- Email: [email protected]
Azom fights fire
FOCUS the division has implemented measures such as price increases and product mix modifications to improve profitability. Jotun Paints continues to show the good growth it has seen for some time now, and sales are particularly good in Vietnam, Indonesia and Oman. New markets such as Libya and Pakistan are also reporting healthy growth. All of the divisional units in Jotun Powder Coatings are expected to report a solid growth in 2010 in terms of sales, despite the spiralling raw material costs. Jotun has invested NKR 295 M thus far in 2010. Jotun Financial Status Jan-Aug 2010, 1 Oct 2010, (Jotun A/S, Sandefjord, Norway, tel: +47 33 45 70 00, website: http://www.jotun.com)
BASF India completes acquisition of Ciba India BASF India Ltd has completed all the legal formalities in its acquisition of the Ciba group of companies in India, after the Bombay High Court accorded legal sanction to the transaction. The merging entities involved in the acquisition include, Ciba India Ltd, Diamond Dye-Chem Ltd and Ciba Research (India) Pvt Ltd. With the merger of these companies with BASF India, about 350 employees of Ciba will be integrated into BASF India in Apr 2010. The combined entity will have a wide range of product portfolio in the speciality chemicals segment. It will offer a diverse range of products from paper chemicals, UV stabilisers, antioxidants, to coating effects and care chemicals. As part of the transaction, the integration of the Ankleshwar manufacturing facility into BASF India will serve to strengthen the company’s paper chemicals business in India, and the former Ciba’s state-of-the-art facility at Chandivali in Mumbai, will serve to be a hub of research activities for BASF India in the country. Chemical Weekly, 6 Apr 2010, 55 (34), 124
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100th Anniversary at Benda-Lutz The metallic pigment producer, Benda-Lutz Werke GmbH, in Nussdorf, Austria celebrated its 100th Anniversary on Sunday 19 Sep 2010. The Benda-Lutz Group produces and supplies metallic pigments to various coating industries worldwide including powder coatings, printing inks, protective paint systems, and industrial coatings. Since 1910, metallic pigments, especially for silver and gold effects, and zinc flakes for corrosion protection, have been produced at the same site in the province of Lower Austria. The company was founded as a joint venture between Mr Ferdinand Lutz and the established Nuremberg, Germany Company Georg Benda. The main product lines in 1910 were Christmas tree ornaments and bronze powder, which were sold especially in the market of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The event filled history and the development of the company into an international group with subsidiaries in Poland, the United States and Russia was described at an official ceremony in the company’s historic courtyard. The Governor of Lower Austria, the local Chamber of Commerce, and the town of Nussdorf gave presentations and awards, with more than 300 employees, families and friends attending the celebration. Press Release from: Benda-Lutz Werke GmbH, Germany, website: http://www.bendalutz.com (24 Sep 2010)
Perstorp plans to double output at UK site Speciality chemicals company Perstorp, supplier of caprolactone and its derivatives, has announced that the investment to double the production capacity of its Warrington, UK site is on track to reach completion by the end of the year and begin commissioning in early 2011. The full capacity expansion is
C OAT I N G S expected be on stream in the summer of 2011. According to the company, the market for caprolactone-based technology is growing rapidly by more than 5%/y. Caprolactones are used in coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers applications. Press release from: Perstorp, Sweden, tel +44 (0)1 419 727 6700, website: http://www.perstorp.com (11 Oct 2010)
NEW PRODUCTS Chemrez introduces new ecofriendly products Publicly listed green chemical company Chemrez Technologies Inc recently launched ChromaFresh, a new colorant for paints. Chemrez said ChromaFresh enables paint companies to heed consumers’ clamour for non-hazardous paints without hurting their pockets or being short-changed on quality. It features a wide range of colours used in tinting and is compatible with both solvent-based enamel and water-based paints. It is also free of hazardous volatile organic compounds and alkyl-phenol ethoxylate. Press release from: Chemrez Technologies Inc, 65 Industria Street, Bagumbayan, Quezo City 1110 Metro Manila, Philippines, tel: +63 2 635 0680, fax: +63 2 637 6099, email: [email protected], website: http://www.chemrez.com/ (25 Sep 2010)
Azom fights fire Azom has launched a Green Series (GS) range of products, which are produced entirely from GRAS feedstocks, have no VOC and do not need halogen to trigger their higher fire-retardant capacities. They are formulated using the in-house chemistry of Flame Seal Products. The GS product line-up offers excellent char forming protection against heat and flame through adsorption or coating of the product. The range includes 13 NOVEMBER 2010
FOCUS substrate specific chemistries for protecting fabric, plastic, metal, leather, wood and paper. PPCJ, Polymers, Paint, Colour Journal, Sep 2010, 200 (4552), 60
MARKETS Crown Paints’ market share has grown Crown Paints has enjoyed higher sales volume and increased market share since its sale by AkzoNobel to UK private equity firm Endless in 2008. Margins also went up and costs were reduced. Retail sales volume in the UK, where Crown Paints has an estimated 15% share of the DIY paint market, grew 22.5% in 2009. Paint sales, by volume, in the UK and Ireland, were estimated to have fallen by around 23% from their peak level in 2009. But Crown’s sales volumes for 1H 2010 climbed 7% owing mainly to sales of Sandtex and other exterior brands. Operating costs were reduced by about £2 M. European Paint and Resin News, Jul/Aug 2010, 48 (7/8), 6-7
Lubrizol: maintaining margins and adding growth to the mix Lubrizol, based in Wickliffe, OH, not only dodged the effects of the global economic downturn but managed to increase its margins and profits in 2009. The firm posted earnings of $7.55/share, excluding charges, in 2009 as against $4.09/share in 2008. Cash flow from operations soared to $951 M from $223 M. Revenues decreased by 9% to $4.59 bn because of a sharp drop in raw material prices. The results are partly attributed to the strong performance of the firm’s additives unit, which makes up around three-quarters of total revenues. The additives division, which covers engine additives and driveline and industrial additives, reported revenues of NOVEMBER 2010
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$3.3 bn and segment operating income of $787.8 M for 2009. The company’s other division, advanced materials, comprises three speciality chemical segments: engineered polymers, consumer specialities and performance coatings. The advanced materials division posted revenues of $1.3 bn and segment operating income of $168.7 M. The company intends to use both acquisitions and organic growth to build up its portfolio. In line with this strategy, Lubrizol made a nearly $4 bn bid to acquire speciality chemical maker Cognis in early 2010. Cognis’ private equity owners, however, decided to accept the offer of BASF. Lubrizol is also continuing to invest in its additives division. The firm will spend a total of $1 bn over the next 10 years to upgrade and increase additives capacity. It will start constructing a wholly owned greenfield plant in Zhuhai Gaolan, China in Oct 2010. A bar graph shows Lubrizol’s consolidated gross profit, in millions, from 1990 to 2009. A pie graph illustrates the breakdown of Lubrizol’s 2009 revenues, by product. Chemical Week, 20 Sep 2010, (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
International coatings scene, Europe: slow growth to recovery Europe’s coatings market is showing clear indications of a revival from the downturn, reflected by the financial results of coatings companies in the region for 1H 2010. However, there are still concerns about whether the drive behind the upturn will be sustainable, especially since the extent of the rebound in demand varies across Europe. Germany is the region’s most buoyant coatings market. German paint and printing inks industry association VdL predicted in May 2010 a 1.4% growth in the production of coatings firms, and a 3.6% gain in turnover. Due to improvements in the German economy, VdL now projects
C OAT I N G S coatings production to increase 2.5% and for turnover to rise 5.1%. A tax incentive project in Sweden has boosted demand for decorative coatings in the country. In Russia, improving consumer confidence in 1H 2010 helped propel the decorative paints segment as citizens spent more on house improvements. AkzoNobel, which dominates Europe’s decorative paints market, reported robust demand for powder coatings, particularly in Eastern Europe, and also a rapid rebound in Turkey’s market for wood coatings and finishes. Coatings World, Sep 2010, 15 (9), 18-19
International coatings scene: Latin America: AkzoNobel to expand via strong sales in Brazil AkzoNobel Brasil is anticipated to post a double-digit gain in sales and generate earnings of $1 bn in 2010, propelled by solid sales in maritime, industrial, automotive and architectural paints and coatings. Plans are to direct income toward building up capacity and marketing. Sales in Brazil are estimated to account for around 5% of AkzoNobel’s worldwide sales. The Brazilian arm intends to expand its output capacity by one-third, including new investment in technology. It is reported to have earmarked $56 M for investment projects in 2010. AkzoNobel Brasil also aims to lift its market share by several points in 2010, partly by an increase in the points of sales to 23,000 sites from 16,000 in 2009. AkzoNobel Brasil manufactures architectural, automotive and industrial paints and coatings at its plant in Itupeva, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Maritime paints are made at the company’s facility in Sao Goncalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Coatings World, Sep 2010, 15 (9), 20
AkzoNobel aims for €20 bn turnover by 2015 Akzo Nobel nv is targeting a turnover of €20 bn for the 7
BASF India completes acquisition of Ciba India BASF India Ltd has completed all the legal formalities in its acquisition of the Ciba group of companies in India, after the Bombay High Court accorded legal sanction to the transaction. The merging entities involved in the acquisition include, Ciba India Ltd, Diamond Dye-Chem Ltd and Ciba Research (India) Pvt Ltd. With the merger of these companies with BASF India, about 350 employees of Ciba will be integrated into BASF India in Apr 2010. The combined entity will have a wide range of product portfolio in the speciality chemicals segment. It will offer a diverse range of products from paper chemicals, UV stabilisers, antioxidants, to coating effects and care chemicals. As part of the transaction, the integration of the Ankleshwar manufacturing facility into BASF India will serve to strengthen the company’s paper chemicals business in India, and the former Ciba’s state-of-the-art facility at Chandivali in Mumbai, will serve to be a hub of research activities for BASF India in the country. Chemical Weekly, 6 Apr 2010, 55 (34), 124
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100th Anniversary at Benda-Lutz The metallic pigment producer, Benda-Lutz Werke GmbH, in Nussdorf, Austria celebrated its 100th Anniversary on Sunday 19 Sep 2010. The Benda-Lutz Group produces and supplies metallic pigments to various coating industries worldwide including powder coatings, printing inks, protective paint systems, and industrial coatings. Since 1910, metallic pigments, especially for silver and gold effects, and zinc flakes for corrosion protection, have been produced at the same site in the province of Lower Austria. The company was founded as a joint venture between Mr Ferdinand Lutz and the established Nuremberg, Germany Company Georg Benda. The main product lines in 1910 were Christmas tree ornaments and bronze powder, which were sold especially in the market of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The event filled history and the development of the company into an international group with subsidiaries in Poland, the United States and Russia was described at an official ceremony in the company’s historic courtyard. The Governor of Lower Austria, the local Chamber of Commerce, and the town of Nussdorf gave presentations and awards, with more than 300 employees, families and friends attending the celebration. Press Release from: Benda-Lutz Werke GmbH, Germany, website: http://www.bendalutz.com (24 Sep 2010)
Perstorp plans to double output at UK site Speciality chemicals company Perstorp, supplier of caprolactone and its derivatives, has announced that the investment to double the production capacity of its Warrington, UK site is on track to reach completion by the end of the year and begin commissioning in early 2011. The full capacity expansion is
C OAT I N G S expected be on stream in the summer of 2011. According to the company, the market for caprolactone-based technology is growing rapidly by more than 5%/y. Caprolactones are used in coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers applications. Press release from: Perstorp, Sweden, tel +44 (0)1 419 727 6700, website: http://www.perstorp.com (11 Oct 2010)
NEW PRODUCTS Chemrez introduces new ecofriendly products Publicly listed green chemical company Chemrez Technologies Inc recently launched ChromaFresh, a new colorant for paints. Chemrez said ChromaFresh enables paint companies to heed consumers’ clamour for non-hazardous paints without hurting their pockets or being short-changed on quality. It features a wide range of colours used in tinting and is compatible with both solvent-based enamel and water-based paints. It is also free of hazardous volatile organic compounds and alkyl-phenol ethoxylate. Press release from: Chemrez Technologies Inc, 65 Industria Street, Bagumbayan, Quezo City 1110 Metro Manila, Philippines, tel: +63 2 635 0680, fax: +63 2 637 6099, email: [email protected], website: http://www.chemrez.com/ (25 Sep 2010)
Azom fights fire Azom has launched a Green Series (GS) range of products, which are produced entirely from GRAS feedstocks, have no VOC and do not need halogen to trigger their higher fire-retardant capacities. They are formulated using the in-house chemistry of Flame Seal Products. The GS product line-up offers excellent char forming protection against heat and flame through adsorption or coating of the product. The range includes 13 NOVEMBER 2010
FOCUS substrate specific chemistries for protecting fabric, plastic, metal, leather, wood and paper. PPCJ, Polymers, Paint, Colour Journal, Sep 2010, 200 (4552), 60
MARKETS Crown Paints’ market share has grown Crown Paints has enjoyed higher sales volume and increased market share since its sale by AkzoNobel to UK private equity firm Endless in 2008. Margins also went up and costs were reduced. Retail sales volume in the UK, where Crown Paints has an estimated 15% share of the DIY paint market, grew 22.5% in 2009. Paint sales, by volume, in the UK and Ireland, were estimated to have fallen by around 23% from their peak level in 2009. But Crown’s sales volumes for 1H 2010 climbed 7% owing mainly to sales of Sandtex and other exterior brands. Operating costs were reduced by about £2 M. European Paint and Resin News, Jul/Aug 2010, 48 (7/8), 6-7
Lubrizol: maintaining margins and adding growth to the mix Lubrizol, based in Wickliffe, OH, not only dodged the effects of the global economic downturn but managed to increase its margins and profits in 2009. The firm posted earnings of $7.55/share, excluding charges, in 2009 as against $4.09/share in 2008. Cash flow from operations soared to $951 M from $223 M. Revenues decreased by 9% to $4.59 bn because of a sharp drop in raw material prices. The results are partly attributed to the strong performance of the firm’s additives unit, which makes up around three-quarters of total revenues. The additives division, which covers engine additives and driveline and industrial additives, reported revenues of NOVEMBER 2010
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$3.3 bn and segment operating income of $787.8 M for 2009. The company’s other division, advanced materials, comprises three speciality chemical segments: engineered polymers, consumer specialities and performance coatings. The advanced materials division posted revenues of $1.3 bn and segment operating income of $168.7 M. The company intends to use both acquisitions and organic growth to build up its portfolio. In line with this strategy, Lubrizol made a nearly $4 bn bid to acquire speciality chemical maker Cognis in early 2010. Cognis’ private equity owners, however, decided to accept the offer of BASF. Lubrizol is also continuing to invest in its additives division. The firm will spend a total of $1 bn over the next 10 years to upgrade and increase additives capacity. It will start constructing a wholly owned greenfield plant in Zhuhai Gaolan, China in Oct 2010. A bar graph shows Lubrizol’s consolidated gross profit, in millions, from 1990 to 2009. A pie graph illustrates the breakdown of Lubrizol’s 2009 revenues, by product. Chemical Week, 20 Sep 2010, (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
International coatings scene, Europe: slow growth to recovery Europe’s coatings market is showing clear indications of a revival from the downturn, reflected by the financial results of coatings companies in the region for 1H 2010. However, there are still concerns about whether the drive behind the upturn will be sustainable, especially since the extent of the rebound in demand varies across Europe. Germany is the region’s most buoyant coatings market. German paint and printing inks industry association VdL predicted in May 2010 a 1.4% growth in the production of coatings firms, and a 3.6% gain in turnover. Due to improvements in the German economy, VdL now projects
C OAT I N G S coatings production to increase 2.5% and for turnover to rise 5.1%. A tax incentive project in Sweden has boosted demand for decorative coatings in the country. In Russia, improving consumer confidence in 1H 2010 helped propel the decorative paints segment as citizens spent more on house improvements. AkzoNobel, which dominates Europe’s decorative paints market, reported robust demand for powder coatings, particularly in Eastern Europe, and also a rapid rebound in Turkey’s market for wood coatings and finishes. Coatings World, Sep 2010, 15 (9), 18-19
International coatings scene: Latin America: AkzoNobel to expand via strong sales in Brazil AkzoNobel Brasil is anticipated to post a double-digit gain in sales and generate earnings of $1 bn in 2010, propelled by solid sales in maritime, industrial, automotive and architectural paints and coatings. Plans are to direct income toward building up capacity and marketing. Sales in Brazil are estimated to account for around 5% of AkzoNobel’s worldwide sales. The Brazilian arm intends to expand its output capacity by one-third, including new investment in technology. It is reported to have earmarked $56 M for investment projects in 2010. AkzoNobel Brasil also aims to lift its market share by several points in 2010, partly by an increase in the points of sales to 23,000 sites from 16,000 in 2009. AkzoNobel Brasil manufactures architectural, automotive and industrial paints and coatings at its plant in Itupeva, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Maritime paints are made at the company’s facility in Sao Goncalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Coatings World, Sep 2010, 15 (9), 20
AkzoNobel aims for €20 bn turnover by 2015 Akzo Nobel nv is targeting a turnover of €20 bn for the 7