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Released on 18/12/12
Saudi Aramco and Total plan to double the capital of their refining and petrochemical joint venture to Saudi riyal (SR) 7.13bn ($1.9bn).
Ownership of the two companies in Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Co (Satorp) will remain at 62.5%:37.5% after the capital hike, Arabian Aramco Total Services Co said in a filing to the Saudi stock exchange on Tuesday.
It will be a cash capital injection to fund SATORP’s project in Jubail, it said.
The $14bn project is expected to produce 700,000 tonnes/year of paraxylene, 140,000 tonnes/year of benzene and 200,000 tonnes/year of polymer-grade propylene, the company added.
The project is expected to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2013.
Source ICIS News
Saudi Aramco and Total plan to double the capital of their refining and petrochemical joint venture to Saudi riyal (SR) 7.13bn ($1.9bn).
Ownership of the two companies in Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemical Co (Satorp) will remain at 62.5%:37.5% after the capital hike, Arabian Aramco Total Services Co said in a filing to the Saudi stock exchange on Tuesday.
It will be a cash capital injection to fund SATORP’s project in Jubail, it said.
The $14bn project is expected to produce 700,000 tonnes/year of paraxylene, 140,000 tonnes/year of benzene and 200,000 tonnes/year of polymer-grade propylene, the company added.
The project is expected to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2013.
Source ICIS News
Released on 17/12/12
US polyethylene (PE) producer ExxonMobil shut down a high pressure unit at its Beaumont polyethylene plant in Texas over the weekend, the company said in a public filing on Monday.
The shutdown occured on 16 December at 12:58 Beaumont time (18:58 GMT) after a safety relief vent opened and ethylene was released, according to a filing with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
It was not clear whether the unit remained down or whether it had been restarted.
A company spokesperson confirmed the report but said she could offer no further information on the incident.
ExxonMobil has two polyethylene units in Beaumont, including a low density polyethylene (LDPE) unit with a capacity of 225,000 tonnes/year and a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) unit with a capacity of 705,000 tonnes/year, according to ICIS plants and projects.
Source ICIS News
US polyethylene (PE) producer ExxonMobil shut down a high pressure unit at its Beaumont polyethylene plant in Texas over the weekend, the company said in a public filing on Monday.
The shutdown occured on 16 December at 12:58 Beaumont time (18:58 GMT) after a safety relief vent opened and ethylene was released, according to a filing with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
It was not clear whether the unit remained down or whether it had been restarted.
A company spokesperson confirmed the report but said she could offer no further information on the incident.
ExxonMobil has two polyethylene units in Beaumont, including a low density polyethylene (LDPE) unit with a capacity of 225,000 tonnes/year and a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) unit with a capacity of 705,000 tonnes/year, according to ICIS plants and projects.
Source ICIS News
Released on 28/11/12
Researchers at Beihang University, China have produced hierarchical carbon coated lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4/C) microspheres which have overcome problems with the material's poor high-rate performance and low tap density. The microspheres are produced from lithium acetate (CH3COOLi), phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and iron (II) sulfate (FeSO4) using a simple solvothermal method. They are uniform in character and are composed of densely compacted nanosheets.
Source Nanotechweb.org
Researchers at Beihang University, China have produced hierarchical carbon coated lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4/C) microspheres which have overcome problems with the material's poor high-rate performance and low tap density. The microspheres are produced from lithium acetate (CH3COOLi), phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and iron (II) sulfate (FeSO4) using a simple solvothermal method. They are uniform in character and are composed of densely compacted nanosheets.
Source Nanotechweb.org
Released on 19/12/12
Brazil’s state-run energy producer Petrobras announced on Wednesday a plan to cut operational costs by reais (R) 32bn ($15bn, €11bn) from 2013 to 2016.
Among its cost-cutting plans, the company said it will reduce the consumption of specific chemicals at its refineries and lower the production of residuals, which in turn would diminish reprocessing in refining.
For exploration and production (E&P), Petrobras said it will reduce the consumption of fuels on its offshore equipment.
Source ICIS News
Brazil’s state-run energy producer Petrobras announced on Wednesday a plan to cut operational costs by reais (R) 32bn ($15bn, €11bn) from 2013 to 2016.
Among its cost-cutting plans, the company said it will reduce the consumption of specific chemicals at its refineries and lower the production of residuals, which in turn would diminish reprocessing in refining.
For exploration and production (E&P), Petrobras said it will reduce the consumption of fuels on its offshore equipment.
Source ICIS News
Released on 20/12/12
Sumitomo Chemical says that its wholly owned Valent BioSciences (Libertyville, IL) subsidiary has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Pace International (Seattle, WA), a global leader in the postharvest segment of commercial agriculture. [...]*
* Article not fully accessible
Source Chemicalweek
RELATED STORIES
Japan’s Sumitomo acquires majority of US pesticide maker MGK
Sumitomo Chemical says that its wholly owned Valent BioSciences (Libertyville, IL) subsidiary has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Pace International (Seattle, WA), a global leader in the postharvest segment of commercial agriculture. [...]*
* Article not fully accessible
Source Chemicalweek
RELATED STORIES
Japan’s Sumitomo acquires majority of US pesticide maker MGK
Released on 20/12/12
Solazyme, Inc. (NASDAQ: SZYM), a renewable oil and bioproducts company, announced today the successful completion of multiple initial fermentations at ADM’s Clinton, Iowa facility. In these runs, Solazyme achieved commercial scale production metrics, exhibited linear scalability of its process from laboratory scale, and demonstrated the ability to run at this scale without contamination. The fermentations were conducted in approximately 500,000-liter vessels, which are about four times the scale of the vessels in Solazyme’s Peoria facility. Solazyme is initially targeting annual production of 20,000 metric tons of oil starting in early 2014 at the ADM facility, with targeted expansion to 100,000 metric tons.
“Working with ADM’s world class fermentation team to achieve commercial scale operations at the ADM facility shortly after announcing the partnership exhibits our ability to rapidly and successfully scale in large commercial fermentation facilities”
The scale achieved at ADM’s Clinton facility is comparable to the fermentation equipment currently under construction at the Solazyme Bunge Renewable Oils facility in Brazil. This 100,000 metric ton annual nameplate capacity facility in Brazil is on schedule to begin operations in Q4 2013.
“Working with ADM’s world class fermentation team to achieve commercial scale operations at the ADM facility shortly after announcing the partnership exhibits our ability to rapidly and successfully scale in large commercial fermentation facilities,” stated Peter Licari, CTO, Solazyme. “Solazyme is currently developing commercial facilities in the US, France and Brazil, and with these runs we have now achieved linear scale-up of over 70,000-fold from our labs.”
Solazyme is utilizing ADM’s existing Clinton, Iowa, manufacturing facility in a capital-efficient expansion of its renewable oil production platform in North America. As part of that arrangement, Solazyme has the ability to fund certain payments with equity rather than cash. To facilitate the equity payments, the Company filed a registration statement with the SEC today.
About Solazyme
Solazyme, Inc. (NASDAQ: SZYM) is a renewable oil and bioproducts company that transforms a range of low-cost plant-based sugars into high-value oils. Headquartered in South San Francisco, Solazyme’s renewable products can replace or enhance oils derived from the world’s three existing sources – petroleum, plants and animal fats. Initially, Solazyme is focused on commercializing its products into three target markets: (1) fuels and chemicals, (2) nutrition and (3) skin and personal care.
Source Businesswire.com
RELATED STORIES
What Were the Top Emerging Technology Companies in 2012 ?
Solazyme, Inc. (NASDAQ: SZYM), a renewable oil and bioproducts company, announced today the successful completion of multiple initial fermentations at ADM’s Clinton, Iowa facility. In these runs, Solazyme achieved commercial scale production metrics, exhibited linear scalability of its process from laboratory scale, and demonstrated the ability to run at this scale without contamination. The fermentations were conducted in approximately 500,000-liter vessels, which are about four times the scale of the vessels in Solazyme’s Peoria facility. Solazyme is initially targeting annual production of 20,000 metric tons of oil starting in early 2014 at the ADM facility, with targeted expansion to 100,000 metric tons.
“Working with ADM’s world class fermentation team to achieve commercial scale operations at the ADM facility shortly after announcing the partnership exhibits our ability to rapidly and successfully scale in large commercial fermentation facilities”
The scale achieved at ADM’s Clinton facility is comparable to the fermentation equipment currently under construction at the Solazyme Bunge Renewable Oils facility in Brazil. This 100,000 metric ton annual nameplate capacity facility in Brazil is on schedule to begin operations in Q4 2013.
“Working with ADM’s world class fermentation team to achieve commercial scale operations at the ADM facility shortly after announcing the partnership exhibits our ability to rapidly and successfully scale in large commercial fermentation facilities,” stated Peter Licari, CTO, Solazyme. “Solazyme is currently developing commercial facilities in the US, France and Brazil, and with these runs we have now achieved linear scale-up of over 70,000-fold from our labs.”
Solazyme is utilizing ADM’s existing Clinton, Iowa, manufacturing facility in a capital-efficient expansion of its renewable oil production platform in North America. As part of that arrangement, Solazyme has the ability to fund certain payments with equity rather than cash. To facilitate the equity payments, the Company filed a registration statement with the SEC today.
About Solazyme
Solazyme, Inc. (NASDAQ: SZYM) is a renewable oil and bioproducts company that transforms a range of low-cost plant-based sugars into high-value oils. Headquartered in South San Francisco, Solazyme’s renewable products can replace or enhance oils derived from the world’s three existing sources – petroleum, plants and animal fats. Initially, Solazyme is focused on commercializing its products into three target markets: (1) fuels and chemicals, (2) nutrition and (3) skin and personal care.
Source Businesswire.com
RELATED STORIES
What Were the Top Emerging Technology Companies in 2012 ?
Released on 19/12/12
BASF TOTAL Petrochemicals’ Port Arthur cracker in Texas was in the process of being restarted, the company said on Wednesday, adding that the unit was expected to resume full rates later in the week.
The 934,000 tonne/year cracker went down on 10 December as a result of an equipment failure.
The unit is a joint venture between BASF and Total.
Source ICIS News
RELATED STORIES
US ethylene prices rise amid BASF TOTAL cracker outage
BASF TOTAL Petrochemicals’ Port Arthur cracker in Texas was in the process of being restarted, the company said on Wednesday, adding that the unit was expected to resume full rates later in the week.
The 934,000 tonne/year cracker went down on 10 December as a result of an equipment failure.
The unit is a joint venture between BASF and Total.
Source ICIS News
RELATED STORIES
US ethylene prices rise amid BASF TOTAL cracker outage
Released on 18/12/12
UPM has won a €170m ($225m) EU grant for a wood-based biorefinery project at Strasbourg, France, the Finland-based forestry and pulp and paper group said on Tuesday.
UPM’s biorefinery at Strasbourg would, if realised, produce renewable diesel from “energy wood”, such as logging residue or bark, it said.
However, the company said that a final investment decision on the project will depend on the long-term outlook for the market price and availability of wood.
In addition, amendments to the EU’s biofuels’ raw material-related directives that are currently being considered will have an impact on UPM’s investment decision, it said. The company expects to make a final assessment within 18 months.
The EU made the grant under its New Entrants Reserve (NER300) programme, which is funded by the sale of emission allowances to European companies. The programme is part of the EU’s efforts to reduce Europe’s carbon footprint.
UPM added that its planned biorefinery project at Rauma, Finland, which is similar to the Strasbourg project, did not receive EU funding.
Earlier this year, UPM started construction at a wood-based biodiesel refinery in Lappeenranta, Finland.
That project, which is being built without public funds, will produce renewable diesel from crude tall oil, a residue of pulp production. Production is expected to start up in the summer of 2014.
“The EU’s decision is recognition for UPM’s genuine knowledge in biofuels development work,” said Petri Kukkonen, head of UPM’s biofuels business.
“The technology in the field continues to develop strongly. [The] UPM Lappeenranta biorefinery project will give us good experience also when considering the solid wood-based biorefinery [at Strasbourg].”
Source ICIS News
UPM has won a €170m ($225m) EU grant for a wood-based biorefinery project at Strasbourg, France, the Finland-based forestry and pulp and paper group said on Tuesday.
UPM’s biorefinery at Strasbourg would, if realised, produce renewable diesel from “energy wood”, such as logging residue or bark, it said.
However, the company said that a final investment decision on the project will depend on the long-term outlook for the market price and availability of wood.
In addition, amendments to the EU’s biofuels’ raw material-related directives that are currently being considered will have an impact on UPM’s investment decision, it said. The company expects to make a final assessment within 18 months.
The EU made the grant under its New Entrants Reserve (NER300) programme, which is funded by the sale of emission allowances to European companies. The programme is part of the EU’s efforts to reduce Europe’s carbon footprint.
UPM added that its planned biorefinery project at Rauma, Finland, which is similar to the Strasbourg project, did not receive EU funding.
Earlier this year, UPM started construction at a wood-based biodiesel refinery in Lappeenranta, Finland.
That project, which is being built without public funds, will produce renewable diesel from crude tall oil, a residue of pulp production. Production is expected to start up in the summer of 2014.
“The EU’s decision is recognition for UPM’s genuine knowledge in biofuels development work,” said Petri Kukkonen, head of UPM’s biofuels business.
“The technology in the field continues to develop strongly. [The] UPM Lappeenranta biorefinery project will give us good experience also when considering the solid wood-based biorefinery [at Strasbourg].”
Source ICIS News
Released on 20/12/12
Four companies have expressed an interest in acquiring Innova, the styrene unit of Brazil's national oil company Petrobras. [...]*
* Complete article not accessible yet
Source BNAmericas.com
Four companies have expressed an interest in acquiring Innova, the styrene unit of Brazil's national oil company Petrobras. [...]*
* Complete article not accessible yet
Source BNAmericas.com
Released on 19/12/12
Denka Singapore plans to shut its 200,000 tonne/year polystyrene (PS) plant in Jurong Island in the middle of April 2013 for maintenance, a company source said on Wednesday.
“The maintenance is expected to last around 6 weeks till the end of May,” the source added.
The company has worked with customers so that resin requirements will still be met during the turnaround period.
The other PS producer in Singapore is Total Petrochemicals.
PS is used in packaging, toys, consumer electronics and a variety of consumer items.
Source ICIS News
Denka Singapore plans to shut its 200,000 tonne/year polystyrene (PS) plant in Jurong Island in the middle of April 2013 for maintenance, a company source said on Wednesday.
“The maintenance is expected to last around 6 weeks till the end of May,” the source added.
The company has worked with customers so that resin requirements will still be met during the turnaround period.
The other PS producer in Singapore is Total Petrochemicals.
PS is used in packaging, toys, consumer electronics and a variety of consumer items.
Source ICIS News
Released on 18/12/12
US refiners, petrochemical producers and academic energy specialists will meet in January to explore paths to a broad US manufacturing renaissance drawing on the shale gas bonanza, industry officials said on Tuesday.
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) said it is joining with Carnegie Mellon University to convene multiple meetings of industry and academic energy and manufacturing specialists across the country to “construct a roadmap for a manufacturing renaissance”.
AFPM said it was launching the series of round table discussions with Carnegie Mellon’s Scott Institute for Energy Innovation to bring various stakeholders into talks on “the American shale revolution and its implications for manufacturing”.
The increasing availability of low-cost natural gas flowing from shale formations has positioned the US petrochemicals industry and a broad range of other energy-intensive manufacturers for a major competitive advantage over foreign producers that are more dependent on high-dollar crude oil feedstocks and energy fuels.
The refining and petrochemicals trade group said that it would seek participation in the series of exploratory discussions from lawmakers, government officials, industry leaders, labour representatives and opinion makers as well as academics.
AFPM cited an Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecast saying that one-half of the US natural gas supply in 2035 will come from shale gas, which “has the potential to lead to a national manufacturing renaissance”.
The trade group said that the first invitation-only round table session will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 10 January.
Among other topics, the initial meeting will examine what needs to be done to stimulate petrochemical and other types of manufacturing that can build on the shale gas development.
AFPM said the sessions also will look at what regulatory and workforce issues must be addressed to achieve a manufacturing renaissance.
Source ICIS News
US refiners, petrochemical producers and academic energy specialists will meet in January to explore paths to a broad US manufacturing renaissance drawing on the shale gas bonanza, industry officials said on Tuesday.
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) said it is joining with Carnegie Mellon University to convene multiple meetings of industry and academic energy and manufacturing specialists across the country to “construct a roadmap for a manufacturing renaissance”.
AFPM said it was launching the series of round table discussions with Carnegie Mellon’s Scott Institute for Energy Innovation to bring various stakeholders into talks on “the American shale revolution and its implications for manufacturing”.
The increasing availability of low-cost natural gas flowing from shale formations has positioned the US petrochemicals industry and a broad range of other energy-intensive manufacturers for a major competitive advantage over foreign producers that are more dependent on high-dollar crude oil feedstocks and energy fuels.
The refining and petrochemicals trade group said that it would seek participation in the series of exploratory discussions from lawmakers, government officials, industry leaders, labour representatives and opinion makers as well as academics.
AFPM cited an Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecast saying that one-half of the US natural gas supply in 2035 will come from shale gas, which “has the potential to lead to a national manufacturing renaissance”.
The trade group said that the first invitation-only round table session will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 10 January.
Among other topics, the initial meeting will examine what needs to be done to stimulate petrochemical and other types of manufacturing that can build on the shale gas development.
AFPM said the sessions also will look at what regulatory and workforce issues must be addressed to achieve a manufacturing renaissance.
Source ICIS News
Released on 18/12/12
To conclude the year, Lux Research selected the 10 most compelling companies profiled in 2012 across all its coverage areas (released today) and the 10 "companies to watch" for 2013 (to be released Thursday, December 20(th) ).
Lux Research analysts base company profiles on primary and secondary research, rating each firm on a 10-metric scorecard, while providing critical analysis of their prospects. Each firm gets a "Lux Take" that ranges from "Strong Caution" to "Strong Positive," to provide a bottom-line assessment of its prospects, with a "Wait and see" rating for companies that still face too much uncertainty for a definitive call. Its top choices from 2012 include:
1. Solazyme -- Positive -- Alternative Fuels; Bio-based Materials and Chemicals
One of the few advanced fermentation companies generating revenue today, Solazyme is aligning partners and scaling production facilities to sell into high value markets before bringing down costs to compete in commodity fuels and chemicals.
[...]
9. Itaconix -- Positive -- Bio-based Materials and Chemicals
With a low-capex, low-opex process expanding to 5,000 MT/year to produce itaconic acid polymers for chemical intermediates, binders, and super-absorbents, Itaconix is one of the few bio-based chemical companies we expect to run in the black in 2013.
Personal comment : Itaconic acid is poymerized into Polyitaconic acid (PIA) and is potentially used in the manufacture of Absorbent polymers, for more please visit Itaconix Website
About Lux Research
Lux Research provides strategic advice and on--going intelligence for emerging technologies. Leaders in business, finance and government rely on us to help them make informed strategic decisions. Through our unique research approach focused on primary research and our extensive global network, we deliver insight, connections and competitive advantage to our clients. Visit www.luxresearchinc.com for more information.
Source Business Wire
To conclude the year, Lux Research selected the 10 most compelling companies profiled in 2012 across all its coverage areas (released today) and the 10 "companies to watch" for 2013 (to be released Thursday, December 20(th) ).
Lux Research analysts base company profiles on primary and secondary research, rating each firm on a 10-metric scorecard, while providing critical analysis of their prospects. Each firm gets a "Lux Take" that ranges from "Strong Caution" to "Strong Positive," to provide a bottom-line assessment of its prospects, with a "Wait and see" rating for companies that still face too much uncertainty for a definitive call. Its top choices from 2012 include:
1. Solazyme -- Positive -- Alternative Fuels; Bio-based Materials and Chemicals
One of the few advanced fermentation companies generating revenue today, Solazyme is aligning partners and scaling production facilities to sell into high value markets before bringing down costs to compete in commodity fuels and chemicals.
[...]
9. Itaconix -- Positive -- Bio-based Materials and Chemicals
With a low-capex, low-opex process expanding to 5,000 MT/year to produce itaconic acid polymers for chemical intermediates, binders, and super-absorbents, Itaconix is one of the few bio-based chemical companies we expect to run in the black in 2013.
Personal comment : Itaconic acid is poymerized into Polyitaconic acid (PIA) and is potentially used in the manufacture of Absorbent polymers, for more please visit Itaconix Website
About Lux Research
Lux Research provides strategic advice and on--going intelligence for emerging technologies. Leaders in business, finance and government rely on us to help them make informed strategic decisions. Through our unique research approach focused on primary research and our extensive global network, we deliver insight, connections and competitive advantage to our clients. Visit www.luxresearchinc.com for more information.
Source Business Wire
Released on 18/12/12
The government should curb the use of agricultural chemicals after imports hit a seven-year high in 2011, a non-profit community rights group says, the Bangkok Post reports.
Thailand imported more than 160,000 tonnes of agricultural chemicals, worth up to 22 billion baht, last year _ more than double the 2005 figure when the country imported 78,000 tonnes of farm chemicals, the group said, citing Agriculture Department records.
This year, nearly 120,000 tonnes of farm chemicals, including herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, were imported from January to September, Witoon Lianchamroon, director of the Biodiversity and Community Rights Action Thailand (Biothai), a Bangkok-based non-profit organisation promoting alternative agriculture, said.
Such a heavy reliance on chemicals poses health and safety risks for both farmers and consumers.
Mr Witoon said the purchase of agricultural chemicals accounted for about 30% of farming investment costs.
"The purchase of farm chemicals shouldn't exceed 10% of farming costs," he said. "The record of agricultural chemicals imports in past years shows the import trend is growing. This shows how unhealthy Thai agriculture is."
Four potentially harmful farm chemicals _ carbofuran , methomyl, dicrotophos and EPN insecticides _ have been imported into Thailand despite being banned in many countries, including as the United States, United Kingdom, Malaysia and Singapore.
The Thailand Pesticide Alert Network (Thai-PAN) recently conducted a test on vegetables sold in Bangkok markets and found traces of the four toxic chemicals in some samples.
In some samples, the contamination level was about 40% higher than the European Union's maximum residue limit of 0.02 mg/kg.
Rice Department records also showed the import of chemicals for use in rice fields had increased from about 8 million kilogrammes in 2010 to about 15 million kilogrammes last year.
Thai-PAN also reported that more than 27,000 brands and types of agricultural chemicals and active ingredients were registered with Thai authorities as of last year, compared to 1,743 in Vietnam, 1,158 in Indonesia and 917 in Malaysia.
The use of farming chemicals will be high on the agenda of this year's National Health Assembly, which begins on December 18 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (Bitec).
The issue has been included in the assembly's draft resolution, which will call on the government to enforce strict laws and apply effective policies to control the use and the import of agricultural chemical products.
Parts of the resolution, to be submitted to the government at the end of the assembly on Thursday, include calls for the government to ban carbofuran, methomyl, dicrotophos and EPN, and to consider taxation on farming chemical imports.
Since 1992, the government has waived tax on such imports, with the aim of reducing farming costs.
However, farmer advocates said the tax exemption was a double-edged sword as it encouraged farmers to use more chemical products.
The president of the Agribusiness Association of Thai People, Weerawut Katanyukul, said the business sector would accept a reasonable import tax for such chemicals. "A 5-10% tax rate would be acceptable," he said.
Mr Weerawat said the increase in farming chemical use was a result of the government's policy to promote rubber and oil palm plantations, where large amounts of chemicals are used.
A government regulation launched last year, which required chemical distributors to re-register their products with authorities, had forced them to stock their goods because they would not be able to import new products during the registration period.
Source Thai News Service
The government should curb the use of agricultural chemicals after imports hit a seven-year high in 2011, a non-profit community rights group says, the Bangkok Post reports.
Thailand imported more than 160,000 tonnes of agricultural chemicals, worth up to 22 billion baht, last year _ more than double the 2005 figure when the country imported 78,000 tonnes of farm chemicals, the group said, citing Agriculture Department records.
This year, nearly 120,000 tonnes of farm chemicals, including herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, were imported from January to September, Witoon Lianchamroon, director of the Biodiversity and Community Rights Action Thailand (Biothai), a Bangkok-based non-profit organisation promoting alternative agriculture, said.
Such a heavy reliance on chemicals poses health and safety risks for both farmers and consumers.
Mr Witoon said the purchase of agricultural chemicals accounted for about 30% of farming investment costs.
"The purchase of farm chemicals shouldn't exceed 10% of farming costs," he said. "The record of agricultural chemicals imports in past years shows the import trend is growing. This shows how unhealthy Thai agriculture is."
Four potentially harmful farm chemicals _ carbofuran , methomyl, dicrotophos and EPN insecticides _ have been imported into Thailand despite being banned in many countries, including as the United States, United Kingdom, Malaysia and Singapore.
The Thailand Pesticide Alert Network (Thai-PAN) recently conducted a test on vegetables sold in Bangkok markets and found traces of the four toxic chemicals in some samples.
In some samples, the contamination level was about 40% higher than the European Union's maximum residue limit of 0.02 mg/kg.
Rice Department records also showed the import of chemicals for use in rice fields had increased from about 8 million kilogrammes in 2010 to about 15 million kilogrammes last year.
Thai-PAN also reported that more than 27,000 brands and types of agricultural chemicals and active ingredients were registered with Thai authorities as of last year, compared to 1,743 in Vietnam, 1,158 in Indonesia and 917 in Malaysia.
The use of farming chemicals will be high on the agenda of this year's National Health Assembly, which begins on December 18 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (Bitec).
The issue has been included in the assembly's draft resolution, which will call on the government to enforce strict laws and apply effective policies to control the use and the import of agricultural chemical products.
Parts of the resolution, to be submitted to the government at the end of the assembly on Thursday, include calls for the government to ban carbofuran, methomyl, dicrotophos and EPN, and to consider taxation on farming chemical imports.
Since 1992, the government has waived tax on such imports, with the aim of reducing farming costs.
However, farmer advocates said the tax exemption was a double-edged sword as it encouraged farmers to use more chemical products.
The president of the Agribusiness Association of Thai People, Weerawut Katanyukul, said the business sector would accept a reasonable import tax for such chemicals. "A 5-10% tax rate would be acceptable," he said.
Mr Weerawat said the increase in farming chemical use was a result of the government's policy to promote rubber and oil palm plantations, where large amounts of chemicals are used.
A government regulation launched last year, which required chemical distributors to re-register their products with authorities, had forced them to stock their goods because they would not be able to import new products during the registration period.
Source Thai News Service
Released on 18/12/12
Sumitomo Chemical Co. is operating its ethyl-vinyl acetate (EVA) plant at curtailed rates.
A Polymerupdate source in Japan informed that the plant is currently operating at 80%-85% of production capacity.
Located at Ichihara in the Chiba prefecture of Japan, the plant has a production capacity of 20,000 mt/year.
Source Polymerupdate
Sumitomo Chemical Co. is operating its ethyl-vinyl acetate (EVA) plant at curtailed rates.
A Polymerupdate source in Japan informed that the plant is currently operating at 80%-85% of production capacity.
Located at Ichihara in the Chiba prefecture of Japan, the plant has a production capacity of 20,000 mt/year.
Source Polymerupdate
Released on 19/12/12
Tyre shipments, surprising no one involved in the US styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and butadiene (BD) markets, are expected to show no growth in 2012 over 2011, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), which released its latest report on Tuesday.
SBR is a key component of the manufacture of tyres and BD comprises about 75% of SBR production.
RMA forecasts total sales of 284m units for the US in 2012, a total which benefitted from a strong original equipment (OE) sector that negated the decrease in the number of replacement tyres shipped.
Replacement tyres account for 75-80% of the US tyre market.
The RMA said the lack of overall growth can primarily be put on the shoulders of the continued economic sluggishness. It continued, however, that an increase in vehicle miles driven and anticipated economic growth should result in a nearly 2% increase in 2013, or approximately 6m units.
The RMA projects shipments of replacement passenger tyres to decrease by more than 4m units, or nearly 2%, to 190m units. The association points to the failure of demand to materialise because of the continued soft economic conditions and cautious consumers.
OE tyres for passenger vehicles are projected to increase by nearly 15%, as light vehicle purchases have continued to show strength.
Sales of passenger cars in the US through November 2012 have increased by 19%, with 6.8m units sold, while light truck sales have also increased by 8.8% with 6.4m units sold.
Combined, passenger car and light truck sales have increased by 14% year on year through November 2012.
SBR manufacturers in North America include American Synthetic Rubber, Ashland, Firestone Polymers, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, LANXESS, Lion Copolymer and Negromex.
BD producers in the US include Dow, ExxonMobil Chemical Co, INEOS Olefins & Polymers, LyondellBasell, Sabina Petrochemicals, Shell Chemical and TPC Group.
Source ICIS News
Tyre shipments, surprising no one involved in the US styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and butadiene (BD) markets, are expected to show no growth in 2012 over 2011, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), which released its latest report on Tuesday.
SBR is a key component of the manufacture of tyres and BD comprises about 75% of SBR production.
RMA forecasts total sales of 284m units for the US in 2012, a total which benefitted from a strong original equipment (OE) sector that negated the decrease in the number of replacement tyres shipped.
Replacement tyres account for 75-80% of the US tyre market.
The RMA said the lack of overall growth can primarily be put on the shoulders of the continued economic sluggishness. It continued, however, that an increase in vehicle miles driven and anticipated economic growth should result in a nearly 2% increase in 2013, or approximately 6m units.
The RMA projects shipments of replacement passenger tyres to decrease by more than 4m units, or nearly 2%, to 190m units. The association points to the failure of demand to materialise because of the continued soft economic conditions and cautious consumers.
OE tyres for passenger vehicles are projected to increase by nearly 15%, as light vehicle purchases have continued to show strength.
Sales of passenger cars in the US through November 2012 have increased by 19%, with 6.8m units sold, while light truck sales have also increased by 8.8% with 6.4m units sold.
Combined, passenger car and light truck sales have increased by 14% year on year through November 2012.
SBR manufacturers in North America include American Synthetic Rubber, Ashland, Firestone Polymers, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, LANXESS, Lion Copolymer and Negromex.
BD producers in the US include Dow, ExxonMobil Chemical Co, INEOS Olefins & Polymers, LyondellBasell, Sabina Petrochemicals, Shell Chemical and TPC Group.
Source ICIS News