PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Major shipping restrictions on Rhine river / Worsening PA 6.6 shortages feared / Styrene and propylene affected / BASF reports EPS shortages / Impacts on Lanxess, Celanese and Shell

POLYAMIDE 6.6

Polymer shortage and high prices dog French OEMs / “Structural problems”

VINYLOOP

PVC compounder Benvic acquires recycling plant in Italy / Conversion to compounding planned

BASF / SOLVAY

Chemical groups modify planned polyamide transaction / EU decision in January at earliest

SOLVAY

Ilham Kadri to become CEO in 2019

SOLVAY

Inauguration of UK aerospace composites plant

SOLVAY

PVDF capacity increase in France / Rising demand for e-car batteries

INOVYN

Expansion of PVC production in Belgium / Investments to total EUR 1 bn across Europe

RENOLIT

Acquisition of Draka Polymer Films / PVC film plant in the Netherlands to be renovated

INVISTA

Capacity expansion for PA 6.6 in China / Upgrade by 40,000 t/y

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

PA 6.6: Solvay expects delivery shortfalls / Shallow Rhine river impacting raw materials supply from France

INVISTA

Plans for ADN plant in China / Asian demand for PA 6.6. feedstock exceeds availability

SOLVAY

Expansion of composite production in the US / Composite Materials' volumes grew in H1

BASF

Sales and earnings still on target in Q2 / TDI running smoothly but margins under pressure / CEO concedes that Solvay PA deal may require divestments

SOLVAY

Partnership with France's Delta Equipement for 3D printing

VINYLOOP

Closure of operation in Italy / Phthalates issue under REACH brings down European PVC recycling project

BASF

In-depth investigation of Solvay transaction / EU fears "control of PA 6.6 production chain"

ALBIS PLASTIC

“Alcom” Med customised compounds for healthcare added to portfolio

SOLVAY

Composite materials business to serve Asia-Pacific direct / Acquisition of assets from distributor Argosy

ULTIMAKER

Partnerships with major polymer suppliers for 3D printing materials

SOLVAY

Thermoset prepreg resin designed for high volume auto application

SOLVAY

Speciality polymer filaments for 3D printing launched / Plans to make powders for aerospace and healthcare uses

WESTLAKE

Roger Kearns is new executive VP of Vinyl Chemicals

CHINAPLAS 2018

Medical plastics a hit in Shanghai / Trade fair expands with dedicated pop-up kiosks, open forum and guide book

TRADE FAIRS

More exhibitors and exhibition space at "Formnext 2018" / Additive manufacturing process chain extended to software and finishing work