POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in July 2012: Petrochemical slump pressures polyols / MDI and TDI in strong rollover / Despite lower output, no supply bottlenecks / Demand down slightly / Rising prices upstream drive

GEORGIA GULF

Purchase of PPG's commodity chemicals business / Creation of North America's second largest VCM producer / Deal improves integration with low cost US gas

GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL

14m t of new petrochemical capacity brought on stream in 2011 / Saudi Arabia leads the pack / Regional players are setting their sights to the east / Feedstock surplus will sweep global markets in near future

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics Trend July 2012: Producers pass on only part of their cost reduction / Rising oil increases margin pressure / Some producers stop orders as inventories shrink / Prices likely to bottom out

HALLSTAR

Dow's TP specialty plasticiser range acquired

DOW

Carbon fibre joint venture with Aksa is official

CORRECTION - POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in June 2012: Most MDI, TDI and polyol notations roll over / First signs of seasonal downturn / Maintenance cycle causes small TDI bottlenecks / Polyol prices could follow olefins downward

PEOPLE

Heinz Haller named president of Dow Europe, Middle East and Africa

SADARA CHEMICAL

Engineering contract awarded for Saudi PE project / Start-up expected in 2015-2016

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics in May 2012: Slipping oil prices pull polymers down / Margin losses on a broad front / Inventories swell as converters cut orders to a minimum / Prices destined to fall again in June

EXXONMOBIL

New ethane cracker and PE plants at Baytown / Cheap US shale gas gives price advantage

DOW

Arbitration court orders Kuwait to pay damages of USD 2.16 bn in K-Dow case / Breach of contract

POLYMER PRICES

Polyurethane feedstocks in May 2012: MDI in a strong rollover / TDI up by triple-digit figures as supply tightens / Polyols softer / Building season picks up in NWE / Risk of hikes despite sinking costs

BRASKEM

Mulling new US plant fed by cheaper shale gas feedstock / Decision to be made this year

CIECH

CEO Kunicki is replaced / Dow and Wanhua reportedly interested in Zachem's TDI subsidiary

MDI

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

ALTUGLAS

All activities to cease at Kensington plant / PMMA sheet extrusion relocated to Louisville

DOW

New UK technical centre for PU elastomers and systems / Third recent investment in PU innovation

PEOPLE

Fernando Musa named CEO of Braskem America

DOW

US cracker project to be located at Freeport site in Texas / Start-up on schedule for 2017

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

TEKNOR APEX

Flexible vinyls incorporate bio-based plasticisers / Carbon dioxide equivalent emissions reduced by 41%

STYRON

European price hikes for polycarbonate products

W. R. GRACE

Agreement with Dow to develop next generation catalysts for PP production / Commercial start in 2012

PEOPLE

Mark Bassett new vice president of Dow Polyurethanes