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Cognis launches new APG microsite
F O C US global integration manager Ciba at BASF, offers the intriguingly titled contribution ‘Crossing the “Valleys of Despair” - Successfully Integrating Acquired Businesses’, while Koichi Nakamura of Kao Corp will discuss ‘Defining the Future of Highly EcoFriendly Washing through Innovation’ and Erwin Annys of CEFIC will tackle the complexities of REACH, among other presentations. On the final day, which deals with product development, topics range from the measurement of sustainability, through computational chemistry, to the psychology of winning - an eclectic mix! Caroline Edser
RAW MATERIALS Oleochemicals Kyowa Hakko looks to Asia to boost higher-alcohol sales Kyowa Hakko Chemical is aggressively cultivating markets in Asia for its nonanol and tridecanol alcohols, targeting to boost sales by 2-2.5 times within several years. The marketing drive in China is led by the company’s Shanghai representative office, and in Southeast Asia and India by its Singapore representative office. Nonanol, a C9 straight-chain fatty alcohol, is traditionally sold in Japan and Europe as a cosmetic ingredient but Kyowa Hakko is now eyeing new markets such as India. Tridecanol is used as a nonionic surfactant for detergents. Japan Chemical Web, 25 Jan 2010 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Marubeni seals deal to distribute P&G’s lauryl alcohol in Japan Marubeni Corp will be distributing lauryl alcohol from Procter & Gamble in Japan beginning Feb 2010. Marubeni will put up storage tanks in Chiba to store the lauryl alcohol, which will be shipped from Malaysia. Japanese users of lauryl alcohol include surfactant manufacturers. Japan Chemical Web, 22 Feb 2010, (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
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Growth in Malaysian & Indonesian palm oil production According to ECM Libra Investment Research, production of crude palm oil (CPO) in Malaysia is likely to witness an increase of 5% to 10% in 2010. In 2009 production was 17.6 M tonnes (17.7 M tonnes in 2008). It is also predicted that CPO prices will not be sustained above Ringgit 2500/tonne with the production downcycle ending in Feb or Mar 2010. In 2008, the export of palm oil products was Ringgit 65.2 bn (€15.2 bn). The government of Malaysia is concentrating on increasing export volume of value-added products, services and palm oil related technologies to reach a target of Ringgit 100 bn in 2020. Indonesia produced 19.2 M tonnes in 2008 and 19.4 M tonnes in JanSep 2009. Some 20.9 M tonnes is the target for 2010, and 27.9 M tonnes in 2014. Indonesia is also aiming to achieve higher added value and increase export revenues from its palm oil processing industries. The country is to invest up to $2.5 bn in the next five years on the introduction of new technology and on infrastructure expansion in palm oil growing regions. The contribution of palm oil derivatives to the overall export value of the palm oil industry is to increase from the current 30% to around 50%. Indonesia is the world’s largest CPO producer, with Malaysia second. The two account for 85% of world palm oil production. According to one market research company, global CPO demand will grow from an estimated 47.5 M tonnes in 2010 to 60 M tonnes in 2014. The Star, 12 & 26 Jan 2010, (Website: http://www.thestar.com.my) & Nachrichten fuer Aussenhandel, 2 Feb 2010, (Website: http://www.nfaonline.de) (in German)
Other BASF raises prices for ethanolamines, ethyleneamines and isopropanolamines in Europe With immediate effect, BASF is increasing the sales prices for ethanolamines, ethyleneamines and isopropanolamines in Europe, existing contracts permitting. The increases will be: +€50/tonne for monoethanolamine, triethanolamine,
ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, aminoethylethanolamine, piperazine and AMIX 1000; and +€60/tonne for monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine and triethanolamine. MEA, TEA, EDA, DETA, AEEA, piperazine and AMIX1000 are high-class intermediates used in the manufacture of agrochemicals, paper chemicals and wood protectants, surfactants for detergents and cleaning products, among other uses. BASF produces MEA and TEA at its Verbund sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Antwerp, Belgium, and ethyleneamines at the Antwerp Verbund site. Press release from: BASF SE, D-67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany, tel: +49 621 600, website: http://www.basf.com (2 Feb 2010)
SURFACTANTS Cognis launches new APG microsite Cognis has launched a new microsite that provides comprehensive information about alkyl polyglucoside surfactants (APG). Obtained from natural, plant-derived raw materials such as vegetable oils and starch, APGs are used in environmentally sound high-performance products for the personal care, home care and industrial and institutional cleaning (I&I) markets. Consumers demand products that combine sustainability with the level of performance that they have come to expect from conventional products. Completely in line with Cognis’ sustainability strategy, the company’s APG surfactants help to turn manufacturers’ formulations green without compromising on performance, fulfilling diverse worldwide environmental organization requirements. In 1989, Cognis, at the time still part of the Henkel Group, was the first company that succeeded in designing an industrial production process for APG surfactants. The company is now the world’s largest manufacturer of the original APG surfactants. The company’s new microsite is designed to provide customers, journalists and the general public with background information about these materials. It contains details about the products’ application areas, the specific APRIL 2010
F O C US benefits that APGs bring to these markets, and shows manufacturers and formulators at a glance which ecolabels and certification bodies have already approved APG surfactants. For more information visit http://www.cognis-apg.com. Press release from: Cognis GmbH, Postfach 130164, D-40551, Düsseldorf, Germany, website: http://www.cognis.com (2 Feb 2010)
Siltech buys in Canada Siltech has purchased Rhodia’s plant in Mississauga, ON, Canada. The company will retain the facility’s 42 employees and will continue making Rhodia’s products under a long-term deal. The Mississauga unit makes surfactants and polymers. Chemical Week, 1 Feb 2010, (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS Builders Anti-dumping investigation initiated concerning EU imports of Zeolite A The Commission has received a complaint pursuant to Article 5 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1225/2009 of 30 Nov 2009 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community, alleging that imports of Zeolite A powder, originating in Bosnia and Herzegovina, are being dumped and are thereby causing material injury to the Union industry. The complaint was lodged on 4 Jan 2010 by Industrias Quimicas del Ebro SA, MAL Magyar Aluminium, PQ Silicas BV, Silkem doo and Zeolite Mira Srl Unipersonale representing a major proportion, in this case more than 25%, of the total Union production of Zeolite A powder. Zeolite A powder, which is also referred to as Zeolite NaA powder or Zeolite 4A powder, is used as a builder in detergent powders and tablets, among other uses. The complainants have provided evidence that imports of Zeolite A from Bosnia and APRIL 2010
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Herzegovina have increased overall in absolute terms and in terms of market share. Having determined there is sufficient evidence to justify the initiation of a proceeding, the Commission hereby initiates an investigation pursuant to Article 5 of the basic Regulation. The investigation will determine whether dumping is occurring and whether this has caused injury to the Union industry. If the conclusions are affirmative, the investigation will examine whether it is in the Union interest to impose measures. The investigation will be concluded within 15 months of the date of the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union. Provisional measures may be imposed no later than nine months from the same date. Official Journal of the European Union C Information and Notices, 17 Feb 2010, 53 (C40), 5-9 (European Communities, website: http://eur-lex.europa.eu)
Bright development prospects for polyaspartic acid in China Recent progress towards the commercialization of polyaspartic acid in China is outlined, with particular reference to the role of Desai Chemical Co Ltd. Current and potential consumption of the amino acid polymer in the Chinese water treatment and chemical fertilizer sectors is discussed. In the household chemical sector, demand for polyaspartic acid as a replacement for phosphate in detergents has increased to about 3000 tonne/y in China. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Feb 2010, 21 (3), 27-28
Other ISP launches ‘greener’ biocides ISP Performance Chemicals has expanded its Nuosept brand with the introduction of new ‘greener’ biocides that deliver broad spectrum protection to coatings, adhesives and other water-based industrial formulations. Nuosept BMc 422 and Nuosept W Concentrate inhibit microbial spoilage and do not add to the VOC or formaldehyde of the products preserved. Nuosept BMc 422 is a broad spectrum preservative that fights microbes, bacteria and fungi
levels at use levels of 0.05-0.5% by weight. It serves as an in-can preservation solution for a number of products, including water-based paints and coatings systems. Nuosept W Concentrate Broad Spectrum Preservative brings together the antimicrobial functions of CIT/MIT and Bronopol at higher concentrations compared with existing products, allowing formulators to cut costs-inuse. It preserves adhesives, tackifiers, coatings and detergents at normal use levels of 0.025%-0.1%. Coatings World, Feb 2010, 15 (2), 45
APPLICATIONS Personal care & household Cognis and Laboratoires Serobiologiques at In-Cosmetics 2010 At the In-Cosmetics trade show in Paris, Cognis Care Chemicals and its active ingredients business Laboratoires Serobiologiques (LS) exhibited innovative solutions that help manufacturers benefit from the latest market developments. The ingredients and concepts presented meet global consumer demand for nature-based, high-performance wellness products, while at the same time taking into account the differences of regional markets. Cognis Care Chemicals focused on a range of new personal care ingredients that give manufacturers more choices in creating green products. These included a new economical wet wipes compound based on a gentle solubilizer system combined with a natural biolipid and moisturizer for various mild personal care applications, and a mild surfactant blend for EO-free and sulfate-free shampoos and shower gels. A number of new polymers were also featured. Cognis Care Chemicals and LS also launched their new “A beauty adventure around the world” concept. Cognis’ new “Free your formulation” concept was also presented. Press release from: Cognis GmbH, Postfach 130164, D-40551, Düsseldorf, Germany, website: http://www.cognis.com (23 Feb 2010)
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RAW MATERIALS Oleochemicals Kyowa Hakko looks to Asia to boost higher-alcohol sales Kyowa Hakko Chemical is aggressively cultivating markets in Asia for its nonanol and tridecanol alcohols, targeting to boost sales by 2-2.5 times within several years. The marketing drive in China is led by the company’s Shanghai representative office, and in Southeast Asia and India by its Singapore representative office. Nonanol, a C9 straight-chain fatty alcohol, is traditionally sold in Japan and Europe as a cosmetic ingredient but Kyowa Hakko is now eyeing new markets such as India. Tridecanol is used as a nonionic surfactant for detergents. Japan Chemical Web, 25 Jan 2010 (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Marubeni seals deal to distribute P&G’s lauryl alcohol in Japan Marubeni Corp will be distributing lauryl alcohol from Procter & Gamble in Japan beginning Feb 2010. Marubeni will put up storage tanks in Chiba to store the lauryl alcohol, which will be shipped from Malaysia. Japanese users of lauryl alcohol include surfactant manufacturers. Japan Chemical Web, 22 Feb 2010, (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
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Growth in Malaysian & Indonesian palm oil production According to ECM Libra Investment Research, production of crude palm oil (CPO) in Malaysia is likely to witness an increase of 5% to 10% in 2010. In 2009 production was 17.6 M tonnes (17.7 M tonnes in 2008). It is also predicted that CPO prices will not be sustained above Ringgit 2500/tonne with the production downcycle ending in Feb or Mar 2010. In 2008, the export of palm oil products was Ringgit 65.2 bn (€15.2 bn). The government of Malaysia is concentrating on increasing export volume of value-added products, services and palm oil related technologies to reach a target of Ringgit 100 bn in 2020. Indonesia produced 19.2 M tonnes in 2008 and 19.4 M tonnes in JanSep 2009. Some 20.9 M tonnes is the target for 2010, and 27.9 M tonnes in 2014. Indonesia is also aiming to achieve higher added value and increase export revenues from its palm oil processing industries. The country is to invest up to $2.5 bn in the next five years on the introduction of new technology and on infrastructure expansion in palm oil growing regions. The contribution of palm oil derivatives to the overall export value of the palm oil industry is to increase from the current 30% to around 50%. Indonesia is the world’s largest CPO producer, with Malaysia second. The two account for 85% of world palm oil production. According to one market research company, global CPO demand will grow from an estimated 47.5 M tonnes in 2010 to 60 M tonnes in 2014. The Star, 12 & 26 Jan 2010, (Website: http://www.thestar.com.my) & Nachrichten fuer Aussenhandel, 2 Feb 2010, (Website: http://www.nfaonline.de) (in German)
Other BASF raises prices for ethanolamines, ethyleneamines and isopropanolamines in Europe With immediate effect, BASF is increasing the sales prices for ethanolamines, ethyleneamines and isopropanolamines in Europe, existing contracts permitting. The increases will be: +€50/tonne for monoethanolamine, triethanolamine,
ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, aminoethylethanolamine, piperazine and AMIX 1000; and +€60/tonne for monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine and triethanolamine. MEA, TEA, EDA, DETA, AEEA, piperazine and AMIX1000 are high-class intermediates used in the manufacture of agrochemicals, paper chemicals and wood protectants, surfactants for detergents and cleaning products, among other uses. BASF produces MEA and TEA at its Verbund sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Antwerp, Belgium, and ethyleneamines at the Antwerp Verbund site. Press release from: BASF SE, D-67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany, tel: +49 621 600, website: http://www.basf.com (2 Feb 2010)
SURFACTANTS Cognis launches new APG microsite Cognis has launched a new microsite that provides comprehensive information about alkyl polyglucoside surfactants (APG). Obtained from natural, plant-derived raw materials such as vegetable oils and starch, APGs are used in environmentally sound high-performance products for the personal care, home care and industrial and institutional cleaning (I&I) markets. Consumers demand products that combine sustainability with the level of performance that they have come to expect from conventional products. Completely in line with Cognis’ sustainability strategy, the company’s APG surfactants help to turn manufacturers’ formulations green without compromising on performance, fulfilling diverse worldwide environmental organization requirements. In 1989, Cognis, at the time still part of the Henkel Group, was the first company that succeeded in designing an industrial production process for APG surfactants. The company is now the world’s largest manufacturer of the original APG surfactants. The company’s new microsite is designed to provide customers, journalists and the general public with background information about these materials. It contains details about the products’ application areas, the specific APRIL 2010
F O C US benefits that APGs bring to these markets, and shows manufacturers and formulators at a glance which ecolabels and certification bodies have already approved APG surfactants. For more information visit http://www.cognis-apg.com. Press release from: Cognis GmbH, Postfach 130164, D-40551, Düsseldorf, Germany, website: http://www.cognis.com (2 Feb 2010)
Siltech buys in Canada Siltech has purchased Rhodia’s plant in Mississauga, ON, Canada. The company will retain the facility’s 42 employees and will continue making Rhodia’s products under a long-term deal. The Mississauga unit makes surfactants and polymers. Chemical Week, 1 Feb 2010, (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS Builders Anti-dumping investigation initiated concerning EU imports of Zeolite A The Commission has received a complaint pursuant to Article 5 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1225/2009 of 30 Nov 2009 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community, alleging that imports of Zeolite A powder, originating in Bosnia and Herzegovina, are being dumped and are thereby causing material injury to the Union industry. The complaint was lodged on 4 Jan 2010 by Industrias Quimicas del Ebro SA, MAL Magyar Aluminium, PQ Silicas BV, Silkem doo and Zeolite Mira Srl Unipersonale representing a major proportion, in this case more than 25%, of the total Union production of Zeolite A powder. Zeolite A powder, which is also referred to as Zeolite NaA powder or Zeolite 4A powder, is used as a builder in detergent powders and tablets, among other uses. The complainants have provided evidence that imports of Zeolite A from Bosnia and APRIL 2010
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Herzegovina have increased overall in absolute terms and in terms of market share. Having determined there is sufficient evidence to justify the initiation of a proceeding, the Commission hereby initiates an investigation pursuant to Article 5 of the basic Regulation. The investigation will determine whether dumping is occurring and whether this has caused injury to the Union industry. If the conclusions are affirmative, the investigation will examine whether it is in the Union interest to impose measures. The investigation will be concluded within 15 months of the date of the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union. Provisional measures may be imposed no later than nine months from the same date. Official Journal of the European Union C Information and Notices, 17 Feb 2010, 53 (C40), 5-9 (European Communities, website: http://eur-lex.europa.eu)
Bright development prospects for polyaspartic acid in China Recent progress towards the commercialization of polyaspartic acid in China is outlined, with particular reference to the role of Desai Chemical Co Ltd. Current and potential consumption of the amino acid polymer in the Chinese water treatment and chemical fertilizer sectors is discussed. In the household chemical sector, demand for polyaspartic acid as a replacement for phosphate in detergents has increased to about 3000 tonne/y in China. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Feb 2010, 21 (3), 27-28
Other ISP launches ‘greener’ biocides ISP Performance Chemicals has expanded its Nuosept brand with the introduction of new ‘greener’ biocides that deliver broad spectrum protection to coatings, adhesives and other water-based industrial formulations. Nuosept BMc 422 and Nuosept W Concentrate inhibit microbial spoilage and do not add to the VOC or formaldehyde of the products preserved. Nuosept BMc 422 is a broad spectrum preservative that fights microbes, bacteria and fungi
levels at use levels of 0.05-0.5% by weight. It serves as an in-can preservation solution for a number of products, including water-based paints and coatings systems. Nuosept W Concentrate Broad Spectrum Preservative brings together the antimicrobial functions of CIT/MIT and Bronopol at higher concentrations compared with existing products, allowing formulators to cut costs-inuse. It preserves adhesives, tackifiers, coatings and detergents at normal use levels of 0.025%-0.1%. Coatings World, Feb 2010, 15 (2), 45
APPLICATIONS Personal care & household Cognis and Laboratoires Serobiologiques at In-Cosmetics 2010 At the In-Cosmetics trade show in Paris, Cognis Care Chemicals and its active ingredients business Laboratoires Serobiologiques (LS) exhibited innovative solutions that help manufacturers benefit from the latest market developments. The ingredients and concepts presented meet global consumer demand for nature-based, high-performance wellness products, while at the same time taking into account the differences of regional markets. Cognis Care Chemicals focused on a range of new personal care ingredients that give manufacturers more choices in creating green products. These included a new economical wet wipes compound based on a gentle solubilizer system combined with a natural biolipid and moisturizer for various mild personal care applications, and a mild surfactant blend for EO-free and sulfate-free shampoos and shower gels. A number of new polymers were also featured. Cognis Care Chemicals and LS also launched their new “A beauty adventure around the world” concept. Cognis’ new “Free your formulation” concept was also presented. Press release from: Cognis GmbH, Postfach 130164, D-40551, Düsseldorf, Germany, website: http://www.cognis.com (23 Feb 2010)
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