- Email: [email protected]
Chemicals and agroresources sectors formalize cooperation in France
F O C U S surfactants. In North America, off-list prices of select Tergitol and Triton surfactants have been increased by $.03/lb. All the above changes are effective from 1 Jan 2008, or as otherwise allowed by individual contract terms. Furthermore, from 15 Jan, Dow increased prices for certain grades of mono-, di- and tripropylene glycol by €100/tonne in Europe and $150/tonne in India, the Middle East and Africa. Press releases from: Dow Chemical, 2030, Dow Center, Midland, MI 48642, USA. Tel: +1 989 636 1000. Fax: +1 989 636 3518. Website: http://www.dow.com (14 & 17 Dec 2007, & 3 Jan 2008)
Chemicals and agroresources sectors formalize cooperation in France 2007 was a year in which green chemistry came to the fore. French companies in the sector agreed to obtain 15% of their feedstock from renewable resources by 2017 (compared with 7% at present). However, sourcing such materials may prove difficult. Several companies (including Arkema and Rhodia) already use plant feedstocks and Roquette (which makes starch for the agrofoodstuffs and paper industries) is already supplying the chemicals industry with synthetic intermediates, particularly for detergents and resins production. In order to help chemicals companies find new sources of plant-based feedstock, a new association has been created in France: the Association for Plant-based Chemicals (l’Association Chimie du Végétal; ACDV). The organization was set up by Rhodia, Arkema, BASF, Solvay, Toyo Ink, ARD, Roquette, Soufflet and Syral. It also includes professional organizations. One of its objectives is to provide better communication between agroresource producers, chemical companies and downstream users. It will provide economic advice and gather data on leading intermediate products, which, according to a recent Alcimed study, will represent one of the major markets in future. The new association will form working groups to select the most promising products and markets. In addition it will look into new legislation, assessing its impact on the development of agroresources within the chemicals sector. If necessary, the organization MARCH 2008
O N
S U R FAC TA N T S
will undertake lobbying. France should play an important role at the European level as it is the second largest chemicals producer and has the largest agricultural sector in Europe. Info Chimie Magazine, Dec 2007/Jan 2008, (483), 3 (in French)
SURFACTANTS Air Products introduces bio-based Tomadol surfactants Air Products has introduced a series of Tomadol surfactants based on renewable or bio-based resources. These natural Tomadol surfactants are derived from palm or coconut oil and provide formulators with a choice of alcohol ethoxylate surfactants to meet their customer’s demands for bio-based solutions for the industrial and institutional (I&I) cleaning markets. Besides the use of biobased oils, these new Tomadol surfactants are also efficient, environmentally friendly alternatives to phenol-containing surfactants such as nonyl phenol ethoxylates (NPE), which have been under scrutiny as being environmentally persistent. Formulations using Tomadol surfactants also use much less solvent than NPE-containing solutions, enabling the manufacturer to meet increasingly strict regulations on total VOC content. Tomadol surfactants also offer much faster solution times and a lower viscosity profile, which can increase asset utilization/productivity for the cleaning solution manufacturer. Press release from: Air Products and Chemicals Inc, 7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18195-1501, USA. Tel: +1 610 481 4911. Fax: +1 610 481 5900. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.airproducts.com (29 Jan 2008) & Chemical Week, 4 Feb 2008, (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Kawaken setting up Japan’s first surfactant production unit in India Japan’s Kawaken Fine Chemicals and India’s Sterling Auxiliaries have set up Kawaken Sterling Surfactant, a joint venture in Dahej, in India’s western state of Gujarat, which will produce 300-400 tonnes/mo of surfactants for the toiletry sector.
Construction of the facilities was due to commence in early 2008 for completion in spring 2008 and start up in mid 2008. The jv has capitalization of Rup 19 M ($0.48 M); Sterling will hold 60% of the new company and Kawaken the remaining 40%. The new company will manufacture six or seven kinds of surfactants including fatty acid alkanolamides and cocoyl propyl betaine. The products will be sold in India, West Asia and Africa. Sterling will supply raw materials such as amine compounds and ethylene oxide derivatives, as well as handling domestic sales, while Kawaken will be responsible for production technology, quality control and exports. Japan Chemical Week, 20/27 Dec 2007, 48 (2446), 2 & Chemical Weekly, 1 Jan 2008, 53 (20), 124
Cytec to implement price increase for speciality surfactants Cytec Industries Inc has announced the implementation of a price increase in its AEROSOL surfactant product line within its Specialty Additives portfolio. This adjustment is being implemented due to sustained pricing pressures on the global supply chain including raw materials, logistics, energy and packaging costs. Cytec is a leading supplier of surfactants and speciality monomers for emulsion polymerization, which impart critical performance properties, such as wetting, levelling and adhesion to coatings, adhesives, inks, varnishes, sealants, non-woven binders and many other everyday products. Press release from: Cytec Industries Inc, 5 Garret Mountain Plaza, West Paterson, NJ 07424, USA. Tel: +1 973 357 3100. Fax: +1 973 357 3060. Website: http://www.cytec.com (11 Jan 2008)
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS Rohm and Haas opens acrylic emulsion plant in China A new 20,000 tonnes/y acrylic emulsion plant at Sanshui, China, owned by Rohm and Haas (R&H) has 3
Chemicals and agroresources sectors formalize cooperation in France 2007 was a year in which green chemistry came to the fore. French companies in the sector agreed to obtain 15% of their feedstock from renewable resources by 2017 (compared with 7% at present). However, sourcing such materials may prove difficult. Several companies (including Arkema and Rhodia) already use plant feedstocks and Roquette (which makes starch for the agrofoodstuffs and paper industries) is already supplying the chemicals industry with synthetic intermediates, particularly for detergents and resins production. In order to help chemicals companies find new sources of plant-based feedstock, a new association has been created in France: the Association for Plant-based Chemicals (l’Association Chimie du Végétal; ACDV). The organization was set up by Rhodia, Arkema, BASF, Solvay, Toyo Ink, ARD, Roquette, Soufflet and Syral. It also includes professional organizations. One of its objectives is to provide better communication between agroresource producers, chemical companies and downstream users. It will provide economic advice and gather data on leading intermediate products, which, according to a recent Alcimed study, will represent one of the major markets in future. The new association will form working groups to select the most promising products and markets. In addition it will look into new legislation, assessing its impact on the development of agroresources within the chemicals sector. If necessary, the organization MARCH 2008
O N
S U R FAC TA N T S
will undertake lobbying. France should play an important role at the European level as it is the second largest chemicals producer and has the largest agricultural sector in Europe. Info Chimie Magazine, Dec 2007/Jan 2008, (483), 3 (in French)
SURFACTANTS Air Products introduces bio-based Tomadol surfactants Air Products has introduced a series of Tomadol surfactants based on renewable or bio-based resources. These natural Tomadol surfactants are derived from palm or coconut oil and provide formulators with a choice of alcohol ethoxylate surfactants to meet their customer’s demands for bio-based solutions for the industrial and institutional (I&I) cleaning markets. Besides the use of biobased oils, these new Tomadol surfactants are also efficient, environmentally friendly alternatives to phenol-containing surfactants such as nonyl phenol ethoxylates (NPE), which have been under scrutiny as being environmentally persistent. Formulations using Tomadol surfactants also use much less solvent than NPE-containing solutions, enabling the manufacturer to meet increasingly strict regulations on total VOC content. Tomadol surfactants also offer much faster solution times and a lower viscosity profile, which can increase asset utilization/productivity for the cleaning solution manufacturer. Press release from: Air Products and Chemicals Inc, 7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18195-1501, USA. Tel: +1 610 481 4911. Fax: +1 610 481 5900. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.airproducts.com (29 Jan 2008) & Chemical Week, 4 Feb 2008, (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Kawaken setting up Japan’s first surfactant production unit in India Japan’s Kawaken Fine Chemicals and India’s Sterling Auxiliaries have set up Kawaken Sterling Surfactant, a joint venture in Dahej, in India’s western state of Gujarat, which will produce 300-400 tonnes/mo of surfactants for the toiletry sector.
Construction of the facilities was due to commence in early 2008 for completion in spring 2008 and start up in mid 2008. The jv has capitalization of Rup 19 M ($0.48 M); Sterling will hold 60% of the new company and Kawaken the remaining 40%. The new company will manufacture six or seven kinds of surfactants including fatty acid alkanolamides and cocoyl propyl betaine. The products will be sold in India, West Asia and Africa. Sterling will supply raw materials such as amine compounds and ethylene oxide derivatives, as well as handling domestic sales, while Kawaken will be responsible for production technology, quality control and exports. Japan Chemical Week, 20/27 Dec 2007, 48 (2446), 2 & Chemical Weekly, 1 Jan 2008, 53 (20), 124
Cytec to implement price increase for speciality surfactants Cytec Industries Inc has announced the implementation of a price increase in its AEROSOL surfactant product line within its Specialty Additives portfolio. This adjustment is being implemented due to sustained pricing pressures on the global supply chain including raw materials, logistics, energy and packaging costs. Cytec is a leading supplier of surfactants and speciality monomers for emulsion polymerization, which impart critical performance properties, such as wetting, levelling and adhesion to coatings, adhesives, inks, varnishes, sealants, non-woven binders and many other everyday products. Press release from: Cytec Industries Inc, 5 Garret Mountain Plaza, West Paterson, NJ 07424, USA. Tel: +1 973 357 3100. Fax: +1 973 357 3060. Website: http://www.cytec.com (11 Jan 2008)
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS Rohm and Haas opens acrylic emulsion plant in China A new 20,000 tonnes/y acrylic emulsion plant at Sanshui, China, owned by Rohm and Haas (R&H) has 3