BASF puts TDI on allocation
BASF Corp. said it is allocating its supply of toluene diisocyanate in North America, effective immediately.
The Geismar, La.-based company said the restriction, which covers all contracts and related agreements, is caused by a temporary lack of availability of a key raw material required for production of the polyurethane curative.
Michelin to cut unit, jobs at plant
Michelin said it will cut 40 jobs when it shuts down calendering operations at its Stoke-on-Trent, England, plant but will invest in the facility's retreading operations.
The firm will halt production of calendered steel cord at the site in March 2008, a Michelin spokeswoman said.
Michelin is planning a multimillion dollar investment in the facility that will allow it to retread tires. The five-year project will start in 2009.
Hungary award aids tire maker
The Hungarian government will grant up to $80 million toward the construction of a Hankook Tire Co. Inc. tire plant in the country, according to documents.
The Hungarian Ministry of Economy and Transport said all grants are based on a project cost of $660 million, and any reduction in that investment figure would lead to a pro-rata reduction in grant aid.
Hungary committed to provide state and regional aid equal to 12.09 percent of the eligible costs, up to a maximum of $80 million.
Hankook Tire Hungary Ltd. opened the plant in Dunaujvaros in July with a nameplate annual capacity of 10 million tires.
Employment at start-up was 810 and is projected to rise to 1,500 at full capacity.
Koppers forms carbon black JV
Koppers Holdings Inc. has established a joint venture with Kailuan Clean Coal Co. Ltd. of China to produce carbon black oils for the Chinese rubber market.
The joint venture, Tangshan Koppers Kailuan Carbon Chemical Co. Ltd., will operate a tar distillation facility being constructed in Hebei Province, near Jingtang, the firm said. The plant will be capable of distilling 300,000 metric tons of tar into carbon pitch, carbon black oils and naphthalene.
Koppers will be responsible for export sales of carbon pitch, naphthalene and carbon black oils from the facility.
Hankook tire prices to rise
Hankook Tire America Corp. said it will increase its passenger, high performance and light truck tire prices by as much as 5 percent on Jan. 1.
The amount of the specific increase will vary by product line and/or size, Hankook said.
The Wayne, N.J.-based firm cited rising costs for raw materials and transportation as well as general operating expenses as reasons for the increase.
Aleris sale of U.S. Zinc in works
Aleris International Inc. has OK'd the sale of its U.S. Zinc business to Brazil's Votorantim Metais Ltda.
The unit produces zinc oxide and zinc dust used in rubber product vulcanization.
The $295 million deal includes some adjustments for working capital and other items, and is subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, Aleris said.
Wabash to use Goodyear tires
Goodyear has struck a deal to be the preferred tire supplier for Wabash National Corp. semi trailers. Terms of the one-year agreement with Lafayette, Ind.-based Wabash weren't disclosed.
Goodyear said the pact includes using Goodyear Unisteel G316 LHT trailer tires, which are designed to reduce energy generated within the tire tread. Wabash is one of the largest manufacturers of semi trailers in North America.
Dow receives Impact license
Bayer A.G. has licensed Dow Chemical Co. to use its Impact technology to produce polyether polyols.
The technology incorporates an advantageous process for polyoxyalkylation, using a special double metal cyanide as a catalyst, Bayer said. It enhances the consistency of polyether polyols and provides waste reduction advantages in the manufacturing process, Bayer and Dow said in a joint statement. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.
Dow said it is evaluating construction of a world-scale production facility based on the technology, with a 2010 start-up date. The company expects to have premarketing volumes of the products available before then.
In brief
APV Engineered Coatings selected Isogran GmbH as its exclusive marketing partner for Germany and Eastern Europe...HallStar Co. has launched a new Web site, www.hallstar.com...Omnova Solutions Inc.'s Specialty Chemicals business will hike prices for its GenTac-brand vinyl pyridine latex and GenFlo-brand styrene butadiene latex products up to 10 percent, effective Jan. 1 or as contracts allow...Dow Chemical Co. will boost the price for its polyurethane systems and specialty prepolymer products by 10 cents a pound in the U.S. and Canada effective Jan. 1.