South Africa. The plant will increaseSasol’s 1-octene capacity to 196,000tonnes/y, about a third of anticipatedworldwide demand when it comes onstream at the end of 2006. Sasol hasjust increased its 1-octene capacityfrom 48,000 to 96,000 tonnes/y with asecond plant at the Secunda site[Focus on Surfactants, Aug 2003];first shipments are due in Jan 2005.The facilities are operated by SasolOlefins & Surfactants. Globalconsumption of 1-octene is currently500,000 tonnes/y, with growth indemand estimated at 6-8%/y. 1-octene is used in the production offatty acids and detergent alcohols,among others.

Chemical Market Reporter, 23/30 Aug 2004, (Website:http://www.chemicalmarketreporter.com) & EuropeanChemical News, 23/30 Aug 2004, 81 (2113), 27

Oriental Union plans big EO-EGcomplex in Taiwan

Around $260 M is to be invested byOriental Union Chemical Corp, anaffiliate of Far Eastern Textile, to buildan ethylene oxide-ethylene glycolcomplex at Kaohsiung in Taiwan. Thefacility will have a capacity to produce500,000 tonnes/y ethylene glycol and100,000 tonnes/y purified ethyleneoxide. The complex will beginproduction at the end of 2006. Around300,000 tonnes/y ethylene for thenew complex will be sourced fromChinese Petroleum Corp. Thecompany will debottleneck twocrackers at Kaohsiung to meet therising demand. Oriental Unioncurrently produces 250,000 tonnes/yethylene glycol and 70,000 tonnes/ypurified ethylene oxide at Kaohsiung.The ethylene oxide is used in themanufacture of 40,000 tonnes/y eachof ethyl carbonate and ethyleneamines. Oriental Union also plans todevelop capacity for ethoxylates andother high value-added products.Union Carbide technology is currentlyused at the site. Omega technologyfrom Shell and the Meteor processdeveloped by Dow could be licensedfor use at the new plant. A significantamount of output from OrientalUnion’s new plant will be exported,mostly to other countries in Asia,especially China.

Chemical Week, 4 Aug 2004, 166 (25) (Website:http://www.chemicalweek.com)

Ethanolamines in India

The total combined market forethanolamines in India is estimated tobe in the region of 9000 tonnes,comprising 1500 tonnes ofmonoethanolamine (MEA), 5000tonnes of diethanolamine (DEA) and2500 tonnes of triethanolamine(TEA). India imported a total of 6564tonnes of ethanolamines and theirsalts during 2002-2003. The demandfor MEA is anticipated to remainstagnant at 1500 tonnes by 2007-2008; the demand for DEA isexpected to clock a growth rate ofaround 10%/y in the range of 8050tonnes and 7000 tonnes; and that forTEA is expected to grow at 10%/y toaround 4025 tonnes; thereby takingthe total ethanolamine demand tobetween 12,525 and 13,525 tonnesby 2007-2008. In India, Amines &Plasticizers Ltd is the only producer ofethanolamines having a totalcombined installed capacity of 10,000tonnes/y. The company produced3500 tonnes of ethanolamines during2002-2003, with 1750 tonnes of DEA,700 tonnes MEA and 1050 tonnesTEA. Other small-scale producers arealso involved in the manufacture ofTEA in India, including LaffansPetrochemicals, Sterling Auxiliaries,Enva Chem and Saibaba Surfactants.

Chemical Weekly, 24 Aug 2004, 50 (1), 203-209

Oleochemicals

Felda aims to become global palm oilplayer

The Government of Malaysia, in itsre-engineering plan till 2054, intendsto establish the Federal LandDevelopment Authority (Felda) as aninternational palm oil conglomerate.The re-engineering would includetechnological improvements,diversification into downstreamactivities and employing youngermanpower. It also intends to channelsmall- and medium-scale industriesinto Felda. Felda is the largest palmoil producer in the world, producing2.5 M tonnes/y of palm oil. Feldaowns 72 palm oil mills, 10 rubberfactories, seven refineries and anoleochemical factory.

The Star, 31 Jul 2004 (Website:http://www.thestar.com.my)

CPO outlook not that bearish

The Plantation Industries andCommodities Minister of Malaysia hassaid that although the prices of crudepalm oil (CPO) decreased to Ringgit1400-1500/tonne from Ringgit2000/tonne in Mar 2004, the presentprice is expected to remain stagnantfor some time. During 1H 2004, theexport of CPO has increased toBangladesh and Iran, and increasingexports to China are also adding tohigher demand. During the first sevenmonths of 2004, the average CPOprice increased by 15% to Ringgit1740/tonne (Ringgit 1517/tonne infirst seven months of 2003). Thecurrent discount of Ringgit 600/tonneon CPO prices is also likely toincrease demand for CPO.

The Star, 6 Aug 2004 (Website:http://www.thestar.com.my)

SURFACTANTSSeppic launches gentle foamingsurfactant

Seppic has made available ProteolAPL, an anionic natural surfactantderived from essential amino acids ofapple juice for foaming cosmeticproducts. It is biodegradable and isgentle to the touch, eyes and skin.

HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jul2004, 41 (7), 176

Silicone surfactants help reduceemissions

GE Advanced Materials has addedthree new products, Niax Silicone L-3415, L-3416 and L-3417, to its lineof silicone surfactants. The newproducts, which stabilize MDI andMDI-TDI flexible moulded foam, arebased on a new molecular design thatcan decrease emissions from thefinished parts. It significantly lowersvolatile organic compounds (VOC),contributing to the automotiveindustry’s aim for zero chemicalemissions. The material is claimed todecrease fogging while maintaining ahigh standard performance andprocessing characteristics withoutincurring additional cost.

The company also recentlylaunched Niax L-6884 and L-6988

OCTOBER 2004 3

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

silicone surfactants for themanufacture of hydrocarbon-blownrigid polyurethane foam insulation.

Materials World, Aug 2004, 12 (8), 4

Stepan offers CP3

Northfield, IL-based Stepan Co hasintroduced CP3, an optimizedphosphate-based emulsifying systemthat can be used for sunscreens orlow pH formulations. CP3 is lessexpensive and features low meltingpoint. It is ideal for skin fadingemulsions; self-tanning productscontaining dihydroxyacetone; anti-acnecreams with salicylic acid; and skinexfoliating emulsions with AHA or BHA.

HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jul2004, 41 (7), 176

Present status of surfactants in China

During 2002, China increasedproduction of surfactants by 37.72%to 1.5723 M tonnes. Industrialsurfactants accounted for 57.95%.China produces cationic, anionic,nonionic and amphoteric surfactants.The number of surfactant producersin the country jumped to 2819 in2003, up from 1452 in 2000. Privateenterprises account for more than50% of the top 100 producers, manyof which have achieved an outputvalue greater than RMB Yuan 1.0bn/y (€97 M). The variety ofsurfactants produced in China hasrisen by 15.7% over the same period.Jilin Chemical Industrial brought onstream a 64,000 tonnes/y sulfurtrioxide continuous sulfonation unit atits CaC2 plant during 2002 and iscurrently building an 8700 tonnes/ysulfonation unit at its fine chemicalplant, which will allow it to becomethe largest AES production base inChina. The company has also beguntrial production at its 20,000 tonnes/yalkyl benzene-sulfonic acidrenovation project.

The period has also seen capacityexpansion for the production ofsurfactant raw materials. FushunPetrochemical increasedalkylbenzene capacity at its detergentplant from 75,000 tonnes/y to200,000 tonnes/y, making it thelargest producer in Asia. Capacityexpansions to 100,000 tonnes/y arealso planned by JintongPetrochemical and Nanjing

Alkylbenzene Plant. Propylene oxidecapacity has been expanded byJinhua Group from 10,000 tonnes/y to120,000 tonnes/y. During 2003,Chinese demand for PO for use in theproduction of surfactants amounted to60,000 tonnes. Capacity at GaoqiaoPetrochemical has been increased to80,000 tonnes/y. Binhua Group Cohas achieved capacity of 40,000tonnes/y. Capacity for nonyl phenolhas been expanded by HeilongjiangPetrochemical Plant from 10,000tonnes/y to 12,000 tonnes/y. A 20,000tonnes/y expansion project is due forcompletion during 2004. Octyl phenol(OP) capacity at the plant usingdomestic technology has beenincreased from 200 tonnes/y to 1000tonnes/y. Capacity for OP usinginternational technology has beenexpanded from 5000 tonnes/y to10,000 tonnes/y. Production ofindustrial or fatty acids via greasehydrolysis has been increased byShandong Boxing Huaron GreaseChemical Plant from 10,000 tonnes/yto 40,000 tonnes/y. A 90,000 tonnes/ysulfonation unit is to be built byJiangsu Longliqi Group, after thesuccessful completion of a 60,000tonnes/y unit in Dec 2003 inpartnership with Mazzoni. 60,000tonnes/y projects are also planned byHunan Lichen Industrial Co Ltd,Jiangsu Feixiang Chemical IndustrialCo Ltd, Xian Nanfeng Daily-useChemicals Co Ltd, Shandong BoxingHuara Grease Chemical Plant andZhangjiangang No 2 GreaseChemical Plant. 100,000 tonnes/yprojects are to be built by ZhejiangLight Industry Products and TextilesSupply & Marketing Co Ltd,Friendship Group, Liangyungang No2 Grease Chemical Plant, Nice Groupand Shanghai Soap-Making Group.Capacity for fatty alcohols has beenincreased by Wuxi Dongtai FineChemical Industrial from 3000tonnes/y to 20,000 tonnes/y and byLanxi Phoenix to 10,000 tonnes/y. A40,000 tonnes/y fatty alcohol projectis being built by Liaoyang HuaxingChemical Industrial Group. The first-phase 20,000 tonnes/y unit is due on-line during 2004. A 100,000 tonnes/yunit based on ethylene-oligomerizedalpha-olefins has been built by JilinChemical Industrial, but has not yetbegun production. Fushun DetergentChemical produces around 10,000tonnes/y fatty alcohols. Jilian

Petrochemical’s 15,000 tonnes/y fattyacid unit based at Dalian HuanengChemical Plant has been idle since thedisintegration of the company in 2003.China has a total fatty acid productioncapacity of 260,000 tonnes/y.

China Chemical Reporter, 6 Aug 2004, 15 (22), 21-22

ASSOCIATEDPRODUCTS

Bain Capital launches Innophos

Following the completion of itsacquisition of Rhodia’s N Americanspeciality phosphates business[Focus on Surfactants, Aug 2004],Bain Capital has renamed thebusiness Innophos. 1100 areemployed and the management teamhas been retained. The business hadsales of about $500 M in 2003.

Chemical Week, 18 Aug 2004, 166 (27) (Website:http://www.chemicalweek.com)

APPLICATIONSCiba’s new fabric softener ensuresultra-high whiteness

Ciba Specialty Chemicals haslaunched a new-generation siliconesoftener, Ciba ULTRATEX FMW,which gives fabric a silky handle whilemaintaining the highest degree ofwhiteness. ULTRATEX FMW isdesigned for white textiles, includingsportswear and bed linen. Itsexcellent absorbency also makes itsuitable for terry towelling items. Itimparts optimum softness to naturaland/or regenerated cellulose,synthetics and their blends.ULTRATEX FMW increases fabricelasticity and resilience, as well asburst and tear strength and abrasionresistance.

Press release from: Ciba Specialty Chemicals,Macclesfield, UK. Tel: +44 1625 888288. Fax: +441625 619002. Website: http://www.cibasc.com (27Jul 2004)

Steris announces breakthrough ininactivating deadly prions

Steris Corp’s Healthcare segment hasintroduced a new cleaning product in

4 OCTOBER 2004

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