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US revises carbazole violet anti-dumping duties
F O C US it was more than 25 times thicker. Dr Vukusic commented: “Nature has demonstrated that structures can be very thin and yet very bright. It is up to us to take these ideas and figure out where to apply them.” No doubt Imerys, one of the world’s leading suppliers of white pigments, will be keen to examine new ways of generating whiteness without using kaolin, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide and the like. Reg Adams 1) 2)
3) 4)
5)
‘Science’, 1912 (36), 385 ‘Science Around Us’ newsletter, 30 Apr 2007 (Available from BASF, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany. E-mail: [email protected]) ‘Annals of Botany’, 1997, 79 (6), 667-677 (published by Oxford University Press) ‘Self-cleaning paints’, by Ivan Parkin & Robert Palgrave, ‘Journal of Materials Chemistry’, 2005, 15, 1689-1695 (published by the Royal Society of Chemistry) ‘Chemical & Engineering News’, 22 Jan 2007, 85 (4), 9
MARKETS Huge differential opens up between US & European TiO2 prices The US dollar has been very weak against the Euro in recent months and US TiO2 pigment prices have been soft as a result of the slowdown in the housing market. Against this background, none of the leading suppliers have announced price increases for European customers – an unusual scenario at the beginning of this year’s seasonally busiest time for pigment sales. Current prices for Northwest Europe are cited as €20702310 (equivalent to $2815-3140) per tonne. Current prices for North America are cited as $0.97-1.07 per pound (equivalent to $2140-2400 per tonne). It is really quite amazing that such a huge differential has opened up between US and European prices. When this situation has arisen in the past, observers have sometimes argued that the higher level of prices in Europe reflects the higher cost of manufacturing TiO2 at European plants. Given the fact that TiO2 is one of the most widely traded of all chemical products, it ought to follow that regional price differentials would be quickly eroded.
MAY 2007
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Meanwhile, ICIS believes that the recently announced acquisition of Millennium, the world’s second largest supplier, by NTDC/Cristal (of Saudi Arabia) may help to instill more price discipline into the US and European markets. Rumours abound that there may be more industry consolidation moves in the offing, involving the possible amalgamation of Huntsman Tioxide, Tronox and/or Kronos. ICIS Chemical Business, 26 Mar 2007 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & TiO2 Worldwide Update, Mar/Apr 2007, 15 (2), 45
Sun raises organic pigment prices The Performance Pigments Division of Sun Chemical (part of the DIC group) has announced a series of price increases, stating that they have been necessitated by escalating costs of commodity chemicals and other raw materials used in pigment manufacture. Prices of cosmetic colours will be raised by between $0.05 and $0.30 per pound. The prices of dry and presscake pigments used by ink manufacturers will be raised by between $0.15 and $0.50 per pound. The prices of Tetrachlor phthalo blue pigments will be raised by $0.15 per pound. Press Release from: Sun Chemical Corp, Cincinnati, OH, USA, website: http://www.sunchemical.com (16 Apr 2007)
Precipitated silica used in 100 M tyres over the past 15 years According to Rhodia, the world tyre industry consumed 435,000 tonnes of precipitated silica last year. Only 200 tonnes of the silica used for tyres is highly dispersible silica (HDS). Within this market subsector, Rhodia has a 50% market share, comfortably ahead of Degussa’s 20% and PPG’s 15%. Total spending on HDS is about €165 M tonnes/y. Onwards from 1991, about 100 M tyres have been made using precipitated silica reinforcements. Today, silica compounds are being used for around 75% of Europe’s original tyre manufacturing output in Europe. Compared against traditional carbon black, the use of precipitated silica offers lower rolling resistance and therefore promotes fuel economy. European Rubber Journal, Mar/Apr 2007, 189 (2), 16
US revises carbazole violet antidumping duties In response to complaints filed by Nation Ford Chemical Co and by Sun Chemical Co in November 2003, the US Department of Commerce (USDC) investigated imports of carbazole violet (Pigment Violet 23) into the US and found that the pigment was indeed being sold at “less than fair value” by Chinese and Indian suppliers. Anti-dumping orders were made, but then – in order to demonstrate fair and consistent treatment of all suppliers – the USDC reviewed the application of the antidumping duty orders in respect of certain Chinese suppliers. The orders apply to crude carbazole violet in any form (dry powder, paste or wet cake) and to finished pigments in the form of dry colour or presscake. Pigment dispersions in any form (whether the pigments are dispersed in oleoresins, flammable solvents or water) are not included within the scope of the antidumping duty orders. After hearing representations from all parties, the USDC determined revised dumping duties to be applicable as: 12.46% for Goldlink Industries Inc; 39.29% for Trust Chem Co Ltd; 57.07% for Nantong Haidi Chemicals Co Ltd; 85.41% for Tianjin Hanchem International Trading Co Ltd; and 241.32% for all other Chinese suppliers. The directive took effect as from 30 March 2007. US: Carbazole Violet* Imports kilos $/kilo China 2001 163,620 19.00 2002 227,270 18.15 2003 336,350 12.55 India 2001 26,726 32.90 2002 27,823 26.35 2003 15,730 26.96 * HTS code: 3204.17.9040 in USDC international trade data Meanwhile, a USDC administrative review of anti-dumping duties on carbazole violet pigment from India has been rescinded. Alpanil Industries (of Ahmedabad, Gujarat province, part of the Meghmani group) was the only party that initially requested such a review, but it withdrew its request on
3
FOCUS 7 March 2007. Presumably the antidumping duties levied on Indian suppliers of carbazole violet remain unchanged at: 27.23% for Alpanil Industries; 69.23% for Pidilite Industries; and 45.98% for all other Indian suppliers. Federal Register, 30 Mar 2007, 72 (61), 15101-15102 & 15113 (Website: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html)
China’s TiO2 demand soars beyond 900,000 tonnes China’s TiO2 production hit a new record last year – just over 850,000 tonnes. This figure probably includes enamel grades, as well as conventional anatase and rutile pigment grades. Imports increased by 12.7%, compared against 2005, to reach 256,554 tonnes. Exports increased by 23% to 193,747 tonnes. Before allowing for producers’ net inventory addition, China’s apparent consumption of TiO2 was more than 913,000 tonnes in 2006. The US remains the world’s largest consumer of TiO2, but China is catching up fast. Industrial Minerals, Apr 2007, (475), 19 & Asia Pulse, 7 Mar 2007, 10
Japan’s TiO2 output drops below 240,000 tonnes According to the country’s trade association – JTDA – Japan’s TiO2 pigment production fell by 8% in 2006, reaching 239,296 tonnes. There had been a steady month-by-month downward trend for 14 months prior to December 2006. Japanese manufacturers shipped 164,487 tonnes to the Japanese market and 81,486 tonnes to export markets. Of total shipments, 85% (208,172 tonnes) were rutile grades; 15% (37,801 tonnes) were anatase grades. This means that rutile grades declined by 1%, while anatase grades declined by 11%. Japan Chemical Week, 8 Mar 2007, 48 (2407), 4
European plastics masterbatch demand forecast to continue growing at 3% per annum Applied Market Information (AMI, consultants based in Bristol, specialising in the plastics industry) assess Europe’s total plastics
4
ON
PIGMENTS
masterbatch consumption at 800,000 tonnes for 2006. Production was 960,000 tonnes, consisting of 29% whites, 23% blacks, 24% coloureds and 24% as additive masterbatches. The Benelux region hosts several important production facilities and this region accounts for 23% of total regional production. AMI forecasts that demand will continue to rise at an average 3% per annum between now and 2010. The long-term growth rate from 2001 to 2006 was also around 3% per annum. Plastics and Rubber Weekly, 30 Mar 2007, 10
PLANTS Brazil: Columbian – carbon black Columbian Chemicals should be ready to start-up its new 55,000 tonnes/y carbon black plant at Camacari (Bahia province) before the end of April 2007. Capital investment in this project was assessed at $67 M. The carbon black output will be mostly supplied to local tyre manufacturers. Feedstock, in the form of aromatic pyrolysis residues, will be supplied by Braskem. BNAmericas Petrochemicals News, 24 Apr 2007, (Business News Americas Ltda, Website: http://www.Bnamericas.com)
115,000 tonnes/y of aniline for making dyes & pigments in China Aniline capacity in China jumped from just over 600,000 tonnes/y in 2005 to 912,000 tonnes/y in 2006. The country’s major producers include: Sinopec Nanjing Chemical Co (with 205,000 tonnes/y), Shanxi Tianji Coal Chemical Industry Group Co (with 130,000 tonnes/y) and Singpu Chemical Industries Taixing Co (with 90,000 tonnes/y). China’s aniline output rose by 22.4% to 600,000 tonnes in 2006, while apparent consumption increased by 39% to 677,000 tonnes. The polyurethanes sector is now the main end-user of aniline in China. Aniline is a precursor in the manufacture of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). For 2007, China’s aniline demand for making MDI/polyurethanes is forecast at 224,000 tonnes. The dyes and pigments sector is expected to require 115,000 tonnes of aniline. Other enduse sectors include: rubber products (135,000 tonnes) and pharmaceuticals and pesticides (60,000 tonnes). Total aniline demand is forecast at 724,000 tonnes for 2007. Three new aniline plants are expected to start-up during the first half of 2007, operated by: Shandong Huayang Agrochemical Group (50,000 tonnes/y); Shandong Haihua Chemical Co (50,000 tonnes/y from Apr 2007); and Yancheng Xinquan Chemical Co (30,000 tonnes/y). These new plants will exacerbate the oversupply situation and aniline prices are expected to fall. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Apr 2007, 18 (10), 21-23
China: Holland Colours – plastic colorants Holland Colours (of Apeldoorn, Netherlands) has commenced production of speciality colorants for silicone, packaging plastics and construction materials at a new factory located in the Spark Development Zone, near Shanghai. An opening ceremony for the new factory, with a floor area of 2000 sq m, took place on 2 March 2007. Kunststof en Rubber, Apr 2007, 60 (4), 9 (in Dutch)
China: Lanxess – iron oxide pigments Lanxess has commissioned a 20,000 tonnes/y iron oxide pigments plant near Shanghai. This is the company’s second iron oxide pigments plant in China. The first plant, also in the Shanghai region and also having a capacity of 20,000 tonnes/y, was commissioned in 1997 as a 67:33 joint venture between Bayer (now Lanxess) and Shanghai Coatings Corp. Chemie Technik (Heidelberg), 7 May 2007, (Website: http://www.chemietechnik.de) (in German)
China: Meilin Chemical – nanoparticulate CaCO3 Meilin Chemical Co Ltd is building a 200,000 tonnes/y plant at Hezhou (Guangxi province) for making nanoparticulate calcium carbonate. The Yuan 120 M project is being funded by a consortium of companies based in Taiwan. The output will be sold to customers in the
MAY 2007
3) 4)
5)
‘Science’, 1912 (36), 385 ‘Science Around Us’ newsletter, 30 Apr 2007 (Available from BASF, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany. E-mail: [email protected]) ‘Annals of Botany’, 1997, 79 (6), 667-677 (published by Oxford University Press) ‘Self-cleaning paints’, by Ivan Parkin & Robert Palgrave, ‘Journal of Materials Chemistry’, 2005, 15, 1689-1695 (published by the Royal Society of Chemistry) ‘Chemical & Engineering News’, 22 Jan 2007, 85 (4), 9
MARKETS Huge differential opens up between US & European TiO2 prices The US dollar has been very weak against the Euro in recent months and US TiO2 pigment prices have been soft as a result of the slowdown in the housing market. Against this background, none of the leading suppliers have announced price increases for European customers – an unusual scenario at the beginning of this year’s seasonally busiest time for pigment sales. Current prices for Northwest Europe are cited as €20702310 (equivalent to $2815-3140) per tonne. Current prices for North America are cited as $0.97-1.07 per pound (equivalent to $2140-2400 per tonne). It is really quite amazing that such a huge differential has opened up between US and European prices. When this situation has arisen in the past, observers have sometimes argued that the higher level of prices in Europe reflects the higher cost of manufacturing TiO2 at European plants. Given the fact that TiO2 is one of the most widely traded of all chemical products, it ought to follow that regional price differentials would be quickly eroded.
MAY 2007
O N
PIGMENTS
Meanwhile, ICIS believes that the recently announced acquisition of Millennium, the world’s second largest supplier, by NTDC/Cristal (of Saudi Arabia) may help to instill more price discipline into the US and European markets. Rumours abound that there may be more industry consolidation moves in the offing, involving the possible amalgamation of Huntsman Tioxide, Tronox and/or Kronos. ICIS Chemical Business, 26 Mar 2007 (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com) & TiO2 Worldwide Update, Mar/Apr 2007, 15 (2), 45
Sun raises organic pigment prices The Performance Pigments Division of Sun Chemical (part of the DIC group) has announced a series of price increases, stating that they have been necessitated by escalating costs of commodity chemicals and other raw materials used in pigment manufacture. Prices of cosmetic colours will be raised by between $0.05 and $0.30 per pound. The prices of dry and presscake pigments used by ink manufacturers will be raised by between $0.15 and $0.50 per pound. The prices of Tetrachlor phthalo blue pigments will be raised by $0.15 per pound. Press Release from: Sun Chemical Corp, Cincinnati, OH, USA, website: http://www.sunchemical.com (16 Apr 2007)
Precipitated silica used in 100 M tyres over the past 15 years According to Rhodia, the world tyre industry consumed 435,000 tonnes of precipitated silica last year. Only 200 tonnes of the silica used for tyres is highly dispersible silica (HDS). Within this market subsector, Rhodia has a 50% market share, comfortably ahead of Degussa’s 20% and PPG’s 15%. Total spending on HDS is about €165 M tonnes/y. Onwards from 1991, about 100 M tyres have been made using precipitated silica reinforcements. Today, silica compounds are being used for around 75% of Europe’s original tyre manufacturing output in Europe. Compared against traditional carbon black, the use of precipitated silica offers lower rolling resistance and therefore promotes fuel economy. European Rubber Journal, Mar/Apr 2007, 189 (2), 16
US revises carbazole violet antidumping duties In response to complaints filed by Nation Ford Chemical Co and by Sun Chemical Co in November 2003, the US Department of Commerce (USDC) investigated imports of carbazole violet (Pigment Violet 23) into the US and found that the pigment was indeed being sold at “less than fair value” by Chinese and Indian suppliers. Anti-dumping orders were made, but then – in order to demonstrate fair and consistent treatment of all suppliers – the USDC reviewed the application of the antidumping duty orders in respect of certain Chinese suppliers. The orders apply to crude carbazole violet in any form (dry powder, paste or wet cake) and to finished pigments in the form of dry colour or presscake. Pigment dispersions in any form (whether the pigments are dispersed in oleoresins, flammable solvents or water) are not included within the scope of the antidumping duty orders. After hearing representations from all parties, the USDC determined revised dumping duties to be applicable as: 12.46% for Goldlink Industries Inc; 39.29% for Trust Chem Co Ltd; 57.07% for Nantong Haidi Chemicals Co Ltd; 85.41% for Tianjin Hanchem International Trading Co Ltd; and 241.32% for all other Chinese suppliers. The directive took effect as from 30 March 2007. US: Carbazole Violet* Imports kilos $/kilo China 2001 163,620 19.00 2002 227,270 18.15 2003 336,350 12.55 India 2001 26,726 32.90 2002 27,823 26.35 2003 15,730 26.96 * HTS code: 3204.17.9040 in USDC international trade data Meanwhile, a USDC administrative review of anti-dumping duties on carbazole violet pigment from India has been rescinded. Alpanil Industries (of Ahmedabad, Gujarat province, part of the Meghmani group) was the only party that initially requested such a review, but it withdrew its request on
3
FOCUS 7 March 2007. Presumably the antidumping duties levied on Indian suppliers of carbazole violet remain unchanged at: 27.23% for Alpanil Industries; 69.23% for Pidilite Industries; and 45.98% for all other Indian suppliers. Federal Register, 30 Mar 2007, 72 (61), 15101-15102 & 15113 (Website: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html)
China’s TiO2 demand soars beyond 900,000 tonnes China’s TiO2 production hit a new record last year – just over 850,000 tonnes. This figure probably includes enamel grades, as well as conventional anatase and rutile pigment grades. Imports increased by 12.7%, compared against 2005, to reach 256,554 tonnes. Exports increased by 23% to 193,747 tonnes. Before allowing for producers’ net inventory addition, China’s apparent consumption of TiO2 was more than 913,000 tonnes in 2006. The US remains the world’s largest consumer of TiO2, but China is catching up fast. Industrial Minerals, Apr 2007, (475), 19 & Asia Pulse, 7 Mar 2007, 10
Japan’s TiO2 output drops below 240,000 tonnes According to the country’s trade association – JTDA – Japan’s TiO2 pigment production fell by 8% in 2006, reaching 239,296 tonnes. There had been a steady month-by-month downward trend for 14 months prior to December 2006. Japanese manufacturers shipped 164,487 tonnes to the Japanese market and 81,486 tonnes to export markets. Of total shipments, 85% (208,172 tonnes) were rutile grades; 15% (37,801 tonnes) were anatase grades. This means that rutile grades declined by 1%, while anatase grades declined by 11%. Japan Chemical Week, 8 Mar 2007, 48 (2407), 4
European plastics masterbatch demand forecast to continue growing at 3% per annum Applied Market Information (AMI, consultants based in Bristol, specialising in the plastics industry) assess Europe’s total plastics
4
ON
PIGMENTS
masterbatch consumption at 800,000 tonnes for 2006. Production was 960,000 tonnes, consisting of 29% whites, 23% blacks, 24% coloureds and 24% as additive masterbatches. The Benelux region hosts several important production facilities and this region accounts for 23% of total regional production. AMI forecasts that demand will continue to rise at an average 3% per annum between now and 2010. The long-term growth rate from 2001 to 2006 was also around 3% per annum. Plastics and Rubber Weekly, 30 Mar 2007, 10
PLANTS Brazil: Columbian – carbon black Columbian Chemicals should be ready to start-up its new 55,000 tonnes/y carbon black plant at Camacari (Bahia province) before the end of April 2007. Capital investment in this project was assessed at $67 M. The carbon black output will be mostly supplied to local tyre manufacturers. Feedstock, in the form of aromatic pyrolysis residues, will be supplied by Braskem. BNAmericas Petrochemicals News, 24 Apr 2007, (Business News Americas Ltda, Website: http://www.Bnamericas.com)
115,000 tonnes/y of aniline for making dyes & pigments in China Aniline capacity in China jumped from just over 600,000 tonnes/y in 2005 to 912,000 tonnes/y in 2006. The country’s major producers include: Sinopec Nanjing Chemical Co (with 205,000 tonnes/y), Shanxi Tianji Coal Chemical Industry Group Co (with 130,000 tonnes/y) and Singpu Chemical Industries Taixing Co (with 90,000 tonnes/y). China’s aniline output rose by 22.4% to 600,000 tonnes in 2006, while apparent consumption increased by 39% to 677,000 tonnes. The polyurethanes sector is now the main end-user of aniline in China. Aniline is a precursor in the manufacture of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). For 2007, China’s aniline demand for making MDI/polyurethanes is forecast at 224,000 tonnes. The dyes and pigments sector is expected to require 115,000 tonnes of aniline. Other enduse sectors include: rubber products (135,000 tonnes) and pharmaceuticals and pesticides (60,000 tonnes). Total aniline demand is forecast at 724,000 tonnes for 2007. Three new aniline plants are expected to start-up during the first half of 2007, operated by: Shandong Huayang Agrochemical Group (50,000 tonnes/y); Shandong Haihua Chemical Co (50,000 tonnes/y from Apr 2007); and Yancheng Xinquan Chemical Co (30,000 tonnes/y). These new plants will exacerbate the oversupply situation and aniline prices are expected to fall. China Chemical Reporter, 6 Apr 2007, 18 (10), 21-23
China: Holland Colours – plastic colorants Holland Colours (of Apeldoorn, Netherlands) has commenced production of speciality colorants for silicone, packaging plastics and construction materials at a new factory located in the Spark Development Zone, near Shanghai. An opening ceremony for the new factory, with a floor area of 2000 sq m, took place on 2 March 2007. Kunststof en Rubber, Apr 2007, 60 (4), 9 (in Dutch)
China: Lanxess – iron oxide pigments Lanxess has commissioned a 20,000 tonnes/y iron oxide pigments plant near Shanghai. This is the company’s second iron oxide pigments plant in China. The first plant, also in the Shanghai region and also having a capacity of 20,000 tonnes/y, was commissioned in 1997 as a 67:33 joint venture between Bayer (now Lanxess) and Shanghai Coatings Corp. Chemie Technik (Heidelberg), 7 May 2007, (Website: http://www.chemietechnik.de) (in German)
China: Meilin Chemical – nanoparticulate CaCO3 Meilin Chemical Co Ltd is building a 200,000 tonnes/y plant at Hezhou (Guangxi province) for making nanoparticulate calcium carbonate. The Yuan 120 M project is being funded by a consortium of companies based in Taiwan. The output will be sold to customers in the
MAY 2007