- Email: [email protected]
Going against the tide
F O C U S removable partitions forming the internal walls and sensors in each office to detect when people enter or leave a room so that no lights are left on in empty offices. The ventilation, meanwhile, is controlled by sensors in each room that monitor the temperature and oxygen content and open or close windows to control the interior climate accordingly. Built to replace the old offices and R&D complex, which has been earmarked for renovation, it is estimated that the new facility will lead to savings of around SKR 2 M/y in rental rates. Akzo Nobel News and Views, 30 Nov 2005, (Akzo Nobel nv, PO Box 9300 6800 SB Arnhem, the Netherlands. Tel: +31 26 3665760. Fax: +31 26 3665850. Website: http://newsandviews.akzonobel.com)
ZTCL establishes fine chemical company Hangzhou Traditional Fine Chemical Co Ltd has been established by Zhejiang Traditional Chemical Co Ltd (90%) and Zhejiang Traditional Group Co Ltd (10%) at a total cost of RMB Yuan 156 M. The venture will produce organo-silicon and organo-fluorine fine chemicals, surfactants, textile dye and print additives, and related materials. China Chemical Reporter, 26 Oct 2005, 16 (30), 17
Going against the tide Issues of importance to Huntsman Corp are reported from an interview with the company’s chief executive, Peter Huntsman. In 2004, the company opted for an initial public offering (IPO), although operational control remains with the Huntsman family. Current priorities involve debt reduction, and in 2005 Huntsman repaid $1.5 bn of debts, lowering debt levels to $4.7 bn. By the end of 2007, a further $2 bn of debt will be repaid. To remain profitable, the company is moving away from commodity petrochemicals to higher value products, investing in polyurethane, epoxy resins, amines, speciality surfactants, titanium dioxide and maleic anhydride. Commodity chemicals, which accounted for 60% of business in 2000, now account for just 35%. This will be reduced to 25% in the next few years. Huntsman is FEBRUARY 2006
ON
S U R FA C TA N T S
building a 15,000 tonne/y, $30 M polyetheramines plant on Jurong Island in Singapore, with output destined for Asian customers. Startup is expected in Jun 2007. In the US, Huntsman will construct a 45,000 – 50,000 tonne/y maleic anhydride plant, with start-up by 1H 2008. In China, Huntsman is participating in a joint venture with five Chinese companies and BASF, to build a 240,000 tonne/y MDI plant. Asian Chemical News, 12 Dec 2005, 12 (518), (Website: http://www.asianchemicalnews.com)
Uniqema cuts jobs Uniqema is to lay off around 60 workers in around 18 months. Compulsory redundancies will be few or none at all. There will also be an end to operations at the Gouda facility of ICI, of which Uniqema is part. The production of soap bars will be transferred to Malaysia. ChemieZine VNCI, 20 Oct 2005, (Vereniging van de Nederlandse Chemische Industrie (VNCI), the Netherlands. Email: [email protected]) (in Dutch)
Dabur India achieves turnaround in Balsara products business Consumer goods company Dabur India has increased its turnover after hiving off its pharma business into a separate entity in 2003. The company has managed to increase its profit-after-tax from Rup 720 bn to Rup 1.48 bn and revenues from Rup 10.48 bn to Rup 12.69 bn between 2002-2003 and 2004-2005. Dabur India has integrated and achieved turnaround in the operations of Balsara Home Products, which it acquired in 2004. The company has a wide range of products imparting a high degree of stability besides making it less vulnerable to competitive pressures in specific segments. Analysts opine that household care, beauty and baby care product segments are underpenetrated and Dabur India is likely to exploit these segments. Ayurvedic and healthcare products segments are other areas where the company could focus, as it has strong association with herbals. On a consolidated basis (ie, including results of Balsara and foods business), Dabur India posted a 53%
increase in profit-after-tax on 23% higher turnover for 1H 2005-2006. The acquisition of Balsara products has increased the revenues of the company besides providing savings in excise duty through shifting of manufacturing activities to tax-free zones. Business Line, 6 Nov 2005, 12 (306), 8
Nicca Chemical to develop Chinese market for surfactants Nicca Chemical has begun developing the Chinese market for industrial surfactants for metal, automotive and pulp and paper applications. It is aiming for a 10% share of the Chinese market for industrial surfactants. Its monthly sales in China reached RMB 20 M in Sep 2005, a 25% increase from RMB 16 M in Sep 2004. Japan Chemical Week, 1 Dec 2005, 46 (2345), 2
Bombril: Pronto cleaning products Brazilian Pronto, a subsidiary of the Bombril group, started up its cleaning products unit in Jun 2005, using Bombril’s unoccupied production space in Abreu Lima, Recife, in Pernambuco. It plans to have 20% of the market of cleaning products by 2010, and may also supply other regions. The good performance of the brand encouraged the company to launch its Pronto bleach and other cleaning products, including disinfectants and softeners, earlier than originally planned. Gazeta Mercantil, 26 Dec 2005 (Website: http://www.investnews.com)
Profile of Shanthi Chemical Works Shanthi Chemical Works is one of India’s leading manufacturers of sodium silicate and potassium silicate with installed capacity of 12,000 tonnes of sodium silicate and 2500 tonnes of potassium silicate. The company also exports sodium silicate to countries in the Middle East and South Asia, mainly to chemicals, detergents and foundry industries. Purchase, Oct 2005, 28 (10), 162
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ZTCL establishes fine chemical company Hangzhou Traditional Fine Chemical Co Ltd has been established by Zhejiang Traditional Chemical Co Ltd (90%) and Zhejiang Traditional Group Co Ltd (10%) at a total cost of RMB Yuan 156 M. The venture will produce organo-silicon and organo-fluorine fine chemicals, surfactants, textile dye and print additives, and related materials. China Chemical Reporter, 26 Oct 2005, 16 (30), 17
Going against the tide Issues of importance to Huntsman Corp are reported from an interview with the company’s chief executive, Peter Huntsman. In 2004, the company opted for an initial public offering (IPO), although operational control remains with the Huntsman family. Current priorities involve debt reduction, and in 2005 Huntsman repaid $1.5 bn of debts, lowering debt levels to $4.7 bn. By the end of 2007, a further $2 bn of debt will be repaid. To remain profitable, the company is moving away from commodity petrochemicals to higher value products, investing in polyurethane, epoxy resins, amines, speciality surfactants, titanium dioxide and maleic anhydride. Commodity chemicals, which accounted for 60% of business in 2000, now account for just 35%. This will be reduced to 25% in the next few years. Huntsman is FEBRUARY 2006
ON
S U R FA C TA N T S
building a 15,000 tonne/y, $30 M polyetheramines plant on Jurong Island in Singapore, with output destined for Asian customers. Startup is expected in Jun 2007. In the US, Huntsman will construct a 45,000 – 50,000 tonne/y maleic anhydride plant, with start-up by 1H 2008. In China, Huntsman is participating in a joint venture with five Chinese companies and BASF, to build a 240,000 tonne/y MDI plant. Asian Chemical News, 12 Dec 2005, 12 (518), (Website: http://www.asianchemicalnews.com)
Uniqema cuts jobs Uniqema is to lay off around 60 workers in around 18 months. Compulsory redundancies will be few or none at all. There will also be an end to operations at the Gouda facility of ICI, of which Uniqema is part. The production of soap bars will be transferred to Malaysia. ChemieZine VNCI, 20 Oct 2005, (Vereniging van de Nederlandse Chemische Industrie (VNCI), the Netherlands. Email: [email protected]) (in Dutch)
Dabur India achieves turnaround in Balsara products business Consumer goods company Dabur India has increased its turnover after hiving off its pharma business into a separate entity in 2003. The company has managed to increase its profit-after-tax from Rup 720 bn to Rup 1.48 bn and revenues from Rup 10.48 bn to Rup 12.69 bn between 2002-2003 and 2004-2005. Dabur India has integrated and achieved turnaround in the operations of Balsara Home Products, which it acquired in 2004. The company has a wide range of products imparting a high degree of stability besides making it less vulnerable to competitive pressures in specific segments. Analysts opine that household care, beauty and baby care product segments are underpenetrated and Dabur India is likely to exploit these segments. Ayurvedic and healthcare products segments are other areas where the company could focus, as it has strong association with herbals. On a consolidated basis (ie, including results of Balsara and foods business), Dabur India posted a 53%
increase in profit-after-tax on 23% higher turnover for 1H 2005-2006. The acquisition of Balsara products has increased the revenues of the company besides providing savings in excise duty through shifting of manufacturing activities to tax-free zones. Business Line, 6 Nov 2005, 12 (306), 8
Nicca Chemical to develop Chinese market for surfactants Nicca Chemical has begun developing the Chinese market for industrial surfactants for metal, automotive and pulp and paper applications. It is aiming for a 10% share of the Chinese market for industrial surfactants. Its monthly sales in China reached RMB 20 M in Sep 2005, a 25% increase from RMB 16 M in Sep 2004. Japan Chemical Week, 1 Dec 2005, 46 (2345), 2
Bombril: Pronto cleaning products Brazilian Pronto, a subsidiary of the Bombril group, started up its cleaning products unit in Jun 2005, using Bombril’s unoccupied production space in Abreu Lima, Recife, in Pernambuco. It plans to have 20% of the market of cleaning products by 2010, and may also supply other regions. The good performance of the brand encouraged the company to launch its Pronto bleach and other cleaning products, including disinfectants and softeners, earlier than originally planned. Gazeta Mercantil, 26 Dec 2005 (Website: http://www.investnews.com)
Profile of Shanthi Chemical Works Shanthi Chemical Works is one of India’s leading manufacturers of sodium silicate and potassium silicate with installed capacity of 12,000 tonnes of sodium silicate and 2500 tonnes of potassium silicate. The company also exports sodium silicate to countries in the Middle East and South Asia, mainly to chemicals, detergents and foundry industries. Purchase, Oct 2005, 28 (10), 162
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