- Email: [email protected]
Company strategies
Additives for Polymers
July 1999
devices, gears, protective casings and extruded/thermoformed sheet applications. Contact: RTP Co, 580 E Front Street, P 0 Box 5439, Winona, MN.55987, USA; tel: +I-507 454 69OO;_fax:+I-507 454 8130
Good results with water-based release for delicate foams A new water-based spray release gives good results for the manufacture of elastomer foams used in filtration systems, seating cushions and other low density applications. It offers a possible replacement for paraffin wax mixtures, which have offered semi-permanent release, but are flammable and have tended to cause buildup, with undesirable results to the foam, including tearing. Introduced by Axe1 Plastics Research Laboratories, Xtend W75 10 is a new aqueous emulsion semi-permanent external release, that dries quickly and forms a uniform cured film on the foam moulding. Selective adhesion to the mould surface prevents the film from being tom off the demoulded part. It can be used effectively for automated production of elastomeric foams and low density polyurethanes, where tearing can be a serious problem. Contact: Axe1 Plastics Research Laboratories kc, Box 77 085.5, Woodside, NY 11377, USA, tel: tl-718 672 8300; fax: +l-718 565 7447
COMPANY STRATEGIES l
l
C & K and Witco set up a $3.2bn merger Elf Atochem and Ciba invest in high performance stabilizers
The ‘urge to merge’ in the additives sector continues unabated. Latest members are Crompton and Knowles and Witco, with “a merger of equals”, setting up C&K Witco Corporation, with sales of more than $3.2 billion, split between additives for plastics ($1.3 bn), speciality chemicals ($1.1 bn) and polymers and processing equipment ($800 million).
0 1999 Elsevier Science
The move also spotlights C & K’s machinery section, the Davis Standard extrusion and blow moulding equipment business, which could now be being readied for divestiture. Other moves by companies underline the feeling that now is the time to reinforce existing strengths. Elf Atochem has added a new methyltin product line to its US operations and, with its existing butyl and octyl tin facilities, the company becomes the only US producer to have all three tin stabilizers for the PVC industry. Ciba Specialty Chemicals has commissioned its first plant to manufacture the phosphornsbased stablizer P-EPQ (at its plant in Huningue, France), complementing its existing broad product range. Methyltin stabilizers are used to improve the performance of colour development during processing, and to add strength and stability to PVC products. They can be used in the production of rigid PVC exterior building products such as window profiles, fencing and siding, and also in bottles, calendered sheet, pipe and injection moulded fittings. Through its predecessor, M & T Chemicals, Elf Atochem North America Inc started operations in the Carrollton area of Kentucky in 1958, producing butyltin and octyltin heat stabilizers marketed under the name Thermolite. The methyltin line is due to start in July 1999. Ciba will market P-EPQ under the Irgafos brand name, in several forms, including the superior pastille form FD, which offers advantageous handling properties. It also forms a component in Irganox XP 400 stabilizers, employing Ciba’s revolutionary lactone technology. This is based on a combination of a high performance phosphite or phosphonite processing stabilizer and a hindered phenolic antioxidant, and offers an improved cost-performance profile compared with traditional two-component systems that are based on a phosphite/phosphonite and a phenolic antioxidant. Contacts: Crompton &Knowles Carp, PO Box 33188, Charlotte. NC 28233, USA; tel: +I-704.372 5890; fax: +l-704 372 1522
3
Additives for Polymers
Ciba Specialty Chemicals, PO Box, CH-4002 Base], Switzerland; tel: +4/-61 696 3478; fax: +41-61 696 3019 ElfAtochem, Cedex 42, 92091 Paris-LaDkfense, France; tel: +33-I 49 00 8018; fax: +33-l 49 00 8050 Witco Corporation, One American Lane. Greenwich, CT 0683 I-2559, USA; tel: -t I-203 552 2251
VIAG merges SKW subsidiary with “a gem” “A gem within the speciality chemicals field” is how SKW Trostberg AG describes Th. Goldschmidt, Essen, which is to be integrated into the group, following the decision by its parent group, VIAG, to increase its holding in Goldschmidt to 93% and to consolidate the two companies. The move will offer new opportunities for growth to both companies, said SKW Chairman Prof. Dr. Utz-Helmuth Felcht. Goldschmidt generated sales of DM 1.3 1 billion in 1998, of which DM 769 million came from chemicals activities. The balance came from its Environmental Technology Division (which is now to be sold). The Essen company’s Chemicals Division comprises three businesses: Oligomers/silicones, producing additives, processing agents and intermediates based on modified silicones and or-. ganic oligomers (sales of DM 380 million); Tensides, producing specialities based on regenerative raw materials and organomodified silicones for toiletries (DM 261 million); and Industrial Chemicals, producing inorganic metal and sulphur compounds (DM 128 million). VIAG sees attractive possibilities in merging these activities with SKW, as they are largely complementary both in product and regional distribution. SKW’s own Chemicals Division was not able in 1998 to match the performance of the previous year: sales dropped nearly 10% to DM 1.282 billion and earnings were down to DM 74 million. Contact: SKW Tmstberg AG, PO Box 1262, D83303, Tmstbee, Germany; tel: +49-8621 86 2460; fax: 49-862186 2020
4
*July1999
Saudi Ti02 producer looks to export markets As the only producer of titanium dioxide in the Middle East and North Africa, the appearance of Cristal - The National Titanium Dioxide Co Ltd as an exhibitor at the recent European Coatings Exhibition gives a clear signal that the company is looking to markets outside its own immediate region. A private joint venture between the Saudi Arabian companies Shairco, Gulf Investment Corp and National Industrialization Co and the US TiOz producer Kerr McGee Chemical Corp, the Jeddah-based company has invested more than $200 million in an ultra-modem 70 000 tonnes/year capacity plant, in the Yanbu petrochemicals complex. It uses the chloride production route and is capable of further expansion. The company works closely with SASO, the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization, wmplying with ISO, ASTM and JIS quality control standards and gained IS0 9000 certification in 1995. It is currently introducing the TQM (Total Quality Management) process. It operates its own weathering station at Yanbu, monitoring exposure performance in extreme climatic conditions. Contact: Cristal- The National Titanium Dioxide Co Ltd, PO Box 13586, Jeddah 21414, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; tel: +966-2 6.51 9883;.fax: +966-2 651 8757
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS Clariant profit up 20% on lower sales Ciba gets early benefits from Allied Colloids Brazil crisis hits Cabot results Keen pricing affects Albemarle Operating profits of Clariant in 1998 increased by some 20% in the pigments and additives sector, to total SFr 311 million, on sales that were slightly lower, at SFr 1.9 billion, acwrding to the official figures that the company has now published.
0 1999 Elsevier Science
July 1999
devices, gears, protective casings and extruded/thermoformed sheet applications. Contact: RTP Co, 580 E Front Street, P 0 Box 5439, Winona, MN.55987, USA; tel: +I-507 454 69OO;_fax:+I-507 454 8130
Good results with water-based release for delicate foams A new water-based spray release gives good results for the manufacture of elastomer foams used in filtration systems, seating cushions and other low density applications. It offers a possible replacement for paraffin wax mixtures, which have offered semi-permanent release, but are flammable and have tended to cause buildup, with undesirable results to the foam, including tearing. Introduced by Axe1 Plastics Research Laboratories, Xtend W75 10 is a new aqueous emulsion semi-permanent external release, that dries quickly and forms a uniform cured film on the foam moulding. Selective adhesion to the mould surface prevents the film from being tom off the demoulded part. It can be used effectively for automated production of elastomeric foams and low density polyurethanes, where tearing can be a serious problem. Contact: Axe1 Plastics Research Laboratories kc, Box 77 085.5, Woodside, NY 11377, USA, tel: tl-718 672 8300; fax: +l-718 565 7447
COMPANY STRATEGIES l
l
C & K and Witco set up a $3.2bn merger Elf Atochem and Ciba invest in high performance stabilizers
The ‘urge to merge’ in the additives sector continues unabated. Latest members are Crompton and Knowles and Witco, with “a merger of equals”, setting up C&K Witco Corporation, with sales of more than $3.2 billion, split between additives for plastics ($1.3 bn), speciality chemicals ($1.1 bn) and polymers and processing equipment ($800 million).
0 1999 Elsevier Science
The move also spotlights C & K’s machinery section, the Davis Standard extrusion and blow moulding equipment business, which could now be being readied for divestiture. Other moves by companies underline the feeling that now is the time to reinforce existing strengths. Elf Atochem has added a new methyltin product line to its US operations and, with its existing butyl and octyl tin facilities, the company becomes the only US producer to have all three tin stabilizers for the PVC industry. Ciba Specialty Chemicals has commissioned its first plant to manufacture the phosphornsbased stablizer P-EPQ (at its plant in Huningue, France), complementing its existing broad product range. Methyltin stabilizers are used to improve the performance of colour development during processing, and to add strength and stability to PVC products. They can be used in the production of rigid PVC exterior building products such as window profiles, fencing and siding, and also in bottles, calendered sheet, pipe and injection moulded fittings. Through its predecessor, M & T Chemicals, Elf Atochem North America Inc started operations in the Carrollton area of Kentucky in 1958, producing butyltin and octyltin heat stabilizers marketed under the name Thermolite. The methyltin line is due to start in July 1999. Ciba will market P-EPQ under the Irgafos brand name, in several forms, including the superior pastille form FD, which offers advantageous handling properties. It also forms a component in Irganox XP 400 stabilizers, employing Ciba’s revolutionary lactone technology. This is based on a combination of a high performance phosphite or phosphonite processing stabilizer and a hindered phenolic antioxidant, and offers an improved cost-performance profile compared with traditional two-component systems that are based on a phosphite/phosphonite and a phenolic antioxidant. Contacts: Crompton &Knowles Carp, PO Box 33188, Charlotte. NC 28233, USA; tel: +I-704.372 5890; fax: +l-704 372 1522
3
Additives for Polymers
Ciba Specialty Chemicals, PO Box, CH-4002 Base], Switzerland; tel: +4/-61 696 3478; fax: +41-61 696 3019 ElfAtochem, Cedex 42, 92091 Paris-LaDkfense, France; tel: +33-I 49 00 8018; fax: +33-l 49 00 8050 Witco Corporation, One American Lane. Greenwich, CT 0683 I-2559, USA; tel: -t I-203 552 2251
VIAG merges SKW subsidiary with “a gem” “A gem within the speciality chemicals field” is how SKW Trostberg AG describes Th. Goldschmidt, Essen, which is to be integrated into the group, following the decision by its parent group, VIAG, to increase its holding in Goldschmidt to 93% and to consolidate the two companies. The move will offer new opportunities for growth to both companies, said SKW Chairman Prof. Dr. Utz-Helmuth Felcht. Goldschmidt generated sales of DM 1.3 1 billion in 1998, of which DM 769 million came from chemicals activities. The balance came from its Environmental Technology Division (which is now to be sold). The Essen company’s Chemicals Division comprises three businesses: Oligomers/silicones, producing additives, processing agents and intermediates based on modified silicones and or-. ganic oligomers (sales of DM 380 million); Tensides, producing specialities based on regenerative raw materials and organomodified silicones for toiletries (DM 261 million); and Industrial Chemicals, producing inorganic metal and sulphur compounds (DM 128 million). VIAG sees attractive possibilities in merging these activities with SKW, as they are largely complementary both in product and regional distribution. SKW’s own Chemicals Division was not able in 1998 to match the performance of the previous year: sales dropped nearly 10% to DM 1.282 billion and earnings were down to DM 74 million. Contact: SKW Tmstberg AG, PO Box 1262, D83303, Tmstbee, Germany; tel: +49-8621 86 2460; fax: 49-862186 2020
4
*July1999
Saudi Ti02 producer looks to export markets As the only producer of titanium dioxide in the Middle East and North Africa, the appearance of Cristal - The National Titanium Dioxide Co Ltd as an exhibitor at the recent European Coatings Exhibition gives a clear signal that the company is looking to markets outside its own immediate region. A private joint venture between the Saudi Arabian companies Shairco, Gulf Investment Corp and National Industrialization Co and the US TiOz producer Kerr McGee Chemical Corp, the Jeddah-based company has invested more than $200 million in an ultra-modem 70 000 tonnes/year capacity plant, in the Yanbu petrochemicals complex. It uses the chloride production route and is capable of further expansion. The company works closely with SASO, the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization, wmplying with ISO, ASTM and JIS quality control standards and gained IS0 9000 certification in 1995. It is currently introducing the TQM (Total Quality Management) process. It operates its own weathering station at Yanbu, monitoring exposure performance in extreme climatic conditions. Contact: Cristal- The National Titanium Dioxide Co Ltd, PO Box 13586, Jeddah 21414, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; tel: +966-2 6.51 9883;.fax: +966-2 651 8757
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS Clariant profit up 20% on lower sales Ciba gets early benefits from Allied Colloids Brazil crisis hits Cabot results Keen pricing affects Albemarle Operating profits of Clariant in 1998 increased by some 20% in the pigments and additives sector, to total SFr 311 million, on sales that were slightly lower, at SFr 1.9 billion, acwrding to the official figures that the company has now published.
0 1999 Elsevier Science