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

EVENTS

EuPC's "Back to Basics" training on food contact regulation

BASF

North American PA 6 price hike

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in January 2012: TDI reverses and points upward /MDI and polyols in strong rollover / Balanced supply, improved demand / Only building still soft / MDI producers seek fresh hikes

BASF

M. Holland to distribute engineering plastics range in North America

BASF

Building new TDI line in Ludwigshafen / Commissioning scheduled for 2014 / Schwarzheide TDI plant to close / EUR 1 bn investment

BASF / SINOPEC

Second Nanjing expansion phase completed / USD 1.4 bn project / New acrylic acid plant

BASF

Oleum/Sulphuric acid plant commissioned in Antwerp / Important caprolactam component

POLYMER PRICES

Engineering Thermoplastics in December 2011: Picture dominated by moderate falls / Production cutbacks coincide with subdued end-of-year demand / Costs likely to rise in January / Benzene takes a great leap

STYROLUTION

Sun European Partners acquires Spanish ABS subsidiary Elix Polymers / Meeting remaining EC preconditions for styrenics jv

PEOPLE

Raimar Jahn to head BASF's PU division / Coatings unit to fall under Markus Kamieth

YEAR IN REVIEW

Plastics industry braces for fresh surprises and more business as usual in 2012 / Price volatility and economic uncertainty / For some segments 2011 beats expectations / Fracking and plastic bag ban are key issues

PEOPLE

Wayne Smith joins BASF executive board / Board term extended for Andreas Kreimeyer / Stefan Marcinowski to retire

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics Trend December 2011: Weak rollover for most products / HDPE very firm / Producers clear inventories / Bonus targets and end markets stimulate demand / Quiet end to the year

ROSNEFT

Petrochemicals project planned in Russia's Primorsky region / Lummus to supply cracker technology / Downstream polymers production planned

POLYMER PRICES

Standard thermoplastics in November 2011: Producers pass on most cost reductions / PE film margins squeezed further / Supply and demand balanced / December could be calmer

BASF

New 6,000 t/y plant for “Ultrason” PESU in Korea / First outside Germany / Start-up 2012

BASF

Portfolio development focused on innovation / Increased plastics investment in emerging markets / New CEO outlines German group's forward strategy up to 2020

TOTAL

Strengthening its commitment to the styrene chain / Plans to expand chemical activities

BASF

EVOH film protects powders from oxygen penetration

SIBUR

Polymer growth targets on track / Headed for the big leagues? / Most output still earmarked for domestic market / New projects proceeding apace

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in November 2011: MDI and polyols in moderate fall / TDI sees triple-digit plunge / MDI imports rising / TDI clearly in oversupply / Demand weakens / Rollover looks shaky

BASF

Global HQ of dispersions & pigments to relocate to Hong Kong / Asia is the largest market

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics Trend November 2011: PE, PP and PS prices fall in line with the cost reductions / PVC still stable / EPS wins small margin improvement / Flood of special offers coincides with revival in demand

STYROLUTION

New global and European HQ inaugurated in Frankfurt