- Email: [email protected]
Clariant expands, reorganizes masterbatches…
February 2005
Additives for Polymers
Ferro’s Polymer Additives Division implemented price increases for several of its product lines in North America, effective from mid December. Affected products include metallic stearates, all mixed-metal stabilizers including tin stabilizers, isothiazalone biocides, and benzyl phthalate and phosphate ester plasticizers. BASF Corp recently increased North American list and off-list selling prices for polyalcohols, which are used in the manufacture of plasticizers, by US$0.01–0.02/lb.
million lbs (3600 tonnes) of capacity in those two countries. The equipment was supplied by Coperion and fitted with proprietary Clariant technology. The new lines will allow the company to increase market share in these regions, while improving service and delivery to existing customers. Production from the Mexico plant is expected to double with the new installation. Clariant Masterbatches has more than 50 fullservice facilities in 30 countries producing colour and additive masterbatches.
In Europe, Rohm and Haas Plastics Additives increased prices for its Paraloid™ impact modifiers and processing aids, Advastab™ stabilizers, Advalub™ lubricants, and Advawax™ waxes from 15 January. France’s Eliokem has brought in a 5–10% price increase for its Chemigum® and Sunigum® powder elastomeric modifiers from the beginning of the year.
Clariant’s global reorganization has resulted in various management changes for Clariant Masterbatches’ North American and European operations, all effective from the beginning of January. The parent company’s reorganization aims to maximize synergy, deliver new products to the market more quickly, improve service to customers and maximize cost effectiveness. Clariant Masterbatches continues under the overall direction of Dominik von Bertrab. In North America, Steve Snow has become senior VP, with responsibility for all Masterbatches operations in North America, including approximately 700 employees working in ten plants in the USA and three in Canada. Reporting to him will be Jim Brinks and Bill Crawford, who will manage the western and eastern USA, respectively, and Dragos Gavriluta, who assumes responsibility for Canada. Snow replaces John Clarke, who has been appointed North American Region Head for Masterbatches’ sister division, Pigments & Additives.
Contact: Albemarle Corp, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801-1765, USA; tel: +1225-388-7402; fax: +1-225-388-7848; URL: www.albemarle.com BASF Corp, 100 Campus Drive, Florham Park, NJ 07932, USA; tel: +1-973-245-6000; URL: www.basf.com Eliokem, 14 av Tropiques, 91940 Les Ulis, France; tel: +33-1-6929-2700; fax: +33-16929-2701; URL: www.eliokem.com Ferro Corp, 1000 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114-7000, USA; tel: +1-216-641-8580; URL: www.ferro.com Great Lakes Chemical Corp, PO Box 2200, 1 Great Lakes Boulevard, West Lafayette, Indianapolis, IN 47906-5394, USA; tel: +1765-497-6100; fax: +1-765-497-6316; URL: www.greatlakeschem.com Rohm and Haas, La tour de Lyon, 185 rue de Bercy, 75579 Paris Cedex 12, France; tel: +331-4002-5000; fax: +33-1-4345-2819; URL: www.rohmhaas.com
Clariant expands, reorganizes masterbatches… With the installation of three new, state-of-theart extrusion systems, one at the Naucalpan plant in Mexico and two in Canada – in Toronto, Ontario and Delta, BC (see ADPO, June 2003) – Clariant Masterbatches has added a total of 8
In Europe, the division’s operations are being reorganized into three regional business units. Wolfgang Schadt becomes Head of Regional Business Unit Europe North, encompassing Germany, the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Finland, Switzerland and Austria. Luigi Taglioretti becomes Head of Regional Business Unit Europe South and Special Markets, including Italy, the Near Middle East, India, Pakistan, Turkey and South Africa. Thomas Bernhardt will manage Europe West, including Spain, Portugal, France and Benelux. Clariant Masterbatches worldwide is being organized into regional units, which reflect the localized nature of the business, and market-focused units that will respond to the needs of different enduser industries. Each regional business unit will
9
Additives for Polymers
be able to take advantage of the international strengths of Clariant, while also having responsibility for local sales, marketing and production and technology.
… and enhances ColorWorks colour capabilities Clariant’s Masterbatches division is also adopting a new sophisticated computer imaging system developed to facilitate 3D, real-time virtual prototyping. The Indigo system from ColorViz (Aix en Provence, France) is becoming standard equipment in full-service ColorWorks Design & Technology centres in the USA, Europe and Asia. It provides a quick and easy way to evaluate colour, gloss and texture in plastic components from a CAD drawing without making a series of costly prototypes. It can also render transparency and special effects, says Clariant Masterbatches. In each location, the Indigo system is linked to the Clariant Masterbatches colour database, so the resulting image accurately represents the true colour specified. The ColorViz system draws upon 3D colour imaging technology developed for the movie industry and marries it with high-speed processors used in computer games. It does not eliminate the need for prototypes and colour chips but is said to dramatically reduce the number of trials required to reach a satisfactory result. In other news, the Pigments & Additives division recently inaugurated its new production plant for DPP pigments in Frankfurt, Germany (see ADPO, July 2004). The plant has initial capacity of 200 tonnes/year with the possibility to increase this to meet rising market demand. Contact: Clariant Masterbatches Division, Rothausstrasse 61, CH-4132 Muttenz 1, Switzerland; tel: +41-61-469-6170; fax: +4161-469-6597; URL: www.clariant.masterbatches.com
Luzenac Group reorganizes global business Talc producer Luzenac Group has announced the extension of its European business unit organization model worldwide, effective from 1 January. The four new global business units are
10
February 2005
centred on Luzenac’s core markets of paints, paper, polymers and specialities. The units, with their sales and development departments, will continue to be based at the company’s regional headquarters in Toulouse, Denver and Singapore. Among a series of appointments, Kent Cutler, formerly VP Sales and Logistics of Luzenac North America, has been appointed VP of the new Worldwide Polymers Business Unit. Patrice Gérault, formerly general manager of Luzenac Europe, has been appointed senior VP Development with worldwide responsibility for securing the internal and external development and growth of Luzenac. Bernard Gavoille, formerly director of Global Mining & Technology has been nominated VP Worldwide Resources with responsibility for defining Luzenac’s ore utilization and exploration strategy. There are also new heads of regional operations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Commenting on the new organization, Joachim Roeser, president/CEO of Luzenac says “the new structure will enhance our global offer and improve efficiency”. Contact: Luzenac Group, 131, avenue Charles de Gaulle, 92200 Neuilly, France; tel: +33-14745-9040; fax: +33-1-4747-5805; e-mail: [email protected]; URL: www.luzenac.com
NEWS AND VIEWS Eliokem opens Chinese antioxidant plant French company Eliokem reports that it has opened its new production facility dedicated to the manufacture of Wingstay L phenolic antioxidants in the Ningbo Economic and Technical Development Zone, near Shanghai, China (see ADPO, June 2003). The company says the investment will enhance its position in Asia and globally in the polymer stabilization market. Wingstay L is available in various physical forms and is used in the stabilization of high-value polymers such as ABS, as well as natural rubber-based items, elastic threads and medical gloves. The company says that
Additives for Polymers
Ferro’s Polymer Additives Division implemented price increases for several of its product lines in North America, effective from mid December. Affected products include metallic stearates, all mixed-metal stabilizers including tin stabilizers, isothiazalone biocides, and benzyl phthalate and phosphate ester plasticizers. BASF Corp recently increased North American list and off-list selling prices for polyalcohols, which are used in the manufacture of plasticizers, by US$0.01–0.02/lb.
million lbs (3600 tonnes) of capacity in those two countries. The equipment was supplied by Coperion and fitted with proprietary Clariant technology. The new lines will allow the company to increase market share in these regions, while improving service and delivery to existing customers. Production from the Mexico plant is expected to double with the new installation. Clariant Masterbatches has more than 50 fullservice facilities in 30 countries producing colour and additive masterbatches.
In Europe, Rohm and Haas Plastics Additives increased prices for its Paraloid™ impact modifiers and processing aids, Advastab™ stabilizers, Advalub™ lubricants, and Advawax™ waxes from 15 January. France’s Eliokem has brought in a 5–10% price increase for its Chemigum® and Sunigum® powder elastomeric modifiers from the beginning of the year.
Clariant’s global reorganization has resulted in various management changes for Clariant Masterbatches’ North American and European operations, all effective from the beginning of January. The parent company’s reorganization aims to maximize synergy, deliver new products to the market more quickly, improve service to customers and maximize cost effectiveness. Clariant Masterbatches continues under the overall direction of Dominik von Bertrab. In North America, Steve Snow has become senior VP, with responsibility for all Masterbatches operations in North America, including approximately 700 employees working in ten plants in the USA and three in Canada. Reporting to him will be Jim Brinks and Bill Crawford, who will manage the western and eastern USA, respectively, and Dragos Gavriluta, who assumes responsibility for Canada. Snow replaces John Clarke, who has been appointed North American Region Head for Masterbatches’ sister division, Pigments & Additives.
Contact: Albemarle Corp, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801-1765, USA; tel: +1225-388-7402; fax: +1-225-388-7848; URL: www.albemarle.com BASF Corp, 100 Campus Drive, Florham Park, NJ 07932, USA; tel: +1-973-245-6000; URL: www.basf.com Eliokem, 14 av Tropiques, 91940 Les Ulis, France; tel: +33-1-6929-2700; fax: +33-16929-2701; URL: www.eliokem.com Ferro Corp, 1000 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114-7000, USA; tel: +1-216-641-8580; URL: www.ferro.com Great Lakes Chemical Corp, PO Box 2200, 1 Great Lakes Boulevard, West Lafayette, Indianapolis, IN 47906-5394, USA; tel: +1765-497-6100; fax: +1-765-497-6316; URL: www.greatlakeschem.com Rohm and Haas, La tour de Lyon, 185 rue de Bercy, 75579 Paris Cedex 12, France; tel: +331-4002-5000; fax: +33-1-4345-2819; URL: www.rohmhaas.com
Clariant expands, reorganizes masterbatches… With the installation of three new, state-of-theart extrusion systems, one at the Naucalpan plant in Mexico and two in Canada – in Toronto, Ontario and Delta, BC (see ADPO, June 2003) – Clariant Masterbatches has added a total of 8
In Europe, the division’s operations are being reorganized into three regional business units. Wolfgang Schadt becomes Head of Regional Business Unit Europe North, encompassing Germany, the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Finland, Switzerland and Austria. Luigi Taglioretti becomes Head of Regional Business Unit Europe South and Special Markets, including Italy, the Near Middle East, India, Pakistan, Turkey and South Africa. Thomas Bernhardt will manage Europe West, including Spain, Portugal, France and Benelux. Clariant Masterbatches worldwide is being organized into regional units, which reflect the localized nature of the business, and market-focused units that will respond to the needs of different enduser industries. Each regional business unit will
9
Additives for Polymers
be able to take advantage of the international strengths of Clariant, while also having responsibility for local sales, marketing and production and technology.
… and enhances ColorWorks colour capabilities Clariant’s Masterbatches division is also adopting a new sophisticated computer imaging system developed to facilitate 3D, real-time virtual prototyping. The Indigo system from ColorViz (Aix en Provence, France) is becoming standard equipment in full-service ColorWorks Design & Technology centres in the USA, Europe and Asia. It provides a quick and easy way to evaluate colour, gloss and texture in plastic components from a CAD drawing without making a series of costly prototypes. It can also render transparency and special effects, says Clariant Masterbatches. In each location, the Indigo system is linked to the Clariant Masterbatches colour database, so the resulting image accurately represents the true colour specified. The ColorViz system draws upon 3D colour imaging technology developed for the movie industry and marries it with high-speed processors used in computer games. It does not eliminate the need for prototypes and colour chips but is said to dramatically reduce the number of trials required to reach a satisfactory result. In other news, the Pigments & Additives division recently inaugurated its new production plant for DPP pigments in Frankfurt, Germany (see ADPO, July 2004). The plant has initial capacity of 200 tonnes/year with the possibility to increase this to meet rising market demand. Contact: Clariant Masterbatches Division, Rothausstrasse 61, CH-4132 Muttenz 1, Switzerland; tel: +41-61-469-6170; fax: +4161-469-6597; URL: www.clariant.masterbatches.com
Luzenac Group reorganizes global business Talc producer Luzenac Group has announced the extension of its European business unit organization model worldwide, effective from 1 January. The four new global business units are
10
February 2005
centred on Luzenac’s core markets of paints, paper, polymers and specialities. The units, with their sales and development departments, will continue to be based at the company’s regional headquarters in Toulouse, Denver and Singapore. Among a series of appointments, Kent Cutler, formerly VP Sales and Logistics of Luzenac North America, has been appointed VP of the new Worldwide Polymers Business Unit. Patrice Gérault, formerly general manager of Luzenac Europe, has been appointed senior VP Development with worldwide responsibility for securing the internal and external development and growth of Luzenac. Bernard Gavoille, formerly director of Global Mining & Technology has been nominated VP Worldwide Resources with responsibility for defining Luzenac’s ore utilization and exploration strategy. There are also new heads of regional operations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Commenting on the new organization, Joachim Roeser, president/CEO of Luzenac says “the new structure will enhance our global offer and improve efficiency”. Contact: Luzenac Group, 131, avenue Charles de Gaulle, 92200 Neuilly, France; tel: +33-14745-9040; fax: +33-1-4747-5805; e-mail: [email protected]; URL: www.luzenac.com
NEWS AND VIEWS Eliokem opens Chinese antioxidant plant French company Eliokem reports that it has opened its new production facility dedicated to the manufacture of Wingstay L phenolic antioxidants in the Ningbo Economic and Technical Development Zone, near Shanghai, China (see ADPO, June 2003). The company says the investment will enhance its position in Asia and globally in the polymer stabilization market. Wingstay L is available in various physical forms and is used in the stabilization of high-value polymers such as ABS, as well as natural rubber-based items, elastic threads and medical gloves. The company says that