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A new phospholipid: Uniqema
F O C US New BASF isopropanolamines plant improves flexibility BASF has started up a new production facility for isopropanolamines (IPOA) at its Ludwigshafen site. With an annual capacity of 15,000 tonnes, this is the sole dedicated facility of this type in Europe and replaces the existing multi-product facility used to date to produce IPOA. By expanding its capacity the company says it is responding to the growing demand for these versatile intermediates. According to BASF, the new plant uses an improved process in which a product mixture comprising mono-, di- and triisopropanolamine (MIPOA, DIPOA, TIPOA) is produced from propylene oxide and ammonia. The new process ensures better control over the composition of this mixture, enabling BASF to respond more flexibly to its customers’ needs, it says. IPOA are high-grade intermediates used for many different applications, including the production of surfactants, colorants and pigments. BASF is one of the major IPOA manufacturers. Press release from: BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. Website: http://www.basf.com (10 Nov 2005)
EU may prolong duties on US chemical makers to protect BASF The European Union may prolong tariffs for another five years on US ethanolamine makers such as Dow Chemical Co to safeguard EU manufacturers including BASF AG from cheaper imports. An expiry review of anti-dumping duties of up to €111.25/tonne ($133.63/tonne) has recently been opened on the chemical use for products including textiles, cement and detergents. Chemical Business (India), Aug 2005, 19 (8), 71
SURFACTANTS
O N
S U R FA C TA N T S
25% higher activity level compared with conventional grades of cocamidopropyl betaine. This makes it hostile to microbial growth and eliminates the need for a preservative. Mackam 50-UL develops higher initial foam and more stable foam than other available products in medium hardness water. It has low free amidoamine content, providing a milder, lower sensitizing product.
Parfums, Cosmetiques, Actualites, Oct/Nov 2005, (185), 67
HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Oct 2005, 42 (10), 92-93
No margin improvements expected with latest round of price hikes Prices for surfactants for sectors that include detergents, personal care and textiles are increasing again as suppliers attempt to keep pace with “significantly higher” cost increases, particularly from raw material producers hit by the recent hurricanes. The latest increases come after a number of others during 2005. One surfactant maker says none of these rises have led to margin improvement. He says surfactant prices may rise again in or around Jan 2006, if raw material makers lift prices then. Pilot Chemical has announced price increases of about 5-10%, from 15 Nov 2005. Hurricane Rita hit petrochemical production at Lake Charles, LA, and in the eastern parts of Texas, and companies have battled with feedstock shortages and logistics problems. Dow Chemical lifted force majeure on some nonylphenol ethoxylates, octylphenol ethoxylates, as well as industrial polyethylene glycol production at its Hahnville, LA plant on 28 Sep. The company had declared force majeure on those products on 2 Sep 2005. Other companies that have announced surfactant price increases are Noveon, Goldschmidt, Lonza and Huntsman Performance Products. Chemical Week, 2 Nov 2005, 167 (36), (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
DeWolf Chemical introduced triple benefit betaine
A new phospholipid: Uniqema
DeWolf Chemical unveiled Mackam 50-UL, a high-active product that allows the formulation of very concentrated cleansing products and does not require the use of any preservative. Mackam 50-UL has
Uniqema has added a coconut milk derivative, Arlasilk Phospholipid PTM, to its phospholipids range providing cleansing and emulsifying benefits. Aside from good sensory quality, Arlasilk Phospholipid PTM offers a
JANUARY 2006
broad-spectrum antibacterial action that allows for lesser use of preservatives in the composition. Applications include wipes, antiperspirants and deodorants as well as personal wash and infant products. It is ideal for rinse-off formulas that need mild cleansing action and conditioning effect.
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS Builders Polyasparagine production process awarded prize The German Chemical Society has granted the 2005 Friedrich Wohler Prize to the four Lanxess chemists responsible for creating Baypure DS 100, an environmentally friendly alternative for polyacrylates, since the latter do not decompose easily. The production of polyasparagine at Lanxess uses closed process circuits and is almost energy-neutral. Substituting for phosphates in detergents, biodegradable Baypure DS 100 is absorbed on the surface of sewage sludge at sewage treatment facilities. Polyacrylates demand in Europe stands at 90,000 tonnes/y for detergent applications. TCE (formerly The Chemical Engineer), Nov 2005, (773), 17
Other Croda offers milk-based product for hair and skin care Croda Inc has unveiled Hydrolactin QM, a new hair conditioning agent derived from milk. Hydrolactin QM is claimed to lessen static build-up, enhance wet combing and improve the hair’s feel and appearance. It can be used for all types of applications since the quaternized milk protein is essential for both hair and skin, imparting long-lasting conditioning benefits from leave-on and rinse-off systems. Hydrolactin QM is also ideal for cold process systems and blends well with surfactants, providing richer 3
EU may prolong duties on US chemical makers to protect BASF The European Union may prolong tariffs for another five years on US ethanolamine makers such as Dow Chemical Co to safeguard EU manufacturers including BASF AG from cheaper imports. An expiry review of anti-dumping duties of up to €111.25/tonne ($133.63/tonne) has recently been opened on the chemical use for products including textiles, cement and detergents. Chemical Business (India), Aug 2005, 19 (8), 71
SURFACTANTS
O N
S U R FA C TA N T S
25% higher activity level compared with conventional grades of cocamidopropyl betaine. This makes it hostile to microbial growth and eliminates the need for a preservative. Mackam 50-UL develops higher initial foam and more stable foam than other available products in medium hardness water. It has low free amidoamine content, providing a milder, lower sensitizing product.
Parfums, Cosmetiques, Actualites, Oct/Nov 2005, (185), 67
HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Oct 2005, 42 (10), 92-93
No margin improvements expected with latest round of price hikes Prices for surfactants for sectors that include detergents, personal care and textiles are increasing again as suppliers attempt to keep pace with “significantly higher” cost increases, particularly from raw material producers hit by the recent hurricanes. The latest increases come after a number of others during 2005. One surfactant maker says none of these rises have led to margin improvement. He says surfactant prices may rise again in or around Jan 2006, if raw material makers lift prices then. Pilot Chemical has announced price increases of about 5-10%, from 15 Nov 2005. Hurricane Rita hit petrochemical production at Lake Charles, LA, and in the eastern parts of Texas, and companies have battled with feedstock shortages and logistics problems. Dow Chemical lifted force majeure on some nonylphenol ethoxylates, octylphenol ethoxylates, as well as industrial polyethylene glycol production at its Hahnville, LA plant on 28 Sep. The company had declared force majeure on those products on 2 Sep 2005. Other companies that have announced surfactant price increases are Noveon, Goldschmidt, Lonza and Huntsman Performance Products. Chemical Week, 2 Nov 2005, 167 (36), (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
DeWolf Chemical introduced triple benefit betaine
A new phospholipid: Uniqema
DeWolf Chemical unveiled Mackam 50-UL, a high-active product that allows the formulation of very concentrated cleansing products and does not require the use of any preservative. Mackam 50-UL has
Uniqema has added a coconut milk derivative, Arlasilk Phospholipid PTM, to its phospholipids range providing cleansing and emulsifying benefits. Aside from good sensory quality, Arlasilk Phospholipid PTM offers a
JANUARY 2006
broad-spectrum antibacterial action that allows for lesser use of preservatives in the composition. Applications include wipes, antiperspirants and deodorants as well as personal wash and infant products. It is ideal for rinse-off formulas that need mild cleansing action and conditioning effect.
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS Builders Polyasparagine production process awarded prize The German Chemical Society has granted the 2005 Friedrich Wohler Prize to the four Lanxess chemists responsible for creating Baypure DS 100, an environmentally friendly alternative for polyacrylates, since the latter do not decompose easily. The production of polyasparagine at Lanxess uses closed process circuits and is almost energy-neutral. Substituting for phosphates in detergents, biodegradable Baypure DS 100 is absorbed on the surface of sewage sludge at sewage treatment facilities. Polyacrylates demand in Europe stands at 90,000 tonnes/y for detergent applications. TCE (formerly The Chemical Engineer), Nov 2005, (773), 17
Other Croda offers milk-based product for hair and skin care Croda Inc has unveiled Hydrolactin QM, a new hair conditioning agent derived from milk. Hydrolactin QM is claimed to lessen static build-up, enhance wet combing and improve the hair’s feel and appearance. It can be used for all types of applications since the quaternized milk protein is essential for both hair and skin, imparting long-lasting conditioning benefits from leave-on and rinse-off systems. Hydrolactin QM is also ideal for cold process systems and blends well with surfactants, providing richer 3