Bayer MaterialScience

Polyurethane feedstocks in March 2011: MDI takes a giant step forward / TDI sees minimal gains / Cost pass-through for polyols / High starting materials prices limit PU output / Demand becoming more dynamic / Calls for hikes despite stagnating costs

The post-quake reality: One-third of ethylene capacities offline / Petrochemical industry crippled by electricity shortages / European and US companies appear largely unaffected / Numerous plants idled as a cautionary measure

Carbon nanotubes portfolio strengthened / Licence agreement with Hyperion Catalysis

New world-scale MDI plant to be realised in Germany by 2016 / EUR 100m investment

Technology for incorporating fillers into reactive PU blends / New perspectives for composites

Lightweight recyclate grades for auto applications / Joint presentation with BMW at VDI conference

MaterialScience triples EBITDA in 2010 against 2009 / Volumes but not prices at pre-crisis level

New isocyanates R&D centre at Dormagen

Price hike for engineering thermoplastics

Polyurethane feedstocks in February 2011: Cost pressure drives MDI and polyols / Downturn in TDI ends / Producers unable to pass on all hikes / Unusually strong demand / Heightened risk of increase in March

Inauguration of CO2-to-polyols pilot plant / Commercial production possible by 2015

New Colour Competence and Design Center in India

Wanhua acquires all shares of Hungarian isocyanate manufacturer / Additional capacity expansions in store

Distribution deal with Albis Plastic extended to Russia

Polyurethane feedstocks in January 2011: Higher costs have limited effect on polyols / MDI in weak rollover / TDI slips again / Plants in winter mode / Sluggish demand / Producers likely to seek hikes soon

Polyurethane feedstocks in December 2010: Only pure MDI moves up / Renewed margin loss for TDI / Polyols flat despite higher costs / Output improves / Winter halts building / Will producers recoup costs?

Plastics economy bounces back from crisis in 2010 / Truly remarkable year sees demand, prices, industry sentiment improve / Structural changes are emerging / Dawn of Asian century near?

New bio-based integral PU foam / Mass production earliest in 2013

PC film overlay offers improved scratch resistance / New opportunities for identity cards

New EUR 1 bn expansion plan for PC and MDI at Shanghai / PC headquarters to relocate there

Stake in BayOne Urethane Systems sold

Polycarbonate prices to rise

Polyurethane feedstocks in November 2010: MDI and polyols stagnate / TDI still in free fall / Healthy supply situation / Flagging seasonal drivers and stock-reducing activities dampen demand / Prices could soften

Fresh investment in Chinese plastics facilities / New Asian polycarbonate plant still on track

Worldwide production plummets in 2009 / Slump in polymer consumption throughout Europe / PVC and engineering plastics hardest hit / Horizon much brighter in 2010 / PlasticsEurope report