Bayer MaterialScience

Construction kicks off on new headquarter for Bayer MaterialScience's Dubai-based PU joint venture

Dekkers extends Bayer contract only until 2016

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

CO2-to-polyols plant to start in 2016 / Output for mattresses / Converters show interest

Permanent antistatic masterbatch launched / Tailored products to be developed / US compounding activities being expanded

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

In Memoriam: Dieter Freitag, Bayer MaterialScience

Bayer MaterialScience declares force majeure for MDI in EMEA

Strong showing by plastics buoys group performance in Q1 2014 / MaterialScience unit improves earnings by 79%

"Chinaplas" exclusive: PIE speaks to Holly Lei, vice president Commercial Operations China Polycarbonates Bayer MaterialScience / PC and sustainability / Sponsoring “The City of Tomorrow” / Integrated Site Shanghai capacity expansion on track

China Engineering Thermoplastics March/April 2014: Benzene firm, styrene rising and butadiene soft / Domestic feedstock notations firm but trending up / Most polymers roll over / ABS surges / Demand for PA 6.6 “made in China” rising

German plastics producers keep renewables surcharge exemption / Compromise with EU

Patents for carbon nanotubes sold to FutureCarbon / Improving the mechanical properties of plastics

China Engineering Thermoplastics February/March 2014: Feedstock prices decline / Some grades firming / Factories gradually resume normal production after Chinese New Year holiday

Brunsbüttel TDI line to stay open longer / Strong demand / CO pipeline still controversial

German group sees record sales in 2013 / “Difficult market environment” for plastics / MaterialScience earnings sink by 15% / Recovery possible in 2014 if PC overcapacity eases

Strong sales volumes in Europe help drive up profit in polymers business / BMS polyester acquisition contributes to 2013 growth

Engineering thermoplastics consumption recovers slightly in 2013 / Gains driven by ABS and PMMA / Import volumes of PC, PA and SAN down / Asian producers increasingly step into the fold / Low local capacity utilisation rates / Plastinfo report

North American PMMA sheet producer plans to break into European market / Joint venture with Turkey's Isik Plastik to commence production

Sustainability as key theme at this year's plastics mega-event in Shanghai / Organisers expect almost 3,000 exhibitors / “Green Forum” co-organised by PIE / Last call for registrations for exclusive readers' trip to China

China Engineering Thermoplastics December 2013/January 2014: Feedstock and polymer prices a mixed bag / Little movement in either direction / Market prepares for lunar new year holidays

Massive TDI project on schedule / Steelwork now complete / Tank ready for first product filling

Investment in PU foams and coatings raw materials / Growth rates of 4-5%

Extended distribution agreement with Mito Polimeri in Italy

World Plastics Council created at K 2013 / Patrick Thomas first chairman