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Brenntag and Colonial Chemical in new agreement
FOCUS for its expansion projects in Malaysia, and the rest is earmarked for R&D and other smaller projects. Original Source: Oils and Fats International, Jan 2012, 28 (1), 22-24 (Website: http://www.oilsandfatsinternational.com/) © Quartz Business Media Ltd 2012
Alkoxylates/other SCG-DOW Group achieves successful Thailand HPPO plant start-up The SCG-Dow Group, a joint venture between Dow Chemical Co and Siam Cement Group, has finalized the start-up of its new propylene oxide facility in Thailand [see also Focus on Surfactants, Nov 2011 & Oct 2010] by successfully completing its full capacity performance test. Dow reached a key milestone in Oct 2011 when the plant achieved stable production levels in preparation for the full capacity run scheduled for 4Q 2011. The new facility met that target on time by successfully completing the full capacity run on 22 Nov 2011 only two months after starting raw material feeds to this new plant. Additionally, the plant exceeded expectations for all quality and yield performance parameters. The worldscale plant, located within the Asia Industrial Estates (AIE) site near Map Ta Put, Thailand, has a nominal capacity of 390,000 tonnes/y of propylene oxide via the innovative hydrogen peroxide to propylene oxide (HPPO) technology developed by Dow in collaboration with BASF [ibid, Nov 2004]. Dow will also use the HPPO technology for its new propylene oxide unit at the Saudi Arabian chemical complex it is planning to build though its Sadara joint venture with Saudi Aramco [ibid, Nov 2011]. Press release from: Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Centre, Midland, MI 48642, USA, tel: +1 989 636 1000, fax: +1 989 636 3518, website: http://www.dow.com (4 Jan 2012)
BASF increases prices for ethanolamines in Europe With immediate effect, BASF is increasing its European sales prices for monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine by €50/tonne. The price increase will also apply to current supply agreements as soon as and to the extent permitted by their terms and MARCH 2012
ON
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conditions. Ethanolamines are highclass intermediates used in the manufacture of agrochemicals and wood protectants, surfactants for detergents and cleaning products, process chemicals for gas treatment, lubricants and cement additives as well as active pharmaceutical ingredients. Press release from: BASF SE, D-67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany, tel: +49 (0) 621 600, website: http://www.basf.com (19 Dec 2011)
SURFACTANTS AkzoNobel completes acquisition of Chinese surfactants producer On 10 Jan 2012, AkzoNobel completed its acquisition of major Chinese speciality surfactants producer, Boxing Oleochemicals. Boxing is a leading supplier of nitrile amines and derivatives, which are used in a variety of industrial and consumer applications including fabric softeners, asphalt additives and hair conditioners. According to AkzoNobel, the acquisition will further strengthen its leadership position in speciality surfactants while enhancing its manufacturing footprint in Asia. The transaction was first announced on 27 Jul 2011 [Focus on Surfactants, Sep 2011]. Established in 1993 and based in the province of Shandong, Boxing had revenues in 2010 of approximately €100 M; its activities will be integrated into AkzoNobel’s Surface Chemistry business. Demand in Asia for amines and derivatives is being driven by population growth, the expanding middle class, increased focus on sustainability and the build-up of infrastructure, notably in China and India, AkzoNobel reports. The acquisition underlines the company’s determination to accelerate growth and to build leadership positions across all global markets, in line with its Value and Values strategy. AkzoNobel currently employs more than 6700 people in China, with 2010 revenue there totalling €1.3 bn, the majority of which is generated from local demand. The company’s ambition is to achieve revenue of $3 bn in China by 2015. Press release from: AkzoNobel, Strawinskylaan 2555, 1070 AS Amsterdam, the Netherlands, tel: +31 20 502 7555, fax: +31 20 502 7666, website: http://www.akzonobel.com (10 Jan 2012)
Lion ups capacity for highperformance surfactant in Malaysia Lion Corp plans to expand the production capacity for alphasulfonated fatty acid methyl ester at its plant in Malaysia by 2013, amid an expected demand growth in markets in Asia and Europe. The project will take capacity for the highperformance surfactant, which is based on palm oil, from the current 25,000 tonnes/y to 50,000 tonnes/y. The plant was commissioned in Dec 2009. Original Source: Japan Chemical Web, 10 Jan 2012, (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp) © The Chemical Daily Co Ltd 2012
Brenntag and Colonial Chemical in new agreement Brenntag has signed an agreement with Colonial Chemical covering the distribution of its surfactants. Brenntag’s Specialities Europe division will supply Colonial Chemical’s products in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Scandinavia. The 2 firms already have an agreement for Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK. Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 19 Dec 2011, (575), 14 (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie) (in French) © ETAI Information 2011
Arkema completes its acquisition of Seppic’s alkoxylate range Announced on 8 Nov 2011 [Focus on Surfactants, Jan 2012], the project to acquire the speciality alkoxylate business of Seppic was finalized on 31 Dec 2011 as planned. The acquired business, which generated sales of €47 M in 2010, will enable Arkema to extend its speciality surfactant range and bolster its positions in industrial niche markets with high growth potential. The Seppic business, including the production site in Antwerp, Belgium, is being integrated into Arkema’s Specialty Chemicals BU (CECA). Press release from: Arkema, 420, rue d’Estienne d’Orves, F-92705 Colombes, France, tel: +33 1 4900 8080, fax: +33 1 4900 8396, website: http://www.arkema.com (4 Jan 2012)
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Alkoxylates/other SCG-DOW Group achieves successful Thailand HPPO plant start-up The SCG-Dow Group, a joint venture between Dow Chemical Co and Siam Cement Group, has finalized the start-up of its new propylene oxide facility in Thailand [see also Focus on Surfactants, Nov 2011 & Oct 2010] by successfully completing its full capacity performance test. Dow reached a key milestone in Oct 2011 when the plant achieved stable production levels in preparation for the full capacity run scheduled for 4Q 2011. The new facility met that target on time by successfully completing the full capacity run on 22 Nov 2011 only two months after starting raw material feeds to this new plant. Additionally, the plant exceeded expectations for all quality and yield performance parameters. The worldscale plant, located within the Asia Industrial Estates (AIE) site near Map Ta Put, Thailand, has a nominal capacity of 390,000 tonnes/y of propylene oxide via the innovative hydrogen peroxide to propylene oxide (HPPO) technology developed by Dow in collaboration with BASF [ibid, Nov 2004]. Dow will also use the HPPO technology for its new propylene oxide unit at the Saudi Arabian chemical complex it is planning to build though its Sadara joint venture with Saudi Aramco [ibid, Nov 2011]. Press release from: Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Centre, Midland, MI 48642, USA, tel: +1 989 636 1000, fax: +1 989 636 3518, website: http://www.dow.com (4 Jan 2012)
BASF increases prices for ethanolamines in Europe With immediate effect, BASF is increasing its European sales prices for monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine by €50/tonne. The price increase will also apply to current supply agreements as soon as and to the extent permitted by their terms and MARCH 2012
ON
S U R FA C TA N T S
conditions. Ethanolamines are highclass intermediates used in the manufacture of agrochemicals and wood protectants, surfactants for detergents and cleaning products, process chemicals for gas treatment, lubricants and cement additives as well as active pharmaceutical ingredients. Press release from: BASF SE, D-67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany, tel: +49 (0) 621 600, website: http://www.basf.com (19 Dec 2011)
SURFACTANTS AkzoNobel completes acquisition of Chinese surfactants producer On 10 Jan 2012, AkzoNobel completed its acquisition of major Chinese speciality surfactants producer, Boxing Oleochemicals. Boxing is a leading supplier of nitrile amines and derivatives, which are used in a variety of industrial and consumer applications including fabric softeners, asphalt additives and hair conditioners. According to AkzoNobel, the acquisition will further strengthen its leadership position in speciality surfactants while enhancing its manufacturing footprint in Asia. The transaction was first announced on 27 Jul 2011 [Focus on Surfactants, Sep 2011]. Established in 1993 and based in the province of Shandong, Boxing had revenues in 2010 of approximately €100 M; its activities will be integrated into AkzoNobel’s Surface Chemistry business. Demand in Asia for amines and derivatives is being driven by population growth, the expanding middle class, increased focus on sustainability and the build-up of infrastructure, notably in China and India, AkzoNobel reports. The acquisition underlines the company’s determination to accelerate growth and to build leadership positions across all global markets, in line with its Value and Values strategy. AkzoNobel currently employs more than 6700 people in China, with 2010 revenue there totalling €1.3 bn, the majority of which is generated from local demand. The company’s ambition is to achieve revenue of $3 bn in China by 2015. Press release from: AkzoNobel, Strawinskylaan 2555, 1070 AS Amsterdam, the Netherlands, tel: +31 20 502 7555, fax: +31 20 502 7666, website: http://www.akzonobel.com (10 Jan 2012)
Lion ups capacity for highperformance surfactant in Malaysia Lion Corp plans to expand the production capacity for alphasulfonated fatty acid methyl ester at its plant in Malaysia by 2013, amid an expected demand growth in markets in Asia and Europe. The project will take capacity for the highperformance surfactant, which is based on palm oil, from the current 25,000 tonnes/y to 50,000 tonnes/y. The plant was commissioned in Dec 2009. Original Source: Japan Chemical Web, 10 Jan 2012, (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp) © The Chemical Daily Co Ltd 2012
Brenntag and Colonial Chemical in new agreement Brenntag has signed an agreement with Colonial Chemical covering the distribution of its surfactants. Brenntag’s Specialities Europe division will supply Colonial Chemical’s products in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Scandinavia. The 2 firms already have an agreement for Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK. Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 19 Dec 2011, (575), 14 (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie) (in French) © ETAI Information 2011
Arkema completes its acquisition of Seppic’s alkoxylate range Announced on 8 Nov 2011 [Focus on Surfactants, Jan 2012], the project to acquire the speciality alkoxylate business of Seppic was finalized on 31 Dec 2011 as planned. The acquired business, which generated sales of €47 M in 2010, will enable Arkema to extend its speciality surfactant range and bolster its positions in industrial niche markets with high growth potential. The Seppic business, including the production site in Antwerp, Belgium, is being integrated into Arkema’s Specialty Chemicals BU (CECA). Press release from: Arkema, 420, rue d’Estienne d’Orves, F-92705 Colombes, France, tel: +33 1 4900 8080, fax: +33 1 4900 8396, website: http://www.arkema.com (4 Jan 2012)
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