- Email: [email protected]
Clariant acquisition strengthens North American masterbatch position
STRATEGIES
The technology will be licensed by Polyfect to operators in the plastics supply chain to integrate into their existing processes. The capital expenditure and running costs of using this technology are reported to be low whilst the potential material cost savings are high, making it profitable for licensees with a short payback time. Initial feedback from potential licensees on the technology has been very positive and IPSO believes that this business model should quickly generate high-margin royalty revenues for Polyfect. IPSO has appointed Ian Balchin as Polyfect’s interim CEO. Balchin, who has more than 20 years of experience commercializing technologies, including polymer related technologies, says that Polyfect’s technology has the potential to create significant savings for polymer processors through reduced filler costs, light-weighting of components and the creation of new polymer materials without having to use chemical processing to ensure good dispersion of fillers. ‘At a time when high oil prices are impacting on polymer feedstock prices, Polyfect’s technology should be welcomed as a way of reducing manufacturing costs and environmental impact’, he says. Balchin’s initial focus will be on scaling up the technology and engaging with ‘a select number of organizations that recognize its potential and wish to be amongst the first to realize its benefits’. Contact: Anna Seddon, Loughborough University Enterprise Office, Loughborough, UK. Tel: +44 1509 223445, Email: [email protected] Or contact: IPSO Ventures plc, London, UK. Tel: +44 20 7395 1503, Web: www.ipsoventures.com
Clariant acquisition strengthens North American masterbatch position
I
n the USA, Clariant Masterbatches has acquired the combined companies of Rite Systems Inc and Ricon Colors Inc, leading US masterbatch suppliers with both liquid and solid technology. The purchase gives Clariant Masterbatches a stronger position in the liquid
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Additives for Polymers
colouring field and substantially strengthens its market position in North America, which is an important growth region for this technology, it says. Terms of the acquisition agreement have not been revealed.
Rite Systems was founded in 1987 to offer liquid colorants to the plastics industry and three years later Ricon Colors was formed to produce colours and additives in powder and pellet form. With combined annual sales of around US$50 million, the two companies together employ approximately 150 people. They operate from three plants in the USA – West Chicago, IL, Mooresville, NC and Chino, CA – and a European operation based in Vienna, which opened five years ago. According to Clariant, the acquired portfolio comprises about two-thirds liquid and one-third solid masterbatches, with regard to turnover. ‘Rite Systems/Ricon Colors is an excellent partner to expand our product and service offering in North America, especially for our customers in the packaging and consumer goods market segments’, comments Dominik von Bertrab, head of Clariant Masterbatches. In particular, the ‘excellent knowledge’ of Rite Systems in the field of liquid masterbatches is a perfect addition to Clariant’s current capabilities, he says. ‘Further, Rite’s outstanding reputation in liquid colour will allow us to leverage this new competence into other regions where Clariant enjoys strong market positions, such as Europe, Asia and Latin America’, von Bertrab believes. Contact: Clariant Masterbatches Division, Muttenz, Switzerland. Tel: +41 61 469 6170, Web: www.clariant.masterbatches.com
Cognis sells stake in oleochemicals jv to PTT Chemical
C
ognis has sold its 50% stake in the Cognis Oleochemicals joint venture to PTT Chemical International Private Ltd for around 104 million in cash. The purchaser is a Singapore-based wholly owned subsidiary
October 2008
The technology will be licensed by Polyfect to operators in the plastics supply chain to integrate into their existing processes. The capital expenditure and running costs of using this technology are reported to be low whilst the potential material cost savings are high, making it profitable for licensees with a short payback time. Initial feedback from potential licensees on the technology has been very positive and IPSO believes that this business model should quickly generate high-margin royalty revenues for Polyfect. IPSO has appointed Ian Balchin as Polyfect’s interim CEO. Balchin, who has more than 20 years of experience commercializing technologies, including polymer related technologies, says that Polyfect’s technology has the potential to create significant savings for polymer processors through reduced filler costs, light-weighting of components and the creation of new polymer materials without having to use chemical processing to ensure good dispersion of fillers. ‘At a time when high oil prices are impacting on polymer feedstock prices, Polyfect’s technology should be welcomed as a way of reducing manufacturing costs and environmental impact’, he says. Balchin’s initial focus will be on scaling up the technology and engaging with ‘a select number of organizations that recognize its potential and wish to be amongst the first to realize its benefits’. Contact: Anna Seddon, Loughborough University Enterprise Office, Loughborough, UK. Tel: +44 1509 223445, Email: [email protected] Or contact: IPSO Ventures plc, London, UK. Tel: +44 20 7395 1503, Web: www.ipsoventures.com
Clariant acquisition strengthens North American masterbatch position
I
n the USA, Clariant Masterbatches has acquired the combined companies of Rite Systems Inc and Ricon Colors Inc, leading US masterbatch suppliers with both liquid and solid technology. The purchase gives Clariant Masterbatches a stronger position in the liquid
6
Additives for Polymers
colouring field and substantially strengthens its market position in North America, which is an important growth region for this technology, it says. Terms of the acquisition agreement have not been revealed.
Rite Systems was founded in 1987 to offer liquid colorants to the plastics industry and three years later Ricon Colors was formed to produce colours and additives in powder and pellet form. With combined annual sales of around US$50 million, the two companies together employ approximately 150 people. They operate from three plants in the USA – West Chicago, IL, Mooresville, NC and Chino, CA – and a European operation based in Vienna, which opened five years ago. According to Clariant, the acquired portfolio comprises about two-thirds liquid and one-third solid masterbatches, with regard to turnover. ‘Rite Systems/Ricon Colors is an excellent partner to expand our product and service offering in North America, especially for our customers in the packaging and consumer goods market segments’, comments Dominik von Bertrab, head of Clariant Masterbatches. In particular, the ‘excellent knowledge’ of Rite Systems in the field of liquid masterbatches is a perfect addition to Clariant’s current capabilities, he says. ‘Further, Rite’s outstanding reputation in liquid colour will allow us to leverage this new competence into other regions where Clariant enjoys strong market positions, such as Europe, Asia and Latin America’, von Bertrab believes. Contact: Clariant Masterbatches Division, Muttenz, Switzerland. Tel: +41 61 469 6170, Web: www.clariant.masterbatches.com
Cognis sells stake in oleochemicals jv to PTT Chemical
C
ognis has sold its 50% stake in the Cognis Oleochemicals joint venture to PTT Chemical International Private Ltd for around 104 million in cash. The purchaser is a Singapore-based wholly owned subsidiary
October 2008