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LAO demand improves, but oversupply lingers [1 table]
F O C U S show the extent to which, in both cases, the changeover will proceed, not only in the western world but globally. It is, of course, unlikely to be 100% Gordon Hollis
PRODUCTS Linear alkylbenzene (LAB) PetroVietnam refinery project delayed to 1Q 2006
O N
S U R FA C TA N T S
200,000 tonnes/y of sulfuric acid; 50,000 tonnes/y of phosphoric acid; and as by products – 300,000 tonnes/y of gypsum and 3000 tonnes/y of aluminium. For 2001-2002, the company produced 600,000 tonnes of urea and 302,000 tonnes/y of DAP. With 400 warehouses and 4000 dealers encompassing 12 states, SPIC has a major market in southern India. In Tamilnadu, 50% of urea, 85% of DAP and 50% of MOP is sold by SPIC. Even as fertilizers form, the core competency for SPIC.Tamilnadu Petroproducts Ltd, a group company, produced 100,000 tonnes of linear alkyl benzene.
Petrovietnam may build a 30,000 tonnes/y linear alkylbenzene plant downstream of the refinery (originally planned as a joint venture with Tamilnadu Petroproducts).
Chemical Weekly, 19 Nov 2002, 48 (13), 131-133
Asian Chemical News, 18 Nov 2002, 9 (380), 27
LAO demand improves, but oversupply lingers [1 table]
Investments in the Spanish chemicals/petrochemicals sector Projects currently underway in the Spanish chemicals/petrochemicals industry are reported. Repsol YPF has invested some €182 M in chemical/petrochemical projects during Jan-Sep 2002. The company’s strategic plan 2001-2005 forecasts an investment of about €995 M. Projects include the addition of 22,000 tonne/y of linear alkyl benzene (LAB) capacity at its 42,000 tonne/y plant in La Plata, Argentina. Oilgas, Oct 2002, 35 (408), 88,90,92,94 (in Spanish)
SPIC Group: consolidation and change management The Southern Petrochemical Industries Corp (SPIC), a major industrial conglomerate of India, is marching towards consolidation of activities towards agri-business for better growth, profits and performance. The company intends to work on debt restructuring, plant operations, cost control, marketing and disinvestment to remain competitive, optimise costs and to improve its shareholder value. Amidst consolidation process, SPIC recorded a turnover of Rup 1.722 bn for 2001-2002. The fertilizer complex of SPIC has 600,000 tonnes/y capacity of urea; 400,000 tonnes/y of DAP; 350,000 tonnes/y of ammonia; 2
Linear alpha-olefins (LAO)
Stronger demand for linear lowdensity polyethylene (LLDPE) is expected to improve the linear alphaolefins (LAO) market during 2003. LLDPE currently accounts for over 50% of LAO demand. Demand for PE is expected to rise by 5-6%/y over the next 2-3 years. In order to absorb output from its 320,000 tonnes/y LAO plant that opened at Geismar, LA, US during Jul 2002, Shell will need a strong recovery. The new plant increased LAO capacity at Geismar to 1.25 M tonnes/y. A 60,000 tonnes/y LAO expansion is to be brought on line by Shell at Stanlow, UK shortly increasing capacity at the site to 330,000 tonnes/y. A table details new LAO capacity planned by Q-Chem, Sasol, Sabic, Idemitsu-Formosa and Chevron Phillips Chemical. Details include location, capacity and date of start-up. The 51:49 joint venture between Qatar Petroleum Corp and Chevron Phillips Chemical, known as Q-Chem, has completed a 50,000 tonnes/y normal alpha olefins unit at Masaieed in Qatar. Start-up is expected during 1Q 2003. Hexene will be produced by the plant with 3040% of output supplying PE plants owned by Q-Chem at the same site. The LAO market is expected to come into balance during 2006 with new capacities required during 2008. Demand for LAO for use in detergent alcohols will improve by 3-5%/y.
Weak demand has caused Shell to idle its 100,000 tonnes/y detergent alcohols plant in Geismar. BP is to close its 60,000 tonnes/y detergent alcohols plant at Pasadena, TX, US before the end of 2002 to concentrate on the production of LAO. Chemical Week, 6 Nov 2002, 164 (44), 41
Alkoxylates European Union: directive on cement, nonylphenol ethoxylate and nonyphenol The European Commission has passed a proposal to restrict the marketing and use of cement, nonylphenol ethoxylate and nonylphenol. Nonylphenol and ethoxylates are utilised in making paints, detergents, plastics and resins. These compounds are prohibited in the production of personal care products, cosmetics, pulp and paper, metals, textiles, leather, domestic cleaning products and industrial cleaning products. Their use is still allowed in cleaning and processing where substances are destroyed or fully recycled. Implementation of the proposed directive is likely to be enforced in mid 2004. Cameron McKenna Environmental Law Bulletin, Oct 2002, 23 (McKenna & Co, Mitre House, 160 Aldersgate Street, London EC1A 4DD, UK. Tel: +44 0171 606 9000. Fax: +44 0171 606 9100)
New developments Amazonian oils Croda introduced the Crodamazon collection of tropical fruit and nut oil extracts that can be incorporated in skin cream, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and colour formulations. Derived from nuts such as cupuacu and maracuja, the oils consist of flavonoids and phytosterols, and abound in vitamins and essential fatty acids. Increased cutaneous hydration is achieved with Crodamazon Cupuacu, which also cuts TEWL. Crodamazon Pequi boosts the hair shaft’s resistance when damaged through chemical colouring processes while Crodamazon Crovol Maracuja is a surfactant-soluble extract developed for detergent cosmetic systems. Parfums, Cosmetiques, Actualites, Oct-Nov 2002, (167), 76
JANUARY 2003
PRODUCTS Linear alkylbenzene (LAB) PetroVietnam refinery project delayed to 1Q 2006
O N
S U R FA C TA N T S
200,000 tonnes/y of sulfuric acid; 50,000 tonnes/y of phosphoric acid; and as by products – 300,000 tonnes/y of gypsum and 3000 tonnes/y of aluminium. For 2001-2002, the company produced 600,000 tonnes of urea and 302,000 tonnes/y of DAP. With 400 warehouses and 4000 dealers encompassing 12 states, SPIC has a major market in southern India. In Tamilnadu, 50% of urea, 85% of DAP and 50% of MOP is sold by SPIC. Even as fertilizers form, the core competency for SPIC.Tamilnadu Petroproducts Ltd, a group company, produced 100,000 tonnes of linear alkyl benzene.
Petrovietnam may build a 30,000 tonnes/y linear alkylbenzene plant downstream of the refinery (originally planned as a joint venture with Tamilnadu Petroproducts).
Chemical Weekly, 19 Nov 2002, 48 (13), 131-133
Asian Chemical News, 18 Nov 2002, 9 (380), 27
LAO demand improves, but oversupply lingers [1 table]
Investments in the Spanish chemicals/petrochemicals sector Projects currently underway in the Spanish chemicals/petrochemicals industry are reported. Repsol YPF has invested some €182 M in chemical/petrochemical projects during Jan-Sep 2002. The company’s strategic plan 2001-2005 forecasts an investment of about €995 M. Projects include the addition of 22,000 tonne/y of linear alkyl benzene (LAB) capacity at its 42,000 tonne/y plant in La Plata, Argentina. Oilgas, Oct 2002, 35 (408), 88,90,92,94 (in Spanish)
SPIC Group: consolidation and change management The Southern Petrochemical Industries Corp (SPIC), a major industrial conglomerate of India, is marching towards consolidation of activities towards agri-business for better growth, profits and performance. The company intends to work on debt restructuring, plant operations, cost control, marketing and disinvestment to remain competitive, optimise costs and to improve its shareholder value. Amidst consolidation process, SPIC recorded a turnover of Rup 1.722 bn for 2001-2002. The fertilizer complex of SPIC has 600,000 tonnes/y capacity of urea; 400,000 tonnes/y of DAP; 350,000 tonnes/y of ammonia; 2
Linear alpha-olefins (LAO)
Stronger demand for linear lowdensity polyethylene (LLDPE) is expected to improve the linear alphaolefins (LAO) market during 2003. LLDPE currently accounts for over 50% of LAO demand. Demand for PE is expected to rise by 5-6%/y over the next 2-3 years. In order to absorb output from its 320,000 tonnes/y LAO plant that opened at Geismar, LA, US during Jul 2002, Shell will need a strong recovery. The new plant increased LAO capacity at Geismar to 1.25 M tonnes/y. A 60,000 tonnes/y LAO expansion is to be brought on line by Shell at Stanlow, UK shortly increasing capacity at the site to 330,000 tonnes/y. A table details new LAO capacity planned by Q-Chem, Sasol, Sabic, Idemitsu-Formosa and Chevron Phillips Chemical. Details include location, capacity and date of start-up. The 51:49 joint venture between Qatar Petroleum Corp and Chevron Phillips Chemical, known as Q-Chem, has completed a 50,000 tonnes/y normal alpha olefins unit at Masaieed in Qatar. Start-up is expected during 1Q 2003. Hexene will be produced by the plant with 3040% of output supplying PE plants owned by Q-Chem at the same site. The LAO market is expected to come into balance during 2006 with new capacities required during 2008. Demand for LAO for use in detergent alcohols will improve by 3-5%/y.
Weak demand has caused Shell to idle its 100,000 tonnes/y detergent alcohols plant in Geismar. BP is to close its 60,000 tonnes/y detergent alcohols plant at Pasadena, TX, US before the end of 2002 to concentrate on the production of LAO. Chemical Week, 6 Nov 2002, 164 (44), 41
Alkoxylates European Union: directive on cement, nonylphenol ethoxylate and nonyphenol The European Commission has passed a proposal to restrict the marketing and use of cement, nonylphenol ethoxylate and nonylphenol. Nonylphenol and ethoxylates are utilised in making paints, detergents, plastics and resins. These compounds are prohibited in the production of personal care products, cosmetics, pulp and paper, metals, textiles, leather, domestic cleaning products and industrial cleaning products. Their use is still allowed in cleaning and processing where substances are destroyed or fully recycled. Implementation of the proposed directive is likely to be enforced in mid 2004. Cameron McKenna Environmental Law Bulletin, Oct 2002, 23 (McKenna & Co, Mitre House, 160 Aldersgate Street, London EC1A 4DD, UK. Tel: +44 0171 606 9000. Fax: +44 0171 606 9100)
New developments Amazonian oils Croda introduced the Crodamazon collection of tropical fruit and nut oil extracts that can be incorporated in skin cream, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and colour formulations. Derived from nuts such as cupuacu and maracuja, the oils consist of flavonoids and phytosterols, and abound in vitamins and essential fatty acids. Increased cutaneous hydration is achieved with Crodamazon Cupuacu, which also cuts TEWL. Crodamazon Pequi boosts the hair shaft’s resistance when damaged through chemical colouring processes while Crodamazon Crovol Maracuja is a surfactant-soluble extract developed for detergent cosmetic systems. Parfums, Cosmetiques, Actualites, Oct-Nov 2002, (167), 76
JANUARY 2003