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Croda divests German oleochemicals activity to KLK
STRATEGIES
has previously been responsible for the performance polymers, polyurethanes and styrenics division as well as for the Asia Pacific regional division. Contact: BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. Tel: +49 621 60 0, Web: www.basf.com Or contact: Techmer PM, Clinton, TN, USA. Tel: +1 865 457 6700, Web: www.techmerpm.com Or contact: Cognis Deutschland, Düsseldorf, Germany. Tel: +49 211 794 00, Web: www.cognis.com
Cabot opens black masterbatch facility in Dubai
P
erformance materials company Cabot Corp has officially opened its black masterbatch manufacturing facility in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone in the United Arab Emirates. The plant has an initial production capacity of 25 000 tonnes per year with provision to expand to 75 000 tonnes in the future. Production is scheduled to commence in August 2010. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility includes the latest environmental and manufacturing technologies to ensure production of high-quality black masterbatches. Laboratories, administration offices, production and packaging are all located within the building. The project was first announced in 2008 [ADPO, August 2008] with production originally planned to commence last autumn, presumably delayed as a result of intervening unfavourable economic conditions. According to Cabot, the Dubai plant allows the company to better meet increasing demand for masterbatch in the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. In recent years the Middle East has become a major producer of polyolefins and downstream compounds, currently producing approximately one-fifth of the world’s polyethylene and polypropylene. Within the Middle East there is already a strong demand for polyethylene and polypropylene compounds for use in building infrastructure for water supply, electricity and telecommunications projects, which are key applications for black masterbatches, according to Sean Keohane, Cabot VP and general manager for the performance segment. ‘This new site offers significant quality and service
6
Additives for Polymers
advantages to Middle East producers who are global exporters of compounds’, he says. Cabot is a leading global manufacturer of black masterbatches and conductive compounds, operating three plants in Europe (Belgium and Italy), one in Asia (Hong Kong) and one in the Middle East (Dubai). All current masterbatch manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001:2008 accredited. Across all its businesses, Cabot operates 37 manufacturing plants in 19 countries and employs approximately 4000 people. Contact: Cabot Corp, Boston, MA, USA. Tel: +1 617 345 0100, Web: www.cabot-corp.com
Croda divests German oleochemicals activity to KLK
U
K-based Croda International has sold its site and associated business at Emmerich, Germany, to the Malaysian palm oil producer Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK) for E60.5 million. The operation, which becomes KLK Emmerich, produces fatty acids and glycerine. The German oleochemicals operation had sales of £80 million (E96 million) and an operating loss of £2.1 million last year. Croda says the deal will allow it to reduce its debts, which stood at £292.7 million at the end of March 2010. The disposal completes the company’s restructuring of its oleochemical operations following the acquisition of Uniqema in 2006. Croda focuses on the manufacture of speciality ingredients from natural and renewable raw materials (i.e. oleochemicals). It generates around half its total sales (£916.2 million in 2009) from the personal care sector, with the remainder coming from speciality chemicals, including polymer and process additives. It specializes in polymer additives for surface modification, such as slip and anti-blocking agents, anti-stats, anti-fog and wetting additives, mould and torque release agents, and nanoparticulate UV absorbers. Its product lines include the Crodamide, Atmer [see ADPO, April 2010] and Incroslip brands.
Contact: Croda International plc, Snaith, Goole, UK. Tel: +44 1405 860551, Web: www.croda.com/pa
August 2010
has previously been responsible for the performance polymers, polyurethanes and styrenics division as well as for the Asia Pacific regional division. Contact: BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. Tel: +49 621 60 0, Web: www.basf.com Or contact: Techmer PM, Clinton, TN, USA. Tel: +1 865 457 6700, Web: www.techmerpm.com Or contact: Cognis Deutschland, Düsseldorf, Germany. Tel: +49 211 794 00, Web: www.cognis.com
Cabot opens black masterbatch facility in Dubai
P
erformance materials company Cabot Corp has officially opened its black masterbatch manufacturing facility in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone in the United Arab Emirates. The plant has an initial production capacity of 25 000 tonnes per year with provision to expand to 75 000 tonnes in the future. Production is scheduled to commence in August 2010. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility includes the latest environmental and manufacturing technologies to ensure production of high-quality black masterbatches. Laboratories, administration offices, production and packaging are all located within the building. The project was first announced in 2008 [ADPO, August 2008] with production originally planned to commence last autumn, presumably delayed as a result of intervening unfavourable economic conditions. According to Cabot, the Dubai plant allows the company to better meet increasing demand for masterbatch in the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. In recent years the Middle East has become a major producer of polyolefins and downstream compounds, currently producing approximately one-fifth of the world’s polyethylene and polypropylene. Within the Middle East there is already a strong demand for polyethylene and polypropylene compounds for use in building infrastructure for water supply, electricity and telecommunications projects, which are key applications for black masterbatches, according to Sean Keohane, Cabot VP and general manager for the performance segment. ‘This new site offers significant quality and service
6
Additives for Polymers
advantages to Middle East producers who are global exporters of compounds’, he says. Cabot is a leading global manufacturer of black masterbatches and conductive compounds, operating three plants in Europe (Belgium and Italy), one in Asia (Hong Kong) and one in the Middle East (Dubai). All current masterbatch manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001:2008 accredited. Across all its businesses, Cabot operates 37 manufacturing plants in 19 countries and employs approximately 4000 people. Contact: Cabot Corp, Boston, MA, USA. Tel: +1 617 345 0100, Web: www.cabot-corp.com
Croda divests German oleochemicals activity to KLK
U
K-based Croda International has sold its site and associated business at Emmerich, Germany, to the Malaysian palm oil producer Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK) for E60.5 million. The operation, which becomes KLK Emmerich, produces fatty acids and glycerine. The German oleochemicals operation had sales of £80 million (E96 million) and an operating loss of £2.1 million last year. Croda says the deal will allow it to reduce its debts, which stood at £292.7 million at the end of March 2010. The disposal completes the company’s restructuring of its oleochemical operations following the acquisition of Uniqema in 2006. Croda focuses on the manufacture of speciality ingredients from natural and renewable raw materials (i.e. oleochemicals). It generates around half its total sales (£916.2 million in 2009) from the personal care sector, with the remainder coming from speciality chemicals, including polymer and process additives. It specializes in polymer additives for surface modification, such as slip and anti-blocking agents, anti-stats, anti-fog and wetting additives, mould and torque release agents, and nanoparticulate UV absorbers. Its product lines include the Crodamide, Atmer [see ADPO, April 2010] and Incroslip brands.
Contact: Croda International plc, Snaith, Goole, UK. Tel: +44 1405 860551, Web: www.croda.com/pa
August 2010