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June 10, 2022
S Korea truckers’ strike to hit Ulsan petrochemical output; halts port ops
Nurluqman Suratman
10-Jun-2022Full storyRelated newsRelated contentContact us SHARE THIS
SINGAPORE (ICIS)–The ongoing nationwide strike by unionised truckers in South Korea are forcing several producers in the petrochemical hub of Ulsan to consider production cuts amid logistics disruption.
Synthetic rubber giant Kumho Petrochemical is expected to slash production rates at its acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polystyrene (PS) units from the second half of June due to the strike, according to market sources.
HDC Hyundai Engineering Plastics Co is also expected to slash production at its 160,000 tonne/year PS plant in the complex.
While there have been no immediate reports of polyethylene (PE) production losses due to the strike, facilities in Ulsan and elsewhere in the country could be affected if the strike drags on.
The strike by the Cargo Truckers Solidarity (CTS) union entered its fourth day on Friday.
Some PE producers may face pressure to sell prompt cargoes or further reduce their cracker run rates owing to the ongoing strike by truckers.
If the transportation problem persists, “I expect more PE plants in South Korea will cutback or shut down in the short term,” ICIS senior analyst Amy Yu said.
The strike has slowed down the delivery of PE cargoes, raising concerns that some producers might have to lower their downstream operation, to manage their already high inventory if the logistic issues continue next week.
“South Korea is a major exporter in Asia PE market, which may lead to a decrease in the supply of short-term exports,” Yu said.
“In addition, due to the high naphtha cost, the average operating rate of steam crackers and PE plants in Korea has shown a relatively low level. The strikes may exacerbate this situation,” she added.
For polyethylene terepthalate (PET), export deliveries were able to continue this week as some cargoes had been prepared before the strike started, however domestic deliveries faced challenges with the reduced trucking capabilities.
For propylene, the country’s exports may increase should the strike be prolonged as domestic distribution of derivative products becomes disrupted, market sources said.
A senior truckers union official quoted by newswire agency Reuters on Friday said that the number of vehicles entering the complex in the country’s east has been cut to one-tenth of normal levels.
The union also plans more stringent strike action at other petrochemical complexes across the country, the unnamed official told Reuters.
The general strike by CTS under the wing of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, was launched on 7 June.
The truckers were demanding the government to extend a freight rate system, which guarantees basic wages to cope with surging fuel costs. The system was due to expire in December.
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport had expected some 7,500 members, representing about 35% of the CTS union, to go on strike on Friday,
There have been “local transport obstructions in some ports such as Busan Port and Ulsan Port. Carry-out volume is reduced compared to normal”, the ministry said.
Traffic at the Busan port, which accounts for 80% of container activity in the country, was down to a third of normal levels on Friday, Reuters reported, quoting a government official.
At the port of Ulsan – the industrial hub where much of the strike action has occurred – movement of containers has totally been suspended as of Friday morning due to the strike, according to Reuters.
Around 1,000 truckers were protesting at the main complex of Korea’s biggest automotive manufacturer Hyundai Motor in Ulsan on Friday, Reuters reported.
Hyundai operates the world’s largest integrated automobile manufacturing facility in Ulsan which has an annual production capacity of 1.6m units. The strike has halved Hyundai’s production in Ulsan.
The automotive sector is a major downstream industry for petrochemicals.
Focus article by Nurluqman Suratman
Additional reporting by Trixie Yap, Yeow Pei Lin, Hazel Goh and Julia Tan
June 10, 2022
S Korea truckers’ strike to hit Ulsan petrochemical output; halts port ops
Nurluqman Suratman
10-Jun-2022Full storyRelated newsRelated contentContact us SHARE THIS
SINGAPORE (ICIS)–The ongoing nationwide strike by unionised truckers in South Korea are forcing several producers in the petrochemical hub of Ulsan to consider production cuts amid logistics disruption.
Synthetic rubber giant Kumho Petrochemical is expected to slash production rates at its acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polystyrene (PS) units from the second half of June due to the strike, according to market sources.
HDC Hyundai Engineering Plastics Co is also expected to slash production at its 160,000 tonne/year PS plant in the complex.
While there have been no immediate reports of polyethylene (PE) production losses due to the strike, facilities in Ulsan and elsewhere in the country could be affected if the strike drags on.
The strike by the Cargo Truckers Solidarity (CTS) union entered its fourth day on Friday.
Some PE producers may face pressure to sell prompt cargoes or further reduce their cracker run rates owing to the ongoing strike by truckers.
If the transportation problem persists, “I expect more PE plants in South Korea will cutback or shut down in the short term,” ICIS senior analyst Amy Yu said.
The strike has slowed down the delivery of PE cargoes, raising concerns that some producers might have to lower their downstream operation, to manage their already high inventory if the logistic issues continue next week.
“South Korea is a major exporter in Asia PE market, which may lead to a decrease in the supply of short-term exports,” Yu said.
“In addition, due to the high naphtha cost, the average operating rate of steam crackers and PE plants in Korea has shown a relatively low level. The strikes may exacerbate this situation,” she added.
For polyethylene terepthalate (PET), export deliveries were able to continue this week as some cargoes had been prepared before the strike started, however domestic deliveries faced challenges with the reduced trucking capabilities.
For propylene, the country’s exports may increase should the strike be prolonged as domestic distribution of derivative products becomes disrupted, market sources said.
A senior truckers union official quoted by newswire agency Reuters on Friday said that the number of vehicles entering the complex in the country’s east has been cut to one-tenth of normal levels.
The union also plans more stringent strike action at other petrochemical complexes across the country, the unnamed official told Reuters.
The general strike by CTS under the wing of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, was launched on 7 June.
The truckers were demanding the government to extend a freight rate system, which guarantees basic wages to cope with surging fuel costs. The system was due to expire in December.
South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport had expected some 7,500 members, representing about 35% of the CTS union, to go on strike on Friday,
There have been “local transport obstructions in some ports such as Busan Port and Ulsan Port. Carry-out volume is reduced compared to normal”, the ministry said.
Traffic at the Busan port, which accounts for 80% of container activity in the country, was down to a third of normal levels on Friday, Reuters reported, quoting a government official.
At the port of Ulsan – the industrial hub where much of the strike action has occurred – movement of containers has totally been suspended as of Friday morning due to the strike, according to Reuters.
Around 1,000 truckers were protesting at the main complex of Korea’s biggest automotive manufacturer Hyundai Motor in Ulsan on Friday, Reuters reported.
Hyundai operates the world’s largest integrated automobile manufacturing facility in Ulsan which has an annual production capacity of 1.6m units. The strike has halved Hyundai’s production in Ulsan.
The automotive sector is a major downstream industry for petrochemicals.
Focus article by Nurluqman Suratman
Additional reporting by Trixie Yap, Yeow Pei Lin, Hazel Goh and Julia Tan
June 10, 2022
Wanhua Chemical Will Launch Two New Projects and Increase the Layout of New Materials!
ECHEMI 2022-06-10
On June 6, Wanhua Chemical announced on its official website the draft environmental impact reports of two projects, one for the special isocyanate project and the other for the project with an annual output of 30,000 tons of emollients.
Special Isocyanate Project
Project Name: Special Isocyanate Project of Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd.
Project site: Wanhua Yantai Industrial Park, Yantai Chemical Industrial Park, Economic and Technological Development Zone, Yantai City, Shandong Province
Project Overview: The main production units of this project include HMDA/BAC units (HMDA and 1,3-BAC can be switched for production), XDI/H6XDI units (XDI and H6XDI can be switched between production), HMDI Phase II units and For the exhaust gas decomposition and absorption device, the corresponding public works, auxiliary works, storage and transportation works and environmental protection works are built.
HMDA is hexamethylene diamine. In addition to reacting with adipic acid to synthesize nylon 66, hexamethylene diamine can also be used as an intermediate to synthesize HDI;
1,3-BAC is 1,3-cyclohexanedimethylamine;
XDI is m-xylylene isocyanate, which is an ADI (aliphatic isocyanate) containing a benzene ring;
H6XDI is hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate, which belongs to a kind of ADI;
HMDI is 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate.
Project with an annual output of 30,000 tons of emollients
Project name: Wanhua Chemical (Penglai) Co., Ltd. project with an annual output of 30,000 tons of emollients
Project site: Penglai Chemical Industry Park, Beigou Town, Penglai District, Yantai City, Shandong Province
Project Overview: This project mainly builds a 40,000-ton/year acetaldehyde plant and a 30,000-ton/year 1,3-butanediol plant, supporting auxiliary projects, storage and transportation projects, environmental protection projects, etc.; main public works And some environmental protection projects rely on existing ones.
High-performance new material integration and supporting projects
It is reported that the 30,000 tons/year emollient is part of the high-performance new material integration and supporting project of Wanhua Chemical Penglai Industrial Park.
On April 8, 2022, Wanhua Chemical announced that in order to realize the deep extension of the company’s chemical industry chain, undertake the transformation of independent research and development innovation achievements, and build a first-class integrated manufacturing base for green low-carbon high-end fine chemicals and new materials, the company plans to Through the holding subsidiary Wanhua Chemical (Penglai) Co., Ltd. to build a high-performance new material integration and supporting project in Wanhua Chemical Penglai Industrial Park.
Specifically, the planned project plans to cover an area of about 3,310 mu, mainly constructing 900,000 tons/year propane dehydrogenation, 500,000 tons/year polyether, 400,000 tons/year POCHP, 300,000 tons/year polypropylene, 300,000 tons/year polypropylene, 300,000 tons/year /year EO, 300,000 tons/year EOD, acrylic acid and ester (160,000 tons/year acrylic acid, 160,000 tons/year butyl acrylate, 20,000 tons/year octyl acrylate), 200,000 tons/year carbonate ester, 3 10,000 tons/year of emollient, air separation and other devices, as well as supporting public works and auxiliary facilities, etc.
The project plans to invest 1.5 billion yuan in 2022, which has been included in the company’s overall investment plan for 2022. The construction period of the project is planned from 2022 to 2025, and it is expected to start production in June 2024.
Wanhua Chemical actively deploys new materials
“Environmental protection is related to the living environment of human beings in the future, and the whole world is paying attention. There will be a large market for new materials and new technologies required by the environmental protection industry.” said Liao Zengtai, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Wanhua Chemical Group, in the past three years, Wanhua has invested more resources in the field of new materials.
In terms of polyurethane materials, continue to promote the upgrading of MDI technology and the stable and orderly development of the industry, expand the variety of polyurethane materials, and actively explore the market demand in new downstream areas of polyurethane, and increase the use of polyurethane in building insulation, pavement materials, wood-based panels and other new applications. development efforts to meet the needs of consumption upgrades.
In terms of new chemical materials, carry out research on high-end polyolefins, high-performance engineering plastics, high-performance film materials, degradable plastics, electronic chemicals and other products, and provide key materials for strategic emerging industries such as new energy, new infrastructure, and high-end equipment manufacturing. support. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, focus on promoting the research and development of POE complete sets of engineering technology, the industrialization process of nylon 12, the development of high-refractive, bio-based and other special PC manufacturing technologies, the research on the trinity of key raw materials, technology and performance of degradable plastics, and high-end separation membrane materials Key technology research, the implementation of large-scale industrialization.
In terms of fine chemicals, develop water-based surface materials, promote the water-based process of polymer surface materials in my country in various fields such as building materials, industrial coatings, adhesives, and nursing, and promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries; carry out research on the utilization of biomass resources, From corn starch, biological waste and natural oils as starting materials, various bio-based chemicals are prepared through chemical transformation and biological fermentation technology.
In 2021, Wanhua Chemical will invest 3.168 billion yuan in research and development, mainly focusing on high-end chemical new materials and solutions, emerging materials and other new business sectors technology incubation investment, such as carbon neutralization related technologies, polyurethane foam degradation and recycling, new energy energy storage And battery materials, separation and purification and other research and development projects. In the field of polyurethane, the sixth-generation MDI technology was successfully applied in Yantai MDI plant, achieving a stable operation of 1.1 million tons per year.
In the future, Wanhua Chemical will continue to increase investment in olefins and downstream industrial chains by taking advantage of the integrated industrial chain of existing industrial parks, vigorously develop Wanhua’s high-performance polyolefin material platform, and promote the transformation and upgrading of China’s polyolefin industrial chain. Relying on the olefin industry chain platform, we will further strengthen and expand the modified plastics business, expand the high-end application downstream of the material business, and continue to develop and advance in the field of new materials.
June 10, 2022
Wanhua Chemical Will Launch Two New Projects and Increase the Layout of New Materials!
ECHEMI 2022-06-10
On June 6, Wanhua Chemical announced on its official website the draft environmental impact reports of two projects, one for the special isocyanate project and the other for the project with an annual output of 30,000 tons of emollients.
Special Isocyanate Project
Project Name: Special Isocyanate Project of Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd.
Project site: Wanhua Yantai Industrial Park, Yantai Chemical Industrial Park, Economic and Technological Development Zone, Yantai City, Shandong Province
Project Overview: The main production units of this project include HMDA/BAC units (HMDA and 1,3-BAC can be switched for production), XDI/H6XDI units (XDI and H6XDI can be switched between production), HMDI Phase II units and For the exhaust gas decomposition and absorption device, the corresponding public works, auxiliary works, storage and transportation works and environmental protection works are built.
HMDA is hexamethylene diamine. In addition to reacting with adipic acid to synthesize nylon 66, hexamethylene diamine can also be used as an intermediate to synthesize HDI;
1,3-BAC is 1,3-cyclohexanedimethylamine;
XDI is m-xylylene isocyanate, which is an ADI (aliphatic isocyanate) containing a benzene ring;
H6XDI is hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate, which belongs to a kind of ADI;
HMDI is 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate.
Project with an annual output of 30,000 tons of emollients
Project name: Wanhua Chemical (Penglai) Co., Ltd. project with an annual output of 30,000 tons of emollients
Project site: Penglai Chemical Industry Park, Beigou Town, Penglai District, Yantai City, Shandong Province
Project Overview: This project mainly builds a 40,000-ton/year acetaldehyde plant and a 30,000-ton/year 1,3-butanediol plant, supporting auxiliary projects, storage and transportation projects, environmental protection projects, etc.; main public works And some environmental protection projects rely on existing ones.
High-performance new material integration and supporting projects
It is reported that the 30,000 tons/year emollient is part of the high-performance new material integration and supporting project of Wanhua Chemical Penglai Industrial Park.
On April 8, 2022, Wanhua Chemical announced that in order to realize the deep extension of the company’s chemical industry chain, undertake the transformation of independent research and development innovation achievements, and build a first-class integrated manufacturing base for green low-carbon high-end fine chemicals and new materials, the company plans to Through the holding subsidiary Wanhua Chemical (Penglai) Co., Ltd. to build a high-performance new material integration and supporting project in Wanhua Chemical Penglai Industrial Park.
Specifically, the planned project plans to cover an area of about 3,310 mu, mainly constructing 900,000 tons/year propane dehydrogenation, 500,000 tons/year polyether, 400,000 tons/year POCHP, 300,000 tons/year polypropylene, 300,000 tons/year polypropylene, 300,000 tons/year /year EO, 300,000 tons/year EOD, acrylic acid and ester (160,000 tons/year acrylic acid, 160,000 tons/year butyl acrylate, 20,000 tons/year octyl acrylate), 200,000 tons/year carbonate ester, 3 10,000 tons/year of emollient, air separation and other devices, as well as supporting public works and auxiliary facilities, etc.
The project plans to invest 1.5 billion yuan in 2022, which has been included in the company’s overall investment plan for 2022. The construction period of the project is planned from 2022 to 2025, and it is expected to start production in June 2024.
Wanhua Chemical actively deploys new materials
“Environmental protection is related to the living environment of human beings in the future, and the whole world is paying attention. There will be a large market for new materials and new technologies required by the environmental protection industry.” said Liao Zengtai, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Wanhua Chemical Group, in the past three years, Wanhua has invested more resources in the field of new materials.
In terms of polyurethane materials, continue to promote the upgrading of MDI technology and the stable and orderly development of the industry, expand the variety of polyurethane materials, and actively explore the market demand in new downstream areas of polyurethane, and increase the use of polyurethane in building insulation, pavement materials, wood-based panels and other new applications. development efforts to meet the needs of consumption upgrades.
In terms of new chemical materials, carry out research on high-end polyolefins, high-performance engineering plastics, high-performance film materials, degradable plastics, electronic chemicals and other products, and provide key materials for strategic emerging industries such as new energy, new infrastructure, and high-end equipment manufacturing. support. During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, focus on promoting the research and development of POE complete sets of engineering technology, the industrialization process of nylon 12, the development of high-refractive, bio-based and other special PC manufacturing technologies, the research on the trinity of key raw materials, technology and performance of degradable plastics, and high-end separation membrane materials Key technology research, the implementation of large-scale industrialization.
In terms of fine chemicals, develop water-based surface materials, promote the water-based process of polymer surface materials in my country in various fields such as building materials, industrial coatings, adhesives, and nursing, and promote the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries; carry out research on the utilization of biomass resources, From corn starch, biological waste and natural oils as starting materials, various bio-based chemicals are prepared through chemical transformation and biological fermentation technology.
In 2021, Wanhua Chemical will invest 3.168 billion yuan in research and development, mainly focusing on high-end chemical new materials and solutions, emerging materials and other new business sectors technology incubation investment, such as carbon neutralization related technologies, polyurethane foam degradation and recycling, new energy energy storage And battery materials, separation and purification and other research and development projects. In the field of polyurethane, the sixth-generation MDI technology was successfully applied in Yantai MDI plant, achieving a stable operation of 1.1 million tons per year.
In the future, Wanhua Chemical will continue to increase investment in olefins and downstream industrial chains by taking advantage of the integrated industrial chain of existing industrial parks, vigorously develop Wanhua’s high-performance polyolefin material platform, and promote the transformation and upgrading of China’s polyolefin industrial chain. Relying on the olefin industry chain platform, we will further strengthen and expand the modified plastics business, expand the high-end application downstream of the material business, and continue to develop and advance in the field of new materials.
June 10, 2022
Trade Association Coalition Completes Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing
Trade Association Coalition Completes Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing
Arlington, VA (May 11, 2022) – A coalition of industry trade associations representing contractors, consultants and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada has completed its Q1 2022 Market Index Survey for Reroofing. The survey takes the pulse of the reroofing industry on a quarterly basis and serves as a regular barometer of the industry’s business conditions.
One hundred ninety-five respondents completed the eight-question survey during a two-week period in April 2022 with approximately 90 percent of responses coming from roofing contractors and 10 percent coming from roof consultants. Approximately 86 percent of respondents indicated that their business is primarily low slope or a blend between low slope and steep slope while 15 percent of respondents are engaged in steep slope only.
The survey results indicate steady or generally improving market conditions for the reroofing industry. Some topline excerpts of the survey are (total may not equal 100 due to rounding):
- Customer Inquiries: Forty-six percent of respondents indicated their customer inquiries increased during the first quarter of 2022 compared with the same quarter in 2021. Twenty percent of respondents reported a decrease in customer inquiries during the same period, and 36 percent indicated no change in activity.
- Project Contacts: Forty-six percent of respondents reported an increase in project contracts during the first quarter of 2022 compared with the same quarter in 2021. Twenty-two percent of respondents reported a decrease in project contracts during the same period, and 32 percent indicated no change in activity.
- Project Backlog: Forty-six percent of all respondents reported a project backlog of three months or longer as of April 2022 compared to 51 percent of respondents that reported a similar backlog in January 2022.
- Customer Inquiries Index: The Customer Inquiries Index for the total industry dropped slightly to 62.8 for Q1 2022 compared to 63.8 for Q4 2021. The index is based on a 0 to 100 scale. A score of 50 or higher suggests expansion or optimism, while a value below 50 indicates contraction or pessimism.
Project Contracts Index: The Project Contracts Index for the total industry rose to 62.1 for Q1 2022 compared to 61.1 for Q4 2021. The index is based on a 0 to 100 scale. A score of 50 or higher suggests expansion or optimism, while a value below 50 indicates contraction or pessimism.
The complete results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are available to those who participate in the survey via an online dashboard that enables users to filter results by region and other metrics. Any contractor or consultant who wants to participate in next quarter’s brief survey can sign up for a notification at http://bit.ly/37ank7D.
For media inquiries contact Mittie Rooney.
https://www.polyiso.org/page/Q1MarketIndexSurveyforReroofing
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