Elevance Renewable partners with Versalis

F O C U S (IGL) extended the discussion to biobased EO, which is produced from renewably sourced bioethanol. IGL has been manufacturing bio-EO derivatives from molasses and sugarcane since 1989 and has a bioethoxylates capacity of 70,000 tonnes/y. According to Garg’s data, the use of bio-EO derived from molasses in SLES reduces greenhouse gas emissions over the surfactant’s manufacturing and life cycle by c 30% compared to conventional SLES. The next group of talks focused on consumer products markets. John Madden from Euromonitor examined Europe’s beauty and personal care (BPC) surfactants markets. Value growth in the European BPC market was 2% in 2012, lagging behind the global average growth of 6% for the sector. Growth rates vary among product types, and from country to country. The largest national markets in value terms (Germany, UK & France) showed relatively weak growth in 2011-2012 at about 2%/y; in contrast, emerging Eastern European countries such as Russia (6%/y) and Belarus (33%/y), as well as Turkey (14%/y), are driving growth in Europe’s BPC market. However, Western Europe still offers the stronger market for surfactants in BPC products, with higher volumes and growth rates than Eastern Europe. Amphoteric surfactants have the highest growth rates in both halves of the region (see also p 3) and anionics the lowest. The bath & shower segment drives demand for anionics and amphoterics alike, while hair care is a key segment for both anionics and cationics across Europe. Frederic Niola (L’Oreal) and Tim Kapsner (Aveda) also discussed the personal care market. Gülhan Eg˘ilmez of Turkish consumer product firm Hayat provided insights into the country’s homecare market. Laundry detergents account for 50% of Turkey’s homecare segment by volume (at 460,695 tonnes in 2012), with fabric softeners at 19%, liquid dishwash 15% and surface cleaners 16%. Liquid products only account for a small share (5% in 2012) of the laundry detergents market but the sector is growing fast (+50%/y). The production capacity of Turkey’s detergent sector is around 1.3 M 2

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tonnes/y, with 5 companies dominating the market, including Hayat, which produces both powdered and liquid detergents. Exports have risen sharply in the past decade. LABSA and SLES are the most commonly used surfactants in Turkish cleaning products. Among recent trends in the country’s homecare market is a move towards concentrated products in both the detergent and fabric softener categories; the appearance of lowcost, multipurpose cleaning products; and a rise in hypoallergenic products, particularly in the laundry care sector. Aspects of the homecare market were also addressed by P&G’s Nikos Koutras and Roberta Mustacchi of Novozymes. The remaining presentations covered strategies for growth in the chemicals industry, RSPO’s endeavours to ensure palm oil and PKO supply chain sustainability, and an update on REACH. The next instalment (see p 8) in ICIS’ European surfactants conference series will be held in Berlin this September. Caroline Edser

RAW MATERIALS ICIIC runs LAB plant at above nameplate Amidst improving domestic demand, the operating rate at Iran Chemical Industries Investment Co’s (ICIIC) linear alkylbenzene (LAB) unit has been raised to above 100% from its 75,000 tonnes/y nameplate capacity to 110,000 tonnes/y. The unit has been scheduled for maintenance shutdown in May 2015. Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 12-18 May 2014, 285 (18), (Website: http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2014

Elevance Renewable partners with Versalis An MOU has been signed between US-headquartered natural oil-based speciality chemicals firm Elevance Renewable Sciences and Eni’s Italian chemical subsidiary Versalis. Under the agreement, a new metathesis

technology and catalysts will be jointly developed and commercialized to manufacture biochemicals from vegetable oils. The deal includes evaluation of the design and establishment of a large-scale facility at the Versalis Porto Marghera site for metathesis-based production of ethylene using renewable oils. Existing infrastructures and production streams can also be used. Resulting products will serve the detergents and cleaners, biolubricants, oilfield chemicals and personal care markets. Original Source: Plastics and Rubber Asia, Mar-Apr 2014, 29 (204), 8 (Website: http://www.plasticsandrubberasia.com) © Plastics & Rubber Asia Ltd 2014

SURFACTANTS Global biosurfactants market to reach $2308.8 M by 2020 The global market for biosurfactants is expected to reach $2308.8 M by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research Inc. In volume terms, the market is expected to reach 462 kilotonnes by 2020, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2014 to 2020. Europe was the largest regional market for biosurfactants, with consumption of 178.9 kilotonnes in 2013. High consumer awareness and demand for bio-based products is a key reason for the high penetration of biosurfactants. Asia Pacific was a relatively small market in 2013 but is expected to gain significant share over the next six years owing to the presence of large manufacturing industries in the region. Escalating consumer preference towards the use of bio-based products, particularly in Europe and North America is expected to increase biosurfactant penetration. In addition, stringent regulatory policies are further expected to augment demand for biosurfactants over the next six years. Methyl ester sulfonate (MES) was the largest consumed biosurfactant, accounting for 33.26% of the 344 kilotonnes global market in 2013. Other key biosurfactants include alkyl polyglucosides (APG), sorbitan esters and sucrose esters, with combined demand estimated at 115 kilotonnes in 2013. Household detergent was the largest application segment, JULY 2014