AMERICAS Formosa Plastics to build new PE plant Formosa Plastics’ new PE plant at Point Comfort, Texas will have the capacity to produce 525 KTA. This will be the second PE unit at the Point Comfort complex. Construction for this unit is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2015 and…
AMERICAS Borealis to invest in PP compounding in Brazil Borealis has completed the expansion of its PP compounding facility in Itatiba, Brazil. The expansion was completed with an investment of about USD 48 million. The expansion project included the addition of two new lines; the output from the new lines will be…
AMERICAS ExxonMobil launches new Vistamaxx grade ExxonMobil has introduced a new propylene-based elastomers grade, Vistamaxx3588FL. The new material offers good heat seal properties with excellent processability in cPP and BOPP film applications. Comments: Snack, biscuit, and candy packaging in China and Southeast Asia are expected to be some of the highest growth…
AMERICAS Total launches new HDPE grade Total has introduced a new HDPE grade, XSene XRT70. This grade which combines excellent processability and raised temperature resistance is designed for water and gas pressure pipe application. High extrusion speed at low extrusion temperature without sacrificing the finished surface can be achieved, which has been…
AMERICAS Nova Chemicals evaluating new PE plant Canada-headquartered Nova Chemicals is considering building a new PE plant and might have a final decision within 12-18 months. If this PE project realizes, the PE plant would benefit from its expansion project of cracker in Corunna, Canada which is due on stream in 2017.…
AMERICAS Shintech to build new ethylene unit at Iberville Parish facility Shintech, the largest PVC producer in North America, will invest USD 1.4 billion for a new ethane cracker installed at its facility in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, as well as infrastructures that connect ethylene output to VCM and PVC units. The new…
AMERICAS Sekisui Plastics USA introduces a new grade of Piocelan®foam resin Sekisui Plastics USA has launched a new grade of moldable Piocelan®foam resin, Piocelan T. The new material is a hybrid of polystyrene and polyolefins using Sekisui Plastics’ proprietary hybrid foam technology. Compared to previous grades that lack sufficient heat resistance for…
AMERICAS Dunkin’ Donuts seeking replacement of EPS cup Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. has looked for alternatives to expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam cups for its coffee cups. Currently, polypropylene foam cups from Berry Plastics Group have been considered the best alternative to EPS foam cups. Dunkin’ Donuts also seeks a new and recyclable…
AMERICAS Hexpol to boost synthetic rubber compounding capacity in Mexico Hexpol plans to expand synthetic rubber compounding capacity in Mexico. The expansion will add a new advanced 135 L rubber compounding line into its Querétaro facility, Mexico, which will increase overall capacity to 70 KTA. Comments: Sweden-headquartered Hexpol A.B. supplies advanced rubber…
Chemical Industry Summary Heading into Q2 earnings season, chemical margins generally look positive for most chemical sectors with olefins/polyolefins leading and the chlor-alkali chain less profitable. Macroeconomics and Geopolitics The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports Q1 global GDP growth at 2.2%, 0.8% below the April forecast. The year 2015 now looks to…