BASF

Acquisition of Mazzaferro Group's polyamide business / Stronger market position in Brazil

MDI

Brazil imposes anti-dumping duties on imports from the US and China / Finance minister announces measures to ease pressure on industrial sector

BASF

Strong start to 2012 / EBITDA rises more than 15% in Q1 / Margin pressure dogs Plastics

PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT

German environmental group sues supermarket chains for misleading customers on biodegradable plastic bags / Carriers said to be problematic to recycle / Compost producers concerned

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in April 2012: MDI prices take another step forward / TDI cauldron still bubbling / Polyols swept upward to record heights / Isocyanate supply tighter in May / Notations continue firm

BASF

New PU production site in India / Favourable location for supplying customers in the north and northwest / Total investment of EUR 150m

BASF

New oxidized polyethylene wax plant commissioned in Ludwigshafen

BASF

USD 2.7m investment in flame retardants producer FRX / Environmentally friendly alternative

BASF

Extrusion technology acquired from B.C. Foam / PET foams complement wind energy portfolio

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in March 2012: Seasonal influences spark demand / TDI producers see triple-digit gains, MDI and polyols up by single-digit figures / Producers will seek further margin gains in April

INEOS

EPS plant in Marl to continue operations / Plans to consolidate capacities in the future?

STYROLUTION

Strategic realignment spells end to styrene and polystyrene production in Marl / Raising output in Ludwigshafen, Ulsan and Vadodara

BASF

Raising cyclohexane oxidation output in Antwerp

CHINA

Dawn of the “Great Ethylene Era” / Five Year Plan calls for massive increase in domestic C2 capacities / Pinpointed regional investments / Foreign players race to form joint ventures

BASF

USD 1 bn agreement with Petronas to expand activities in Malaysia / Raising capacity at existing BASF Petronas Chemicals jv / Plans to set up new joint venture in Johor

BASF

European and North American BDO price hike

BASF

Immediate price hike for “Ultramid” PA in Europe

FAIRS

“UTech Europe Exhibition and Conference” in Maastricht

BASF

Earnings hit new record in 2011 / Plastics profits decline in weak Q4 / Feedstock rise hits margins

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in February 2012: Notations rise across the board / TDI gains further momentum / MDI and polyols also move forward / Robust demand for flexible polyols / Supply and cost issues drive

BASF

New “Ecovio F Mulch” grade for agricultural film

DSM ENGINEERING PLASTICS

Global headquarters have moved to Singapore / Relocation to be completed this year / Asian market expected to dominate sales

BASF

Price rises of EUR 150/t for polyalcohols

POLYMER PRICES

North America January 2012: PE and PP hold firm / PVC sees a slight rise / PS follows costs upward / Engineering plastics still moving sideways / C3 cost explosion in February will propel notations upward

POLYMER PRICES

Engineering Thermoplastics in January 2012: Rollover predominates / Initial increases for ABS, PA 6 and PP / Restocking / Automotive and E&E sectors take off / Feedstocks rise by triple digits