Marketwire - Plastics and fibers

Spending for Agricultural Chemicals and Fertilizers Increases Momentum

Fri, 09 May 2008 07:01:00 EDT

SUGAR LAND, TX--(Marketwire - May 9, 2008) - Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas) -- Earlier this year, Industrial Info reported tracking nearly $370 million in future capital and maintenance spending in the agricultural chemicals segment of the Chemical Processing Industry in the United States and Canada. That number has soared over the last few months, reaching an estimated $570 million with several large new projects identified by Industrial Info as part of its North American Project Database.

DSM - Repurchase of shares (week 19)

Fri, 09 May 2008 03:20:00 EDT

HEERLEN, NETHERLANDS--(Marketwire - May 9, 2008) -

Royal DSM N.V. has repurchased 298,333 of its own shares in the period from 5 May 2008 up to and including 7 May 2008 at an average price of EUR 35.46. This is in accordance with the second phase of the share buyback program, announced on 5 May 2008. The consideration of this repurchase was EUR 10.6 million.

DSM - the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company

Royal DSM N.V. creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences that contribute to the quality of life. DSM's products and services are used globally in a wide range of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable and more enjoyable way of life. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrics and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM has annual sales of almost EUR 8.8 billion and employs some 23,000 people worldwi

Hartindo AF21 Fire Inhibitor and BluWood(R) Used in World's Most Environmentally Friendly & Safe Home:

Thu, 08 May 2008 08:30:00 EDT

Florida's Showcase Green Envirohome(TM) (FSGE)

Agrium Successfully Completes Acquisition of UAP

Wed, 07 May 2008 17:35:00 EDT

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - May 7, 2008) - ALL AMOUNTS ARE STATED IN U.S.$ Agrium Inc. (TSX:AGU) (NYSE:AGU) announced today that it has successfully completed its acquisition of UAP Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: UAPH) at a price of $39.00 per share in cash. Pursuant to the merger agreement, dated December 2, 2007, between Agrium, UAP and Utah Acquisition Co., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Agrium, Utah Acquisition has been merged with and into UAP, with UAP continuing as the surviving corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Agrium. The merger of UAP with Utah Acquisition follows the successful completion of the tender offer by Agrium U.S. Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Agrium, for all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of UAP at a price of $39.00 per share in cash. The tender offer expired at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on Friday, May 2, 2008.

JER Secures First Purchase Order for Exclusive Material for Sprig Toys

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:19:00 EDT

VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwire - May 7, 2008) - JER Envirotech International Corp. (TSX-V: JER) (FRANKFURT: KFTB) ("JER") is pleased to announce that the first purchase order for wood polymer compounds has been received from Sprig Toys, Inc. ("Sprig") of Fort Collins, Colorado.

Sprig is a developer of environmentally friendly, "kid-powered" electronic vehicles and accessories. The company recently released its Sprig Adventure Series, which features figurine characters and a range of toy vehicles molded using Sprigwood�, a durable, child-safe thermoplastic biocomposite compound developed in partnership with JER. Sprig rolled out its Sprig Adventure Series at the February 2008 American International Toy Fair in New York. The line will be available at mass and specialty toy stores across North America and Europe by fall 2008.

Agrium Declares Dividend

Wed, 07 May 2008 15:14:00 EDT

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - May 7, 2008) - ALL AMOUNTS ARE STATED IN U.S.$ The Board of Directors of Agrium Inc. (TSX:AGU) (NYSE:AGU) has declared a dividend of five and one half cents U.S. per common share to be paid on July 3, 2008 to shareholders of record on June 12, 2008. All dividends paid by Agrium Inc. are, pursuant to subsection 89(14) of the Income Tax Act, designated as eligible dividends. An eligible dividend paid to a Canadian resident is entitled to the enhanced dividend tax credit.

MTI Global Inc. Awarded Two New Very Light Jet Contracts

Wed, 07 May 2008 08:30:00 EDT

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 7, 2008) - MTI Global Inc. (TSX:MTI) announced today that its aerospace division MTI-PolyFab, has been awarded two new contracts in the growing Very Light Jet (VLJ) market. Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. The first contract is for the supply of a thermal and acoustic insulation system for the Diamond D-JET from Diamond Aircraft Industries Inc. "MTI-PolyFab has been supporting the development of the D-JET aircraft with prototype thermal and acoustic systems, as well as Environmental Control Systems (ECS) design solutions since 2006," said Bill Neill, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Strong relationships have been established with Diamond and further opportunities to support additional products and services are being explored. This contract is in addition to an ECS Service contract, which began in March 2007."

Investments in Hydrogen Capacity Continue to Rise, Exceeding $2 Billion in Future Spending, an Industrial Info News Alert

Wed, 07 May 2008 05:30:00 EDT

SUGAR LAND, TX--(Marketwire - May 7, 2008) - Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas) -- Continued investments in the Petroleum Refining Industry to boost capacity of low-sulfur transportation fuels have kept the pressure on hydrogen producers to keep up investments on new capacity. Last summer, Industrial Info was tracking an estimated $1.2 billion in future investments as part of its North American Projects Database aimed at building new hydrogen capacity through grassroot construction, unit additions, plant expansions and debottlenecks. That figure is now approximately $1.9 billion and continues to grow monthly. The largest refiner-driven hydrogen project currently planned in the United States is that of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) for a hydrogen unit addition at its Benicia, California, refinery that could cost up to $300 million. In the Chemical Pr

Methanex Announces Increase to Quarterly Dividend for the Sixth Consecutive Year and a New 10% Share Repurchase Program

Tue, 06 May 2008 13:46:00 EDT

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - May 6, 2008) - Methanex Corporation (TSX:MX)(NASDAQ:MEOH)(SANTIAGO:Methanex) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved an 11 percent increase in its quarterly dividend to shareholders, from US$0.14 per share to US$0.155 per share. The increased dividend will apply commencing with the dividend payable on June 30, 2008 to holders of common shares of record on June 16, 2008. Bruce Aitken, President and CEO of Methanex, commented, "This is the sixth year in a row that we have increased our dividend since its inception in 2002. The increase to our regular dividend reflects our continued confidence in the outlook for our business and the methanol industry."

IDES Launches The Plastics Marketplace(TM) With 5 Million Pounds of Material for Sale

Tue, 06 May 2008 10:41:00 EDT

LARAMIE, WY--(Marketwire - May 6, 2008) - IDES Inc. (www.ides.com), home of The Plastics Web� and the fastest growing search destination for the plastics industry, announced today the official launch of The Plastics MarketplaceT, a listing of more than 5 million pounds of spot market resins for purchase from quality, reputable suppliers. The goal of The Plastics MarketplaceT is to provide buyers and sellers with a platform for buying and selling plastic materials.

OxyVinyls Begins Major Modernization of Polyvinyl Chloride Plant in Texas, an Industrial Info News Alert

Tue, 06 May 2008 05:30:00 EDT

SUGAR LAND, TX--(Marketwire - May 6, 2008) - Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas) -- Even as concerns of the economy slowing enter a growing number of minds and a slowdown in the domestic housing market is apparent, investments in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) capacity appear to remain somewhat steady. OxyVinyls LP, a joint venture of Occidental Chemical Corporation and PolyOne Corporation (NYSE:POL), began construction in the first quarter of this year for an estimated $120 million modernization of its PVC plant in Pasadena, Texas, that is expected to increase the cost efficiency and production of the 1.9 billion-pound-per-year plant. Technip Incorporated is providing engineering and procurement support for the project while OxyVinyls' sister company Oxychem Engineering & Construction Group is providing construction management for the project.

Methanex Announces Agreement With ENAP to Source Natural Gas for Chile Operations

Mon, 05 May 2008 15:19:00 EDT

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - May 5, 2008) - Methanex Corporation (TSX:MX)(NASDAQ:MEOH)(SANTIAGO:Methanex) announced today that it has signed an agreement with ENAP (the Chilean state-owned oil and gas company) to accelerate gas exploration and development in the Dorado Riquelme exploration block and supply new Chilean-sourced natural gas to Methanex's production facilities in Chile. Under the arrangement, Methanex expects to contribute approximately $100 million in capital over the next three years and will have a 50 percent participation in the block. It is expected that deliveries of gas from the block will commence later this year and that the block has the potential to become a significant new supply source for Methanex's facilities in Chile. The arrangement is subject to approval by the Government of Chile.

Agrium to Present at Upcoming Investor Conferences and Hold Its Annual General Meeting

Mon, 05 May 2008 07:30:00 EDT

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - May 5, 2008) - ALL AMOUNTS ARE STATED IN U.S.$ Agrium Inc. (TSX:AGU) (NYSE:AGU) will hold its Annual General Meeting in Calgary on Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Mr. Mike Wilson will be presenting at the meeting, which will be webcast at 11:00 a.m. MT. Mr. Bruce Waterman, Senior Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer will be presenting at the Bank of America BASics Industrials Conference in New York on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. ET. Mr. Waterman will also be presenting at the Scotia Capital "The Saskatchewan Advantage" Conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. MT.

Agrium Completes Tender Offer for UAP, Expects to Complete Acquisition Within Several Days

Mon, 05 May 2008 07:00:00 EDT

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - May 5, 2008) - ALL AMOUNTS ARE STATED IN U.S.$ Agrium Inc. (TSX:AGU) (NYSE:AGU) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Agrium U.S. Inc., has completed its tender offer for UAP Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:UAPH). Agrium U.S.'s tender offer for all of the outstanding common stock of UAP expired at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on May 2, 2008. As of such time, approximately 52.17 million shares were tendered and not withdrawn in the offer (including approximately 3.04 million shares delivered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure), representing 98.5 percent of UAP's outstanding shares. Agrium U.S. has accepted for payment all tendered shares.

Second Quarter Kicks Off With a Bang as Reported Spending in the Chemical Processing Industry Tops $3.4 Billion in April, an Industrial Info News Alert

Mon, 05 May 2008 06:00:00 EDT

SUGAR LAND, TX--(Marketwire - May 5, 2008) - Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas) -- Even as financial analysts and economists hint at signs of a recession, project spending in North America's Chemical Processing Industry (CPI) continues with good momentum. In April, Industrial Info identified more than $1.1 billion in new capital and maintenance projects for the CPI as part of its North American Project Database. In addition to these new projects released last month, nearly $1.9 billion in CPI projects previously reported by Industrial Info were verified and updated as still active in some phase of planning, engineering or construction.

Mustang Engineering Selected as Contractor for ExxonMobil Project in Singapore, an Industrial Info News Alert

Mon, 05 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT

BEIJING--(Marketwire - May 5, 2008) - Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas) -- Mustang Engineering (Houston, Texas) announced in mid-March that it will be the contractor for the detailed engineering design and construction management for the process control of ExxonMobil Asia Pacific's (NYSE:XOM) second steam-cracking complex in Singapore.

For details, view the entire article by subscribing to Industrial Info's Premium Industry News at http://www.industrialinfo.com/showNews.jsp?newsitemID=132341, or browse other breaking industrial news stories at www.industrialinfo.com.

DSM initiates second phase of share buy-back program

Mon, 05 May 2008 02:15:00 EDT

HEERLEN, NETHERLANDS--(Marketwire - May 5, 2008) -

Royal DSM N.V., the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company headquartered in the Netherlands, announces that the company will today, 5 May 2008, start the second phase of the share buy-back program of EUR 750 million announced on 27 September 2007.

DSM has signed a Discretionary Management Agreement with the bank that will execute the share buy-back. DSM intends to repurchase shares for a total consideration of approximately EUR 250 million. The repurchase price will be based on the daily VWAP (Value Weighted Average Price). Daily volumes to be repurchased will be around 10% of the daily trading volume.