- Email: [email protected]
Growth continues at Owens Corning
May 1997
Additives for Polymers
price cuts from their suppliers. l
Good news from ECC is the introduction of new marble-based whites following reorganisation in Italy (see page 2)
Contact: ECC International plc, John Keay House, St. Austell PL2S 4DJ, UK; tel: +44-I 726 74482; fax: +44-I 726 623019
Fourth metal alkyls plant adds to Akzo global strategy In line with a strategy to have appropriate production plants in all main regions of the world, Akzo Nobel has opened its fourth production facility for metal alkyls (mainly used as co-catalysts in polymerization of polyolefins). The latest plant is situated in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, where there is a suitable combination of strategic location and short supply lines for key raw materials, including ethylene and hydrogen. It will produce tri-ethylaluminium, di-ethylaluminium chloride and ethylaluminium sesquichloride, and will have blending and storage facilities. Other Akzo metal alkyls plants are in North America, Brazil and a joint venture in Japan. Akzo Nobel Polymer Chemicals is the world’s leading supplier of metal alkyls, as well as organic peroxides, polymerization catalysts and additives for production of high polymers. Contact: Akzo Nobel NV Velperweg 76, PO Box 9300, 6800 SB Arnhem, The Netherlands; tel: +31-26 366 4343; fax: +31-26 366 4940
Growth continues at Owens Corning Reporting higher earnings for the fifth year in succession, and quarterly sales topping the $1 billion level for the first time in both the third and fourth quarters, glass fibre manufacturer Owens Corning earned $503 million income from ongoing operations, on net sales of $3832 million (Composite materials: $234m earnings on $1145m sales; 6
Building materials: $269m earnings on $2687m sales). With provision of $542m after tax to meet claims anticipated after 1999 against an asbestos-containing product last manufactured in 1972, the company reported an overall net loss of $284m. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Glen H Hiner noted that, reflecting its global strategy as a broad-based materials manufacturer, the company name now no longer includes the word ‘Fiberglas’. Composite sales in fact declined 5% in the year ended December 3 1 1996, due largely to sluggish business in reinforcements in Europe, decline in Canada and flat business in the USA. But income was 4% up, from improved performance and productivity. The company announced three joint ventures in large-diameter glass-reinforced pipe, new application and development centres in Brazil, India and China, and acquisition of speciality glass fabric manufacturer Knytex. Contact: Owens Corning World HQ, One Owens Corning Parkway, Toledo, OH 43659, USA; tel: +I-419 248 8000
MARKETING Flame retardants in USA and Europe compared Worldwide markets for flame retardant (FR) additives are characterised by intense competition and price sensitivity, but regulations discouraging halogenated products and placing more emphasis on smoke and toxic fime generation will have far-reaching effects. A key question for the future is how the rising price of aluminium will affect its FR derivatives. Two recent reports allow comparison of trends in the USA and Europe. Consumption of FR chemicals in the USA reached an estimated 300 000 tonnes in 1995 and is forecast to grow at 4.7% a year, to total about 375 000 tonnes in 2000. Sales value in 1995 was $718 million, rising to a projected $924 million in 2000, according to 0 1997 Elsevier Science
Additives for Polymers
price cuts from their suppliers. l
Good news from ECC is the introduction of new marble-based whites following reorganisation in Italy (see page 2)
Contact: ECC International plc, John Keay House, St. Austell PL2S 4DJ, UK; tel: +44-I 726 74482; fax: +44-I 726 623019
Fourth metal alkyls plant adds to Akzo global strategy In line with a strategy to have appropriate production plants in all main regions of the world, Akzo Nobel has opened its fourth production facility for metal alkyls (mainly used as co-catalysts in polymerization of polyolefins). The latest plant is situated in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, where there is a suitable combination of strategic location and short supply lines for key raw materials, including ethylene and hydrogen. It will produce tri-ethylaluminium, di-ethylaluminium chloride and ethylaluminium sesquichloride, and will have blending and storage facilities. Other Akzo metal alkyls plants are in North America, Brazil and a joint venture in Japan. Akzo Nobel Polymer Chemicals is the world’s leading supplier of metal alkyls, as well as organic peroxides, polymerization catalysts and additives for production of high polymers. Contact: Akzo Nobel NV Velperweg 76, PO Box 9300, 6800 SB Arnhem, The Netherlands; tel: +31-26 366 4343; fax: +31-26 366 4940
Growth continues at Owens Corning Reporting higher earnings for the fifth year in succession, and quarterly sales topping the $1 billion level for the first time in both the third and fourth quarters, glass fibre manufacturer Owens Corning earned $503 million income from ongoing operations, on net sales of $3832 million (Composite materials: $234m earnings on $1145m sales; 6
Building materials: $269m earnings on $2687m sales). With provision of $542m after tax to meet claims anticipated after 1999 against an asbestos-containing product last manufactured in 1972, the company reported an overall net loss of $284m. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Glen H Hiner noted that, reflecting its global strategy as a broad-based materials manufacturer, the company name now no longer includes the word ‘Fiberglas’. Composite sales in fact declined 5% in the year ended December 3 1 1996, due largely to sluggish business in reinforcements in Europe, decline in Canada and flat business in the USA. But income was 4% up, from improved performance and productivity. The company announced three joint ventures in large-diameter glass-reinforced pipe, new application and development centres in Brazil, India and China, and acquisition of speciality glass fabric manufacturer Knytex. Contact: Owens Corning World HQ, One Owens Corning Parkway, Toledo, OH 43659, USA; tel: +I-419 248 8000
MARKETING Flame retardants in USA and Europe compared Worldwide markets for flame retardant (FR) additives are characterised by intense competition and price sensitivity, but regulations discouraging halogenated products and placing more emphasis on smoke and toxic fime generation will have far-reaching effects. A key question for the future is how the rising price of aluminium will affect its FR derivatives. Two recent reports allow comparison of trends in the USA and Europe. Consumption of FR chemicals in the USA reached an estimated 300 000 tonnes in 1995 and is forecast to grow at 4.7% a year, to total about 375 000 tonnes in 2000. Sales value in 1995 was $718 million, rising to a projected $924 million in 2000, according to 0 1997 Elsevier Science