The Urethane Blog

Everchem Updates

VOLUME XXI

September 14, 2023

Everchem’s Closers Only Club

Everchem’s exclusive Closers Only Club is reserved for only the highest caliber brass-baller salesmen in the chemical industry. Watch the hype video and be introduced to the top of the league: — read more

September 19, 2018

PBT Overview

Europe PBT Q4 prices under upward pressure on feedstocks, rising Asian values

19 September 2018 12:02 Source:ICIS News

LONDON (ICIS)–European polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) fourth-quarter  (Q4) contract prices are under upwards pressure on the back of increases in feedstock and Asian values.

Both upstream paraxylene (PX) and purified terephthalic acid (PTA) prices have increased in Europe, which could result in PBT values rising in the final quarter of the year, one producer said.

PBT spot prices have also been rising in Asia on the back of pressure from PX and PTA higher costs, which could also put upward pressure on Europe’s values.

Sources expect prices for unfilled PBT are expected to rise slightly more than those for filled PBT due to the greater proportion of base resin in unfilled PBT.

The fourth-quarter settlement for feedstock butanediol (BDO) will also have an influence on PBT prices. Negotiations for BDO are expected to begin soon.

Supply of PBT continues to be tight, with import volumes from Asia limited, according to sources.

PBT demand, on the other hand, remains strong, with one producer arguing it had not seen any decrease in demand during August, which is typically a quiet month for many markets.

Earlier on Wednesday, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) confirmed healthy activity in the automobile industry – a key end market for PBT – during July and August.

German automobile major Volkswagen (VW) warned earlier this month, however, that car sales in September were likely to fall sharply in the EU, compared to August.

According to ACEA, sales may have accelerated in August – usually a quiet month for the industry – due to the introduction of new world harmonised light vehicle test procedure (WLTP) tests, that apply to all new car registrations from 1 September onward.

“Hence, some auto manufacturers offered pre‐WLTP vehicles at extremely attractive prices,” said ACEA.

Third-quarter contract prices for PBT settled at increases of €0.05/kg on strong demand and tight supply.

Unfilled PBT was assessed at €2.97-3.23/kg FD (free delivered) NWE (northwest Europe).

Filled PBT at €3.23-3.34/kg FD NWE and flame-retardant PBT at €4.45-4.51/kg FD NWE.

PBT, an engineering plastic, is a thermoplastic polyester resin used in the automotive industry for mirror housings, fans, fuse boxes, cowl vents, and motor and ignition system components. It also has uses in electrical and electronic products.

Pictured: An assembly line at an Audi plant in Germany
Source: Stephan Goerlich/imageBROKER/REX/Shutterstock

https://www.icis.com/resources/news/2018/09/19/10260624/europe-pbt-q4-prices-under-upward-pressure-on-feedstocks-rising-asian-values/?cmpid=SOC%7CRSS%7Ctwitter%7CFreeChemNewsFeed

September 19, 2018

PBT Overview

Europe PBT Q4 prices under upward pressure on feedstocks, rising Asian values

19 September 2018 12:02 Source:ICIS News

LONDON (ICIS)–European polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) fourth-quarter  (Q4) contract prices are under upwards pressure on the back of increases in feedstock and Asian values.

Both upstream paraxylene (PX) and purified terephthalic acid (PTA) prices have increased in Europe, which could result in PBT values rising in the final quarter of the year, one producer said.

PBT spot prices have also been rising in Asia on the back of pressure from PX and PTA higher costs, which could also put upward pressure on Europe’s values.

Sources expect prices for unfilled PBT are expected to rise slightly more than those for filled PBT due to the greater proportion of base resin in unfilled PBT.

The fourth-quarter settlement for feedstock butanediol (BDO) will also have an influence on PBT prices. Negotiations for BDO are expected to begin soon.

Supply of PBT continues to be tight, with import volumes from Asia limited, according to sources.

PBT demand, on the other hand, remains strong, with one producer arguing it had not seen any decrease in demand during August, which is typically a quiet month for many markets.

Earlier on Wednesday, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) confirmed healthy activity in the automobile industry – a key end market for PBT – during July and August.

German automobile major Volkswagen (VW) warned earlier this month, however, that car sales in September were likely to fall sharply in the EU, compared to August.

According to ACEA, sales may have accelerated in August – usually a quiet month for the industry – due to the introduction of new world harmonised light vehicle test procedure (WLTP) tests, that apply to all new car registrations from 1 September onward.

“Hence, some auto manufacturers offered pre‐WLTP vehicles at extremely attractive prices,” said ACEA.

Third-quarter contract prices for PBT settled at increases of €0.05/kg on strong demand and tight supply.

Unfilled PBT was assessed at €2.97-3.23/kg FD (free delivered) NWE (northwest Europe).

Filled PBT at €3.23-3.34/kg FD NWE and flame-retardant PBT at €4.45-4.51/kg FD NWE.

PBT, an engineering plastic, is a thermoplastic polyester resin used in the automotive industry for mirror housings, fans, fuse boxes, cowl vents, and motor and ignition system components. It also has uses in electrical and electronic products.

Pictured: An assembly line at an Audi plant in Germany
Source: Stephan Goerlich/imageBROKER/REX/Shutterstock

https://www.icis.com/resources/news/2018/09/19/10260624/europe-pbt-q4-prices-under-upward-pressure-on-feedstocks-rising-asian-values/?cmpid=SOC%7CRSS%7Ctwitter%7CFreeChemNewsFeed

September 18, 2018

Third Tranche List Updated

USTR removed 142 chemical products from List 3 tariffs

19:07 PM | September 18, 2018 | Clay Boswell

The US Trade Representative (USTR) removed 142 chemical product lines, including two plastic products, before finalizing the third list of Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports, says the American Chemistry Council (ACC). Issued on 17 September, List 3 now includes 1,363 chemical products with a 2017 value of $12.9 billion, $3.5 billion less than the original proposal, according to ACC estimates. The new tariffs begin at 10% on 24 September, and on 1 January 2019, they will be increased to 25%.

Products removed from the list include rare earth metals, molybdenum oxides and hydroxides, vanillin, ibuprofen, sucralose, soaps (non-toilet), and plastic gloves.

The list totaled 6,031 product lines when it was proposed on 10 July. After taking public testimony on the tariffs in August, the USTR reduced the list to 5,745 full or partial product lines.

Including the first two lists, 1,516 chemical products from China with a 2017 import value of $15.1 billion face Section 301 tariffs, says ACC.

https://chemweek.com/CW/Document/98486/USTR-removed-142-chemical-products-from-List-3-tariffs#.W6FV06Vj8-I.twitter

See the entire list here:  https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/enforcement/301Investigations/Tariff%20List_09.17.18.pdf

September 18, 2018

Third Tranche List Updated

USTR removed 142 chemical products from List 3 tariffs

19:07 PM | September 18, 2018 | Clay Boswell

The US Trade Representative (USTR) removed 142 chemical product lines, including two plastic products, before finalizing the third list of Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports, says the American Chemistry Council (ACC). Issued on 17 September, List 3 now includes 1,363 chemical products with a 2017 value of $12.9 billion, $3.5 billion less than the original proposal, according to ACC estimates. The new tariffs begin at 10% on 24 September, and on 1 January 2019, they will be increased to 25%.

Products removed from the list include rare earth metals, molybdenum oxides and hydroxides, vanillin, ibuprofen, sucralose, soaps (non-toilet), and plastic gloves.

The list totaled 6,031 product lines when it was proposed on 10 July. After taking public testimony on the tariffs in August, the USTR reduced the list to 5,745 full or partial product lines.

Including the first two lists, 1,516 chemical products from China with a 2017 import value of $15.1 billion face Section 301 tariffs, says ACC.

https://chemweek.com/CW/Document/98486/USTR-removed-142-chemical-products-from-List-3-tariffs#.W6FV06Vj8-I.twitter

See the entire list here:  https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/enforcement/301Investigations/Tariff%20List_09.17.18.pdf

September 17, 2018

Huntsman Water-Blown Sole System

HUNTSMAN INTRODUCES NEW WATER-BLOWN SOLING SYSTEM FOR A BETTER QUALITY FOOTWEAR FINISH
New DALTOPED® AquaPUR technology set for launch at DESMA House Fair: September 19-20, 2018

 

Everberg, Belgium – Huntsman Polyurethanes today announced the launch of DALTOPED® AquaPUR technology – an innovative, fully water-blown polyether soling solution providing excellent flow and surface definition for better looking, better feeling shoe soles.

Due to be unveiled at the 2018 DESMA House Fair this week, DALTOPED® AquaPUR technology is capable of producing the high-quality surface finish that footwear producers would typically associate with physical blown systems. Designed to deliver better looking and better feeling soles across a range of footwear applications, including casual comfort shoes, DALTOPED® AquaPUR technology is available in a range of densities, and is suitable for the direct-on processing and casting of unit soles and midsoles.

Delivering all the standard features expected of a polyether material, including good cold flex properties plus hydrolysis and slip resistance, DALTOPED® AquaPUR technology also has excellent processing properties. It is compatible with standard polyurethane processing machines and has excellent flow characteristics, which enable complex designs with multiple color options. The material also has superior blend stability in the machine tank and can be processed at room temperature – helping to reduce energy consumption and shorten the production cycle.

Alfons Tremml, Business Development Manager and Technical Service Manager for Footwear EAME at Huntsman, said: “Huntsman was one of the earliest pioneers of water-blown systems for the footwear industry. Our new DALTOPED® AquaPUR technology joins an already extensive family of water-blown DALTOPED® systems designed for footwear applications. By mirroring the smooth finishing effects that can be achieved with physical blown systems, DALTOPED® AquaPUR technology is the ideal solution for customers wanting to make the switch to water-blown systems – but who don’t want to compromise on quality.”