Kraton Corporation, a leading global sustainable producer of speciality polymers and high-value bio-based products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, has increased the price of its SIS polymer products by USD 330 per MT.

The company said the price hike was due to continued increase in raw materials and process chemicals.

The price hike will be global and comes into effect from 1 January 2025.

PPG has formally announced the completion of the sale transaction of its silicas products business for USD 310 million (approximately) in pre-tax proceeds to Qemetica, a leading manufacturer of soda ash, silicates and other speciality chemicals.

The deal covers PPG’s precipitated silicas manufacturing plants in Lake Charles, Louisiana and Delfzijl, The Netherlands. Additionally, Qemetica will lease silicas production and R&D activities from PPG in Barberton, Ohio and Monroeville, Pennsylvania.

Tim Knavish, Chairman and CEO, PPG, said, “We are pleased to complete this transaction with Qemetica, and I want to thank the silicas products business employees for their dedication and commitment to the business and to PPG customers throughout the years.”

Nouryon, a leading supplier of organic peroxides and a developer of organic peroxide solutions, has formally announced the completion of capacity expansion of its organic peroxides manufacturing facility in Ningbo, China.

The company's production capacity for Perkadox 14 and Trigonox 101 organic peroxide products, which are crucial components for altering polymer characteristics and crosslinking rubbers and thermoplastics, has increased to 6,000 tonnes each as a result of this capacity expansion. Furthermore, by improving the qualities of recycled polypropylene (R-PP), these solutions can also allow consumers to employ recycled polymers in applications that were previously exclusive to virgin plastics.

Alain Rynwalt, Senior Vice President – Performance Materials, Nouryon, said, “Nouryon is a world leader in essential ingredients for the polymer industry and this expansion highlights our dedication to supporting our customers’ growth across the entire polymer cycle. Customer interest in improving the properties of recycled polypropylene continues to rise, in line with increased consumer awareness and more stringent regulations.”

Sobers Sethi, Senior Vice President – Emerging Markets and China, Nouryon, said, “Asia Pacific is a key region for Nouryon and our most recent expansion in China strengthens our supply position even more in this growing region. Our customers rely on our existing network of manufacturing facilities and innovative technologies, and we are pleased to build more capacity to meet growing customer demand around the world.”

Trinseo, a speciality materials solutions provider, has signed agreements to supply its polycarbonate technology license as well as all proprietary polycarbonate production equipment in Stade, Germany to Deepak Chem Tech Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Deepak Nitrite Limited, a diversified chemical intermediates company based in Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

The combined deals are worth USD 52.5 million. Subject to significant milestones, the business anticipates receiving around USD 9 million by the end of 2024 and an additional USD 21 million in the first part of 2025. The firm has made the decision to leave Stade, Germany, with this disposal of the production assets.

Frank Bozich, President and Chief Executive Officer, Trinseo, said, “While Trinseo recently announced its decision to exit virgin polycarbonate production, our polycarbonate technology is highly valued and the manufacturing equipment in Stade, Germany, can be utilised in India by Deepak. These are the initial steps of a strategic, collaborative partnership with Deepak, as we explore additional opportunities to leverage our technology portfolio and expand in higher-growth areas such as India.”

China's butadiene exports have experienced significant growth in recent years, particularly in 2021 and 2024. According to Sublime China Information (SCI), this surge is primarily driven by supply constraints in key regions, including the US and Southeast Asia.

Export Volume and Price Trends

In 2021, China's butadiene exports reached a historic high due to a supply gap in the US market. According to SCI, this trend continued in 2024 as reduced deep-sea cargo shipments and production challenges in Southeast Asia further tightened global supplies. From January to September 2024, China's total butadiene exports surged by 111 percent year-over-year to approximately 120.8 kilo tonnes.

The average export price of butadiene has fluctuated over the past five years. In 2023, weak demand in South Korea and competition from deep-sea cargoes led to a significant decline in export prices. However, in 2024, supply shortages from key regions drove prices to a five-year high. As of September 2024, the average export price reached USD 1,391 per metric ton, a 35 percent month-over-month increase, added SCI.

Export Destinations and Regional Dynamics

The majority of China's butadiene exports are directed to South Korea and Taiwan. In 2024, South Korea accounted for 74 percent of total exports, a significant increase from the previous year. This surge was driven by factors such as limited domestic supply and increased demand for spot butadiene.

While China's butadiene exports have been strong, the long-term potential for significant growth in deep-sea exports remains limited due to established supply chains and regional demand dynamics. Most of China's exports are currently concentrated in Northeast Asia, with limited opportunities for expansion into other regions.

Future Outlook

SCI added that 2025 China's butadiene supply is expected to be relatively sufficient, and export volumes may increase further. However, the sustained growth of exports will depend on various factors, including downstream demand in key markets, the availability of deep-sea cargoes, and the development of new production capacities in other regions.

Despite these uncertainties, China's butadiene industry is well-positioned to capitalize on global supply-demand imbalances and continue to play a significant role in the global market.