The Secret lies on the Surface ...

Diagnosis: Everything is fine.The first 100 days of a service technician for paper chemicals.Page 5

A new family member is born.Greenbentin™-MLS is a child of today.Page 3

BRANDNEW.Beautify your life.

Page 2

EditorialSpring is almost upon us

“Frühling lässt sein blaues Band, wieder flattern durch die Lüfte...” This is the start of a well-known German poem about springtime by the poet Eduard Mörike. In the poem he describes spring as a blue ribbon that flutters through the air. A fluttering blue ribbon, a very beautiful metaphor for the most commonly sung about time of year.

The presence of spring should actually always be felt in day-to-day working life too – and not just in these short months. A new beginning, an awakening. Even if the somewhat harsher wind in the economy is blowing against the blue ribbon at the moment.

At Kolb however we are doing very well despite this head wind. A lot of new things lie ahead of us again this year.

We would be pleased if you took a few minutes to read the latest e-KolbTimes and see what it is all about, which new products we have in our range and how we serve our markets. You will also gain an insight into the day-to-day working life of an employee and find out where our (next) journey will take us.

We hope that your will remain loyal to Kolb on our continued journey and look forward to welcoming you in Barcelona – hopefully in lovely spring weather!

Best regards,

Peter WilkesCEO Kolb

Kolb · Maienbrunnenstrasse 1 · P.O. Box 64 · 8908 Hedingen · Switzerland · Phone +41 44 762 46 46 · Fax +41 44 762 46 00 · info@kolb.ch · www.kolb.ch

KOLBTimes

Distribution partnerships.Combine strengths and targets.

Page 4

March 2012

The Secret lies on the Surface ...

PERSONAL CARE & COSMETICS

Self-confidently Kolb and KLK Oleo rely on growth even in dif-ficult market conditions. The joint exhibition booth 2012 has grown and our top basics have been extended. Kolb offers non-ionic surfactants, solubilisators and emollients, and pearl gloss BRAND NEW as from April 2012. Sympatens-PEARL provides shampoos and shower gels a luxurious pearlescent shine. It is easy to process and can be used directly in the existing formu-lations. Life will be even nicer with Sympatens-PEARL.

We are concentrating on our strengths. The established TOP basics Sympatens-TRH/400 (PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil), Sympatens-GMC/070 (PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate), Kotilen-L/1 (Polysorbate 20) and Kotilen-O/1 (Polysorbate 80) are extended by another product. Sympatens-ACS/200 G (Ceteareth-20) is well-known to many experts in laboratories and purchasing departments, and is widely used in almost any cosmetic emulsion. On account of the close co-operation with KLK Oleo, Kolb is a reliable and competitive partner for all TOP basics and many other emulsifier.

For experienced experts and laboratory trainees our emulsi-fiers validated by Ecocert have become essential. Your cream formulation will turn into an especially classy product with Sympatens-O/2500 G and Sympatens-W/4500. These two PEG-free emulsifiers permit light W/O formulations and silicon oil-free O/W creams which provide an unparalleled dermal sensation on women’s and men’s skin alike. Ask about our guide formulations.

Visit us at booth Z20 in Barcelona. We will be pleased to help you beautify your products and your life. We look forward meeting you.

Beautify your life with Sympatens-PEARL

Markus Sierigk Market Manager Personal Care markus.sierigk@kolb.ch

Sympatens-PEARL + 7 powerful products for the entire cosmetics industry

02e-KolbTimes | March 2012

A new addition to the Greenbentin™ family: Greenbentin™-MLS is a “child of our time”

RESEARCH AND DEvELOPMENT

After the successful product launch of the Greenbentin™ family with four Greenbentin™-DE types in spring last year, Kolb is expanding its product range again this year with two MLS types. They also meet our requirements for using at least 30 % renew-able raw materials. Kolb is thereby making a further active con-tribution towards the reduction of fossil resources.

The Greenbentin™-MLS types are two new ecological, nonionic surfactants that are excellent for using in all-purpose cleaners and liquid and powder detergents. As a specialist in alkoxylation, Kolb manufactures these products using its own patented pro-cess that corresponds to the latest state-of-the-art technology.

In addition to low foaming characteristics, the MLS types also stand out on account of their excellent environmental perfor-mance in particular. They are therefore extremely biodegradable and have very low water toxicity. This means that Greenbentin™-MLS is not subject to labelling requirements. The new product combines outstanding properties and an exceptionally environ-mentally friendly profile - in the excellent quality one has come to expect from Kolb.

If you are curious now about our new development, please request a copy of our new Greenbentin™-MLS product brochure and a sample for more detailed information or contact our surfactant specialists directly. They will be happy to answer any further questions that you may have.

Dr. Christoph Kolano Head of Synthesis, Development & Technology christoph.kolano@kolb.ch

03e-KolbTimes | March 2012

04e-KolbTimes | March 2012

“Distribution partnerships” Alliance of complementary strength for a common target

SPECIALTy SuRFACTANTS

Distribution of specialty chemicals is currently undergoing essential changes in the market. To address the market needs, the leading producers of chemical products are evaluating their distribution network. The target is to participate in the growth of the “emerging markets”.

The distributors are getting more professional and flexible. They are investing in technical service and other value- generating processes, such as supply chain optimisation or marketing activities for principals and customers. Also Kolb has to look for a sustainable and profitable growth in the current market developments.

Partners with new strengths to be foundOur task within the next years will be to identify the right partners in line with the company strategy and to build up a long-term partnership.For the next two years the focus of this evaluation process will lie on Europe. Alsiano A/S for the Scandinavian market (DK, SE, NO) and Giusto Faravelli SpA for the Italian cosmetic market have already been identified as ideal partners.In the near future we will determine partners in the emer- ging markets of Eastern Europe and Turkey.

Dr. Zuhal Kaya Manager of Distributors & Agents zuhal.kaya@kolb.ch

e-KolbTimes | March 2012 05

PAPER CHEMICALS

My name is Oliver Fricke, I am 28 years old and I work as a Service Technician for Northern Germany and the Netherlands. I have been part of the Kolb family since 1 August 2011. As a trained Papermaker and Paper Technician I have always been interested in the brilliant technological achievements of paper production to which Kolb makes a contribution, as is generally known. My “first 100 days” are now over and many outsiders may ask themselves what a Service Technician actu-ally does, so here is a short description:

A major part of my role is monitoring systems in the area of deposit, foam and air control as well as in the area of machine clothing optimisation, where cleaning and conditioning are very important. The target values, such as the cleaning intervals or air content before the headbox, are decisive in the control of solutions. These are worked out in collaboration with the customer, Sales and the Product Managers.

My “First 100 Days” as a Service Technician in the Paper Chemicals Division.

Applications in the area of deposit control, for example, con-sisting of a Natudisp™ deposit dispersant (successfully used to reduce the biocide consumption) in combination with a biocide (Mucosin™/Microcid™) and a system cleaner, require regular monitoring. Bacterial counts are determined thereby depending on the concept. Parameters, such as the pH value, redox poten-tial, conductivity and temperature, are measured at key points in the system. The BDC device, an in-house Kolb development, is often used for the continuous monitoring of the application. This can continuously measure the layer thickness of deposits at up to three different places and also transfer this onto the PCS depending on customer requirements.

One of my responsibilities is to regularly check the applications in the area of foam and air control based on the defined service agreement. With foam control, where our Paracum™ concen-trate defoamers are used, it is possible to see visually whether the desired effect is achieved or whether, for example, the do-sing point should be switched. With air control, where we often work with our deaerator dispersions, the handheld online air measuring device (KLG-98) is a great help in implementing and controlling the application. In addition, air measurements are carried out manually with the EGT probes at different points, such as thick stock, in white water and before the headbox, in order to check the dosing system.

PAPER CHEMICALS

In the area of machine clothing optimisation I check the effect of our continuous felt cleaning solution (Prolongin™ application), amongst other things. This involves looking at the various machine parameters, such as the dryness, moisture profile, vacuum and felt running time. I can see what has changed since my last visit and whether the application is suitable or whether the dosing quantities should be adjusted. Of course I also obtain important information from my discussions with the machine operators.

With applications during shut down cleaning it may well be that I support the customer at the start of the application in handling the product or the foam gun.

Another important aspect of my role is to ensure that the equipment provided as part of the solutions is in perfect wor-king order. Kolb’s strategy of developing a modular system of dosing equipment enables a quick solution to be provided when problems arise. We therefore work closely with the dosing equipment manufacturer, resulting in synergy effects for everyone and equipment that is continually updated.

Supervised trials and the installation of our solutions are great fun and motivate us to strive towards innovation. The entire Kolb team supports me at all times and in all situations with its long-standing experience and extensive knowledge and exper-tise. I was quickly able to familiarise myself with the individual divisions of the company in training courses with the Product Managers. My working relationship with Helmut Robben (Northern Germany) and Chris Lelieveldt (Netherlands) in par-ticular is very close and informative. I apologise for the collo-quial expression but the best way to learn is from “old hands.”

The transition in these first 100 days was of course a challenge in itself because I have to make my own decisions in this job. I am also able to continually expand my theoretical knowledge through my practical activities, which means added value for customers, Kolb and of course for me personally.

In conclusion, I can only say that the first 100 days were only the beginning. With this in mind, goodbye and see you soon!

Oliver Fricke Service Technician Paper Chemicals oliver.fricke@kolb.ch

06e-KolbTimes | March 2012