| ARTICLES |
The Middle East, which has 40% of the world's remaining gas reserves, is struggling to find enough gas to meet its own expected demands. Since natural gas is the key feedstock for most of its petrochemical and downstream projects, the impact of the shortage is gradually being felt globally. Demand for gas is unlikely to slow, as these countries are committed to huge infrastructure and downstream investments. Read in Shortage of natural gas in the Middle East could impact new petrochemical projects |
Global consumption of polypropylene in 2008 was almost one third the levels of consumption in 2007. As global economy starts to recover, PP consumption and demand is expected to start reviving, and 2007 levels will be reached in 2010. In this period over 10 mln tons of new polypropylene capacity is expected to come on stream resulting in a period of historically low capacity utilization levels of below 80% by 2012. China will be the main driver of polypropylene demand in the future, North America is expected to lose its leadership position in the export markets while Europe could become a net importer. Read in Polypropylene will continue to face difficult years until 2013 |
Medical devices used for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) are small, complex multi-component assemblies that currently require highly skilled labor as well as secondary manufacturing operations such as bonding and welding. Years are spent developing and perfecting products to ensure quality compliance, reduce risk, lower costs and increase profitability. Micro molding can permit these machined components to be replaced as well as eliminate the secondary processes, thereby reducing the number of components, their size, assembly complexity and time required for assembling medical devices. Read more in New techniques will stimulate growth of micro molding |
The global medical device market is valued at around US$200 bln and the US consumes about 45% of this. Demand for medical plastics is expected to reach US$6.55 bln in the US in 2012. Markets are growing in Eastern Europe, Brazil, Russia, India and China. The Middle East and Africa have potential for growth, but there are limitations of infrastructure and political instability. Current healthcare trends include minimally invasive surgery and biodegradable/bioabsorbable materials. To know more about materials and device development, read Advances in Medical Polymers and Devices |
The concept of self-healing is attracting attention in material science, particularly in polymeric materials that can mend and repair themselves if scratched, cracked or bent. Airplanes that can complete their journey safely even if damaged, bridges that can continue standing through and after an earthquake, boats that can keep afloat in high seas despite damages, oil rigs and pipelines that can withstand damages caused by nature– these are the contributions of self repairing polymer composites. The future demand of next-generation products for enhancing durability, safety and aesthetics will be partially met with these novel materials. Read more in Latent catalysts activated by mechanical stress aid polymers to self-repair |
Several new mixing devices have been developed recently that offer the possibility of significant performance improvement of single screw extruders. It is possible to achieve distributive and dispersive mixing on single screw extruders (SSE) similar to that can be achieved on twin screw extruders (TSE). Compounding SSE offers a number of significant advantages over a TSE. Read more in Developments in mixing and screw design improve performance |
A mixing technology can replace complex feedblocks and multi-layer dies and eliminate need for costly tie-layer resins. It can change from one extruded structure to another simply by adjusting the rotation of “stir rods” in the barrel. It is also possible to create films or other extrusions with special properties such as electrical conductivity or additive-release characteristics. Read in Innovative blending technology that can replace complex feedblocks and multi-layer dies |
A new process for making Oriented PVC pipes has been developed. Compared with a conventional discontinuous process, it offers the advantage of reduced handling operations, efficiency in terms of energy and the environment at the manufacturing stage as well as product application stage, reduced costs and time needed for manufacture and installation. Read in New process to make oriented PVC pipe reduces process length by 80% and energy consumption by 85% |
PRICE TRENDS for week of October 26, 2009
NAPHTHA 
Naphtha prices in Asia have risen in line with the oil price hike in the week. Surging by over 35 dollars, naphtha prices...
ETHYLENE
Strengthened by improving sentiments in derivative markets amid rising crude oil and naphtha prices, ethylene prices surged by almost 100 dollars in Asia in the week. Prices also found support from supply...
PROPYLENE
Propped by strengthening downstream demand on one side and restricted avails on the other, propylene prices continue north in Asia. Prices have risen in tandem with oil and naphtha values...
Read More in Price trends of oil, polymer feedstock and commodity polymers in Asia for the week ended October 26, 2009 |
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