KEM ONE

OpenGate and Alain de Krassny seen as top bidders for insolvent PVC maker

BIOPLASTICS

Politics of biodegradable plastics misleading? / Compostability only deemed necessary for fruit nets and root balls / Drop-in solutions for better ecological efficiency / Production remains expensive

ARKEMA / ADDIPLAST

New toll compounding pact for high-end PA / Bio-sourced and conventional products

ARKEMA

First R&D centre in China / Ambitious growth plans for Asia

ARKEMA

Closing of plasticiser facility in Chauny planned for 2014

ARKEMA

Another price hike for EVA copolymers in place

JAYANT AGRO

Bio-polyols joint venture with Mitsui Chemicals

TOTAL

French management prepared to close naphtha cracker / Fate of Carling site and polymer plant uncertain

EUROPEAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

Production declines by 2% EU-wide in the first five months of 2013 / Growth engine revving in fits and starts / Company chieftains now more cautious about full-year outlook / Cefic trend report

ARKEMA

EVA copolymer more expensive in August

POLYMER PRICES

Composites/GRP July 2013: Ortho resins lose a little more ground, despite producers' hike plans / Stability expected in August / Glass fibre unchanged / First Egyptian direct roving shipments delayed

POLYMER PRICES

Engineering Thermoplastics July 2013: Smooth Q3 transition / Most prices roll over / Slight drops in ABS and PP / No ordering slump / Despite declining feedstock costs, binding Q3 contracts dictate landscape

ARKEMA

Poor market conditions in Europe hit operating profit and sales in Q2 2013 / High performance materials see improving performance over first two quarters

ARKEMA

PEKK grades available for use in aerospace, oil exploration and electronics

ARKEMA

French company presents lightweight “Rilsan” medical PA grade

KEM ONE

Buyers showing interest in ailing PVC producer / Production returning to normal at most sites / Insolvency process still on schedule

ARKEMA

European slowdown hits sales and profits / US automotive sector provides boost to Altuglas / Earnings fall in high-performance materials

ARKEMA

Launch of a new bio-sourced polyamide / Rilsan T expands product range

ARKEMA

25% stake in Indian castor oil supplier acquired / Access to bio-polyamide feedstock

KEM ONE

Arkema to take EUR 125m charge for former PVC business / Six-month search for new owner

COMMENT

Painful necessities

KEM ONE

Follow-up: PVC producer files for insolvency / Calls for aide from Arkema and Total / Arkema puts blame squarely on Klesch

KEM ONE

PVC producer about to file for insolvency / Five chlorine and PVC plants affected / Tempers run high in Lavera

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics Trend March 2013: Falling costs upstream dash producers' hopes of triple-digit hikes / Polyolefins rise less than costs / Higher input prices added to PVC, PS and EPS / Supply in line with demand

KEM ONE

Locked in PVC squabble, Klesch demands high compensation from Arkema / Swiss feel cheated / French group categorically dismisses all accusations