INDUSTRY

Industry

Rhodia Coatis announces price increases for its aliphatic diisocyanates

Rhodia Coatis announced price increases of 10% to 12% for its HDI (Hexamethylene diisocyanate) and IPDI (Isophorone diisocyanate) monomer and derivative products. Timing will be December 1st . The price increase is required to help respond to the continuously rising cost of energy and raw materials, and to the significant erosion of margins at a time when the global aliphatic isocyanates demand is strengthening worldwide. Rhodia has worked to improve productivity, reduce manufacturing and operating cost over the past years and will continue to do so. However, company says that under the current circumstances, these efforts are inadequate to overcome the cost pressures.

Industry

Albemarle to raise prices of Antiblaze phosphorus flame retardants

Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB), a leading manufacturer of flame retardants, will increase the list prices for its Antiblaze line of phosphorus-based polyurethane flame retardants by 200 Euros per metric ton in the European market for shipments on or after December 1, 2005. In the North American market, Albemarle will increase the list prices for its Antiblaze TMCP flame retardant by seven cents per pound ($0.07/lb), Antiblaze 195 (TDCP) flame retardant and blends by 10 cents per pound ($0.10/lb), and all other phosphorus-based polyurethane flame retardants products by 15 cents per pound ($0.15/lb) for shipments on or after December 1, 2005. Contractual prices will be adjusted as conditions allow.

Industry

Dow announces upgrade of TPU development facilities

The Dow Chemical Company announced on November 21 that it has upgraded its thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) development facilities. A new mini-line in Freeport, Texas and new program for production scale development utilizing the manufacturing assets in LaPorte, Texas will permit broader and faster TPU development. The mini-line has increased productivity and flexibility when compared to previous systems. The mini-line will also be used to develop and confirm the fundamentals of new technology and product platforms. Sample size from the mini-line is sufficient for customer testing. Final scale up and large customer samples will be produced in the production lines. Kirk Anderson, Senior Research & Development Leader for Dow's Specialty Copolymers business says, "This improvement in our sc

Industry

Air Products declares quarterly dividend

The Board of Directors of Air Products (NYSE:APD) declared on November 17 a quarterly dividend of 32 cents per share of common stock. The dividend is payable on February 13, 2006 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 3, 2006.

Industry

Bayer MaterialScience increases prices for HDI and HDI-based aliphatic isocyanates

Bayer MaterialScience AG is increasing the selling prices for hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and HDI-based aliphatic isocyanates by 10 to 12 percent, effective December 1, 2005. Despite comprehensive cost-cutting measures, it is no longer possible to absorb the significant increases in costs for logistics, energy and key raw materials such as butadiene, propylene and solvents. All current contractual obligations will be fulfilled.

Industry

BASF investment in Nanjing shows best practices for Chinese chemical industry

BASF’s new $2.9 billion petrochemical site in Nanjing, China, exceeds international standards in the area of health and safety, and creates and secures local jobs, according to an independent study presented November 29 in Shanghai. The study measures the economic, environmental and social impact of the investment on the city of Nanjing and the surrounding region. The German Society for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) conducted the BASF-commissioned study between January and September of this year, holding interviews with government officials, neighbours of the site and employees in Nanjing. The initial results of the study were first discussed with stakeholders in Nanjing at the beginning of November, and are being presented and discussed at a stakeholder workshop in Shanghai today. The s

Industry

Lyondell rides out hurricanes in Q3

Lyondell Chemical Co.’s Propylene Oxide and Related Products segment has reported third quarter earnings (EBITDA) of $321m, more than double its level for the same period last year. Sales rose 41% to $1848m at the business, which produces propylene oxide (PO) and its derivatives propylene glycol, propylene glycol ethers, butane diol feedstock, as well as styrene, MTBE fuel additives, and toluene diisocyanate (TDI). The Houston company linked the gains to better margins on its increased PO and PO derivative product margins, particularly in its MTBE activities, where results improved by about $210 million. This more than offset a $20m decline in earnings in the company’s TDI business as well as lower profitability in the styrene sector, Lyondell said 27 October. Segment operating income in

Industry

BASF and Dow progress Antwerp HPPO project

BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Dow Chemical Co. Midland, Michigan/USA have announced that they are on track with plans to construct a 300 ktpa propylene oxide plant at Antwerp, Belgium, by 2008. Construction work is due to start next year on the facility, which is to be based on a new jointly-developed HPPO (hydrogen peroxide route to propylene oxide) production technology. “The major benefits of the HPPO process include reduced capital investment and improved operating costs," The new process requires less equipment, uses a smaller footprint, and produces no significant co-products,” said Earl Shipp, global business vice president, Dow Oxides & Glycols, in a 24 October Dow statement. Both Dow and BASF will be able to use the HPPO technology for joint or individual future investment

Industry

Bayer expanding Chinese R&D centre

Bayer MaterialScience, Leverkusen, Germany, has started construction work to expand its Polymer Research and Development Centre (PRDC) in Pudong, Shanghai, China. The project will create the group’s first facility technical R&D facilities for its Thermoplastic Polyurethanes business in the region, as well as for its Polyurethanes; Polycarbonates and Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants units. The expansion will more than double the area of the PRDC and include the construction of two new buildings to house technical facilities for BMS’ Polyurethanes and Coatings business units adjacent to the existing facility. The four business units will have the full capacity to provide technical service, new application development, as well as training for staff and customers, said a 26 Oct BMS statement. “

Industry

Thieme in EUR3m expansion plan

Polyurethane components company Thieme GmbH & Co. KG of Teningen, Germany, is investing EUR3m to install a new line for priming and coating RIM moulded parts. The project, which marks the company's biggest ever investment, is due for start up early next year at its headquarters site in Teningen. The automatic line will apply water-based varnish onto parts of up to 2500 x 2000 x 800 mm, with individual coating chambers available for oversize parts. The new coating line meets the German regulations regarding the emission of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), said a company statement. The expansion will give the company “considerably more leeway to modify ongoing production operations than at present and thus be able respond to customers' wishes at short notice,” said Matthias Sick, managin

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