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EU mulls ban on phosphates in detergents
F O C US Japanese company is also considering a joint venture (San-Dia Polymers) with Mitsubishi in China, which could involve building a surfactants unit with 50,000 tonnes/y capacity. In Thailand, Sanyo is to boost surfactant production capacity at its local joint venture, Sanyo Kasei Thailand (SKT), to 10,000 tonnes/y from 4000 tonnes/y. SKT produces formulations according to customer’s specifications. A technical service laboratory will also be established at SKT. The company’s medium-term plan, which ends in fiscal 2006, aims to lift the percentage of overseas sales on a consolidated basis from 19% to 30%. Chimie Hebdo, 7 Apr 2003, (209), 10 (in French) & Japan Chemical Week, 10 Apr 2003, 44 (2216), 16
New plants for Mexico’s INDESA Mexico’s INDESA (Industria National de Detergentes SA) is installing new sulfonation and powder detergents plants at its San Luis Potosi production site. The units will have annual capacities of 30,000 tonnes and 150,000 tonnes, respectively, and are expected to become operational in Dec 2003. The new plants will be fully computer-controlled and will produce the complete range of anionic surfactants and powder detergents, chiefly on a toll basis for both Mexican and multinational companies. Oils & Fats International, May 2003, 19 (3), 8 & HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Apr 2003, 40 (4), 30
Non-ionic surfactant from Uniqema Promidium 2 is a new multi-functional non-ionic surfactant from Uniqema which has been commercialized in Europe in Apr 2003. The product was launched in the US in 2001. Promidium surfactants are cold-processable and function as solubilizers of fragrances and actives in a wide range of applications. They are preservativefree and contain no diethanolamine. European Chemical News, 14 Apr 2003, 78 (2048), 25
Croda price hike for ethoxylated products Croda is to increase the prices of all its ethoxylated products by 5% with effect from 1 May 2003, or as soon as 4
O N
S U R FAC TA N T S
contracts permit. The increase has been caused by higher costs for ethylene oxide. European Chemical News, 5 May 2003, 78 (2051), 12
Dow introduces Triton EF low foam surfactants Dow Chemical Co has launched Triton EF low foam surfactants, which offer exceptional benefits to the cleaning market segment. The new product line offers a positive environmental profile and is well suited for development of global formulations. Some of the benefits offered by Triton EF include: fast wetting action; production of low unstable foam; an appropriate detergent for oily soils; compatibility with anionic, cationic and other nonionic surfactants; and low foam performance at low temperatures. The new product line finds application in metal cleaners and other hard surface cleaners, spray cleaners, rinse aids, auto-dish detergents, and textile processing auxiliaries. Chemical Engineering World, Feb 2003, 38 (2), 26
New silicone surfactant The recently introduced NIAX silicone L-635 from OSi Specialties exhibits improved flame retardancy. The surfactant product provides highlyimproved cell structure in flexible foam blown with liquid carbon dioxide and can be used for manufacturing conventional flexible foam. Chemical and Engineering News, 14 Apr 2003, 81 (15), 50
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS Builders EU mulls ban on phosphates in detergents The use of phosphates in detergents is to be phased out in the EU, but only after their use has been subject to a three-year review by the European Commission. However, after lobbying from companies including Procter & Gamble and Unilever, the EU Parliament has not extended
detergent legislation to cover accession countries. The European Environmental Bureau has criticized the lack of action, which would have phased out phosphates and led to less river pollution. Phosphates in detergents are either banned or being phased-out in a number of EU member states. Chemical Market Reporter, 21 Apr 2003 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & European Chemical News, 28 Apr 2003, 78 (2050), 26
Polyacrylic acid production in China Output of super absorbent resins (SAP) accounts for over 70% of polyacrylic acid (salts) produced internationally, with detergent builders accounting for 13-14%. China has capacity to produce around 10,000 tonnes/y polyacrylic detergent builders. The main producers are Shenyang Xingai Daily-use Chemicals Co Ltd (5000 tonnes/y) and Tsinghua Yongchang Chemical Industrial Co (2000 tonnes/y). China produces around 3.0 M tonnes/y detergents. During 2001 output of detergent builders in China amounted to just 4000 tonnes. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Apr 2003, 14 (10), 21-22
Other Demand for refined borates remains steady An extensive review of the global market for borates (borax, sodium borate, boric acid) indicates healthy demand and stable pricing (anhydrous borax $900-950/tonne fob California, boric acid $900-925/tonne fob California). However, the review notes the trend for substitution of perborates with percarbonates by European detergents manufacturers. Chemical Market Reporter, 21 Apr 2003 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
APPLICATIONS Industrial cleaning Fluorine-based detergent delivers low toxicity and eco-friendliness A special, low toxicity, fluorinated solvent has been used by Kaneko Kagaku as the basis for a new JUNE 2003
New plants for Mexico’s INDESA Mexico’s INDESA (Industria National de Detergentes SA) is installing new sulfonation and powder detergents plants at its San Luis Potosi production site. The units will have annual capacities of 30,000 tonnes and 150,000 tonnes, respectively, and are expected to become operational in Dec 2003. The new plants will be fully computer-controlled and will produce the complete range of anionic surfactants and powder detergents, chiefly on a toll basis for both Mexican and multinational companies. Oils & Fats International, May 2003, 19 (3), 8 & HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Apr 2003, 40 (4), 30
Non-ionic surfactant from Uniqema Promidium 2 is a new multi-functional non-ionic surfactant from Uniqema which has been commercialized in Europe in Apr 2003. The product was launched in the US in 2001. Promidium surfactants are cold-processable and function as solubilizers of fragrances and actives in a wide range of applications. They are preservativefree and contain no diethanolamine. European Chemical News, 14 Apr 2003, 78 (2048), 25
Croda price hike for ethoxylated products Croda is to increase the prices of all its ethoxylated products by 5% with effect from 1 May 2003, or as soon as 4
O N
S U R FAC TA N T S
contracts permit. The increase has been caused by higher costs for ethylene oxide. European Chemical News, 5 May 2003, 78 (2051), 12
Dow introduces Triton EF low foam surfactants Dow Chemical Co has launched Triton EF low foam surfactants, which offer exceptional benefits to the cleaning market segment. The new product line offers a positive environmental profile and is well suited for development of global formulations. Some of the benefits offered by Triton EF include: fast wetting action; production of low unstable foam; an appropriate detergent for oily soils; compatibility with anionic, cationic and other nonionic surfactants; and low foam performance at low temperatures. The new product line finds application in metal cleaners and other hard surface cleaners, spray cleaners, rinse aids, auto-dish detergents, and textile processing auxiliaries. Chemical Engineering World, Feb 2003, 38 (2), 26
New silicone surfactant The recently introduced NIAX silicone L-635 from OSi Specialties exhibits improved flame retardancy. The surfactant product provides highlyimproved cell structure in flexible foam blown with liquid carbon dioxide and can be used for manufacturing conventional flexible foam. Chemical and Engineering News, 14 Apr 2003, 81 (15), 50
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS Builders EU mulls ban on phosphates in detergents The use of phosphates in detergents is to be phased out in the EU, but only after their use has been subject to a three-year review by the European Commission. However, after lobbying from companies including Procter & Gamble and Unilever, the EU Parliament has not extended
detergent legislation to cover accession countries. The European Environmental Bureau has criticized the lack of action, which would have phased out phosphates and led to less river pollution. Phosphates in detergents are either banned or being phased-out in a number of EU member states. Chemical Market Reporter, 21 Apr 2003 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & European Chemical News, 28 Apr 2003, 78 (2050), 26
Polyacrylic acid production in China Output of super absorbent resins (SAP) accounts for over 70% of polyacrylic acid (salts) produced internationally, with detergent builders accounting for 13-14%. China has capacity to produce around 10,000 tonnes/y polyacrylic detergent builders. The main producers are Shenyang Xingai Daily-use Chemicals Co Ltd (5000 tonnes/y) and Tsinghua Yongchang Chemical Industrial Co (2000 tonnes/y). China produces around 3.0 M tonnes/y detergents. During 2001 output of detergent builders in China amounted to just 4000 tonnes. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Apr 2003, 14 (10), 21-22
Other Demand for refined borates remains steady An extensive review of the global market for borates (borax, sodium borate, boric acid) indicates healthy demand and stable pricing (anhydrous borax $900-950/tonne fob California, boric acid $900-925/tonne fob California). However, the review notes the trend for substitution of perborates with percarbonates by European detergents manufacturers. Chemical Market Reporter, 21 Apr 2003 (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)
APPLICATIONS Industrial cleaning Fluorine-based detergent delivers low toxicity and eco-friendliness A special, low toxicity, fluorinated solvent has been used by Kaneko Kagaku as the basis for a new JUNE 2003