- Email: [email protected]
BASF and Sinopec inaugurate isononanol plant for next-generation plasticizers
STRATEGIES
business but continued to face near-term challenges in our Rubber Carbon Black business’, comments Clem. The Specialty Carbon Black business delivered a record volume quarter of 55 600 tonnes (+9.1% year on year) in ‘a difficult macroeconomic environment’, the company reports. The segment’s revenue decreased by 5.4% to E95.6 million compared to 3Q 2014 but adjusted EBITDA grew 4.2% to E2.8 million. The Rubber Carbon Black segment recorded a 3.7% rise in volumes to 202 000 tonnes in 3Q 2015 on the back of increased demand in Europe, North America and Korea; however, margins were affected by unfavourable feedstock cost developments. Revenue fell 20% compared to the previous year, to E183.1 million, while adjusted EBITDA also dropped by 24.1% to E20.0 million. In other company news, Orion has recently appointed Erik Thiry to the position of senior VP, Rubber Carbon Black. In this role he will provide leadership to the business line on a worldwide basis. Thiry was previously senior VP, Business Development, and a member of the executive management team, since May 2012, in which role he worked closely with both the Rubber and Specialty Carbon Black business lines. Orion offers standard and high-performance gas, furnace and speciality carbon black products for polymers, rubber, paints and coatings, inks and toners, and other applications. The company has 1350 employees worldwide and operates 14 global production sites and four applied technology centres. Contact: Orion Engineered Carbons SA, Senningerberg, Luxembourg. Tel: +35 2270 48060, Web: www.orioncarbons.com Or contact: Evonik Industries AG, Essen, Germany. Tel: +49 201 177 3333, Web: www.evonik.com
Akcros Chemicals purchases Lamberti’s PVC additives business
U
K-based company Akcros Chemicals has acquired the PVC Additives business of Italian chemicals producer Lamberti SpA, effective 1 December 2015. According to Akcros, the transaction brings together ‘two leading additives producers’, both with ‘a strong reputation’ for quality, technical innovation, flexibility and customer focus. The deal extends their combined
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Additives for Polymers
leadership position in flexible PVC additives and broadens their geographic scope of operation, the company adds. Akcros will initially operate the business acquired from Lamberti unchanged, with production, sales, customer service and technical support remaining in Gorla Minore, Italy. Customers of Akcros and Lamberti will see ‘no change’ in quality or service as it will be ‘business as usual’, says Richard Catchpole, CEO of Akcros Chemicals. There will be a 12-month transitional supply arrangement between Lamberti and Akcros for products manufactured at Gorla, during which there will be a gradual consolidation of production into the Akcros production site at Eccles in the UK. However, Akcros will continue to maintain a permanent sales, customer service and technical support team based in Gorla to support customers in Southern Europe, Africa and other regions, it says. Lamberti SpA was founded in 1911 and achieved turnover of about E545 million in 2014 with 1300 employees. It has been active in the PVC additives market since 1971 (through former company Lagor SpA), supplying stabilizers for plastisols, heavy-metal-free stabilizers, liquid stabilizers for suspension PVC and non-CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic) stabilizers, as well as kickers and blowing agents, viscosity modifiers, dispersing agents, lubricants and other specialized auxiliaries. Contact: Akcros Chemicals Ltd, Eccles, Manchester, UK. Tel: +44 161 785 1111, Web: www.akcros.com Or contact: Lamberti SpA, Via Marsala, 38/D, 21013 Gallarate, Italy. Tel: +39 0331 715785, Fax: +39 0331 715800, Web: www.lamberti.com
BASF and Sinopec inaugurate isononanol plant for next-generation plasticizers
I
n China, BASF and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp (Sinopec) have inaugurated their worldscale isononanol (INA) plant in Maoming Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone. The plant, which has an annual capacity of 180 000 tonnes, will be run by the partners’ 50-50 joint venture BASF MPCC Co Ltd (BMC) [ADPO, March 2013]. This is the first INA plant in China and will serve the growing demand for next-generation plasticizers, the companies say.
December 2015
STRATEGIES
The plan to build the Maoming INA plant, and form the BMC joint venture, was announced in 2013, and construction work began a year later in early 2014 [ibid., April 2014]. INA is used for the production of diisononyl phthalate (DINP). DINP is a high molecular weight (MW) phthalate plasticizer with more favourable toxicological properties than low MW phthalate counterparts. The ongoing substitution of the low MW phthalate plasticizers in the market by DINP and other high MW phthalates is expected to drive the demand for INA in the coming years, BASF comments. DINP is widely used as a plasticizer in industrial applications such as automotive, wires and cables, floorings, building and construction. ‘The establishment of this plant is a perfect example of cocreation, bringing together the expertise of Sinopec and BASF’, says Albert Heuser, president & chairman Greater China, BASF. It is another milestone in BASF and Sinopec’s long-term partnership as well as an important milestone for BASF because it helps the company reach its own strategic goals, he comments. ‘We are aiming to bring more of our production to the Asia Pacific region, where we will be closer to our direct customers and more closely in tune with the needs and the developments of key markets. Our midterm goal is that 75% of what we sell in this region is also produced in this region’, Heuser reports. Commenting for BMC, chairman Yu Xizhi says: ‘With this cooperation, the resources of the two partners complement each other, creating a win-win strategic fit that will boost the growth of both companies’. BASF and Sinopec maintain a long-term partnership and, in addition to BMC, jointly operate Nanjingbased BASF-YPC Co Ltd, a 50-50 joint venture formed in 2000 between the two companies. In other BASF news, the company posted sales of E17.4 billion in 3Q 2015, down 5% year on year. EBITDA rose 14% (E358 million) to E2.9 billion but income from operations before special items declined by 10%, or E171 million, to E1.6 billion. Net income rose by E195 million to E1.21 billion. BASF attributes the decline in quarterly turnover to a weaker-than-expected market environment. As a result, the company has adjusted its outlook for full year 2015 and, instead of the slight sales growth and level EBIT before special items it previously forecast, it now expects a slight decrease in both these figures. Contact: BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. Tel: +49 621 60 0, Web: www.basf.com Or contact: Sinopec, Beijing, China. Tel: +86 10 59960114, Web: www.sinopecgroup.com
December 2015
Hallstar acquires Brazilian company Fortinbrás as part of continued global expansion
C
hicago-headquartered company Hallstar has acquired fellow speciality chemicals producer Fortinbrás, based in Jaguariúna, São Paulo, Brazil. According to Hallstar, the transaction is the latest move in its ‘steady growth trajectory and global expansion’. The acquisition increases the company’s presence in the fast-growing emerging market of Brazil and in the greater Latin American region. ‘Fortinbrás will help Hallstar broaden its geographic reach’, says John Paro, chairman, president and CEO of Hallstar. ‘This strategic addition represents an opportunity to acquire a high-quality business in a substantial market with strong future potential’, he adds. The Brazilian acquisition follows closely after the opening of Hallstar’s new Chinese research centre, which strengthens the company’s position in the growing markets of the Asia Pacific region [ADPO, October 2015]. Hallstar and Fortinbrás share expertise in ester chemistry and both have broad product offerings for the beauty and personal care, and industrial markets, along with specialized formulations capabilities and technical support. While greater regional diversification of manufacturing and customer and technical support are key benefits of the acquisition, Fortinbrás’ location also moves Hallstar closer to the source of raw materials, such as exotic butters and oils. These materials are a key component of Hallstar’s existing portfolio of functional natural products for beauty and personal care applications, which will be further expanded and enhanced by the addition of the Brazilian company’s product portfolio and operational capabilities. Fortinbrás’ complementary expertise in ester chemistry also finds applications in industrial and other end-markets, such as textiles and lubricants, Hallstar reports. In addition to esters and Amazon forest-derived refined oils and butters, Fortinbrás also produces surfactants, essences and extracts. The company’s broad offering is complemented by its strong scientific, technical, marketing, formulation and regulatory support services, it says.
Contact: The Hallstar Company, Chicago, IL, USA. Tel: + 1 312 554 7400, Web: www.hallstar.com
Additives for Polymers
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business but continued to face near-term challenges in our Rubber Carbon Black business’, comments Clem. The Specialty Carbon Black business delivered a record volume quarter of 55 600 tonnes (+9.1% year on year) in ‘a difficult macroeconomic environment’, the company reports. The segment’s revenue decreased by 5.4% to E95.6 million compared to 3Q 2014 but adjusted EBITDA grew 4.2% to E2.8 million. The Rubber Carbon Black segment recorded a 3.7% rise in volumes to 202 000 tonnes in 3Q 2015 on the back of increased demand in Europe, North America and Korea; however, margins were affected by unfavourable feedstock cost developments. Revenue fell 20% compared to the previous year, to E183.1 million, while adjusted EBITDA also dropped by 24.1% to E20.0 million. In other company news, Orion has recently appointed Erik Thiry to the position of senior VP, Rubber Carbon Black. In this role he will provide leadership to the business line on a worldwide basis. Thiry was previously senior VP, Business Development, and a member of the executive management team, since May 2012, in which role he worked closely with both the Rubber and Specialty Carbon Black business lines. Orion offers standard and high-performance gas, furnace and speciality carbon black products for polymers, rubber, paints and coatings, inks and toners, and other applications. The company has 1350 employees worldwide and operates 14 global production sites and four applied technology centres. Contact: Orion Engineered Carbons SA, Senningerberg, Luxembourg. Tel: +35 2270 48060, Web: www.orioncarbons.com Or contact: Evonik Industries AG, Essen, Germany. Tel: +49 201 177 3333, Web: www.evonik.com
Akcros Chemicals purchases Lamberti’s PVC additives business
U
K-based company Akcros Chemicals has acquired the PVC Additives business of Italian chemicals producer Lamberti SpA, effective 1 December 2015. According to Akcros, the transaction brings together ‘two leading additives producers’, both with ‘a strong reputation’ for quality, technical innovation, flexibility and customer focus. The deal extends their combined
6
Additives for Polymers
leadership position in flexible PVC additives and broadens their geographic scope of operation, the company adds. Akcros will initially operate the business acquired from Lamberti unchanged, with production, sales, customer service and technical support remaining in Gorla Minore, Italy. Customers of Akcros and Lamberti will see ‘no change’ in quality or service as it will be ‘business as usual’, says Richard Catchpole, CEO of Akcros Chemicals. There will be a 12-month transitional supply arrangement between Lamberti and Akcros for products manufactured at Gorla, during which there will be a gradual consolidation of production into the Akcros production site at Eccles in the UK. However, Akcros will continue to maintain a permanent sales, customer service and technical support team based in Gorla to support customers in Southern Europe, Africa and other regions, it says. Lamberti SpA was founded in 1911 and achieved turnover of about E545 million in 2014 with 1300 employees. It has been active in the PVC additives market since 1971 (through former company Lagor SpA), supplying stabilizers for plastisols, heavy-metal-free stabilizers, liquid stabilizers for suspension PVC and non-CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic) stabilizers, as well as kickers and blowing agents, viscosity modifiers, dispersing agents, lubricants and other specialized auxiliaries. Contact: Akcros Chemicals Ltd, Eccles, Manchester, UK. Tel: +44 161 785 1111, Web: www.akcros.com Or contact: Lamberti SpA, Via Marsala, 38/D, 21013 Gallarate, Italy. Tel: +39 0331 715785, Fax: +39 0331 715800, Web: www.lamberti.com
BASF and Sinopec inaugurate isononanol plant for next-generation plasticizers
I
n China, BASF and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp (Sinopec) have inaugurated their worldscale isononanol (INA) plant in Maoming Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone. The plant, which has an annual capacity of 180 000 tonnes, will be run by the partners’ 50-50 joint venture BASF MPCC Co Ltd (BMC) [ADPO, March 2013]. This is the first INA plant in China and will serve the growing demand for next-generation plasticizers, the companies say.
December 2015
STRATEGIES
The plan to build the Maoming INA plant, and form the BMC joint venture, was announced in 2013, and construction work began a year later in early 2014 [ibid., April 2014]. INA is used for the production of diisononyl phthalate (DINP). DINP is a high molecular weight (MW) phthalate plasticizer with more favourable toxicological properties than low MW phthalate counterparts. The ongoing substitution of the low MW phthalate plasticizers in the market by DINP and other high MW phthalates is expected to drive the demand for INA in the coming years, BASF comments. DINP is widely used as a plasticizer in industrial applications such as automotive, wires and cables, floorings, building and construction. ‘The establishment of this plant is a perfect example of cocreation, bringing together the expertise of Sinopec and BASF’, says Albert Heuser, president & chairman Greater China, BASF. It is another milestone in BASF and Sinopec’s long-term partnership as well as an important milestone for BASF because it helps the company reach its own strategic goals, he comments. ‘We are aiming to bring more of our production to the Asia Pacific region, where we will be closer to our direct customers and more closely in tune with the needs and the developments of key markets. Our midterm goal is that 75% of what we sell in this region is also produced in this region’, Heuser reports. Commenting for BMC, chairman Yu Xizhi says: ‘With this cooperation, the resources of the two partners complement each other, creating a win-win strategic fit that will boost the growth of both companies’. BASF and Sinopec maintain a long-term partnership and, in addition to BMC, jointly operate Nanjingbased BASF-YPC Co Ltd, a 50-50 joint venture formed in 2000 between the two companies. In other BASF news, the company posted sales of E17.4 billion in 3Q 2015, down 5% year on year. EBITDA rose 14% (E358 million) to E2.9 billion but income from operations before special items declined by 10%, or E171 million, to E1.6 billion. Net income rose by E195 million to E1.21 billion. BASF attributes the decline in quarterly turnover to a weaker-than-expected market environment. As a result, the company has adjusted its outlook for full year 2015 and, instead of the slight sales growth and level EBIT before special items it previously forecast, it now expects a slight decrease in both these figures. Contact: BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. Tel: +49 621 60 0, Web: www.basf.com Or contact: Sinopec, Beijing, China. Tel: +86 10 59960114, Web: www.sinopecgroup.com
December 2015
Hallstar acquires Brazilian company Fortinbrás as part of continued global expansion
C
hicago-headquartered company Hallstar has acquired fellow speciality chemicals producer Fortinbrás, based in Jaguariúna, São Paulo, Brazil. According to Hallstar, the transaction is the latest move in its ‘steady growth trajectory and global expansion’. The acquisition increases the company’s presence in the fast-growing emerging market of Brazil and in the greater Latin American region. ‘Fortinbrás will help Hallstar broaden its geographic reach’, says John Paro, chairman, president and CEO of Hallstar. ‘This strategic addition represents an opportunity to acquire a high-quality business in a substantial market with strong future potential’, he adds. The Brazilian acquisition follows closely after the opening of Hallstar’s new Chinese research centre, which strengthens the company’s position in the growing markets of the Asia Pacific region [ADPO, October 2015]. Hallstar and Fortinbrás share expertise in ester chemistry and both have broad product offerings for the beauty and personal care, and industrial markets, along with specialized formulations capabilities and technical support. While greater regional diversification of manufacturing and customer and technical support are key benefits of the acquisition, Fortinbrás’ location also moves Hallstar closer to the source of raw materials, such as exotic butters and oils. These materials are a key component of Hallstar’s existing portfolio of functional natural products for beauty and personal care applications, which will be further expanded and enhanced by the addition of the Brazilian company’s product portfolio and operational capabilities. Fortinbrás’ complementary expertise in ester chemistry also finds applications in industrial and other end-markets, such as textiles and lubricants, Hallstar reports. In addition to esters and Amazon forest-derived refined oils and butters, Fortinbrás also produces surfactants, essences and extracts. The company’s broad offering is complemented by its strong scientific, technical, marketing, formulation and regulatory support services, it says.
Contact: The Hallstar Company, Chicago, IL, USA. Tel: + 1 312 554 7400, Web: www.hallstar.com
Additives for Polymers
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