BASF

Plastics profits rebound in 2009 / PU raw materials battered by low prices / Capacity cuts still needed

Earnings on plastics down 72% in 2009 / Some progress in Q4 / “Fragile” recovery from crisis

Improvement in polymers market expected in 2010 / Shrinking domestic demand in 2009 has players looking abroad / PVC producers bracing for higher costs / State support for new petrochemical projects

Ineos lifts FM for C2 and C3 from Cologne

Price increase for certain polyalcohols

Engineering Thermoplastics in January 2010: Upcurrent in Asia hits European markets / Production cutbacks clash with livelier demand / Feedstock costs drive polymers up

Price hike for ABS and PS

Smaller steam cracker in Ludwigshafen resumes operations

Price hike for polyurethanes in Europe

BASF polyamide FMs remain in place

Price increase for PA 6, PA 6.6 and ABS in North America

Sales of styrenics and PC to private equity said near / First round of bidding for spin-off

Price increase for “Styrolux” SB copolymer

Engineering Thermoplastics in December 2009: Year ends on a stable footing / Quarterly contracts still preclude hikes / Supply limited by reduced production and decline in imports / Automotive continues to be lively / Rising costs drive demand

Price increase for PS in Europe

Elastogran company name to be dropped

Price increase for ABS and PS

Standard Thermoplastics in December 2009: Majority of polyolefins hold firm at November level / Occasional corrections / PVC remains weak / Cost increases factored into PS price / Rising notations likely in January

BASF restarts 1.08m t/y Antwerp cracker / Smaller German unit back up later this month / “No FM”

Price increase for butanediol and BDO derivatives

European production of polyamide 6 bundled / Rudolstadt site to close / Job cuts

Business stabilises at low level after late 2008 crash / Sales and production lose ground against 2007

"Ultrason" impact modifier available in powder form / Easier incorporation into resins

Plastic structural inserts replace metal reinforcements / After the engine compartment, substitution now in the bodywork

Follow-up: Partial restart of benzene plant after blaze