FUTERRO

First fully integrated PLA plant starts up in China / Partnership with BBCA Biochemical

SAMSUNG / TOTAL

Expanded Korean aromatics hub starts / New PX, benzene and EVA units / China major buyer

QATAR INDUSTRIES

"Al Sejeel" project in Qatar on ice / New concept with better returns being studied

SONATRACH

Algerian oil and gas giant pulls out of planned PE joint venture with Total / Launches expansion plans in Skikda

QATAR PETROLEUM

Unipol technology for PE projects at Ras Laffan / Polymer output to total 2.2m t/y

POLYMER PRICES

North America: Propylene contract notations rising rapidly / PP spot prices follow the upward trend

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Ineos cracker in Lavera is down / Reports of forces majeures for downstream products / So far FM only confirmed for C4 chain

QAPCO

Inauguration of third LDPE plant / Total LDPE capacity reaches 700,000 t/y

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Force majeure remains in place for Total's PE output in Antwerp / Customers still on allocation

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Fire at Lavera HDPE line leads Ineos to declare force majeure / News follows on heels of Total and LyondellBasell FMs for high-density PE

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Total declares force majeure for HDPE from Antwerp

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics in February 2012: Polyolefins see triple-digit rises as margins improve / PVC producers also enjoy some margin relief / Styrenics reach limit / Olefin costs will rise again in March

PETROCHEMICAL MARKETS

Total declares FM for HDPE from Gonfreville

ALBIS PLASTIC

Distribution pact for PS in Russia

TOTAL

Agreement to acquire ExxonMobil's stake in Fina Antwerp Olefins jv

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics Trend December 2011: Weak rollover for most products / HDPE very firm / Producers clear inventories / Bonus targets and end markets stimulate demand / Quiet end to the year

BELGIUM

Leading global per capita consumer and producer of plastics / High capacity utilisation rates / Above-average EU salaries impede capacity to compete on world stage

TOTAL

Decision on future of Polimeri's PS lines in Feluy / One line is to remain, the other to be switched to next generation EPS

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics Trend April 2011: Low-density PE down slightly / Margin improvement with HDPE, PVC and EPS / Costs factored in with PP / PS notations slide / Strong euro dampens upward price momentum

POLYMER PRICES

Standard Thermoplastics in March 2011: Higher costs mostly factored in / Minimal margin gain with HDPE and PVC / PS softer / Seasonal business boosts EPS / Sales decline / Fresh price hikes for PVC and polyolefins

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

TOTAL PETROCHEMICALS

Random copolymers added to "Lumicene" range

QATAR

Follow-up: Shell signs MoU with Qatar Petroleum to study project / Complex to include 1.5m t MEG plant

QATAR

Follow-up: Shell and Total Petrochemicals pursue Ras Laffan project

TOTAL

Is French oil giant about to replace ExxonMobil at mega project in Ras Laffan?