DATE : 2015-02-04
Thailand’s SGC-Dow Chemical plans to shut its 300,000 tonne/year styrene monomer (SM) plant for maintenance in the second half of February, a source close to the company said. The unit, located in Map Ta Phut, is scheduled to restart by the end of March.
Meanwhile, the company’s 200,000 tonne/year polystyrene (PS) unit at the same location, will also have a maintenance shutdown in March.
The other SM producer in Thailand is IRPC.
SOURCE : Icis News
DATE : 2015-02-04
Shanghai SECCO Petrochemical has restarted an acrylonitrile (ACN) line following maintenance turnaround.
A Polymerupdate source in China informed that the line restarted on January 31, 2015. It was under a month-long maintenance turnaround.
Located in Shanghai, China, the line has a production capacity of 260,000 mt/year.
SOURCE PolymerUpdate
DATE : 2015-01-04
China’s Shanghai Petrochemical has restarted its 130,000 tonne/year acrylonitrile (ACN) line in early this month after an unexpected turnaround, a company source said on Thursday.
“The plant was restarted on 1 February, and it is running very well now,” the source said without disclosing the plant’s current run rate.
The plant in Shanghai was shut down on 20 january due to a mechanical problem.
Shanghai Petrochemical's downstream 139,000 tonne/year acrylic fibre (AF) plant at the site is running at 70% of capacity, the source said.
SOURCE Icis News
DATE : 2015-02-04
Taiwan’s Formosa Plastics Corp (FPC) is expected to soon restart its 280,000 tonne/year acrylonitrile (ACN) plant in Mailiao after a scheduled maintenance, a company source said on Thursday.
“The plant will be restarted in upcoming one or two days,” the source said.
The plant was shut around 10-11 january for a scheduled turnaround.
SOURCE Icis News
DATE : 2015-02-03
The technology for the 500-kta EBSM plant will be provided through an agreement with Badger Licensing LLC
French engineering firm Technip was awarded a contract by Qingdao Soda Ash Industrial New Material & Technology Company to provide the technology, engineering, selected critical equipment and technical services for a 500 kilo tonne per annum (KTA) ethylbenzene styrene monomer (EBSM) plant to be located in Dongjiakou Port Industrial Zone Park, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China. The plant’s products will be used for manufacturing a broad range of plastics.
Technip’s operating centre in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, will execute the project.
The technology for the plant will be provided through an agreement with Badger Licensing LLC - a joint venture of Technip and ExxonMobil Chemical Company.
Stan Knez, senior vice president, Technip Stone & Webster Process Technology, commented, “This project will be one of the largest ethylbenzene styrene monomer plants in China, and the second 500 KTA EBSM plant in China utilising Badger’s technology. Badger’s superior technology, coupled with Technip’s reputation, experience and competitive offering were key factors in this award. "
With a closely integrated technology and project delivery organisation, Technip is widening its portfolio of leading onshore solutions.
Styrene monomer, with a worldwide capacity of over 30 million metric tonnes per annum, is a precursor to the production of a variety of polymer derivatives, including polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR).
Badger’s ethylbenzene and styrene technologies have been licensed more than 30 and 50 times, respectively, for plants around the world SOURCE Business Standard
DATE : 2015-02-02
FMC Corporation today announced it has acquired all global rights to a novel, proprietary herbicide from Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., andIhara Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. The new herbicide is highly effective in controlling broadleaf weeds and will be initially developed for use in corn, cereals, soybeans and sugarcane in key countries around the world.
"We are very pleased about the prospects of this new molecule given its potential across many crops, application flexibility and co-mixture opportunities," said Mark Douglas, president, FMC Agricultural Solutions. "This acquisition continues our strategic partnership with Kumiai and Ihara, two premier research companies that have developed a rich chemistry pipeline for new crop protection products that are critical for increased food production.
"FMC's global organization will develop the full potential of this new chemistry, part of a robust pipeline of six new active ingredients that includes other herbicides, insecticides and fungicides," said Douglas. "This core pipeline of new active ingredients is complemented by our development of biological crop protection products, seed treatment technologies and new formulations with strong sustainability profiles."
Kumiai and Ihara discovered the chemistry in their research laboratories and partnered with FMC during the last two years to evaluate and develop the commercial potential for this new active ingredient. FMCowns all intellectual property rights to the new molecule. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
About Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., began business when the agricultural chemical industry entered the modern era. Kumiai is proud that its corporate history parallels the agricultural chemical industry in Japan. Since formation in 1949, Kumiai has made significant contributions such as development of the first synthesized agricultural chemicals in Japan that have helped farmers realize bountiful harvests.
About Ihara Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
Since establishment in 1965, Ihara Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. has played a major role in the fine chemicals industry, in areas such as agrochemicals, agrochemical / pharmaceutical intermediates, and curing agents for urethane polymers. Ihara is primarily engaged as a manufacturer of proprietary active ingredients for agrochemical products, as well as contract manufacturing for customers.
About FMC Corporation
FMC Corporation is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial and consumer markets globally for more than a century with innovative solutions, applications and quality products. In 2013, FMChad annual sales of approximately $3.9 billion. The company employs approximately 6,000 people throughout the world, and operates its businesses in three segments: FMC Agricultural Solutions, FMC Health and Nutrition, and FMC Minerals.
SOURCE NewsWires
DATE : 2015-01-30
A major analysis of one of the world's most fiercely disputed medicines, Roche's Tamiflu, has found it cuts flu symptoms by a day and can help some patients avoid hospital treatment and complications.
But the drug can also have side effects, including nausea and vomiting, which should be balanced against its benefits, researchers who led the study said.
Published in The Lancet on Friday, the pooled analysis included data from all previously published and unpublished trials of Tamiflu, which has been the subject of intense scientific debate for years.
The drug, known generically as oseltamivir, is an anti-viral which was stockpiled and widely used by governments during the 2009/2010 H1N1 "swine flu" pandemic. It is approved by regulators worldwide and is on the World Health Organization's "essential medicines" list.
A high-profile analysis led by the Cochrane review concluded last year that Tamiflu's benefits were slim and were outweighed by adverse side effects. Researchers who led that study accused governments of throwing money "down the drain" by buying the drug for stockpiles.
The Lancet study, led by Arnold Monto of the University of Michigan School of Public Health and Stuart Pocock of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, analysed data from nine trials comparing Tamiflu with placebo for 4,328 adults with laboratory-confirmed seasonal flu.
They found it reduced the duration of symptoms by 21 percent compared with placebo, from 123 to 98 hours, and significantly cut the risk of hospitalisations and flu complications such as pneumonia.
"The safety and effectiveness of oseltamivir has been hotly debated, with some researchers claiming there is little evidence that (it) works," Monto said in a comment about the findings.
He said this analysis found "compelling evidence" of Tamiflu's benefits, adding: "Whether the magnitude of these benefits outweigh the harms of nausea and vomiting needs careful consideration."
Peter Openshaw, a respiratory infections expert at Imperial College London who was not involved in either analysis, said they showed Tamiflu "is not a perfect drug but does what you might expect of an antiviral given relatively late in the course of an acute infection".
Annual sales of Tamiflu, which Roche has always defended as effective, hit almost $3 billion in 2009, mainly due to use during the pandemic. They have since declined, although a bad flu season in the United States pushed sales up in the last quarter of 2014.
SOURCE Reuters
DATE : 2015-01-30
Biolab Arabia (BLA), a Saudi chemical company based in Jubail Industrial City, is set to construct a 30-tonne polymerisation reactor and a new facility to house raw materials as part of its four-phase expansion plan.
The first phase of the expansion plan is expected to cost $25 million.
Wholly owned by Al Hejailan Group, BLA is involved in manufacturing, consulting engineering and telecommunications.
BioLab, which presently has a formulating capacity of 48,000 tonnes, produces antiscalant chemicals used in thermal and RO (reverse osmosis) desalination plants in cooperation with UK-based, BWA Water Additives company.
The centrepiece of BLA's expansion is a fully automated plant that will enable the company to produce polymers and copolymers using Glacial Acrylic Acid, which has been allocated to it by Samco plant, a joint venture of Dow, Tasnee and Sahara, also based in Jubail Industrial City, said a statement from the company.
The first phase, which is expected to be completed by October of this year, involves the construction of a 30-tonne polymerisation reactor that is being installed along with the building of a 7,500-sq-m structure to house raw materials, the filling line and finished products.
The first phase will also see the completion of work on infrastructure and utilities required to install more reactors in addition to providing room for further expansion.
With this expansion, BLA aims to increase its market presence and enhance competitiveness, besides becoming a key supplier of polymers and copolymers to other industries in the GCC and Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, said the statement.
Being a local manufacturer, the company said, it can ensure cost-effective products saving on various export-related expenses such as shipping and freight, custom duties, logistics, labour, utilities and inventory holding.
BLA focus will cater to industries related to paint, construction material, detergents and oil field chemicals. The company said it extends its services as a toll and licensee manufacturer, distributor, or a joint venture partner.
SOURCE Mehr News Agency
DATE : 2014-01-29
Siam Styrene Monomer Co Ltd is likely to shut its styrene monomer (SM) plant for maintenance turnaround.
A Polymerupdate source in Thailand informed that the plant is likely to be shut in Q1, 2015. A definite schedule for the shutdown could not be ascertained.
Located at Map Ta Phut in Thailand, the plant has a production capacity of 300,000 mt/year.
SOURCE PolymerUpdate
DATE : 2015-01-29
South Korea’s Samsung Total will shut down its 120,000 tonne/year butadiene (BD) unit in Daesan for turnaround in mid-April, a company source said on Friday.
The unit will be off line for 40 days, the source said.
SOURCE Icis News
DATE : 2015-01-29
Lotte Chemical has restarted its butadiene plant following a minor maintenance turnaround.
A Polymerupdate source in South Korea informed that the plant restarted on January 28, 2015. It was shut a week back for a minor turnaround.
Located in Daesan, South Korea, the plant has a production capacity of 150,000 mt/year.
SOURCE PolymerUpdate
With the development of On Purpose Solutions (PDH propane Dehydrogenation) and Coal to Olefins technology , China might experience a long propylene market leading to "cheap" propylene price for downstream industry like Acrylic acid and Acrylonitrile .....
Date: January 30 2015
Propylene Supply Rising In China With Start-Up Of Production Technology By Honeywell's UOP UOP Oleflex™ process producing a total of 900,000 metric tons annually of propylene in China Share with LinkedIn honeywell-worldwide-propylene-gap honeywell-worldwide-propylene-gap DES PLAINES, Ill., Jan. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- UOP LLC, a Honeywell (NYSE: HON) company, announced today that China commissioned its second unit to produce propylene, a key ingredient in plastics, using its C3 Oleflex™ process technology. Zhejiang Shaoxing Sanjin Petrochemical Co., Ltd. became the second company in China to commission a UOP C3 Oleflex process unit to produce propylene from propane, increasing the global production capacity from UOP technology to approximately 3.8 million metric tons annually (MTA). Traditionally, propylene is a byproduct of certain refining processes, but those processes no longer produce enough propylene to meet rising global demand. This propylene shortage has sparked investment in technology to create propylene from propane, also known as on-purpose propylene. Since 2011, UOP has licensed the C3 Oleflex process to more than a dozen producers to meet rising demand, with a majority of licensed capacity in China. China is the world's largest energy consumer and its propylene consumption accounts for more than 15 percent of worldwide demand, which is growing at about 5 to 6 percent per year. "By 2020, 20 percent of the world's propylene production is expected to come from on-purpose propylene production technologies, and UOP is proud to be leading the development of this essential petrochemical with our Oleflex technology," said Pete Piotrowski, senior vice president and general manager of UOP's Process Technology and Equipment business. "For more than 20 years, the Oleflex process has been a reliable, independent source of high-quality propylene and we look forward to helping increase its availability in China and around the world." In addition to technology licensing, UOP also provided engineering design, catalysts, adsorbents, equipment, staff training and technical service for the project. Equipment supply included Callidus Low NOx (Callidus Stage Gas Ledge Stabilization) burners, manufactured at UOP Callidus Shanghai, which feature a patented tile configuration to achieve a "stiffer" flame. Zhejiang Shaoxing Sanjin Petrochemical Co., Ltd. will produce 450,000 MTA of propylene at its facility in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, China. Zhejiang Shaoxing Sanjin Petrochemical Co., Ltd. is a fully owned subsidiary of Zhejiang Fuling Holding Group, located in Shaoxing City, China. Established in 2003, the company specializes in polypropylene production and produces 600,000 metric tons of the substance annually. "We selected UOP Oleflex technology for our propylene production needs due to its reliability, economics, experience in integrating with polypropylene technologies, and overall processing flexibility," said Mr. Zhong Jianming at Zhejiang Shaoxing Sanjin Petrochemical Co., Ltd. "UOP's local service and support team worked well with our team to make the start-up a success." Oleflex technology has been a leading technology for converting propane to propylene for more than 20 years. The C3 Oleflex process uses catalytic dehydrogenation to convert propane to propylene. Compared with competing processes, UOP's C3 Oleflex technology provides the lowest cash cost of production, the highest return on investment and the smallest environmental footprint. This superior performance is characterized by low capital cost, high propylene yields, low energy and water consumption, and use of a fully recyclable platinum alumina-based catalyst system. In addition to the C3 Oleflex process, UOP also licenses its C4 Oleflex technology, a butane dehydrogenation process to convert isobutane to isobutylene. UOP LLC (www.uop.com) is a leading international supplier and licensor of process technology, catalysts, adsorbents, equipment, and consulting services to the petroleum refining, petrochemical, and gas processing industries. UOP is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc. and is part of Honeywell's Performance Materials and Technologies strategic business group, which also includes Honeywell Process Solutions, a pioneer in automation control, instrumentation and services for the oil and gas, refining, petrochemical, chemical and other industries. Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com. This release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. The forward-looking statements included in this release are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such forward-looking statements. We identify the principal risks and uncertainties that affect our performance in our Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Source: PR Newswire via Chemistry Daily
DATE : 2015-01-27
BASF has decided to exit a biobased acrylic acid partnership with Novozymes and Cargill, Novozymes announced today. Novozymes and Cargill have collaborated on the technology since 2008. BASF, the world's biggest producer of acrylic acid via the conventional route of propylene oxidation, joined the partnership in 2012. The collaboration between Novozymes and Cargill, which they say will continue, is focused on developing microorganisms that can efficiently convert renewable feedstock into 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3HP), one possible precursor to acrylic acid. BASF's role was to develop the process for converting 3HP into acrylic acid. The reason for BASF's exit was not specified, and the company has not yet responded to requests for comment. Mark Morgan, Global managing director of renewable and bio-based chemicals at IHS Chemical tells CW that the challenges in making an acid biologically is the robustness of any microorganisms to sustained low pH operation.
"Several approaches have been demonstrated with other products like lactic acid in pH management and the development of lower pH tolerant systems... The 3-HPA side of the process appears to be workable," he says. "The challenge is the cost effective conversion of 3-HPA into crude or glacial acrylic acid." Acrylic acid is very reactive, even in a conventional process, he adds. Cargill and Novozymes say they have begun efforts to find a new commercialization partner.
SOURCE Chemweek's Business Daily
Date 2015-01-29
BASF protects fipronil patent in Australia Melbourne, Australia – January 28, 2015 -Sherwood Chemicals acknowledges infringement of BASF patent -Sherwood Chemicals agrees to refrain from recommending or promoting the method for the treatment of ants claimed in BASF’s fipronil patent -Sherwood Chemicals agrees to make a settlement payment to BASF and publish corrective advertisements -Fipronil protects Australian crops and homes against devastating insect pests -BASF continues to invest in R&D as part of its overall commitment to growers, agriculture and food security Sherwood Chemicals Australasia Pty Ltd (‘Sherwood Chemicals’) has reached a settlement with BASF relating to the infringement of a BASF patent. BASF has the exclusive right to market products containing fipronil for the treatment of ants and cockroaches in Australia . Sherwood Chemicals has agreed that it would refrain from recommending or promoting the method of treatment claimed in BASF’s fipronil patent for the treatment of ants with effect from January 14, 2015. Sherwood Chemicals has made a settlement payment to BASF and published a corrective advertisement on its website. Sherwood Chemicals has also agreed to publish a corrective advertisement in a trade publication. In 2013, Imtrade Australia Pty Ltd resolved court proceedings taken by BASF , and Enviromax Pty Ltd settled out-of-court in 2014 concerning allegations of infringement of one of BASF's patents covering processes for the manufacture of fipronil . Fipronil is the active ingredient in BASF products including Adonis®, Regent®, Termidor® and Cosmos®. Its key applications provide effective solutions against devastating insect pests in crops such as cotton, vegetables, bananas and mushrooms, and for the protection of industrial and residential property against termites. “Continuous investment in research and development is essential to be able to provide our customers with the best, most efficient solutions to manage enduring pest control challenges,” said Tony Moskal, Head of Agriculture, BASF Australia and New Zealand. “Introducing a new active ingredient to the market requires approximately € 200 million in investment and about 10 years’ time. To be able to continue such substantial investment, BASF protects its innovations to the fullest of its capabilities. To this end, BASF is working to enforce its intellectual property rights and is working closely with all governing authorities to ensure that only the highest quality ingredients are present in Australia’s top brands and formulations.” In 2013, BASF invested about €470 million in crop protection and pest control research and development and another €150 million in Plant Biotechnology. These investments are part of the company’s overall commitment to growers, agriculture and food security. About BASF’s Crop Protection division With sales of more than €5.2 billion in 2013, BASF’s Crop Protection division provides innovative solutions in crop protection, seed treatment and biological control as well as solutions to manage water, nutrients and plant stress. Its portfolio also includes products for turf and ornamental plants, pest control and public health. BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leading innovator that supports growers to optimize agricultural production, improve their business efficiency and enhance the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com or through our social media channels . About BASF At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of about €74 billion in 2013 and over 112,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
Source: BASF website
DATE : 2015-01-27
Chemical company BASF has decided to exit the current R&D collaboration with Novozymes and Cargill to develop a bio-based process for producing 3-hydroxypropionic (3-HP) and acrylic acid from renewable raw materials. BASF joined the collaboration with Novozymes and Cargill in 2012. Novozymes and Cargill have collaborated on the project since 2008 and will continue their work to commercialize bio-based 3-HP and derivatives. The two companies have initiated efforts to find a new commercialization partner.
The partners said that the R&D cooperation on bio-based acrylic acid has achieved the technical and business targets. In 2013, the project accomplished the production of 3-HP in pilot scale, and in September 2014 announced the successful conversion of 3-HP to glacial acrylic acid and super-absorbent polymers.
Acrylic acid is a high-volume chemical that feeds into a broad range of products. One of the main applications is in the manufacture of super-absorbent polymers that can soak up large amounts of liquid and are used mainly in baby diapers and other hygiene products. Acrylic acid is also used in adhesive raw materials and coatings. Presently, acrylic acid is produced by the oxidation of propylene derived from the refining of crude oil.
SOURCE Green Car Congress