ECN-European Chemical News articles from November 2005

ECN-European Chemical News archives from November 2005

Oil-for-food in Iraq, and food for thought for us? Revelations that thousands of companies paid illicit surcharges and kickbacks to win business in Iraq under the UN's oil-for-food programme have implicated many major chemical companies.(COMMENT)
November 7, 2005... SOME EXECUTIVES in the chemical industry found themselves in a bind in the earlier part of this decade. Their managers were demanding higher sales, and one of their customers was offering to artificially inflate the price they were willing to...

Report accuses chemicals firms of Iraqi kickbacks.(IRAQ KICKBACKS)
November 7, 2005... THE CHEMICAL industry was widely involved in payment of illicit surcharges and kickbacks to the old Iraqi regime under the United Nation's oil-for-food programme, according to the Independent Inquiry Committee under Paul Volcker. The...

UN programme questions.(United Nations accuses Mastek Ltd., PTT Exploration and Production Company Ltd., and Reliance Industries Ltd. for giving money to Saddam Hussein's government)
November 7, 2005... A director of Malaysian trading company Mastek has denied the committee report that the company paid $10m in illegal kickbacks to the government of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. The kickbacks were allegedly used to procure 40m barrels...

4 November 1985.(ethylene starts flowing in from Esso AG and Shell Chemical Co.)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The first ethylene has started flowing from Europe's infamous feedstock-driven cracker owned by Shell and Esso at Mossmoran, Scotland. The 500 000 tonne/ year unit is now in the final stages of commissioning, and the first shipments are...

Lanxess to establish fine chemicals subsidiary.(BUSINESS: Headlines)
November 7, 2005... THE FINE chemicals business unit of Lanxess will operate as a new company named Saltigo from the second quarter of next year, the company revealed at last week's CPhI meeting in Madrid, Spain. While remaining a wholly owned subsidiary of...

Altana to split.(BUSINESS: Headlines)
November 7, 2005... ONE OF the last integrated chemicals-pharmaceuticals players appears irrevocably on the road to break-up. Last week Altana chairman Nikolaus Schweikart confirmed Altana is looking for a 'strategic partner' for its pharmaceuticals division...

BASF profits up despite high naphtha.(BUSINESS: Headlines)
November 7, 2005... BASF DELIVERED a respectable 13% increase in third quarter operating profits last week but admitted it had struggled to pass on higher naphtha costs, particularly in Europe. Chairman Jurgen Hambrecht conceded that after nine months his...

Elementis refocusing.(BUSINESS: Headlines)
November 7, 2005... ELEMENTIS PLANS to close 25% of its global chromium chemicals capacity in an effort to reduce chromium earnings volatility and refocus on its profitable specialities business. The UK-based company also said it would make further cuts in...

ICI price rises continue.(Imperial Chemical Industries PLC)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... ICI PUSHED sales and profits higher in the third quarter but warned it would have to raise prices further in Q4 to cover higher raw material costs. Price increases in Q3 helped lift operating profits before exceptional items on a...

Barry to lose Dow Chemical PS plant.(BUSINESS: Headlines)
November 7, 2005... DOW CHEMICAL is to close its polystyrene (PS) plant at Barry in south Wales by the end of the year. Closure of the plant, which has a capacity of 75 000 tonne/ year, but has been operated at significantly below this level for several...

Lukoil may abandon Oltchim bid for Ukraine.(BUSINESS: Global roundup)
November 7, 2005... Lukoil-Neftekhim is likely to abandon plans to bid for a majority stake in state-owned Romanian plastics producer Oltchim and might instead invest in a new polyvinyl chloride (PVC) facility in the Ukraine, the firm said last week. Oltchim...

Cytec's specialities structure simplified.(Cytec Industries Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Cytec is folding its surface specialities and performance specialities divisions into a new unit based in Brussels, Cytec Specialty Chemicals, in response to high raw material and energy costs. Cytec executive David Lilley said the...

Management declares Zotefoams talks over.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Talks over a possible takeover bid for Zotefoams have been terminated, the UK-based polyolefin block foam maker said last week. In a brief update in which it said trading had exceeded expectations since mid-August, Zotefoams said it 'was no...

PKN Orlen move opens way to Spolana offer.(BUSINESS: Global roundup)
November 7, 2005... Poland's PKN Orlen has gained the option of achieving 100% ownership of Czech polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and speciality chemicals maker Spolana, the oil and petrochemicals group said last week. Orlen's offer to buy out Spolana's minority...

Vopak takes over Dupeg tank terminal.(Dupeg Tank Terminal Deutsch Ueberseeische Petroleum)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Vopak has taken full control of Dupeg Tank Terminal Deutsch Ueberseeische Petroleum in Hamburg, Germany, after agreeing to buy out partner Lehnkering's 50% stake. The terminal, which mainly handles chemicals, will operate as Vopak Dupeg...

Rhein Chemie moves from Trenton to Ohio.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Lanxess' Rhein Chemie subsidiary will close its Trenton, New Jersey, US, site by the end of 2006 and consolidate US production at Chardon, Ohio, the company said last week, in part of a restructuring package aimed at saving 60m [euro] a year....

Honeywell sells nylon carpet fibres.(News Watch)
November 7, 2005... Honeywell has completed the sale of its US nylon carpet fibres business to Shaw Industries, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. Honeywell sold its nylon fibre manufacturing operations in Anderson, Clemson and Columbia, South Carolina, and its...

PKN has sights on Lithuania with Russian help.(News Watch)
November 7, 2005... Poland-based PKN Orlen oil and petrochemicals group is considering forming a consortium with Russian companies to bid for a controlling interest in the Baltic region's only refining complex, Lithuania's Mazeikiu Nafta. BUSINESS:...

Finnish Chemicals' borohydrate explosion.(News Watch)
November 7, 2005... Finnish Chemicals' sodium borohydride powder plant at Aetsa, west Finland, could be shut for months following a dryer explosion at its powder mill. Production of sodium chlorate, which is the site's main product, was not interrupted, and the...

Dupont and Kronos agree on titanium dioxide.(News Watch)
November 7, 2005... DuPont and Kronos settled litigation involving patented technology used to make titanium dioxide (Ti[O.sub.2]) pigments such as DuPont R-104 and Kronos 2500 for use in polymers, last week. The agreement recognises the validity and value of both...

Ineos buys Chevron Phillips cumene plant.(News Watch)
November 7, 2005... Chevron Phillips Chemical has sold a Port Arthur, Texas, US, cumene unit to Ineos Americas for an undisclosed sum, the companies revealed last week. The unit at Chevron Phillips' Port Arthur facility will become part of Ineos' phenol division....

Caustic prices expected to rise in 2006.(MARKETS: Report)
November 7, 2005... AFTER A disappointing fourth quarter (Q4) contract settlement, European caustic soda sellers are determined to push up prices. Some insist they will seek increases of 50-100 [euro]/tonne at the start of 2006. One producer was 'astounded'...

Europe lags on ECH pricing.(epichlorohydrin)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... FOURTH QUARTER (Q4) epichlorohydrin (ECH) contracts have fallen just short of initial 120 [euro]/tonne targets needed to recover feedstock costs. Despite a lack of product and a significant hike in raw material prices, European producers...

Solvay spearheads soda expansion.(MARKETS: Report)
November 7, 2005... SOLVAY SODI'S soda ash facility in Denyva, Bulgaria, is at the centre of company plans to penetrate soda ash markets in the Balkans, the Middle East and the former Soviet Union. The plant has access to raw materials, energy and logistics...

Wax challenges and demand drive prices up.
November 7, 2005... FULLY-REFINED paraffin wax prices have increased by up to 30% since the beginning of the year, from 600 [euro]/tonne to 780-800 [euro]/tonne for standard grade material. Higher crude oil prices and tightening base oil and slackwax stocks have...

Force majeure hikes styrene prices.(Royal Dutch-Shell Group of Cos.)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... SPOT STYRENE bids jumped $50/tonne last Tuesday as news filtered into the market that Shell had reimposed force majeure on Moerdijk styrene supplies due to strike action at its Moerdijk petrochemical and Pernis refinery sites. Force...

Crude falls after OPEC announcement.(Markets Watch)
November 7, 2005... WTI crude oil prices dropped below $60/bbl for the first time in three months last Monday, settling at $59.76/bbl. Prices dropped $1 in one day as Opec announced that it had sufficient spare production to cope with winter demand and warmer...

US Gulf rates down.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Shipping rates out of Houston and the Texas Gulf to the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region have softened during October by around $10/tonne for a 2000 tonne cargo, to the mid-high $40s/ tonne. The profitability of the Europe/US route...

LME prices fall.(Markets Watch)
November 7, 2005... The November settlement prices for the linear low density polyethylene (lldPE) and polypropylene (PP) contracts on the London Metal Exchange (LME) fell to $1230/tonne and $1210/ tonne respectively. This was down from the October prices for...

Brenntag to distribute Wacker silicone.(Logistics Watch)
November 7, 2005... German chemical producer Wacker has appointed Brenntag to distribute its silicones in the northern Andean region of Latin America which includes Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. The deal extends the cooperation between the partners who signed a...

Chemline agents.(Logistics Watch)
November 7, 2005... Chemline Europe has concluded an agency agreement with Maddox Quality in the Netherlands which will focus on the Benelux and Scandinavian markets. Chemline, which produces polymer coatings for tank containers, railcars, storage tanks and...

IMCD in European PTA distribution deal.(British Petroleum Company PLC's purified terephthalic acid distribution deal )(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... IMCD has been appointed by BP as the pan-European distributor for purified terephthalic acid (PTA). Commenting on the agreement, IMCD chief executive Piete van der Slikke said: 'This is a key step forward, in line with our strategy of marketing...

Gangus deal for Eastman in Austria.(Logistics Watch)
November 7, 2005... Eastman Chemical has chosen Gangus Plastic to deliver its speciality plastics in Austria. Gangus, a division of Albis Plastic, will distribute Durastar and Eastalloy polymers, Eastar amorphous copolyesters, Ecdel, Neostar, Emac and Ebac...

Brostrom tankers near.(LOGISTICS & DISTRIBUTION)
November 7, 2005... CONSTRUCTION IS nearly finished on two new generation vessels for Swedish shipowner Brostrom. The D-class vessels, which are being built at the Jinling shipyard in Nanjing, China, will join Brostrom's operations in northern Europe next year....

Storage demand lifts Vopak's profits.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... INCREASED DEMAND for storage has lifted Vopak's third quarter (Q3) results, with operating profits climbing 19% to 45.6m [euro]. The chemicals division in Europe, the Middle East and Africa also saw Q3 operating profits soar 52% to 12.9m...

DHL orders new fleet as Hanjin renews contract.(LOGISTICS & DISTRIBUTION)
November 7, 2005... DHL Freight & Contract Logistics has renewed its contract with South Korea's Hanjin Shipping and its subsidiary Senator Lines in a three-year deal worth 72m [pounds sterling] (106m [euro]/$128m). To meet the requirements of the contract,...

Dynea boosts resins in North America.(NEW PROJECTS: Roundup)
November 7, 2005... Dynea plans to construct a new resin and formaldehyde production facility at Sexsmith, Alberta, Canada. It will use its own technology. Dynea says it aims to satisfy growing regional demand for phenol formaldehyde resin, urea formaldehyde...

Slovakian bioethanol developer revealed.(NEW PROJECTS: Roundup)
November 7, 2005... Enviral, a subsidiary of Slovenske Liehovary & Likerky, has been revealed as the company behind the development of a 380 000 litre/day bioethanol plant in Slovakia (ECN 24 October). ECN has also learnt that the plant will be built in Leopoldov...

EKA expands paper chemicals in Brazil.(NEW PROJECTS: Roundup)
November 7, 2005... Eka Chemicals has recently brought two plants online in Brazil to supply the country's growing pulp and paper industry. Eka invested 70m [euro] in the two plants--one in Bahia state and the other in Rio de Janeiro state. The Bahia plant will...

Marathon expands Louisiana refinery.(NEW PROJECTS: Roundup)
November 7, 2005... Marathon says it plans to expand its 245 000 bbl/day Garyville, Louisiana, US, refinery by 180 000 bbl to 425 000 bbl/ day. Construction on the $2.2bn project will begin in 2007, with possible completion by the fourth quarter of 2009, the...

LG looks to expand South Korean BPA.(LG Petrochemical, bisphenol-A)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... LG Petrochemical may build a second bisphenol-A (BPA) line to serve rising demand in South Korea. But a company source stressed that no start-up date or capacity had been fixed to raise the company's existing 130 000 tonne/year of BPA capacity...

Ineos on track in US and European expansion.(Markets Watch)
November 7, 2005... Ineos Phenol has completed a 40 000 tonne/year capacity expansion to bring phenol production to 540 000 tonne/year at its plant in Mobile, Alabama, US. Acetone capacity has been increased to 330 000 tonne/year. The expansion of its Antwerp,...

Welcome boost for Russian fertiliser output.(Markets Watch)
November 7, 2005... Akron, the Russian fertiliser company, raised its mineral fertilisers output by 3.4% to 3.2m tonne in the January-September period this year compared with the first nine months of 2004. Ammonia production was up 5.5% to 1.3m tonne. New...

Q4 cyclohexane delta triggers different views.(Markets Watch)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... The cyclohexane delta for the fourth quarter (Q4) looks set for a split settlement, with two deltas of 126 [euro]/tonne and 135 [euro]/tonne negotiated. However, a number of players have yet to agree on a settlement, with a delta as high as 140...

Methanex sales down on unplanned outages.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Methanex sales volumes were down in the third quarter owing to lower production. This was the result of unplanned maintenance outages at Methanex's Trinidad plants, curtailments of natural gas feedstock supplies to the company's Chilean plants,...

Dow Europe pushes for a December rise for TDI.(toluene diisocyanate)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Dow Europe is targeting a 400 [euro]/tonne increase for toluene diisocyanate (TDI) from 1 December. Similar hikes will be sought in the Middle East, Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Higher prices were targeted for October and November by...

Abbreviations and currency notes.(NEW PROJECTS: Roundup)
November 7, 2005... Prices contained in this magazine are obtained by ECN through consultation with producers, consumers and merchants across Europe. They are intended as a guide to price levels of recent business in Europe and reflect medium to large tonnage...

DSM invests in anti-infectives facility.(New Projects Watch)
November 7, 2005... DSM is to expand its anti-infectives capacity at Toansa, India, to boost production of penicillin-related intermediate 6-APA and active ingredients. The expansion will take place next year and lead to a doubling of capacity for 6-APA and...

Canada's husky renews ethanol.(New Projects Watch)
November 7, 2005... Husky Energy plans to build another 130m litre/year ethanol plant in Hinnedosa, Hanitoba, according to the Canadian integrated oil firm. The plant will cost Can$145m (107m [euro]/$123m) and is expected to be operational by mid-2007. The new...

Kraton expands Belpre capacity.(New Projects Watch)
November 7, 2005... Kraton Polymers is increasing capacity for Kraton D thermoplastic elastomer at its plant in Belpre, Ohio, US. An added 10 000 tonne/year will meet growing customer demands in the paving and roofing sector of the North American market. The...

Chevron Phillips/SIIG plan Al-Jubail cracker ...(NEW PROJECTS)
November 7, 2005... CHEVRON PHILLIPS Chemical and the Saudi Industrial Investment Group (SIIG) expect to achieve financial closure on a 1.2m tonne/year cracker project at Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia, by late 2006 or early 2007, according to an SIIG company official....

Linde focuses on Middle East ventures.(Borouge ethylene plant construction project)
November 7, 2005... ALDO BELLONI, member of the executive board of Linde, has confirmed that the German engineering firm is in 'pole position' to enlarge the Borouge ethylene plant in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, whenever the project gets off the...

... Sipchem eyes Al-Jubail 2.(Saudi International Petrochemical Co.)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... SAUDI INTERNATIONAL Petrochemical Co (Sipchem) plans to build a large olefins complex at an entirely new industrial city in Saudi Arabia, known as Al-Jubail 2. The new industrial city will be developed by the Saudi government and is expected to...

Clariant plans upgrade of facilities.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... CLARIANT ANNOUNCED plans for major upgrades of facilities at sites in the US and France at last week's CPhI meeting in Madrid, Spain. As well as a $5m upgrade of its cGMP centre in Springfield, Missouri, US, the firm will spend 5m [euro] on...

Petrobras makes moves in Brazil.(New projects)
November 7, 2005... PETROBRAS IS expected to announce the project partners and the exact location for its planned basic petrochemicals complex in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the coming weeks. However, Suzano Petroquimica has ruled out any...

FW to build Sasol R&D.(New projects)
November 7, 2005... FOSTER WHEELER South Africa is to build a new Fischer-Tropsch process demonstration plant for Sasol Technology, to be integrated with Sasol's R&D facility at Sasolburg. Foster Wheeler will design and manage the construction of the reactor,...

Partners for prosperity: the challenges faced by the chemical regions in Europe can best be tackled by sharin knowledge and working with local businesses, finds Muriel Cozier at the European Chemical Regions Network congress in Milan.(European Chemical Regions Network gives stress on regional cooperation)
November 7, 2005... THE THIRD congress of the European Chemical Regions Network (ECRN) held in Milan, Italy, last month attracted speakers from many of the European chemical sector's major institutions and stakeholders. The central themes of the conference were...

ECRN focuses on policy role: the European Chemical Regions Network aims to put itself at the centre of European debate.(FEATURE: Regional cooperation)
November 7, 2005... DESPITE GROWING pressure from authorities and non-governmental organisations, chemical production remains a key driver of Europe's economy. This fact is most keenly felt in the regions where chemical production is concentrated. The strength of...

Optimism and clear vision key to success: Bayer MaterialScience has the products and solutions to help China address its needs arising from this period of formidable economic growth.(Juergen Dahmer tells about China's work culture)
November 7, 2005... 'FASCINATING' is how Juergen Dahmer describes his encounter with China. The president of Bayer MaterialScience for Greater China--who in July this year also took over the helm as president for the Bayer Group in Greater China, with...

Poised for growth: with a threefold strategy of growth, efficiency and innovation, Bayer MaterialScience is set to build strongly on its impressive record of success in China.(BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE: Strategy)
November 7, 2005... THE LINCHPIN of the Bayer MaterialScience strategy for future growth is China. Demand for most of the products in Bayer MaterialScience's portfolio is growing exponentially in China, at rates far higher than those seen in the mature...

A frontrunner in China trade: doing business in renminbi and owning import and export rights are only some of the advantages Bayer MaterialScience's new Shanghai-based trading company brings to the group.(BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE: Trading)
November 7, 2005... A CLEAR indication of Bayer MaterialScience's long-term commitment to its Chinese customers is its decision early this year to set up a trading company in China. Bayer is one of the first multinationals to secure a business licence to do...

Commitment to innovation: Bayer MaterialScience is determined to test the boundaries to derive new and exciting applications for its products.(BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE: Innovation)
November 7, 2005... OVER THE past 50 years, polymer materials have overcome many technological limitations to--at least partially--replace the use of conventional materials in almost all areas of life. And while the possibilities for developing conventional...

A diverse portfolio: Bayer MaterialScience's portfolio in Asia-Pacific is focused on four business units.(BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE: Portfolio)
November 7, 2005... MANAGING A product portfolio as diverse as that of Bayer MaterialScience is a formidable task. In Asia-Pacific, Bayer MaterialScience's product portfolio is focused on four main business units: Polyurethanes (PUR); Polycarbonates (PCS);...

In pursuit of sustainable development: with a key focus on product stewardship and safety, Bayer MaterialScience places the environment at the core of its strategy.(BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE: Environment)
November 7, 2005... BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE believes that products are made for people, therefore products must constantly prove their benefit, safety and environmental compatibility. This philosophy is the cornerstone of the product stewardship principle that...

People as the strongest asset: retaining skilled staff is a challenge for many companies in China. A commitment to developing employees to their full potential is helping Bayer attract and keep the best.(BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE: Employment)
November 7, 2005... BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE believes strongly that its employees are the key to its economic success. The company is therefore committed to ensuring that its employees--who number more than 1200 in China alone--are strongly motivated to give their...

Chinese logistics: for better or worse? Allan Ziirsen outlines the challenges of the distribution infrastructure in China for companies looking to move into this booming plastics market.(DISTRIBUTION: China)(Cover Story)
November 7, 2005... CHINA'S ECONOMY is booming, with real GDP and industrial production growing at 8% and 7%/year, respectively, over the past three to four years. In the absence of an unforeseen political event or the revaluation of the renminbi, Accenture...

The independent gas experts: the Antwerp harbour area is, after Houston in Texas, the second largest petrochemical cluster in the world. AGT is confident in its future within it.(AGT)(Advertisement)
November 7, 2005... WHEN IT began operations at the Port of Antwerp over 20 years ago, Antwerp Gas Terminal (AGT) was one of the first companies to locate in the new developed 'Waaslandhaven' on the left bank of the river Scheldt. AGT's site now covers more than...

Small but perfectly formed: Noord Natie Terminals may not be the biggest tank terminal company, but it proves that flexibility and quality of service are much more important than size.(NOORD NATIE TERMINALS)(Company Profile)
November 7, 2005... NOORD NATIE Terminals was created in 2002. The tank terminal split off from its parent company, Noord Natie NV, when it merged with Hesse Natie to form Hesse-Noord Natie and became part of Singapore-based port operator PSA. At that time, the...

A born entrepreneur: Hans Udo Wenzel talks to Elaine Burridse about his management strategy and future plans for Azelis.(DISTRIBUTION: Profile)
November 7, 2005... A LITTLE bit of luck, opportunity and sheer persistence has allowed Hans Udo Wenzel to realise his vision, notably the creation of Azelis. The pan-European distributor owes its success to his leadership and drive, a fact which he is extremely...

EU council fails on GM crop votes again.(Environment Watch)
November 7, 2005... EumpaBio has hit out again at lack of positive action by the EU over genetically modified crops. The EU's agriculture council failed recently to reach agreements on three issues: whether to uphold a ban in Greece on selling EU-licensed biotech...

Cleaner diesels in EU after Patent Award.(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... Clean Diesel Technologies of the US says it will license combined exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)/selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology in Europe now that it has received patent protection in the EU. The technology can be used to cut...

Management systems help environment.(Environment Watch)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... A survey has shown that companies operating a good environmental management system (EMS) are more likely to achieve better environmental performance. The study, by UK-based Eiris, assessed the performance over three years of 800...

HPV programme scope widened in the US.(high production volume)
November 7, 2005... CHEMICAL ASSOCIATIONS in the US are extending their efforts on high production volume (HPV) chemicals. The American Chemistry Council (ACC), The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) and the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association...

Commission addresses animal tests.(European Commission)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... EUROPEAN COMMISSION vice president Gunter Verheugen and research commissioner Janez Potocnik will present a European partnership to promote alternative approaches to animal testing at a conference on 7 November in Brussels. The partnership...

Industry backs HFC proposals.(hydrofluorocarbons)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... THE EUROPEAN Parliament's second reading on 26 October of new regulations on fluorinated gases has been welcomed by the industry, as it rejected a number of controversial amendments made on 11 October by the Parliament's environment committee....

Cefic introduces GMP compliance package.(INNOVATION)
November 7, 2005... CEFIC'S EUROPEAN Fine Chemicals Group (EFCG) has developed a package of measures to help companies deal with new legislation on GMP compliance introduced last week. Under EU directive 2004/27 EEC, any active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)...

Metallocene deal for Borealis.(INNOVATION)
November 7, 2005... BOREALIS IS adding polypropylene (PP) metallocene single-site technology to its portfolio through a licensing deal with US-based Novolen Technology, a joint venture of ABB and Equistar. The agreement specifically gives Borealis the right to...

Prices soar on plant outages.(MARKETS: Plastics monitor)
November 7, 2005... EUROPEAN COMMODITY plastic producers managed to secure price increases of 150[euro]-200/tonne in October. Industry sellers made the most of tight markets, which left converters little option but to pay the higher prices if they wanted to be...

Outages make for twitchy markets.(prices and demand)
November 7, 2005... Naphtha slipped to $505-510/tonne cif NWE. Supply continues to outstrip demand, which coupled with aggressive selling has contributed to the fall. Prices have also been brought down by the drop in crude oil future numbers, which have responded...

ICIS conferences worldwide: + knowledge ++ network ++ new ideas ++ knowledge ++.(International Conference on Information Systems)(Calendar)
November 7, 2005... ICIS TRAINING 14 November Venue: Hyatt Regency, Cologne, Germany Organised by: ICIS It's about: Petrochemicals: A beginner's course and introduction to the industry To book a place contact Sarah Barnes Tel: +44 20...

ICIS: be media-savvy.(the news website on chemical industry)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... * ICIS TV regularly brings you special reports from around the world. You can find it by logging on to www.icis.com/tv * Keep up with new technology on the web and tune into ICIS radio. You can catch up with the weekly headlines and gather...

Finance and investment challenges.(What's on: A pick of the best: tools, services and events around the globe)
November 7, 2005... The rising real cost of oil and global economic political uncertainty provide the backdrop for the 9th Chemical Industry Finance & Investment Conference in London next month. This major annual conference will give you the opportunity to ask...

Take part in global online conference and expo.(What's on: A pick of the best: tools, services and events around the globe)(Brief Article)
November 7, 2005... December sees the launch of The Chemical Sites Expo and Conference, the industry's first online exhibition and conference. This two-day event is packed with presentations and Q&A sessions on business-critical information about chemical...

Albion Chemicals Group.(People on the move)
November 7, 2005... ANDY NORMAN has been appointed by Albion Chemicals Group as business development manager of Albion Water Treatment Solutions. He will target industrial users in the effluent treatment market in developing Albion's product range and services.