Arkema

Threefold production increase at Changshu site

PlasticsEurope forms engineering plastics promotion group / Focal point for discussion

Standard Thermoplastics in October 2010: French strikes halt slide in notations / LDPE firm / PP down / PVC rolls over / PS moves up / Supply tight / Cost rise brings storm clouds

Industrie Generali and Swiss fund bid for parts of Vinyls Italia / Speculation on feedstock units

Price hike for “Kynar” fluoropolymers

Standard Thermoplastics Trend October 2010: Polyolefins largely stable / PVC remains in low gear / PS margins continue to improve / EPS down / Close watch on impact of French strikes

Electroactive polymers developer acquired / Wide range of future applications anticipated

Standard Thermoplastics in September 2010: Polyolefins bend under pressure / PVC makes little progress / PS margins improve / EPS demand sluggish / Supply improves while demand slackens / Price pressure continues

Prices of “Altuglas” PMMA resins to rise

Arkema declares force majeure for PVC from France

Second biomedical polymer plant to be built in US / Joint development of lactides with Arkema

Prices of acrylic sheets and block range to increase

Standard Thermoplastics in August 2010: Polyolefins continue to crumble / PVC and PS rise slightly / Slight surplus pressures EPS / Supply more stable / Imports normalise / Lively despite summer holidays

Standard Thermoplastics Trend August 2010: Polyolefin prices crumble / Falling feedstock costs pressure producers / PVC up slightly / PS mostly stable / Supply normalising / Demand strong despite holidays

Record sales, earnings in Q2 / Earnings forecast revised upward / Vinyls break even after loss

Standard Thermoplastics in July 2010: Most notations under pressure / Polyolefins give a little ground / PVC firmer / Falling costs drag styrenics down / Supplies lengthen / Downward trend likely to continue

Standard Thermoplastics Trend July 2010: Polyolefin notations run in place / PVC upswing loses some of its momentum / SM collapses / All styrenics in steady downtrend / Supply mostly limited / Order volume stable / Market may be turning around

Price increase for “Rilsan” high performance polyamides

Assets of three vinyls joint ventures to be redistributed / No impact on workforce or financial results

Price hike for “Thermolite” and “Clearstrength” additives

Cost of “Altuglas” cast sanitary range to increase

New bio-elastomer used in Sony's aid to Africa football donation scheme

Standard Thermoplastics in May 2010: Notations on a slow upward curve / Supply of many products remains limited / Demand boosted by seasonal effects / June will also be a sellers' market

Success of Climate Change Agreement allows processors to operate from "level playing field" / Further actions needed

Arkema process selected for PVC project