USW launches second PFOA warning letter campaign

F O C U S care products division into a joint venture with an international company. Chemfab reported a net profit of Rup 44.2 M for 3Q ended Dec 2005 and a net profit of Rup 139.6 M for the nine months ended Dec 2005 (net profit of Rup 39.9 M in 3Q ended Dec 2004 and Rup 90 M for the year 2004-2005). Business Line, 8 Jan 2006, 13 (8), 2

SURFACTANTS Two new ingredients for Asahi Kasei The Asahi Kasei group has unveiled AMINOsurfact – A, a surfactant obtained from the combination of a fatty acid and an amino acid (glutamic acid). The product is biodegradable, pure, stable, odourless and provides formulations with a surface feel and general sensation of superior freshness. It improves the efficiency of liquid and solid products, pastes and foams. The company is also introducing OligoGGF, a trisaccharide derived from D-galactose, D-glucose and D-fructose. The crystal has a low hygroscopicity threshold, is 99% pure and prevents thickening of the textures compared to other sugars. It has applications in haircare, bath products, skincare and powders. Parfums, Cosmetiques, Actualites, Dec 2005/Jan 2006, (186), 75

New I&I ingredients from ISP International Specialty Products (ISP) unveiled Easy-Wet 20 and Peroxydone K-30, two new ingredients for industrial and institutional cleaners. Easy-Wet 20 can be used as a wetter, spreader and surfactant utilized in HI&I cleaners, pigments, textiles, agrochemicals and other industrial applications. It has excellent wetting and spreading properties at very low quantity and provides improved cleaning performance on glass, soap scum removal and grease cleaning. The Peroxydone K-30, Peroxydone K-90 solid polymer complex is suitable as a bleaching, cleaning and stain removing agent for pharmaceutical, oral care, drain openers, personal care, mould/mildew removers, cleaners and detergents. The product is safe to use and MARCH 2006

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imparts superb stability, solubility and film-forming characteristics in various uses. HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Dec 2005, 42 (12), 121-122

Surfactant firms end a tough year In 2005, for the second year in a row, the surfactants industry was sandwiched between sky-high raw material costs and big customers that were inflexible on price. With little change in sight, companies that produce surfactants and their intermediates are taking action. Thus in Aug 2005, Sasol announced it had reversed strategy and was to sell the multi-billion-dollar olefins and surfactants business it had bought five years earlier. Other companies have also undertaken restructuring in the last 18 months. The president of Huntsman’s performance products division, which includes the $1 bn/y surfactants operations, says demand for the surfactants industry’s products is growing at several percentage points a year. Making a profit is the problem, not selling. This is due mainly to higher prices for crude oil and its derivatives. Surfactants producers tried to increase prices but the results have been mixed. Even producers of oleochemical-based surfactants, which are usually made from tropical oils, felt the effect of higher crude oil prices during 2005. Overall, however, the profits situation in 2005 was probably a little better for oleochemical-based surfactants than for those made from petrochemicals, and this was reflected in investment in the business. P&G has a project with the Domba Mas Group that will add 160,000 tonnes/y of detergent alcohol capacity in Indonesia, for late 2006 or early 2007 [see Focus on Surfactants, Dec 2005]. Other projects in hand are Evergreen Oleochemicals’ 60,000-tonnes/y detergent alcohol plant in Indonesia and Kao’s 100,000 tonnes/y alcohol plant in the Philippines. Chemical and Engineering News, 30 Jan 2006, 84 (5), 21-22 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)

Albion bulks up UK SLES Albion Chemicals’ bulk storage and dilution facilities for surfactant sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) in Liverpool,

UK have been expanded. Four 100 cu m tanks that can store and handle natural and synthetic SLES have been added with filling lines and two dilution impellers. The company has also added storage and packing for other major surfactants, including coconut diethanolamide, sulfonic acid, alcohol ethoxylates and chelates. Albion is UK distributor for dilute and concentrated SLES after UK’s manufacturing capacity of high active product declined. SLES is the primary surfactant for personal and home care markets, with a projected growth potential of 20%. UK annual demand for SLES is more than 100,000 tonnes. ICIS Chemical Business, 30 Jan 2006, (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)

Russia proposes to decrease customs duty for fatty alcohols The Russian Ministry for industry and energy has proposed to decrease the customs duty for fatty alcohols from 15% to 5%. In the Leningrad region, construction of the Nikol’skoe plant for surfactants production by LaniteksOptima is nearing completion. After start up of the plant, demand for fatty alcohols on the domestic market will increase by 3.5 times (to 7000 tonnes/y) compared to 2004. Vestnik khimicheskoi promyshlennosty, 30 Dec 2005, 36 (4), 42 (in Russian)

USW launches second PFOA warning letter campaign The United Steelworkers (USW) Union had written 4500 circulars to carpet retailers nationwide regarding the dangers of using perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), also known as C8 [see also Focus on Surfactants, Jul 2005]. Letters were also sent out to 35 carpet manufacturing companies reminding them of their responsibility to advise their customers about such possible risks posed by carpets that may contain PFOA. The union clarified that carpets were covered with Teflonrelated chemicals called fluorotelomers and fluorotelomers that may break down into PFOA. Previously, DuPont settled with EPA for $16.5 M for allegedly withholding information on the health and environmental hazards related to 3

F O C U S PFOA. USW earlier lamented the paper industry’s continued use of Zonal, a PFOA-based product, in their production processes. Pesticide and Toxic Chemical News, 2 Jan 2006, 34 (11), 20

ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS IFF expands Singapore fragrance facility International Flavors and Fragrances Inc (IFF) has opened its upgraded fragrance facility in Jurong, Singapore. Production capacity increased from 1200 tonnes in 2004 to 2500 tonnes in 2005. Output forecast for 2006 is at 3000 tonnes. The expanded facility boosts IFF’s productivity levels in the Asia Pacific region, where the company also maintains fragrance facilities in China and Indonesia. IFF creates and manufactures flavours and fragrances utilized in the manufacture of a variety of consumer products, including fragrances, toiletries, soaps, detergents, beverages and food products. Chemical Business (India), Nov 2005, 19 (11), 95

Preservatives in the spotlight An overview of the market for personal care product preservatives is given. Traditional preservatives such as parabens, formaldehydedonors and isothiazolinones are under pressure due to consumer and regulatory issues. A number of companies are offering alternative products. According to International Specialty Products, parabens account for 20% of the preservatives market. Uniqema has launched Arlasilk Phospholipid, a coconut-derived phospholipid that can be used in wipes, cleansers, moisturizers and deodorants. Mason Chemical is offering a new range of natural preservatives. Lonza’s Geogard Ultra is a new preservative for cosmetics. Ciba’s Tinosan SDC is a new antimicrobial using technology on licence from Pure Bioscience. National Starch Personal Care is promoting its new, dissolvable films 4

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technology. The total US market is estimated by Kline and Company at $55-65 M. Other estimates are $5095 M for US market and around $80 M for the European market. One manufacturer estimates the world market at around $200 M. Consumption is growing by an estimated 3-5%. Chemical Market Reporter, 5 Dec 2005, (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)

Cognis develops Cetiol Cognis’ Cetiol LDO is a mixture of emollients that provides both functional benefits, such as improved foaming and solubility in clear surfactant systems, and beneficial qualities for the hair, such as easier styling, greater softness and volume and a reparative effect on coloured, permed or fine hair. The product provides a conditioning effect on wet and dry hair. Gluadin WLM, which has hydrolysed wheat peptides, imparts a unique haircare effect, strengthening and restructuring the hair. Tests show that mechanical resistance is greatly improved in permed and bleached strands. The ingredient also has an anti-inflammatory effect on irritated scalps. Parfums, Cosmetiques, Actualites, Dec 2005/Jan 2006, (186), 54,56

Lucas Meyer develops liquid ingredients for hair product Lucas Meyer Cosmetics has come up with Amisol, a specific range of liquid ingredients for hair products. Amisol Trio is a soy extract with molecules that are vital for the cells and provide a hair treatment function such as phospholipids, glycolipids and phytosterols. The product lessens split ends, restores lipid fractions, protects against external stress factors and soothes irritations. It is nonionic in nature and can be utilized as a primary emulsifier or co-emulsifier. Tests have revealed that, when used with shampoos, the product enhances the hair’s shine, smoothness and suppleness but does not reduce the cleansing effectiveness. Amisol Trio also offers the non-sticky, non-oily feel of phospholipids. Parfums, Cosmetiques, Actualites, Dec 2005/Jan 2006, (186), 53-54

Millennium sells 2-pea Lyondell Chemical has transferred the sales and marketing activities for 2-phenyl ethyl alcohol to Millennium Specialty Chemicals. This will take effect on 1 Jan 2006. The fragrance is used in detergents and deodorizers. Chemical Market Reporter, 16 Jan 2006, (Website: http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com)

ISP acquires French biocide producer Progiven International Specialty Products (ISP), through one of its subsidiaries, has acquired the business of leading French biocides manufacturer, Progiven SAS. Progiven, established in 1946, operates a single plant at Montdidier. It realizes 90% of turnover from biocides for paints, adhesives, textiles and detergents. The remainder of its sales are for pigment and colorant applications. Progiven’s French sales are increasing by 5-10% on a mature market. Some 45% of its turnover comes from international sales. Progiven had a net result of €9 M on turnover of €22.9 M in 2004. This is ISP’s second European biocide acquisition in less than two years. A global supplier of speciality chemicals and performance-enhancing products, ISP aims to become one of the leading five producers on the world biocides market. According to Freedonia, the market will expand by 5.4%/y until 2009. Press release from: International Specialty Products Inc, 1361 Alps Road, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA. Tel: +1 800 243 6788. Website: http://www.ispcorp.com (20 Jan 2006) & Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 30 Jan 2006, (327), 9 (in French)

Polymer technology provides consumer convenience Major marketers of consumer cleaning products can now benefit from improved polymer technology, in which surface hydrophilicity can be modified by creating a water sheeting effect and improving water drainage from surfaces. Rhodia’s Mirapol SurfS polymers, for instance, effectively bind to the treated surface and render it more hydrophobic. Polymer ingredients can now be incorporated in household cleaners for kitchen and bath surfaces and fixtures, tile and glass, painted metals and chrome applications to provide quick, easy MARCH 2006