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Oxea extends non-phthalate plasticizers portfolio with new bio-based range; marks 75 years of oxo synthesis
additives
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ISSN 0306-3747 April 2014
POLYMERS
www.additivesforpolymers.com
Oxea extends non-phthalate plasticizers portfolio with new bio-based range; marks 75 years of oxo synthesis
G
erman oxo-chemicals specialist Oxea GmbH has expanded its family of phthalate-free plasticizers with the launch of the new bio-based ‘Oxblue’ range. The first two offerings in the new line are a dioctyl succinate, Oxblue DOSX, and an acetyl tributyl citrate, Oxblue ATBC, which reportedly combine the advantageous features of conventional petroleum- and bio-based chemistries. According to the company, Oxblue DOSX and Oxblue ATBC address the demand for high-quality, highperforming and affordable plasticizers. Suggested applications for the new products include cling film, flooring, soft toys, adhesives and sealants. Oxblue DOSX and Oxblue ATBC are commercially available in Europe and North America. The succinate product utilizes bio-based succinic acid supplied by renewable chemicals company Myriant Corp. The bio-succinic acid is produced at Myriant’s plant in Lake Providence, LA, USA. With consumers’ growing concerns about health and image, the Oxblue products offer manufacturers sustainable solutions that will enable them ‘to economically manufacture products with no compromise on performance’, says Jacco de Haas, global marketing manager for Specialty Esters at Oxea. ‘With the new Oxblue products and our successful
Oxsoft product range we offer a comprehensive portfolio of phthalate-free and bio-based plasticizers. This enables us to better support the constantly changing needs of our worldwide customers’, he adds. The company was recently acquired by Oman Oil Co [ADPO, March 2014] and has since confirmed that it will continue to expand its global manufacturing capacity to serve clients ‘more adequately, rapidly and efficiently’. In other company news, Oxea recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of the filing of the patent application for oxo synthesis by German chemist, Dr Otto Roelen. At that time, Roelen was the research director at Ruhrchemie AG in Oberhausen, which has since become Oxea. His discovery, also known as hydroformylation, laid the foundation for the large-scale organometallic chemical industry. Today, more than 12 million tonnes of oxo chemicals – including alcohols, polyols, carboxylic acids, speciality esters and amines – are produced annually worldwide, Oxea reports. These are used in the manufacture of products such as cleaning agents and detergents, flavourings and fragrances, cables and hoses, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, paints and varnishes, food wrapping products and safety film lamination, inks and high-quality coatings, as well as lubricants for environmentally friendly cooling appliances and turbines. Continued on page 2...
Contents MATERIALS Oxea extends non-phthalate plasticizers portfolio with new bio-based range; marks 75 years of oxo synthesis
1
Cabot launches new carbon black products for tyre applications
2
Sachtleben introduces TiO2 pigment with high lacing resistance
3
Clariant presents new masterbatches for carpets and pharmaceutical packaging
3
Croda’s new slip additive offers high stability
5
Silvergate’s Optiblo colour range improves blow moulding processes
5
ADDmix unveils special effect masterbatch tablets 6
COMPANY STRATEGIES Addivant progresses with Korean capacity enhancements, plans Chinese formulation centre 6 A Schulman expands US colour capabilities with purchase of Prime Colorants 7 BASF divests liquid masterbatch business to Audia, starts work on INA plant with Sinopec
7
Nubiola raises production capacity for zinc ferrites
8
Artek to acquire 100% ownership in Galata Chemicals
9
Orion Engineered Carbons increases production capacity
10
FINANCIALS Cytec reports 13% sales increase in 2013 10 Clariant reports 2013 profits up almost 60% on flat sales
10
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES European Commission concludes DINP and DIDP safe for use in consumer applications
11
EVENTS CALENDAR
12
ISSN 0306-3747/14 © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This journal and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use: Photocopying Single photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying, including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make photocopies for non-profit educational classroom use.
MATERIALS
...Continued from front page According to Oxea, it is currently the second-largest manufacturer of oxo products worldwide and has the largest commercial market share, supported by the successful expansion of its product portfolio towards high-margin oxo derivatives in recent years. In 2012, Oxea generated revenues of about E1.5 billion and had some 1400 employees worldwide. Contact: Oxea GmbH, Oberhausen, Germany. Tel: +49 208 693 3100, Web: www.oxea-chemicals.com or www.phthalate-free-plasticizer.com
MATERIALS Cabot launches new carbon black products for tyre applications
B
oston-based Cabot Corp has launched two new carbon black products for tyre tread applications. Targeting long-haul and shorthaul vehicle applications respectively, the first new product in the Propel™ range provides reduced tyre rolling resistance while the second improves tyre tread durability. The company reports that in-house laboratory tests on Propel E7 demonstrate that the new carbon black reduces the hysteresis (energy loss) of typical tyre tread compounds by 1% when compared to the same laboratory tests on its Vulcan® 7H product. This reduction results in lower tyre rolling resistance (without sacrificing tyre durability) and thus contributes to improved fuel economy, Cabot explains. Primary applications for this product are onhighway, long-haul truck tyre treads and retreads, it says. Propel D11 carbon black, on the other hand, is engineered to provide a ‘high level’ of rubber reinforcement, according to the company. This enables tyre treads that resist cutting, tearing and abrasion, and extend the useful life of a tyre, it claims. Cabot laboratory tests on the new product demonstrate a 10% improvement in laboratory abrasion resistance in natural rubber compounds when compared to the same laboratory tests on the company’s Vulcan 10H carbon black, it reports. Primary applica-
2
Additives for Polymers
tions for Propel D11 are short-haul truck and off-road vehicle tyres where the emphasis is on eliminating infield failures and maximizing uptime, Cabot explains. It also can be used in passenger car and light truck tyre treads that require maximum durability. Commercial vehicle operators recognize that tyre performance is an important contributor to total operating cost, and they increasingly demand tyres that are optimized for use in specific applications, Cabot comments. In addition, many countries are implementing programmes to promote the use of transportation technologies that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby creating demand for more-durable, fuel-efficient tyres. Both the US Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay® programme and the European Union energy labels for tyres seek to educate consumers about the impact of tyre performance on fuel economy. The EU legislation also establishes minimum performance thresholds for rolling resistance on all truck tyres, and the state of California has introduced a similar regulation requiring long-haul trucks to use low rolling resistance tyres. According to Cabot, its new reinforcing materials were developed to help tyre manufacturers meet these current and future market demands. ‘We recognize that tyre manufacturers need new reinforcing materials that enable them to develop differentiated and high-performance product offerings’, says John Reese, VP global marketing with Cabot Reinforcement Materials. The company’s ‘deep understanding’ of customers’ needs, their industries and the global trends that impact their businesses, enables it to create and deliver differentiating solutions, he says. ‘With these new carbon black products we can help tyre manufacturers significantly improve tyre performance through enhanced durability and reduced rolling resistance’, Reese adds. In its recently reported results for the first quarter of its 2014 fiscal year (FY), ended 31st December 2013, Cabot achieved sales of US$899 million, up almost 10% from $820 million in 1Q FY 2013. Net income quadrupled to $80 million. The Reinforcement Materials segment delivered its second best quarterly performance, with sales of $517 million ($475 million in 1Q FY 2013) and EBIT of $64 million ($50 million), and the Performance Materials and Advanced Technologies segments also performed well. Contact: Cabot Corp, Boston, MA, USA. Tel: +1 617 345 0100, Web: www.cabot-corp.com
April 2014
FOR
ISSN 0306-3747 April 2014
POLYMERS
www.additivesforpolymers.com
Oxea extends non-phthalate plasticizers portfolio with new bio-based range; marks 75 years of oxo synthesis
G
erman oxo-chemicals specialist Oxea GmbH has expanded its family of phthalate-free plasticizers with the launch of the new bio-based ‘Oxblue’ range. The first two offerings in the new line are a dioctyl succinate, Oxblue DOSX, and an acetyl tributyl citrate, Oxblue ATBC, which reportedly combine the advantageous features of conventional petroleum- and bio-based chemistries. According to the company, Oxblue DOSX and Oxblue ATBC address the demand for high-quality, highperforming and affordable plasticizers. Suggested applications for the new products include cling film, flooring, soft toys, adhesives and sealants. Oxblue DOSX and Oxblue ATBC are commercially available in Europe and North America. The succinate product utilizes bio-based succinic acid supplied by renewable chemicals company Myriant Corp. The bio-succinic acid is produced at Myriant’s plant in Lake Providence, LA, USA. With consumers’ growing concerns about health and image, the Oxblue products offer manufacturers sustainable solutions that will enable them ‘to economically manufacture products with no compromise on performance’, says Jacco de Haas, global marketing manager for Specialty Esters at Oxea. ‘With the new Oxblue products and our successful
Oxsoft product range we offer a comprehensive portfolio of phthalate-free and bio-based plasticizers. This enables us to better support the constantly changing needs of our worldwide customers’, he adds. The company was recently acquired by Oman Oil Co [ADPO, March 2014] and has since confirmed that it will continue to expand its global manufacturing capacity to serve clients ‘more adequately, rapidly and efficiently’. In other company news, Oxea recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of the filing of the patent application for oxo synthesis by German chemist, Dr Otto Roelen. At that time, Roelen was the research director at Ruhrchemie AG in Oberhausen, which has since become Oxea. His discovery, also known as hydroformylation, laid the foundation for the large-scale organometallic chemical industry. Today, more than 12 million tonnes of oxo chemicals – including alcohols, polyols, carboxylic acids, speciality esters and amines – are produced annually worldwide, Oxea reports. These are used in the manufacture of products such as cleaning agents and detergents, flavourings and fragrances, cables and hoses, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, paints and varnishes, food wrapping products and safety film lamination, inks and high-quality coatings, as well as lubricants for environmentally friendly cooling appliances and turbines. Continued on page 2...
Contents MATERIALS Oxea extends non-phthalate plasticizers portfolio with new bio-based range; marks 75 years of oxo synthesis
1
Cabot launches new carbon black products for tyre applications
2
Sachtleben introduces TiO2 pigment with high lacing resistance
3
Clariant presents new masterbatches for carpets and pharmaceutical packaging
3
Croda’s new slip additive offers high stability
5
Silvergate’s Optiblo colour range improves blow moulding processes
5
ADDmix unveils special effect masterbatch tablets 6
COMPANY STRATEGIES Addivant progresses with Korean capacity enhancements, plans Chinese formulation centre 6 A Schulman expands US colour capabilities with purchase of Prime Colorants 7 BASF divests liquid masterbatch business to Audia, starts work on INA plant with Sinopec
7
Nubiola raises production capacity for zinc ferrites
8
Artek to acquire 100% ownership in Galata Chemicals
9
Orion Engineered Carbons increases production capacity
10
FINANCIALS Cytec reports 13% sales increase in 2013 10 Clariant reports 2013 profits up almost 60% on flat sales
10
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES European Commission concludes DINP and DIDP safe for use in consumer applications
11
EVENTS CALENDAR
12
ISSN 0306-3747/14 © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This journal and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use: Photocopying Single photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying, including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make photocopies for non-profit educational classroom use.
MATERIALS
...Continued from front page According to Oxea, it is currently the second-largest manufacturer of oxo products worldwide and has the largest commercial market share, supported by the successful expansion of its product portfolio towards high-margin oxo derivatives in recent years. In 2012, Oxea generated revenues of about E1.5 billion and had some 1400 employees worldwide. Contact: Oxea GmbH, Oberhausen, Germany. Tel: +49 208 693 3100, Web: www.oxea-chemicals.com or www.phthalate-free-plasticizer.com
MATERIALS Cabot launches new carbon black products for tyre applications
B
oston-based Cabot Corp has launched two new carbon black products for tyre tread applications. Targeting long-haul and shorthaul vehicle applications respectively, the first new product in the Propel™ range provides reduced tyre rolling resistance while the second improves tyre tread durability. The company reports that in-house laboratory tests on Propel E7 demonstrate that the new carbon black reduces the hysteresis (energy loss) of typical tyre tread compounds by 1% when compared to the same laboratory tests on its Vulcan® 7H product. This reduction results in lower tyre rolling resistance (without sacrificing tyre durability) and thus contributes to improved fuel economy, Cabot explains. Primary applications for this product are onhighway, long-haul truck tyre treads and retreads, it says. Propel D11 carbon black, on the other hand, is engineered to provide a ‘high level’ of rubber reinforcement, according to the company. This enables tyre treads that resist cutting, tearing and abrasion, and extend the useful life of a tyre, it claims. Cabot laboratory tests on the new product demonstrate a 10% improvement in laboratory abrasion resistance in natural rubber compounds when compared to the same laboratory tests on the company’s Vulcan 10H carbon black, it reports. Primary applica-
2
Additives for Polymers
tions for Propel D11 are short-haul truck and off-road vehicle tyres where the emphasis is on eliminating infield failures and maximizing uptime, Cabot explains. It also can be used in passenger car and light truck tyre treads that require maximum durability. Commercial vehicle operators recognize that tyre performance is an important contributor to total operating cost, and they increasingly demand tyres that are optimized for use in specific applications, Cabot comments. In addition, many countries are implementing programmes to promote the use of transportation technologies that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby creating demand for more-durable, fuel-efficient tyres. Both the US Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay® programme and the European Union energy labels for tyres seek to educate consumers about the impact of tyre performance on fuel economy. The EU legislation also establishes minimum performance thresholds for rolling resistance on all truck tyres, and the state of California has introduced a similar regulation requiring long-haul trucks to use low rolling resistance tyres. According to Cabot, its new reinforcing materials were developed to help tyre manufacturers meet these current and future market demands. ‘We recognize that tyre manufacturers need new reinforcing materials that enable them to develop differentiated and high-performance product offerings’, says John Reese, VP global marketing with Cabot Reinforcement Materials. The company’s ‘deep understanding’ of customers’ needs, their industries and the global trends that impact their businesses, enables it to create and deliver differentiating solutions, he says. ‘With these new carbon black products we can help tyre manufacturers significantly improve tyre performance through enhanced durability and reduced rolling resistance’, Reese adds. In its recently reported results for the first quarter of its 2014 fiscal year (FY), ended 31st December 2013, Cabot achieved sales of US$899 million, up almost 10% from $820 million in 1Q FY 2013. Net income quadrupled to $80 million. The Reinforcement Materials segment delivered its second best quarterly performance, with sales of $517 million ($475 million in 1Q FY 2013) and EBIT of $64 million ($50 million), and the Performance Materials and Advanced Technologies segments also performed well. Contact: Cabot Corp, Boston, MA, USA. Tel: +1 617 345 0100, Web: www.cabot-corp.com
April 2014