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Specialities in brief: Stepan Co
F O C U S 1Q 2001. Despite the decline in sales due to the continued slowdown in the FMCG segment, the profits increased on account of effective cost management and disposal of its seeds business. Revenues from soaps and detergents declined by 4.3%, that from personal wash category by 6.1%, fabric wash by 5.2% and personal products by 7.8% overall. However, sales from household care segment increased by 12.6%. Exports contributed Rup 3018.8 M during 1Q 2002 as against exports of Rup 4351.2 M in 1Q 2001. Hind Lever spent Rup 2248.6 M on advertising and promotion during 1Q 2002. Business Line, 16 Apr 2002, 9 (105), 1
Specialities in brief: Stepan Co For 1Q 2002 (ends 31 mar 2002), Stepan Co has reported sales of $181.156 M (+2% on 1Q 2001), net earnings of $4.577 M (+26%), and EPS of $0.45 (+26%). Most of the increase is due to the Sep 2001 purchase of UK company Manro Performance Chemicals (now called Stepan UK). Sales breakdown: surfactants 81% and polymers 16%. Chemical Market Reporter, 29 Apr 2002 (Website: http://www.chemexpo.com/cmronline)
Kruse distributes for Stepan German Kruse Group took over sole distribution of surfactants in Germany from Stepan Europe in Voreppe (France). Kruse achieved an European turnover of €255 M in 2001 with 20 subsidiaries at 28 facilities in Europe with around 450 employees. Chemische Rundschau, 5 Apr 2002, 55 (7), 12 (in German)
Bath & shower sales slow down in Europe [3 tables] The bath and shower products market in Europe is starting to mature, presenting a challenge to manufacturers in achieving sales growth. The market reportedly amounted to $4.4 bn in 2001 but experienced a 4% decline in sales since 1997. Growth potential from the more active body wash/shower gel and liquid soap segments has been hampered by weaker sales of conventional formats, including bar JUNE 2002
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soaps, talcum powder and bath additives. Manufacturers can only keep growth levels high through constant innovation in terms of new formulas and products, along with effective promotional campaigns that aim to increase sales. The most popular washing format in the region is said to be shower gel, with 61.5% of Europeans using it. Fragrance is also cited to be a significant reason for buying products in the shower products category, with stronger scents becoming widely preferred. The fastest growing subcategory in Western Europe is the liquid soaps subsector, with a modest market size of only $543 M. A table indicates bath and shower product sales in Europe. Another table shows the European bath and shower product shares while a third table indicates bath and shower product usage in Europe. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Apr 2002, 39 (4), 40-41
COMPANY NEWS Lubrizol completes acquisition of Chemron The Lubrizol Corp has completed its acquisition of Chemron Corp, a speciality chemical company headquartered in Paso Robles, CA. The acquisition consisted of Chemron’s business and substantially all of its assets, including manufacturing operations located in Paso Robles, CA, and Bowling Green, OH. Chemron formulates, produces and supplies speciality surfactants used in personal care products, industrial cleaners and a wide range of other consumer and industrial products. Chemron’s sales are about $55 M/y. The acquisition extends Lubrizol’s existing surfactants business into growth markets where it does not currently compete. The Lubrizol Corp is a global fluid technology company concentrating on high-performance chemicals, systems and services for industry and transportation. (Full text). Press release from: Lubrizol Corp, 29400, Lakeland Boulevard, Wickliffe, OH 44092, USA. Tel: +1 440 943 1200 Ext: 5387 or 5080. Website: http://www.lubrizol.com (8 Apr 2002)
Lubrizol acquires Chemron The Lubrizol Corp signed a definitive agreement to buy Chemron Corp and substantially all the speciality surfactant maker’s assets, with the transaction expected to be finalised in 1Q 2002. The acquisition covers Chemron’s commercial and manufacturing operations in Paso Robles, CA; Bowling Green, OH, and Vancouver, WA. Lubrizol is looking forward to incorporating Chemron’s market expertise, high-end products and strong customer relationship into its technical capabilities and global network. Modern Paint and Coatings, Mar 2002, 92 (3), 7
Surfactants from Air Products and Chemicals EnviroGem AE surfactants from Air Products and Chemicals are easily biodegradable, low-foam wetting agents that are based on Gemini surfactant technology. Made up of naturally occurring acids incorporated in food and beverage as flavourings, the additives are developed using clean-process technology, offering low viscosity and robust dynamic surface tension reduction. The company also offers EnviroGem AD01, a surfactant ideal for waterborne and other systems when requiring a solvent-free wetting agent as defoamer. Modern Paint and Coatings, Mar 2002, 92 (3), 44
Akzo: boost in Asian sales in 2001 In 1995, Asia accounted for 7% of Akzo Nobel’s overall unaudited sales, and in 2001, this had been increased to 12%. In 2001, Asia accounted for 7% of the unaudited sales by origin. In 2001, there was a 12% increase in the company’s investment in Asia to 12% compared with 2% in 1995. Expansions are anticipated in Asia in 2001, particularly in coatings and surface chemistry. Over the next 18 months, surfactants operations in Asia are to be expanded at a cost of €34.5 M. Eventually, the company aims for its operations to be on an equal level in Asia, Europe and America. New facilities will be built and existing ones expanded in Malaysia, Japan and Singapore. Plans for a Chinese surfactants facility with 7
Specialities in brief: Stepan Co For 1Q 2002 (ends 31 mar 2002), Stepan Co has reported sales of $181.156 M (+2% on 1Q 2001), net earnings of $4.577 M (+26%), and EPS of $0.45 (+26%). Most of the increase is due to the Sep 2001 purchase of UK company Manro Performance Chemicals (now called Stepan UK). Sales breakdown: surfactants 81% and polymers 16%. Chemical Market Reporter, 29 Apr 2002 (Website: http://www.chemexpo.com/cmronline)
Kruse distributes for Stepan German Kruse Group took over sole distribution of surfactants in Germany from Stepan Europe in Voreppe (France). Kruse achieved an European turnover of €255 M in 2001 with 20 subsidiaries at 28 facilities in Europe with around 450 employees. Chemische Rundschau, 5 Apr 2002, 55 (7), 12 (in German)
Bath & shower sales slow down in Europe [3 tables] The bath and shower products market in Europe is starting to mature, presenting a challenge to manufacturers in achieving sales growth. The market reportedly amounted to $4.4 bn in 2001 but experienced a 4% decline in sales since 1997. Growth potential from the more active body wash/shower gel and liquid soap segments has been hampered by weaker sales of conventional formats, including bar JUNE 2002
O N
S U R FA C TA N T S
soaps, talcum powder and bath additives. Manufacturers can only keep growth levels high through constant innovation in terms of new formulas and products, along with effective promotional campaigns that aim to increase sales. The most popular washing format in the region is said to be shower gel, with 61.5% of Europeans using it. Fragrance is also cited to be a significant reason for buying products in the shower products category, with stronger scents becoming widely preferred. The fastest growing subcategory in Western Europe is the liquid soaps subsector, with a modest market size of only $543 M. A table indicates bath and shower product sales in Europe. Another table shows the European bath and shower product shares while a third table indicates bath and shower product usage in Europe. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Apr 2002, 39 (4), 40-41
COMPANY NEWS Lubrizol completes acquisition of Chemron The Lubrizol Corp has completed its acquisition of Chemron Corp, a speciality chemical company headquartered in Paso Robles, CA. The acquisition consisted of Chemron’s business and substantially all of its assets, including manufacturing operations located in Paso Robles, CA, and Bowling Green, OH. Chemron formulates, produces and supplies speciality surfactants used in personal care products, industrial cleaners and a wide range of other consumer and industrial products. Chemron’s sales are about $55 M/y. The acquisition extends Lubrizol’s existing surfactants business into growth markets where it does not currently compete. The Lubrizol Corp is a global fluid technology company concentrating on high-performance chemicals, systems and services for industry and transportation. (Full text). Press release from: Lubrizol Corp, 29400, Lakeland Boulevard, Wickliffe, OH 44092, USA. Tel: +1 440 943 1200 Ext: 5387 or 5080. Website: http://www.lubrizol.com (8 Apr 2002)
Lubrizol acquires Chemron The Lubrizol Corp signed a definitive agreement to buy Chemron Corp and substantially all the speciality surfactant maker’s assets, with the transaction expected to be finalised in 1Q 2002. The acquisition covers Chemron’s commercial and manufacturing operations in Paso Robles, CA; Bowling Green, OH, and Vancouver, WA. Lubrizol is looking forward to incorporating Chemron’s market expertise, high-end products and strong customer relationship into its technical capabilities and global network. Modern Paint and Coatings, Mar 2002, 92 (3), 7
Surfactants from Air Products and Chemicals EnviroGem AE surfactants from Air Products and Chemicals are easily biodegradable, low-foam wetting agents that are based on Gemini surfactant technology. Made up of naturally occurring acids incorporated in food and beverage as flavourings, the additives are developed using clean-process technology, offering low viscosity and robust dynamic surface tension reduction. The company also offers EnviroGem AD01, a surfactant ideal for waterborne and other systems when requiring a solvent-free wetting agent as defoamer. Modern Paint and Coatings, Mar 2002, 92 (3), 44
Akzo: boost in Asian sales in 2001 In 1995, Asia accounted for 7% of Akzo Nobel’s overall unaudited sales, and in 2001, this had been increased to 12%. In 2001, Asia accounted for 7% of the unaudited sales by origin. In 2001, there was a 12% increase in the company’s investment in Asia to 12% compared with 2% in 1995. Expansions are anticipated in Asia in 2001, particularly in coatings and surface chemistry. Over the next 18 months, surfactants operations in Asia are to be expanded at a cost of €34.5 M. Eventually, the company aims for its operations to be on an equal level in Asia, Europe and America. New facilities will be built and existing ones expanded in Malaysia, Japan and Singapore. Plans for a Chinese surfactants facility with 7