Surfactants: restructuring, niches mean new opportunities

Article Abstract:

Mergers in the surfactants industry has eased the pressures of manufacturers, which have been hounded for years by overcapacity and slow market growth. For instance, Lonza Chemical Co sold its key businesses to Stephan Co while Pilot Chemical Co acquired the sulfonates business of Olin Corp. It is not only manufacturers that are restructuring their operations but some of their biggest customers such as Unilever as well. The AngloDutch conglomerate has started a program that will eliminate 1,200 soap, toiletries and food items from its product line.

Surface Active Agent Manufacturing, Surface Active Agents

---

Lubricant turmoil

Article Abstract:

Almost one-third of the global lubricants business has changed ownership in the aftermath of consolidations that swept the industry in 1999. For instance, BP Amoco has bought Burmah PLC, and is also interested in acquiring Exxon Mobil's jet-turbine lubricating oil business. Several products have also been reformulated to meet biodegrability and toxicity standards. Polyalphaolefin-based lubricants have seen growing competition from hydrocarbon-based Group III lubricants, which have high saturates level and a viscosity index of at least 120.

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing, Lube Oils, Lubricating oils

---

Pigments redefine themselves

Article Abstract:

Pigment manufacturers all over the world are searching for ways to improve process efficiency and environmental performance to enhance their competitiveness. Titanium dioxide demonstrates the trend as manufacturers strive to minimize the impact of the sulfate process. One such attempt is the plan to utilize ferrous sulfate, a titanium dioxide byproduct, to produce ferric sulfate which is used in municipal water treatment.

Product development, Inorganic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing, Inorganic Pigments & Fillers

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Testing big chips becomes an internal affair. Never miss another shot. Test & measurement
• Abstracts: Patent watch. Chemical cars: Baking soda rockets and geriatric turtles
• Abstracts: Electronics chemicals suppliers fine-tune onsite service. New frontiers for ion exchange. Incineration alternative to be commercialized this year
• Abstracts: Drip and drop in column internals. A new ceramic. Speedier HPLC
• Abstracts: Taking a new look at renewables. Designing for deregulation. Northwestern's novelty

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.