The 11th China International Polyamide & Intermediates Forum, supported by Nylon Committee of China Chemical Fiber Association (CCFA) and China National Chemical Fiber Corp., organized by China Chemical & Fiber Economic Information Network (CCFEI) and Tecnon OrbiChem, is held at 9:00 a.m., 5th December, 2013 in Shanghai, China. Leading players from home and overseas, including BASF, CCFA, DSM, Hengyi Petrochemical, Honeywell, Invista, Jinjiang Technology, KuibyshevAzot, Lanxess, Luxi Chemicals, Shandong Haili, Shenma Group, Sumitomo, Xinhui Meida...etc., are gathering to share their ideas about widely concerned issues of the nylon chain. Wang Jianli, Chief Editor of China Chemical & Fiber Economic Information Network (CCFEI), is the chairman of the morning session. Date 5 Dec 6 Dec In recent years, macro-economic environment is of increasing influences on the industry. Song Ze, Chief Researcher & PhD Supervisor, National Academy of Economic Strategy, CASS talks about new ideas about economic structural reform, by referring to The Decision on Major Issues Concerning Comprehensively Deepening Reforms, pointing out that the structural adjustment of China’s economy will be market-oriented instead of government-dominated. Date 5 Dec 6 Dec With caprolactam capacity in rapid expanding, downstream players are also facing upgrading competition. Deng Jun, Secretary General, Nylon Fiber Committee of CCFA shares his advices about marketing strategies for nylon fiber producers, by introducing industry background, main approaches to add value to textile products, fiber fashion, and brand management. Date 5 Dec 6 Dec Pete Brown, V.P. Nylon Polymer, INVISTA contributes his speech Development of nylon 6,6 market in Asia-Pacific region. In his speech, Mr. Brown indicates that China is the driving power of global nylon industry, while development of nylon 6,6 in China is lagged behind. INVISTA will help to accelerate the development of nylon 6,6 in Asia-pacific region, by investing in a world-scale production base in Shanghai, with the HMD and nylon 6,6 projects expected to be completed by 2015, and adiponitrile project to be completed by 2018. Date 5 Dec 6 Dec After the coffee break, Shen Shunnian, Chairman of Warp-knitting Section of China Knitting Industrial Association, introduces difficulties facing China warp-knitting industry, including unfavorable factors in global political and economic environment, excess capacities, higher labor costs, etc. He also suggests six approaches for China’s warp-knitting industry to optimize industry structure, accelerate technology development, enhance brand management, raise cost efficiency and gather more talents. Date 5 Dec 6 Dec Gerald Kriesche, Director Polymer Technology, Lurgi GmbH introduces the Zimmer® leading PA6 technology, which ensures high flexibility and reliable quality. Zimmer, as a leading PA6 supplier, owns more than 350 PA6/PA66 plants around the world, including the largest continuously polymerizing PA6 line (260 ton/day). Date 5 Dec 6 Dec Zhang Wenbing from Guangdong Xinhui Meida Nylon starts his speech by introducing status quo of China nylon 6 market, including caprolactam sourcing, industry development and new capacities. According to Mr. Zhang, barriers hampering development of nylon 6 industry include unreasonable tariff, anti-dumping, exchange rate, disorders in competition, etc, and he also suggests nylon 6 enterprises to integrate the value chain and lower transportation costs to face the upgrading competition. Date 5 Dec 6 Dec After lunch, the afternoon session starts with Wallace Weng, Deputy General Manager of CCFEI as the Chairman. Date 5 Dec 6 Dec Marcelo Lu from Polyamide and Intermediates Asia Pacific, BASF presents the speech Adding value to polyamide industry. Mr. Lu believes that most of caprolactam capacity growth in Asia-Pacific region will take place in China, and it will be a heavy burden on global caprolactam industry. Since high-quality feedstock will be of strategic importance to polyamide industry, BASF welcome cooperation relationship with partners that bring high added-value. Date 5 Dec 6 Dec Yusuke Kitagawa and Yoshiaki Takeuchi from Sumitomo introduces how to maximize value through Sumitomo's ammonium sulphate free technology, thus to achieve strategic differences, from technology and commercial aspects. Date 5 Dec 6 Dec Charles Fryer, Board Chairman of Tecnon Orbichem brings us the speech titled Caprolactam -- Too much of a good thing? Mr. Fryer warns that the fast expanding caprolactam capacity in China will lead to oversupply and low margin, and world caprolactam industry has thereby been pushed into over-supply, which will get worse in the next few years. Mr. Fryer points out that China’s production costs are not lower than elsewhere, but this could change in future if any plants opt for phenol as feedstock. He also advises enterprises to promote PA6 engineering plastics applications in order to boost consumption. Date 5 Dec 6 Dec After coffee break, Antonio Amico, Licensing Manager of Versalis S.p.A. introduces their phenol hydrogenation process to produce cyclohexanone/KA-oil, and ammonium sulfate free process to produce cyclohexanone oxime. In 2013, prices for ammonium sulfate, a main by-product of caprolactam, had been falling all the way, imposing significant impact of margin of caprolactam producers. Date 5 Dec 6 Dec The last speech of the first day sessions comes from Feng Qidu, Deputy General Manager of Yiwu Huading Nylon, regarding development of functional nylon fibers. In his speech, Mr. Feng expresses his worry about safety and environment issues of functional nylon fibers and textiles, since as the modifiers may damage human health. He also pointed out that functional nylon fiber enterprises should avoid directly challenging functional polyester fibers, which are more competitive in costs. Date 5 Dec 6 Dec INVISTA hosts the INVISTA Cocktail Party for participants to enjoy communication with others. Date 5 Dec 6 Dec Above is the on-spot report for the first day sessions, and there will be more to come tomorrow.

China Chemical & Fiber Economic Information Network (CCFEI)