Industry news of the polymerindustry - PU Magazine International

Palmer and BioBased announce strategic alliance

Palmer International and BioBased Technologies have agreed to form a strategic alliance focused on developing a new family of bio-based polyols derived from cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) for use in rigid foam systems.

UZBEKISTAN: ADB to Help Develop Uzbekistan's Largest Petrochemical Plant

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan and political risk guarantee totaling up to USD 400 million to help build the largest-ever petrochemical plant in Uzbekistan.

BMS builds multi-purpose plant for PU coating raw materials

Bayer MaterialScience has begun construction of a multi-purpose production plant for PU coating raw materials at Chempark Leverkusen in Germany. The new plant will be integrated into existing HDI and IPDI production at the site. The company is investing roughly EUR 35 million in the expansion of its production capacities. The plant is scheduled to come on stream in fall 2013.

Eurofoam to close its production site in Bexbach

Eurofoam, the 50/50 joint venture between Recticel and the Austrian group Greiner, announced its decision to streamline its flexible foam operations in Germany by closing its loss-making comfort foam production and converting unit in Bexbach by end June 2012.

THAILAND: PTTGC to invest B100 billion

PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC) plans to invest 100 billion baht over the next five years, half of it on recent acquisition Perstorp Holding France SAS, a technology firm and major manufacturer of isocyanates in Europe and Asia.

Recticel intends to close its production site in Bladel

Recticel b.v. has recently announced its intention to streamline its flexible foam operations in the Netherlands by closing its comfort foam converting unit in Bladel by mid-2012.

AkzoNobel to take 100 % control of Metlac Group

AkzoNobel plans to strengthen its position in packaging coatings by exercising the right to buy the remaining shares of Metlac, an Italian-based packaging coatings producer. Financial details were not disclosed.

BMS commissions new hydrogenation technical center

Bayer MaterialScience has commissioned a new technical centre for the development of isocyanate production processes at Chempark Dormagen, Germany. The research centre was erected in just under a year with an investment of EUR 5 million.

BASF to build an integrated 300 kt TDI plant in Ludwigshafen

BASF today announced that it will build a single-train 300,000 t/y production plant for TDI and expand additional plants for its precursors at its site in Ludwigshafen, Germany. These include the construction of a new hydrogen chloride recycling plant as well as the expansion of plants for nitric acid, chlorine and synthesis gas.

SOUTH KOREA: Korea eyes more petrochemical exports in 2012

Korea's petrochemical companies hope to further increase their exports after they climbed to a record high last year, a local industry group said Friday (13 Jan. 2012).

SCG-Dow Group achieves successful Thailand HPPO plant start-up

The SCG-Dow Group, a joint venture between Dow and Siam Cement Group, has finalised the start-up of its new propylene oxide (PO) facility in Thailand by successfully completing its full capacity performance test.

AkzoNobel completes acquisition of Chinese surfactants producer

AkzoNobel has completed its acquisition of the Chinese speciality surfactant producer, Boxing Oleochemicals. Boxing is a supplier of nitrile amines and derivatives, which are used in a variety of industrial and consumer applications including fabric softeners, asphalt additives, and hair conditioners.

BASF and Sinopec complete second phase of Nanjing investment and announce new plans for expansion

BASF and Sinopec have inaugurated the USD 1.4 billion second phase of their integrated petrochemical site in Nanjing, bringing chemicals to the Chinese market that will support the development of more sustainable local industries. On the occasion of the inauguration ceremony, the partners also announced further plans for the expansion of the site.

Baalbaki announces expansion of UAE PU raw material production facilities

Baalbaki announced that it has commenced construction of its new 40,000 t/y polyester and prepolymer production plants on its existing 30,000 m² industrial site at Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah UAE. The new plant, expected to be operational in the Q4 2012, will enable Baalbaki to serve the GCC, India, Pakistan and Iran with footwear, rigid, cold cure PU systems, aromatic and aliphatic polyester polyols, as well as speciality polyurethane and food packaging adhesives.