Dow

Alternative feedstocks rejuvenate global plastics sector/ Oilfield licences to be awarded in Brazil / Shale gas fever rages on three continents / Middle East resources still firmly driving / Saudi Arabia, Iran are major players / GlobalData reports

Standard Thermoplastics Trend October 2011: Polyolefins remain flat despite hike plans / PVC struggles to a rollover / Modest rebates for PS and EPS / PVC, PS long / Small risk of an increase this month

Thai propylene oxide jv begins production / Full output expected in Q4 / Feasibility study for new world-scale EPDM plant

Standard thermoplastics in September 2011: Prices soften on a broad front / Polyolefins tend downwards / PVC in weak rollover / PS and EPS producers pass on feedstock relief / Output cuts to avoid surpluses

Follow-up: Divestiture of PP business to Braskem completed

Higher polyethylene prices in EMEA

BASF joins companies proposing out-of-court settlement of US isocyanates suit / Dow holds out

Leading global per capita consumer and producer of plastics / High capacity utilisation rates / Above-average EU salaries impede capacity to compete on world stage

Focus remains on mass markets of Russia, China and India / CAFE standard will drive the switch to new materials in USA / Lightweight construction a key topic at IAA / Will global sales stagnate in 2012?

Another Chinese firm takes “Unipol“ licence / Coal-to-PP unit part of magnesium metals complex

Coal-based polyolefins projects gearing up / Two new PP lines will use Dow's “Unipol” process

Standard Thermoplastics Trend September 2011: PE in a strong rollover / PVC struggles to stabilise / Trend to improved margins for PP, PS and EPS / Euro crisis raises production costs / Export window opens

Propylene glycol capacity increase at Stade plant / Raised output to go towards meeting global demand

Engineering thermoplastics in August 2011: ABS and PBT rise despite holiday lull / Monomer reduction prompts fall in PP compounds / Bottlenecks ease as demand declines / Automotive still lively / Risks of price increases remain

Foam cell promoter introduced for display materials

Standard thermoplastics in August 2011: Worldwide turbulence gradually settles / Month ends with firm rollover for PE / Margin losses abound / Notations likely to firm again in September

Polyethylene prices on the rise

Dow's “Unipol” process selected for four new “Tatren” PP grades / More efficient processing and less material consumption

Price increase for PC in September

EU imposes provisional anti-dumping duties on imports from the US

Dow: Personnel reshuffle in new Performance Plastics division

Profits boosted by higher resin prices in Q2 / Recovery in sales volumes limited by power disruptions

New polyolefin photovoltaic encapsulant film plants in Germany, Thailand / Capacity to be tripled

Capacity expansion for MBS-based additives in Grangemouth

Engineering Thermoplastics in July 2011: Prices stable at a high level / ABS, PC and PP respond to the lower cost basis / Supply adequate / Holiday period dampens demand / Stability likely