- Email: [email protected]
Pacific & North America
FOCUS of which is: 62% cellulose fibre, 29% TiO2, 5.5% colour pigments and 3.5% chemicals. Whereas for commodity papers, kaolin and calcium carbonate pigments provide adequate dry opacity, they cannot rival TiO2 for wet opacity. Tissue paper, as an obvious example, becomes virtually transparent when wet. Lightfastness is also a vital criterion. Anatase grades of TiO2 are prone to "greying'' on exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation and that would obviously compromise the colour stability of the finished product. For the rutile grades that are acceptable, a special surface treatment is required in order to prevent "greying''. Prior to 2007/08, relatively few companies could supply TiO2 grades acceptable for use in décor paper, but over the past 10 years there has been a sharp increase in the number of qualified sulfate TiO2 grades, notably sourced from Asia. However, the fact remains that sulfate TiO2 grades tend towards a yellowish tinge on the Delta-b scale and therefore they cannot match chloride TiO2 grades for use in white laminates. In conclusion, Mr Geissinger echoed the remarks of earlier speakers from TiO2 consuming companies (PPG and Schulman) advising TiO2 pigment suppliers to tread cautiously when considering price rises. Three of the papers in the TiO2 sessions were devoted to various pieces of equipment used in dealing with TiO2. Mr Rich Robatzek (of Sturtevant) discussed jet mill micronisation, a technique that is prevalent throughout the pigments and cosmetics industries for reducing particle size, deagglomeration and the creation of spherical particle shapes. There are a number of factors that affect final particle size distribution and morphology: it is not easy to manipulate jet milling to produce the desired characteristics of the final particle. Material wear and stickiness on equipment surfaces can also affect performance. After accounting for the specific characteristics of the particle material, there are four important operating adjustments that can be finetuned to optimise performance of the microniser: feed rate, grinding gas pressure, feed pressure (retention time) and vortex finder depth. Dr Mirja Maja (of Gasmet, headquartered in Helsinki) described her company's photochemistry monitoring (PCM) system, which utilises the principles of Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The system can monitor and analyse the entire photocatalytic reaction and degeneration processes for volatile organic compounds
February 2017
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(VOCs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrogen oxides. Thus the activity/passivity of TiO2 as a photocatalyst can be determined in specific applications, such as "self-cleaning'' paints and concrete products. Also, a Gasmet PCM can be used as a ranking tool for pigment/ resin combinations, showing which pigments can form a stable matrix with a specified binder; alternatively, which binder matrix shows the lowest amount of photo-degradation caused by the specified pigment. Mr Vijay Garikapati (of WL Gore & Associates) discussed the benefits of low-drag filtration in product collectors. Operators of TiO2 plants often run into capacity availability constraints in the drier, microniser or packaging sections, the bottleneck being the bag-house where the product is collected. A rapid ramp-up or prevailing high values for the pressure drop across the bag-house can be caused by higher demands placed on existing equipment or by different surface treatments for the TiO2 pigment particles. Producers tend not to exceed a pressure set point because that can shorten bag life and strain the entire system. Using a low-drag filter can help maintain a lower pressure drop across the bag-house, reduce downtime for bag changes and increase throughput. Finally, Mr Mark Tomlinson (of Metalysis) heralded a promising new enduse for synrutile as the starting-point for a new type of titanium alloy that would be competitive with the well-known Ti-6Al-4V alloy, which is by far the most widely used of all the alpha-beta titanium alloys. Metalysis was founded in 2001 as a Cambridge University spin-off company, seeking to develop and commercialise the FFC process for the low-cost production of titanium metal powder. This process entails electrolysis in molten calcium chloride to strip off the oxygen atoms from highly refractory oxides to yield pure metals, such as titanium or tantalum. Subsequently, Metalysis acquired a lot of the closely associated intellectual property originally patented by BHP Billiton, Qinetiq-EDO and others. In February 2014, Iluka – the world's largest producer of synrutile – purchased an 18% stake in Metalysis and it has subsequently increased its shareholding to nearly 30%. Backed by Iluka, Metalysis has been pursuing a novel concept – employing its molten salt electrolysis technology, using synrutile as the input, to produce a new SR-Ti alloy, containing 96% Ti, 2.57% Fe, 0.54% Mn, 0.35% O, 0.33% Si, 0.10% C and 0.10% Al. The mechanical behaviour of this new alloy closely mirrors that of Ti-6Al-4V in
terms of stress/strain. It would be well suited to 3D-printing for the manufacture of complex shaped aerospace components, prosthetics, etc. Commercialisation of this new alloy could certainly be a central feature of the company's vision to transform the metals industry through the employment of its patented technology for the production of metals with greater efficiency and a lower environmental impact. At the end of this year's co-located Pigments & Colour Science Forum and TiO2 World Summit conferences, executives from SmithersRapra were canvassing delegates' opinions on next year's venue for the event. Berlin? Lyon? Some other European city? Whatever the final decision regarding the venue, it is certainly good news that this is now becoming an annual event for fastchanging industries in a fast-changing world. Reg Adams 1) For those who were unable to attend the event, the full set of published papers from the Cleveland Pigment & Color Science Forum & TiO2 World Summit conferences (4-6 October 2016) is available for sale. For details, please contact: Ms Kimberlee Rohrer, SmithersRapra, 425 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44303, USA. Tel: +1-(330)-762-7441 xtn 1143, E-mail: [email protected], Website: http://www. pigmentmarkets.com. © Smithers Group 2016
MARKETS More TiO2 pigment increases, but Chemours holds fire on Asia/Pacific & North America Towards the end of October 2016, Huntsman pioneered a new wave of TiO2 pigment price increases for all the major market regions, due to take effect as from 1 January 2017. (See 'Focus on Pigments', Nov 2016, 3). Rather slowly, most of the other multinational TiO2 suppliers have responded by announcing price increases of their own. The notable exception is Kronos, which has not issued a formal press-release notifying any price changes since 21 December 2015. Huntsman's increases were: $0.07 per pound (equivalent to $154 per tonne) for North America; $160 per tonne for Asia/ Pacific, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and US-dollar denominated invoices in Europe; and €1.50 per kilo (equivalent to $175 per tonne at the current rate of exchange) for most European customers. On 23 November – four weeks after the Huntsman announcement – Cristal
3
FOCUS declared that it would be raising its prices for all TiONA and TiKON pigment grades, with effect from 1 January 2017. Cristal's increases were: $200 per tonne for Latin America; $150 per tonne for Asia/Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, Russia, the CIS region and US-dollar denominated invoices in Europe; and €2.00 per kilo (equivalent to $234 per tonne at the current rate of exchange) for most customers in Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Turkey and Euro denominated invoices in the Middle East and Africa. At that stage, Cristal was silent about possible price changes for North American customers. Two weeks after that, on 8 December 2016, Tronox announced its price increases that would become effective as from 1 January 2017. Tronox's increases were: $0.07 per pound (equivalent to $154 per tonne) for North America; $150 per tonne for Asia/Pacific and Latin America; $160 per tonne or €1.50 per kilo (equivalent to $175 per tonne at the current rate of exchange) for customers in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. On 13 December, Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha announced that it intended to increase the price of its Tipaque TiO2 pigments by $150 per tonne for customers in the Asia/Pacific region, effective 1 January 2017. On 15 December – seven weeks after Huntsman pioneered the latest wave of price increases – Chemours announced its price increases, noting that they would not be implemented until 1 February 2017 (or possibly later, according to specific contracts and applicable local laws). Chemours' increases were: $150 per tonne for Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe; and €1.75 per kilo (equivalent to $205 per tonne at the current rate of exchange) for customers in Western Europe, Central Europe, Turkey and North Africa. At this stage, Chemours made no formal declarations regarding possible price changes in Asia/ Pacific or North America. On 22 December, Cristal rounded off its set of price hikes, announcing that its prices for North America would increase by $0.06 per pound ($132 per tonne), effective 1 January 2017. Original Source: Huntsman Corp, 25 Sep 2016 (Website: http://www.huntsman.com) © Huntsman 2016. Original Source: The National Titanium Dioxide Co/Cristal, 23 Nov & 22 Dec 2016 (Website: http://www.cristal.com) © Cristal 2016. Original Source: Tronox Inc, 8 Dec 2016 (Website: http://www.tronox.com) © Tronox 2016. Original Source: Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, 13 Dec 2016 (Website: http:// iskweb.co.jp) © Ishihara 2016. Original Source: Chemours Co, 15 Dec 2016 (Website: http:// www.chemours.com) © Chemours 2016.
4
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Orion hikes Asian carbon black prices, partly due to rising feedstock costs Effective 1 December 2016, Orion Engineered Carbons raised its base prices (in US dollar terms) for all carbon black grades produced at its South Korean facilities and sold to customers in the rubber industry throughout the Asia/ Pacific region. This price increase is independent from the underlying movements of the Singapore fuel oil index, which continues to be used as a reference for price adjustments related to oil-price changes which Orion negotiates with its Korean customers on a regular basis. Justifying the price hike, Orion cited: tightening environmental regulations, higher labour costs and unfavourable developments in the feedstock sector. During the third quarter of 2016, Orion had to pay significantly more for the required high-quality carbon black oil (CBO), due to a very tight Korean fuel oil market. Similarly, carbon black suppliers to the European and North American markets have highlighted the growing discrepancies between actual feedstock prices paid and the oil price indices that are supposed to form the basis for passing on increased costs due to feedstock pricing. (See also 'Focus on Pigments', Jun 2016, 3-4). Cabot Corp has indicated that it may try to introduce a new feedstock-related pricing mechanism into 2017 contracts with European customers. Original Source: European Rubber Journal, 10 Aug 2016, (Website: http://www. european-rubber-journal) © Crain Communications Ltd 2016. Original Source: Orion Engineered Carbons LLC, 6 Oct 2016 (Suite 106, 4501 Magnolia Cove Drive, Kingwood, TX 77345, USA, Website: http:// www.orioncarbons.com). © Orion 2016.
PLANTS Belgium: Cabot – plastic compounds & masterbatches Further details have been released on Cabot's plan to expand capacity at Pepinster (6 km southeast of Verviers) for making conductive compounds and masterbatches for engineering thermoplastic applications. (See 'Focus on Pigments', Nov 2016, 3). Speaking at the K-2016 Exhibition in Dusseldorf, Mr Adrian Baker (Commercial Director, Specialty Compounds for the EMEA
region) said: "The additional line is expected to be up and running by October 2017. The addition will more than double our current production for conductive compounds for engineering thermoplastics, but at less than 10% of current overall volume across Europe, Dubai and China, this move is not so much about tonnage as it is about serving customers. I think of it as more of an expansion of capability than as an expansion of volume. Our business is heavily focused on polyolefins, and we really need to increase our capabilities in engineering thermoplastics. At the moment, we've got some capability but limited capacity, and we really want to grow it. After more than 30 years in the carbon black business, Cabot is an expert in how its concentrates react with resin and how to get the best properties out of both. But some capacity limitations mean that customers sometimes end up going elsewhere for masterbatches, mixing or more. The coming expansion will give customers deeper in-house Cabot options over toll compounding. Experts estimate a 5% per annum growth rate for conductives, though my personal opinion is that it's growing faster than that.'' With the automotive industry's ongoing drive for weight reduction, conductive plastics are replacing metal in a number of applications. They are also being used for products such as personal fitness tracker devices and static-free trays in electronics manufacturing facilities. Avoiding static build-up and fire risks are important considerations. Original Source: Plastics News, 4 Nov 2016, (Website: http://www.plasticsnews.com) © Crain Communications Inc 2016.
China, Germany, Singapore & US: Clariant – masterbatch In February 2016, Clariant announced that it would spend SFr 7.5 M over five years to expand its global capacity for making colour and additive masterbatches for use in high-temperature polymers, such as polyether ether ketone. (See 'Focus on Pigments', May 2016, 6-7). The company recently provided an update on this programme, noting that committed investment now amounts to SFr 10 M (equivalent to $9.84 M). At the Ahrensburg plant (30 km northeast of Hamburg, Germany), two extrusion lines have been revamped and can now run at temperatures up to 450 8C. A new line is due to be installed here before the end of March 2017. At the Shanghai (China) plant, two new co-rotating extruders have been
February 2017
February 2017
ON
PIGMENTS
(VOCs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrogen oxides. Thus the activity/passivity of TiO2 as a photocatalyst can be determined in specific applications, such as "self-cleaning'' paints and concrete products. Also, a Gasmet PCM can be used as a ranking tool for pigment/ resin combinations, showing which pigments can form a stable matrix with a specified binder; alternatively, which binder matrix shows the lowest amount of photo-degradation caused by the specified pigment. Mr Vijay Garikapati (of WL Gore & Associates) discussed the benefits of low-drag filtration in product collectors. Operators of TiO2 plants often run into capacity availability constraints in the drier, microniser or packaging sections, the bottleneck being the bag-house where the product is collected. A rapid ramp-up or prevailing high values for the pressure drop across the bag-house can be caused by higher demands placed on existing equipment or by different surface treatments for the TiO2 pigment particles. Producers tend not to exceed a pressure set point because that can shorten bag life and strain the entire system. Using a low-drag filter can help maintain a lower pressure drop across the bag-house, reduce downtime for bag changes and increase throughput. Finally, Mr Mark Tomlinson (of Metalysis) heralded a promising new enduse for synrutile as the starting-point for a new type of titanium alloy that would be competitive with the well-known Ti-6Al-4V alloy, which is by far the most widely used of all the alpha-beta titanium alloys. Metalysis was founded in 2001 as a Cambridge University spin-off company, seeking to develop and commercialise the FFC process for the low-cost production of titanium metal powder. This process entails electrolysis in molten calcium chloride to strip off the oxygen atoms from highly refractory oxides to yield pure metals, such as titanium or tantalum. Subsequently, Metalysis acquired a lot of the closely associated intellectual property originally patented by BHP Billiton, Qinetiq-EDO and others. In February 2014, Iluka – the world's largest producer of synrutile – purchased an 18% stake in Metalysis and it has subsequently increased its shareholding to nearly 30%. Backed by Iluka, Metalysis has been pursuing a novel concept – employing its molten salt electrolysis technology, using synrutile as the input, to produce a new SR-Ti alloy, containing 96% Ti, 2.57% Fe, 0.54% Mn, 0.35% O, 0.33% Si, 0.10% C and 0.10% Al. The mechanical behaviour of this new alloy closely mirrors that of Ti-6Al-4V in
terms of stress/strain. It would be well suited to 3D-printing for the manufacture of complex shaped aerospace components, prosthetics, etc. Commercialisation of this new alloy could certainly be a central feature of the company's vision to transform the metals industry through the employment of its patented technology for the production of metals with greater efficiency and a lower environmental impact. At the end of this year's co-located Pigments & Colour Science Forum and TiO2 World Summit conferences, executives from SmithersRapra were canvassing delegates' opinions on next year's venue for the event. Berlin? Lyon? Some other European city? Whatever the final decision regarding the venue, it is certainly good news that this is now becoming an annual event for fastchanging industries in a fast-changing world. Reg Adams 1) For those who were unable to attend the event, the full set of published papers from the Cleveland Pigment & Color Science Forum & TiO2 World Summit conferences (4-6 October 2016) is available for sale. For details, please contact: Ms Kimberlee Rohrer, SmithersRapra, 425 West Market Street, Akron, OH 44303, USA. Tel: +1-(330)-762-7441 xtn 1143, E-mail: [email protected], Website: http://www. pigmentmarkets.com. © Smithers Group 2016
MARKETS More TiO2 pigment increases, but Chemours holds fire on Asia/Pacific & North America Towards the end of October 2016, Huntsman pioneered a new wave of TiO2 pigment price increases for all the major market regions, due to take effect as from 1 January 2017. (See 'Focus on Pigments', Nov 2016, 3). Rather slowly, most of the other multinational TiO2 suppliers have responded by announcing price increases of their own. The notable exception is Kronos, which has not issued a formal press-release notifying any price changes since 21 December 2015. Huntsman's increases were: $0.07 per pound (equivalent to $154 per tonne) for North America; $160 per tonne for Asia/ Pacific, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and US-dollar denominated invoices in Europe; and €1.50 per kilo (equivalent to $175 per tonne at the current rate of exchange) for most European customers. On 23 November – four weeks after the Huntsman announcement – Cristal
3
FOCUS declared that it would be raising its prices for all TiONA and TiKON pigment grades, with effect from 1 January 2017. Cristal's increases were: $200 per tonne for Latin America; $150 per tonne for Asia/Pacific, Africa, the Middle East, Russia, the CIS region and US-dollar denominated invoices in Europe; and €2.00 per kilo (equivalent to $234 per tonne at the current rate of exchange) for most customers in Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Turkey and Euro denominated invoices in the Middle East and Africa. At that stage, Cristal was silent about possible price changes for North American customers. Two weeks after that, on 8 December 2016, Tronox announced its price increases that would become effective as from 1 January 2017. Tronox's increases were: $0.07 per pound (equivalent to $154 per tonne) for North America; $150 per tonne for Asia/Pacific and Latin America; $160 per tonne or €1.50 per kilo (equivalent to $175 per tonne at the current rate of exchange) for customers in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. On 13 December, Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha announced that it intended to increase the price of its Tipaque TiO2 pigments by $150 per tonne for customers in the Asia/Pacific region, effective 1 January 2017. On 15 December – seven weeks after Huntsman pioneered the latest wave of price increases – Chemours announced its price increases, noting that they would not be implemented until 1 February 2017 (or possibly later, according to specific contracts and applicable local laws). Chemours' increases were: $150 per tonne for Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe; and €1.75 per kilo (equivalent to $205 per tonne at the current rate of exchange) for customers in Western Europe, Central Europe, Turkey and North Africa. At this stage, Chemours made no formal declarations regarding possible price changes in Asia/ Pacific or North America. On 22 December, Cristal rounded off its set of price hikes, announcing that its prices for North America would increase by $0.06 per pound ($132 per tonne), effective 1 January 2017. Original Source: Huntsman Corp, 25 Sep 2016 (Website: http://www.huntsman.com) © Huntsman 2016. Original Source: The National Titanium Dioxide Co/Cristal, 23 Nov & 22 Dec 2016 (Website: http://www.cristal.com) © Cristal 2016. Original Source: Tronox Inc, 8 Dec 2016 (Website: http://www.tronox.com) © Tronox 2016. Original Source: Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, 13 Dec 2016 (Website: http:// iskweb.co.jp) © Ishihara 2016. Original Source: Chemours Co, 15 Dec 2016 (Website: http:// www.chemours.com) © Chemours 2016.
4
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Orion hikes Asian carbon black prices, partly due to rising feedstock costs Effective 1 December 2016, Orion Engineered Carbons raised its base prices (in US dollar terms) for all carbon black grades produced at its South Korean facilities and sold to customers in the rubber industry throughout the Asia/ Pacific region. This price increase is independent from the underlying movements of the Singapore fuel oil index, which continues to be used as a reference for price adjustments related to oil-price changes which Orion negotiates with its Korean customers on a regular basis. Justifying the price hike, Orion cited: tightening environmental regulations, higher labour costs and unfavourable developments in the feedstock sector. During the third quarter of 2016, Orion had to pay significantly more for the required high-quality carbon black oil (CBO), due to a very tight Korean fuel oil market. Similarly, carbon black suppliers to the European and North American markets have highlighted the growing discrepancies between actual feedstock prices paid and the oil price indices that are supposed to form the basis for passing on increased costs due to feedstock pricing. (See also 'Focus on Pigments', Jun 2016, 3-4). Cabot Corp has indicated that it may try to introduce a new feedstock-related pricing mechanism into 2017 contracts with European customers. Original Source: European Rubber Journal, 10 Aug 2016, (Website: http://www. european-rubber-journal) © Crain Communications Ltd 2016. Original Source: Orion Engineered Carbons LLC, 6 Oct 2016 (Suite 106, 4501 Magnolia Cove Drive, Kingwood, TX 77345, USA, Website: http:// www.orioncarbons.com). © Orion 2016.
PLANTS Belgium: Cabot – plastic compounds & masterbatches Further details have been released on Cabot's plan to expand capacity at Pepinster (6 km southeast of Verviers) for making conductive compounds and masterbatches for engineering thermoplastic applications. (See 'Focus on Pigments', Nov 2016, 3). Speaking at the K-2016 Exhibition in Dusseldorf, Mr Adrian Baker (Commercial Director, Specialty Compounds for the EMEA
region) said: "The additional line is expected to be up and running by October 2017. The addition will more than double our current production for conductive compounds for engineering thermoplastics, but at less than 10% of current overall volume across Europe, Dubai and China, this move is not so much about tonnage as it is about serving customers. I think of it as more of an expansion of capability than as an expansion of volume. Our business is heavily focused on polyolefins, and we really need to increase our capabilities in engineering thermoplastics. At the moment, we've got some capability but limited capacity, and we really want to grow it. After more than 30 years in the carbon black business, Cabot is an expert in how its concentrates react with resin and how to get the best properties out of both. But some capacity limitations mean that customers sometimes end up going elsewhere for masterbatches, mixing or more. The coming expansion will give customers deeper in-house Cabot options over toll compounding. Experts estimate a 5% per annum growth rate for conductives, though my personal opinion is that it's growing faster than that.'' With the automotive industry's ongoing drive for weight reduction, conductive plastics are replacing metal in a number of applications. They are also being used for products such as personal fitness tracker devices and static-free trays in electronics manufacturing facilities. Avoiding static build-up and fire risks are important considerations. Original Source: Plastics News, 4 Nov 2016, (Website: http://www.plasticsnews.com) © Crain Communications Inc 2016.
China, Germany, Singapore & US: Clariant – masterbatch In February 2016, Clariant announced that it would spend SFr 7.5 M over five years to expand its global capacity for making colour and additive masterbatches for use in high-temperature polymers, such as polyether ether ketone. (See 'Focus on Pigments', May 2016, 6-7). The company recently provided an update on this programme, noting that committed investment now amounts to SFr 10 M (equivalent to $9.84 M). At the Ahrensburg plant (30 km northeast of Hamburg, Germany), two extrusion lines have been revamped and can now run at temperatures up to 450 8C. A new line is due to be installed here before the end of March 2017. At the Shanghai (China) plant, two new co-rotating extruders have been
February 2017