Engineering plastics (POM, PBT)

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Fertilizer producer Atlas Agro and plant nutrient distributor International Raw Materials have announced a binding strategic offtake and partnership agreement for the green nitrogen fertilizer from Atlas Agro’s Pacific Green Fertilizer plant in Richland, Washington. The Pacific Green Fertilizer plant will be the first at-scale, low carbon fertilizer production facility in the world with it planned to produce 700,000 short tons of nitrogen fertilizer annually and serving farmers across the Pacific Northwest region. The facility will be in the Horn Rapids industrial park in Richland, Washington, and will produce green nitrogen fertilizers in liquid and solid form. Switzerland-based Atlas Agro recently completed its front-end engineering design (FEED) study for the project and received the environmental determination of non-significance from both state and federal agencies. The final investment decision (FID) is expected in early 2025. Atlas Agro’s fertilizer production process will use proven technologies and be powered by renewable energy sources with the company saying low carbon fertilizer products are essential to sustainable food production and addressing climate change. “Our partnership with IRM is a significant milestone in our progress to bring locally produced, green nitrogen fertilizer products to growers in the Pacific Northwest. IRM is a company renowned for its market knowledge and logistics capabilities with deep roots in the Pacific Northwest, and a commitment to bringing sustainable solutions to the agriculture supply chain,” said Petter Ostbo, Atlas Agro CEO. For its part International Raw Materials said adding the green fertilizer products to their marketing and distribution portfolio is well-aligned with the company’s commitment to agricultural sustainability. “We’re seeing increased demand for a variety of solutions across the supply chain as food companies respond to the needs of consumers and look for new tools to address their Scope 3 emissions,” said Tip O'Neill, International Raw Materials president.

23-Oct-2024

LONDON (ICIS)–The overall winner of this year’s ICIS Innovation Awards – BASF, Linde and SABIC’s electrically heated steam cracker furnace – could have a massive impact on overall chemical industry emissions if the technology is widely adopted. World’s first electrically heated steam cracker at demonstration stage Cuts CO2 emissions by up to 95% compared with natural gas-fired crackers Tripartite win shows strength of partnerships Challenges include obtaining sufficient renewable energy, financing for scale up Financial risks can be reduced by converting one furnace at a time In this Think Tank podcast, Will Beacham interviews Michael Reitz, technology manager for BASF and Martin Hofstaetter, process engineer for furnace technology at Linde. Register your interest to enter the 2025 ICIS Innovation Awards. Editor’s note: This podcast is an opinion piece. The views expressed are those of the presenter and interviewees, and do not necessarily represent those of ICIS. ICIS is organising regular updates to help the industry understand current market trends. Register here . Read the latest issue of ICIS Chemical Business. Read Paul Hodges and John Richardson's ICIS blogs.

23-Oct-2024

LONDON (ICIS)–Markets Editor Stephanie Wix is joined by Senior Editor Manager Vicky Ellis, markets reporter Meeta Ramnani, and Senior Analyst Jincy Varghese, as they discuss the key trends from the 29th Fakuma plastics processing trade fair in Friedrichshafen, Germany, in this latest ICIS podcast. They explore discussion topics heard at the event last week, from the highest concerns to the lowest expectations. They also explain the clash of pessimism and optimism between markets including acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), and also engineering plastics polyacetal (POM) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

22-Oct-2024

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–The short-term demand outlook for recycled polymers from Asia remains sluggish especially for low-value grades, mainly due to poor economics and brand users’ preference of cheaper virgin plastics. Upcoming regulation in deep-sea regions fails to support Asia recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) exports Asia recycled polyethylene (rPE), recycled polypropylene (rPP) remain traded mostly in domestic markets Investments into recycling continue across Asia despite weak demand In this chemical podcast, ICIS senior editor Arianne Perez discusses recent market conditions with an outlook ahead in Asia.

22-Oct-2024

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Here are the top stories from ICIS News from the week ended 18 October. IPEX: Global spot index rises again on increases in NE Asia The global spot ICIS Petrochemical Index (IPEX) rose for the second consecutive week in the week ended 11 October, by 0.3%, again due to price increases in northeast Asia. Argentina’s Rio Tercero shuts TDI plant on global oversupply Petroquimica Rio Tercero has shut its toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) plant in Cordoba on the back of global oversupply, a spokesperson for the Argentinian producer confirmed to ICIS on Tuesday. Brazil’s Senate approves EU Reach-like rules to increase chemicals control Brazil’s Senate approved on 15 October the creation of a National Inventory of Chemical Substances aiming at “reducing negative impacts” of toxic chemicals on human and environmental health. INSIGHT: Decarbonized chemicals, plastics gain momentum with multiple production pathways Momentum is building in the zero-to-low carbon chemicals and plastics space with many different pathways to production that will give customers more options to reduce their carbon footprint. US Ascend to close South Carolina plant, move polymer production to Florida Ascend Performance Materials plans to shut down its remaining operations Greenwood, South Carolina, and move the site's polymer production to its complex in Pensacola, Florida, US-based nylon producer said on Friday.

21-Oct-2024

LONDON (ICIS)–Join global analyst team lead for recycling Helen McGeough as she looks ahead to the 3rd ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference on 7 November in Berlin and tells Matt Tudball what she's looking forward to seeing from the diverse group of topics and presenters, including: Waste collection challenges and developments ICIS study on penetration rates of recycling in the wider virgin polymer market Chemical Recycling and its impact on the market Investment in recycling for low carbon solutions Prices of feedstocks impacting the recycled polymers chains 3rd ICIS Recycled Polymers Conference | Europe Hotel Palace Berlin, Germany | Conference: 7 November Training: 6 November You will be able to hear from out ICIS experts on the following session: Set the scene with ICIS: The European plastics recycling market landscape Panel discussion: Waste collection challenges and developments ICIS insight on pricing trends for plastics, mixed plastic waste and pyrolysis oil To discover more and register you place click here > https://events.icis.com/website/11605/home/

21-Oct-2024

LONDON (ICIS)–Here are some of the top stories from ICIS Europe for the week ended 18 October. Turkey PP grades slide as sellers rush to sell before November Spot prices for all grades of polypropylene (PP) in Turkey suffered sizeable decreases this week as sellers made a strong push to offload material. FAKUMA ’24: Foggy path ahead for Europe polymers A thick morning mist hung over Lake Constance, as thousands gathered at the lakeside city of Friedrichshafen, Germany, for the Fakuma plastics trade fair. It is a fitting metaphor for the challenge facing the polymer industry in Europe: impossible to see more than few feet in front of you. Or, for the more pessimistically minded, the risk of a plunge into icy waters if you don’t watch your step. EPCA ’24: Europe MMA moving past pessimism but uncertainty remains The Europe methyl methacrylate (MMA) market is moving past the pessimism seen in previous years, with there being some hope about demand improvements – although this remains clouded in uncertainty. FAKUMA '24: ICIS experts predict top talking points at plastics fair A turbulent 2024 for plastics markets – from Europe's rocky road to economic recovery to Red Sea attacks spiking shipping costs and throwing trade flows out of whack – has posed big questions for demand, supply and optimism for the year to come. IPEX: Global spot index rises again on increases in NE Asia The global spot ICIS Petrochemical Index (IPEX) rose for the second consecutive week in the week ended 11 October, by 0.3%, again due to price increases in northeast Asia.

21-Oct-2024

LONDON (ICIS)–Senior editor for recycling, Matt Tudball, discusses the latest developments in the European recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET) market, including: No signs of single-use plastics directive-related pick-up in demand Prices stable across all markets Lack of clarity on single-use plastics directive measures and penalties a key issue

18-Oct-2024

LONDON (ICIS)–Construction output in the eurozone and EU marginally increased in August from the previous month, according to official data on Friday. Seasonally adjusted production in construction was up by 0.1% in the eurozone and by 0.4% in the wider EU. Building and specialized construction activity were higher in both blocs, while civil engineering output was lower, statistics agency Eurostat said in a statement. Construction activity for July was revised down, with a monthly fall of 0.5% in the eurozone and by 0.3% in the EU. Eurostat had initially reported largely flat output in both. On a year-on-year basis, August construction output fell by 2.5% the eurozone and by 2.4% in the EU. Numerous petrochemicals and specialty chemicals are key ingredients in products used for modern construction, including adhesives, ad-mixtures, sealants, coatings, paints, flooring, insulation and water proofing.

18-Oct-2024

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Some ports in Florida have resumed operations while millions in the US state remain without power after Hurricane Milton made landfall earlier in the week, south of the fertilizer hub of Tampa. A few ports in Florida have maintained Port Condition Zulu, under which they are closed to inbound and outbound vessels. Others have reopened and have set Port Condition IV, which is a hurricane seasonal alert to which ports return after a storm. The following table summarizes the port conditions in Florida. Port Status Condition Port of Pensacola Open Normal Port Panama City Open Draft restrictions Port St Joe Open Normal Port Tampa Bay Closed Zulu SeaPort Manatee Closed Zulu PortMiami Open IV Port Everglades Open IV Port of Palm Beach Open IV Fort Pierce Open with Restrictions IV with restrictions Port Canaveral Open IV Jaxport Open IV Port of Fernandina Closed Zulu Source: US Coast Guard OUTAGESFlorida has more than 2.2 million reported outages, according to the website poweroutage.us. That is down by more than 1 million versus the immediate aftermath of the hurricane. Prolonged outages can disrupt economic activity and slow down demand for plastics and chemicals. CSX WARNS OF RAIL DELAYSThe railroad company CSX warned of delays while it works to clear tracks, install generators and conduct repairs. All routes north of Jacksonville, Florida are open with no anticipated issues, it said. The area south, from Callahan to the north end of Anthony, is also clear. Work continues in central Florida, and CSX is addressing washouts on the Carter and Vitis subdivisions. The CFR line should be open later Friday night, providing a potential route into Winter Haven. CSX is making contingency plans for possible issues with a gas pipe washout near the Miami area. IMPACT ON FERTILIZERS, PHOSPHATES, CHEMSFor chemicals, there is some epoxy resin, phenolic resin and unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) production in Lakeland and Kathleen, Florida. Milton will make landfall far from Pensacola, Florida, which has plants that make nylon and thermoset resins. Tampa is an important hub for the US fertilizer industry, hosting corporate offices, trading, product storage, shipping and other logistical operations. Fertilizer producer Mosaic has its headquarters in Tampa. The company has not issued any statements regarding its corporate operations. A source at the fertilizer company Yara said it was shutting down its Tampa offices to comply with the evacuation orders. Near Tampa is Florida's phosphate mining operations in Bone Valley, which covers parts of Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee and Polk counties. In all, Florida has 27 phosphate mines, of which nine are active, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Canadian fertilizer producer Nutrien has yet to restart its White Springs phosphate operations following Helene, an earlier hurricane that made landfall farther north in Florida’s Big Bend region. On 30 September, Mosaic said its Riverview operations were off line following water intrusion from a storm surge caused by Hurricane Helene. Thumbnail Photo: Hurricane Milton. (By Cira/Noaa/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock)

11-Oct-2024