Markets Technical Thermoplastics PC/PMMA

MMA: Lucite puts EMEA customers on allocation

Exit from Japanese polycarbonate joint venture with Sumitomo / Japanese partner acquires full control

Global market outside North America to expand by 5.3% per year / Expected halt in price declines and high Chinese demand to support growth / BCC Research report

Significant delivery delays for PC, ABS and other polymers

PC capacity in Shanghai doubled / EUR 3 bn investment programme for global PC headquarters wrapped up

Dispute between VW and Prevent laid to rest / Little impact on plastics converters so far / German supplier industry association ArGeZ calls for "fair and cooperative dialogue"

German producer plans to cease PMMA casting activities in Austria / Gramatneusiedl facility to close

Output of transparent plastic continues to grow / Most capacities located in Asia / Key applications include optoelectronics, underground engineering and automotive / New production processes are more economical

Despite overcapacities, plans to lift output in Asia / Global consumption stands at 4m t/y / Decline in optical data storage devices pressures sector / Market unsettled by BPA controversy / Opportunities for lighting technology and automotive applications

MMA expansion in the US shelved

New polycarbonate line in eastern China on stream / Phosgene-free processing technology from Germany's EPC Group

Strategic cooperation with Kazanorgsintez / Supply of plastics additives and technical support for HDPE

Hi-Bis joint venture doubles special bisphenols output in Germany / Feedstock for “Apec” PC production in Antwerp

Large Singaporean PC plant to close up shop in late 2015 / Exiting DMT production

Plans for Saudi MMA and PMMA complex finalised / Start-up targeted for mid-2017

Follow-up: Texas polycarbonate line to be shuttered this year

Texan PC line to be shuttered / Outcome of weak 2013 performance

New distribution partnerships with Albis and Plastotecnica / Expansion into North Africa

Lucite declares force majeure for MMA from Cassel

Joint venture with Mitsui building new specialty bisphenols facility in Germany / Output to go towards meeting rising demand for “Apec” PC copolymers

New eco-efficient 120,000 t/y MMA plant to be located on the Gulf of Mexico / Start-up in 2015

Russian petrochemical group plans new MMA plant in Samara / Mitsubishi contracted for licence / Downstream PMMA facility to be built simultaneously

Polycarbonate capacity expansion in Yeosu on stream / Consumer electronics and automotive applications

Rabigh II petrochemicals expansion in Saudi Arabia approved / Investment cost estimated at USD 7 bn / Start-up expected in 2016

German group confirms plans for new PA 12 plant in Asia / Gregor Hetzke talks to PIE about the recent explosion in Marl and the company's future plans in Asia / Chinaplas exclusive interview