factors, strategies and markets.Despite the projected overcapacity inthe European soda ash market in2017 because of the anticipatedlaunching of the world’s largest facilityby Ciner in Turkey, Solvay still hasgrowth plans for its soda ashbusiness, consisting of threeelements. The first part of the plan isstrengthening the competitiveness ofits synthetic soda ash through a €100M cost-improvement plan, which willtake effect in full year 2016. In linewith this, the company ceasedproduction at its 200,000 tonne/yplant in Povoa, Portugal, on 31 Jan2014. The company plans to adaptproduction capacity to marketdemands at its facility in Rosignano,Italy, to meet the €100 M plan with60% variable and 40% fixed costs inthe savings. Measures have alsobeen introduced at Solvay’s otherEuropean sites in order to improvetheir operational efficiency(particularly in Torralavega, Spain andDevnya, Bulgaria). The companyaims to expand its natural soda ashbusiness in North America by 12% by2016 [Focus on Surfactants, Aug2013], as the second element of itssoda ash growth plan. Capacity atSolvay’s 2.54 M tonnes/y plant in theGreen River basin of southwesternWyoming, USA, will increase by 6%(150,000 tonnes/y) in early 2015. Thissite is Solvay’s largest in the USA andemploys 400 people. The complexprimarily supplies the glass industrybut also sells to the detergents andchemical products sectors. Theexpansion will be realized throughdebottlenecking work (which requiresminimal investment). The mainadvantage of the sodium carbonateproduced in Green River is that it isnatural and made from trona. Thethird part of Solvay’s plan is the globalexpansion of its bicarbonatebusiness, which includes a 100,000tonne/y project in Thailand, which isscheduled for completion in 2015.Solvay’s plans for its second GBU,the peroxide business, include theconstruction of plants for thehydrogen peroxide to propylene oxide(HPPO) business.

Original Source: ICIS Chemical Business, 10-16 Mar2014, 285 (10), (Website: http://www.icis.com) © Reed Business Information Limited 2014. OriginalSource: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 10 Feb 2014, (664),(Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie/) (inFrench) © ETAI Information 2014

Performance, environmental claimsand move to low temperature wash todrive sales of enzymes

Enzymes are posing as theeconomical, efficient and sustainablealternative to costly surfactants andbuilders used in detergents. Found indetergents in amounts of less than1%, enzymes are biodegradable,made from renewable materials(sugars), save chemical and energycosts and reduce water pollution,unlike petroleum-derived chemicals.In a workshop, organized byNovozymes [see also Focus onSurfactants, Apr 2014], a speakerstated that nearly 50% of linearalkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LABSA)could be replaced with enzymes.Enzyme prices have also beensteadier compared with those ofsurfactants. Despite possessingsimilar washing habits, China stillleads India in using enzymes indetergents due to more establishedindustry standards. Enzymes alsohave strong potential in otherhomecare segments, such as the 8 Mtonnes hand wash, soap bars andfine fabric wash market, 5 M tonneshand dishwashing market and 1 Mtonnes automatic dishwashingmarket. The development of newtypes of enzymes capable of highperformance in low temperatures isnow growing due to the shift in theNorth American and Europeanlaundry wash to cold washing. Doneat the less aggressive temperature of30 degC, cold washing is said to poseenvironmental advantages such aschemicals-use reduction. Compactionof detergents, growth of concentratedliquids and the potential of industrialand institutional cleaners are otherbusiness opportunities for enzymes inthe homecare segment.

Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 7 Jan 2014, 210-212 (Website: http://www.chemicalweekly.com) © Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly Database PLtd 2014

Novozymes to expand scope ofenzymes in India

Novozymes intends to expand itsoperations in the Indian food anddetergent sectors. The $2 bn Danishbiotech firm has enhanced itsinnovation centre in Bangalore [Focuson Surfactants, May 2007] to keep astrong presence in the Indian market.

Novozymes acquired the enzymesbusiness of Biocon in 2007 and isnow providing enzymes for use in thedetergents, food, beverages, textiles,alcohol and biofuel sectors.Novozymes’ growth in India has beenat 20%/y.

Original Source: Chemical Business (India), Dec2013, 27 (12), 72 (Website:http://www.magazinecommunications.com/) © Magazine Communications Pvt Ltd 2013

Air Products introduces Tomakleen G-12 additive for I&I cleaning

Air Products has introduced theTomakleen G-12 additive to itsproduct portfolio for industrial andinstitutional (I&I) cleaning. The newadditive delivers improved cleaningperformance and can reduce oreliminate the need for oxygenatedsolvents historically used in I&Icleaning products. Tomakleen G-12additive is a detergency booster thatis used with a surfactant to improvecleaning performance. The uniquestructure of the product provides fastmonomer migration and bettersurface exchange to deliver acleaning ‘boost’ to products such ashard surface cleaners, heavy dutydegreasers and vehicle careproducts. The solvency of TomakleenG-12 additive, along with its cleaningperformance, can effectively reduceor eliminate the need for oxygenatedsolvents.

Original Source: Air Products, website:http://www.airproducts.com/ (12 Feb 2014) © AirProducts and Chemicals Inc 2014

APPLICATIONS

Household &personal care

BASF to build speciality aminesproduction plant in China

BASF is to build a world-scale unit forthe production of speciality amines atits existing, wholly owned site inNanjing, China. This will mainlyproduce dimethylaminopropylamine(DMAPA) and polyetheramines(PEAs). It will be BASF’s first unit inAsia to produce these products.BASF already has similar units inLudwigshafen, Germany and Geismar

4 MAY 2014

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