseo, to implement first-of-a-kind technologies so they can realize their sustainability objectives."

"Trinseo chose Worley to move forward with because of its recognised leadership in the industry,” informs Francesca Reverberi, SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer at Trinseo. He adds, “Worley’s strong commitment to sustainability is critical for us as we continue our journey and goal of delivering sustainable material solutions while maintaining high quality and performance.” Plant construction is planned to begin at the end of 2022.

As per MRC, Trinseo, a global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex binders, and synthetic rubber, and its affiliate companies in Europe, have announced a price increase for all polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (SAN) in Europe.

According to ICIS-MRC Price report, Russian PS producers did not adjust their prices in mid-April. Prices of Nizhnekamskneftekhim's GPPS remained at Rb204,750-215,700/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT, whereas HIPS prices remained at Rb217,250-228,200/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT. Penoplex contracted all April GPPS quantities at Rb225,000-227,000/tonne CPT Moscow, including VAT.

Trinseo is a global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber. Trinseo's technology is used by customers in industries such as home appliances, automotive, building & construction, carpet, consumer electronics, consumer goods, electrical & lighting, medical, packaging, paper & paperboard, rubber goods and tires. Formerly known as Styron, Trinseo completed its renaming process in 1Q 2015. Trinseo had approximately $4.8 billion in net sales in 2021 and has 26 manufacturing sites and one recycling facility around the world and approximately 3,400 employees.
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