Join our email mailing list
|
BASF to cut 2,000 jobs by end of 2009
BASF has announced that it intends to cut at least 2,000 positions by 2009 as it sees no shift in the current trend and as demand weakened further at the start of the year. Quarterly sales fell 23.3% to €12.22 billion compared to Q1 in 2008.
“In times of crisis, swift and decisive action is important,” said Jürgen Hambrecht, BASF chairman. The company said that cost reduction and efficiency programs are being implemented “rigorously and rapidly,” confirming it will restructure and, where necessary, close or sell plants and sites that cannot ensure the company’s long-term competitiveness.
ISP launches web site on wood protection technology
International Specialty Products (ISP) has launched a new web site focused on the major sources of wood degradation and the technical solution that will allow coatings formulators to produce higher performing wood care products. The new site, www.ispwoodcare.com, looks at the root causes of wood degradation by visible and UV light, water and moisture, insects, fungi and algae and suggests formulation approaches that manufacturers of wood coatings can take to create new industrial and consumer products.
BASF names archway sales distributor of the year
Archway Sales, Inc. was selected as BASF Resins Distributor of the year based on performance measures, territory profitability and new product sales growth. The line includes Basonat aliphatic isocyanates; Joncryl acrylic resins, additives and polyols; Luhydran acrylic resins; and Luwipal melamine resins. These raw materials are used in various coatings including general industrial, architectural, urethane, automotive refinish, printing and packaging inks and UV markets.
Hexion Specialty Chemicals epoxy products production
Hexion has announced, as a result of reduced demand driven by difficult market conditions, the company intends to shift production of certain epoxy products within its global manufacturing operations.
“Production of certain products will be regrouped within the Hexion manufacturing plants to improve production utilization and efficiency,” said Paul Barletta, vice president, global manufacturing for the epoxy resins business. “Only certain products will be affected, and no products are being discontinued.”
Lubrizol launches improved website
The Performance Coatings business of the Lubrizol Corp. has launched its enhanced web site, www.lubrizolcoatings.com, featuring advanced search capabilities and easier navigation. Designed with the customer in mind, the new site allows users to find more detailed information on technologies for paints and coatings, adhesives and plastics.
In brief
Altana has acquired the high-performance additives business of the the DyStar Group...Oxea has signed an agreement to acquire ExxonMobil’s ester plant in Amsterdam...Wacker has concluded registration of its pyro-genic silicas in the “silicon dioxide” substance group to the REACH regulation.
Pricing changes
BASF: Effective immediately–$0.06/lb. increase in North America, $200/MT in Asia and €75/MT in Europe for polytetrahydrofuran.
The Dow Chemical Company: June 1–$0.03/lb. increase for acrylates and vinyl acetate monomers and $0.04/lb. increase for methacrylate and specialty monomers.
Oxea: June 1–$0.05/lb. increase in U.S., Canada and Mexico and $110/MT increase in South and Central America, Asia, Africa and Middle East for i/n butanol;$0.04/lb. increase in U.S., Canada and Mexico and $88/MT increase in South and Central America, Asia, Africa and Middle East for i/n butyl acetate; $0.03/lb. increase in U.S., Canada and Mexico and $66/MT increase in South and Central America, Asia, Africa and Middle East for n propanol; and $0.04/lb. increase in U.S., Canada and Mexico and $88/MT increase in South and Central America, Asia, Africa and Middle East for n propyl acetate.
Distributor appointments
Allcoat Technology has appointed Maroon, Inc. as its distributor of AllUthane, PolyCrl, AllSperse and Allcrl range of products in the Central U.S. and Boehle Chemicals as its distributor in OH, IN, MI, WV, Western NY and KY.
DuPont Packaging and Industrial Polymers has appointed Distrupol to distribute its range of specialty ethylene copolymers products in the UK and Ireland.
Vinavil S.p.A. has appointed Univar to distribute the whole range of vinyl acetate/ethylene dispersion (Vinavil) and acrylic polymers (Crilat) for coatings applications as well the its redispersible powders (Vinavil) for the construction industry in Germany.
|
|
