FOCUS ON
S U R F A C T A N T S
AN INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER MONITORING TECHNICAL AND COMMERCIAL
A MONTHLY REPORT FROM
CAROLINE EDSER DEVELOPMENTS FOR ALL SURFACE ACTIVE AGENTS ISSN 1351–4210
OCTOBER 2018
SUSTAINABLE LAUNDRY PRACTICES CAN
IN THIS ISSUE
AID THE FIGHT AGAINST PLASTICS
POLLUTION
RAW MATERIALS 2
LyondellBasell builds PO plant The problems posed by the
accumulation of waste plastics in both
terrestrial and aquatic environments
SURFACTANTS 3-4 are undeniable. The staggering scale
Oxiteno starts up of the situation is becoming
Texasalkoxylation plant increasingly widely recognized,
prompting a range of regulatory and
ASSOCIATED voluntary measures, and influencing
PRODUCTS 4 public opinion, which in turn affects the
purchasing and lifestyle choices of
Use of enzymes and optical concerned consumers. The use of
brighteners rises plastics is so ubiquitous that just about
every sector of industry and commerce
APPLICATIONS 4-5 contributes to some degree via waste
Home and personal care: disposal and littering. And the personal
Kao purchases Washing and home care sectors so important to
us in the surfactants industry – sectors
Systems
where ‘sustainability’ has been
Health
considered a key trend throughout the
15 years that I’ve been involved with
PATENTS 5-6 this newsletter – are certainly no
exception.
ENVIRONMENT 6 One obvious area is packaging; the
vast majority of liquid, formulated
consumer products, and plenty of solid
COMPANY RESULTS 6-7 or powdered ones too, are today
Financial updates from Henkel, supplied in plastic containers or
Kao, Huntsman and Cepsa sachets, and even aerosol cans and
glass bottles have plastic caps and
nozzles. In the past few years we’ve
COMPANY NEWS 7
seen a number of manufacturers
Bain Capital buys Italmatch adopting a more environment-
conscious stance to their plastics use
EVENTS 8 and introducing measures to improve
the sustainability of their packaging
materials, including Henkel [p X and
‘Focus on Surfactants’, Aug 2018] and
Colgate-Palmolive [ibid, Aug 2018].
Some of the largest corporations in the
consumer products sector – Unilever is
one [ibid, Jul 2017] and Colgate
another – have pledged that 100% of
SURFACTANTS SURFACTANTS SURFACTANTS
their plastic packaging will be
reusable, compostable or recyclable by
2025.
Another well-publicized issue is the
use of plastic microbeads (typically
1 mm in diameter) in personal care
products such as skin cleansers and
toothpaste. Around the early 2010s,
studies emerged reporting high levels
of these tiny beads in marine litter and
ocean/lake pollution, and concluding
that this posed a serious threat to
aquatic food chains by ingestion and
accumulation. Once the polluting
impact of plastic microbeads became
clear, many manufacturers of the
implicated products (L’Oréal, Johnson
& Johnson, Unilever, Procter &
Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, etc) were
quick to take responsibility and
introduce voluntary phase outs, some
time before governments began to
follow suit by imposing bans [eg, ibid,
Sep 2018]. I read recently that, since
2012, 97.6% of microplastics have
been removed from beauty and
personal care products in Europe,
representing >4250 tonnes, with the
remainder on track to be eliminated by
2020.
Very recently a new contributor to
the pollution of rivers and oceans has
been identified: plastic microfibers.
Some commentators are saying that
the problem is much larger and more
complex than microbeads. And the
culprit behind the release of these
pollutants is that mainstay application
of surfactants – laundry – more
specifically, washing fabrics containing
man-made fibres such as polyester,
acrylic and nylon. According to a
SURFACTANTS
 FOCUS
study by Plymouth University (UK),
>700,000 plastic microfibres could be
washed out of an average 6 kg wash
load of synthetic clothing. Another
study found that a polyester fleece
jacket releases 1 M fibres per wash,
while a pair of nylon socks is
responsible for 136,000 fibres!
Less than 1 mm in length, the
microfibres are far too small to be
caught on filters at water treatment
plants and make their way into
waterways, littering many riverbeds,
and on out to sea, where they can be
eaten by fish and other aquatic
animals, working their way up the
food chain.
So, what can be done? Banning
laundry is not the answer! Fortunately,
researchers have a range of
suggestions, from installing filters on
washing machine outlets to
redesigning the fibres themselves so
they shed less easily. However, I was
particularly interested to see that
some of the recommendations involve
the way the laundry is done, and that
most of those tally well with the tips
for improving the sustainability of
laundry from AISE, the International
Association for Soaps, Detergents and
Maintenance Products, in Europe
[http://www.iprefer30.eu/en and http://
www.cleanright.eu] and the American
Cleaning Institute. These measures
can be easily adopted by concerned
consumers right away. For example,
washing at a low temperature, one of
the key ways to reduce energy
consumption, also results in fewer
fibres being released than at higher
temperatures. Reducing friction
between fabrics is an important factor
in cutting the number of fibres that are
released and it has been found that
washing a full load is beneficial in this
regard – and another key suggestion
from AISE. Shorter washes also
reduce the friction between fabrics
while a lower spin speed reduces the
chance of fibres loosening. And
surfactant-based products can play
their part too. Using a liquid detergent
is recommended for washing
synthetics as detergent powders can
result in loosening of the fibres;
detergents with a high pH and
oxidizing agents are also detrimental
in terms of fibre release. Finally, some
fabric softeners have also been found
to reduce friction.
So sustainable laundry practices,
while not a cure by themselves to the
problem of microfibre pollution, can
contribute to the solution.
2 October 2018
ON SURFACTANTS
for palm oil products in various
RAW industries.
MATERIALS Original Source: The Star, 1, 8 & 10 Aug
2018, (Website: http://thestar.com.my)
ã Star Publications (M) Bhd 2018.
CPO production to improve in 2H,
slower growth rate
LyondellBasell begins construction
According to RAM Ratings, crude palm
oil (CPO) prices in Malaysia are of the world’s largest PO/TBA plant
projected to remain at Ringgit 2200-
LyondellBasell, one of the world’s
2400/tonne (c s465-505/tonne) in 2H
largest plastics, chemicals and refining
2018 on the back of biodiesel demand
companies, has officially broken ground
and potentially weaker-than-expected
on what will be the largest propylene
growth in domestic production. India’s
oxide (PO) and tertiary butyl alcohol
import duty hike last Jun 2018 on rival
(TBA) plant ever built. The Houston
soybean oil shipments was also
area project is estimated to cost
projected to reverse the declining palm
$2.4 bn, representing the single-largest
oil exports for both Indonesia and
capital investment in the company’s
Malaysia. CPO prices averaged Ringgit
history. Once in operation, the plant will
2421 in 1H 2018, which fell at the lower
produce 1 bn pounds (470,000 tonnes)
end of RAM’s outlook band of Ringgit
of PO and 2.2 billion pounds
2400-2600. Malaysian production
(1 M tonnes) of TBA annually. The 140-
increased by 2% to 8.92 M tonnes in
acre PO/TBA plant will be built at the
1H 2018 with this modest pace likely to
company’s existing Channelview
continue through the rest of 2018, RAM
Complex located in Channelview, TX,
predicts. Indonesia’s growth was also
USA. LyondellBasell says that the
maintained, with production growing by
decision to locate the new plant there
24% year on year to 18.37 M tonnes in
was based on its proximity to low-cost
Jan-May 2018. Malaysia’s exports
feedstocks and to the Houston Ship
declined in May-Jun 2018 due to Indian
Channel for the export of products.
import duties on palm products that
Start-up of the plant is planned for
took effect last 1 Mar 2018 and
2021.
Malaysia’s reinstatement of CPO export
In other, related news, LyondellBasell
duties in May 2018 [‘Focus on
and Covestro have initiated a large
Surfactants’, Jun 2018]. Total exports
investment project at their joint venture
still managed to rise by 5% year on
PO/styrene monomer (SM) production
year in 1H 2018. For the month of Aug
site at Maasvlakte in the Netherlands,
2018, Malaysia’s palm oil products
to reduce CO2 emissions by up to
exports totalled 1,072,524 tonnes, up
140,000 tonnes/y. The Circular Steam
by 4% from 1,030,909 tonnes in Jul
Project will involve the building of a
2018. Indonesia’s palm oil exports
new bio plant and incinerator at the
decreased by 6% year on year in Jan-
site, in which the production’s water-
May 2018 on reduced demand from
based waste will be treated in two
India and the EU. As of the end of Jun
steps and transformed into steam. The
2018, Malaysia’s palm oil inventory
steam will then be used as an energy
totalled 2.19 M tonnes, while
source in the existing on-site production
Indonesia’s stock level reached
plant, thus making it a circular process.
4.76 M tonnes as of the end of May
In addition to the reduction in CO2
2018.
emissions, the new installation will
In separate analysis from Affin result in an annual reduction of some
Hwang Capital Research, Malaysia’s 0.9 Petajoule of energy and avoid the
CPO production is predicted to release of 11 M kg of salt residue into
continue to increase in 2H 2018 but at the surface water, the companies claim.
a slower rate. The research body Much of the installation process will
expects the CPO price to range take place during a planned turnaround
between Ringgit 2350 (c s492/tonne) at the site next year, with the new plant
and Ringgit 2500/tonne in 2018-2020 expected to be operational in 2020.
compared with the previous outlook of
Ringgit 2500-2600/tonne. The Original Source: LyondellBasell, 2018. Found
declining CPO prices since end-2017 on PR Newswire, 22 Aug 2018, (Website:
http://www.prnewswire.com). Original Source:
have been a challenge to palm oil Plastics News Europe, 4 Sep 2018, (Website:
planters but conditions are expected http://www.plasticsnewseurope.com) ã Crain
to recover on increasing demand Communications Inc 2018.
 FOCUS
SURFACTANTS
Oxiteno commences alkoxylation
plant in Texas
Oxiteno has announced the
commencement of beneficial operations
at its new 170,000 tonnes/y alkoxylates
manufacturing plant in Pasadena, TX,
USA. The new unit includes world-class
alkoxylation technology to ensure safety
and environmental performance. It will
serve as reliable domestic source of
products for Oxiteno’s regional and
global customers. Oxiteno has invested
around $200 M over six years including
site acquisition, plant construction, and
R&D facilities while creating more than
120 jobs [‘Focus on Surfactants’, Jan
2016 & Jul 2012]. The strategic US
Gulf location allows easy access to key
raw materials, logistics and a
specialized workforce. The company
will produce a wide range of nonionic
surfactants and speciality alkoxylates
serving key markets such as
agrochemicals, home care, industrial &
institutional cleaning, personal care,
oilfield chemicals, paints & coatings.
Original Source: Oxiteno, 2018. Found on
SpecialChem Coatings and Inks Formulation,
6 Sep 2018, (Website: http://www.
specialchem4coatings.com).
Amphoteric surfactants market
worth $4.94 bn by 2023
According to the recent market
research report ‘Amphoteric Surfactants
Market by Type (Betaine, Amine Oxide,
Amphoacetates, Amphopropionates,
Sultaines), Application (Personal Care,
Home Care & I&I Cleaning, Oil Field
Chemicals, Agrochemicals), and Region
- Global Forecast to 2023’, published
by MarketsandMarkets, the market for
amphoteric surfactants is projected to
grow from $3.52 bn in 2018 to $4.94 bn
by 2023, at a compound annual growth
rate (CAGR) of 7.0% between 2018
and 2023. Rising demand for personal
care products and high-performance
amphoteric surfactants is expected to
drive the growth of the amphoteric
surfactants market during the forecast
period. The report segments the
amphoteric surfactants market by type
into betaine - alkyl betaine, alkyl amido
betaine and others (betaine citrate and
renin) - amine oxide, amphoacetates,
amphopropionates and sultaines. Of
these, the betaine segment is expected
to be the largest in terms of both value
October 2018
ON SURFACTANTS
and volume during the forecast period,
while the amine oxide segment is
projected to grow at the highest CAGR.
Based on application, the personal care
segment is anticipated to lead the
amphoteric surfactants market, in terms
of both value and volume, during the
2018 to 2023 forecast period, followed
by I&I cleaning. Amphoteric surfactants
are the mildest surfactants and are also
highly stable at neutral pH and hence
are commonly used in the formulation of
skin, hair and oral care products, and
other personal care products. The
mildness of amphoteric surfactants can
be attributed to their zwitterionic nature;
the cationic moiety typically contains
primary, secondary of tertiary amines
while the anionic group is more variable
and can comprise sulfonates,
carboxylates or phosphates. The use of
these surfactants in personal care
products results in lower skin irritation
as compared to other surfactants. The
amphoteric surfactants market has been
studied for five regions, namely, Asia
Pacific, North America, Europe, the
Middle East & Africa, and South
America. The European region is
projected to be the largest market for
amphoteric surfactants during the
forecast period due to the strong
foothold of manufacturers of personal
care products in the region. The region
is also home to many of the leading
manufacturers of amphoteric surfactants
such as AkzoNobel, now Nouryon
(Netherlands), BASF (Germany),
Clariant (Switzerland), Croda (UK),
Evonik Industries (Germany), Lonza
(Switzerland) and Solvay (Belgium).
Other key players include Lubrizol and
Stepan in the USA, and Oxiteno in
Brazil. The major countries driving the
growth of the amphoteric surfactants
market in the European region are
France, Germany, Italy and Russia. The
Asia Pacific is the second largest
regional market for these surfactants
during the forecast period.
Original Source: MarketsandMarkets, 2018.
Found on SpecialChem Cosmetics and
Personal Care Innovation and Solutions,
17 Aug 2018, (Website: http://www.
specialchem4cosmetics.com). Original Source:
MarketsandMarkets, 17 Aug 2018, (Website:
http://www.marketsandmarkets.com)
ã MarketsandMarkets 2018.
Global surfactants market expected
to reach $64 bn by 2025, says Allied
Market Research
According to a new report published by
Allied Market Research, titled
‘Surfactants Market by Type and
Application: Global Opportunity Analysis
and Industry Forecast, 2018-2025’, the
global surfactants market was valued at
$43.655 bn in 2017, and is projected to
reach $64.408 bn by 2025, registering a
compound annual growth rate (CAGR)
of 5.4% from 2018 to 2025. The Asia
Pacific region is anticipated to be the
highest revenue contributor throughout
the forecast period. Surfactants are
typically classified based on the nature
of the charge on the individual polar
functional groups into cationic, anionic,
nonionic and amphoteric surfactants,
and others. In 2017, the combined
anionic and nonionic surfactant
segments occupied up to a two-thirds
share of the surfactants market, in
terms of volume. The report predicts
that the nonionic surfactants segment
will grow at an above-average CAGR of
5.8% during the forecast period. By
application, the surfactants market is
segmented into household detergents,
personal care, industrial & institutional
(I&I) cleaners, food processing, oilfield
chemicals, agricultural chemicals,
textiles, plastics, paints & coatings,
adhesives, and others. The household
detergents and personal care segments
together held more than a two-thirds
share of the surfactants market in 2017.
High demand for personal care
products, owing to increased personal
incomes and lifestyle changes, along
with the rise in demand for household
detergents drive the market growth.
Personal care is the fastest-growing
application sector in the global
surfactants market in terms of revenue,
with a CAGR of 6.0% from 2018 to
2025. North America and Europe
collectively accounted for half of the
market in 2017; however, Asia Pacific
alone captured more than one-third of
the surfactants market last year, in
terms of revenue, owing to increased
demand for surfactants in personal care
and household detergent applications.
In terms of revenue, Asia Pacific is
expected to remain dominant from 2018
to 2025, followed by North America.
China is the fastest-developing
consumer of surfactants in the Asia-
Pacific market, growing at a CAGR of
6.9% from 2018 to 2025. According to
Allied Market Research, the prices of
surfactants are comparatively high in
Europe due to REACH whereas the
cost in the USA is anticipated to remain
moderate for both anionic and cationic
surfactants, due to low mineral oil
prices. The report provides an
extensive competitive analysis and
3
 FOCUS
profiles of the key market players, such
as BASF, Dow Chemical, Stepan,
Evonik Industries, Kao, Proctor &
Gamble, Clariant, Lion Specialty
Chemicals, Solvay and Huntsman.
Original Source: Allied Market Research, Aug
2018 (Website: http://www.
alliedmarketresearch.com) ã Allied Market
Research 2018.
ASSOCIATED
PRODUCTS
Global industrial enzymes market:
forecast to 2024
The report ‘Industrial Enzymes - A
Global Market Overview’ has been
added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s
offering. The global market for industrial
enzymes is forecast to reach $5.6 bn in
2018 and $7.7 bn by 2024. The food &
beverages sector was the largest market
for industrial enzymes in 2017, with an
estimated share of 26%, equivalent to
$1.4 bn; it was followed by biofuels with
an 18% share ($969.3 M) and
detergents with a 14% share ($754.4 M)
in 2017. The biofuels segment is
expected to be the fastest-growing
application area for industrial enzymes
during the forecast period, with a
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of
about 7.3% through to 2024. Demand for
industrial enzymes is showing rapid
growth due in part to increasing demand
for food and beverages attributed to
changing lifestyles and increase in
disposable income in a wide segment of
the population. Governments across the
globe have incentivized the use of
biofuels as cleaner alternatives to fossil
fuel-based energy options, which has
also spurred the market for industrial
enzymes. Advancements in various
areas of biotechnology, particularly
protein engineering, have provided
further impetus to the demand for
industrial enzymes, the 398-page report
finds.
Original Source: Research and Markets, 2018.
Found on globenewswire, 8 Jun 2018,
(Website: http://www.globenewswire.com).
Optical brighteners market worth
$1.11 bn by 2024
The global optical brighteners market
size was valued at $661.5 M in 2015 and
is expected to reach $1.11 bn by 2024,
4 October 2018
ON SURFACTANTS
according to a new report by Grand View
Research, ‘Optical Brighteners Market
Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report
By Application (Paper, Fabrics,
Detergents & Soaps), By End Use
(Consumer Products, Security & Safety),
By Region, And Segment Forecasts,
2018 – 2024’. The market is projected to
expand at a compound annual growth
rate (CAGR) of 6.5% during the forecast
period from 2018 to 2024. Optical
brighteners are dyes that can absorb
light in the ultraviolet and violet band
(between 340 nm and 370 nm of the
electromagnetic spectrum) and re-emit it
in the blue band (ranging from 420 nm to
470 nm). Rapid growth in industries such
as paper, textiles, and detergents and
soaps is anticipated to drive the market
demand. Other applications for optical
brighteners include plastics and
cosmetics. The report comments that
there has been a significant rise in the
consumption of detergents in the global
household sector, with strong demand
from the emerging economies; the use of
optical brighteners in laundry detergents
makes clothes look cleaner and brighter
and this factor is expected to boost their
demand over the forecast period. Paper
was the largest application segment in
2015, accounting for 35.9% of the global
volume. On the other hand, consumer
products led the market by end use in
2015 and this sector is expected to
witness promising growth during the next
few years. Key companies in the market
include 3 V Sigma, Aron Universal,
Clariant, Huntsman, Archroma, Deepak
Nitrite, Keystone Aniline and BASF.
According to Grand View Research,
most of these companies are focusing
on R&D for the development of newer
formulations for optical brighteners.
Original Source: Grand View Research Inc, Jul
2018, (Website: http://www.grandviewresearch.
com) ã Grand View Research, Inc 2018.
Original Source: Grand View Research Inc,
2018. Found on PR Newswire, 4 Sep 2018,
(Website: http://www.prnewswire.com).
APPLICATIONS
Home and personal
care
Beauty and personal care products
market worth $716.6 bn by 2025
According to a new report by Grand
View Research (GVR), the global
beauty and personal care products
market was valued at $455.3 bn in
2017 and is anticipated to reach
$716.6 bn by 2025, registering a
compound annual growth rate (CAGR)
of 5.9% during the forecast period from
2018 to 2025. Some of the key factors
that are expected to drive the market
over the forecast period include the
growing preference for natural and
organic personal care (NOPC) products
among consumers; the increasing
adoption of augmented reality (AR) in
the beauty industry – whereby face-
and skin-mapping technology are used
to show how products would look on
individual consumers without the need
to visit a physical store or try the
products on before buying, making the
purchase process quicker and more
convenient; and the growing demand
for anti-aging products. The increasing
popularity of men’s grooming products
is another factor, with growing
awareness about health, wellness, and
personal grooming and appearance
among men projected to account for a
rise in the demand for these products.
This, in turn, is expected to boost the
growth of the market over the forecast
period. A variety of men’s toiletries are
now available in the market, such as
deodorants, hair care, and skin care
products, and bath and shower
products. Based on product, the report
segments the market into skin care/sun
care, hair care, makeup & colour
cosmetic products, deodorants/
fragrances, and others. The skin care/
sun care segment represented one
third of the overall revenue in 2017 and
is projected to dominate the market
throughout the forecast period.
According to the report, the skin care/
sun care product segment expanded at
a moderate CAGR from 2014 to 2017
owing to the increasing aging
population and growing awareness
about the advantages of using anti-
aging products. The growing population
of older people is expected to continue
to drive the segment’s growth, which is
expected to witness a substantial 6.2%
CAGR over the forecast period, the
highest among the segments. The
maximum demand for these products is
anticipated to be generated from Asia
Pacific owing to its large population.
Based on type, the market has been
categorized into vegan, organic and
inorganic. So-called inorganic products
currently dominate the global beauty
and personal care market, accounting
for more than three-quarters of the
market in 2017. However, growing
 FOCUS
concern about the use of harmful
chemicals in beauty and personal care
products is leading to an upswing in the
demand for organic and vegan
products, the reports says. Soaring
demand for natural and safer
ingredients across the globe is
estimated to help the organic and
vegan segments to register significant
growth during the forecast period.
According to GVR, animal activism is
also on the rise, thus dissuading people
from using products derived from or
tested on animals, which is anticipated
to contribute to the growth of the vegan
cosmetics segment over the forecast
period. The Asia Pacific regional market
was valued at $157.1 bn in 2017,
dominating the global market in terms
of revenues. The regional market was
valued at USD 157.1 billion in 2017.
Increasing population, spiralling
demand for organic and vegan
products, and growing penetration of
AR in the beauty industry are positively
influencing the market in the region.
The Asia Pacific market for beauty and
personal care products is expected to
witness a significant gain in revenue
share over the forecast period on
account of its large population and the
popularity of the e-commerce
distribution channel across various
industries in this region. Additionally,
Japan, China and India are expected to
be the key contributors to the growth of
the organic products segment in the
region over the forecast period. Looking
at individual countries, the USA, China,
Japan, India and Mexico are expected
to witness considerable growth over the
forecast period owing to robust
industrial development and extensive
urbanization. The key players in the
global beauty and personal care
products market include Avon Products,
Beiersdorf, Coty, Kao, L’Occitane
International, L’Oréal, Procter &
Gamble, Mary Kay, Shiseido, Unilever
Revlon and Estée Lauder.
Original Source: Grand View Research Inc, Sep
2018, (Website: http://www.grandviewresearch.
com) ã Grand View Research, Inc 2018.
Kao acquires Washing Systems from
Gryphon Investors in the USA and
strengthens professional-use
products business
Kao Corp, through its US subsidiary, has
completed the acquisition of Washing
Systems LLC for an unreported amount.
Established in 1989, Washing Systems
is a provider of chemical and technical
October 2018
ON SURFACTANTS
services to the commercial laundry
processing industry and was previously
owned by San Francisco, CA-based
private equity firm Gryphon Investors. As
a result of this acquisition, Kao will be
expanding its chemical solution business
for commercial laundry. The acquisition
also further strengthens its presence in
the USA following its purchase of Oribe
Hair Care last year [‘Focus on
Surfactants’, Feb 2018]. Washing
Systems is reported by Kao to have
achieved ‘exceptional success’ in the
North American and European
commercial laundry market by delivering
industry-leading, and eco-friendly, wash
products and processes for water-based
textile cleaning and waste-water
treatment to textile rental and laundry
companies, and by providing these
customers best-in-class service and
integrated chemical supply systems. In
addition, the Ohio-based company has a
proven track-record of environmental
stewardship, and was the first for-profit
enterprise to receive the Platinum Award
(the highest award) from the Ohio
Environmental Protection Agency in
2017. Washing Systems president John
Walroth will continue to lead the
company, and the existing management
team will continue to lead the day-to-day
business, Kao confirms.
Original source: Kao, 10 Aug 2018, (Website:
http://www.kao.com/jp/en/) ã Kao Corporation
2018.
Health
Signet to distribute Novo Nordisk
Pharmatech’s quaternary ammonium
compounds for pharma applications
Under a deal, Signet Chemical Corp
will distribute Nordisk Pharmatech’s line
of quaternary ammonium compounds
(FeF Quats) in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
and India. Novo Nordisk produces
quats (cetyl trimethyl ammonium
bromide, cetrimide, benzalkonium
chloride) for use as active
pharmaceutical ingredients.
Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 14 Aug
2018, 158 (Website: http://www.
chemicalweekly.com) ã Sevak Publications &
Chemical Weekly Database P Ltd 2018.
IIVS, BASF & Givaudan team up to
validate an animal-free test to
predict skin allergy
The Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS)
has teamed up with BASF and
Givaudan to validate an improved non-
animal skin sensitization reactivity
method to address the needs of
toxicologists and regulators. Based in
Gaithersburg, MD, USA, the IIVS has
an established track record in the
validation of alternatives to animal
testing, while BASF and Givaudan are
major players in the manufacture and
supply of ingredients for the beauty and
personal care industry. Scientists at
BASF and Givaudan have developed
the Kinetic Direct Peptide Reactivity
Assay (Kinetic DPRA), a non-animal
test to predict allergic reactions in the
skin known as sensitization. Three
other non-animal sensitizer tests have
been internationally accepted. However,
the Kinetic DPRA has the potential to
go beyond a yes/no answer and predict
the potency of a sensitizer, which is
required by some regulatory agencies.
Until now the only way to predict
potency classifications was through
animal testing. The validation project,
designed by BASF and Givaudan, will
be conducted over the course of 2018
and, pending a successful outcome, will
be submitted to the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) in 2019. Other
participating laboratories include
Procter & Gamble (developer of the
original DPRA), Charles River and the
Czech National Institute of Public
Health.
Original source: BASF, 28 Aug 2018, (Website:
http://www.basf.com/) ã BASF 2018. Original
Source: BASF, 2018. Found on SpecialChem
Cosmetics and Personal Care Innovation and
Solutions, 31 Aug 2018, (Website: http://www.
specialchem4cosmetics.com).
PATENTS
Non-comedogenic and non-
acnegenic hair and scalp care
formulations and method for use
Clarity Cosmetics has been granted US
Patent 9,949,915 (Application No 15/
618,420) for non-comedogenic and
non-acnegenic scalp and hair care
formulations, along with methods for
applications. The shampoo composition
consists of water, aminomethyl
propanol, bisabolol, C13-C15 alkanes,
acrylate copolymer,
cocamidopropylamine oxide, sodium
lauroyl methyl isethionate,
ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol and
guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride. It
5
 FOCUS
may also contain fragrance, glycol
distearate, citric acid, glycerine,
disodium EDTA, a keratolytic agent,
sebum modulator, antimicrobial agent,
anti-irritant agent and anti-inflammatory
agent. A second composition pertains
to a hair conditioner containing water,
bisabolol, shea butter cetyl esters, C13-
C15 alkanes, cetyl palmitate,
behentrimonium chloride, cetearyl
alcohol, dimethylamine,
stearamidopropyl, citric acid and
phenoxyethanol, and may have
fragrance, glycerin, polysorbate 80 and
disodium EDTA.
Original Source: SPC, Soap, Perfumery and
Cosmetics, Jul 2018, 91 (7), 53 (Website:
http://www.cosmeticsbusiness.com/) ã HPCi
Media Ltd 2018.
ENVIRONMENT
Henkel commits to use 100%
renewable packaging material
Building on its existing efforts and
progress in sustainable packaging [see
‘Focus on Surfactants’, Aug & Jun 2018],
Henkel is stepping up its commitment to
further promote a circular economy. The
company has set itself additional targets
embedded in an expanded strategic
framework. By 2025, 100% of Henkel’s
packaging will be recyclable, reusable or
compostable. Within the same
timeframe, Henkel aims to use 35%
recycled plastic for its consumer goods
products in Europe. Henkel is committed
to including an increasing share of
sustainable materials into its product
packaging - this relates both to its use of
recycled materials, especially recycled
plastic, and renewable materials such as
paper and cardboard.
Original Source: Henkel, 2018. Found on
SpecialChem Adhesives and Sealants
Formulation, 6 Sep 2018, (Website: http://
www.specialchem4adhesives.com).
COMPANY
RESULTS
Henkel reports strong organic sales
growth, further improved margin
and higher earnings in 2Q 2018
Henkel has reported its results for the
second quarter of 2018. At s5143 M,
6 October 2018
ON SURFACTANTS
sales in 2Q 2018 reached a new all-
time high and grew nominally by 0.9%
compared to the prior-year quarter.
Organic sales, which exclude the
impact of currency effects and
acquisitions/divestments, showed a
strong increase of 3.5%. The emerging
markets again made an above-
average contribution to the organic
growth of the group, with a very strong
increase in organic sales of 5.4%. The
mature markets achieved good organic
sales growth of 2.2%. With an organic
sales growth of 0.1%, sales in
Western Europe showed a stable
development. Eastern Europe
achieved organic growth of 8.2%. In
Africa/Middle East, sales grew
organically by 4.7%. North America
delivered organic sales growth of
4.9%. Latin America achieved organic
growth of 6.3%, and in the Asia Pacific
region, sales grew organically by
1.9%. Adjusted operating profit (EBIT)
improved by 1.8% from s909 M in the
prior-year quarter to a new high of
s926 M in 2Q 2018. Adjusted return
on sales rose by 0.2 percentage points
to 18.0%. Adjusted earnings per
preferred share grew by 1.9% from
s1.55 to s1.58. At 6.3%, net working
capital as a percentage of sales was
above the level of 2Q 2017 (5.2%).
The Adhesive Technologies business
unit generated very strong organic
sales growth of 5.2% in 2Q 2018.
Nominally, sales grew by 2.6% to
s2432 M. Adjusted operating profit
increased by 1.5% and reached
s462 M. At 19.0%, adjusted return on
sales was slightly below the level of
the prior-year quarter. In the Beauty
Care business unit, sales grew
organically by 0.4%. Nominally, sales
increased by 3.8% to s1035 M.
Adjusted operating profit grew by 4.4%
and reached s187 M. Adjusted return
on sales improved by 0.1 percentage
points to 18.1%. The Laundry & Home
Care business unit generated good
organic sales growth of 2.9% in 2Q
2018. Nominally, sales amounted to
s1644 M after s1703 M in the prior-
year quarter. At s295 M, adjusted
operating profit was 1.0% below the
level of 2Q 2017. Adjusted return on
sales grew by 0.4 percentage points to
17.9%. In the first half of 2018, Henkel
generated sales of s9978 M. Organic
sales growth was at 2.3%. Adjusted
operating profit rose by 0.3% from
s1763 M to s1768 M. Adjusted return
on sales improved from 17.4% to
17.7%. Adjusted earnings per
preferred share grew by 1.7% from
s2.96 to s3.01. Excluding the impact
of currency effects, adjusted
earnings per preferred share increased
by 7.8%.
Original source: Henkel AG & Co KGaA, 16
Aug 2018, (Website: http://www.henkel.com)
ã Henkel AG & Co KGaA 2018.
Kao Corp’s consolidated financial
results for the six months ended 30
Jun 2018
For the six months ended 30 Jun
2018, Kao Corp’s net sales increased
year on year by 1.6% to Yen
729.03 bn (c s5.71 bn) from Yen
717.304 bn in 1H 2017. Operating
income increased year on year by
3.9% in 1H 2018 to Yen 90.755 bn
from Yen 87.354 bn, while income
before income taxes increased by
3.7% to Yen 89.904 bn from Yen
86.711 bn in 1H 2017. The company’s
net income increased by 11.5% year
on year to Yen 63.488 bn in 1H 2018
from Yen 56.948 bn the previous year.
Basic earnings per share increased in
1H 2018 to Yen 127.76 from Yen
114.56.
Kao’s Consumer Products sector,
which covers its Beauty, Fabric and
Home Care, and Health businesses,
posted net sales of Yen 588.4 bn in
1H 2018 a 1.0% increase year on year
from Yen 582.6 bn in 1H 2017.
Operating income increased by 3.3%
year on year to Yen 75.7 bn in 1H
2018 from Yen 72.4 bn, while the
operating margin increased to 12.9%
from 12.4%. The company’s Fabric
and Home Care business generated
net sales of Yen 153.1 bn in 1H 2018,
a 0.6% year-on-year increase from
Yen 152.3 bn a year earlier. Operating
income dropped by 1.4% to Yen
27.7 bn from Yen 29.1 bn in 1H 2017
and the operating margin fell to 18.1%
from 19.1%. Sales of fabric care
products were basically flat compared
with 1H 2017 amid an environment of
severe competition in Japan, Kao
reports. For its Attack laundry
detergent, the company worked to
enhance communication of its value in
‘changing tap water for washing to
antibacterial water’, and in fabric
softeners Humming Fine was improved
with a strong deodorizing effect. In
home care products, sales of kitchen
cleaning products, house cleaning
products and other products were firm
in Japan. Sales were steady in Asia as
the Kao group launched high-value-
 FOCUS
added products and enhanced in-store
merchandising in Thailand and other
countries. Kao’s Skin Care and Hair
Care business reported net sales of
Yen 170 for the six months ended 30
Jun 2018.8 bn, a year-on-year
increase of 2.4% from Yen 166.8 bn in
1H 2017. Operating income dropped
by 2.9% to Yen 22.6 bn in 1H 2018
from Yen 25.6 bn and operating
margin declined to 13.3% from 15.3%.
In skin care products, sales of the
Biore brand grew steadily in Japan
and Asia. In the Americas, Biore was
impacted by stiff competition but
Jergens hand and body lotions
performed well. In hair care products,
in Japan the Kao group launched
Rerise, a high-value-added next-
generation brand for grey hair care,
and its performance has been strong.
Sales of shampoos and conditioners
decreased amid severe competitive
environments in Japan and Europe. In
addition, US-based Oribe Hair Care
LLC, which owns the Oribe brand for
hair salons, became a consolidated
subsidiary in Jan 2018 following the
completion of its acquisition [‘Focus on
Surfactants’, Feb 2018]. Kao’s
Chemical business had net sales of
Yen 158.7 bn in 1H 2018 up 4.1%
from Yen 152.5 bn in 1H 2017.
Operating income increased year on
year in 1H 2018 by 0.2% to Yen
14.8 bn from Yen 14.6 bn. Operating
margin dropped to 9.3% from 9.6%.
The Chemical business comprises
oleo chemicals sold under the Kalcol
brand name, Emal anionic surfactants,
performance chemicals such as
superplasticizers for concrete, and
Tuftone-branded speciality chemicals.
Sales of oleo chemicals increased
during 1H 2018 due to factors
including firm demand outside
Japan. Sales of performance
chemicals and speciality chemicals
also increased.
Original source: Kao, 26 Jul 2018, website:
http://www.kao.com/jp/en/) ã Kao Corporation
2018.
Huntsman announces strong and
consistent growth in 2Q 2018
earnings
On 31 Jul 2018, Huntsman Corp
reported 2Q 2018 results. Net income
was $623 M compared to $183 M in
2Q 2017 and $350 M in the 2018 first
quarter. Adjusted EBITDA was $415 M
compared to $299 M in the same
October 2018
ON SURFACTANTS
period of 2017. Diluted income per
share was $1.71 compared to $0.69 in
the prior year period. Net cash
provided by operating activities was
$228 M in 2Q 2018. During the
quarter, the company generated free
cash flow of $174 M. Huntsman’s
balance sheet remains strong with a
net leverage of 1.4x. As of 30 Jun
2018, the company had $1459 M of
combined cash and unused borrowing
capacity compared to $1247 M as of
31 Dec 2017. During 2Q 2018, the
company spent $54 M on capital
expenditures compared to $50 M in 2Q
2017. The company expects to spend
approximately $325 M on capital
expenditures in 2018.
Original source: Huntsman, 31 Jul 2018,
(Website: http://www.huntsman.com/)
ã Huntsman International LLC 2018.
Cepsa reports a 1H 2018 net profit
of s335 M
Cepsa’s adjusted net profit for 1H
2018, after excluding non-recurring
items and calculating changes in
inventory at replacement cost (Clean
CCS), was s335 M, compared
with s466 M for 1H 2017.
Accumulated net income for 1H 2018
was s441 M, 7% higher than 1H 2017.
Revenues for 1H 2018 were
s12.391 bn, 22% higher than 1H
2017, while net debt stood at s3 bn,
with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.8.
Cepsa’s Chemicals business
recorded profits of s60 M in 1H 2018,
in line with results in 1H 2017, due
to robust sales performance of both
linear alkylbenzene (LAB), and
phenol/acetone (raw materials used
to produce next-generation
plastics).
Original source: CEPSA, 3 Aug 2018, (Website:
http://www.cepsa.com/) ã CEPSA 2018.
COMPANY
NEWS
Bain Capital acquires Italmatch
from Ardian
Bain Capital Private Equity is
purchasing Italian producer of
speciality chemical additives
Italmatch Chemicals from Ardian.
Italmatch Chemicals has four main
business units, namely lubricants,
water & oil treatment, performance
products & personal care, and flame
retardants & plastic additives. Sales of
Italmatch Chemicals reached around
s400 M in 2017. The company
employs 780 people in Asia, Europe
and the USA.
Original Source: macplas e-news, 4 Jul 2018,
(383), (Website: http://www.macplas.it) ã
Promaplast srl 2018.
SABIC purchase of Clariant stake
delayed
AS of early Aug 2018, antitrust
authorities had yet to clear Saudi
Arabia-based SABIC’s $2.4 bn
proposed acquisition of a 25% stake in
Swiss speciality chemical producer
Clariant.
Original Source: Chemical and Engineering
News, 6 Aug 2018, 96 (32), 16 (Website:
http://cen.acs.org/index.html) ã American
Chemical Society 2018.
MCFL’s Rup 15.47 bn expansion in
Karnataka gets the green light
Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers
(MCFL) has secured environmental
clearance for the Rup 15.47 bn (c
s185 M) expansion-cum-modernization
project for its fertilizer facilities in
Karnataka, India. The investment
includes energy improvement for the
urea and ammonia facilities and
expansion of the polycarboxylate ether
(PCE) and DAP/NPK unit at the
current sites in Panambur, Mangaluru.
MCFL proposes to expand the
manufacturing capacity of urea from
429,000 tonnes/y to 569,400 tonnes/y;
ammonia from 247,500 tonnes/y to
328,500 tonnes/y; DAP/NPK fertilizers
from 401,400 tonnes/y to
1,401,500 tonnes/y; and sulfonated
naphthalene formaldehyde (SNF)/
polycarboxylate ether (PCE) from
85,000 tonnes/y to 103,000 tonnes/y.
SNF condensates are high production
volume chemicals used in a variety of
applications, including as concrete
superplasticizers, tanning agents and
dye dispersants. PCE are also
superplasticizers.
Original Source: Business Line, 29 Aug 2018,
25 (206), 5 (Website: http://www.
thehindubusinessline.com) ã The Hindu
Business Line 2018.
7
 FOCUS ON SURFACTANTS
7 November 2018 ICIS Surfactants Business Essentials Training Course
8–9 November 2018 8th ICIS Asian Surfactants Conference
Singapore
Siobhan Abbott, ICIS Conferences, Reed Business Information, Quadrant House,
The Quadrant, Sutton SM2 5AS, UK
Tel: +44 20 8652 3887; E-mail: events.registration@icis.com
Website: http://www.icisevents.com/ehome/asiansurfactants/home/
13–14 November 2018 SCS Formulate 2018
Coventry, UK
Step Exhibitions Ltd, Step House, North Farm Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN2 3DR, UK
Tel: +44 1892 518877; Fax: +44 1892 518811
E-mail: scsformulate@stepex.com
Events

Website: http://www.scsformulate.co.uk
15–16 November 2018 Go Wipes Europe 2018
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Smithers Apex, Cleeve Road, Leatherhead KT22 7RU, UK
Tel: +44 1372 802025; Fax: +44 1372 802079
E-mail: info@smithersapex.com
Website: http://www.smitherspira.com/events/conferences/go-wipes-europe-2018
22 November 2018 BACS Surfactants Formulation Group – The Future of Cleaning
Lymm, UK
BACS, Simpson House, Windsor Court, Clarence Drive, Harrogate HG1 2PE, UK
Tel: +44 1423 700249; Fax: +44 1423 520297
E-mail: enquiries@bacsnet.org
Website: http://www.bacsnet.org
11 December 2018 McBain Award Lecture and Symposium
London, UK
Society of Chemical Industry, 14/15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS, UK
Tel: +44 20 7598 1561; Fax: +44 20 7235 7743
E-mail: conferences@soci.org
Website: http://www.soci.org or http://www.rsc.org

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