scheduled to start up in 1H 2006. Itwill produce 85,000 tonnes/yethoxylates, 20,000 tonnes/y ofmethyl diethanolamine and di-methylethanolamine, 150,000 tonnes/y ofethylene oxide, 100,000 tonnes/y ofethanolamines, 50,000 tonnes/y ofmethylamine, 50,000 tonnes/y ofdimethyl formamide and 15,000tonnes/y of choline chloride.

Asian Chemical News, 8 Apr 2002, 8 (352), 18

Glycerol

Glycerin production tends to use thefermentation process [1 table]

With the gradual diminution of crudeoil resources, the economicperformance of glycerin productionusing the chemical synthesis processis declining and the output is alsoreducing over time. The fermentationprocess is the third method for glycerin(propanetriol) production next to thesaponification process (oil splitting)and the chemical synthesis process.The development of syntheticdetergents has caused a standstill ofthe glycerin output using thesaponification process. Glycerinproduction utilising the biotechnologyhas therefore emerged. Nevertheless,the fermentation process cannotreplace the other two methods andoutput has to be determined by marketdemand and the price. Glycerin is animportant raw material of the lightchemical industry. China’s per-capitaconsumption of glycerin is 0.067 kg/yand 0.72 kg/a in the USA. A tableshows the consumption composition(%) of glycerin in China and someadvanced countries and regions: forexample, medicine US 39.5, Europe23.2, Japan 34, and China 5.2. Chinalacks glycerin resources. The annualoutput of glycerin in China has beenmaintained at about 30,000 tonnesduring the past 20 years and theimport volume has also been about30,000 tonnes.

China Chemical Reporter, 16 Apr 2002, 13 (11), 16

New developments

P&G launches new scheme

Procter and Gamble Home ProductsLtd (P&G) has introduced an Ariel BarRefund Offer on the purchase of its

new Advanced Ariel Compactdetergent powder. According to thescheme, the consumers canexchange their detergent bar onbuying Advanced Ariel Compactdetergent powder along with Rup 15discount on 1 kg pack and Rup 7discount on 500 gm pack.

Business Line, 11 Apr 2002, 9 (100), 12

CavinKare plans chain of brandedsalons; soaps and detergents launchduring 2002

The FMCG company, CavinKare Ltdproposes to start a retail chain ofbranded salons and will be forming aseparate entity to manage thesesalons. Also, during 2002, CavinKarewill be entering into two newbusinesses – toilet soaps anddetergents. For these two productscategories, the company will becreating a new division. In thedetergent segment, apart fromlaunching products in the low-end itwill cater the premium price segmentsalso. CavinKare will be launching dishscourers as well. In toilet soapssegment, the company will becombining extensions for its existingbrands with launch of new brands.CavinKare is also keen to acquirebrands in the soaps and detergentsegments. A hike in theadvertisement budget will back allthese launches, which was at Rup470 M in 2001. With these launchesand brand extensions, CavinKarehopes to achieve a growth rate of50% for 2002. During 2001, thecompany had registered a growth of20% to earn revenues of about Rup2.4 bn.

Business Line, 11 Apr 2002, 9 (100), 12

Discovery Laboratories: Europeanorphan drug for Surfaxin

Discovery Laboratories has obtainedorphan drug status in Europe forSurfaxin (human pulmonarysurfactant) as a treatment for acuterespiratory distress syndrome. Theproduct is in Phase II trials in the USAwhere it also has orphan drug status.No product has been registered forthe application anywhere in the world.Surfaxin is in Phase III trials as atreatment for respiratory distresssyndrome in premature babies and

for meconium aspiration syndrome infull term babies.

Bulletin International d’Informations (Droit etPharmacie), Mar 2002, (3 (English edition)), 14 (Droitet Pharmacie, 12 rue de Lorraine, 92309 Levallois-Perret, Paris, France. Fax : +33 (0) 1 55 46 91 01)

New surfactants from Uniqema

Uniqema’s Polymers unit launchedMaxemul 6106 and 6112, non-migratory surfactants that arefunctional in the production ofwaterborne polymer dispersions. Thecopolymerizable surfactants can beuseful in protective paints andcoatings, adhesives and otherproducts. Maxemul 6106 and 6112possess phosphate ester functionalityand are available as 100% active.The surfactants offer efficient particlesize control and enable theformulation of anionically stabilisedlattices.

Modern Paint and Coatings, Mar 2002, 92 (3), 42

Showa launches Aminofect

Showa Denko is unveiling Aminofect,a biosurfactant with a unique ringstructure formed by seven aminoacids and a long fatty acid chain.Being anionic, the molecule impartsvery minimal irritation and has a highmolar weight. Aminofect is very stablein oil/water emulsions, with the abilityto gelatinise all oils. The biosurfactantalso features robust detergent actionand can be used with vitamins andorganic sunscreens. Aminofect canalso produce clear formulas withtitanium dioxide.

Parfums, Cosmetiques, Actualites, Apr-May 2002,(164), 132

Kobo’s new ITT treatments

Kobo has created new ITT (isopropyltitanium triisostearate) treatments foriron and titanium oxides and non-porous silicas. The treatments arehydrophobic and cut the surfaceactivity, as well as make pigmentshighly resistant to detergents andemulsifiers. The titanate surfacetreatment is also applicable to organicpigments, such as lacquers andhollow bispheres of small-diameterethylene methacrylate copolymer.

Parfums, Cosmetiques, Actualites, Apr-May 2002,(164), 134-135

JUNE 2002 3

F O C U S O N S U R FA C T A N T S