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New report overviews global nanocomposites market
LITERATURE
Regionally, Asia was the driving force behind the division’s year-on-year sales recovery. Sales in Latin America continued to grow in the high single-digit range and remained stable sequentially. Business conditions in Europe and North America did not improve and sales fell slightly when compared to 4Q 2008. At the beginning of the 2010 business year, the division was split into two business units that operate as separate units, Pigments and Additives. For the Masterbatches Division, the broad-based recovery that started in the third quarter continued into the fourth quarter, Clariant reports. Compared to 4Q 2008, sales increased 9% in Swiss francs to CHF280 million, though for the full year sales fell 12% to CHF1.12 billion. The fourth quarter was characterized by stability across all market segments and regions. Higher demand from major resin producers and a recovery in the European automotive industry drove sales growth. Led by above-average sales growth in Latin America, all regions contributed to the improving performance of the business. With the exception of North America, which posted single-digit growth, all regions posted double-digit sales growth in local currencies. Contact: Clariant International Ltd, Muttenz, Switzerland. Tel: +41 61 469 6969, Web: www.clariant.com
Dow’s 2009 performance buoyed by successful Rohm & Haas integration
F
or 2009 Dow Chemical reported full-year sales of US$44.9 billion, down 22%from reported sales in 2008. The company saw sequential sales improvements throughout the year, but these gains were not enough to offset an overall sales decline of 30% versus 2008 on a pro forma basis (calculated as if the acquisition of Rohm & Haas was finalized on 1 January 2008). Volume declined 13%, with the emerging geographies of Asia Pacific, Latin America and IMEA (India, Middle East & Africa) performing markedly better than North America and Europe, Dow reports. Net income from continuing operations for the year was $566 million. This compares with net income from continuing operations in 2008 of $626 million. Since the closure of the acquisition of Rohm & Haas on 1 April 2009 [ADPO, May 2009], Dow moved
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Additives for Polymers
quickly to realize cost reductions and synergies, and completed the year ahead of its goals in this area. The company reports that it achieved 140% of the 12-month cost synergy and restructuring run-rate goal for the integration of Rohm & Haas in nine months following the acquisition, and is now 70% of the way towards its two-year goal of $2.5 billion in savings related to the deal. CEO Andrew Liveris believes the transaction will be remembered as ‘the singular strategic acquisition that transformed Dow into a higher-growth and higher-margin business portfolio with significantly improved earnings power’. The company also divested four non-core businesses ahead of schedule, achieved cost reductions of more than $1.2 billion for the year and reduced indebtedness. It has already paid off in full the bridging loan relating to the Rohm & Haas acquisition. According to Liveris, the year was also a record for R&D investment, reinforcing Dow’s ‘focus on market-driven science-based innovation’ and demonstrating its ‘renewed commitment to grow and deliver shareholder value’. For the fourth quarter of 2009, Dow posted sales of $12.5 billion, representing a 15% increase compared with reported sales in the same period of 2008. On a pro forma basis, 4Q sales excluding completed divestitures increased 4%. From a geographic perspective, the emerging regions of the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe and IMEA saw volume gains of 33%. Net income from continuing operations for the quarter was $178 million, which compares with a net loss from of $1.55 billion in 4Q 2008. The company achieved structural cost reductions of more than $215 million in the quarter, ahead of its goals. Contact: The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI, USA. Tel: +1 989 636 1000, Web: www.dow.com
LITERATURE New report overviews global nanocomposites market
M
assachusetts-based market research firm BCC Research has published Nanocomposites, Nanoparticles, Nanoclays, and Nanotubes (NAN021D), an updated version of its 2006 report of the same title.
April 2010
ENVIRONMENT
Global consumption of nanocomposites has increased significantly since 2006, reaching 67 685 tonnes, with an estimated value of nearly US$467 million, in 2008. The report expects rapid growth to boost this figure to some 214 080 tonnes, valued at $1.4 billion, by 2014. Nanoparticles of various types currently provide a wide range of property enhancements in nanocomposites, including improved strength, conductivity and flame retardance. The report discusses nanocomposites that are in commercial use or under development, and attempts to identify those with the greatest commercial potential through 2014. Global market trends from 2008 to 2014 are examined and the factors that will influence the long-term development of the nanocomposites market are considered. Authored by nanotechnology expert Andrew McWilliams, the report is available for E3880. A new edition of related title Carbon Nanotubes: Technologies and Global Markets (NAN024D) is also available for the same price. Contact: BCC Research, Wellesley, MA, USA. Tel: +1 781 489 7301, Web: www.bccresearch.com
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES VECAP report reveals reductions in potential emissions of brominated flame retardants in Europe
P
otential emissions from brominated flame retardant manufacturing sites and downstream user plants in Europe were significantly reduced in 2009, thanks to voluntary industry initiative, the Voluntary Emissions Control
Action Programme (VECAP). Now in its fifth year of existence, the programme continues to grow significantly both in participation and geographical coverage. The latest findings published in the VECAP Annual Progress Report show significant reductions in potential emissions to air, land and water. The VECAP programme estimates emission levels based on an understanding of the ‘worst case’ potential emissions from plastics and textiles processes. On this basis, between 2008 and 2009, the overall potential emissions of decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE) were reduced from 3432 kg to 1220 kg in Europe. Over the same period, potential emissions of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) were reduced from 815 kg to 189 kg and of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) from 2017 kg to 309 kg. A significant part of this improvement results from the application of VECAP best practices in 2009, the report finds. From an initial 80 sites in six European countries, VECAP has now grown to cover 135 participating sites. Together these sites handle 85% of the total volume of the above three brominated flame retardants. Further key findings of the 2009 report include the establishment of a year-on-year methodology for comparing potential emissions; awareness that the disposal of industrial chemical packaging is the main potential emission source today, which has been followed by a specific programme targeting such emissions; and the launch of a VECAP certification scheme, with three sites certified so far. Commenting on the publication of the report, Willem Hofland, chair of the European Brominated Flame Retardant Industry Panel (EBFRIP), says that it is pleasing to see that ‘common long-term efforts’ within the industry have been fruitful and that the programme is attracting more and more participants throughout Europe. The latest VECAP Progress Report can be found at: www.vecap.info. Contact: EBFRIP, Brussels, Belgium. Tel: +32 2 676 7230, Web: www.ebfrip.org
A SUBSCRIPTION INCLUDES:
● 12 printed issues ● Online access for 5 users ● A four-year archive of back issues ● Free delivery www.additivesforpolymers.com
April 2010
Additives for Polymers
11
Regionally, Asia was the driving force behind the division’s year-on-year sales recovery. Sales in Latin America continued to grow in the high single-digit range and remained stable sequentially. Business conditions in Europe and North America did not improve and sales fell slightly when compared to 4Q 2008. At the beginning of the 2010 business year, the division was split into two business units that operate as separate units, Pigments and Additives. For the Masterbatches Division, the broad-based recovery that started in the third quarter continued into the fourth quarter, Clariant reports. Compared to 4Q 2008, sales increased 9% in Swiss francs to CHF280 million, though for the full year sales fell 12% to CHF1.12 billion. The fourth quarter was characterized by stability across all market segments and regions. Higher demand from major resin producers and a recovery in the European automotive industry drove sales growth. Led by above-average sales growth in Latin America, all regions contributed to the improving performance of the business. With the exception of North America, which posted single-digit growth, all regions posted double-digit sales growth in local currencies. Contact: Clariant International Ltd, Muttenz, Switzerland. Tel: +41 61 469 6969, Web: www.clariant.com
Dow’s 2009 performance buoyed by successful Rohm & Haas integration
F
or 2009 Dow Chemical reported full-year sales of US$44.9 billion, down 22%from reported sales in 2008. The company saw sequential sales improvements throughout the year, but these gains were not enough to offset an overall sales decline of 30% versus 2008 on a pro forma basis (calculated as if the acquisition of Rohm & Haas was finalized on 1 January 2008). Volume declined 13%, with the emerging geographies of Asia Pacific, Latin America and IMEA (India, Middle East & Africa) performing markedly better than North America and Europe, Dow reports. Net income from continuing operations for the year was $566 million. This compares with net income from continuing operations in 2008 of $626 million. Since the closure of the acquisition of Rohm & Haas on 1 April 2009 [ADPO, May 2009], Dow moved
10
Additives for Polymers
quickly to realize cost reductions and synergies, and completed the year ahead of its goals in this area. The company reports that it achieved 140% of the 12-month cost synergy and restructuring run-rate goal for the integration of Rohm & Haas in nine months following the acquisition, and is now 70% of the way towards its two-year goal of $2.5 billion in savings related to the deal. CEO Andrew Liveris believes the transaction will be remembered as ‘the singular strategic acquisition that transformed Dow into a higher-growth and higher-margin business portfolio with significantly improved earnings power’. The company also divested four non-core businesses ahead of schedule, achieved cost reductions of more than $1.2 billion for the year and reduced indebtedness. It has already paid off in full the bridging loan relating to the Rohm & Haas acquisition. According to Liveris, the year was also a record for R&D investment, reinforcing Dow’s ‘focus on market-driven science-based innovation’ and demonstrating its ‘renewed commitment to grow and deliver shareholder value’. For the fourth quarter of 2009, Dow posted sales of $12.5 billion, representing a 15% increase compared with reported sales in the same period of 2008. On a pro forma basis, 4Q sales excluding completed divestitures increased 4%. From a geographic perspective, the emerging regions of the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe and IMEA saw volume gains of 33%. Net income from continuing operations for the quarter was $178 million, which compares with a net loss from of $1.55 billion in 4Q 2008. The company achieved structural cost reductions of more than $215 million in the quarter, ahead of its goals. Contact: The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI, USA. Tel: +1 989 636 1000, Web: www.dow.com
LITERATURE New report overviews global nanocomposites market
M
assachusetts-based market research firm BCC Research has published Nanocomposites, Nanoparticles, Nanoclays, and Nanotubes (NAN021D), an updated version of its 2006 report of the same title.
April 2010
ENVIRONMENT
Global consumption of nanocomposites has increased significantly since 2006, reaching 67 685 tonnes, with an estimated value of nearly US$467 million, in 2008. The report expects rapid growth to boost this figure to some 214 080 tonnes, valued at $1.4 billion, by 2014. Nanoparticles of various types currently provide a wide range of property enhancements in nanocomposites, including improved strength, conductivity and flame retardance. The report discusses nanocomposites that are in commercial use or under development, and attempts to identify those with the greatest commercial potential through 2014. Global market trends from 2008 to 2014 are examined and the factors that will influence the long-term development of the nanocomposites market are considered. Authored by nanotechnology expert Andrew McWilliams, the report is available for E3880. A new edition of related title Carbon Nanotubes: Technologies and Global Markets (NAN024D) is also available for the same price. Contact: BCC Research, Wellesley, MA, USA. Tel: +1 781 489 7301, Web: www.bccresearch.com
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES VECAP report reveals reductions in potential emissions of brominated flame retardants in Europe
P
otential emissions from brominated flame retardant manufacturing sites and downstream user plants in Europe were significantly reduced in 2009, thanks to voluntary industry initiative, the Voluntary Emissions Control
Action Programme (VECAP). Now in its fifth year of existence, the programme continues to grow significantly both in participation and geographical coverage. The latest findings published in the VECAP Annual Progress Report show significant reductions in potential emissions to air, land and water. The VECAP programme estimates emission levels based on an understanding of the ‘worst case’ potential emissions from plastics and textiles processes. On this basis, between 2008 and 2009, the overall potential emissions of decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE) were reduced from 3432 kg to 1220 kg in Europe. Over the same period, potential emissions of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) were reduced from 815 kg to 189 kg and of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) from 2017 kg to 309 kg. A significant part of this improvement results from the application of VECAP best practices in 2009, the report finds. From an initial 80 sites in six European countries, VECAP has now grown to cover 135 participating sites. Together these sites handle 85% of the total volume of the above three brominated flame retardants. Further key findings of the 2009 report include the establishment of a year-on-year methodology for comparing potential emissions; awareness that the disposal of industrial chemical packaging is the main potential emission source today, which has been followed by a specific programme targeting such emissions; and the launch of a VECAP certification scheme, with three sites certified so far. Commenting on the publication of the report, Willem Hofland, chair of the European Brominated Flame Retardant Industry Panel (EBFRIP), says that it is pleasing to see that ‘common long-term efforts’ within the industry have been fruitful and that the programme is attracting more and more participants throughout Europe. The latest VECAP Progress Report can be found at: www.vecap.info. Contact: EBFRIP, Brussels, Belgium. Tel: +32 2 676 7230, Web: www.ebfrip.org
A SUBSCRIPTION INCLUDES:
● 12 printed issues ● Online access for 5 users ● A four-year archive of back issues ● Free delivery www.additivesforpolymers.com
April 2010
Additives for Polymers
11