Additives for Polymers May 2002

product performance consistent with existing formulations. A similar product is under devel- opment in Europe.

DuPont Dow says that this new grade is the first in a line of Tyrin products. Planned enhancements include additional processing improvements and opportunities for formulation optimization result- ing in further cost-effective performance. Developmental quantities of the new grades are currently being sampled to thermoplastic and thermoset customers in North America. The com- pany says that Tyrin is a cost-effective perform- ance polymer used in many thermoplastic and elastomer applications. In thermoplastic applica- tions, Tyrin is used as an impact modifier for vinyl siding and window profiles and for PVC pipes, electrical connectors and fittings. When used in thermoset applications, DuPont Dow says T&in provides a good balance of chemical, heat and flame-retardant properties in automotive, wire and cable, and general rubber applications.

Stannica LLC will market tetrabutyl tin and tetraoctyl tin from production facilities near Mobile, AL, USA, and will establish inventory in Europe in the near term. In addition, the product line will include certain tin intermediates and tin tetrachloride for heat stabilizer applications.

Contact: Albemarle Corporation, 451 Florida Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801-I 765, USA; tel: +I-22%388- 7424; fax: +1-225-3&Y- 7848; URL: www.albemarle.com ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc, 2000 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-3222, USA; tel: +I- 215-419-7000; fax: +l-215-419-7.5 91; URL: www.atojinachemicals.com

Gulf Stabilizers to expand

Contact: DuPont Dow Elastomers LLC, 300 Bellevue Parkway, Suite 300, mlmington, DE 19809, USA; tel: +I-302-792-4200; fax: +I- 302-892- 7390

The board of Gulf Stabilizers Industries (GSI) has approved the first phase of an expansion to its manufacturing plant, which will result in an increase in capacity to 6000 tonnes a year. The expanded facility, in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, will be operational by November this year, the com- pany says.

COMPANY STRATEGIES

Albemarle and ATOFINA start up stabilizers joint venture

Stannica LLC, the global joint venture between Albemarle Cot-p and ATOFINA Chemicals for the production and sale of organotin intermedi- ates, began operations in April. The companies announced their intention to establish the joint venture back in October 2001 (see Additives for Polymers, November 200 1, p. 5), and had origi- nally planned for start-up in January.

GSI is a joint venture between Al-Zamil Group and the USA’s Great Lakes Chemical Corp. Construction of the company’s facility began in late 1999. According to company president Ali A. Al Ghamdi, it is the first manufacturer of polymer additives in the Middle East, producing antioxidants for the region’s growing plastics industry at very competitive prices compared with imported additives. GSI offers a full range of stabilizers as well as tailor-made blends.

Contact: Gulf Stabilizers Industries, PO Box 240, Al-Jubail31951, Saudi Arabia; tel: +966- 3-341-9363; fax: +966-3-341-9319

Great Lakes increases price of antimony products

The mission of Stannica LLC is to provide Great Lakes Chemical Corporation has an integrated supply chain that will produce a announced price increases effective from long-term, sustainable advantage for butyltin- 5 April 2002 for all its antimony trioxide grades, and octyltin-based heat stabilizers, resulting in where contracts allow. The price for TM@, market growth, the partners say. “We believe the Timonox@, TRUTINT@, MICROFINE@ and name Stannica will have global recognition, and other grades of antimony trioxide will be we are excited about the opportunities available increased by US$O.O7/lb in the Americas. in the marketplace for our products”, says Concurrently, pricing for these products will Stannica general manager Aaron L. Dunaway. increase by $150/tonne in Europe and the Asia

4 02002 Elsevier Science

May 2002 Additives for Polvmers

Pacific region. The price for other antimony derivatives will also increase dependent upon antimony content, the company says.

According to Great Lakes, the new pricing reflects recent increases in the London Metal Bulletin (LMB) value for antimony metal, as well as the low profitability of the industry today.

Contact: ColorMatrix, 3005 Chester Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA; tel: +I-216-622- 0100; fax: +I -216-622-0502; URL: www. color- matrix.com

FINANCIALS

Antimony trioxides are used as a synergist, along with brominated flame retardants, in flame-retardant polymer formulations with wide application in the electrical and electronics mar- ket. Antimony trioxides are also used in high performance PVC applications that demand flame retardancy.

Clariant reports disappointing results in difficult year

Contact: Great Lakes Chemical Corp, PO Box 2200, 1 Great Lakes Boulevard, West Lafayette, Indianapolis, IN 47906-5394, USA; tel: +I- 765-497-6100; fax: +I-765-497-6316

ColorMatrix Europe purchases Metacol’s liquid colour business

ColorMatrix Europe has acquired the whole of the Metacol Liquid operations based in both the UK and France, supplying into Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The purchase was effective 22 March 2002. The combined operations will trade as ColorMatrix Europe. ColorMatrix and Metacol have both focused on the development of liquid colour technology.

Clariant posted declines in both sales and earnings in what it describes as a ‘difficult business year’ in 2001. Sales fell 7% to CHF9.87 billion (e6.71 bil- lion) for the year, compared to CHF10.58 billion for the previous twelve months. Gross profit declined 15% to CHF3.08 billion while net income before special effects was CHF140 mil- lion, down 72% compared to 2000. After one-time expenditures related to restructuring and special write-downs, the company reported a net loss of CHFl.24 billion for the year. Due to the general economic climate, sales revenues in the second half of the year were much lower than in the pre- vious year, with sales in the months of September and December being particularly weak, Clariant says. The strong Swiss franc also had an adverse impact on sales as well as earnings.

ColorMatrix, founded in 1978, is the world’s largest manufacturer of liquid colorants for the thermoplastic extrusion and injection moulding industry. The company says it is capable of achieving the highest pigment loadings in the industry, meaning lower let-down ratios and more efficient colouring costs. ColorMatrix also designs metering and mixing equipment specifi- cally for use with liquid colorants. In addition, the company supplies a variety of multi-functional additives for use with its liquid colorants, includ- ing UV light stabilizers, antioxidants, and mould release, antistatic and blowing agents.

Despite the unsatisfactory net result, Clariant says it achieved some important goals in 2001 which leaves the company well positioned to benefit ’

from an economic upturn. Net debt was reduced from CHF5.14 billion to CHF4.28 billion by the end of the financial year. This significant reduc- tion was brought about by a combination of fac- tors: a reduced cost base, the release of funds tied up in current assets and various disposals.

Metacol brings a strong position in custom mould- ing markets to the combined operations. Metacol manufactures colorants and other additives in both liquid and masterbatch granulate forms.

Restructuring of plants and Group companies proceeded according to plan during 2001, and these efforts will reduce the cost base by at least CHF250 million in the next two years, Clariant says. With the measures taken globally so far, costs in the year 2002 will already be lowered by about CHF 100 million. Of this CHF75 mil- lion will come from Germany where three quar- ters of the necessary restructuring has already been implemented. On a global scale, ten plants will be shut down or sold. Employee numbers will decline by 3500 in total, including transfers associated with company disposals. By spinning

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