Strictly-Extrusion

Due to higher raw material prices Elenac, France has increased prices for all PE products by EURO 0,05 per kg. Further price increases are possible depending on the raw material market.

1999 was a quite successfull year for the austrian Semperit Group which operates works in Austria, Germany and Thailand. The turnover rose by 15% to EURO 327 million, the profit by 12% to EURO 32,7 million. As the profit has risen for 9th time in succession the Semperit Group is looking into a bright future.

To meet the demand of the US market Borden Chemicals and Plastics LP, USA has restarted their operation for commodity -grade PVC. The Illiopolis plant stopped production of commodity resin last year and 40 workers were laid off. This plant restarted operation with 20 employees in mid-February.

Alphacan, a subsidiary of ELF Atochem, France has sold its PE business for otical fibre applications to Novoplastic, France. Novoplastic is the leading producer of PE sheating for optical cables. The deal includes Alphacans pipe production facilities in Roncq and the goodwill for PE sheating for underground fibre optic protection. But Alphacan will keep its other PE pipe business for gas and water transportation and protection of electric cables.

Degussa is increasing the prices of carbon blacks (pigment and rubber compounding). The reason is an increase in oil prices. Pigment blacks which are used in furnace, gas and lamp blacks will go up worldwide between 4-8 %. Rubber blacks are increased in Europe by EURO 22/tonne.

Due to the Metaplast’s fast growth and good sales in the US the Conair Group decided to move the Downstream Production manufacturing from Montreal to Franklin, PA. The headquarter, sales and application-development center will remain in Montreal

DOW Europe announced another price increase for ABS (brand name: “Magnum”) and SAN (brand name “Tyril”) by approxm. 0,15 Euro/kg.

With a turnover of EURO 614 million in 98/99 Klockner Werke closed their books slightly lower than previous year. But order entry rised 14% to EURO 716 million. The profit in the field of film also increased 14% to EURO 118 million.

After weeks of continuous rise of prices most of the standard plastics come to a stillstand this weeks. Moreover prices for PE-LD and PE-HD decreased. But most of the material manufacturers announced another price increase for February.

Solvay has bought 80 per cent of the italian compounder Padanaplast of Roccabianca. Padanaplast is specialised in compounding crossl-linked PE for the pipe and cable industry with a turnover of EURO 25 million and 70 employees. The takeover has still to receive the blessing of the statutory authorities. Additionally Solvay will introduce a new silane cross-linked PE100 compound for pressure/gas pipe.