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China: Lanxess & Jinzhuo Chemicals – iron oxide pigmentss
F O C U S modified version of the Siemens process. For every kilo of polycrystalline silicon produced, 10-20 kilos of SiCl4 are produced. The normal outlet for SiCl4 tends to be restricted to the manufacture of silicate esters, by esterification with ethanol or methanol. But, because SiCl4 is quite a hazardous material, it cannot be simply and cheaply disposed of as waste. Hence, there ought to be opportunities for economically converting this by-product SiCl4 to fumed silica. By 2010, China is expected to be producing over 10,000 tonnes/y of polycrystalline silicon, mainly for use in solar energy devices. This will result in the generation of 100,000-200,000 tonnes/y of SiCl4, which could in turn be used as feedstock to make 30,000-60,000 tonnes/y of fumed silica. China Chemical Reporter, 26 Jul 2008, 19 (21), 22
PLANTS Brazil: Cromex – plastics masterbatch Cromex is investing about $2 M to increase the capacity of its plastics masterbatch plant at Simoes Filho (Bahia province) by 50% to 150,000 tonnes/y in 2009. Cromex sells about 40,000 tonnes/y of masterbatch to Brazilian customers, representing a 46% market share. With the expansion, Cromex will focus on increasing its exports to other Latin American markets. Cromex reported sales revenue at Reals 305 M (equivalent to about $165 M) for full-year 2007, representing an 18% increase on 2006. Sales volume increased by 27% in 2007 and Cromex is confident that it will increase sales volume by a further 20% in 2008. BNAmericas Petrochemicals News, 18 Sep 2008 (Website: http://www.bnamericas.com)
Canada: Whitemud – kaolin for cement Whitemud Resources Inc successfully commissioned its plant at Goller Creek, Saskatchewan and is now producing low-grade kaolin (so called “metakaolin”) at an annual equivalent rate of 150,000 tonnes/y. The product is being marketed mainly as a cement additive, increasing durability and chemical resistance of the finished concrete. A mixture in which 20% of
NOVEMBER 2008
O N
PIGMENTS
conventional cement is substituted by “metakaolin” facilitates a 55% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions during the manufacturing process. Industrial Minerals, Oct 2008, (493), 83
China: Lanxess & Jinzhuo Chemicals – iron oxide pigments Lanxess (of Germany) has consolidated its position in the Chinese iron oxide pigments sector as a result of buying-out its previous joint venture partner for operating two units in the Jinshan district of Shanghai. The partner was Jinzhuo Chemicals. Current capacity here is 30,000 tonnes/y, which includes the 20,000 tonnes/y of yellow iron oxide oxide pigments that was added in April 2007. (See ‘Focus on Pigments’, Jun 2007, 45). Hitherto, Lanxess had been fully utilising its entitlement to one-half of the crude iron oxide and finished pigment output at Jinshan. Thanks to the acquisition, Lanxess will not need to rely on outside suppliers at all. Lanxess reports that its global inorganic pigment production will be boosted by 5% by adding 15,000 tonnes/y from Jinshan. This tallies with the company’s overall inorganic pigment capacity being around 300,000 tonnes/y. The company forecasts average growth in global coloured inorganic pigments demand at 5% per annum, with China being a major contributor. APCJ, Asia Pacific Coatings Journal, Aug 2008, 21 (4), 6
China: Meilian – masterbatch Shantou Meilian Chemical currently produces 20,000 tonnes/y of plastics masterbatch at its 2 hectares site in the coast city of Shantou (Guangdong province). The company specialises in masterbatches based on polyethylene and it sells to customers in southern, eastern and northern China, as well as in a variety of export markets. It is considering expansion in line with market demand. Plastics and Rubber Weekly, 19 Sep 2008, 6
India & Thailand: Aditya Birla Nuvo – carbon black Earlier this year, the Indian trade press indicated that Aditya Birla Nuvo
had abandoned plans to establish a new carbon black plant at Patalganga in Maharashtra province. (See ‘Focus on Pigments’, Feb 2008, 5). Now ‘ICIS’ reports that the project has been revived, with the Birla group committing $72 M to the establishment of a 150,000 tonnes/y plant in Maharashtra. Also, Thai Carbon Black (TCB), in which the Birla group retains a 50% stake, is currently installing an 80,000 tonnes/y production line at its AngThong plant in Thailand. This will raise capacity here to 300,000 tonnes/y in 1Q 2009, according to ‘ICB.’ The timing and ultimate capacity are slightly different from earlier reports. ICIS Chemical Business, 29 Sep 2008 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
India: Evonik – precipitated silica Effective 25 June 2008, Insilco (of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh) shut down its 12,000 tonnes/y plant at Patalganga (Maharashtra) for making spray-dried precipitated silica. Insilco is a whollyowned subsidiary of Evonik, the world’s largest supplier of silica. The plant has been put up for sale. ICIS Chemical Business, 25 Aug 2008, 9 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
India: Reliance – carbon black Reliance Industries Ltd (headquartered in Navi Mumbai) is the largest private sector company in India, with annual sales revenue of the order of Rup 1392 bn (equivalent to $35 bn). Its main businesses are oil refining and petrochemicals, but it is also active in the polyester, textile and garments manufacturing sectors, as well as in retailing. Reliance Industries produces 125,000 tonnes/y of carbon black feedstock oil, representing a 25% market share of the Indian market. According to ‘ICIS’, Reliance Industries is now planning to join the ranks of carbon black producers, with the establishment of a carbon black facility as part of its Jamnagar (Gujarat) refinery complex. Oil refining capacity at Jamnagar is being stepped up from 33 M tonnes/y to 62 M tonnes/y and Reliance Industries is said to be considering a 1.5 M tonnes/y carbon black plant.
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PLANTS Brazil: Cromex – plastics masterbatch Cromex is investing about $2 M to increase the capacity of its plastics masterbatch plant at Simoes Filho (Bahia province) by 50% to 150,000 tonnes/y in 2009. Cromex sells about 40,000 tonnes/y of masterbatch to Brazilian customers, representing a 46% market share. With the expansion, Cromex will focus on increasing its exports to other Latin American markets. Cromex reported sales revenue at Reals 305 M (equivalent to about $165 M) for full-year 2007, representing an 18% increase on 2006. Sales volume increased by 27% in 2007 and Cromex is confident that it will increase sales volume by a further 20% in 2008. BNAmericas Petrochemicals News, 18 Sep 2008 (Website: http://www.bnamericas.com)
Canada: Whitemud – kaolin for cement Whitemud Resources Inc successfully commissioned its plant at Goller Creek, Saskatchewan and is now producing low-grade kaolin (so called “metakaolin”) at an annual equivalent rate of 150,000 tonnes/y. The product is being marketed mainly as a cement additive, increasing durability and chemical resistance of the finished concrete. A mixture in which 20% of
NOVEMBER 2008
O N
PIGMENTS
conventional cement is substituted by “metakaolin” facilitates a 55% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions during the manufacturing process. Industrial Minerals, Oct 2008, (493), 83
China: Lanxess & Jinzhuo Chemicals – iron oxide pigments Lanxess (of Germany) has consolidated its position in the Chinese iron oxide pigments sector as a result of buying-out its previous joint venture partner for operating two units in the Jinshan district of Shanghai. The partner was Jinzhuo Chemicals. Current capacity here is 30,000 tonnes/y, which includes the 20,000 tonnes/y of yellow iron oxide oxide pigments that was added in April 2007. (See ‘Focus on Pigments’, Jun 2007, 45). Hitherto, Lanxess had been fully utilising its entitlement to one-half of the crude iron oxide and finished pigment output at Jinshan. Thanks to the acquisition, Lanxess will not need to rely on outside suppliers at all. Lanxess reports that its global inorganic pigment production will be boosted by 5% by adding 15,000 tonnes/y from Jinshan. This tallies with the company’s overall inorganic pigment capacity being around 300,000 tonnes/y. The company forecasts average growth in global coloured inorganic pigments demand at 5% per annum, with China being a major contributor. APCJ, Asia Pacific Coatings Journal, Aug 2008, 21 (4), 6
China: Meilian – masterbatch Shantou Meilian Chemical currently produces 20,000 tonnes/y of plastics masterbatch at its 2 hectares site in the coast city of Shantou (Guangdong province). The company specialises in masterbatches based on polyethylene and it sells to customers in southern, eastern and northern China, as well as in a variety of export markets. It is considering expansion in line with market demand. Plastics and Rubber Weekly, 19 Sep 2008, 6
India & Thailand: Aditya Birla Nuvo – carbon black Earlier this year, the Indian trade press indicated that Aditya Birla Nuvo
had abandoned plans to establish a new carbon black plant at Patalganga in Maharashtra province. (See ‘Focus on Pigments’, Feb 2008, 5). Now ‘ICIS’ reports that the project has been revived, with the Birla group committing $72 M to the establishment of a 150,000 tonnes/y plant in Maharashtra. Also, Thai Carbon Black (TCB), in which the Birla group retains a 50% stake, is currently installing an 80,000 tonnes/y production line at its AngThong plant in Thailand. This will raise capacity here to 300,000 tonnes/y in 1Q 2009, according to ‘ICB.’ The timing and ultimate capacity are slightly different from earlier reports. ICIS Chemical Business, 29 Sep 2008 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
India: Evonik – precipitated silica Effective 25 June 2008, Insilco (of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh) shut down its 12,000 tonnes/y plant at Patalganga (Maharashtra) for making spray-dried precipitated silica. Insilco is a whollyowned subsidiary of Evonik, the world’s largest supplier of silica. The plant has been put up for sale. ICIS Chemical Business, 25 Aug 2008, 9 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
India: Reliance – carbon black Reliance Industries Ltd (headquartered in Navi Mumbai) is the largest private sector company in India, with annual sales revenue of the order of Rup 1392 bn (equivalent to $35 bn). Its main businesses are oil refining and petrochemicals, but it is also active in the polyester, textile and garments manufacturing sectors, as well as in retailing. Reliance Industries produces 125,000 tonnes/y of carbon black feedstock oil, representing a 25% market share of the Indian market. According to ‘ICIS’, Reliance Industries is now planning to join the ranks of carbon black producers, with the establishment of a carbon black facility as part of its Jamnagar (Gujarat) refinery complex. Oil refining capacity at Jamnagar is being stepped up from 33 M tonnes/y to 62 M tonnes/y and Reliance Industries is said to be considering a 1.5 M tonnes/y carbon black plant.
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