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Cognis to cut 92 jobs in France
F O C US of glycerin (glycerol) is produced. 1.6 M tonnes of glycerin would swamp the market, as experts put world needs at just 500,000 tonnes/y. Glycerin is an important raw material for the production of dyes, plastics, alkyd resins and PU foams, and is also used in creams and ointments and as a food additive, among other applications. As production of biodiesel continues to grow, the question arises of what to do with the glycerin. In a series of research projects, scientists are looking for new applications. One group has unveiled a process for converting the glycerin to 1,3 propanediol. Meanwhile, Solvay is using bioglycerin to make epichlorohydrin. Dow Chemical is making propylene glycol (1,2-propanediol) from glycerin. Other projects are looking at turning glycerin and butadiene into so-called glycerin telomers. Some of these can be converted into surfactants. Chemische Rundschau, 19 Jun 2009, (6), 15 (in German)
SURFACTANTS Dow and Croda to close Wilton, UK capacities Dow Chemical and Croda plan to close their manufacturing operations in Wilton, UK, with Dow planning to leave by end-Jan 2010. Dow manufactures ethylene glycol (EG)/ethylene oxide (EO) at the site, while Croda produces personal care and industrial specialities (eg nonionic surfactants) using EO from Dow as the feedstock. Dow’s facility employs 55 people and can produce 320,000 tonnes/y of EO and 275,000 tonnes/y of EG. According to Dow, the economic crisis has aggravated the factory’s cost problems and lack of competitiveness and there is no prospect of improvement. With the Dow unit the only EO manufacturer in the UK and importing EO both complex and costly, Croda has therefore decided to close its Wilton factory with the loss of 125 jobs and will move production elsewhere. ICIS Chemical Business, 13 Jul 2009, (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 13 Jul 2009, (473), (Website: http://www.france-chimie.com) (in French)
SEPTEMBER 2009
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S U R FAC TA N T S
Stepan increases surfactant prices in North America
Nikko targets growth with new overseas nonionic surfactant plant
From 1 Jul 2009 Stepan Co raised its list and off-list pricing for a number of surfactant product categories in North America. For alkylbenzene sulfonic acids the increase is $0.15/lb, for hydrotropes $0.05/lb and for alkyl phenol alkoxylates $0.03/lb. Prices for blends and derivatives of these products will increase accordingly. The company says these increases are necessary due to rising costs of petroleum-based feedstocks.
Nikko Chemicals inaugurated on 15 Jul 2009 its Yen 3 bn ($32 M) nonionic surfactant production plant in the Seraya district of Singapore’s Jurong Island [see Focus on Surfactants, Jan 2008]. The facility, which is the firm’s first overseas production site, can make 5000 tonnes/y of ethoxylated surfactants. Nikko plans to use the site to propel its expansion in the cosmetics and toiletry-product industries of China and Southeast Asia. The cosmeticsingredient supplier also intends to introduce its products to the fibres and inks sectors by forging alliances with other firms.
Press release from: Stepan Co, 22, West Frontage Road, Northfield, IL 60093, USA, tel: +1 847 446 7500, fax: +1 847 501 2100, website: http://www.stepan.com (12 Jun 2009)
DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise launches new fluorosurfactants DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise has introduced its new Capstone fluorosurfactants for paint, coating and resin formulations for the architectural and decorative paint sector. The new products are applied early during the coating system design, whereas conventional products are used only at the end of the formulation process. Capstone could lower or totally eliminate the need for redundant additives. Chimica Oggi/Chemistry Today, May/Jun 2009, 27 (3), 65
Grant presents cyclic-free silicone emulsifier Gransurf 50C (INCI: dimethicone and PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone), developed by Grant, is an emulsifying surfactant intended for water-in-oil emulsions and other formulas that contain 5-35% silicone oils and gels. Gransurf 50C, which is 50% active, has no cyclomethicone content and instead employs a low-viscosity dimethicone in place of solvent. Product advantages include high concentration as well as enhanced cost efficiency. The material is ideal for use in liquid foundations where it helps in dispersing colour pigments. It can also be used as a wetting agent for pigments and as a coupling agent for emollients, moisturizers and sunscreens. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jul 2009, 46 (7), 126 & SPC, Soap, Perfumery and Cosmetics, Jul 2009, 82 (7), 65
Japan Chemical Web, 17 Jul 2009, (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Cognis to cut 92 jobs in France Cognis has announced that it is to cut 92 jobs at its French sites. These currently have a total workforce of 465. The programme will affect 3 of Cognis 5 sites: Meaux, SaintFargeau-Ponthierry and Boussens. Meaux specializes in the production of sulfate surfactants used in shampoos and shower gels and photomers (paint additives). Capacity will be reduced from 112,000 tonnes/y to 86,300 tonnes/y. Cognis’ Boussens site specializes in long chain fatty alcohols and sterols used in detergent manufacture. Cognis will reduce the site’s workforce by 36.5 out of total of 116.5. However, production levels (38,500 tonnes/y) will be maintained. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 21 Jul 2009, (474), 4 (in French)
Huntsman finds manufacturing partner in India Indian petrochemicals company Laffans has agreed to carry out production of nonionic surfactants, glycol ethers and amines for US firm Huntsman. Mumbai-based Laffans has inked a letter of intent covering the sharing of know-how, expertise and resources for speciality chemicals. Huntsman anticipates the partnership to be a significant step in its strategy to further increase its presence in the Asia Pacific, and to establish support for its key global 3
SURFACTANTS Dow and Croda to close Wilton, UK capacities Dow Chemical and Croda plan to close their manufacturing operations in Wilton, UK, with Dow planning to leave by end-Jan 2010. Dow manufactures ethylene glycol (EG)/ethylene oxide (EO) at the site, while Croda produces personal care and industrial specialities (eg nonionic surfactants) using EO from Dow as the feedstock. Dow’s facility employs 55 people and can produce 320,000 tonnes/y of EO and 275,000 tonnes/y of EG. According to Dow, the economic crisis has aggravated the factory’s cost problems and lack of competitiveness and there is no prospect of improvement. With the Dow unit the only EO manufacturer in the UK and importing EO both complex and costly, Croda has therefore decided to close its Wilton factory with the loss of 125 jobs and will move production elsewhere. ICIS Chemical Business, 13 Jul 2009, (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 13 Jul 2009, (473), (Website: http://www.france-chimie.com) (in French)
SEPTEMBER 2009
O N
S U R FAC TA N T S
Stepan increases surfactant prices in North America
Nikko targets growth with new overseas nonionic surfactant plant
From 1 Jul 2009 Stepan Co raised its list and off-list pricing for a number of surfactant product categories in North America. For alkylbenzene sulfonic acids the increase is $0.15/lb, for hydrotropes $0.05/lb and for alkyl phenol alkoxylates $0.03/lb. Prices for blends and derivatives of these products will increase accordingly. The company says these increases are necessary due to rising costs of petroleum-based feedstocks.
Nikko Chemicals inaugurated on 15 Jul 2009 its Yen 3 bn ($32 M) nonionic surfactant production plant in the Seraya district of Singapore’s Jurong Island [see Focus on Surfactants, Jan 2008]. The facility, which is the firm’s first overseas production site, can make 5000 tonnes/y of ethoxylated surfactants. Nikko plans to use the site to propel its expansion in the cosmetics and toiletry-product industries of China and Southeast Asia. The cosmeticsingredient supplier also intends to introduce its products to the fibres and inks sectors by forging alliances with other firms.
Press release from: Stepan Co, 22, West Frontage Road, Northfield, IL 60093, USA, tel: +1 847 446 7500, fax: +1 847 501 2100, website: http://www.stepan.com (12 Jun 2009)
DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise launches new fluorosurfactants DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise has introduced its new Capstone fluorosurfactants for paint, coating and resin formulations for the architectural and decorative paint sector. The new products are applied early during the coating system design, whereas conventional products are used only at the end of the formulation process. Capstone could lower or totally eliminate the need for redundant additives. Chimica Oggi/Chemistry Today, May/Jun 2009, 27 (3), 65
Grant presents cyclic-free silicone emulsifier Gransurf 50C (INCI: dimethicone and PEG/PPG-18/18 dimethicone), developed by Grant, is an emulsifying surfactant intended for water-in-oil emulsions and other formulas that contain 5-35% silicone oils and gels. Gransurf 50C, which is 50% active, has no cyclomethicone content and instead employs a low-viscosity dimethicone in place of solvent. Product advantages include high concentration as well as enhanced cost efficiency. The material is ideal for use in liquid foundations where it helps in dispersing colour pigments. It can also be used as a wetting agent for pigments and as a coupling agent for emollients, moisturizers and sunscreens. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jul 2009, 46 (7), 126 & SPC, Soap, Perfumery and Cosmetics, Jul 2009, 82 (7), 65
Japan Chemical Web, 17 Jul 2009, (Website: http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)
Cognis to cut 92 jobs in France Cognis has announced that it is to cut 92 jobs at its French sites. These currently have a total workforce of 465. The programme will affect 3 of Cognis 5 sites: Meaux, SaintFargeau-Ponthierry and Boussens. Meaux specializes in the production of sulfate surfactants used in shampoos and shower gels and photomers (paint additives). Capacity will be reduced from 112,000 tonnes/y to 86,300 tonnes/y. Cognis’ Boussens site specializes in long chain fatty alcohols and sterols used in detergent manufacture. Cognis will reduce the site’s workforce by 36.5 out of total of 116.5. However, production levels (38,500 tonnes/y) will be maintained. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 21 Jul 2009, (474), 4 (in French)
Huntsman finds manufacturing partner in India Indian petrochemicals company Laffans has agreed to carry out production of nonionic surfactants, glycol ethers and amines for US firm Huntsman. Mumbai-based Laffans has inked a letter of intent covering the sharing of know-how, expertise and resources for speciality chemicals. Huntsman anticipates the partnership to be a significant step in its strategy to further increase its presence in the Asia Pacific, and to establish support for its key global 3