ICIS - Search Articles by Date : April 23 2012 - April 29 2012

This week's world news
Correction: In the ICIS Chemical Business news in brief headlined "Uncertainty is here to stay - SBR producer" dated April 23-29 2012, please.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Chemical market trends: Supply and demand weigh on contracts
An unplanned shutdown at CPC's 500,000 tonne/year No.5 cracker in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, could lead to the producer cutting its ethylene and propylene.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

YPF takeover sinks shale gas
PHOTO CAPTION & CREDIT: President enjoys political support for the move, as this poster suggests Rex Features The Argentine government's... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

US Chemical Profile: Maleic anhydride
USES Maleic anhydride (MA) is primarily used in the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins (UPR), which are used in applications such as.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Europe chemical profile: Ethanolamines
USES There are three main ethanolamines: monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA), which is available as two types,.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

News focus: Bio-materials face up to challenges
Much progress is being made in bio-based materials, but will they ever play a major role in chemical production? more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Efficiency targeted
PICTURE CAPTION: Emanuele Tagliabue The intermediates business will be bolstered by new production lines, a renewed focus on paraxylene and.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Commentary: US propane dehydrogenation payoffs are huge
Expect a barrage of on-purpose propylene facilities in the US in the coming years as the monomer runs increasingly short. more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Commentary: YPF grab is bad news
The country is already suffering from energy and raw material shortages. Nationalising one of Argentina's key oil and gas groups is likely to cut.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Polyethylene revival planned
PICTURE CAPTION: Giovanni Cassuti Giovanni Cassuti leads the beleaguered polyethylene (PE) division and says a combination of plant closures... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Petrochemicals: China toluene prices likely to rise on limited supply
China's toluene prices are expected to rise in late April because of limited supply, an industry source said. more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Petrochemicals: German ethylene pipeline complete
The consortium behind the much-delayed 400,000 tonne/year ethylene pipeline in Germany has announced its completion and said that it should start up.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Methanol blending in gasoline promoted in US
Analyst reports considerable interest in methanol's potential for blending in gasoline more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Cracking first quarter for US ethane
The drastic improvement in US ethane-based cracker margins during the first quarter of 2012 aptly demonstrates the advantages that the US is.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Petrochemicals: Refineries to use new benzene technology
A relatively new process to reduce benzene content in gasoline is being used at a US refinery and is set to be installed at more refineries in the.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Petrochemicals: BD price decline filters downstream
The downstream butadiene rubber market is tipped to bear brunt of weakening butadiene more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

New projects and permanent plant shutdowns, April 3-12, 2012
Download as a PDF more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Market Intelligence: US seeks energy independence in the form of natural gas
US petrochemical producers are increasingly moving to natural gas liquids (NGLs) as their principal feedstock and away from naphtha, part of a.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Gasoline drives Europe naphtha demand
Asian naphtha spot weakens as cracker operators are less aggressive with bids more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Feedstocks news in brief
LOW GAS PRICES HELP US PETROCHEMICALS Bearish natural gas prices could open the door to increased profits for the US petrochemical sector as a.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Key chemical prices
more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Projects news in brief
MONGOLIA PLANS COAL-TO-LIQUIDS PLANT The Mongolian government has awarded a contract to ThyssenKrupp Uhde to build a coal-to-liquids facility..... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Intermediates news in brief
US Q1 VAM CONTRACTS RISE 2 CENTS LB First-quarter contracts for US vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) rose by 2 cents/lb ($44/tonne, €33/tonne) following.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Intermediates: PTA trend downward as PX softens
PHOTO CAPTION AND CREDIT Demand for bottle grade PET typically leaps as summer nears Rex Features Producers of the monomer pin their hopes... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

PVC projected to have strong return growth in North America
The global downturn hit PVC hard, but signs point to strong recovery in North America more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Polymers news in brief
POLYPROPYLENE PRICES RISE IN ARGENTINA Argentina polypropylene (PP) prices were on the upswing in April, as one producer offset higher propylene.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Projects: Rubber investments planned for India
Planned investments include two emulsion styrene butadiene rubber projects more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Oleochemicals news in brief
BASF RAISES US OLEOCHEMICAL PRICES BASF will increase prices for all fatty alcohols and methyl esters by 5-10% effective May 1, or as contracts.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Oleochemicals: US refined glycerin Q2 price rises amid emerging technical-grade market tier
While prices settle higher for second quarter, technical grade glycerin begins to shake up market tiers more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Oleochemicals: Fatty acid Q2 contract prices rise on high feedstock costs
Second-quarter contract prices for US and Europe are up on higher palm and tallow costs more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Streamlined portfolio
PHOTO CAPTIONS: Marco Chiappani The construction sector and food packaging are core markets for the styrenics unit The strategy concentrates... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

A new age for the Italian chemical industry
The new Porto Torres site includes a third generation bio-refinery The company headquarters is located in Milan, Italy Rebranded... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Elastomers focus
PICTURE CAPTIONS The thriving rubber market will drive demand for the elastomers business Carmine Masullo Capitalizing on its leading... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

China Monthly: Urbanization may not translate into higher polymers profitability
The urbanization of China's population will not necessarily translate to higher profitability for polymers producers as consumers seek performance.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

US ethylene oxide market on the fast track to growth
Favorable feedstock costs and robust downstream demand puts EO on a strong growth path US ethylene oxide (EO) producers, looking to take.... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Invest in change
Regeneration and consolidation is central to plans to improve the producer's profitability and efficiency Giovanni Saporito Many of the.... more
(23 April 2012 10:41)

Innovation central to new plan
Sergio Lombardini The Porto Torres joint venture will play a vital role in the future R&D andy brice london innovation central to new plan .... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

License for growth
The decision whether to license technology poses a dilemma for any business. Versalis sees it as a huge opportunity, particularly for elastomers .... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

Embarking on an evolution process
PHOTO CAPTIONS: The company will focus on four key business units, overseas expansion and innovation CEO Daniele Ferrari Just like the... more
(23 April 2012 00:00)

VIDEO - ICIS Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 23 April 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Monday 23 April from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market.... more
(23 April 2012 06:00)

VIDEO – ICIS Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 23 April 2012
This is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Monday 23 April from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(23 April 2012 13:16)

VIDEO - ICIS Americas Lunchtime Bulletin 23 April 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for the Americas on Monday from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals.... more
(23 April 2012 19:00)

ICIS Chemical Business podcast April 23, 2012
FEED ICIS Chemical Business podcast April 23, 2012   The issue of ICIS Chemical Business for the week of April 23, 2012, has.... more
(23 April 2012 21:56)

VIDEO - ICIS Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 24 April 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Tuesday 24 April from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market.... more
(24 April 2012 06:00)

VIDEO – ICIS Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 24 April 2012
This is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Tuesday 24 April from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(24 April 2012 13:27)

VIDEO – ICIS Americas Lunchtime Bulletin 24 April 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for the Americas on Tuesday from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and.... more
(24 April 2012 19:00)

VIDEO - ICIS Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 25 April 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Wednesday 25 April from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market.... more
(25 April 2012 06:00)

VIDEO – ICIS Europe Lunchtime Bulletin 25 April 2012
This is the lunchtime bulletin for Europe on Wednesday 25 April from ICIS. The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(25 April 2012 12:56)

VIDEO - ICIS Americas Lunchtime Bulletin 25 April 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for the Americas on Wednesday from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest.... more
(25 April 2012 19:00)

VIDEO - ICIS Asia Lunchtime Bulletin 26 April 2012
Here is the lunchtime bulletin for Asia on Thursday 26 April from ICIS . The Lunchtime Bulletin brings you all the latest chemicals and market.... more
(26 April 2012 06:00)