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Clariant invests in Chinese pigments plant
/E
INDUSTRY
to transform market
European A new study from Frost & Sullivan predicts that the intro-
lations will mean a period of
industries as diverse as automotive, construction, electronics and plastics. More stringent flammability standards are already being introduced, such as performance-based codes in the building industry, and voluntary actions that improve fire safety in consumer products. This has resulted in greater demand and changing requirements for flame-retardants, favouring low smoke and fume products, explains Frost & Sullivan. The environmental impact of flame-
retardants is now being discussed by regulators and this has resulted in increasing demand for more environmentally acceptable materials, which represents one of the biggest challenges for flame retardant producers. Max Crosetti, Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst, adds: "In 2000 the market for flame retardant chemicals was worth $509.5 million. By 2007 we predict market revenues will reach $671.7 million. The key driver for this growth will be fire safety and environmental regulations, which will demand the use of these chemicals in many more industries than today. This new legislation will also result in end-users changing the type of flame retardant
they purchase to meet the latest specifications. This in turn will have a knock-on effect to the producers who will be forced to develop new products to keep pace and to serve the new markets and applications that will be covered." Frost & Sullivan emphasises that the European Plastics Industry is committed to developing plastics that make use of flame retardant chemicals to meet higher safety standards. Combined with the growth in the use of polymers worldwide and their increasing use in higher value, technical and durable applications, this ,s continuing to drive the growth of the flame retardants market. In all flame retardants markets price competition is fierce,
Basell closes polypropylene operations Basell is closing its polypropylene manufacturing and compounding plants at Wilton, UK, and two polypropylene plants in Tarragona, Spain due to continuing over capacity in Europe. The plants will be idled in mid-2002. Robert Genin, president of Basell Europe Polypropylene, explains: "These steps are being taken after a careful review of all assets to assess their viability. By taking this action now Basell will improve its financial position and make a major contribution to reducing overcapacity in Europe." In the UK, two Novolen
reports the company, and increasing competition from the Far East is exacerbating overcapacity. The report recommends that producers develop new strategies to meet growing price competition and to limit product switching by customers. The report contains research for the most important flame retardant types; brominated compounds, phosphorus-based chemicals, aluminium trihydrate, antimony trioxide, melamine-based flame retardants and chlorinated compounds. Contact: Frost & Sullivan Tel.. +44 1865 398651 E-maiL. bill.stringer@ fi-europe.com
Clariant invests in Chinese pigments plant
homopolymer lines with total capacity of 180,000 tonnes will be mothballed and a 32,000 tonnes polypropylene compounding facility will be closed. While in Spain, a 90,000 tonnes slurry plant will be closed at the Tarragona West site and a 60,000 tonnes Novolen homopolymer plant at Tarragona East will be mothballed. Bassell adds that is constructing a new 225,000 tonnes Novolen polypropylene plant at Tarragona East, which is due to be commissioned in 2002. Contact: Basel! Tel: +44 7831 344 823
Clariant Pigments (Tianjin) Ltd. has inaugurated its new plant in China for the production of organic pigments. The operation is a joint venture between the Swiss speciality chemical giant Clariant and Tianjin No. 8 Chemical and Dyestuff Factory, which belongs to the Bohai Chemical Industry Group Corp. The company says that the new plant uses the synthesis capacity of the existing workshops and optimizes the isolation, drying, grinding and packing of red and yellow Azo pigments. The technology installed allows the production
Plastics Additives & Compounding October 2001
4
process to run continuously and is computer controlled. The project also included the expansion of the biological wastewater treatment plant, which meets international standards. Clariant Pigments (Tianjin) Ltd. has produced pigments since 1997. The company says that the US$7 million investment further improves the productivity of the company and will increase the competitive position of the plant in the world raarket. Contact: Clariant GmbH Tek +49 6196 757 8130 Fax: +49 6196 757 8862
INDUSTRY
to transform market
European A new study from Frost & Sullivan predicts that the intro-
lations will mean a period of
industries as diverse as automotive, construction, electronics and plastics. More stringent flammability standards are already being introduced, such as performance-based codes in the building industry, and voluntary actions that improve fire safety in consumer products. This has resulted in greater demand and changing requirements for flame-retardants, favouring low smoke and fume products, explains Frost & Sullivan. The environmental impact of flame-
retardants is now being discussed by regulators and this has resulted in increasing demand for more environmentally acceptable materials, which represents one of the biggest challenges for flame retardant producers. Max Crosetti, Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst, adds: "In 2000 the market for flame retardant chemicals was worth $509.5 million. By 2007 we predict market revenues will reach $671.7 million. The key driver for this growth will be fire safety and environmental regulations, which will demand the use of these chemicals in many more industries than today. This new legislation will also result in end-users changing the type of flame retardant
they purchase to meet the latest specifications. This in turn will have a knock-on effect to the producers who will be forced to develop new products to keep pace and to serve the new markets and applications that will be covered." Frost & Sullivan emphasises that the European Plastics Industry is committed to developing plastics that make use of flame retardant chemicals to meet higher safety standards. Combined with the growth in the use of polymers worldwide and their increasing use in higher value, technical and durable applications, this ,s continuing to drive the growth of the flame retardants market. In all flame retardants markets price competition is fierce,
Basell closes polypropylene operations Basell is closing its polypropylene manufacturing and compounding plants at Wilton, UK, and two polypropylene plants in Tarragona, Spain due to continuing over capacity in Europe. The plants will be idled in mid-2002. Robert Genin, president of Basell Europe Polypropylene, explains: "These steps are being taken after a careful review of all assets to assess their viability. By taking this action now Basell will improve its financial position and make a major contribution to reducing overcapacity in Europe." In the UK, two Novolen
reports the company, and increasing competition from the Far East is exacerbating overcapacity. The report recommends that producers develop new strategies to meet growing price competition and to limit product switching by customers. The report contains research for the most important flame retardant types; brominated compounds, phosphorus-based chemicals, aluminium trihydrate, antimony trioxide, melamine-based flame retardants and chlorinated compounds. Contact: Frost & Sullivan Tel.. +44 1865 398651 E-maiL. bill.stringer@ fi-europe.com
Clariant invests in Chinese pigments plant
homopolymer lines with total capacity of 180,000 tonnes will be mothballed and a 32,000 tonnes polypropylene compounding facility will be closed. While in Spain, a 90,000 tonnes slurry plant will be closed at the Tarragona West site and a 60,000 tonnes Novolen homopolymer plant at Tarragona East will be mothballed. Bassell adds that is constructing a new 225,000 tonnes Novolen polypropylene plant at Tarragona East, which is due to be commissioned in 2002. Contact: Basel! Tel: +44 7831 344 823
Clariant Pigments (Tianjin) Ltd. has inaugurated its new plant in China for the production of organic pigments. The operation is a joint venture between the Swiss speciality chemical giant Clariant and Tianjin No. 8 Chemical and Dyestuff Factory, which belongs to the Bohai Chemical Industry Group Corp. The company says that the new plant uses the synthesis capacity of the existing workshops and optimizes the isolation, drying, grinding and packing of red and yellow Azo pigments. The technology installed allows the production
Plastics Additives & Compounding October 2001
4
process to run continuously and is computer controlled. The project also included the expansion of the biological wastewater treatment plant, which meets international standards. Clariant Pigments (Tianjin) Ltd. has produced pigments since 1997. The company says that the US$7 million investment further improves the productivity of the company and will increase the competitive position of the plant in the world raarket. Contact: Clariant GmbH Tek +49 6196 757 8130 Fax: +49 6196 757 8862