- Email: [email protected]
Additives companies pursue opportunities in China
Additives for Polymers
formulations”, says Teknor Apex vice president Louis R. Cappucci, who is also heading up the new division. Prior to forming the new division, Teknor Apex had diversified into toll manufacture for resin and additive companies, processors and industrial end-users. The company says it is fully prepared to supply these products internationally through Teknor Apex’s worldwide network of sales offices and agents and its newly acquired Singapore Polymer Corporation subsidiary. Contact: Teknor Apex Company, 505 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02861-1945, USA; tel: +I-401-725-8000; fax: +I-401-724-8520; URL: www. teknorapex. corn
Nanocor partners Clariant in masterbatch production for nanocomposites Nanocor, Inc, the specialist supplier of nanoclays, has named Clariant Masterbatches an approved supplier of its Nanomer@ masterbatches for use in making nanocomposite plastics. Clariant, a leading global supplier of colour and additive masterbatches, will supply the products under its own brand names, as well as provide them to Nanocor for joint development projects with select customers. “Clariant Masterbatches and Nanocor have been cooperating over the past year to bring these user-friendly products to market”, says Nanocor president Peter Maul. “Clariant’s decision to partner with us greatly expands application possibilities for this unique technology. Clariant’s formulation expertise and global network of facilities will no doubt further accelerate market penetration for our products”, he adds. Snow, Clariant Steve According to Masterbatches vice president, nanotechnology could bring another industrial revolution to the world of material science. “The addition of specially treated nano-scale clay particles to a variety of plastics has the potential to dramatically improve polymer performances including heat resistance, barrier properties, strength, stiffness or dimensional stability, as well as flame retardancy”, he says. “Our work with Nanocor has
6
January 2002
already resulted in numerous process innovations surrounding technology”, Snow adds.
product and this emerging
Plastic nanocomposites are beginning to find commercial applications in packaging, automotive and industrial products. Clariant’s masterbatches will focus initially on polyolefin plastics, where usage is projected to expand rapidly in the immediate future. Nanocor Inc of Arlington Heights, IL, USA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of AMCOL International Corp. In addition to the agreement with Clariant it has also recently entered into an alliance with Polymeric Supply, Inc (Ft Pierce, FL) for the marketing and distribution of nanocomposite thermoset formulations, including unsaturated polyesters and epoxies. Nanocor is further collaborating with equipment manufacturer New Castle Industries in the production of equipment for the extrusion and injection moulding of plastic nanocomposites. Contact: Nanocor Inc, 1.500 West Shure Drive, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, USA; tel: +I-847-394-8844; fax: +l-847-394-9040; e-mail: [email protected]; URL: www. nanocorcom Clariant International Ltd, Rothausstrasse 61, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland; tel: +41-6I469-6969; fax: +41-61-469-6999
Additives companies pursue opportunities in China A number of plastics additives manufacturers are looking to improve their ability to tap the growth potential of the Asia Pacific markets by investing in new facilities in China. Swiss speciality chemicals giant Clariant, through its Chinese joint venture Clariant Pigments (Tianjin) Ltd, has invested US$7 million in a new plant for the production of organic pigments at its Tianjin site. Recently inaugurated, the new facility uses the synthesis capacity of existing production lines at the site, and optimizes the isolation, drying, grinding and packing of red and yellow Azo pigments. The technology installed allows the production process to run continuously under computer control. The project also included the expansion
02002 Elsevier Science
Additives for Polymers
January 2002
of the biological wastewater which now meets international
treatment plant, standards.
Clariant Pigments (Tianjin) Ltd is a joint venture between Clariant and Tianjin No. 8 Chemical and Dyestuff Factory, which is part of Bohai Chemical Industry Group Corp. It has been producing pigments since 1997. The additional facility further improves productivity and will increase the competitive position of the operation in the world market, the company says. Elsewhere, Eastman Chemical Company reports that its plans to form a joint venture with Sinopec Qilu Petrochemical Company for the production of iso-derivatives are progressing well. A feasibility study into the proposed construction of world-scale derivatives plants in Zibo, Shandong Province, China, was due for completion and submission to the government in December. Chinese Engineering and construction work is expected to commence in early 2002. Meanwhile the partners are finalizing the terms for the establishment of the .venture. The two companies have been working closely together on the project since 1999 and key agreement on issues relating to raw material supply, ownership structure and marketing have already been ‘reached. “We are excited with the progress to date and look forward to realizing our goal of manufacturing these specialty chemicals for the China market”, says Norman managing director of Eastman’s Wang, Greater China operations. The proposed plants will manufacture Eastman’s ‘TXIB’ plasticizer and ‘Texanol’ ester alcohol, TXIB is a primary modifier for vinyl, urethanes and other polymers for the production of consumer goods such as flooring, wallpaper, artificial leather and disposable gloves; Texan01 ester alcohol is a coalescing aid used in premium quality architectural paints around the world. Eastman, headquartered in Kingsport, TN, USA, is also aggressively pursuing growth in China’s coatings markets. The company employs 15 000 people worldwide and had 2000 sales of US$5.3’billion, with the Asia Pacific region accounting for US$547 million.
02002
Elsevier Science
Finally, DuPont recently revealed plans to establish a customer service centre in Shanghai, China for its Ti-Pure@ titanium dioxide pigments. The 18 000 m2 facility, expected to open in the latter half of 2002, will provide an all-inone service for Chinese TiO, customers answering questions on products and deliveries as well as providing after-sale services. The centre will also contain research labs, warehouse space and facilities for product application training. Establishing the Shanghai site is expected to reduce the amount of time between order placement and order shipment. As a result, it should help customers reduce inventory costs and respond to market changes more quickly, Eastman says. “DuPontTM Ti-Pure@ TiO, is one of our most well-known brands in China”, says Charlie Browne, president of DuPont China Holding Co, Ltd. “Setting up a TiO, customer service centre in China demonstrates the continuing commitment of DuPont to bring technology into the country in support of its industrial development.”
Contact: Clariant, Pigments & Additives Division, Clariant House, Am Unisys-Park I, D65840 Sulzbach am Taunus, Germany; tel: +496196-757-8132; fax: +49-6196-757-8862 Eastman Chemical Company, 100 North Eastman Road, PO Box 511, Kingsport, TN 3 7662-507.5, USA; tel: +I -423-229-2000 DuPont China Holding Co, Ltd, 15th Floor Shui On Plaza, 333 Huaihai Zhong Road Shanghai 200021, PR China; tel: +86-02163866366; fax: +186-021-63866333
FINANCIALS Third quarter sales fell 12% for Crompton Corp Crompton Corporation reported sales of US$651.9 million for the third quarter of 2001, down 12% from the same quarter the previous year, and a net loss of $68.2 million after special charges. With the exception of crop protection and petroleum additives all segments declined, with polymer processing equipment particularly badly hit, the company says. Crompton says the
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formulations”, says Teknor Apex vice president Louis R. Cappucci, who is also heading up the new division. Prior to forming the new division, Teknor Apex had diversified into toll manufacture for resin and additive companies, processors and industrial end-users. The company says it is fully prepared to supply these products internationally through Teknor Apex’s worldwide network of sales offices and agents and its newly acquired Singapore Polymer Corporation subsidiary. Contact: Teknor Apex Company, 505 Central Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02861-1945, USA; tel: +I-401-725-8000; fax: +I-401-724-8520; URL: www. teknorapex. corn
Nanocor partners Clariant in masterbatch production for nanocomposites Nanocor, Inc, the specialist supplier of nanoclays, has named Clariant Masterbatches an approved supplier of its Nanomer@ masterbatches for use in making nanocomposite plastics. Clariant, a leading global supplier of colour and additive masterbatches, will supply the products under its own brand names, as well as provide them to Nanocor for joint development projects with select customers. “Clariant Masterbatches and Nanocor have been cooperating over the past year to bring these user-friendly products to market”, says Nanocor president Peter Maul. “Clariant’s decision to partner with us greatly expands application possibilities for this unique technology. Clariant’s formulation expertise and global network of facilities will no doubt further accelerate market penetration for our products”, he adds. Snow, Clariant Steve According to Masterbatches vice president, nanotechnology could bring another industrial revolution to the world of material science. “The addition of specially treated nano-scale clay particles to a variety of plastics has the potential to dramatically improve polymer performances including heat resistance, barrier properties, strength, stiffness or dimensional stability, as well as flame retardancy”, he says. “Our work with Nanocor has
6
January 2002
already resulted in numerous process innovations surrounding technology”, Snow adds.
product and this emerging
Plastic nanocomposites are beginning to find commercial applications in packaging, automotive and industrial products. Clariant’s masterbatches will focus initially on polyolefin plastics, where usage is projected to expand rapidly in the immediate future. Nanocor Inc of Arlington Heights, IL, USA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of AMCOL International Corp. In addition to the agreement with Clariant it has also recently entered into an alliance with Polymeric Supply, Inc (Ft Pierce, FL) for the marketing and distribution of nanocomposite thermoset formulations, including unsaturated polyesters and epoxies. Nanocor is further collaborating with equipment manufacturer New Castle Industries in the production of equipment for the extrusion and injection moulding of plastic nanocomposites. Contact: Nanocor Inc, 1.500 West Shure Drive, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, USA; tel: +I-847-394-8844; fax: +l-847-394-9040; e-mail: [email protected]; URL: www. nanocorcom Clariant International Ltd, Rothausstrasse 61, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland; tel: +41-6I469-6969; fax: +41-61-469-6999
Additives companies pursue opportunities in China A number of plastics additives manufacturers are looking to improve their ability to tap the growth potential of the Asia Pacific markets by investing in new facilities in China. Swiss speciality chemicals giant Clariant, through its Chinese joint venture Clariant Pigments (Tianjin) Ltd, has invested US$7 million in a new plant for the production of organic pigments at its Tianjin site. Recently inaugurated, the new facility uses the synthesis capacity of existing production lines at the site, and optimizes the isolation, drying, grinding and packing of red and yellow Azo pigments. The technology installed allows the production process to run continuously under computer control. The project also included the expansion
02002 Elsevier Science
Additives for Polymers
January 2002
of the biological wastewater which now meets international
treatment plant, standards.
Clariant Pigments (Tianjin) Ltd is a joint venture between Clariant and Tianjin No. 8 Chemical and Dyestuff Factory, which is part of Bohai Chemical Industry Group Corp. It has been producing pigments since 1997. The additional facility further improves productivity and will increase the competitive position of the operation in the world market, the company says. Elsewhere, Eastman Chemical Company reports that its plans to form a joint venture with Sinopec Qilu Petrochemical Company for the production of iso-derivatives are progressing well. A feasibility study into the proposed construction of world-scale derivatives plants in Zibo, Shandong Province, China, was due for completion and submission to the government in December. Chinese Engineering and construction work is expected to commence in early 2002. Meanwhile the partners are finalizing the terms for the establishment of the .venture. The two companies have been working closely together on the project since 1999 and key agreement on issues relating to raw material supply, ownership structure and marketing have already been ‘reached. “We are excited with the progress to date and look forward to realizing our goal of manufacturing these specialty chemicals for the China market”, says Norman managing director of Eastman’s Wang, Greater China operations. The proposed plants will manufacture Eastman’s ‘TXIB’ plasticizer and ‘Texanol’ ester alcohol, TXIB is a primary modifier for vinyl, urethanes and other polymers for the production of consumer goods such as flooring, wallpaper, artificial leather and disposable gloves; Texan01 ester alcohol is a coalescing aid used in premium quality architectural paints around the world. Eastman, headquartered in Kingsport, TN, USA, is also aggressively pursuing growth in China’s coatings markets. The company employs 15 000 people worldwide and had 2000 sales of US$5.3’billion, with the Asia Pacific region accounting for US$547 million.
02002
Elsevier Science
Finally, DuPont recently revealed plans to establish a customer service centre in Shanghai, China for its Ti-Pure@ titanium dioxide pigments. The 18 000 m2 facility, expected to open in the latter half of 2002, will provide an all-inone service for Chinese TiO, customers answering questions on products and deliveries as well as providing after-sale services. The centre will also contain research labs, warehouse space and facilities for product application training. Establishing the Shanghai site is expected to reduce the amount of time between order placement and order shipment. As a result, it should help customers reduce inventory costs and respond to market changes more quickly, Eastman says. “DuPontTM Ti-Pure@ TiO, is one of our most well-known brands in China”, says Charlie Browne, president of DuPont China Holding Co, Ltd. “Setting up a TiO, customer service centre in China demonstrates the continuing commitment of DuPont to bring technology into the country in support of its industrial development.”
Contact: Clariant, Pigments & Additives Division, Clariant House, Am Unisys-Park I, D65840 Sulzbach am Taunus, Germany; tel: +496196-757-8132; fax: +49-6196-757-8862 Eastman Chemical Company, 100 North Eastman Road, PO Box 511, Kingsport, TN 3 7662-507.5, USA; tel: +I -423-229-2000 DuPont China Holding Co, Ltd, 15th Floor Shui On Plaza, 333 Huaihai Zhong Road Shanghai 200021, PR China; tel: +86-02163866366; fax: +186-021-63866333
FINANCIALS Third quarter sales fell 12% for Crompton Corp Crompton Corporation reported sales of US$651.9 million for the third quarter of 2001, down 12% from the same quarter the previous year, and a net loss of $68.2 million after special charges. With the exception of crop protection and petroleum additives all segments declined, with polymer processing equipment particularly badly hit, the company says. Crompton says the
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