Dow

Engineering Thermoplastics in February 2010: On the road to recovery / Increases all round / Low prices adjusted / Imports scarce with ongoing production cutbacks / Ready for take-off

Styrenics business sold to Bain Capital affiliate for USD 1.6 bn / Long-term supply deal pads price

Customers to pay more for polyethylene

Price increase for polyols and isocyanates in Europe

Prices of polycarbonate, PC compounds and blends raised

Permanent shutdown of TDI plant at Freeport / Alternative supply cited / Layoffs unlikely

“Decisive action” leads to earnings growth despite recession / Styron sale still hanging in balance

Standard Thermoplastics in January 2010: Feedstock costs drive notations up significantly / Unusual circumstances / Converters in a bind / End markets put up resistance / Further rises likely in February

Impact modifier introduced for PLA and PLA blends

Polyurethane feedstocks in January 2010: Most prices lose ground as the new year begins / Long inventories pressure MDI and flexible polyols / Building weak / Automotive still lively / Pressure mounts to pass on costs

Quattor acquisition completed / Largest commodity manufacturer in the Americas / In talks to acquire US operations

Distribution pact with Targray for optical media grades

Price increase for polyethylene

Ramesh Ramachandran is new president and CEO of MEGlobal and Equipolymers

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

Price hike for polyols and isocyanates

Polyolefins projects planned across the region / Crisis causes widespread delays / Braskem as driving force behind many projects

Russian PUR systems plant starts up / US group lifts its presence / Wide range of applications

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

Guillermo Novo new vice president of Dow Polyurethanes

Price increase for PS, ABS, SAN and EPS

Standard Thermoplastics in September 2009: Soaring feedstocks provoke triple-digit polyolefin rises / PVC up, PS and EPS down / Restricted supply / High prices dampen demand / Hikes sought despite easing of cost burden

Standard Thermoplastics in August 2009: Feedstock costs drive notations up / Some polyolefins tight / PVC producers pass higher chlorine costs through the chain / SM increases are factored into styrenics / Mixed outlook