Synthetic rubbers

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Brazil’s state of Rio Grande do Sul remains at a standstill from the floods, with Thai petrochemicals major Indorama’s subsidiary in the country also suspending operations at its Triunfo facilities, a spokesperson confirmed to ICIS. Two main ports in Brazil’s southernmost state remain closed, while fertilizers players have said demand is likely to be hit on the back of a reduced planting season. A spokesperson for Indorama said the company had suspended operations at Triunfo on 3 May until further notice. Indorama's operations in Brazil are the result from its acquisition of Oxiteno and operates at Triunfo a methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) plant with a production capacity of 42,000 tonnes/year and a butene-2 plant with capacity at 42,000 tonnes/year, according to ICIS Supply & Demand. “Initially, we ensured that the emergency shutdown was carried out safely. Currently, we are carefully assessing the weather and logistical conditions, as well as the guidance from the relevant authorities, to determine the short, medium and long-term impacts [of the suspension],” said the Indorama spokesperson. Earlier in the week, Brazil’s polymers producer Braskem and styrenics producer Innova declared force majeure from its operations in Triunfo, as did styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) producer Arlanxeo. Official figures on Friday put the dead toll at 116, with more than 130 people still unaccounted for, while more than 100,000 remain displaced from their homes and nearly two million people in the 12-million-strong state are being affected by Brazil’s worst floods in nearly a century. To make matters worse, rains returned to Rio Grande do Sul by the latter part of the week, forcing authorities to suspend some rescue operations. Brazilians this week have kicked off a remarkable national mobilization to help alleviate the disruption gauchos – as citizens from Rio do Grande do Sul are known in Portuguese – are going through. From workplaces to residential buildings, from civil associations to companies, there is practically no place in the country where an effort to collect goods, food and money is not being deployed. PORTS CLOSED, AGRICULTURE HITThe Port Authority for Rio Grande do Sul, called Portos RS and which oversees operations at the Port of Rio Grande, Port of Pelotas and Port of Porto Alegre, said operations at the two latter facilities remain shut to traffic. The Port of Rio Grande is operating normally, it added. “[Portos RS] maintains operations at the Port of Porto Alegre suspended, due to the maintenance of the level of Lake Guaiba above the so-called flood level. At the Port of Pelotas, in the south of the state, the shipment of wood logs remains suspended and activities are paralyzed at the terminal,” the Authority said. “Regarding the crossing to Sao Jose do Norte [a city north of Porto Alegre], the vehicle and passenger transport service is suspended due to the high level of Laguna dos Patos.” This week, several fertilizers players said to ICIS demand is likely to be hit as planting for some crops which had just started is likely to be delayed, postpone, or cancelled. Moreover, seeds recently planted could also get damaged by high levels of moisture, potentially ruining their harvest. “There has been great damage to infrastructure in the state, with fertilizers mixers underwater and authorities still calculating the impacts,” said an urea trader. “The rice harvest is almost done, but wheat planting is in its early days and producers of urea believe demand destruction can happen due to the circumstances.” Another fertilizers source added that around 70% of soybeans in Rio Grande do Sul had already been harvested, but there is still 30% to be harvested which would now be at risk. It added that 30% would represent approximately 6.5 million tonnes of soybeans, or 5% of Brazil’s total production. Rio Grande do Sul is the main rice producer in Brazil, and the source said the harvest for that crop was already behind schedule when the rains started, with 78% harvested. “We estimate that the unharvested volume should significantly affect the supply of rice in Brazil, increasing the upward pressure on prices, “the source said. “Corn was also in the process of being harvested, with an estimated 83% harvested by the time the rains started. It is not possible yet to estimate precisely how much of this amount at risk has been lost.” Front page picture: Voluntaries working in Rio Grande do Sul organizing donations Source: Government of Rio Grande do Sul Additional reporting by Bruno Menini, Deepika Thapliyal and Chris Vlachopoulos

10-May-2024

HOUSTON (ICIS)–The entire Americas Styrenics (AmSty) joint venture (JV) is for sale, and not just Trinseo’s 50% stake, Trinseo CEO Frank Bozich said on Thursday. The company announced in March it started the process to sell its 50% in the styrene and polystyrene (PS) JV with Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem). During Trinseo’s Q1 earnings call on Thursday, Bozich clarified that the entire AmSty was for sale, not just Trinseo’s stake. He added that since the March announcement, Trinseo has seen indications of interest from a number of potential strategic and financial buyers. He did not name potential buyers or say how much money Trinseo expects from the sale. The process of “actively” marketing the JV has not yet started, he said. The JV agreement between Trinseo and CPChem includes a number “prescriptive elements” that need to be completed before a joint marketing of the JV begins, he said. Trinseo expects a deal with a buyer to be signed by early 2025 and will use the proceeds from its share from the sale of AmSty to pay down debt, he added. Trinseo is also trying to sell its wholly owned styrenics assets. The company's other businesses include Latex Binders, Base Plastics and Engineered Materials. Additional reporting by Al Greenwood Thumbnail shows a cup made of polystyrene. (Image by ICIS)

09-May-2024

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Asia's propylene market will continue to see weak demand, although potential curbs in plant run rates in China amid weak margins could lend support. Downstream, China’s propylene oxide (PO) import demand may continue to be adversely impacted by domestic Chinese start-up capacities, while demand in the main downstream polyols sector is unlikely to recover in the second quarter (Q2). South Korea June-loading propylene volumes likely to increase month on month Domestic Chinese PO start-ups to keep domestic supply lengthy, hampering import demand Global PO supply excluding China remains tight, downstream polyols likely muted in Q2 In this chemical podcast, ICIS editors Julia Tan and Shannen Ng discuss trends in the Asian propylene and PO markets.

09-May-2024

ORLANDO (ICIS)–BASF Corp CEO Mike Heinz is optimistic that a binding agreement could be reached during the next round of negotiations of the UN plastic waste treaty, he said on Wednesday. BASF had sent a team to the previous round that was held in Ottawa, he said. "The feedback that we received from them was cautiously optimistic." Heinz made his comments in an interview with ICIS at this year’s NPE: The Plastics Show. He also gave the keynote address at the trade show. Another reason for optimism is that all of the parties are pursuing the same objective: to prevent plastic waste from entering the environment, Heinz said. An agreement would be one that all stakeholders could live with. He acknowledged some disagreement about how to achieve that objective. Some want to curb production of plastic, he said. BASF and others want to achieve it by curbing pollution. Already, BASF and other chemical companies are incorporating recycled materials into their products. Recycling can be part of a larger sustainable production chain, under which chemical complexes rely on renewable energy to make products from recycled and renewable materials that can be recovered and reused. These materials can be used to make wind blades, electric vehicles (EVs) and other products critical to reducing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2). Heinz summed up the path to a sustainable future as resting on three three pillars: make, use and recycle. SUSTAINABILITY VERBUNDDuring his speech and in a subsequent interview with ICIS, Heinz described what could be characterized as a Verbund based on sustainability. "This will take some time, but the good news is we already have some concrete examples on how it can be done," Heinz said. As an example, he held up a jacket made with 100% recycled nylon 6 from BASF that was sold by Inditex, the owner the clothing brand Zara. Heinz pointed to BASF's equity stakes in European wind packs. By 2030, BASF wants green energy to account for 60% of its power consumption. For chemical companies, one of the most power-hungry processes is steam cracking. BASF, SABIC and Linde are developing an e-cracker that would rely on electric furnaces to generate the heat needed to produce ethylene. The electricity could come from renewable sources, which would significantly reduce the CO2 emissions of steam cracking. Crackers can process renewable naphtha made from natural oils or pyrolysis oil produced at chemical recycling plants. It will take time for these feedstocks to become abundant, but the model is possible, and BASF is making chemicals with such feedstocks. New, renewable feedstocks can lead to new chemistries that result in materials that have better qualities than those based on petroleum.  The products can also help customers achieve their own sustainability goals. Lighter plastics can allow automobiles to travel farther on a tank of gasoline or on a battery charge. Other plastics will be critical to make EVs safe. Products can be designed to last longer, he said. When they do reach the end of their lifecycles, they can be designed to be easier to recover and recycle. STEPS NEEDED TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABILITYDuring his keynote speech, Heinz noted that while the chemical industry is part of the problem, it can be a bigger part of the solution. Change will require passionate people, innovation and collaboration, he said. In particular, the chemical industry needs to collaborate with lawmakers and nongovernmental organizations (NGO) to come up with those solutions. Produced by Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), NPE: The Plastics Show takes place 6-10 May in Orlando, Florida. Interview article by Al Greenwood Thumbnail shows a plastic bottle, which can be recycled. Image by monticello/imageBROKER/Shutterstock

08-May-2024

LONDON (ICIS)–LyondellBasell has launched a strategic review of the bulk of its operations in Europe, the producer said on Wednesday, based on its strategy to focus on assets perceived to have long-lasting competitive advantage. The producer will conduct a review of its European olefins, polyolefins, intermediates and derivatives businesses, driven by its move announced last year to reinvest in its strongest performing operations. "At the 2023 Capital Markets Day, we stated our intent to concentrate our portfolio around businesses with long-lasting competitive advantage and to reinvest around those advantaged areas generating superior returns at meaningful scale. These criteria have not changed," said Lyondell CEO Peter Vanacker. The strategy announced at the 2023 investor day was based around three pillars: prioritizing growth spending on businesses where the company “has leading positions in expanding and well-positioned markets”, growing circular solutions earnings to $1 billion/year by 2030, and shifting from cost controls to a broader idea of value creation. Energy-intensive industries in Europe have been challenged by the sharp increase in gas prices seen since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which remain substantially above pre-war and pre-pandemic norms despite falling dramatically since the nadir of winter 2022. Described by former BASF chief Martin Brudermuller earlier this year as a “systemic” change to the European operating environment, the higher cost of operating Europe has prompted a number of reviews by large global players. BASF is looking to cut €1 billion off the annual operating costs of its Ludwigshafen, Germany, complex. The company tapped plant sale specialists International Process Plants this week to explore the sale of its Ludwigshafen ammonia, methanol and melamine units, idled in 2023 due to high production costs. Dow also announced plans to review underperforming and smaller assets. A significant proportion of any cuts had been expected to land in Europe, although the US major has not given an update on the process since it was announced in early 2023. Indorama Ventures is also currently reviewing six assets out of its "West" portfolio for potential shutdown. While global gas pricing has come down, the cost of shipping gas will always be higher than sending it through a dedicated pipeline, as was the case with the Russia-derived natural gas that made up around half of the EU’s energy consumption prior to the war. As part of its stated intent to continue developing its sustainable and circular business, investments in a commercial-scale MoReTec plant, LyondellBasell's proprietary technology to convert plastic waste into liquid raw materials, and the development of a circularity hub in the Cologne, Germany region, will continue as planned, the company said. “The company will prioritize its investments to align operations with our circularity and net zero ambitions," Vanacker added. "We understand that strategic assessments can create uncertainty for our employees and customers, but we are committed to operate our assets safely and reliably throughout this process." LyondellBasell European prodcution Product Capacity (kt) Ethylene 1,805 HDPE 1,260 LDPE 740 MTBE 810 Polypropylene 2,175 Propylene 990 Propylene Oxide 785 Styrene 680 TBA 970 Update re-leads, adds detail throughout Additional reporting by Graeme Paterson, infographics by Yashas Mudumbai

08-May-2024

LONDON (ICIS)–In this latest podcast, markets editor Nazif Nazmul interviews Paddy Lowe, CEO and founder of the synthetic fuels producing company Zero Petroleum. Synthetic fuels can play a vital role in slashing emissions across the transport sector in the coming years, although the road to scaling up is fraught with obstacles, as well as opportunities. Synthetic fuels, also known as e-fuels, are derived from renewable electricity, air and water. The power-to-liquid process entails chemical conversion of energy. Energy density of synthetic fuels and compatibility with international combustion engine (ICE) vehicles could provide a long-term decarbonisation alternative to electric vehicles (EVs) and biofuels Rail, marine, aviation, agricultural sectors can utilise synthetic fuels alongside road transport Synthetic fuels gaining traction in the aviation industry in the form of e-SAF Achieving cost parity with fossil-based gasoline will still take approximately 10 more years Legislative support likely to expedite time needed to achieve economies of scale Production process reliant on sourcing vast amount of renewable energy Click here to open in a new window.

08-May-2024

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Japanese majors Asahi Kasei, Mitsui Chemicals and Mitsubishi Chemical on Wednesday said they have agreed to perform a joint feasibility study on feedstock and fuel conversion at their ethylene production facilities in western Japan to accelerate their carbon neutrality targets. "The joint feasibility study is expected to raise the speed and efficiency of the transition to carbon neutrality of the companies’ ethylene production facilities and each company’s petrochemical products," they said in a joint statement. The three companies will study "concrete measures" to drive their move towards carbon neutrality such as replacing petroleum-derived resources with biomass feedstock and conversion to low-carbon fuel, while also studying optimal future production arrangements. In order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 in accordance with the target set by the Japanese government, the three chemical giants have each adopted policies to become carbon neutral by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets to effectively zero. "However, if initiatives are taken by each company individually, the speed of implementation and efficiency of GHG reduction are limited," they said. "This makes it increasingly necessary for multiple petrochemical manufacturers located nearby to cooperate with one another through mutual provision of technology and joint implementation of measures that contribute to carbon neutrality."

08-May-2024

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Following a better-than-expected 2024 first quarter, US compounder and formulator Avient raised its full-year guidance for adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) by $5 million at the low end. Sales into the defense market, along with raw material deflation, were the key earnings drivers in Q1 and Avent expects both to support earnings through 2024, CEO Ashish Khandpur and CFO Jamie Beggs told analysts during the company’s Q1 earnings call on Tuesday. New 2024 guidance Previous 2024 guidance Pro forma 2023 adjusted EBITDA $505 to $535 million $510 to $535 million $501.8 million SALES IMPROVING IN MOST END MARKETSAvient sees demand conditions “generally improving across all regions”, with improved momentum in consumer, packaging, healthcare, defense and industrial end markets, the executives said. After a 35% year-on-year increase in Q1, defense sales amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions, Avient expects those sales to continue growing through 2024, albeit not at the first quarter’s hot pace, they said. Avient’s Dyneema-brand fiber technology is used in the personal protection of soldiers and law enforcement and border control officers. While Avient’s utilization rates in defense are high, the company is able to meet forecast demand growth and expects no capacity limitations this year. However, it may add capacities in the future, depending on demand, which can be “lumpy” in that market, they said. Defense accounted for 7% of Avient’s total 2023 sales of $3.14 billion, with more than half of those sales in the US. Avient acquired the Dyneema business from DSM in 2022. Telecommunications and energy, however, are among the weaker end markets, with first-quarter sales down double-digit and weakness continuing into the second quarter. Destocking in the capital-intensive telecommunications market continued in Q1, with no meaningful rebound in that market expected until 2025, the executives said. Telecommunications accounted for 4% of Avient’s 2023 sales. BY REGION Regionally, Avient sees good momentum in the US in markets such as consumer packaging, defense, building and construction, industrial and infrastructure. “Destocking in those markets is over”, Khandpur said. With the exception of telecommunications and energy, overall demand in North America is “coming back quite well”, he said. However, persistent inflation is delaying the timing of interest rate cuts, which could weigh on sales in end markets such as building and construction, transportation and industrial, the executives said. In China, about 70% of Avient’s sales go into the local market, putting the company into a good position as that country’s economic policies transition to focus on the domestic market, the executives said. In Europe, demand in packaging and healthcare is improving, but Avient expects the region’s overall year-on-year sales growth to be soft. Consumer confidence in Europe is weak and eurozone manufacturing continues to signal contraction, they noted. Meanwhile, the stronger US dollar has become a headwind, they added. Sales by region in 2023: RAW MATERIAL DEFLATION Raw material deflation will continue to support margin expansion in the second quarter, albeit to a lesser extent than in the first quarter, the executives said. In the first quarter, Avient saw better-than-expected pricing for non hydrocarbon-based raw materials such as pigments and certain performance additives. Primary raw materials used in Avient’s manufacturing operations include polyolefin and other thermoplastic resins, titanium oxide (TiO2), inorganic and organic pigments, specialty additives and ethylene. Pricing, net of raw materials, should help drive year-on-year earnings growth in 2024, the executives said. Also, the company expects additional margin expansion due synergies and plant closures related to its acquisition of Clariant’s masterbatch business back in 2020, Beggs noted. M&A NOT A PRIORITY In the near-term, Avient will focus on organic growth and margin expansion whereas growth through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is not a priority. While Avient is not ruling out M&A, any deals would be “small and bolt-on in nature”, in areas like healthcare, sustainable solutions or composites, with focus on Asia and Latin America, Khandpur said. “Premiums are pretty high” in M&A, he added. Thumbnail photo of Ashish Khandpur, who took over as Avient's CEO and president on 1 December 2023; photo source: Avient

07-May-2024

ORLANDO (ICIS)–SABIC is looking for further opportunities for growth in the Americas as part of its strategy to navigate an era of excess capacity around the world, one that has led it and other producers to shutter capacity in high-cost regions, an executive said. "We are actively looking at our growth opportunities throughout North America as well as South America," said Sami Al-Osaimi, executive vice president, polymers, SABIC. He made his comments during a presentation at this year’s NPE: The Plastics Show. Al-Osaimi said the Americas is a very key strategic market for SABIC. The company has seen good momentum in North America. "We are definitely going to really make sure that we leverage what exactly our customers require," he said. About two years ago, SABIC and ExxonMobil started operations at an integrated polyethylene (PE) and ethylene glycols (EG) complex in Corpus Christi, Texas, US, under the Gulf Coast Growth Ventures (GCGV) joint venture. The startup marks SABIC's first US-based ethylene and PE production, albeit through a joint venture. At the same time, Al-Osaimi acknowledged the challenges facing the industry. The market is contending with the consequences of a surge in new ethylene capacity that has started up in recent years. ICIS estimates that up to 20 million tonnes/year may need to shut down to keep operating rates at healthy levels. High-cost regions are bearing the brunt. Earlier in April, SABIC announced plans to shut down a cracker in Geleen, the Netherlands. ExxonMobil revealed plans to shut down its cracker in France during that same week. Al-Osaimi did not rule out further capacity rationalizations during a question-and-answer session that followed his presentation at NPE. "SABIC always is looking to its operations in Americas, globally, and how to become more efficient and effective to support our customers to really develop the right solutions," he said. "This is going to be an ongoing process." OPPORTUNITIES IN CHEM RECYCLING, E-CRACKINGSABIC is further improving chemical recycling technology to make it more effective and efficient, he said. SABIC and Plastic Energy are developing a chemical recycling plant under a joint venture in Geleen. Completion had been expected in the fourth quarter of 2023. There are still challenges with scaling up the technology, Al-Osaimi said. Still, SABIC is open to expansion, with possible sites including the US, Saudi Arabia and other regions. In addition, SABIC, BASF and Linde recently started up a demonstration unit of an electric cracker (e-cracker). As the group demonstrates the technology, it would explore expanding the site and potentially building new units, Al-Osaimi said. STRATEGY OF COLLABORATION, INNOVATIONIn prepared remarks, Al-Osaimi elaborated on how SABIC was navigating the challenges in the market by stressing its focus on innovation and collaboration with customers. The company is focusing on end markets such as advanced packaging, automotive, transportation, building and construction, consumer goods, electrical components and health and hygiene, he said. Electric vehicles (EVs) have material challenges, that present opportunities for SABIC. The company is developing polymers to prevent thermal runaway – part of its larger BLUEHERO initiative, Al-Osaimi said. Companies that build automobiles powered by internal combustion engines (ICEs) still want to lower their weight to improve their fuel efficiency and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, he said. That is creating demand for lighter weigh materials. Produced by Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), NPE: The Plastics Show takes place 6-10 May in Orlando, Florida. Focus article by Al Greenwood Thumbnail image shows polyethylene (PE), which is used in plastics bags. (Photo by Elaine Thompson/AP/Shutterstock)

07-May-2024

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Saudi Aramco's net income fell by 14.4% year on year to Saudi riyal (SR) 102.3 billion in the first quarter amid lower crude oil volumes and weakening downstream margins, the energy giant said on Tuesday. in SR billions Q1 2024 Q1 2023 % Change Sales 402.04 417.46 -3.7 Operational Profit 202.05 222.18 -9.1 Net profit 102.27 119.54 -14.4 Early this year, Saudi Arabia’s government ordered Aramco to halt its oil expansion plan and to target a maximum sustained production capacity of 12m barrels/day, 1m barrels/day below the target announced in 2020. In the first quarter, Aramco's downstream income before interest, income taxes and zakat (annual Islamic tax) slumped by 64% year on year to SR4.62 billion. The drop in downstream earnings reflects weakening refining and chemicals margins, partially offset by inventory valuation movement, it said. The drop in group earnings was partially offset by lower production royalties, an increase in crude oil prices compared to the same period last year and lower income taxes and zakat. Despite having a capacity of 12 million barrels/day, Saudi Arabia currently produces about 9 million barrels/day as part of production cuts initiated by OPEC and its allies in October 2022 and further voluntary cuts by Saudi Arabia and other OPEC+ members in April 2023, all designed to stabilize oil prices. Following an OPEC+ meeting in June 2023, Saudi Arabia – the world's top crude exporter – announced a further oil production cut of 1 million barrels/day. “Looking ahead, I expect our portfolio to continue to evolve as we aim to contribute to an energy transition that offers solutions to climate challenges, but at the same time recognizes the need for affordable, reliable, and flexible energy supplies," added Amin Nasser, Aramco's President and CEO. Aramco's chemicals arm SABIC and China's Fujian Energy and Petrochemical Group Co held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction at the SABIC Fujian Petrochemical Complex in China's Fujian province during the first quarter. The project will include a mixed-feed steam cracker with up to 1.8m tonne/year ethylene (C2) capacity and various downstream units producing ethylene glycols (EG), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polycarbonate (PC), among other products. Thumbnail photo : One of Aramco's US offices (Source: Saudi Aramco)

07-May-2024