Coatings World - March 2013

to manufacture industrial coatings including lower volatile organic compound formulations,

polyurethane plastics, adhesives and cosmetics. HDO also serves as a reactive thinner in the formulation of epoxy systems, which are used for the efficient production of rotor blades for modern wind turbines as well as construction components for automotive lightweight applications.

Clariant Opens New
Production Site in Mexico

Clariant inaugurated a new production site for its Industrial and Consumer Specialties Business Unit (ICS), at the city of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico.

Hariolf Kottmann, Clariant CEO,
was present on-site to start its operations
and to reassure the commitment of the
company to the industrial community
in Mexico and Latin America: “With the
opening of this site in Coatzacoalcos,
Clariant will strengthen the competitive
solutions for which we are known by
our clients around the world. Mexico is
a key player for our operations in Latin
America, and this site will be an impor-
tant reference for the international stan-
dards of innovation, sustainability and
competitiveness that we want to consoli-
date within the region.”
With an investment of more than $20
million dollars and an extension of four
hectares, Clariant’s new site in Mexico
will produce several chemical specialties
and technological solutions for different
markets, including personal care, crop
protection, metalworking, construction
and painting.

“With the opening of our new Clariant site in Mexico, we will integrate the production of both finished products and intermediates in one place. This will increase the effectiveness of our processes in the supply of raw materials and logistics costs, which will benefit our customers,” said Michael Willome, global head of business unit ICS. “We chose Coatzacoalcos as the best location for this new site in order to integrate the operations of our ICS business unit in one place, taking into account its strategic geographical position, in between

the two sites producing raw materials in the country.”

Chemark Consulting
Group Forms Mergers &
Acquisition Group
The Chemark Consulting Group, Inc.
of Southern Pines, NC has expanded its
mergers and acquisitions practice with
the formation of the Chemark Mergers
and Acquisitions Group and the appoint-
ment of Patrick Jones as vice president,
Chemark Mergers and Acquisitions to
lead the effort effective immediately.
The Chemark M&A Group works
closely with clients in all areas associ-
ated with changes in business ownership
including but not limited to acquisition
and divestiture, restructuring, succession
planning/businesses in transition, MBO,
roll-up programs, strategic alliances and
joint ventures and new ventures/early-
stage companies.
Additionally, with access to private
equity funding and other financial re-
sources, the Chemark M&A Group
helps clients navigate the complexities
associated with large, one-time financial
transactions.

“The creation of the Chemark Mergers & Acquisitions Practice is a natural evolution and extension of our capabilities as we have served the coatings, adhesives, paints, sealants and specialty chemicals industries for over 39 years, continuing to broaden our footprint to better provide improved insight into our clients industries,” said Phil Phillips, president of Chemark. “With over 25 years in fields of specialty chemicals, coatings, paints, adhesives, and sealants, and holding a variety of high level general management positions, Pat Jones is a natural leader and has developed M&A methods that reduces the client labor while adding competent M&A capabilities to the acquisition or divestiture equation. Pat, being an impact player, will make Chemark an even better specialty consulting company.”

BASF and Sinopec Take
Next Steps in Establishment
of Isononanol Plant
BASF and China Petroleum & Chemical

Corporation (Sinopec) have completed a joint feasibility study and taken the next steps in the establishment of a world-scale isononanol (INA) plant in Maoming, Guangdong, China. Under the terms of the feasibility study, a new 50-50 joint venture will be formed, BASF MPCC Co. Ltd. Pre-approval has been received from the Maoming Administration of Industry and Commerce for the name of the venture. The partners expect to begin production at the new plant in the middle of 2015.

The full integration of the new INA plant into the existing petrochemical site of MPCC in Maoming will allow for a comprehensive system for managing energy as well as minimizing water use, emissions and waste. The approval process has begun for the environmental impact assessment.

“The completion of the joint feasibility study marks an important milestone for our INA business, helping us serve the increasing demand for next-generation plasticizers in China. Integration into the MPCC operations also allows for a very competitive feedstock supply,” said Albert Heuser, president, Asia Pacific, BASF.

INA is used as feedstock for the production of next generation plasticizers, including diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and non-phthalate plasticizer Hexamoll DINCH.

BASF and Sinopec jointly operate BASF-YPC Co. Ltd., a 50-50 joint venture between BASF and Sinopec in Nanjing, China. As one of China’s largest petrochemical joint ventures, it produces a wide range of high quality chemicals for the rapidly growing Chinese market.

ASTM International
Achieves Accreditation by
the Standards Council of
Canada (SCC)

ASTM International has been accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). With 1,400 members in Canada and 180 ASTM standards referenced in Canadian federal legislation, SCC accreditation further strengthens ASTM’s presence in Canada.