BASF / TOTAL

Shell Chemical bows out of Sabina Petrochemicals joint venture / C4 complex now split 60:40 among German, French group

POLYMER PRICES

Engineering Thermoplastics in July 2011: Prices stable at a high level / ABS, PC and PP respond to the lower cost basis / Supply adequate / Holiday period dampens demand / Stability likely

BASF / PURAC

Negotiations to establish bio-based succinic acid joint venture / World-scale plant to start up by 2013 in Spain

BASF

Capacity expansion for “Styrodur” insulation grades at Ludwigshafen site / Meeting rising market demand

BASF

Growth momentum slows in Q2 / Plastics demand stronger / Price increases offset currency effects

BASF

Doubling capacity for “Hexamoll DINCH” plasticiser / Plans for second plant in Ludwigshafen

BASF

Production of antioxidant blends to start up in Bahrain in 2012 / Higher Middle East profile

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in July 2011: Monomer decline ends price rally / MDI in a strong rollover / Moderate losses for TDI, polyols / Vacation season dampens demand / Lower costs improve flexibility

BASF

No anti-trust fines for Ciba subsidiary / European Commission lifts resolution citing statute of limitations

STYROLUTION

BASF pockets EUR 600m from Ineos in styrenics deal / Pro forma sales of EUR 1.8 bn in Q1

POLYMER PRICES

Engineering Thermoplastics in June 2011: Many grades move up again / ABS, polyamides and PBT are hit particularly hard / Butadiene shortage is the driving factor / Demand significantly weaker / Upward pressure should ease in July

BASF

Price hike for masterbatches

ASSOCIATIONS

European Bioplastics elects new board / Andy Sweetman confirmed as chairman

BASF

Annual MDI capacity in Korea being widened to 250,000 t / Site expansion to cost EUR 50m

BASF

Capacity hike for PA and PBT compounds at Schwarzheide / “Sharp rise in demand”

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics Trend June 2011: Notations slide on monomer decline / PVC with slight gains / Tendency toward surplus / Volume pressure propels special offers / Some prices could go lower

FEEDSTOCK MARKETS

BASF force majeure for PBT from Schwarzheide could last until end-August

FEEDSTOCK MARKETS

BASF restarts Ludwigshafen cracker

POLYMER PRICES

Engineering Thermoplastics in May 2011: Butadiene price explosion triggers triple-digit rise for ABS / Higher costs for PA 6, PMMA and PP / Limited feedstock supplies / High stock levels dampen ordering activity / Calls for fresh increases

STYROLUTION

PS price adjusted downward again in June/ ABS rolls over

STYROLUTION

EU approves BASF-Ineos joint venture plans / Tarragona ABS unit must be divested

BASF

Higher prices for plastics additives and pigments

STYROLUTION

Deal creating joint venture is signed

BASF

New fully integrated 300,000 t/y European TDI plant to start up in 2014 / Largest single-train unit

UNIGEL

ABS project planned in Brazil / Output will substitute imports