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Brisk rebound for chemical earnings: 1Q 2010
FOCUS registering minimal growth within the market place and sustained positive growth is only expected to re-emerge in late 2010, once the external environment improves. In terms of industry specifics, the market has been heavily impacted by the reduction in export demand from the west, which has particularly affected coatings serving the automotive, industrial furniture and white goods production industries. New coating technology entering the market is also expected to play a positive role in driving the industry. The terms green chemistry, nanotechnology and smart coatings are the current buzz words and formulators are finding ways to couple these 3 technologies together to produce coatings that are not just environmentally friendly but also able to enhance sustainability. The industry will face some challenges with the rising prices of raw materials as well as fiercer competition from small, back end players in Asia that operate at lower costs, placing much pressure on industry players in terms of margin squeeze. In the long run, competition from coating substitutes such as glass and steel is also expected to negatively impact the market. In order to succeed in this evolving and thriving industry in APAC, industry players within the coatings market need to focus on some key success factors in order to succeed. Branding is becoming increasingly important with the increase in awareness amongst consumers. Other key focus areas include innovation as customers are becoming more demanding and aware of paints and its attributes pushing key players to distinguish themselves from the masses. Industry players also need to be aware of regulations affecting the industry not just at a local level but also at a regional and international level. Press release from: Frost & Sullivan, 1040, East Brokaw Road, San Jose, CA 95131 2309, USA, website: http://www.frost.com (27 May 2010)
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Brisk rebound for chemical earnings: 1Q 2010 The 1Q 2010 earnings results of the 24 chemical firms tracked by C&EN indicate that a sharp recovery is ongoing. The combined earnings and sales of the 24 companies rose 167% and 26% year on year, respectively, in 1Q 2010. Dow Chemical registered earnings of $0.43/share, $0.13 higher than analyst expectations. Dow posted a 48% hike in sales and an almost threefold increase in earnings to $594 M. Sales volumes rose 31% in the firm’s electronic and speciality materials division, and 16% in the coatings and infrastructure arm. DuPont reported significant gains in electronic and performance materials, fuelled by robust global demand for autos, consumer products, photovoltaics and semiconductors. Overall earnings rose 131%, on sales up 24% to $8.5 bn. Three bar graphs show the chemical industry’s sales, earnings and profit margin in 2008-2010. Two tables present the 10 leading chemical firms in terms of sales, earnings and profitability for 1Q 2010 and 1Q 2009; and the 1Q 2010 and 1Q 2009 sales, earnings and profit margin of the 24 chemical firms tracked by C&EN. Chemical and Engineering News, 17 May 2010, 88 (20), 19-21 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
Solar Gard window film cuts carbon emissions worldwide Bekaert Specialty Films LLC has announced that its flagship Solar Gard and elite Panorama architectural solar control window films produce a net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. They are the first building improvement products made in the US to measure and report their carbon footprint. By reducing the amount of energy used to cool commercial buildings and homes, Solar Gard and Panorama window films help decrease carbon dioxide levels in the
C OAT I N G S atmosphere and help achieve zero energy building goals. Solar Gard window films are carbon negative in all 50 states and across the globe. On average, they are carbon neutral within one year of installation. More efficient than low-e coatings at rejecting solar heat, Solar Gard window films are both carboneffective and cost-effective, reducing a building’s carbon footprint more effectively and for less money than new windows. In fact, 1 sq m of a low-e wood window, the type with the smallest carbon footprint, has a carbon cost of 253 kg. The carbon cost of Solar Gard window film is less than 1 kg/sq m. Solar Gard window film saves 1001 times more greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere than is used and/or created during its manufacture. The window film installed between 2007 and 2008 saved 3.6 M tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere; this is equivalent to the carbon output of 16,350 American families. Solar Gard’s impact on the reduction of global carbon emissions is enormous because heating and cooling systems in buildings produce significant levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Improved fenestration can lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 10-40% in both commercial buildings and homes, and an installation of Solar Gard window film transforms standard glass into high performance windows. Bekaert Specialty Films LLC, Headquartered in San Diego, manufactures and distributes window films that provide solar control, energy savings and carbon dioxide emission reduction, safety, security and glare reduction solutions for architectural and automotive applications. Press release from: Bekaert Specialty Films LLC, 13770 Automobile Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33762-3818, USA, tel: +1 800 282 9031 or +1 727 540 9797, website: http://www.bekaert.com (19 May 2010)
JULY 2010
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Brisk rebound for chemical earnings: 1Q 2010 The 1Q 2010 earnings results of the 24 chemical firms tracked by C&EN indicate that a sharp recovery is ongoing. The combined earnings and sales of the 24 companies rose 167% and 26% year on year, respectively, in 1Q 2010. Dow Chemical registered earnings of $0.43/share, $0.13 higher than analyst expectations. Dow posted a 48% hike in sales and an almost threefold increase in earnings to $594 M. Sales volumes rose 31% in the firm’s electronic and speciality materials division, and 16% in the coatings and infrastructure arm. DuPont reported significant gains in electronic and performance materials, fuelled by robust global demand for autos, consumer products, photovoltaics and semiconductors. Overall earnings rose 131%, on sales up 24% to $8.5 bn. Three bar graphs show the chemical industry’s sales, earnings and profit margin in 2008-2010. Two tables present the 10 leading chemical firms in terms of sales, earnings and profitability for 1Q 2010 and 1Q 2009; and the 1Q 2010 and 1Q 2009 sales, earnings and profit margin of the 24 chemical firms tracked by C&EN. Chemical and Engineering News, 17 May 2010, 88 (20), 19-21 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)
Solar Gard window film cuts carbon emissions worldwide Bekaert Specialty Films LLC has announced that its flagship Solar Gard and elite Panorama architectural solar control window films produce a net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. They are the first building improvement products made in the US to measure and report their carbon footprint. By reducing the amount of energy used to cool commercial buildings and homes, Solar Gard and Panorama window films help decrease carbon dioxide levels in the
C OAT I N G S atmosphere and help achieve zero energy building goals. Solar Gard window films are carbon negative in all 50 states and across the globe. On average, they are carbon neutral within one year of installation. More efficient than low-e coatings at rejecting solar heat, Solar Gard window films are both carboneffective and cost-effective, reducing a building’s carbon footprint more effectively and for less money than new windows. In fact, 1 sq m of a low-e wood window, the type with the smallest carbon footprint, has a carbon cost of 253 kg. The carbon cost of Solar Gard window film is less than 1 kg/sq m. Solar Gard window film saves 1001 times more greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere than is used and/or created during its manufacture. The window film installed between 2007 and 2008 saved 3.6 M tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere; this is equivalent to the carbon output of 16,350 American families. Solar Gard’s impact on the reduction of global carbon emissions is enormous because heating and cooling systems in buildings produce significant levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Improved fenestration can lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 10-40% in both commercial buildings and homes, and an installation of Solar Gard window film transforms standard glass into high performance windows. Bekaert Specialty Films LLC, Headquartered in San Diego, manufactures and distributes window films that provide solar control, energy savings and carbon dioxide emission reduction, safety, security and glare reduction solutions for architectural and automotive applications. Press release from: Bekaert Specialty Films LLC, 13770 Automobile Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33762-3818, USA, tel: +1 800 282 9031 or +1 727 540 9797, website: http://www.bekaert.com (19 May 2010)
JULY 2010