TiO2 market expected to reach USD17.12 bln by 2020, expanding at CAGR of 3.8% from 2014 to 2020

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The global titanium dioxide (TiO2) market was valued at USD 13.14 billion in 2013 and is anticipated to reach USD 17.12 billion by 2020, expanding at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2014 to 2020, according to Transparency Market Research new market report titled "Titanium Dioxide Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020."

Titanium dioxide is a white-colored, solid, inorganic material with high thermal stability and poor solubility. Major raw materials used in the production of titanium dioxide include mineral sources such as ilmenite and rutile. Major processes used in the manufacturing of titanium dioxide include sulfate process and chloride process.

Demand for lightweight vehicles has increased due to rising demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. This trend is estimated to continue during the forecast period.

Polycarbonate, a thermoplastic, is used as a substitute for metal and glass-based automotive parts in lightweight materials. However, low scratch resistance of polycarbonate has restrained its market growth. Titanium dioxide is one of the major coating materials used to coat polycarbonate. Therefore, rising demand for lightweight vehicles coupled with increasing demand for polycarbonate has been a major factor driving demand for titanium dioxide.

Demand for titanium dioxide nanoparticles has increased in the recent times. This is projected to drive growth of the titanium dioxide market during the forecast period. There has been an increase in the number of stringent regulations in the titanium dioxide market due to environmental and health hazards associated with titanium dioxide. This is one of the major factors hampering demand for titanium dioxide. Rising demand for coatings in photovoltaic modules to increase their efficiency is likely to offer high growth opportunities in the titanium dioxide market.

Based on application, demand for titanium dioxide has been segregated into four major segments: paints & coatings, plastic, paper, and others. Paints & coatings was the largest application segment for titanium dioxide in 2013 and accounted for over 50% of the market share in the same year. This trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. Plastic is anticipated to be the fastest growing application segment owing to high growth in end-user industries such as packaging and automotive. Other application segments include niche application segments such as artificial fibers and inks.

Asia Pacific dominated the global titanium dioxide market with a share of over 40% in 2013. This trend is estimated to continue during the forecast period. Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest growing region in the next few years due to high growth in several end-use industries in emerging economies of India and China.

The titanium dioxide market is consolidated in nature; and the top four players constituted over 50% of the global market share in 2013. Major players in the titanium dioxide market include DuPont, Cristal Global, Kronos Worldwide and Tronox Limited.

We remind that, as MRC reported earlier, Huntsman plans to reduce its TiO2 capacity by approximately 100,000 tons, representing 13% of Huntsman's European TiO2 capacity. The plan will generate approximately USD35 million of annual savings. As part of the plan, Huntsman is proposing to close certain operations at its site in Calais, France. Huntsman says it will close the 'black end' manufacturing operations and ancillary activities during 2015.

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S. based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services.
MRC

Lanxess developed innovative bio-based Keltan ECO

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Specialty chemicals company Lanxess provides its innovative bio-based Keltan Eco EPDM rubber to Freudenberg Sealing Technologies, as per the company's press release.

This well-known global manufacturer of seals and vibration control technology products recently started to produce rubber seals made of Keltan Eco EPDM at its North American affiliate.

Keltan Eco EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer) rubber contains up to 70 percent of ethylene obtained from sugarcane, and has an impressive set of properties that is in no way inferior to that of "conventional" EPDM. The bio-renewable rubber compound, for which development at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies already began in 2012, addresses the constantly increasing standards on CO2 footprint reduction, especially in the automotive industry, and the overall global pull for more sustainable industrial solutions.

Christian Widdershoven, Head of the business line Keltan Elastomers within Lanxess’ High Performance Elastomers business unit, says: "Besides the well-recognized technical performance of Keltan EPDM polymers, Keltan Eco EPDM reduces our dependency on fossil resources and, because it is obtained from renewable sugarcane, has a significantly better CO2 footprint than petroleum-based polymers."

Applications for the rubber compound based on Keltan Eco polymers include seals for coolants, steam, synthetic hydraulic fluids, brake fluids and aerospace hydraulic fluids.

As MRC wrote previously, in October 2014, Lanxess introduced the newly commercialized, ultra-high molecular weight EPDM grade Keltan 9565Q, which Lanxess believes will successfully replace natural rubber in dynamic applications.

Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies is the Americas joint venture between Freudenberg and Co. in Germany and NOK Corp. in Japan. Freudenberg-NOK is a leading producer of advanced sealing technologies for a variety of markets including: aerospace; agriculture; appliance; automotive; construction; diesel engine; energy; food and beverage; heavy industry; and pharmaceutical. Founded in 1989 under the legal name Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership, Freudenberg-NOK is headquartered in Plymouth, Mich. and operates more than 20 facilities across the Americas.

Lanxess is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 8.0 billion in 2014 and about 16,300 employees in 29 countries. The company is currently represented at 52 production sites worldwide. The core business of Lanxess is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals.
MRC

Teknor Apex developed new series of masterbatches for polylactic acid bioplastic

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Teknor Apex Company has announced the development of a new series of masterbatches for polylactic acid bioplastic that increase the heat distortion temperature (HDT) and impact strength of the resin and substantially reduce its cooling time in injection molding, reported Plastemart.

PLA increases the heat distortion temperature (HDT) and impact strength of the resin and reduces its cooling time in injection molding, making possible semi-durable and durable applications that until now have been closed to standard PLA.

The new Terraloy masterbatches, say the company, open the way to semi-durable and durable applications, which until now have been closed to standard PLA.

Terraloy 90017A and 90017B masterbatches are based on, and are for use with, NatureWorks’ Ingeo High Performance (HP) resin.

NatureWorks developed Ingeo HP resin to provide a higher HDT and greater impact strength than standard PLA, when used with a nucleating agent such as LAK-301 from Takemoto Oil & Fat. Teknor Apex has entered into a strategic alliance with Takemoto Oil & Fat in developing the new masterbatches based on NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymers.

While the nucleating agent can play a critical role in reducing cooling time by promoting the crystallization of PLA, it is difficult to disperse properly in the HP polymer, Teknor Apex says. By combining the nucleating agent with other ingredients, Teknor Apex says it not only improved dispersion but enhanced the overall property profile of the resin, while shortening cooling time from nearly 300 seconds to less than 40.

As MRC informed earlier, in 2013 Teknor Apex Company introduced a new rigid vinyl compound with a specially developed UV-blocking formulation, which provides clarity for photobioreactor and other outdoor tubing, along with high gloss and toughness for weatherable profile applications.

Teknor Apex is one of the world's leading custom compounders headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA. The company produces PA compounds in the UK, the U.S.A., and Singapore. Teknor Apex is one of the world's leaders of specialty PVC compounds which are used in a wide range of applications from wire and cable to automotive, medical, consumer and industrial products. The company also produces thermoplastic elastomers, nylon, bioplastics, chemicals, specialty compounds.
MRC

Eastman Board declares dividend

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The board of directors of Eastman Chemical Company has declared a quarterly cash dividend of USD0.40 per share on the company's common stock, as per the company's statement.

The dividend is payable July 1, 2015, to stockholders of record as of June 15, 2015.

As MRC wrote before, in December 2014, Eastman Chemical Company announced the completion of its acquisition of Taminco Corporation, a global specialty chemical company, for a total of USD2.8 billion in cash and assumed debt.

The acquired Taminco businesses are expected to be accretive to 2015 earnings per share by greater than USD0.35, excluding acquisition-related costs and charges, and to 2016 earnings per share by greater than USD0.60.

Eastman is a global specialty chemical company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With a portfolio of specialty businesses, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. Its market-driven approaches take advantage of world-class technology platforms and leading positions in attractive end-markets such as transportation, building and construction and consumables. Eastman focuses on creating consistent, superior value for all stakeholders. As a globally diverse company, Eastman serves customers in approximately 100 countries and had 2014 revenues of approximately USD9.5 billion. The company is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA and employs approximately 15,000 people around the world.
MRC

Evonik added to MSCI Indexes

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Shares of the specialty chemicals company Evonik Industries AG will be added to the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World and Germany Indexes effective June 1, 2015, reported the producer on its site.

MSCI announced the results of the May 2015 Annual Index Review yesterday night. The inclusion follows the recent placements of shares by a major shareholder of Evonik.

MSCI offers a family of consistent and comparable indexes which comprise the world’s largest companies and are broadly used by investors around the world to develop and benchmark their global equity portfolios.

Ute Wolf, CFO of Evonik, comments: "Evonik’s inclusion to the MSCI Indexes enhances our presence in the most important indexes globally. This means greater visibility for Evonik at the international financial markets and will further increase the high level of interest from global investors in our share. Even more motivated by the MSCI inclusion, we will continue our capital market oriented approach and further intensify our dialogue with international investors."

As MRC informed earlier, Evonik has strengthened its technology platform for specialty silicones with a global investment initiative, since demand for additives for the construction, textile, coating, furniture, and appliance industries is driving the global market growth for specialty silicones. Overall, Evonik plans to invest a triple-digit-million-euro amount in the coming years and gradually increase the production volume of specialty silicones.

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2014 more than 33,000 employees generated sales of around EUR12.9 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about EUR1.9 billion.
MRC