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India to import more palm oil
FOCUS ON SURFACTANTS A MONTHLY REPORT FROM CAROLINE EDSER APRIL 2009 In this issue
RAW MATERIALS
GLOBALIZATION, INNOVATION AND ACQUISITIONS 1-2
SURFACTANTS
2
Dow introduces Ecosurf EH speciality surfactants
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS
3
APPLICATIONS
3-4
Huntsman and Zavod Sintanolov partner to develop Russian personal care and detergent markets
PATENTS ENVIRONMENT
4 4-5
Process engineering: mission accomplished for European Impulse project
LEGISLATION
5
Globally harmonized system is now in force
MARKET REVIEWS
5-6
Sustainability, economy drive discussion at soap show
COMPANY RESULTS
6-7
Stepan reports record earnings for 2008
COMPANY NEWS
7
EVENTS
8
SURFACTANTS
AN INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER MONITORING TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS FOR ALL SURFACE ACTIVE AGENTS ISSN 1351–4210
This issue of Focus on Surfactants features several news stories that highlight the global nature of the surfactants industry, innovative developments in the sector, and ongoing collaboration and acquisition activity, all amid the background of the economic downturn. The global capabilities of 60 mainly US companies in the household and personal products sector are provided by the journal HAPPI as part of a report about their corporate profiles (see abstract p 4). Developments in legislation also show that safety standards are being unified, as exemplified by the adoption by the European Union of a globally harmonized system for the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, including detergents (p 5). The impact of the global financial crisis and the need for sustainability were a feature of discussions at the Soap and Detergent Association meeting held in Boca Raton, Florida, earlier this year (p 5). The downturn started to have an effect on the market for surfactants in Japan in October 2008, although commodity and specialized applications appear to be holding up well (p 5-6). Different aspects of the importance of innovation are highlighted by several reports. Following the preliminary announcement in the previous issue of Focus on Surfactants, Dow Chemical has released more details about its Ecosurf EH range of surfactants based on innovative chemistry (p 2). Method Products has received Cradle to Cradle certification on innovative cleaning products (p 4). The European
SURFACTANTS
Impulse project has successfully shown that microreactors can be used to produce surfactants, among other products (p 4). The French subsidiary of Procter & Gamble views innovation as one of the key factors in being able to cope with the financial crisis (p 6). The opportunities provided by countries where the economy is likely to develop provided the motivation for two reported acquisitions or collaborations. Rhodia has now completed its purchase of the McIntyre Group and expects to increase its sales in Latin America (p 7 and Focus on Surfactants, Mar 2009). Huntsman has agreed to cooperate with Zavod Sintanolov to develop the Russian market for surfactants used in personal care and detergent products (p 3). Finally, as noted by Caroline Edser in the previous issue, the economic downturn did not have a significant impact on the 2008 results of surfactant and formulated product producers, as exemplified by the record results achieved by Stepan (p 6). This issue edited by Dr Alan Skull
RAW MATERIALS Oleochemicals India to import more palm oil The Indian Commerce and Industry Minister has promised to import more palm oil from Malaysia. Malaysia
SURFACTANTS
SURFACTANTS
F O C US targets 1 M tonne export of palm oil to India during 2008. India is Malaysia’s fifth-largest palm oil export market, after China, the European Union, Pakistan and the US. Malaysia’s commodity export to India had increased from 500,000 tonnes in 2007 to 900,000 tonnes in 2008. In order to cater to its vast domestic demand, India imports more than 3 M tonnes of palm oil and other vegetable oils, mostly from East Asian countries. The Star, 13 Feb 2009, (Website: http://www.thestar.com.my)
Earnings from palm oil exports expected to drop Plantations, Industries and Commodities Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Peter Chin, forecast that earnings from palm oil exports are likely to drop in 2009 owing to reduced demand (Ringgit 65 bn in 2009). Commenting on the stock position, it was pointed out that stock in Nov 2008 was 2.3 M tonnes as against 1.8 M tonnes in Jan 2009. However, a clear picture of the trend in the price of crude palm oil for 2009 will emerge only by Jun 2009. The Star, 26 Feb 2009, (Website: http://www.thestar.com.my)
Ethoxylates/others Maruzen taking steps to lift EO output at Chiba EO/EG facility Japan-based Maruzen Petrochemical is considering the prospect of increasing ethylene oxide (EO) production to up to 70% of output at its EO/ethylene glycol (EG) factory in Chiba. This would allow the company to easily respond to a market situation that is more heavily inclined toward EO than EG. Maruzen expects that demand for EO for surfactant production will become stable in the future, with such factors as changes in consumer preferences. The company runs a 115,000 tonne/y EO/EG plant at its Chiba works and a smaller, 82,000 tonne/y unit at its Yokkaichi site. EO makes up roughly 70% of the Yokkaichi facility’s product slate. The site also includes a 30,000 tonne/y production plant for EO adducts. EO production at Chiba currently stands at some 30%. Japan Chemical Week, 5 Feb 2009, 50 (2501), 11
2
O N
S U R FAC TA N T S
SURFACTANTS Huntsman Surface Sciences France develops surfactants site in Meuse region Huntsman is increasing sulfonation capacity at Huntsman Surface Science France’s factory in Han-surMeuse, France (which specializes in surfactants for industrial and domestic detergents, personal hygiene products and speciality products). Launched in 2007, an initial investment increased the sulfonation unit’s capacity by 27,000 tonnes/y. In 2008 a second investment added a further 12,000 tonnes/y to its capacity. The site employs 198 people and exports 60% of its output to N Europe, the Middle East, Africa, America and Asia. The regional authorities in Lorraine have granted the project a €300,000 subsidy. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 9 Feb 2009, (454), 7 (in French)
Fluorosurfactants: new from Omnova Solutions Inc PolyFox, developed by Omnova Solutions Inc, is a line of fluorosurfactants and fluorochemicals developed for coatings applications in electronics production. The material provides 1.4 or less refractive indices and can be applied in anti-reflection coatings. Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Feb 2009, 25 (2), 48
Dow introduces Ecosurf EH speciality surfactants Three new surfactants have joined the Ecosurf brand of speciality surfactants from The Dow Chemical Co (Dow). Ecosurf EH Speciality Surfactants are a new generation of high performance, readily biodegradable surfactants. They are designed for use in hard surface cleaning, textile processing, inks, paints and coatings, and agricultural chemicals. Ecosurf EH Surfactants have an excellent environmental profile, are biodegradable with low aquatic toxicity and meet the criteria for the US Environmental Protection
Agency’s Design for the Environment Surfactant Screen. Ecosurf EH Speciality Surfactants are another example of innovative, performance chemistry from Dow. Ecosurf EH Surfactants are designed to help formulators meet rising expectations for performance and convenience, while at the same time complying with more stringent and demanding environmental safety regulations. There are three products in the Ecosurf EH family. While each has its own unique performance advantages in many different applications, all three Ecosurf EH Surfactants are excellent oil-soluble emulsifiers with fast dynamic surface tension reduction. They are low foaming, have very low odour and a narrow gel range, making them ideally suited for ultra-concentrated formulations. For hard surface cleaning of cross-linked triglycerides and mineral oil, Ecosurf EH Surfactants have demonstrated exceptional cleaning performance in Dow tests, when compared with other, traditionally used products. Ecosurf EH Surfactants feature narrow aqueous gel ranges and favourable handling and formulating properties, making them ideally suited for many paints and coatings systems. Dow studies have shown that fabrics finished by silicone softeners emulsified with Ecosurf EH Surfactants exhibited improved hand-feel. Using real world application testing for textile processing, the wetting times and penetration time for real-use concentrations are much faster for Ecosurf EH Surfactants relative to primary alcohol ethoxylates (PAEs). Ecosurf EH Surfactants are excellent candidates for use in a number of other applications including: Emulsifiers for agricultural insecticides and herbicides, paper processing, and oil and gas applications. Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the human element to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Press release from: Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Center, Midland, MI 48642, USA, tel: +1 989 636 1000, fax: +1 989 636 3518, website: http://www.dow.com (6 Mar 2009)
APRIL 2009
RAW MATERIALS
GLOBALIZATION, INNOVATION AND ACQUISITIONS 1-2
SURFACTANTS
2
Dow introduces Ecosurf EH speciality surfactants
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS
3
APPLICATIONS
3-4
Huntsman and Zavod Sintanolov partner to develop Russian personal care and detergent markets
PATENTS ENVIRONMENT
4 4-5
Process engineering: mission accomplished for European Impulse project
LEGISLATION
5
Globally harmonized system is now in force
MARKET REVIEWS
5-6
Sustainability, economy drive discussion at soap show
COMPANY RESULTS
6-7
Stepan reports record earnings for 2008
COMPANY NEWS
7
EVENTS
8
SURFACTANTS
AN INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER MONITORING TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS FOR ALL SURFACE ACTIVE AGENTS ISSN 1351–4210
This issue of Focus on Surfactants features several news stories that highlight the global nature of the surfactants industry, innovative developments in the sector, and ongoing collaboration and acquisition activity, all amid the background of the economic downturn. The global capabilities of 60 mainly US companies in the household and personal products sector are provided by the journal HAPPI as part of a report about their corporate profiles (see abstract p 4). Developments in legislation also show that safety standards are being unified, as exemplified by the adoption by the European Union of a globally harmonized system for the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, including detergents (p 5). The impact of the global financial crisis and the need for sustainability were a feature of discussions at the Soap and Detergent Association meeting held in Boca Raton, Florida, earlier this year (p 5). The downturn started to have an effect on the market for surfactants in Japan in October 2008, although commodity and specialized applications appear to be holding up well (p 5-6). Different aspects of the importance of innovation are highlighted by several reports. Following the preliminary announcement in the previous issue of Focus on Surfactants, Dow Chemical has released more details about its Ecosurf EH range of surfactants based on innovative chemistry (p 2). Method Products has received Cradle to Cradle certification on innovative cleaning products (p 4). The European
SURFACTANTS
Impulse project has successfully shown that microreactors can be used to produce surfactants, among other products (p 4). The French subsidiary of Procter & Gamble views innovation as one of the key factors in being able to cope with the financial crisis (p 6). The opportunities provided by countries where the economy is likely to develop provided the motivation for two reported acquisitions or collaborations. Rhodia has now completed its purchase of the McIntyre Group and expects to increase its sales in Latin America (p 7 and Focus on Surfactants, Mar 2009). Huntsman has agreed to cooperate with Zavod Sintanolov to develop the Russian market for surfactants used in personal care and detergent products (p 3). Finally, as noted by Caroline Edser in the previous issue, the economic downturn did not have a significant impact on the 2008 results of surfactant and formulated product producers, as exemplified by the record results achieved by Stepan (p 6). This issue edited by Dr Alan Skull
RAW MATERIALS Oleochemicals India to import more palm oil The Indian Commerce and Industry Minister has promised to import more palm oil from Malaysia. Malaysia
SURFACTANTS
SURFACTANTS
F O C US targets 1 M tonne export of palm oil to India during 2008. India is Malaysia’s fifth-largest palm oil export market, after China, the European Union, Pakistan and the US. Malaysia’s commodity export to India had increased from 500,000 tonnes in 2007 to 900,000 tonnes in 2008. In order to cater to its vast domestic demand, India imports more than 3 M tonnes of palm oil and other vegetable oils, mostly from East Asian countries. The Star, 13 Feb 2009, (Website: http://www.thestar.com.my)
Earnings from palm oil exports expected to drop Plantations, Industries and Commodities Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Peter Chin, forecast that earnings from palm oil exports are likely to drop in 2009 owing to reduced demand (Ringgit 65 bn in 2009). Commenting on the stock position, it was pointed out that stock in Nov 2008 was 2.3 M tonnes as against 1.8 M tonnes in Jan 2009. However, a clear picture of the trend in the price of crude palm oil for 2009 will emerge only by Jun 2009. The Star, 26 Feb 2009, (Website: http://www.thestar.com.my)
Ethoxylates/others Maruzen taking steps to lift EO output at Chiba EO/EG facility Japan-based Maruzen Petrochemical is considering the prospect of increasing ethylene oxide (EO) production to up to 70% of output at its EO/ethylene glycol (EG) factory in Chiba. This would allow the company to easily respond to a market situation that is more heavily inclined toward EO than EG. Maruzen expects that demand for EO for surfactant production will become stable in the future, with such factors as changes in consumer preferences. The company runs a 115,000 tonne/y EO/EG plant at its Chiba works and a smaller, 82,000 tonne/y unit at its Yokkaichi site. EO makes up roughly 70% of the Yokkaichi facility’s product slate. The site also includes a 30,000 tonne/y production plant for EO adducts. EO production at Chiba currently stands at some 30%. Japan Chemical Week, 5 Feb 2009, 50 (2501), 11
2
O N
S U R FAC TA N T S
SURFACTANTS Huntsman Surface Sciences France develops surfactants site in Meuse region Huntsman is increasing sulfonation capacity at Huntsman Surface Science France’s factory in Han-surMeuse, France (which specializes in surfactants for industrial and domestic detergents, personal hygiene products and speciality products). Launched in 2007, an initial investment increased the sulfonation unit’s capacity by 27,000 tonnes/y. In 2008 a second investment added a further 12,000 tonnes/y to its capacity. The site employs 198 people and exports 60% of its output to N Europe, the Middle East, Africa, America and Asia. The regional authorities in Lorraine have granted the project a €300,000 subsidy. Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 9 Feb 2009, (454), 7 (in French)
Fluorosurfactants: new from Omnova Solutions Inc PolyFox, developed by Omnova Solutions Inc, is a line of fluorosurfactants and fluorochemicals developed for coatings applications in electronics production. The material provides 1.4 or less refractive indices and can be applied in anti-reflection coatings. Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Feb 2009, 25 (2), 48
Dow introduces Ecosurf EH speciality surfactants Three new surfactants have joined the Ecosurf brand of speciality surfactants from The Dow Chemical Co (Dow). Ecosurf EH Speciality Surfactants are a new generation of high performance, readily biodegradable surfactants. They are designed for use in hard surface cleaning, textile processing, inks, paints and coatings, and agricultural chemicals. Ecosurf EH Surfactants have an excellent environmental profile, are biodegradable with low aquatic toxicity and meet the criteria for the US Environmental Protection
Agency’s Design for the Environment Surfactant Screen. Ecosurf EH Speciality Surfactants are another example of innovative, performance chemistry from Dow. Ecosurf EH Surfactants are designed to help formulators meet rising expectations for performance and convenience, while at the same time complying with more stringent and demanding environmental safety regulations. There are three products in the Ecosurf EH family. While each has its own unique performance advantages in many different applications, all three Ecosurf EH Surfactants are excellent oil-soluble emulsifiers with fast dynamic surface tension reduction. They are low foaming, have very low odour and a narrow gel range, making them ideally suited for ultra-concentrated formulations. For hard surface cleaning of cross-linked triglycerides and mineral oil, Ecosurf EH Surfactants have demonstrated exceptional cleaning performance in Dow tests, when compared with other, traditionally used products. Ecosurf EH Surfactants feature narrow aqueous gel ranges and favourable handling and formulating properties, making them ideally suited for many paints and coatings systems. Dow studies have shown that fabrics finished by silicone softeners emulsified with Ecosurf EH Surfactants exhibited improved hand-feel. Using real world application testing for textile processing, the wetting times and penetration time for real-use concentrations are much faster for Ecosurf EH Surfactants relative to primary alcohol ethoxylates (PAEs). Ecosurf EH Surfactants are excellent candidates for use in a number of other applications including: Emulsifiers for agricultural insecticides and herbicides, paper processing, and oil and gas applications. Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the human element to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. Press release from: Dow Chemical Co, 2030, Dow Center, Midland, MI 48642, USA, tel: +1 989 636 1000, fax: +1 989 636 3518, website: http://www.dow.com (6 Mar 2009)
APRIL 2009