POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics Trend March 2011: Hikes for polyolefins above rise in monomer costs / PVC sees no margin gains / PS shaky / Seasonal demand will help EPS / Extremely high prices dampen demand

DOW

New Performance Plastics division / All polymer activities included / Market-driven solutions

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics in February 2011: Prices rise again significantly / Polyolefins gain up to EUR 50/t / Styrenics see triple-digit hike / Supply tighter / Demand robust / Political unrest triggers oil surge

DOW EUROPE

Higher prices für polyethylene

BRAZIL

Strong polymers demand in 2011 / Producers focus on local market / Reliance on naphtha imports still stifling

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics Trend February 2011: Polyolefin margins improve / PVC producers likely to win at least cost rise / Higher benzene drives PS and EPS again / Limited supply lifts notations further

DOW CHEMICAL

Price gains on plastics drive strong earnings performance in Q4 2010 / Charges on Styron sale

STYRON EUROPE

Prices for PS, ABS and SAN up EUR 130/t

DOW

Price hikes for polyols, MDI and PU systems

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics in January 2011: Polyolefins and PS go through the roof with triple-digit rises / Only PVC calm / Supply tight / Demand robust / Cost pressure intensifies / Situation increasingly dramatic

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Dow idles one of its Terneuzen crackers for one week

DOW EUROPE

Polyethylene prices on the rise

STYRON

PC joint venture with Sumitomo renamed Sumika Styron Polycarbonate

BIOPLASTIC PACKAGING

Substantial growth forecast up to 2020 / Demand seen as shifting to non-biodegradable thermoplastics from renewable resources / Chemical majors making giant strides into the market / Pira report

DOW

Commercial-scale plant for polyolefin encapsulant films / Demand from photovoltaics industry

YEAR IN REVIEW

Plastics economy bounces back from crisis in 2010 / Truly remarkable year sees demand, prices, industry sentiment improve / Structural changes are emerging / Dawn of Asian century near?

DOW

More ethane as feedstock for US plastics production / Focus on cost advantages over traditional oil chain

DOW CHEMICAL

Bimodal HDPE resins now available commercially

DOW EUROPE

Polyethylene prices to rise

DOW

Plans for MTO plant in Yulin submitted to Chinese authorities / First phase of common project with Shenhua to cost USD 10 bn

DOW CHEMICAL

Official start-up of octene LLDPE line in Map Ta Phut

ASSOCIATIONS

PlasticsEurope forms engineering plastics promotion group / Focal point for discussion

DOW CHEMICAL

Follow-up: Strategy shift for polyolefins / CEO Liveris reportedly wants to keep LLDPE business

DOW CHEMICAL

Earnings move back toward pre-crisis levels / Double-digit growth / Plastics plans “rethought”

STYRON

Spin-off takes Dow's 50% stake in Sumitomo PC joint venture / New name to be announced