AkzoNobel to acquire specialty
surfactant producer in China
AkzoNobel has announced plans to ac-
quire Boxing Oleochemicals. Boxing is the
leading supplier of nitrile amines and de-
rivatives in China and throughout Asia.
Established in 1993 and based in the
province of Shandong, Boxing had rev-
enues in 2010 of approximately €100 mil-
lion. Its activities will be integrated into
AkzoNobel’s Surface Chemistry business,
a global leader in the manufacture and
supply of specialty surfactants, synthetic
and bio-polymers additives, used as for-
mulation ingredients and process aids in
many applications ranging from home
and personal care to asphalt road paving.
The company said that demand in Asia
for amines and derivatives is being driven
by population growth, expanding middle
class, increased focus on sustainability and
the build-up of infrastructure, notably in
China and India. The completion of the
transaction is subject to closing condi-
tions, including the approval of the Chi-
nese authorities. The deal is expected to
close in the last quarter of 2011. Ak-
zoNobel currently employs more than
6,700 people in China, with 2010 rev-
enues totaling €1.3 billion. The company’s
ambition is to achieve revenue of $3 bil-
lion in China by 2015.
Crosslink, Wayne Pigment
Corp. to develop non-chromate
corrosion inhibitors
Crosslink, a developer of electrochem-
istry- and polymer science-based tech-
nologies, has formed a joint venture (JV)
with Wayne Pigment Corp. to commer-
cialize hexavalent chromium-free corro-
sion inhibitor pigments for military and
industrial applications.
Cabot expands fumed silica
capacity in Europe
Cabot Corp. will expand production capacity by 25 percent at its fumed silica facility in Barry, Wales. The expansion is
expected to be completed in 2012 and is
part of a three-year plan to increase
Cabot’s global fumed metal oxide capacity by 35 to 40 percent.
The project is an extension of Cabot’s
long-term partnership with Dow Corning,
and will help meet rising global demand
for silicones, which is expected to continue to grow at five to 10 percent per
year over the coming decade.
Lubrizol to open testing facility in China
The Lubrizol Corporation plans to expand its additives testing capabilities with a new technical services laboratory initially based
on the campus of Jilin University in Zhuhai, Guandong, China.
The lubricant and fuels market in China is growing at a rapid
pace, in line with the expanding domestic automobile industry.
"Our investment in testing capabilities in China and throughout Asia is significant because it will allow us to collaborate and
improve the quality and efficiency of our work on a highly global
scale," said Phil Shore, Lubrizol vice president of testing.
The testing laboratory in Zhuhai will offer advanced technical services for lubricant and fuel additive customers and OEMs
in China. Capabilities will encompass a full menu of services
including additive and lubricant blending, physical and chemical analyses and performance testing. Plans are also in place
for a used lubricant analysis lab to support the company's syn-thetic-based compressor lubricant business in the region.
Tsung-Fei Tang, vice president, Lubrizol Additives, China,
said that situating the new facility on the Jilin University cam-
pus is beneficial for both organizations. "We are pleased to
have this unique opportunity to work closely with Jilin Univer-
sity," he said. "Not only will this modern, high-tech lab bring
valuable services to our customers in China, but we will be able
to build relationships with talented local students who may
serve as Lubrizol interns and possibly as future Lubrizol em-
ployees. We intend to work closely with the university in a col-
laborative style to progress joint projects and other activities."
42 | Coatings World
www.coatingsworld.com
August 2011
