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ENVIRONMENT Country focus: India’s future is looking green The Indian paint sector, valued at an estimated Rup 290 bn ($5.2 bn) in 2011-2012, is working to create a greener future. Paint makers are now embracing best manufacturing practices and are boosting the share of eco-friendly paints in their offerings. Several paint producers have already adopted non-lead paints and have now been promoting low Volatile Organic Compounds. Aside from production, companies are also spending huge amounts for product campaigns and advertising to convey the benefits of eco-friendly, low VOC and zero-lead products. On the other hand, the country’s paint sector is likely to witness a downturn in 2012-2013, with volume growth projected to dip to 8% from 12% year on year and value growth to 15% from 22% year on year. Original Source: APCJ, Asia Pacific Coatings Journal, Oct/Nov 2012, 25 (5), 9 (Website: http://www.asiapacificcoatingsjournal.com/) © Quartz Business Media Ltd 2012
MARKETS Black and white pigments market Carbon black and titanium dioxide pigments manufacturers have unveiled a number of new offerings for the coatings market. Emerald Hitlon Davis now supplies zero VOC, formaldehyde-free, APE-free Verdis dispersion products. The colorants product line includes a carbon black dispersion providing high quality colours for in-plant tinting. Emerald also markets a new range of energy cure colorants, under the name Lucida Colors. New from Cabot Corp is Emperor 1800, a high colour carbon black formulated for ease of dispersion in water-based systems. Meanwhile, DuPont Titanium Technologies has disclosed a global expansion that will increase capacity at its facility JANUARY 2013
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in Altamira, Mexico and other sites around the world by 350,000 tonnes. The new unit at Altamira is slated to be completed by 2015. The firm has been supplying TiPure products to the coatings industry for over 80 years. Original Source: Coatings World, Oct 2012, 17 (10), 40-41 (Website: http://www.coatingsworld.com/) © Rodman Publishing 2012
Investments in China continue to expand Major international paint makers continue to build up their operations in China to meet rising domestic demand. In 2011, paints and coatings consumption in the country reached just over 11 M tons. AkzoNobel intends to spend about €60 M to boost the output capacity of its automotive and aerospace coatings business in China. The firm will build a new factory in Changzhou and related warehousing, quality control laboratories, support facilities and offices. The project will boost AkzoNobel’s capacity by about 25 M litres. The plant is expected to come online in early 2014. Jotun recently inaugurated a new powder coatings factory and regional research and development facility in Zhangjiangang, Jiangsu Province. The R&D centre will primarily develop products for coatings, paint and powder coatings. Protective coatings provider Hempel has inaugurated a new production plant and research and development centre in Guangzhou, China. The factory is expected to make over 42 M litres/y of coatings, with a maximum output capacity of 55 M litres. Other investments in China’s paints, coatings, adhesives and sealants sectors are presented. Original Source: Coatings World, Oct 2012, 17 (10), 42,44,46,48-49 (Website: http://www.coatingsworld.com/) © Rodman Publishing 2012
Industrial Nanotech Inc issues update Industrial Nanotech Inc, an emerging global leader in
C O AT I N G S nanotechnology based energy saving and sustainable solutions is pleased to update its shareholders and supporters of recent activity and progress. The company has worked diligently to establish substantial relationships and progress in market sectors that provide the opportunity for significant growth in 2013 and beyond. Projects that factor into its outlook for 2013 include: In the roof coating insulation market, the company is seeing a large increase in sales volume to consumers and corporations using its Nansulate Crystal clear insulating. The company is continuing its expansion into the Oil & Gas market, after two successful projects with Galp Energia in Portugal plus heavy marketing to this sector. Industrial Nanotech continues to strengthen its national and international distributorship network with new relationships announced earlier in 2012 in several countries, including Columbia and Venezuela with DuPont Power Coatings Andina. It has also brought on distributors this year in India, Malaysia, Norway, Spain, and Oman, and plans to finalize relationships for several other countries in 1H 2013. Original Source: Nanotechnology Now, 5 Nov 2012, (Website: http://www.nanotechnow.com/) © 7thWave Inc 2012
Think tank: M&A activity cools in uncertain times Chemicals merger and acquisition (M&A) activity is expected to slow further owing to the present demand uncertainty, and 2012 could be similar to 2010 in terms of deal value, but down on 2011 levels. Several relatively major deals have been finalized in the last few months, and financial buyers have been major players. Carlyle Group’s $4.9 bn (€3.8 bn) acquisition of DuPont Performance Coatings was agreed at end-Aug 2012. In Oct 2012, Advent International agreed to purchase Cytec Coating Resins for $1.03 bn. A trend is 7