insider tells me that some 10 yearsago Unilever and certain othercompanies considered launchingsuperconcentrated liquid laundrydetergents based on phosphate-built,structured surfactant systems.Unilever invested significantly in R&D,for example, developing deflocculantpolymer technology that enabled the‘pourability’ of the formulation to bemaintained while doubling thesurfactant and builder concentration.Presumably, the market was testedand found to be unreceptive ascertainly no such product made it intothe stores. It was an idea before itstime!

What’s different now? Then, asnow, consumer convenience wouldhave been a significant selling point –the concentrated products are muchlighter to lift and carry and take upless room in shopping bags andstorage cupboards. However, backthen big dosing balls were the normfor measuring out liquid detergentsand perhaps customers felt in someway ‘conned’ by the idea of a half-size dose? Now, in the UK at least,we’ve become accustomed to smalldoses with liquitabs and compacttablets. Of course, a decade back thesystems under consideration werephosphate built, unlike the newgeneration of 2x concentrates, andperhaps the industry had alreadyrealized such products didn’t have along-term future?

The concentrated formulationsrepresent a 60% reduction in waterusage in their production and a >40%reduction in petrochemical-basedplastic packaging per bottle. Smallercontainers also mean there is lesspackaging to recycle or dispose ofand less fuel is needed per bottle toship these products, cutting transportcosts and helping to controlgreenhouse gas and other emissions.These arguments were equally valid10 years ago but they have addedresonance now on top of recentsoaring oil prices and the increasedlevel of environmental concernamong Western consumers. Thelatter factor has also contributed to asignificant recent shift in USconsumer preferences towards high-efficiency, front-loading washingmachines, which are much bettersuited to low-dose, high-concentrationlaundry products. Sustainabilityissues come to the fore once again.

Well, the proof of the liquid is in thelaundry, so I’ll just go and put a washon. . .

Caroline Edser

RAWMATERIALS

Linear alkylbenzene

BASF to sell Wibarco LAB subsidiary toHansa

BASF AG has signed an agreement tosell its detergent ingredients subsidiaryChemische Fabrik Wibarco GmbH toSwiss company Hansa ChemieInternational AG, for an undisclosedsum. The deal is expected to close inJul 2007. Wibarco, located inIbbenburen, northern Germany, mainlyproduces detergent raw material linearalkylbenzene (LAB). Hansa will takeover the Ibbenburen site, which has aworkforce of around 80 employees.The deal marks BASF’s withdrawalfrom the LAB sector, which it no longerconsiders of strategic importance.However, Wibarco will be part ofHansa’s core activities and will allow itto establish a presence in the LABmarket. Hansa has undertaken toinvest in building a sulfonation unit toproduce alkylbenzene sulfonates at theIbbenburen site.

Press release from: BASF AG, Germany. Website:http://www.basf.com (16 Apr 2007) & ICIS ChemicalBusiness Americas, 23 Apr 2007, (Website:http://www.icbamericas.com) & Chimie PharmaHebdo, 23 Apr 2007, (379), 10 (Website:http://www.france-chimie.com) (in French)

Firms get set to bid for Nizhnekamskcontract

Invitations to bid for the refining andpetrochemicals complex of CJSCNizhnekamsk Refinery inNizhnekamsk, Tartarstan, Russia, arepoised to be set out. Investment forthe project is likely to reach severalbillion dollars. It will comprisemanufacturing units for polypropylene(PP), polyethylene terephthalate(PET) and linear alkylbenzene (LAB)[see Focus on Surfactants, Oct 2006].Phase 1 of the project may likelybegin in 2010. Basell, Advansa/Chemtex and Advansa will serve as

technology licensors for the 200,000tonne/y PP plant; the 250,000 tonne/yPET plant; and the PTA unit,respectively. Technology for the80,000 tonne/y LAB plant will comefrom UOP.

ICIS Chemical Business, 9 Apr 2007, (Website:http://icischemicalbusiness.com)

Oleochemicals

Snia snaps up Undesa

Oleochemicals producer Undesa hasbeen acquired by Italian companySnia for €24.5 M. Completion is dueon 31 May 2007. The deal, partlyfinanced by a €11 M midterm loan,includes Undesa Italia and UnionDerivan. Undesa had sales of €80 Min 2006 and has 200 employees.Undesa Italia manufactures fattyacids and glycerine in Bologna, Italy,and Union Derivan manufacturesesters, esterquats, stabilizers andstearates at plants in Barcelona andZaragoza, Spain.

ICIS Chemical Business Americas, 23 Apr 2007,(Website: http://www.icbamericas.com)

PPB Group shareholders give nod formerger

The shareholders of PPB Group Bhdhave given their assent for the mergerof the Singapore-based WilmarInternational Ltd and PPB’ssubsidiary, PPB Oil Palms Bhd. Theassent also signals the merger of thegroup’s edible oils, speciality fats,oleochemicals and tradingbusinesses under the umbrella ofPGEO Group Sdn Bhd and Kuok Oils& Grains Pte Ltd. The process of themerger and the de-listing from BursaMalaysia are likely to be completedby 2Q 2007.

As a result of the deal, PPB Groupis all set to notch up a huge profitmargin of about Ringgit 6.1 bn. Aspart of the transaction, which is totake place by means of a shareexchange, PPB Group will be inreceipt of 1.16 bn shares in Wilmarsubsequent to the sale of its 55.6%stake in PPB Oil Palms, 65.8% stakein PGEO Group and 28% of KuokOils & Grains. PPB Group hadoriginally expected that the proposedsale of assets would result in a gainof about Ringgit 3.22 bn when

2 JUNE 2007

F O C U S O N S U R F A C T A N T S