November 2008 Additives for Polymers7

Canadian prices for all Tiona and Cristal TiO2 products by $0.08/lb from 4 September. In addition, it increased prices for all rutile and anatase products sold in the Asia Pacific region from 1 October. In Japan the increase is ¥43/kg, in Australia A$150/tonne and in all other countries in the region US$300/tonne. Cristal also plans to renegotiate previous price protection agreements in order to allow quicker implementation of price increas-es. Similarly Tronox Inc (www.tronox.com) increased prices for all its TiO2 grades sold in North America by US$0.08/lb from 3 September. And from 1 October prices were increased by $150/tonne in Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and by ¥40/kg in Japan.

Huntsman (www.huntsman.com) has instigated price increases of $0.08/lb in North America from 5 September and �75/tonne in Europe from 1 October. In Africa, Latin America and the Middle East the increase is $150/tonne and in Japan ¥43/kg, also from 1 October. Kronos Worldwide (www.kronostio2.com) has introduced a matching price increase in Latin America.

Chemtura Corp (www.chemtura.com) increased the price of its TNPP liquid phosphite antioxi-dants by 15% from 15 September 2008. Products affected are Weston TNPP, Weston 399, Naugard TNPP, Naugard TNPP HR, Mark CH 55 and Wytox 312. The company says this increase is essential if it is to remain a viable supplier in this period of unprecedented cost escalation in key raw materials, energy and transportation.

From the same date, Chemtura also raised the prices of its DE-83R and Firemaster 2100 flame retardants by up to 15%. Also affecting flame retardants, Gulbrandsen Chemicals (www.gulbrandsen.com) has increased its prices worldwide for all CP-2 and other chlorinated phos-phate ester products by up to 25% from 1 October.

French additives producer Arkema (www.arkema.com) increased the price of its Durastrength acrylic impact modifiers, Plastistrength processing aids and Clearstrength MBS impact modifiers by 5–10% from 1 October in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. From that date, Eastman Chemical (www.eastman.com) raised North and Latin American list and off-list price prices on its Eastman TXIB plasticizer by US$0.08/lb ($0.176/kg). The rubber chemicals unit of Lanxess (www.lanxess.com) also increased worldwide prices from 1 October. Prices for Vulkanox antioxidants increased by $100–$900/tonne, depending on the product and region.

Vulcanization accelerators and speciality chemicals such as silica additives are also affected.

Americhem closes US plant

Masterbatch firm Americhem Inc is closing its manufacturing facility in Elgin, IL, USA

in early 2009. Products currently manufactured at the site will be shifted to the company’s other four production plants in the USA. According to Americhem, the move is part of its overall strat-egy to consolidate and further invest in its major manufacturing facilities in the USA.

In the past year, Americhem has added significant capacity at its four major US facilities (Cuyahoga Falls, OH; Mansfield, TX; Concord, NC; and Dalton, GA), each of which is maintained as a centre of excellence focusing on specific product categories and markets. As a result, these can absorb the Elgin products very effectively, according to Dave Bouton, the company’s general manager for North America. Established in 1973, the Elgin plant manufactures products primarily for the building products industry.

‘Our North American manufacturing centres of excellence give us significant advantages versus a small, speciality plant like Elgin,’ adds Gary Dale, Americhem’s director of manufacturing for North America. Dale cites advantages for customers includ-ing service, technical support and cost position as reasons for the restructuring. ‘Americhem has posi-tioned itself to succeed and thrive during difficult economic times,’ continues Dale. The Elgin closure will further strengthen the company’s competitive-ness and ability to grow in this challenging economic environment, he adds.

Bouton points to material cost increases and continued escalation in energy, transportation and health care costs as major challenges currently facing the colour concen-trate industry. ‘In order to continue offering innovation and value to our customers, we must constantly seek ways to solidify our competitiveness,’ Bouton states.

In addition to its four remaining US facilities, Americhem operates plants in Manchester, in the UK, and Suzhou in China.

Contact:Americhem, Inc, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA.

Tel: +1 330 929 4213, Web: www.americhem.com

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