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Uniqema launches preservative-free soap base
F O C US Uniqema launches preservative-free soap base Uniqema has extended is range of soap bases with the launch of Prisavon 1650 preservative-free soap, which is made of materials derived exclusively from vegetable sources. The new product is said to give an extremely creamy foam and a much higher lather volume than standard soap bases. It has very low odour even after prolonged storage, offering the possibilities of fragrance addition or of producing unperfumed soap bars. Soap bars made with Prisavon 1650 have a smooth glossy surface finish. Ingredients include sodium isostearate, sodium stearate, sodium cocoate and glycerin, all from oils of vegetable origin. Press release from: Uniqema, Buurtje 1, 2802 BE Gouda, The Netherlands. Tel: +31 182 542868. Fax: +31 182 542843. Website: http://www.uniqema.com (Sep 2003)
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equipment upgrades will raise capacity by 20,000 tonnes by the end of 2003, and another 70,000-80,000 tonnes will be put on stream by 2005. Borax achieved a 12% rise in productivity and a 7% decrease in fresh water utilization at its Boron boric acid production facility in 2002. The borax supplies 50% of the global borates demand. Eti Bor AS of Turkey has already started trial production runs at its new 100,000 tonne/y boric acid production facility at Emet, Kutahya. Standard grades from the facility will be available in the market by autumn 2003. The firm operates an 85,000 tonne/y boric acid production facility at Kirka, Eskesehir. Borates are utilized as essential micronutrients for plants, as part of the healthy human diet and as key ingredients in the production of wood preservatives, fertilizers, detergents, ceramics and fibreglass. Industrial Minerals, Sep 2003, (432), 6-7
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS Rhodia raises phosphates prices Rhodia is to raise the list and off-list price for food-grade and technicalgrade potassium and sodium phosphates by 5-10% with effect from 1 Oct 2003. The increase seeks to offset rising production costs and support continued investments to meet increasingly stringent customer and GMP needs, process improvements and better security measures. Chemical Week, 17 Sep 2003, 165 (32), 40
Borax capacity boosts Rio Tinto Borax has disclosed plans to raise its boric acid production capacity by 90,000-100,000 tonnes by 2005. The additional capacity will result in a total capacity of over 360,000 tonnes/y. The firm spent $2.6 M in 2002 in a new boric acid production facility at Borax Argentina, which now produces 8000 tonnes/y of boric acid. The firm’s primary boric acid facility is being operated by US Borax Inc in Boron, CA, which presently produces over 260,000 tonnes/y. Additional engineering and 4
Zeolite sales boost to BRZ production Bear River Zeolite Co (BRZ) of Preston, ID, started retail sales of zeolite products in summer 2003 and has been expanding industrial markets for its products. The firm obtained record monthly shipments in May 2003 and has doubled its customer base as compared to 1H 2003. The firm was seeking to raise its present zeolite output of 500-1000 tonnes/y according to a company official. The firm also believes that the potential market demand is reason enough to undertake an expansion project. Approximately 50% of the firm’s zeolite output is exported mainly to Canada. Other export destinations include Mexico, Peru, Japan, China and the UK. Industrial Minerals, Sep 2003, (432), 16
Novozymes in China Novozymes has been in China since 1972 and business there has grown steadily over the past 30 years, making China the second-biggest market for the company, after the US. Novozymes has a 60% share of the Chinese market for industrial enzymes. Two brands are marketed by the company: a low-price brand called Zuhong and a Novozymes brand that signals foreign quality. This
dual brand strategy is unusual. Novozymes China is open to partnerships with local and international players, and has entered into a partnership with Hongda, in Suzhou. Novozymes China employs 508 staff, and the main applications for its products are textiles, detergents, starch and ethanol. The Zymes (Novozymes’ Shareholder Magazine), Sep 2003, (2), 4 (Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, DK2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 8824 9999. Fax: +45 8824 9998. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.novozymes.com)
Atofina postpones plans to increase hydrogen peroxide capacity Atofina has decided to postpone plans to extend hydrogen peroxide capacity in Becancour, Canada because of the poor economic climate, overcapacities on world markets and rising energy costs. The 40,000 tonnes/y extension (to the existing 70,000 tonnes/y capacity) will now be realized in 2 stages. Capacity will increase by 15,000 tonnes/y in 2007-2008. No date has yet been set for the 2nd stage. The project represents an investment of €20 M and will make the unit one of the largest in the world. The Becancour site benefits from its proximity to client industries (paper pulp, detergents, textiles and waste treatment companies). Local demand is expected to increase following the construction of new propylene oxide units using propylene hydrogenation technology. With 340,000 tonnes/y capacity, the company is the world’s third largest producer. Chimie Hebdo, 8 Sep 2003, (225), 3 (in French)
Aloecorp extends European distribution partnerships Aloecorp has announced two distribution partnerships in Belgium and the UK, where the use of Aloe vera continues to grow in the skin care, household goods, nutritional supplements and functional foods markets. Will & Co BV, located in Badhoevedorp, The Netherlands, represents Aloecorp’s ACTIVE-ALOE and other Aloe vera raw materials in the Benelux countries, and deals exclusively with some multinational companies throughout Europe. The NOVEMBER 2003
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equipment upgrades will raise capacity by 20,000 tonnes by the end of 2003, and another 70,000-80,000 tonnes will be put on stream by 2005. Borax achieved a 12% rise in productivity and a 7% decrease in fresh water utilization at its Boron boric acid production facility in 2002. The borax supplies 50% of the global borates demand. Eti Bor AS of Turkey has already started trial production runs at its new 100,000 tonne/y boric acid production facility at Emet, Kutahya. Standard grades from the facility will be available in the market by autumn 2003. The firm operates an 85,000 tonne/y boric acid production facility at Kirka, Eskesehir. Borates are utilized as essential micronutrients for plants, as part of the healthy human diet and as key ingredients in the production of wood preservatives, fertilizers, detergents, ceramics and fibreglass. Industrial Minerals, Sep 2003, (432), 6-7
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS Rhodia raises phosphates prices Rhodia is to raise the list and off-list price for food-grade and technicalgrade potassium and sodium phosphates by 5-10% with effect from 1 Oct 2003. The increase seeks to offset rising production costs and support continued investments to meet increasingly stringent customer and GMP needs, process improvements and better security measures. Chemical Week, 17 Sep 2003, 165 (32), 40
Borax capacity boosts Rio Tinto Borax has disclosed plans to raise its boric acid production capacity by 90,000-100,000 tonnes by 2005. The additional capacity will result in a total capacity of over 360,000 tonnes/y. The firm spent $2.6 M in 2002 in a new boric acid production facility at Borax Argentina, which now produces 8000 tonnes/y of boric acid. The firm’s primary boric acid facility is being operated by US Borax Inc in Boron, CA, which presently produces over 260,000 tonnes/y. Additional engineering and 4
Zeolite sales boost to BRZ production Bear River Zeolite Co (BRZ) of Preston, ID, started retail sales of zeolite products in summer 2003 and has been expanding industrial markets for its products. The firm obtained record monthly shipments in May 2003 and has doubled its customer base as compared to 1H 2003. The firm was seeking to raise its present zeolite output of 500-1000 tonnes/y according to a company official. The firm also believes that the potential market demand is reason enough to undertake an expansion project. Approximately 50% of the firm’s zeolite output is exported mainly to Canada. Other export destinations include Mexico, Peru, Japan, China and the UK. Industrial Minerals, Sep 2003, (432), 16
Novozymes in China Novozymes has been in China since 1972 and business there has grown steadily over the past 30 years, making China the second-biggest market for the company, after the US. Novozymes has a 60% share of the Chinese market for industrial enzymes. Two brands are marketed by the company: a low-price brand called Zuhong and a Novozymes brand that signals foreign quality. This
dual brand strategy is unusual. Novozymes China is open to partnerships with local and international players, and has entered into a partnership with Hongda, in Suzhou. Novozymes China employs 508 staff, and the main applications for its products are textiles, detergents, starch and ethanol. The Zymes (Novozymes’ Shareholder Magazine), Sep 2003, (2), 4 (Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36, DK2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark. Tel: +45 8824 9999. Fax: +45 8824 9998. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.novozymes.com)
Atofina postpones plans to increase hydrogen peroxide capacity Atofina has decided to postpone plans to extend hydrogen peroxide capacity in Becancour, Canada because of the poor economic climate, overcapacities on world markets and rising energy costs. The 40,000 tonnes/y extension (to the existing 70,000 tonnes/y capacity) will now be realized in 2 stages. Capacity will increase by 15,000 tonnes/y in 2007-2008. No date has yet been set for the 2nd stage. The project represents an investment of €20 M and will make the unit one of the largest in the world. The Becancour site benefits from its proximity to client industries (paper pulp, detergents, textiles and waste treatment companies). Local demand is expected to increase following the construction of new propylene oxide units using propylene hydrogenation technology. With 340,000 tonnes/y capacity, the company is the world’s third largest producer. Chimie Hebdo, 8 Sep 2003, (225), 3 (in French)
Aloecorp extends European distribution partnerships Aloecorp has announced two distribution partnerships in Belgium and the UK, where the use of Aloe vera continues to grow in the skin care, household goods, nutritional supplements and functional foods markets. Will & Co BV, located in Badhoevedorp, The Netherlands, represents Aloecorp’s ACTIVE-ALOE and other Aloe vera raw materials in the Benelux countries, and deals exclusively with some multinational companies throughout Europe. The NOVEMBER 2003