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Lahega Kemi takes over Ratema
F O C U S recovery programme, consisting of portfolio rationalization, profitability enhancement and refinancing, that allowed the company to regain a firm financial footing. Rhodia has been transformed from a highly leveraged firm in 2003 to a company with a downsized but profitable portfolio, logging sales of over €5 bn/y ($7.8 bn). In 2007, the company’s net profits increased by over 100% to €129 M, while Ebitda surged from €683 M to almost €800 M. Rhodia has established presence in markets such as silicas, nylon-6,6, rare earths and surfactants. It can also now venture into expansion projects, particularly in emerging markets such as Asia/Pacific. Under its recovery programme, Rhodia scaled down its portfolio from 17 enterprises to seven since 2004, and is slated to further reduce it to six. The company sold its more cyclical businesses, generating proceeds of around €1.4 bn, and shuttered a number of units. The six enterprises to be maintained are Polyamide, a maker of nylon-6,6, nylon engineering plastics and intermediates; Novecare, a manufacturer of mild amphoteric surfactants, phosphorus chemistry, and guars and derivatives; Silcea, a producer of high-performance silicas and rare earth-based products; Acetow, a provider of cellulose acetate fibres for cigarette filters; Eco Services, a supplier of sulfuric acid regeneration technology; and Energy Services, which handles energy supply for Rhodia and third parties, and handles the company’s Carbon Emission Reduction Credits (CER). Rhodia is now focused on divesting its Organics enterprise, including the €300 M/y isocyanates business. The company anticipates exiting this group of businesses by mid-2009. Rhodia, however, is not selling one organics business, diphenols, which generates sales of around €270 M/y. A table presents key figures for Rhodia in 2003 and 2007. A bar graph illustrates average 2006 and 2007 organic growth for six European diversified companies. Chemical Week, 5 May 2008, (Website: http://www.chemweek.com)
Lahega Kemi takes over Ratema Lahega Kemi of Helsingborg, Sweden, which manufactures JUNE 2008
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S U R FAC TA N T S
chemical cleaning and maintenance products for vehicles, has acquired the competitor Ratema for around SKR 25 M in order to strengthen its business area industrial chemicals. Lahega estimates that, with Ratema, its turnover will be around SKR 210 M in fiscal 2007-2008. Lahega also manufactures chemicals for food hygiene and personal hygiene as well as industrial chemicals such as cutting fluids and lubricants. Kemivarlden Biotech med Kemisk Tidskrift, Apr 2008, (4), 6-7 (in Swedish)
BASF 2007: performance products: production capacities of significant products For its fiscal 2007 (period ends 31 Dec 2007), the Performance Products division of the BASF Group has reported on the production capacities of significant products: organic pigments (Europe, other sites, 21,000 tonnes/y), HDI (hexamethylene diisocyanate, other sites, 10,000 tonnes/y), polyisobutene (Europe, 112,000 tonnes/y), non-ionic surfactants (Europe, North America, other sites, 435,000 tonnes/y), methanesulfonic acid (Europe, 10,000 tonnes/y), solvent-borne coatings (other sites, 400,000 tonnes/y), waterborne coatings/decorative paints (other sites, 45,000 tonnes/y/320,000 tonnes/y), acrylic acid (Europe, North America, Asia, 1.105 M tonnes), and superabsorbents (Europe, North America, other sites, 400,000 tonnes/y). There are explanatory notes regarding the production capacities. BASF Annual Report 2007: Shaping the Future, 12 Mar 2008, 38 (BASF AG, Carl-Bosch-Strasse 38, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany. Tel: +49 21600. Fax: +49 21 042525. Website: http://www.basf.de)
Rhodia 2007: new products to strengthen Rhodia’s leadership positions: innovation fluids and surfaces Rhodia SA has reported on its R&D activities, during fiscal 2007 (period ended 31 Dec 2007), for the development of new products to strengthen its leading market positions. Applications in the Personal Care market of patented technologies
of specific structured lipid fluids continue to be extended through projects in joint ventures with clients. The market of assisted recovery of petroleum continues to demand technical solutions adapted to the specific needs of new drilling technologies or increasingly demanding reserves. Rhodia’s portfolio of technologies (surfactants, polymers, phosphorus-derived pesticides) and its experience in the field of fluid and surface physics/chemistry enable it to work in partnership with service companies in this industry and to quickly develop the desired solutions. Thus, the technological platform of viscoelastic surfactants continues to develop quickly in this market. In 2007, new generations of functional additives based on polyamide technologies were introduced on this market and are in the testing phase on pilot wells. Moreover, Rhodia has significantly reinforced its resources in the PierreGilles de Gennes Centre and its alliances to develop the solutions needed for the assisted recovery of oil. Rhodia Annual Reference Document 2007, 31 Mar 2008, 69 (Rhodia SA, 26, quai Alphonse le Gallo, F92512 Boulogne-Billancourt Cedex, France. Tel: +33 1 5538 4000. Fax: +33 1 5538 4443. Website: http://www.rhodia.com)
Rhodia 2007: Novecare For fiscal 2007 (period ended 31 Dec 2007), the Novecare division of Rhodia SA reported net sales of €931 M (€936 M for fiscal 2006), external net sales of €926 M (€930 M), recurring Ebitda of €109 M (€110 M), and capital expenditure of €32 M (€29 M). Novecare provides highperformance chemicals to a wide range of industries, from cosmetics and detergent products to the oil industry. Products include surfactants, phosphorus compounds, natural polymers, speciality polymers, and dibasic ester-based solvents. An extensive and detailed discussion is provided of the business of the division. Rhodia Annual Reference Document 2007, 31 Mar 2008, 38-40,57,136-138 (Rhodia SA, 26, quai Alphonse le Gallo, F92512 Boulogne-Billancourt Cedex, France. Tel: +33 1 5538 4000. Fax: +33 1 5538 4443. Website: http://www.rhodia.com)
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Lahega Kemi takes over Ratema Lahega Kemi of Helsingborg, Sweden, which manufactures JUNE 2008
O N
S U R FAC TA N T S
chemical cleaning and maintenance products for vehicles, has acquired the competitor Ratema for around SKR 25 M in order to strengthen its business area industrial chemicals. Lahega estimates that, with Ratema, its turnover will be around SKR 210 M in fiscal 2007-2008. Lahega also manufactures chemicals for food hygiene and personal hygiene as well as industrial chemicals such as cutting fluids and lubricants. Kemivarlden Biotech med Kemisk Tidskrift, Apr 2008, (4), 6-7 (in Swedish)
BASF 2007: performance products: production capacities of significant products For its fiscal 2007 (period ends 31 Dec 2007), the Performance Products division of the BASF Group has reported on the production capacities of significant products: organic pigments (Europe, other sites, 21,000 tonnes/y), HDI (hexamethylene diisocyanate, other sites, 10,000 tonnes/y), polyisobutene (Europe, 112,000 tonnes/y), non-ionic surfactants (Europe, North America, other sites, 435,000 tonnes/y), methanesulfonic acid (Europe, 10,000 tonnes/y), solvent-borne coatings (other sites, 400,000 tonnes/y), waterborne coatings/decorative paints (other sites, 45,000 tonnes/y/320,000 tonnes/y), acrylic acid (Europe, North America, Asia, 1.105 M tonnes), and superabsorbents (Europe, North America, other sites, 400,000 tonnes/y). There are explanatory notes regarding the production capacities. BASF Annual Report 2007: Shaping the Future, 12 Mar 2008, 38 (BASF AG, Carl-Bosch-Strasse 38, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany. Tel: +49 21600. Fax: +49 21 042525. Website: http://www.basf.de)
Rhodia 2007: new products to strengthen Rhodia’s leadership positions: innovation fluids and surfaces Rhodia SA has reported on its R&D activities, during fiscal 2007 (period ended 31 Dec 2007), for the development of new products to strengthen its leading market positions. Applications in the Personal Care market of patented technologies
of specific structured lipid fluids continue to be extended through projects in joint ventures with clients. The market of assisted recovery of petroleum continues to demand technical solutions adapted to the specific needs of new drilling technologies or increasingly demanding reserves. Rhodia’s portfolio of technologies (surfactants, polymers, phosphorus-derived pesticides) and its experience in the field of fluid and surface physics/chemistry enable it to work in partnership with service companies in this industry and to quickly develop the desired solutions. Thus, the technological platform of viscoelastic surfactants continues to develop quickly in this market. In 2007, new generations of functional additives based on polyamide technologies were introduced on this market and are in the testing phase on pilot wells. Moreover, Rhodia has significantly reinforced its resources in the PierreGilles de Gennes Centre and its alliances to develop the solutions needed for the assisted recovery of oil. Rhodia Annual Reference Document 2007, 31 Mar 2008, 69 (Rhodia SA, 26, quai Alphonse le Gallo, F92512 Boulogne-Billancourt Cedex, France. Tel: +33 1 5538 4000. Fax: +33 1 5538 4443. Website: http://www.rhodia.com)
Rhodia 2007: Novecare For fiscal 2007 (period ended 31 Dec 2007), the Novecare division of Rhodia SA reported net sales of €931 M (€936 M for fiscal 2006), external net sales of €926 M (€930 M), recurring Ebitda of €109 M (€110 M), and capital expenditure of €32 M (€29 M). Novecare provides highperformance chemicals to a wide range of industries, from cosmetics and detergent products to the oil industry. Products include surfactants, phosphorus compounds, natural polymers, speciality polymers, and dibasic ester-based solvents. An extensive and detailed discussion is provided of the business of the division. Rhodia Annual Reference Document 2007, 31 Mar 2008, 38-40,57,136-138 (Rhodia SA, 26, quai Alphonse le Gallo, F92512 Boulogne-Billancourt Cedex, France. Tel: +33 1 5538 4000. Fax: +33 1 5538 4443. Website: http://www.rhodia.com)
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