The implementation of a zero-tariff regime in Asean from 1 Jauary 2010 has raised concerns among polymer producers in Indonesia and the Philippines about intense competition from Singapore and Thailand leading to a erosion in market shares. Producers from these two countries are lobbying to defer or block implementation of zero tariffs. But a trade […]
Asian Chemical Connections
Map Ta Phut work stops but no clarity on when crisis will be resolved.
By Malini Hariharan Companies executing projects at Map Ta Phut in Thailand have finally received a notice from the government to stop construction work. The notice comes after the Thai Supreme court’s ruling in early December to suspend 65 projects on environmental concerns. Mitsubishi Rayon has confirmed it has stopped work at its 90,000 tonnes/year […]
LyondellBasell court hearing deferred to 12 Jan
Yesterday’s crucial court hearing to determine whether LyondellBasell would have until 6 September 2010 to solicit votes for its reorganization plan has been adjourned to 12 January. It means some more waiting for Reliance Industries which is said to be seeking greater clarity from the court before it decides on a final bid for LyondellBasell. […]
Recycling Dip Boosts China By 8-10 Percentage Points
It can be a dirty business…. Source of picture: www.China-environmental-news-blogspot.com By John Richardson THE sharp drop in plastics recycling in China has added 8-10 percentage points to virgin polyolefin demand growth in 2009, estimates a major Asian producer. “It’s a much bigger than we had anticipated and we’re of course evaluating whether recycling […]
Reliance decision on LyondellBasell after court hearing
By Malini Hariharan Yesterday’s media report about Reliance Industries on the verge of taking a final decision on LyondellBasell appears to have been a little premature. My sources say that a decision will be made only after the US bankruptcy court decides on a restructuring plan put forward by LyondellBasell. The company filed a revised […]
Will Reliance decide today on LyondellBasell?
By Malini Hariharan Reliance Industries will take a call today on submitting a final bid for LyondellBasell, says this report from CNBC TV18. The report, quoting unnamed sources, adds that Reliance may be having second thoughts about the acquisition. Key concerns are said to be LyondellBasell’s high debt, potential liabilities if it tries to shut […]
More action needed at Mitsubishi Chem
By Malini Hariharan Japan’s largest chemical company Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings has been actively restructuring this year but more needs to be done to complete its transformation. High on the list is reorganization of its cracker operations at Mizushima. Mitsubishi and Asahi, which also has a cracker at the same site, have been talking since 2007 […]
Shell would like to build two MEG plants in Qatar
By John Richardson An ethane shortage is slowing Shell Chemicals’ ambitions for building at least one cracker complex in Qatar, Ben van Beurden, executive vice-president of the company said last week. “Ideally, we’d like to build two crackers and two OMEGA process plants on the scale of this one here in Singapore, but at […]
Crude, Equities & Polyolefin Pricing
This is a huge subject, one that this blog will need to keep revisiting – and if you tell us we’ve got it wrong, we’ll always listen and respond. For what it’s worth, the article below might give you some food for thought. The influence of crude we are talking about below is different from […]
Reliance moving fast on LyondellBasell bid
By Malini Hariharan Reliance Industries’ bid to acquire LyondellBasell is progressing quite rapidly. I am told that a team of top executives from the company is in the US holding discussions with LyondellBasell. And according to this report in the Houston Chronicle, the team has also been enjoying Indian food in Houston. My source tells […]