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Solvay ups soda ash
F O C US ethanolamines produced at Ludwigshafen, with the price of methyl diethanolamine (MDEOA) and monomethyl ethanolamine (MMEOA) increasing by €0.06/kg in Europe with effect from 1 Oct, unless existing contracts state otherwise. MDEOA and MMEOA are used as precursors in the manufacture of fabric conditioners, among other applications. Press releases from: BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. Website: http://www.basf.com (19 & 29 Sep 2005)
Solvay ups soda ash Solvay Chemicals Inc of Houston, TX, has boosted trona production at its Green River facility in Wyoming, USA, resulting in a capacity increase of high-assay T-200 Trona from 80,000 to 320,000 tons/y. The expansion also increases capacity for coarse T-50 Trona from 120,000 to 350,000 tons/y. Demand for T-200 Trona for power generating plant applications started in 2003 and rose in 2004. The USGS reported that 2004 soda ash production in the USA reached around $820 M and distribution is broken down into glass (49%), chemicals (28%), soap and detergents (11%), distributors (4%), miscellaneous applications (3%), flue gas desulfurization (2%), pulp and paper (2%) and water treatment (1%). Industrial Minerals, Aug 2005, (455), 12
SURFACTANTS Zschimmer & Schwarz launches new products Zschimmer & Schwarz Italiana SpA has made available Zetesap 813 for syndet bar formulations. The product is based on a blend of disodium fatty alcohol sulfosuccinate and sodium coconut fatty alcohol sulfate. It is mild, smooth and offers superior lather. Zetesap 5165 is a mixture of disodium fatty alcohol sulfosuccinate and sodium cocoyl isethionate for even lower sloughing. Zetesap 5213, a combination of disodium fatty alcohol sulfosuccinate and sodium fatty alcohol sulfoacetate, provides good lather, low sloughing and high surface smoothness. The company NOVEMBER 2005
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has also published a guide to using acylglutamates in skin and hair care formulations, detergents and moisturizers. Entitled “Acylglutamates: The Reason of Choice”, the guide focuses on Protelan AGL 95 and Protelan AGL 95/C. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Sep 2005, 42 (9), 136
An additive to lower surface tension and defoam coatings Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co KG’s Surfactant range is ideal for substrate wetting and defoaming in water-borne formulations. The range increases the level of hyperbranched wetting agents, lessening foam in a formulation and allowing effective application of coatings to waterrepellent surfaces, such as plastics or oil-contaminated steel. The polymers are ideal for waterborne polyurethane, epoxy and acrylic systems and 100% UV formulations used for coatings and adhesives. Chemical Engineering (New York), Aug 2005, 112 (8), 321-6
Fluorosurfactants: 3M Specialty Materials 3M’s Novec Fluorosurfactant FC4434 can facilitate and hasten the processing of coating formulations by removing the steps of pre-dilution, pre-weighing, pre-measuring and preheating. The low-odour generalpurpose fluorinated surfactant is water-soluble and may be used as a flow and levelling agent in many applications including inks, polymers, adhesives, paints and coatings, polishes, waxes and caulks. Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Sep 2005, 21 (9), 104
Dow increases surfactant prices in Europe, North America Effective 1 Oct 2005, Dow Europe GmbH will increase selling prices in Europe for Dowfax N Block Copolymer Series Surfactants, Dowfax DF Defoamer Series Surfactants and Dowfax Alcohol Alkoxylates by 10%. The increase comes as a result of continuously escalating hydrocarbon raw material
and transportation costs. A table lists the surfactant grades to which the increases will apply. In North America, The Dow Chemical Company is to raise list and off-list prices on a number of products in its Specialty Chemicals Polyglycols & Surfactants portfolio on 1 Nov 2005, as contracts allow. Products include TERGITOL™, TRITON™, DOWFAX™, CARBOWAX™ and other polyglycols. As part of the 1 Nov 2005 price increase, a new Temporary Voluntary Allowance (TVA) has been announced for some products. This TVA is a short-term price relief, which can be withdrawn without notice. A pricing grid shows current pricing. Due to changes in the market place, Dow has withdrawn the previously announced TVA effective 16 Oct 2005. “While we continue to implement cost reduction and productivity improvements, increases in hydrocarbons and energy costs, impact from hurricanes, and the necessity to compete for raw materials to remain a sustainable supplier require these actions”, said Keith Wiggins, Global Commercial Director, Polyglycols and Surfactants. Production of TERGITOL, TRITON nonylphenol and octylphenol ethoxylates, CARBOWAX Sentry and industrial polyethylene glycol at the company’s St Charles subsidiary in Louisiana was halted as a result of Hurricane Katrina, forcing the company to declare force majeure for those products. Production of ethanolamines and ethyleneamines at the site was also affected, as well as propylene oxide/glycol production at Plaquemine, LA. Production equipment was not damaged at either site but logistics infrastructure and utilities were badly disrupted. In related news, Dow Chemical has also increased its list and off-list selling prices for ethylene oxide (EO) by an additional $0.05/lb in North America, or as otherwise allowed by individual contract terms. This is in addition to the previous increase announced for the 1 Oct 2005, for a total increase of $0.10/lb. “Rising raw material, energy and logistical costs that have resulted from the impact of Hurricane Katrina, as well as continued tight supply and strong demand for EO have made this 3
Solvay ups soda ash Solvay Chemicals Inc of Houston, TX, has boosted trona production at its Green River facility in Wyoming, USA, resulting in a capacity increase of high-assay T-200 Trona from 80,000 to 320,000 tons/y. The expansion also increases capacity for coarse T-50 Trona from 120,000 to 350,000 tons/y. Demand for T-200 Trona for power generating plant applications started in 2003 and rose in 2004. The USGS reported that 2004 soda ash production in the USA reached around $820 M and distribution is broken down into glass (49%), chemicals (28%), soap and detergents (11%), distributors (4%), miscellaneous applications (3%), flue gas desulfurization (2%), pulp and paper (2%) and water treatment (1%). Industrial Minerals, Aug 2005, (455), 12
SURFACTANTS Zschimmer & Schwarz launches new products Zschimmer & Schwarz Italiana SpA has made available Zetesap 813 for syndet bar formulations. The product is based on a blend of disodium fatty alcohol sulfosuccinate and sodium coconut fatty alcohol sulfate. It is mild, smooth and offers superior lather. Zetesap 5165 is a mixture of disodium fatty alcohol sulfosuccinate and sodium cocoyl isethionate for even lower sloughing. Zetesap 5213, a combination of disodium fatty alcohol sulfosuccinate and sodium fatty alcohol sulfoacetate, provides good lather, low sloughing and high surface smoothness. The company NOVEMBER 2005
O N
S U R FA C TA N T S
has also published a guide to using acylglutamates in skin and hair care formulations, detergents and moisturizers. Entitled “Acylglutamates: The Reason of Choice”, the guide focuses on Protelan AGL 95 and Protelan AGL 95/C. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Sep 2005, 42 (9), 136
An additive to lower surface tension and defoam coatings Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co KG’s Surfactant range is ideal for substrate wetting and defoaming in water-borne formulations. The range increases the level of hyperbranched wetting agents, lessening foam in a formulation and allowing effective application of coatings to waterrepellent surfaces, such as plastics or oil-contaminated steel. The polymers are ideal for waterborne polyurethane, epoxy and acrylic systems and 100% UV formulations used for coatings and adhesives. Chemical Engineering (New York), Aug 2005, 112 (8), 321-6
Fluorosurfactants: 3M Specialty Materials 3M’s Novec Fluorosurfactant FC4434 can facilitate and hasten the processing of coating formulations by removing the steps of pre-dilution, pre-weighing, pre-measuring and preheating. The low-odour generalpurpose fluorinated surfactant is water-soluble and may be used as a flow and levelling agent in many applications including inks, polymers, adhesives, paints and coatings, polishes, waxes and caulks. Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Sep 2005, 21 (9), 104
Dow increases surfactant prices in Europe, North America Effective 1 Oct 2005, Dow Europe GmbH will increase selling prices in Europe for Dowfax N Block Copolymer Series Surfactants, Dowfax DF Defoamer Series Surfactants and Dowfax Alcohol Alkoxylates by 10%. The increase comes as a result of continuously escalating hydrocarbon raw material
and transportation costs. A table lists the surfactant grades to which the increases will apply. In North America, The Dow Chemical Company is to raise list and off-list prices on a number of products in its Specialty Chemicals Polyglycols & Surfactants portfolio on 1 Nov 2005, as contracts allow. Products include TERGITOL™, TRITON™, DOWFAX™, CARBOWAX™ and other polyglycols. As part of the 1 Nov 2005 price increase, a new Temporary Voluntary Allowance (TVA) has been announced for some products. This TVA is a short-term price relief, which can be withdrawn without notice. A pricing grid shows current pricing. Due to changes in the market place, Dow has withdrawn the previously announced TVA effective 16 Oct 2005. “While we continue to implement cost reduction and productivity improvements, increases in hydrocarbons and energy costs, impact from hurricanes, and the necessity to compete for raw materials to remain a sustainable supplier require these actions”, said Keith Wiggins, Global Commercial Director, Polyglycols and Surfactants. Production of TERGITOL, TRITON nonylphenol and octylphenol ethoxylates, CARBOWAX Sentry and industrial polyethylene glycol at the company’s St Charles subsidiary in Louisiana was halted as a result of Hurricane Katrina, forcing the company to declare force majeure for those products. Production of ethanolamines and ethyleneamines at the site was also affected, as well as propylene oxide/glycol production at Plaquemine, LA. Production equipment was not damaged at either site but logistics infrastructure and utilities were badly disrupted. In related news, Dow Chemical has also increased its list and off-list selling prices for ethylene oxide (EO) by an additional $0.05/lb in North America, or as otherwise allowed by individual contract terms. This is in addition to the previous increase announced for the 1 Oct 2005, for a total increase of $0.10/lb. “Rising raw material, energy and logistical costs that have resulted from the impact of Hurricane Katrina, as well as continued tight supply and strong demand for EO have made this 3