DATE: 2018-03-24
China’s central province of Hubei has listed a total of 144 chemical plants that will be relocated or re-engineered before 2025, a step toward its goal of keeping production of toxic chemicals away from densely-populated areas.
Small and middle-sized plants are required to compete the relocation/re-engineering before 2020, according to a document released by Hubei provincial government in late December 2017.…
DATE: 2018-04-13
The successful start-up of the Saudi Methacrylates (SAMAC) plant in Saudi Arabia, was the main focus of the European methyl methacrylate (MMA) market, one that has been plagued by tightness since mid-2016.
The news of the successful start-up of the plant in Saudi Arabia was welcomed by MMA buyers, many of whom questioned what the impact will be on the global supply and demand balance.
https://www.icis.com/assets/getasset.aspx?…
DATE: 2018-04-04
Saudi Methacrylates (SAMAC), a joint venture between Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) and Sabic, have started commercial operations of its methyl methacrylate (MMA) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plants in Saudi Arabia, MCC announced in a press release on Wednesday.
The producer has completed performance tests and commenced commercial operations of both plants on 2 April 2018.…
DATE:2018-03-06
German specialty chemicals company Evonik Industries AG (EVK.DE) said Tuesday that its Board would evaluate all options for the future development of the methacrylates business. The options also include potential partnerships and complete divestment, the group noted.
Evonik said it is evaluating these options as part of its ongoing development of its portfolio and that it is concentrating on its four growth engines- health & care, smart materials, specialty additives,…
DATE: 2018-02-22
Arkema is shifting into acquisition mode following the completion of its three-year divestment programme, with around €1bn earmarked for investments over the next few years, the CEO of the France-based specialties company said on Thursday.
After completing its 2015-17 initiative to sell down €700m worth of operations as part of its ongoing rebalancing of geographic focus and a push to derive 80% of sales from specialties by 2023,…
DATE:2018-02-14
Un règlement, publié ce 14 février au Journal officiel de l'UE, renforce les restrictions applicables au bisphénol A (BPA) dans les matériaux en contact avec les aliments. Il abaisse la limite de migration spécifique (LMS), qui est la quantité de matière plastique autorisée à migrer dans les aliments, de 0,6 à 0,05 milligrammes de BPA par kilogramme de denrées alimentaires (mg/kg).…
DATE: 2018-01-25
USES
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is an acrylic polymer that has high ultraviolet (UV) resistance and is available as resin or sheet. About two-thirds of consumption is in sheets produced by extrusion or casting, while the remainder is moulded into various shapes. PMMA’s primary use is in car headlamps and tail lights. The second largest use is in construction (pool and sanitary ware, architectural fittings) and glazing/signage. Other uses are household appliances,…
SINGAPORE (ICIS)--Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical giant SABIC is now the biggest shareholder of Clariant, with a 24.99% stake in the Swiss specialty chemicals producer, Clariant said on Thursday.
The stake was previously held by White Tale, an activist investor of Clariant which was opposed to the merger https://www.icis.com/subscriber/news/2017/09/28/10147490/white-tale-continues-opposition-to-clariant-huntsman-merger-with-stake-increase/ of the Swiss producer with US’ Huntsman.…
Acrylic acid markets continued to face supply problems during 2017, notably in the US on the back of disruption caused by hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Fortunately, the US market was able to get back on its feet comparatively quickly, and ended the year in a better supply position, but also with stronger than forecast demand, which looks set to continue into early 2018.…
DATE: 2017-12-29
China's phenol and acetone prices in the domestic market are expected to stay high in 2018 on the back of strong demand from some the downstream industries, offsetting a planned increase in supply.
Phenol prices in the domestic market largely rebounded in the last quarter of 2017, along with commissioning of the first phenol-based cyclohexanone unit in China.
Acetone prices also move up on the back of strong downstream demand.
This,…