November 5, 2018

Propylene Inventories Rise, Spot Prices Fall

https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=WPLSTUS1&f=W

November 5, 2018

Propylene Inventories Rise, Spot Prices Fall

https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=WPLSTUS1&f=W

November 5, 2018

Robin Grieve

Sad news . . .

Grieve, Robin Robin Leslie Grieve passed away Monday October 29, 2018 at the age of 80. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland to the late H. Osborn and Lesley Grieve. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, J. Patricia (Pat), son David (Brecken Groendyke) Grieve and his grandchildren Kennedy, Keaton, Kailynn, Blake and Brock. Aside from his parents, Robin was preceded in death by his son Michael and brother Kenneth. Robin was a pioneer in the polyurethane industry having spent many years with The Upjohn Company and The Dow Chemical Company. He served as Chairman of the Society of Plastics Industry and consulted for Olin Chemical, SynUthane International, Yantai Wanhua Polyurethanes Co Ltd and Baalbaki PU Systems. He loved to travel and his business dealings took him all over the world from his homeland of Scotland to America and all over Europe, China and the Middle East. He loved meeting new people from all walks of life with different religions, ethnicities, experiences, cultures and knowledge. He had a generous nature, a great sense of humor and a humble demeanor. He treated everyone with respect and honesty and had a true appreciation for life. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. A private celebration of life open house will be held on Thursday, November 8th from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Clark on Keller Lake, 2499 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 for family, close friends and the residents and staff at Clark. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to Ada Christian School or Grand Rapids Christian School (Science Departments). His final resting place will in a private park across from his former home in Guilford, Connecticut under his two favorite copper beech trees.

http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/obituary.aspx?n=robin-grieve&pid=190640999&fhid=5484

https://www.metcalfandjonkhoff.com/notices/Robin-Grieve

a March 1975 photo of Robin when he was general manager of manufacturing for Upjohn Polymer BV in Delfzijl, The Netherlands, courtesy of Dave Threlkeld.

November 5, 2018

Robin Grieve

Sad news . . .

Grieve, Robin Robin Leslie Grieve passed away Monday October 29, 2018 at the age of 80. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland to the late H. Osborn and Lesley Grieve. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, J. Patricia (Pat), son David (Brecken Groendyke) Grieve and his grandchildren Kennedy, Keaton, Kailynn, Blake and Brock. Aside from his parents, Robin was preceded in death by his son Michael and brother Kenneth. Robin was a pioneer in the polyurethane industry having spent many years with The Upjohn Company and The Dow Chemical Company. He served as Chairman of the Society of Plastics Industry and consulted for Olin Chemical, SynUthane International, Yantai Wanhua Polyurethanes Co Ltd and Baalbaki PU Systems. He loved to travel and his business dealings took him all over the world from his homeland of Scotland to America and all over Europe, China and the Middle East. He loved meeting new people from all walks of life with different religions, ethnicities, experiences, cultures and knowledge. He had a generous nature, a great sense of humor and a humble demeanor. He treated everyone with respect and honesty and had a true appreciation for life. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. A private celebration of life open house will be held on Thursday, November 8th from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Clark on Keller Lake, 2499 Forest Hill Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 for family, close friends and the residents and staff at Clark. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to Ada Christian School or Grand Rapids Christian School (Science Departments). His final resting place will in a private park across from his former home in Guilford, Connecticut under his two favorite copper beech trees.

http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/obituary.aspx?n=robin-grieve&pid=190640999&fhid=5484

https://www.metcalfandjonkhoff.com/notices/Robin-Grieve

a March 1975 photo of Robin when he was general manager of manufacturing for Upjohn Polymer BV in Delfzijl, The Netherlands, courtesy of Dave Threlkeld.

November 1, 2018

Tosoh First Half Results

Tosoh : Reports on First-Half Consolidated Results for Fiscal 2019

Tokyo, Japan-Tosoh Corporation is pleased to announce its consolidated results for the first half of fiscal 2019, from April 1, 2018, to September 30, 2018.

The company’s consolidated net sales amounted to ¥424.5 billion (US$3.8 billion), up ¥32.8 billion, or 8.4%, from the same period a year earlier. The increase was attributable to higher sales prices driven by an increase in the price of naphtha and by rising overseas product markets, and to progress in the Engineering Group’s plant projects in the electronic industry.

Operating income also increased ¥1.5 billion, or 2.8%, over the same period the preceding year, to ¥56.0 billion (US$509.1 million). Although trade conditions worsened because of increased raw material and fuel prices, the increased earnings recorded by the Specialty and Engineering groups helped to drive the increase in operating income.

Ordinary income climbed ¥2.4 billion, or 4.3%, compared with the first half of fiscal 2018, to ¥60.7 billion (US$552.2 million). This rise was due to foreign exchange gains. Profit attributable to owners of the parent company totaled ¥41.7 billion (US$378.8 million), an increase of ¥1.4 billion, or 3.4%, over the same term the previous year.

Results by Business Segment

Petrochemical Group

Petrochemical Group net sales rose ¥5.0 billion, or 5.6%, to ¥93.9 billion (US$853.8 million), compared with the first half of fiscal 2018. The group’s operating income decreased ¥2.3 billion, or 22.2%, to ¥8.0 billion (US$72.6 million).

Shipments of olefin products, such as ethylene and propylene, decreased in line with a decrease in production volume due to fiscal 2019 being a scheduled maintenance year. The group, however, increased sales prices of its olefin products to reflect increased naphtha costs.

Shipments of polyethylene resin in Japan decreased, but the group again increased product prices to reflect the increase in naphtha costs. Chloroprene rubber shipments likewise decreased because of a decline in production volume, but export prices rose, driven by strong overseas demand.

Chlor-alkali Group

The Chlor-alkali Group’s net sales increased ¥12.7 billion, or 8.1%, to ¥168.7 billion (US$1.5 billion). Its operating income likewise rose, ¥157 million, or 0.6%, to ¥25.1 billion (US$227.8 million), compared with the corresponding period the preceding year.

Domestic and international shipments of caustic soda were strong. Additionally, prices were revised upward due to domestic caustic soda price adjustments. Vinyl chloride monomer shipments increased. Prices also increased, driven by improvements in overseas markets. Polyvinyl chloride resin shipments declined on account of decreased production volume, but domestic price adjustments and improved conditions in overseas markets likewise resulted in an increase in product prices.

Domestic shipments of cement were strong. Cement exports, however, decreased.

Shipments of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) fell. But MDI export prices rose to reflect the improvement in overseas market conditions.

https://www.marketscreener.com/TOSOH-CORPORATION-6491225/news/Tosoh-Reports-on-First-Half-Consolidated-Results-for-Fiscal-2019-27523298/