DATE : 2014-01-29
Siam Cement Group-Dow Chemical (SCG-Dow Chemical) is scheduled to restart its styrene monomer (SM) plant.
A Polymerupdate source in Thailand informed that the unit is planned to be restarted by this weekend. It was shut owing to mechanical issues.
Located in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, the plant has a production capacity of 300,000 mt/year.
SOURCE PolymerUpdate
DATE : 2014-01-27
German group Evonik has announced plans to increase methyl methacrylate transesterification capacity at its site in Mobile, AL.
Full details have not been disclosed but the group is to invest several $ M in a significant extension to existing capacities. 6 new jobs could be created by end 2014.
The speciality methacrylate monomers produced in Mobile are used in various applications including paints, coatings, superabsorbents and viscosity modifiers.
The increase to capacity comes in response to strong market demand. Evonik employs 750 people in Mobile (where it also makes hydrogen peroxide, fumed silicas and additives for animal nutrition).
SOURCE Chimie Pharma Hebdo
DATE : 2014-01-31
LG Chem, Korea’s largest chemical firm, is ready to ramp up its Acrylic Acid (AA) capacity in Yeosu. The official investment announced totals up to 320 billion won to increase production until 2015.
The AA capacity will jump up to 510,000 Metric Ton (MT) in total when the expansion is completed. The chemical firm also expects revenue increase of 400 billion won through the revamping, reaching up to 1.7 trillion won by 2016.
LG Chem is the only manufacturer in South Korea that has the proprietary technology and vertically integrated facility to produce AA. Various applications of AA include acrylic fiber, adhesive, paint and ink and coating resins.
AA is also the raw material for the premium resin known as Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP). 90% of SAP is used for making diapers and other hygienic commodities. Followed up by AA expansion, SAP production capacity will also be ramped up to 360,000MT showing an increase of 80,000MT by late 2015.
The chemical affiliate aims to develop AA & SAP business as the core business of LG Group that leads the market.
About LG Chem
LG Chem, Ltd. is a globally diversified chemical company which operates three main business units: Petrochemicals, IT & Electronic Materials, and Energy Solution. The chemical business manufactures a wide range of products, from petrochemical goods to high-value added plastics. It also extends its chemical expertise into high-tech areas such as electronic materials and rechargeable batteries.
SOURCE Fibre2Fashion
DATE : 2014-01-29
Westlake Chemical has restarted its styrene plant in Louisiana.
A Polymerupdate source in the US informed that the plant restarted late last week. It was shut on January 10, 2014 for maintenance turnaround.
Located at Lake Charles, Louisiana, US, the plant has a production capacity of 570 million lbs/year.
SOURCE PolymerUpdate
DATE : 2014-01-30
Polypore International announced that its Celgard subsidiary and Samsung SDI have entered into a long-term supply agreement under which Samsung will purchase Celgard brand separator to be used in its electric drive vehicle and energy storage system lithium-ion batteries.
This long-term agreement includes guaranteed purchase and supply volume requirements and an initial four-year term with a two-year extension provision.
SOURCE Theflyonthewall.com
DATE : 2014-01-28
Thailand’s SCG-Dow Chemical has scheduled to restart its 300,000 tonne/year styrene monomer (SM) unit at the end of this week after mechanical issues were resolved, a source close of the company said.
The facility, located in Map Ta Phut, was shut in early January after encountering some issues. Nonetheless, the company continued to supply contract customers from inventories during this time, the source added.
The company also operates a 200,000 tonne/year polystyrene (PS) unit at the same location. The unit was unaffected by the SM plant trouble and was running normally during this time.
The other SM producer in Thailand is IRPC.
SOURCE Icis News
DATE : 2014-01-28
Dia Nitrix is in plans to shut its acrylonitrile (ACN) plant for maintenance turnaround.
A Polymerupdate source in Japan informed that the plant is likely to be shut in early February 2014. It is expected to stay off-stream for around one month.
Located in Mizushima, Japan, the plant has a production capacity of 115,000 mt/year.
SOURCE PolymerUpdate
DATE : 2014-01-28
Jiangsu Leasty is in plans to shut a styrene monomer (SM) plant for maintenance turnaround.
A Polymerupdate source in China informed that the plant is planned to be taken off-stream on February 6, 2014. It is likely to remain shut for around one month.
Located in Jiangsu province of China, the plant has a production capacity of 420,000 mt/year.
SOURCE PolymerUpdate
DATE : 2014-01-27
China’s Ningxia Younglight Energy Chemical has postponed the commissioning of its new 450,000 tonne/year vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) plant in Yinchuan to the end of April on equipment issues, a company source said on Monday.
The plant in Ningxia province was originally set for commissioning in end-2013, the source said.
In end-March 2014, the company will also conduct test runs at its downstream 100,000 tonne/year polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) plant at the site, for which it will temporarily buy feedstock VAM from other producers, the source said.
Its new 300,000 tonne/year acetic acid plant at the same site, meanwhile, is due for start-up in May, the source said.
On 23 January, Ningxia Younglight started commercial operations at its 500,000 tonne/year methanol plant at the site, the source said.
Ningxia Younglight Energy Chemical is a joint venture company between Sinopec Great Wall Energy Chemical and Guodian Power Development.
SOURCE Icis News
DATE : 2014-01-28
On 16 Jan 2014, Plextronics Inc filed for Chapter 11 and Solvay SA, as part-owner of the company, has offered a bid of $32.6 M to acquire it. Plextronics declared assets worth $3 M with $33 M debt.
SOURCE Icis News
China’s Shenyang Wax Paraffin shut its 80,000 tonne/year crude acrylic acid (AA) unit at Shenyang in Liaoning province on 22 January because of a raw material supply shortage, a company source said on Wednesday .
The company has not determined a specific restart date, but the source said it will be after the Lunar New Year celebration, which starts from 31 January to 6 February.
The unit shutdown is likely to relieve the long supply situation in the market, market sources said, adding that market sentiment could improve from the current price downtrend.
The company may also shut its 80,000 tonne/year downstream butyl acrylate (butyl-A) at the same site later, the company source said.
Shenyang Wax Paraffin is a key AA and acrylate ester producer in northeast China.
SOURCE Icis News
Arkema is initially investing $240m in Jurong Chemical’s acrylic acid production in China, the French chemicals maker said on Thursday.
The two companies have formed a joint venture firm called Sunke, which will comprise the assets of Jurong Chemical’s acrylic acid production at Taixing in Jiangsu province, according to Arkema.
Jurong Chemical currently has two production lines at the site, each with an installed capacity of 160,000 tonnes/year. A third line with the same capacity is due to start up in the first quarter of 2015.
“When the deal closes later this year, Arkema will have access to half of the site’s installed production, namely 160,000 tonnes/year for a $240m investment,” Arkema said.
“When the third line comes on stream, Arkema will have the option to access 2/3rd [two-thirds] of the site’s acrylic acid installed capacity, namely 320,000 tonne/year, for an additional $235m investment,” it added.
Arkema has a further option to acquire the remaining third of Jurong Chemical’s acrylic acid production capacity for $165m in the next five years, the company said.
“This partnership is a unique opportunity for Arkema to access a major acrylic monomer production site in Asia this year,” Arkema executive vice president Marc Schuller said in the statement, citing that China represents a quarter of the global acrylics market.
“This expansion in a strategic region now provides us with a strong and balanced industrial and commercial footprint on three continents,” he added.
Arkema currently has acrylic acid production at Carling in France and at Clear Lake, Texas in the US.
The deal, which is still subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the summer of 2014, the company said.
SOURCE Icis News
China’s Longxin shut its 75,000 tonne/year methyl methacrylate (MMA) plant in Heilongjiang on 23 January for regular maintenance, a company source said on Thursday.
“We shut the MMA plant today [Thursday] and it will take about one month to finish the regular maintenance,” the source said.
“The MMA plant is expected to restart on 19 February and we will update the information when the plant restarts,” the source added.
Before the shutdown the company was running the plant at 40-50% of nameplate capacity because of lack of feedstock, the source said.
The shutdown is unlikely to impact MMA prices in the domestic market because of the weak downstream demand ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year Festival, a market player said.
SOURCE Icis News
Saudi Petrochemical Co (Sadaf) is in plans to shut its No.2 styrene monomer (SM) plant for maintenance turnaround.
A Polymerupdate source in Saudi Arabia informed that the plant is planned to be shut in mid-February 2014. It is likely to remain off-stream for around one month.
Located in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia, the plant has a production capacity of 580,000 mt/year.
SOURCE : PolymerUpdate
Styrindo Mono Indonesia (SMI), is likely to shut its No 1 styrene monomer (SM) plant.
A Polymerupdate source in Indonesia informed that the plant is likely to be shut in November 2014. It is likely to remain off-stream for around one month.
Located in Merak, Indonesia, the plant has a production capacity of 100,000 mt/year.
SOURCE PolymerUpdate