Plastics Additives & Compounding January/February 2009

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NewsINDUSTRY

Clariant has started production at its new manufacturing operation in Guangzhou, China. The new plant produces colour and additive masterbatches for rapidly growing local markets and also serves as the Clariant centre for fibre technology development for all of China. “China is the largest growth market in Asia,” says Hans Ulrich Kurtz, Clariant Masterbatches Head of the Asia-Pacific Regional Business Unit. “The manufacturing companies establishing themselves here have the potential to develop into leading global suppliers in their segments. We are identifying these companies and presenting ourselves to them as a strong partner. Our new plant in Guangzhou is a key factor in the successful implementation of that strategy.”Clariant was one of the first international masterbatch producers to begin manufacturing in China, opening its initial site in Guangzhou in 1995 and expanding it in 2003. This

older operation will be closed as the new facility reaches full production.Clariant opened a plant in Shanghai in 1997 and established a dedicated masterbatches unit there in 2004. Masterbatch production began in Beijing in 2004. All three sites are wholly-owned. This network allows Clariant to serve all the major plastics markets in China. Packaging is the largest end-market in the region, accounting for about half of Clariant’s business. Other major markets include consumer durable goods and fibres/textiles.At 14,000 square metres, Guangzhou will be the largest of the three masterbatch sites in the country and will support further growth of Clariant’s business in South China. Located in the Guangzhou Development District, a state-level industrial zone, the new facility will be close to major customers in the Pearl River delta region, which also includes Hong Kong and Macao. The new site includes isolated manufacturing areas

for quality-sensitive products like speciality whites for the computer, communications and consumer goods industry, and additive masterbatches, which can be especially susceptible to contamination. Other unique features include a large development laboratory and state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant. Clariant

plans to invest in liquid colour production capabilities in order to offer the growing Asia/Pacific market the products and services recently added through the acquisition of Rite Systems in the United States.Contact:Clariant MasterbatchesWebsite: www.clariant.masterbatches.com

Clariant opens new Guangzhou facility

Arkema is acquiring the Organic Peroxide Business of the US company GEO Specialty Chemicals.With annual sales of approximately $30 million, Arkema says that this business will reinforce its Performance Products segment. The Organic Peroxide Business of GEO Specialty Chemicals focuses on the manufacture and marketing of speciality products predominantly for the North American market.

“With this acquisition, Arkema will secure a solid industrial base in the United States for the production of speciality organic peroxides. The acquisition will strengthen our product range and market access in North America; it will bolster our position as a leader in the European market and reinforce our industrial capability worldwide. In addition, this acquisition creates significant synergies in raw material supply, organizational and logistics efficiency,” explains

Rich Rowe, managing director of Arkema’s Functional Additives business unit.GEO’s organic peroxides are produced at Franklin, Virginia in the USA. The company adds that this site will complement Arkema’s production in the Americas, which includes the Geneseo (New York), Crosby (Texas), El Chapo, (Mexico) and Rio Claro (Brazil) facilities. The world’s second largest organic peroxide producer, Arkema also operates production plants in

Asia (China, Korea, India and Japan), and in Europe (Germany and Italy).This project is subject to approval by the competent antitrust authorities. Arkema’s organic peroxide range, marketed under the trade name Luperox®, includes polymerization initiators, crosslinking agents for rubber and polyethylene, and curing agents for unsaturated polyester resins.Contact: ArkemaWebsite: www.arkema.com

US purchase for Arkema

Clariant Masterbatches’ new Chinese facility at Guangzhou.

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