BENVIC

Investindustrial to deal most assets of PVC compounder to ICIG / Merger with Vynova likely

INEOS

Millions to be spent on production technology for recyclable, mono-material films

LYONDELLBASELL

Subsidiary Equistar to build propylene plant at US Channelview site

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Polyethylene: Third outage at TotalEnergies / Force majeure declared in France for lack of ethylene

VERSALIS

Plans for mechanical reclaim of PS, PE in Porto Marghera, Italy / License acquired from Forever Plast

INEOS

VAM expansion in UK off the table / Plans for acetic acid, downstream products in US

PLASTICS AND FINANCE

Consultant Brand Finance rates “most valuable” and “strongest” chemical brands / BASF, DuPont, Rongsheng, and Ineos in prominent positions

POLYMER PRICES

North America May 2022: PE, PVC move sideways as PP nosedives / Precarious time for styrene drives up PS, PA 6 / Consumer demand slumps on high inflation / June expected mostly weaker

VALTRIS

Ownership change for US speciality chemicals maker / H.I.G. sells to SK Capital

POLYMER PRICES

North America April 2022: Reports of significant increases except for polyolefins / Polyamides in particular are picking up / Inflation and rising interest rates are likely to put pressure on demand / Further inflation in May

INEOS

Green hydrogen projects take firmer shape / Funding from Enova to fuel electrolysis project in Norway

MCDONALD'S

Trial to test clear plastic cups sourced from sustainable materials

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

PVC: Vinnolit declares force majeure at two German plants / VCM supply issues impact French Kem One

SHALE GAS

Ineos chief Jim Ratcliffe urges UK government to have a rethink on fracking / Alternative to Russian gas / LNG from the US for Europe

UPDATE - PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

C2/C3: French Naphthachimie shuts down cracker / Exact consequences for Kem One's PVC production still unclear

POLYMER PRICES

North America March 2022: Growing production costs raise prices / Tensions high / War, logistics and manufacturing issues set to fuel April hikes

RUSSIA

Attack on Ukraine has consequences for European polymer trade flows / Shortage of Russian material makes itself felt in Eastern Europe / Moscow plans polymer price regulation / Flagship projects on hold?

PLASTICS AND SUSTAINABILITY

More companies board sustainability train / Mass balance, ISCC Plus are the watchwords

INOVYN

Energy surcharge for PVC / Competitors to follow suit

INOVYN

Plans to boost PVC speciality output / Increased Belgian production set for mid-2022 following delay

KEM ONE

Strikes paralyse four of five PVC sites in France / Force majeure declared: French media

ENERGY MARKETS

Budding hydrogen market to change patterns in global energy trade / Technology key as polymer industry moves towards net-zero emissions / Covestro secures access to green H2 from Australia

BASF

More European capacity for HMD and PA 6.6 / Chemicals and plastics giant solidifies PA market position after Solvay deal

KEM ONE

Shutdown of PVC production at Spanish plant / Tight market remains a problem

POLYMER PRICES

North America December 2021: Rollovers reign / Further reductions for polyolefins / Shortages of compounds expected to lead to January hikes for engineering thermoplastics