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Enough PKO to meet demand for laurics, but not so for certified oil
F O C U S Sokalan HP 20 at the SEPAWA Congress (p 6). The product boosts soil dispersion, which allows a reduction of anionic surfactants in solution without compromising on the cleaning performance, the company reports. BASF also introduced a new nonionic surfactant solution to clean membranes used in dairy and beverage production, as well as highlighting its SWOP emulsion technology (p 5) for personal care products, alongside other innovations. BASF is also in the news for the opening of its Indian surfactants factory in Dahej, which includes the company’s first sulfation unit in the country (p 4), while Evonik has completed its new surfactants plant in Brazil (p 3). However, Clariant steals the limelight in this issue with reports of not only its new surfactants but also a planned new production facility for quaternaries at its Tangerang site in Indonesia (p 3). As with the best Christmas carols, it’s good to end our coverage of this year’s surfactant developments on a high note, with positive news of introductions and investments. It only remains for me to wish you all an enjoyable Christmas season and every success in the New Year. Caroline Edser
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Weak demand & youth Olympics affect LAB production in China
Galaxy Surfactants moves court on fatty alcohol safeguard duty
Weak domestic demand prompted Fushun Petrochemical of Fushun, China, to shut down two of its linear alkylbenzene (LAB) lines, each with 70,000 tonnes/y capacity, in mid Jun 2014. As a result, the company’s LAB production rate was decreased by 50%. The production rate at the 280,000 tonnes/y LAB facility was due to be reassessed in Oct 2014. The company says it plans to export LAB in the coming months. In Nanjing, fellow Chinese LAB producer Jin Tung Petrochemical shut down its two facilities, with LAB capacities of 120,000 tonnes/y and 100,000 tonnes/y, for the duration of the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games. The measure was taken to decrease air pollution during the games, which lasted for two weeks until end-Aug 2014. The two plants are now reported to be operating again at 100%.
In India, a writ petition to resolve the issue of provisional safeguard duty imposed on selected saturated fatty alcohols has been filed by Galaxy Surfactants Ltd, a manufacturer of personal and home care ingredients, in the Delhi High Court. The final finding on the matter was due to be released on or before 13 Oct 2014. If it makes a negative determination, there will be a provision for a refund of the duty. The 20% provisional safeguard duty on certain fatty alcohols, which are primarily used for the production of surfactants, homecare, personal care, pharmaceuticals and agriculturerelated uses, was implemented by the Finance Ministry [Focus on Surfactants, Nov 2014]. It will be effective for 200 days and will not cover imports from developing nations except for Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Mumbaiheadquartered VVF (India) Ltd filed a petition for the safeguard duty, which was supported by Godrej Industries, the only other domestic producer of saturated fatty alcohols.
Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 22-28 Sep 2014, 286 (9), 8 (Website: http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2014
Oleochemicals Enough PKO to meet demand for laurics, but not so for certified oil
The closure of Indian Oil Corp’s (IOC) 120,000 tonnes/y linear alkylbenzene (LAB) plant has been postponed by five to seven months. No exact reason for the delay has been disclosed. Located in Gujarat, India, the plant was scheduled to close in Nov 2014 for a yearly maintenance period. The plant is being operated at 85-90% production rate amidst poor seasonal demand in India. Demand is forecast to grow starting early Nov 2014 after the festive season.
The surfactants market drives the demand for palm kernel oil (PKO). Coconut oil (CNO) is a potential substitute for PKO but is not expected to experience much growth in the future. PKO is anticipated to meet almost 95% of the growth in lauric oils demand. PKO production is anticipated to grow at around 4.5%/y in 2013-2015. The majority of the supply will originate from Southeast Asia, mainly from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, but other markets such as Brazil could also contribute. Vale and Petrobras could add 100,000 tonnes/y of PKO to Brazil’s overall supply if they push through with their respective PKO projects. The development and manufacture of sustainable PKO, however, is facing several challenges, especially the need to consolidate palm kernel from diverse sources.
Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 13-19 Oct 2014, 286 (12), 8 (Website: http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2014
Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 23 Sep 2014, 209 (Website: http://www.chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2014
Linear alkylbenzene Indian Oil to postpone LAB plant maintenance
2
Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 7 Oct 2014, 140 (Website: http://www.chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2014
Oleochemicals industry braces for more supply from Indonesia and Malaysia Global output of palm oil is continuously increasing, mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, with 2014 production expected to reach 65 M tonnes. Crude palm oil (CPO) is projected to account for 58-59 M tonnes. Oils and fats mainly go to the food sector, but CPO and palm kernel oil (PKO) are also significantly applied in the production of oleochemicals and are starting to be used in generating biodiesel. In many parts of the world (except the European Union and North America where beef tallow dominates), palm stearin from cheap palm oil is the preferred feedstock for C16-C18 fatty acids. With abundant CPO and PKO supply, Malaysia and Indonesia are the world’s leading producers of oleochemicals. Indonesia produced 4.121 M tonnes of oleochemicals in DECEMBER 2014
RAW MATERIALS
O N
S U R FA C TA N T S
Weak demand & youth Olympics affect LAB production in China
Galaxy Surfactants moves court on fatty alcohol safeguard duty
Weak domestic demand prompted Fushun Petrochemical of Fushun, China, to shut down two of its linear alkylbenzene (LAB) lines, each with 70,000 tonnes/y capacity, in mid Jun 2014. As a result, the company’s LAB production rate was decreased by 50%. The production rate at the 280,000 tonnes/y LAB facility was due to be reassessed in Oct 2014. The company says it plans to export LAB in the coming months. In Nanjing, fellow Chinese LAB producer Jin Tung Petrochemical shut down its two facilities, with LAB capacities of 120,000 tonnes/y and 100,000 tonnes/y, for the duration of the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games. The measure was taken to decrease air pollution during the games, which lasted for two weeks until end-Aug 2014. The two plants are now reported to be operating again at 100%.
In India, a writ petition to resolve the issue of provisional safeguard duty imposed on selected saturated fatty alcohols has been filed by Galaxy Surfactants Ltd, a manufacturer of personal and home care ingredients, in the Delhi High Court. The final finding on the matter was due to be released on or before 13 Oct 2014. If it makes a negative determination, there will be a provision for a refund of the duty. The 20% provisional safeguard duty on certain fatty alcohols, which are primarily used for the production of surfactants, homecare, personal care, pharmaceuticals and agriculturerelated uses, was implemented by the Finance Ministry [Focus on Surfactants, Nov 2014]. It will be effective for 200 days and will not cover imports from developing nations except for Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Mumbaiheadquartered VVF (India) Ltd filed a petition for the safeguard duty, which was supported by Godrej Industries, the only other domestic producer of saturated fatty alcohols.
Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 22-28 Sep 2014, 286 (9), 8 (Website: http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2014
Oleochemicals Enough PKO to meet demand for laurics, but not so for certified oil
The closure of Indian Oil Corp’s (IOC) 120,000 tonnes/y linear alkylbenzene (LAB) plant has been postponed by five to seven months. No exact reason for the delay has been disclosed. Located in Gujarat, India, the plant was scheduled to close in Nov 2014 for a yearly maintenance period. The plant is being operated at 85-90% production rate amidst poor seasonal demand in India. Demand is forecast to grow starting early Nov 2014 after the festive season.
The surfactants market drives the demand for palm kernel oil (PKO). Coconut oil (CNO) is a potential substitute for PKO but is not expected to experience much growth in the future. PKO is anticipated to meet almost 95% of the growth in lauric oils demand. PKO production is anticipated to grow at around 4.5%/y in 2013-2015. The majority of the supply will originate from Southeast Asia, mainly from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, but other markets such as Brazil could also contribute. Vale and Petrobras could add 100,000 tonnes/y of PKO to Brazil’s overall supply if they push through with their respective PKO projects. The development and manufacture of sustainable PKO, however, is facing several challenges, especially the need to consolidate palm kernel from diverse sources.
Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 13-19 Oct 2014, 286 (12), 8 (Website: http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2014
Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 23 Sep 2014, 209 (Website: http://www.chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2014
Linear alkylbenzene Indian Oil to postpone LAB plant maintenance
2
Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 7 Oct 2014, 140 (Website: http://www.chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2014
Oleochemicals industry braces for more supply from Indonesia and Malaysia Global output of palm oil is continuously increasing, mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, with 2014 production expected to reach 65 M tonnes. Crude palm oil (CPO) is projected to account for 58-59 M tonnes. Oils and fats mainly go to the food sector, but CPO and palm kernel oil (PKO) are also significantly applied in the production of oleochemicals and are starting to be used in generating biodiesel. In many parts of the world (except the European Union and North America where beef tallow dominates), palm stearin from cheap palm oil is the preferred feedstock for C16-C18 fatty acids. With abundant CPO and PKO supply, Malaysia and Indonesia are the world’s leading producers of oleochemicals. Indonesia produced 4.121 M tonnes of oleochemicals in DECEMBER 2014