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AkzoNobel opens powder coatings plant in Wuhan
FOCUS M, or 12%, as a result of doubledigit percentage volume growth in both businesses. Segment earnings improved $15 M to $82 M as a result of the higher sales volumes, countered slightly by increased selling and advertising costs to support the sales growth. Commodity Chemicals segment sales for 3Q 2010 increased $83 M, or 29%, due to higher volumes and prices. Segment earnings grew $41 M due to the improved pricing and volumes, partially offset by higher maintenance costs. Glass segment sales increased $37 M, or 17% as against 3Q 2009 as a result of improved fibre glass volumes and price gains. Segment income was $32 M, an improvement of $38 M due to higher volume, lower manufacturing costs, and higher equity earnings and royalty income. The financial figures for the company are presented in tables. PPG financials 3Q and nine months of 2010, 21 Oct 2010, (PPG Fiber Glass, PPG Place Pittsburgh, PA 15272, USA, website: http://www.ppg.com)
AkzoNobel opens powder coatings plant in Wuhan On 25 Oct 2010, AkzoNobel started up its sixth powder coatings plant in China. The 4000 tonne/y plant is located in the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone, Hubei province, and output will comprise a range of Interpon products. AkzoNobel aims to double its sales in China by 2015. The company will officially open a €275 M complex in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, in Dec 2010. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Nov 2010, 21 (21), 21
DSM Powder Coating Resins announces a price increase for N America effective 1 Dec 2010 On 17 Nov 2010, DSM Powder Coating Resins announced a price increase for its Uralac Powder Coating Resins product range sold in North America. The JANUARY 2011
ON
POWDER
increase is effective for all orders shipped on or after 1 Dec 2010, or as otherwise permitted under the terms and conditions of customer contracts. Prices will increase by $0.06/lb to $0.08/lb depending upon the grade. “Prices are being adjusted due to continuous strong increases in the costs of feedstock used in the manufacture of polyester powder coating resins,” said Fredrik Hjelmqvist, Business Director North America, continuing: “We continue our focus to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.” Press release from: DSM, PO Box 6500, 6401 JH Heerlen, The Netherlands, tel: +31 45 578 2422, fax: +31 45 574 0680, website: http://www.dsm.com (17 Nov 2010)
MARKETS BASF reports 3Q 2010: functional solutions In comparison with the weak 3Q 2009, the business environment in the automotive industry improved in all regions. BASF therefore increased sales volumes in the Functional Solutions segment substantially (+37% to €2.591 bn). Sales growth was also driven by higher precious metals prices and positive currency effects (volumes 15%, prices 9%, portfolio 1%, currencies 12%). In contrast, demand from the construction industry remained at the level of 3Q 2009. Despite the varying developments in BASF’s customer industries, income from operations before special items grew year-on-year (+49% to €158 M). In a difficult business environment, BASF was able to increase sales volumes slightly thanks to strong growth in Asia and other emerging markets. The C, N and E European markets proved to be robust. In N America, construction activity stabilized at a low level. Positive currency effects supported sales growth. BASF continued to successfully implement measures
C O AT I N G S to improve efficiency. Earnings matched the level of the 2Q 2010. Sales in the Coatings division grew thanks to higher volumes and currency effects (+16% to €645 M). Sales volumes of automotive OEM and refinish coatings increased sharply compared with 3Q 2009. In the architectural coatings business, the positive business trend seen in the preceding quarters continued. Thanks to higher volumes, earnings improved despite the negative impact of increased raw materials costs. The Catalysts division posted a considerable sales increase compared with 3Q 2009 (+71% to €1.347 bn), due mainly to higher sales volumes of mobile emissions catalysts. Demand for chemical catalysts also increased noticeably. In addition, precious metal trading contributed €672 M to the division’s sales (3Q 2009: €351 M). Earnings were higher year-on-year thanks to stronger demand and the larger contribution from precious metals trading. BASF Report 3Q 2010, 28 Oct 2010, (BASF SE, D-67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany, tel: +49 (0) 621 600, website: http://www.basf.com)
Binding agents: global market for epoxy resins is growing According to the recently published market study Epoxy Resins: a Global Strategic Business Report, by the market research company Global Industry Analysts Inc, the global market for epoxy resins will reach 1.93 M tonnes by 2015. The growth in the market is attributed to the demand from different enduser segments, such as the rising demand in the decorative powder coatings segment. The Asia Pacific region is the largest and fastest-growing market for epoxy resins worldwide. However during the financial crisis in 2008-2009 the market development for epoxy resins in this region experienced a downturn. According to the study, the market is recovering 5
AkzoNobel opens powder coatings plant in Wuhan On 25 Oct 2010, AkzoNobel started up its sixth powder coatings plant in China. The 4000 tonne/y plant is located in the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone, Hubei province, and output will comprise a range of Interpon products. AkzoNobel aims to double its sales in China by 2015. The company will officially open a €275 M complex in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, in Dec 2010. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Nov 2010, 21 (21), 21
DSM Powder Coating Resins announces a price increase for N America effective 1 Dec 2010 On 17 Nov 2010, DSM Powder Coating Resins announced a price increase for its Uralac Powder Coating Resins product range sold in North America. The JANUARY 2011
ON
POWDER
increase is effective for all orders shipped on or after 1 Dec 2010, or as otherwise permitted under the terms and conditions of customer contracts. Prices will increase by $0.06/lb to $0.08/lb depending upon the grade. “Prices are being adjusted due to continuous strong increases in the costs of feedstock used in the manufacture of polyester powder coating resins,” said Fredrik Hjelmqvist, Business Director North America, continuing: “We continue our focus to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.” Press release from: DSM, PO Box 6500, 6401 JH Heerlen, The Netherlands, tel: +31 45 578 2422, fax: +31 45 574 0680, website: http://www.dsm.com (17 Nov 2010)
MARKETS BASF reports 3Q 2010: functional solutions In comparison with the weak 3Q 2009, the business environment in the automotive industry improved in all regions. BASF therefore increased sales volumes in the Functional Solutions segment substantially (+37% to €2.591 bn). Sales growth was also driven by higher precious metals prices and positive currency effects (volumes 15%, prices 9%, portfolio 1%, currencies 12%). In contrast, demand from the construction industry remained at the level of 3Q 2009. Despite the varying developments in BASF’s customer industries, income from operations before special items grew year-on-year (+49% to €158 M). In a difficult business environment, BASF was able to increase sales volumes slightly thanks to strong growth in Asia and other emerging markets. The C, N and E European markets proved to be robust. In N America, construction activity stabilized at a low level. Positive currency effects supported sales growth. BASF continued to successfully implement measures
C O AT I N G S to improve efficiency. Earnings matched the level of the 2Q 2010. Sales in the Coatings division grew thanks to higher volumes and currency effects (+16% to €645 M). Sales volumes of automotive OEM and refinish coatings increased sharply compared with 3Q 2009. In the architectural coatings business, the positive business trend seen in the preceding quarters continued. Thanks to higher volumes, earnings improved despite the negative impact of increased raw materials costs. The Catalysts division posted a considerable sales increase compared with 3Q 2009 (+71% to €1.347 bn), due mainly to higher sales volumes of mobile emissions catalysts. Demand for chemical catalysts also increased noticeably. In addition, precious metal trading contributed €672 M to the division’s sales (3Q 2009: €351 M). Earnings were higher year-on-year thanks to stronger demand and the larger contribution from precious metals trading. BASF Report 3Q 2010, 28 Oct 2010, (BASF SE, D-67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany, tel: +49 (0) 621 600, website: http://www.basf.com)
Binding agents: global market for epoxy resins is growing According to the recently published market study Epoxy Resins: a Global Strategic Business Report, by the market research company Global Industry Analysts Inc, the global market for epoxy resins will reach 1.93 M tonnes by 2015. The growth in the market is attributed to the demand from different enduser segments, such as the rising demand in the decorative powder coatings segment. The Asia Pacific region is the largest and fastest-growing market for epoxy resins worldwide. However during the financial crisis in 2008-2009 the market development for epoxy resins in this region experienced a downturn. According to the study, the market is recovering 5