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RAWMATERIALS
Shell considers US linear alpha-olefinexpansion
Shell Chemicals is currently lookinginto the possibility of building aworld-scale (350,000 tonnes/y) linearalpha-olefins unit, which would bebased on proprietary technology, atits petrochemicals site in Geismar,LA, USA. No details of the scheduleor investment have been disclosed.At present Shell Chemicals has92,000 tonnes/y of capacity for linearalpha-olefins at Geismar, in threedifferent units. The new projectwould be able to take advantage ofcheap ethane resulting from shalegas production. It would alsoenhance Shell Chemicals’ ability torespond to demand for linear alpha-olefins from producers of high-technology lubricants and additives,surfactants, polyethylene copolymersand offshore drilling fluids. Inaddition to its capacities in Geismar,Shell Chemicals also makes linearalpha-olefins in Stanlow, UK, andhas plans for a 300,000 tonnes/y unitat its new petrochemicals complex inQatar (a joint project with QatarPetroleum).
Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 25 Feb 2013,(624), (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie/)(in French) © ETAI Information 2013. Original Source:ICIS Chemical Business, 18 Feb 2013 (Website:http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business InformationLimited 2013
Reverdia begins succinic acidproduction in Italy
Reverdia, a joint venture of DSM andRoquette Freres, has begunproducing succinic acid at a new10,000 tonnes/y plant in CassanoSpinola, Italy [see also Focus onSurfactants, Jan 2013]. This is thefirst large-scale commercial succinicacid plant. Succinity, a joint venture ofBASF and Purac/CSM, hopes to startproduction operations in Spain during2013.
Original Source: Chemie Magazine (NederlandseChemische Industrie), 23 Jan 2013, (1), 47(Vereniging van de Nederlandse Chemische Industrie(VNCI), the Netherlands, email: [email protected],website: http://www.vnci.nl) (in Dutch) © DeVereniging van de Nederlandse Chemische Industrie(VNCI) 2013
SURFACTANTSAkzoNobel plans further investment inChina
AkzoNobel has announced itsintention to invest a further €65 M inChina. The investment will be used toboost capacity and significantlyimprove operational excellence atAkzoNobel’s Surface Chemistrymanufacturing sites in Boxing andNingbo. More than half the money isbeing invested in the company’sfacility in Shandong province, whichwas taken over as part of theacquisition of Boxing Oleochemicalsin Jan 2012 [Focus on Surfactants,Mar 2012]. As well as building amultipurpose reactor to expand localproduction capacity for amines,significant funds are also being madeavailable to align HSE practices at thesite with the rest of AkzoNobel. InNingbo, a new alkoxylation unit will bebuilt, bringing the total investment atthe multi-site close to the €400 Mmark. ‘There is increasing demand forour speciality surfactant productsacross Asia and investing inShandong province will ensure thatwe provide a strong localmanufacturing operation in order tosupport our customers as theythemselves continue to grow,’ saysAkzoNobel spokesman WernerFuhrmann. ‘Ningbo also remainsfundamental to our growth ambitionsin the region and has a crucial role toplay as we continue to expand.’ Aspart of the investment decision,AkzoNobel will exit the merchant fattyacid business in Boxing, closing downtwo out of three fatty acid plants atthe site, affecting about 200employees. AkzoNobel currentlyemploys more than 7000 people inChina, with 2012 revenue totalling€1.7 bn, the majority being generatedfrom local demand.
Original Source: AkzoNobel, website:http://www.akzonobel.com (19 Mar 2013) © AkzoNobel NV 2013
Lubrizol invests $11 M to expandsurfactants capacity at Bowling Greenplant
The Lubrizol Corp has broken groundfor its new building at the company’sBowling Green facility in Ohio, USA.The Bowling Green plant expansion
will support the company’s surfactantsmanufacturing technology for itspersonal and home care business.The estimated investment in the newbuilding is $11 M, and it will add60,000 sq ft to the facility. Designed toinclude new process equipment forsurfactants as well as four finishedgoods storage tanks, the new buildingalso will have space to accommodatetwo additional finished goods storagetanks for future expansion needs.
Original Source: Lubrizol, 2013. Found onSpecialChem Cosmetics and Personal Care Innovationand Solutions, 5 Mar 2013, (Website:http://www.specialchem4cosmetics.com)
Stepan increases surfactant prices
Effective 1 Mar 2013, Stepan Co israising list and off-list pricing for anumber of its surfactant products.Increases range from $0.02/lb to$0.10/lb for alkoxylates, high-activesynthetic alkyl ether sulfates, olefinsulfonates, phosphate esters andhydrotropes in its Bio-Soft, Makon,Neutronyx, Merpol, Toximul, Steol,Polystep, Bio-Terge, Stepfac,Petrostep, Cedephos, Zelec andStepanate branded ranges. Prices forblends and derivatives of theseproducts will increase accordingly.The company says these price risesreflect the recent increases inpetroleum-based raw materials.
Original Source: Stepan Co, 22, West Frontage Road,Northfield, IL 60093, USA, tel: +1 847 446 7500, fax:+1 847 501 2100, website: http://www.stepan.com (7 Feb 2013) © Stepan Company 2013
ASSOCIATEDPRODUCTS
Solvay boosts output of guarderivatives
Solvay is increasing productioncapacity for guar derivatives by 40%with the expansion of its plants inVernon, TX, USA and Zhangjiagang,China. The company also producesthe plant-derived materials in Melle,France. Guar derivatives findapplications in agrochemicals as anantidrift agent, in hair care productsas a conditioner, and in oil and gasdrilling as a gelling additive. Theincreased capacity at the Vernon unitwill supply the N American oil and
2 MAY 2013
F O C U S O N S U R F A C T A N T S