Industry News
Evonik establishes carbon black company
Evonik Industries is reorganizing its
carbon black activities. Recently
Evonik Carbon Black GmbH was
founded as a legally independent
management company under the
umbrella of Evonik Industries. chairman of the board (CEO) is Jack Clem
and Rainer Wobbe will take over the
position of the chief financial officer
(CFO). The operational headquarters
of the company, currently in
Frankfurt, will move to Hanau-Wolfgang on October 1. The product
portfolio and the relationship to the
customer will not be affected by the
spin-off. Evonik, the second largest
manufacturer worldwide, produces
carbon black at 17 sites in 12 countries on four continents. In the last
fiscal year approximately 1,700
employees generated sales of €1 billion. The company reports, having
spun off the carbon black business,
Evonik is currently examining three
strategic options to develop its business further. The possibilities extend
from optimization as an independent
market unit, through a partnership
solution, to sale of the business. One
of these three options will be decided
upon before the end of the second half
of the year.
BRENNTAG ACQUIRES
EAC INDUSTRIAL INGREDIENTS
Brenntag, a global market leader in
chemical distribution, has expanded
its market position in the Asia Pacific
region by acquiring 100% of the
shares of EAC Industrial Ingredients
Ltd. A/S, a sizeable provider of chem-
ical distribution solutions in South
and South East Asia. Selling compa-
ny is Copenhagen-based The East
Asiatic Company Ltd. A/S. The pur-
chase price is €160 million on a cash
and debt free basis. With the acquisi-
tion, Brenntag gains access to an
established distribution network
active in nine countries.
PRICING CHANGES
Arkema: Aug. 1–8-12% increase for its Rilsan
high performance polyamides granules.
Ashland: July 15–5-10% increase for its
Combizell and Culminal methylcellulose products; July 28–up to 10% increase for its
Drewplus and Advantage foam control agents;
Aug 1–3-8% increase for a number of products
including cellulose, chlorine, ethylene oxide
and propylene oxide.
BASF: July 1–€130/MT increase for straight-acrylic, styrene-acrylic and styrene-butadiene
dispersions as well as additives in Europe,
Africa and Western Asia; July 15–5-20%
increase for additives and pigments for plastic
applications including antioxidants and
process stabilizers, light stabilizers, flame retardants and pigments; August 1–$20/dry short
ton on the following products: ASP 101, ASP
170, ASP 400, ASP 400P, ASP G90, ASP NC,
and ASP RO kaolin clays and $30/dry short ton
and beverage, coatings, personal care
and pharma,” said Stephen Clark,
CEO of Brenntag. “This strategic
milestone develops our market posi-
tion from a foothold in Asia to an
established operational network,
supporting our continued growth
path in the region.”
Brenntag has already significant
assets in Asia Pacific with 17 sites in
11 countries and the acquisition of
EAC will increase the number of per-
sonnel in the region to about 1,000.
AIR PRODUCTS TO BUILD SOLAR
FARM AT U.S. HEADQUARTERS
Air Products will build a 12-acre solar
farm at its corporate headquarters in
Allentown, PA, capable of generating
1.5 MW of electricity. The 1.5MW is
enough to serve the energy needs of
nearly half of Air Products’ administration buildings. The project is
expected to begin construction this
on the following products: ASP 100, ASP 200,
ASP 600, ASP 900, and Buca kaolin clays.
Cytec Industries: August 1–$0.07/lb.
increase for all powder coating resins (Crylcoat,
Additol, Modaflow and Uvecoat) sold in North
America.
Elementis Specialties: August 1–5-10%
increase for Beontone organoclays and selected
products.
DISTRIBUTOR APPOINTMENTS
Arkema has appointed Grolman to distribute
its Orgasol and Rilsan fine powders for paint
and varnish applications in France, Germany,
the UK, Scandinavia and the Benelux countries.
Scott Bader has appointed Bodo Möller
Chemie to distribute its polyester resins and
gelcoats, structural adhesives and bonding
pastes, water-based polymers and solvent-based alkyd and acrylic resins in Germany and
Austria.
