news Tronox to buy Cristal TiO2
Tronox, which operates two vertically-integrated mining and inorganic chemical businesses, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the TiO2
and mining company Cristal for $1.67bn in cash, plus Class A ordinary shares representing 24% of the combined company. The acquisition will be part funded by the sale of the Tronox Alkali business, which makes soda ash. Both companies’ boards have agreed the deal, but it still requires the approval of Tronox shareholders as well as the usual regulatory clearances. It is expected to close before the end of Q1 2018. Tronox
Danimer and Pepsico collaborate
Biotechnology firm Danimer Scientific and PepsiCo have extended their development partnership to explore bio-based compostable flexible packaging, paving the way for an expansion of Danimer Scientifics’ Nodax PHA plant.
“Danimer Scientifics’
partnership with PepsiCo marks a significant milestone as we continue to expand our biopolymer technology to provide innovative bioplastic solutions to a wider range of applications and products,” said Danimer Scientific’s CEO, Stephen Croskrey. ❙
www.danimerscientific.com
www.compoundingworld.com Atlas invests in European weathering
Atlas Material Testing Technology has opened a new accelerated testing laboratory at its German headquarters at Linsengericht-Altenhaßlau near Frankfurt. The new laboratory
combines the capabilities
previously available at its sites at Duisburg, Germany, and Leicester, UK, and includes more than 40 Atlas weathering instruments.
“Combining our laboratory
operations within Europe will allow us to further streamline
the Atlas testing experience for our customers and provide them with increased labora- tory offerings in the future,” said Richard Slomko, Director of Atlas’ Weathering Services Group. ❙
www.atlas-mts.com
March 2017 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 5 11 TiO2 pigment plants in eight operations of chemical
countries with a total capacity of 1.3m tonnes/year, plus titanium feedstock operations with a capacity of 1.5m tonnes/ year. No indication has been given as to what proportion of the pigment it supplies will be used in plastics. Tronox separately an-
Chairman and CEO Tom Casey will head the combined company. Tronox said the “highly
synergistic” combination will create the world’s largest and
most highly integrated TiO2 pigment producer. The combined company will include
nounced that full-year revenues for 2016 were fractionally down at $2.09bn. Income from operations stood at $36m, compared to a loss of $118m in 2015. The TiO2
segment’s revenue
of $1.3bn was 13% lower than in 2015. This was mainly due to reduced sales volumes and selling prices for titanium
business
feedstock and co-products and lower pigment selling prices, partially offset by higher pigment sales volumes. The segment also swung from a $123m loss from operations to an income of $6m as the global TiO2
TiO2
market bounced back in Q4. “Driving the performance in were our highest fourth
quarter and month of Decem- ber pigment sales volumes on record, higher selling prices, which increased 1% sequen- tially and 7% above prior year, and continued substantial cost reductions resulting from the Operational Excellence programme,” Casey said. ❙
www.tronox.com ❙
www.cristal.com
Teknor Apex pitches for under-hood
Chemlon 904-13 and 204-13 GVNH are two new reduced density, low halogen flame retarded polyamide grades from Teknor Apex targeted at under-the-hood applications such as engine covers.
The new grades meet the UL-94 V-0 vertical
burn test specification at a thickness of 0.8mm. Compared to halogenated compounds, the new grades contain less filler, which helps maintain good final part surface quality and reduces density. The company claims a 15% weight reduction over conventional alternatives. ❙
www.teknorapex.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88