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BASF increases prices for monoethanolamine; reduces MAN
FOCUS bleaching may be in reach, other significant challenges remain, such as aerial bleaching and the incorporation of bleaches into liquid detergents. Many approaches have been tried here, including anhydrous nonstructured and structured liquids, microencapsulation and pH jumps, but all attempts have so far foundered on the obstacles of stability and/or cost effectiveness. The term “holy grail” used in many research papers on laundry bleaches demonstrates the epic nature of the quest! Caroline Edser
RAW MATERIALS Alkylbenzene in China There are 9 alkylbenzene manufacturers in China producing a total of 440,000 tonnes in 2003. The producers include Fushun Petrochemical Co Ltd, Jinling Petrochemical Co Ltd and Yanshan Petrochemical Co Ltd. 190,000 tonnes benzene was consumed by this sector during 2003 accounting for 8% of China’s total benzene consumption. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Apr 2004, 15 (10), 25
Coconut oil price climbs on tight copra supply Coconut oil prices continue to rise on reports of a copra shortage in the Philippines. Mar 2004 exports were 42,740 tonnes (–58% on Feb 2004). Forecast global exports in 2003/2004 are 1.75 M tonnes (–9% on 2002/ 2003). Philippines copra production for 2004 is forecast at 2.3 M to 2.4 M tonnes (-6% on previous year). Chemical Market Reporter, 19 Apr 2004 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
PMD seeking partners for cracker complex in Al-Jubail An announcement is due from Project Management and Development (PMD) regarding the foreign companies that will be partners in its planned cracker complex in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia [see Focus on 2
ON
S U R FA C TA N T S
Surfactants, Dec 2003]. Six local companies have already agreed to invest in the project and other are to be invited to do so. The company established by PMD and these investors will then form a joint venture with the overseas investor(s). The operation will have substantial ethylene oxide capacity. Asian Chemical News, 23 Feb 2004, 10 (434), 21
BASF increases prices for monoethanolamine; reduces MAN With immediate effect, BASF is increasing its price for monoethanolamine by €50/tonne as existing contracts allow. Lack of ethylene in Europe, higher raw material prices and unsatisfactory margins necessitate the price increase. The company has also closed some small reactors at its Feluy site in Belgium to decrease maleic anhydride (MAN) capacity from 135,000 tonnes/y to 115,000 tonnes/y to improve efficiencies. MAN is primarily used for manufacture of unsaturated polyesters, butanediol derivatives, surfactants, lubricants and agrochemicals. Press release from: BASF, Germany. Website: http://www.basf.com (22 Mar 2004) & Speciality Chemicals, Apr 2004, 24 (4), 7
SURFACTANTS Elementis acquires Sasol Servo The Delden-based Dutch speciality chemical firm Sasol Servo is being sold by its S African parent company Sasol to Elementis, UK, for €48.5 M in cash. The transaction should be completed by the start of Jul 2004 and should have no impact on employees. Sasol Servo has three business areas: coating additives; chemicals and speciality surfactants; and paper and pulp chemicals. It reported an EBITDA of €8.6 M in the year ended 30 Jun 2003 on a turnover of €107.9 M. Elementis will not acquire Servo’s 28% stake in the oil chemicals company ChampionServo; €4.25 M from the sale of this unit will be deducted from the cost of the acquisition. Elementis, which had 2003 sales of £368 M ($651 M), will
merge Servo with its rheology and surface chemical additives business. European Chemical News, 26 Apr 2004, 80 (2097), 6 & Chemical Market Reporter, 26 Apr 2004 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Dai-Ichi to unveil new business plan By the end of Apr 2004, a new fouryear business plan will be announced by Japan’s Dai-Ichi Kogyo Seiyaku (DKS). Growth areas in which it will concentrate its development include new surfactants, waterborne polyurethane resins and other environmentally-friendly products. This year, its target for consolidated net sales has been set at Yen 50 bn/y with ordinary profits at Yen 2 bn/y. In Japan, the company has production facilities in Shiga, Ohgata and Yokkaichi. Its surfactants capacity is 41,664 tonne/y. A joint venture, DaiIchi Kimia Raya, has a surfactants facility in Indonesia with a capacity of 7000 tonne/y. Asian Chemical News, 5 Apr 2004, 10 (440), 8
Dow increases prices for surfactants products Effective 1 Apr 2004, or as contracts allow, The Dow Chemical Company has increased all off-list prices for its Tergitol, Triton, Carbowax and other polyglycol (PG) products. The price for Tergitol 70% actives has increased by $0.04/lb, and the prices of Tergitol L products and Polyglycol Series EP, P and PT by $0.03/lb. Prices for the other products listed are increasing by $0.05/lb. The price increase is being implemented in response to continued rising costs for energy and key raw materials, to restore margins and to ensure the company can meet long-term market needs. Dow surfactants are used in product formulations in a wide range of applications, including household and I&I cleaning products, emulsion polymerization, textile dying, oil field applications and more. In related news, Dow has increased its total global PG production capacity for 2004 to 1.2 bn pounds, an increase of 14% versus 2003, without capital expenditures. The company increased its capacity in Europe, in particular, by approximately 20% through Six Sigma and production optimization JUNE 2004
RAW MATERIALS Alkylbenzene in China There are 9 alkylbenzene manufacturers in China producing a total of 440,000 tonnes in 2003. The producers include Fushun Petrochemical Co Ltd, Jinling Petrochemical Co Ltd and Yanshan Petrochemical Co Ltd. 190,000 tonnes benzene was consumed by this sector during 2003 accounting for 8% of China’s total benzene consumption. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Apr 2004, 15 (10), 25
Coconut oil price climbs on tight copra supply Coconut oil prices continue to rise on reports of a copra shortage in the Philippines. Mar 2004 exports were 42,740 tonnes (–58% on Feb 2004). Forecast global exports in 2003/2004 are 1.75 M tonnes (–9% on 2002/ 2003). Philippines copra production for 2004 is forecast at 2.3 M to 2.4 M tonnes (-6% on previous year). Chemical Market Reporter, 19 Apr 2004 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
PMD seeking partners for cracker complex in Al-Jubail An announcement is due from Project Management and Development (PMD) regarding the foreign companies that will be partners in its planned cracker complex in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia [see Focus on 2
ON
S U R FA C TA N T S
Surfactants, Dec 2003]. Six local companies have already agreed to invest in the project and other are to be invited to do so. The company established by PMD and these investors will then form a joint venture with the overseas investor(s). The operation will have substantial ethylene oxide capacity. Asian Chemical News, 23 Feb 2004, 10 (434), 21
BASF increases prices for monoethanolamine; reduces MAN With immediate effect, BASF is increasing its price for monoethanolamine by €50/tonne as existing contracts allow. Lack of ethylene in Europe, higher raw material prices and unsatisfactory margins necessitate the price increase. The company has also closed some small reactors at its Feluy site in Belgium to decrease maleic anhydride (MAN) capacity from 135,000 tonnes/y to 115,000 tonnes/y to improve efficiencies. MAN is primarily used for manufacture of unsaturated polyesters, butanediol derivatives, surfactants, lubricants and agrochemicals. Press release from: BASF, Germany. Website: http://www.basf.com (22 Mar 2004) & Speciality Chemicals, Apr 2004, 24 (4), 7
SURFACTANTS Elementis acquires Sasol Servo The Delden-based Dutch speciality chemical firm Sasol Servo is being sold by its S African parent company Sasol to Elementis, UK, for €48.5 M in cash. The transaction should be completed by the start of Jul 2004 and should have no impact on employees. Sasol Servo has three business areas: coating additives; chemicals and speciality surfactants; and paper and pulp chemicals. It reported an EBITDA of €8.6 M in the year ended 30 Jun 2003 on a turnover of €107.9 M. Elementis will not acquire Servo’s 28% stake in the oil chemicals company ChampionServo; €4.25 M from the sale of this unit will be deducted from the cost of the acquisition. Elementis, which had 2003 sales of £368 M ($651 M), will
merge Servo with its rheology and surface chemical additives business. European Chemical News, 26 Apr 2004, 80 (2097), 6 & Chemical Market Reporter, 26 Apr 2004 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
Dai-Ichi to unveil new business plan By the end of Apr 2004, a new fouryear business plan will be announced by Japan’s Dai-Ichi Kogyo Seiyaku (DKS). Growth areas in which it will concentrate its development include new surfactants, waterborne polyurethane resins and other environmentally-friendly products. This year, its target for consolidated net sales has been set at Yen 50 bn/y with ordinary profits at Yen 2 bn/y. In Japan, the company has production facilities in Shiga, Ohgata and Yokkaichi. Its surfactants capacity is 41,664 tonne/y. A joint venture, DaiIchi Kimia Raya, has a surfactants facility in Indonesia with a capacity of 7000 tonne/y. Asian Chemical News, 5 Apr 2004, 10 (440), 8
Dow increases prices for surfactants products Effective 1 Apr 2004, or as contracts allow, The Dow Chemical Company has increased all off-list prices for its Tergitol, Triton, Carbowax and other polyglycol (PG) products. The price for Tergitol 70% actives has increased by $0.04/lb, and the prices of Tergitol L products and Polyglycol Series EP, P and PT by $0.03/lb. Prices for the other products listed are increasing by $0.05/lb. The price increase is being implemented in response to continued rising costs for energy and key raw materials, to restore margins and to ensure the company can meet long-term market needs. Dow surfactants are used in product formulations in a wide range of applications, including household and I&I cleaning products, emulsion polymerization, textile dying, oil field applications and more. In related news, Dow has increased its total global PG production capacity for 2004 to 1.2 bn pounds, an increase of 14% versus 2003, without capital expenditures. The company increased its capacity in Europe, in particular, by approximately 20% through Six Sigma and production optimization JUNE 2004