- Email: [email protected]
Dow Chemical 2009: Performance Products
F O C US
O N
S U R FAC TA N T S
profit of €54 M (€91 M) and recurring EBITDA of €93 M (€127 M). Rhodia Novecare provides high-performance products and solutions to a wide range of industries including cosmetics, detergents, agrochemicals and oil, as well as industrial applications. In 4Q 2009, Novecare’s Home & Personal Care segment remained resilient and the initial synergies resulting from the McIntyre integration [Focus on Surfactants, Apr 2009] were captured ahead of time. Its industrial segment experienced a marked recovery. The Oilfield chemicals business remained depressed and the Agrochemicals market saw only weak demand. These contrasted market situations were more than offset by satisfactory pricing power leading to some year-on-year profit improvement. On a full-year basis, Novecare reported a 22% drop in volumes compared to 2008 and posted a contrasted performance across its segments. Home & Personal Care demonstrated resilience throughout the year. However, the Oilfield chemicals business was depressed as a consequence of the slowdown in oil extraction. Agrochemicals, which performed well in the first half, finally suffered from weak demand linked to unfavourable climate conditions. With the end of customer de-stocking, industrial applications started to recover in 2H 2009. Looking ahead, the Home & Personal Care segment should benefit from the launch of innovative solutions as well as developments in Asia. Agrochemicals and industrial applications should recover to 2008 levels. Oilfield chemicals should also see some improvement while remaining below pre-crisis levels.
down in all businesses as a result of the reduction in global demand. From a geographic standpoint, North America and Europe experienced double-digit volume declines as a result of the global economic downturn. Asia Pacific and IMEA each reported a slight volume increase. EBITDA for 2009 was $1099 M, up from $1064 M in 2008. Performance Fluids, Polyglycols and Surfactants sales decreased 20% versus 2008, with a 14% decrease in volume and a 6% decrease in prices. Compared with 2008, volume and prices declined in all geographic areas as a result of the overall global economic downturn. The anticipated recovery of the global economy, along with various government stimulus programmes and expected growth in emerging geographies, improves the 2010 outlook for Performance Products.
Press release from: Rhodia SA, Immeuble Coeur Defense, Tour A, 110 Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, 92400 Courbevoie, France, tel: +33 1 5356 6464, fax: +33 1 5356 6459, website: http://www.rhodia.com (24 Feb 2010)
Chemical Week, 26 Apr 2010, (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Dow Chemical 2009: Performance Products Dow’s Performance Products sales were $9.123 bn in 2009, down from $13.127 bn in 2008. Sales declined 31% with prices declining 19% and volume declining 12%. The sharp drop in prices was largely driven by a decline in feedstock and energy and other raw material costs. Volume was
JUNE 2010
The Dow Chemical Co Annual Report 2009, 3 Mar 2010, 46-48 (Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Centre, Midland, MI 48642, USA, tel: +1 989 636 1000, fax: +1 989 636 3518, website: http://www.dow.com)
Volume growth lifts Stepan’s 1Q 2010 earnings Stepan, in line with the majority of speciality chemical firms, reported higher profits in 1Q 2010 owing to volume gains. It posted a 36% growth in earnings to $20.7 M on sales up 6% to $337 M. Volumes climbed 8%. Sales growth was driven by favourable foreign exchange rates, partly offset by lower selling prices. The surfactant segment’s profits increased 19% on the back of volume gains in Stepan’s laundry and cleaning product range in North America.
COMPANY NEWS Unilever to maintain its focus on Thailand Despite the current political situation in Thailand, Anglo-Dutch firm Unilever will continue with its investments in the country. In 2010, the company will invest Baht 436 M (€10.9 M) in
upgrading manufacturing facilities, adding production lines, improving products such as detergent, ice cream and liquid personal care, and raising brand awareness. In Thailand, Unilever has four factories at the Lat Krabang Industrial Estate, producing personal care products, detergents, soap and ice cream. Another facility for food products is located at Gateway Industrial Estate. An executive of the company maintained that Unilever envisages expanding its business twofold by 2020. Bangkok Post, 1 Apr 2010, (Website: http://www.bangkokpost.net)
‘Crocodile’ biodiesel by-product The University of Florida’s (UF) Soap Concepts produces soap from glycerine, a by-product of biodiesel. According to students, Gator Glyss soap manufactured by Soap Concepts is organic, sustainable and good for the skin. Essential oils extracted from fruit peel collected from UF campus eateries are added to Gator Glyss. The UF’s biodiesel plant was pressurized to close because of many problems. Two students from UF started a soap company to advance sustainability and biodiesel. Soap Concepts is in the final stage of commercialization and may be approved by Jan 2010. Biofuels International, Jan 2010, 3 (10), 22
Chemotex limits its manufacturing assortment due to REACH Chemotex (Decin, Czech Republic) is limiting its manufacturing portfolio due to the large sum of money involved if it registered all the chemical substances it currently manufactures according to the REACH regulation. Chemotex used to have more than 400 products in its portfolio. During the last three years it has focused on increasing proceeds by selling goods manufactured by other producers to avoid REACH. Chemotex, employing over 60 people, controls an important position on the Czech market for industrial auxiliaries such as tensides and detergents for the textile, paper and engineering industries. Ekonom, 22 Apr 2010, 54 (16), 27 (in Czech)
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O N
S U R FAC TA N T S
profit of €54 M (€91 M) and recurring EBITDA of €93 M (€127 M). Rhodia Novecare provides high-performance products and solutions to a wide range of industries including cosmetics, detergents, agrochemicals and oil, as well as industrial applications. In 4Q 2009, Novecare’s Home & Personal Care segment remained resilient and the initial synergies resulting from the McIntyre integration [Focus on Surfactants, Apr 2009] were captured ahead of time. Its industrial segment experienced a marked recovery. The Oilfield chemicals business remained depressed and the Agrochemicals market saw only weak demand. These contrasted market situations were more than offset by satisfactory pricing power leading to some year-on-year profit improvement. On a full-year basis, Novecare reported a 22% drop in volumes compared to 2008 and posted a contrasted performance across its segments. Home & Personal Care demonstrated resilience throughout the year. However, the Oilfield chemicals business was depressed as a consequence of the slowdown in oil extraction. Agrochemicals, which performed well in the first half, finally suffered from weak demand linked to unfavourable climate conditions. With the end of customer de-stocking, industrial applications started to recover in 2H 2009. Looking ahead, the Home & Personal Care segment should benefit from the launch of innovative solutions as well as developments in Asia. Agrochemicals and industrial applications should recover to 2008 levels. Oilfield chemicals should also see some improvement while remaining below pre-crisis levels.
down in all businesses as a result of the reduction in global demand. From a geographic standpoint, North America and Europe experienced double-digit volume declines as a result of the global economic downturn. Asia Pacific and IMEA each reported a slight volume increase. EBITDA for 2009 was $1099 M, up from $1064 M in 2008. Performance Fluids, Polyglycols and Surfactants sales decreased 20% versus 2008, with a 14% decrease in volume and a 6% decrease in prices. Compared with 2008, volume and prices declined in all geographic areas as a result of the overall global economic downturn. The anticipated recovery of the global economy, along with various government stimulus programmes and expected growth in emerging geographies, improves the 2010 outlook for Performance Products.
Press release from: Rhodia SA, Immeuble Coeur Defense, Tour A, 110 Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, 92400 Courbevoie, France, tel: +33 1 5356 6464, fax: +33 1 5356 6459, website: http://www.rhodia.com (24 Feb 2010)
Chemical Week, 26 Apr 2010, (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Dow Chemical 2009: Performance Products Dow’s Performance Products sales were $9.123 bn in 2009, down from $13.127 bn in 2008. Sales declined 31% with prices declining 19% and volume declining 12%. The sharp drop in prices was largely driven by a decline in feedstock and energy and other raw material costs. Volume was
JUNE 2010
The Dow Chemical Co Annual Report 2009, 3 Mar 2010, 46-48 (Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Centre, Midland, MI 48642, USA, tel: +1 989 636 1000, fax: +1 989 636 3518, website: http://www.dow.com)
Volume growth lifts Stepan’s 1Q 2010 earnings Stepan, in line with the majority of speciality chemical firms, reported higher profits in 1Q 2010 owing to volume gains. It posted a 36% growth in earnings to $20.7 M on sales up 6% to $337 M. Volumes climbed 8%. Sales growth was driven by favourable foreign exchange rates, partly offset by lower selling prices. The surfactant segment’s profits increased 19% on the back of volume gains in Stepan’s laundry and cleaning product range in North America.
COMPANY NEWS Unilever to maintain its focus on Thailand Despite the current political situation in Thailand, Anglo-Dutch firm Unilever will continue with its investments in the country. In 2010, the company will invest Baht 436 M (€10.9 M) in
upgrading manufacturing facilities, adding production lines, improving products such as detergent, ice cream and liquid personal care, and raising brand awareness. In Thailand, Unilever has four factories at the Lat Krabang Industrial Estate, producing personal care products, detergents, soap and ice cream. Another facility for food products is located at Gateway Industrial Estate. An executive of the company maintained that Unilever envisages expanding its business twofold by 2020. Bangkok Post, 1 Apr 2010, (Website: http://www.bangkokpost.net)
‘Crocodile’ biodiesel by-product The University of Florida’s (UF) Soap Concepts produces soap from glycerine, a by-product of biodiesel. According to students, Gator Glyss soap manufactured by Soap Concepts is organic, sustainable and good for the skin. Essential oils extracted from fruit peel collected from UF campus eateries are added to Gator Glyss. The UF’s biodiesel plant was pressurized to close because of many problems. Two students from UF started a soap company to advance sustainability and biodiesel. Soap Concepts is in the final stage of commercialization and may be approved by Jan 2010. Biofuels International, Jan 2010, 3 (10), 22
Chemotex limits its manufacturing assortment due to REACH Chemotex (Decin, Czech Republic) is limiting its manufacturing portfolio due to the large sum of money involved if it registered all the chemical substances it currently manufactures according to the REACH regulation. Chemotex used to have more than 400 products in its portfolio. During the last three years it has focused on increasing proceeds by selling goods manufactured by other producers to avoid REACH. Chemotex, employing over 60 people, controls an important position on the Czech market for industrial auxiliaries such as tensides and detergents for the textile, paper and engineering industries. Ekonom, 22 Apr 2010, 54 (16), 27 (in Czech)
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