Clariant launches three new color solutions

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, has developed three new products offering product differentiation to brand owners. These three new products - PV Fast Orange HGR, PolyFast Pigment Dispersions and PolyRich Pigment Dispersion are tailor-made solutions for India’s trending industries that cater to the aspirational middle class population, as per the company's press release.

Mr. Sambit Roy, Regional Director - Marketing and Sales (Pigments), Clariant in India, said, "Growing awareness among consumers about safe and compliant products is a welcome trend. Trickling down the attributes of sustainability and global compliance through the entire value chain, from Clariant to the brand-owner and then to the society, is our aim."

Dr. Uwe Dahlmann, Head - India, MEA and SEAP, BU Pigments, Clariant International added, "The launch of these products will support our hypergrowth in the domestic Indian market where we continue to see double digit figures. Clariant in India is fully geared up to address new challenges, by way of local availability of high performance pigments and pigment dispersions. Our products being Halogen-free and FDA-compliant, they reinforce Clariant’s commitment to sustainability."

PV Fast Orange HGR is a unique product which is transparent, thus it can replace dyes with high fastness. It displays excellent heat stability even in lowest concentrations. One of its main features is that it does not induce warpage in polyolefins. "Unexpected shrinkage, distortion or warpage problems can occur when pigments are used for the coloration of polyolefins. This pigment ensures that polymer packages of FMCG products are warpage-free and presentable on the retail shelves," said Mr. Roy. This reddish orange pigment is easily dispersible and ensures sustainable processing operations of polyolefins.

PolyFast Pigment Dispersion is launched for the growing PVC leather cloth/synthetic leather industry. This easily dispersible PolyFast Pigment Dispersion ensures high speed production of finished goods. Besides, being free from phthalates, heavy metals and banned aromatic amines, these dispersions adhere to global norms. "Natural leather is being replaced by synthetic leather. In India, furniture and automobiles are the two major industries capitalizing on this trend. Rising number of new cities is further fuelling this number. The demand for synthetic leather in India is around 192 million metre per annum, as per industry figures, indicating the huge potential for the industry. And sustainable credentials of Clariant’s PolyFast Pigment Dispersion make it well-placed in the market," added Mr. Roy.

PolyRich Pigment Dispersion, available in pre-dispersed flake form is launched for EVA coloration applications, meant for the footwear industry. These are based on pigments that are free of heavy metals and banned primary aromatic amines. "The footwear industry in India in recent times has become part of the fashion industry, thereby increasing the demand for vibrant colors. These dispersions, being easily miscible with each other thus offer a wide range of shades to the brand owners. Besides, these dispersions are also safe for use in the growing baby footwear industry in India," said Mr. Roy.

As MRC informed earlier, in 2014, CB&I and Clariant announced that their new Ziegler-Natta (ZN) polypropylene catalyst plant in Louisville, Kentucky, is on schedule to begin production in 2015. The plant is part of a long-term strategic partnership between Clariant’s catalysts business and CB&I’s Lummus Novolen Technology business. Based at Clariant’s largest US production hub, the new facility will combine innovative catalysts jointly developed by both companies with high-capacity output.

Clariant AG is a Swiss chemical company and a world leader in the production of specialty chemicals for the textile, printing, mining and metallurgical industries. It is engaged in processing crude oil products in pigments, plastics and paints.
MRC

PVC plant planned to be shut by Sichuan Jinlu

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Sichuan Jinlu is likely to shut its polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant for maintenance turnaround, said Apic-online.

A source in China informed that the plant is likely to be taken off-stream on March 23, 2015. It is likely to remain off-stream for around one month.

Located in Sichuan province, China, the plant has a production capacity of 340,000 mt/year.

Before that, Sichuan Jinlu Group planned to shut one line at its 340,000 tonne/year polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant on 25 January for maintenance.

Sichuan Jinlu Group Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets polyvinyl chloride resins, caustic soda, and other chemical products. Through its subsidiaries, the Company also manufactures white spirits and textile products, develops real estate, operates in commercial trading, as well as sells natural gas.
MRC

Canada Fibers to open plastics material plant in Toronto

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Canada Fibers will open a plastics recycling plant called Urban Polymers, which will focus on developing pure, homogeneous plastic materials from post-consumer and post-industrial waste, using modern equipment and additive formulations sourced globally, said Chemicals-technology.

Operations at Urban Polymers are scheduled to commence in spring 2015 at a 160,000ft facility located in North Toronto. The new venture will initially focus on production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flake material, as well as production of compounded polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) in pellet form.

PET is the primary source of material for beverage bottles and single serving food containers, while PE and PP are used to produce packaging for other liquids including household detergents. During its initial phases of development, Urban Polymers will be capable of processing 25 million pounds per year of PET and 11 million pounds per year of PP/PE, representing a significant increment to recycling infrastructure in the country.

Badger was formerly the CEO of the Canadian Plastics Industry Association where he facilitated programmes to advance recovery of plastic materials post-use, having served in senior executive capacities in the plastics industry for three decades.

Canada Fibers CEO Joe Miranda said: "Urban Polymers represents another step with Canada Fiber's forward integration strategy.

"Forward integration will help recovered solid waste remain domestic, providing an edge for industrial customers in North America."

As MRC wrote before, ExxonMobil Chemical Canada is allocating sales of rotational and injection molding high density polyethylene products produced at its Sarnia plant, following operational difficulties at the site.
mrrcplast.com

Evonik launches new dispersing additive for industrial coatings

MOSCOW (MRC) -- With TEGO Dispers 678, Evonik Industries AG, the German specialty chemicals company, has launched a new widely applicable dispersing additive, which is designed for both high-solid and medium-solid solventborne direct grinds in industrial coatings, said the producer in its press release.

Its excellent stabilization of all pigments and fillers, as well as its broad compatibility with all common binders, makes TEGO Dispers 678 the dispersant of choice for solventborne co-grinding systems. As a high-performance product, it shows an excellent stable color and very low rub-out results in the coating.

Additionally, it provides a stable color independent of the application method. With TEGO Dispers 678, a strong reduction in viscosity may be achieved; this allows for very high solids content in the coating. Furthermore, TEGO Dispers 678 is incorporated easily due to its low viscosity.

These benefits qualify TEGO Dispers 678 as an excellent general use dispersant. TEGO Dispers 678 complements the existing TEGO Dispers specialty products for high-solid and medium-solid systems for direct grinds in industrial application.

As MRC reported earlier, Evonik Industries is paving the way for a new technology whose applications include automotive finishes that are more scratch-resistant than ever before. The specialty chemicals company has developed an industrial-scale method for producing silane-modified binders for automotive finishes. The advantage of these silane-modified binders: silane groups increase crosslinking density, making it possible to create automotive finishes that are flexible yet harder, leading to improved scratch resistance.

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2013 more than 33,500 employees generated sales of around EUR12.9 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about EUR2.0 billion.
MRC

Sasol boosts first-half headline earnings 6%

MOSCOW (MRC) -- SASOL reported a 6% increase in first-half headline earnings per share to R32, buoyed by higher sales and chemical prices, said the producer in its press release.

A weaker rand helped cushion the effect of lower oil prices on its earnings. Sales of performance chemicals were up 5% and sales of base chemicals rose 1% in the same period.

Earnings per share increased 53% to R32.04 but due to net once-off charges, movements in share-based payment expense and lower unrealised profit in inventory, earnings attributable to shareholders decreased 23%. Sasol said it was implementing previous signalled plans to revise its dividend policy to a dividend cover range, which would be based on headline earnings per share.

To save cash in a volatile environment, the petrochemical giant reduced its interim dividend by 12.5% to R7 per share. Sasol’s annual costs savings target increased to at least R4.3bn. The company was planning to conserve between R30bn and R50bn over 30 months, using December 31 2014 as a baseline to fend off lower oil prices.

Profit from operations in the six months to December was up 39% to R30bn, boosted by a strong performance from regional operating hubs and chemicals and base chemicals strategic business units. Sasol president and CEO David Constable said: "The changes made to our business since 2011 have resulted in a more effective and cost-conscious organisation.

"With oil prices moving dramatically lower over the last six months the management team has formulated a comprehensive response plan to conserve cash and further refine our organisational structures and near-term strategies," he said. Mr Constable also said it could expand its USD8.9bn cracker project in Louisiana, depending on market conditions.

Sasol is going ahead with its cracker, which takes ethane, a component of natural gas, and turns it into ethylene, used in the manufacture of plastic products. But it has delayed the final investment decision on the GTL plant in Louisiana, which will cost up to USD14 bn, because of the low oil price.

Last month, Sasol said it would delay a decision on a USD14 billion gas-to-liquids facility in Lake Charles, La., due to low oil prices.

Sasol Limited is an integrated energy and chemical company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. It develops and commercialises technologies, including synthetic fuels technologies, and produces different liquid fuels, chemicals and electricity.
MRC