additive available as of 8 Mar 2007.As a concentrated detergent, it isunsurpassed in cleaning combustionchamber deposits, intake valvedeposits and port fuel injectordeposits, eliminating the need forexpensive fuel injector cleaningprocedures. The product is ideal foruse prior to emissions inspections. Italso helps maintain peak engineefficiency, fuel economy, power anddrivability in newer low-mileageengines. In engines with accumulateddeposits, testing showed Amsoil PIprovided the following clean-upbenefits after only one tank ofgasoline: improves fuel mileage anaverage of 2.3% and up to 5.7%;reduces emissions - hydrocarbons(HC) up to 15%, carbon monoxide(CO) up to 26%, nitrous oxides (NOx)up to 17%; restores power andperformance; reduces need for costlyhigher octane fuel; reduces noisefrom carbon rap and pre-ignition;better drivability; and smootheroperation.

Press release from: Amsoil Inc, Amsoil Building,Superior, WI 54880, USA. Tel: +1 715 392 7101.Website: http://www.amsoil.com (8 Mar 2007)

Green surfactants to clean oilinstallations

The French oil institute IFP carriedout research in 2002-2005 to findenvironmentally friendly substitutesfor the industrial surfactants used toseparate oil from water, and incleaning oil installations. Thesesubstitutes must leave the water asclean as possible when separating itfrom oil, and must be biodegradable,clean and efficient. The IFP signedresearch agreements with twocompanies as part of this programme;one with Oleon and the other withSeppic. Oleon already had a range ofproducts based on biodegradableesters, and some of these arecurrently in field trials (brief details inthe original article) for the IFP. In thesearch with Seppic for greensurfactants to clean oil installations,the IFP developed very efficientbiodegradable surfactants from sugarderivatives. According to the IFP,Seppic’s expertise inalkylpolyglucosides and in detergentswas useful here, and the technologycould be of interest to the industrialdetergents sector. The only problem

is that these new processes are not100% green. However, the IFPexpects that increasingly tough rulesand the need to present a good publicimage could push companies to carryout more research in these areas.

Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 12 Mar 2007, (375), 13 (inFrench)

PATENTSGoldschmidt patents concentratedsolutions

Goldschmidt GmbH has been grantedPatent No US 7,163,916 B2 for amethod of formulating a highlyconcentrated flowable aqueoussolution containing betaines. Thesolution is used in fabric detergents.

HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Feb2007, 44 (2 (Part 1 Buyer’s Guide 2007)), 36

Henkel KGaA patents dishwasherdetergent

Düsseldorf, Germany based HenkelKGaA has earned Patent No US7,153,816 B2 for a dishwasherdetergent having one or moremagnesium or zinc salts. The productprovides better protection from glasscorrosion.

HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Feb2007, 44 (2 (Part 1 Buyer’s Guide 2007)), 36

MARKETREVIEWS

Suppliers focus on innovation, marginimprovement

Chemical suppliers need to offerinnovative products to help theirsoapmaker clients differentiate theirofferings, according to participants atthe Soap & Detergent Associationconvention at Boca Raton, FL, USA,in early Feb 2007. Suppliers alsonoted growing demand for botanicalextracts, natural fats and oils, andother natural ingredients, as well asproducts that help lower overallformulation expenses. Observers sayrecent trends indicate growingdemand for products that aresustainable, biodegradable and do

not harm the skin. Key productmarkets are becoming tight followingan extended period of excesscapacity and weak markets, saidsuppliers. Observers say theethoxylate surfactants market is wellbalanced, although margins arebelow expected levels. Dow hasrenewed R&D activities in surfactantsand expects to launch a new line ofethoxylates in late 2007. Analysts saysuppliers face challenges incommodity alcohol markets, asdownstream ethoxylation capacityhas been cut and high-purity ethyleneoxide is in short supply. Tallow pricesare also climbing due to risingdemand for biodiesel, which can usetallow as a raw material.

Chemical Week, 28 Feb 2007, (Website:http://www.chemweek.com)

COMPANYRESULTS

Akzo Nobel Chemicals in 2006

Akzo Nobel Chemicals, part of AkzoNobel NV, has reported on keybusiness developments for its fiscal2006. The business reported annualturnover of €3809 M (€3890 M for itsfiscal 2005), operating income of€362 M (€312 M), EBITDA of €583 M(€553 M), capital expenditures of€231 M (€252 M), and headcount of9680 (11,430). For its fiscal 2006, theSurfactants division of Akzo NobelChemicals has reported turnover of€523 M (€511 M for its fiscal 2005).Key markets for the division includeagriculture additives, household andinstitutional cleaning, oilfieldapplications and petroleum additives.In addition, its products are used inprinting inks, personal care, fabriccare, asphalt paving, emulsifiers andflotation agents for the purification ofminerals and mining. During 2006,the strategic realignment of AkzoNobel Chemicals was successfullyconcluded, transforming a relativelylarge and fragmented range ofbusiness segments into a focused,market-driven portfolio. Two newchemicals plants in Delfzijl wereofficially opened, representing thecompany’s biggest ever chemicalsinvestment in the Netherlands, a totalof approximately €200 M. This also

6 MAY 2007

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