BUSINESS
Many environmental markets to grow despite recession WHILE AIR and water pollution control companies won’t be reporting record profits in 2009 and 2010, they will balance lost sales in some markets with growth in others, according to the latest forecasts from the McIlvaine Company. Corrosion resistant composite materials should find a place in this pollution control equipment. One of the biggest revenue generators will continue to be the power plant scrubber market, says McIlvaine. Worldwide orders will drop from US$11 billion in 2008 to $8 billion in 2009 and $7 billion in 2010, but revenue for suppliers will reflect the large order level in 2008 through 2010. This is because revenues are generally recorded over a three- to four-year period on each project. Orders throughout the next decade will remain far above the pre-2000 levels. Fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) is used in equipment for flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems for power plants (Reinforced Plastics, October 2008, pages 40-43). A similar trend exists for selective catalytic reduction systems for coal-fired power plants. Purchases in China, USA and Europe will be strong. Power plant particulate control sales are likely to accelerate as a result of new fine particle regulations. Sales of air pollution control equipment for waste-to-energy and biomass power plants will
REINFORCEDplastics
APRIL 2009
be up, but this will be offset by losses in steel, mining and cement. However, the US stimulus package could offset some of the impact in the cement markets. Sales of macro filtration equipment for municipal wastewater (including belt presses, sand filters and filter presses) will exceed $700 million in 2009 offsetting some shrinkage in the mining industry. The US stimulus effort will be a substantial boost to sales in the USA and infrastructure plans in most developing countries will continue as planned. Some countries, such as China, will expand their investment to provide stimulus. Sales of sedimentation and centrifugation equipment (including clarifiers, centrifuges and hydro cyclones) will be down slightly, but the wastewater segment will grow this year by $30 million to over $1 billion. Cross-flow filtration sales will be up as a result of continued growth in wastewater and desalination. Total sales will exceed $9 billion in 2009 despite slumping sales in the residential reverse osmosis segment. Desalination expenditures in some smaller Middle Eastern countries may slow, but on balance this segment will continue to grow. McIlvaine Company; www.mcilvainecompany.com
Mahindra expands into boat building LEADING INDIAN industrial group Mahindra has announced plans to start manufacturing composite powerboats and catamarans. The products will be branded Mahindra Odyssea. The company says its initial focus will be on high quality, customdesigned 20-40 ft composite powerboats with varying fit-out levels to suit customer requirements. In the next phase, the portfolio would potentially expand to include cabin cruisers and catamarans. Mahindra says all products will meet international quality standards, carry the international CE certification and be competitively priced. Besides individual and corporate clients, the company expects its vessels to be attractive for the paramilitary and defence forces. In time, Mahindra also expects to export products.
foray of a major Indian industrial group into the leisure boating industry which has, till recently, been characterised by a small number of independent agencies offering imported versions from international manufacturers,” reports Zhooben Bhiwandiwala, Executive Vice President, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. “Our country’s vast coastline and water bodies represent significant untapped potential for both water transport and marine based leisure activities,” says Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group. “Through Mahindra Odyssea we would not only like to contribute to the organised growth of the Indian boating industry but also play a key role in developing India’s waterways.”
The US$6.7 billion Mahindra Group is among the top 10 industrial houses in India and a market leader in multi-utility vehicles.
Mahindra says its boats will feature a hybrid trihedral hull for stable rides and superior operating efficiency, a spacious deck layout, a high quality surface finish, high performance in terms of stability and manoeuvrability, and a stylish bimini.
“Mahindra’s entry into this segment marks the first ever
Mahindra Group; www.mahindra.com
Numarine enters Middle East market
Numarine can produce 50 yachts per year at its 35 000 m2 boatyard in Istanbul. Vessels range in size from 55’ to 102’. The Middle East venture was announced in February.
to launch Numarine operation in the Middle East with two of Numarine’s luxury yachts 55’ Fly and 55’ HT models,” said Ömer Malaz, CEO of Numarine. “The operation is set and a service agreement has been put in place with the best yacht service establishment with centres across the Middle East to immediately cater for the sophisticated Middle East customers.”
“We are taking the opportunity of the Dubai International Boat show
Numarine; www.numarine.com Abraaj Capital; www.abraaj.com
TURKISH BOAT builder Numarine has announced plans to open an office in Dubai, UAE, with a focus on the Middle Eastern market. Private equity firm Abraaj Capital, based in Dubai, is a major share holder in Numarine.
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