FOCUS ON
forecast period, with Indonesia and
RAW
MATERIALS
Qatar Petroleum completes
integration of LAB producer SEEF
Qatar Petroleum has fully integrated the
operations of SEEF, a Qatari semi-
government petrochemical company that
produces linear alkylbenzene (LAB).
Founded in 2004, SEEF operates a
100,000 tonnes/y LAB plant in Mesaieed,
Qatar where the refinery of state-owned
Qatar Petroleum is also located, in addition
to 80,000 tonnes/y and 36,000 tonnes/y of
normal paraffin and benzene, respectively.
Qatar Petroleum assumed total ownership
of SEEF in Dec 2018 after acquiring the
20% equity it did not already own from
United Development Company (UDC)
[‘Focus on Surfactants’, Jun 2019]. Qatar
Petroleum will fully operate SEEF’s facilities
through its QP Operations (Refining) unit
and plans to retain the SEEF brand.
Original Source: NS Energy, 20 Apr 2020
(Website: http://www.nsenergybusiness.com/)
ã NS Energy 2020
Outlook on the worldwide palm oil
market to 2025
The ‘Global Palm Oil Market (Value,
Volume) - Analysis By Product Type
(Crude Palm Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Palm
Kernel Cake), Application, By Region, By
Country (2020 Edition): Market Insight,
Competition and Forecast (2020-2025)’
report by Azoth Analytics has been added
to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
The global palm oil market size was
70.07 M tonnes valued at $36.713 bn in
2019 and has been witnessing
unprecedented growth, according to the
report, chiefly because it is relatively
inexpensive and is viewed as healthier
than some other edible oils and fats. This
has resulted in increasing use in western
and Asian foods, as cooking oil in Asia
and as a replacement for more expensive
oils in home and personal care products.
By product type, crude palm oil is the
dominant segment and is expected to
retain the major market share in the
forecast period. Based on application
(edible oil, biodiesel, surfactants,
cosmetics, lubricants and others), edible
oil dominated the market share in 2019
and is also expected to show dominance
during the forecast period. Palm oil and
palm kernel oil derivatives have also
experienced growing use in cleaning and
personal care items such as soap,
shampoo, lotion and makeup. The Asia
Pacific market is expected to remain the
largest market for palm oil during the
2 June 2020
SURFACTANTS
multifunctional surfactant providing
Malaysia the leading producers.
Research and Markets has also added
two further reports on the global palm oil
market with broadly the same analysis
concerning current and future growth
drivers. ‘Global Palm Oil Market: Insights,
Trends and Forecast (2020-2024)’,
published by Koncept Analytics, predicts
that global production of palm oil will reach
a volume of 98.82 M tonnes in 2024,
growing at a compound annual growth rate
(CAGR) of 5.9% by volume, for the period
spanning from 2019 to 2024. ‘Palm Oil
Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis
Report by Origin (Organic, Conventional),
by Product (Crude, RBD, Palm Kernel Oil,
Fractionated), by End Use, by Region, and
Segment Forecasts, 2020 – 2027’ from
Grand View Research forecasts that market
size by value will reach $78.0 bn by 2027,
expanding at a CAGR of 3.1%.
Original Source: Research and Markets, 2020.
Found on globenewswire, 3 & 7 Apr 2020
(Website: http://www.globenewswire.com)
LyondellBasell slows construction
on Gulf Coast PO/TBA plant
LyondellBasell Industries is slowing
construction on its world-scale propylene
oxide (PO) and tertiary butyl alcohol
(TBA) plant at the company’s complex in
Channelview, TX, USA [‘Focus on
Surfactants’, Oct 2018 & May 2020]. The
company has informed engineering and
construction contractors it is limiting
nonessential activities due to ongoing
concerns related to the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic, including
compliance with government orders
designed to limit human contact,
LyondellBasell said. The operator plans to
work with contractors and suppliers over
the next several weeks to develop a
revised project timeline. The decision to
slow construction of the PO/TBA project,
however, does not impact
LyondellBasell’s ongoing operations at its
Channelview or Bayport sites, which are
designated by the US Department of
Homeland Security as part of US critical
infrastructure, the company said.
Original source: PennWell Corporation, 31 Mar
2020 (Website: http://www.ogj.com/index.html)
ã Pennwell Corporation 2020
SURFACTANTS
Evonik launches multifunctional
surfactant for WB coatings and inks
Evonik’s Coating Additives business line
has launched Surfynol 104 Z, a
combined dynamic wetting and molecular
defoaming in waterborne coatings and
inks. It contains 50% active substance.
The new generation additive is just as
effective as its predecessor (Surfynol 104)
with one crucial benefit: it contains
virtually no volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) (depending on regional guidelines
and measuring method). This significant
advantage means that the product
requires minimal special labelling and is
therefore easier to use, process and
store. Surfynol 104 Z is a silicone-free
additive, developed in response to the
increasingly tight regulatory requirements.
As with the previous generation, the new
additive is also suitable for applications
requiring food contact compliance; it
meets FDA and Swiss A requirements.
Besides the lower VOC content and
improved product labelling, it has no
negative impact on the formulation. As
required, the product can be used at any
stage of the formulation process: in the
mill base, the let-down, in production or
during subsequent quality control. The
new additive is HAPs-free and helps
formulators to transition more easily from
solvent-borne to waterborne systems.
Original Source: Evonik, 2020. Found on
SpecialChem Coatings and Inks Formulation, 20
Mar 2020 (Website: http://www.
specialchem4coatings.com)
Stepan buys biosurfactants business
from Logos Technologies
US-based Stepan Company has taken
over the biosurfactant series created by
Logos Technologies. This NatSurFact
series of natural biosurfactants is based
on rhamnolipids [‘Focus on Surfactants’,
Aug 2014]. The range is formulated for
the household and body care products
markets. Logos Technologies has used a
fermentation method to obtain these
molecules from vegetable oils.
Original Source: Chimie Pharma Hebdo, 7 Apr
2020 (Website: http://www.industrie.com/chimie)
(in French) ã ETAI Information 2020
UK soap manufacturer boosts output
to meet overseas demand for
products to fight coronavirus
Soap bases and natural ingredients
manufacturer Stephenson is stepping up
production levels at its UK-based plant as
it continues to deliver to international
personal care, cosmetics brands,
manufacturers and artisan soap makers.
The family-owned company has worked
tirelessly since the start of the pandemic
to ensure the smooth continuation of
production processes and the safety of its
 FOCUS
employees as the effects of COVID-19
influence every element of work and daily
life. Demand for Stephenson soap bases
has surged as the need for hygiene
products intensifies across the world. The
technical team at Stephenson has
developed a brand-new liquid soap base,
Liquid Soap 2020, to meet demand with
delivery available in as little as 2 weeks.
Liquid Soap 2020 has been specifically
formulated to be an all-purpose liquid
soap, suitable for both personal care,
such as hand and body washing, and
multipurpose cleansing for hard surfaces
and floors. The product is derived from
natural vegetable oils and comes ready to
use by personal care and cosmetics
brands. The company reports that it has
been able to operate at full production
capacity, in a COVID-safe fashion,
throughout the pandemic crisis.
Original Source: Stephenson, 27 Apr 2020,
(Website: http://www.stephensonpersonalcare.
com) ã Stephenson 2020
Inhance Technologies finds way to
eliminate PFAS from fluoropolymers
Inhance Technologies has commercially
introduced a method to remove
perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS),
including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA),
from fluoropolymer resins, fine powders
and waxes. Fluorosurfactants such as
PFOA have been linked to environmental
and human health issues. The Fixpure
method does not impact the product
performance. It is available at the
company’s production facility in Houston,
TX, USA, and is expandable worldwide.
Original Source: Sustainable Plastics, 24 Mar
2020 (Website: https://www.sustainableplastics.
com) ã Crain Communications Inc 1996-2020
Outlook for sucrose esters
The ‘Sucrose Esters - Global Market
Outlook (2018-2027)’ report from
Stratistics Market Research Consulting
has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.
com’s offering. The global sucrose esters
market amounted to $71.9 M in 2018 and
is expected to reach $137.85 M by 2027
growing at a compound annual growth
rate (CAGR) of 7.5% during the forecast
period. Factors such as the rising spend
on convenience food products in
developing countries and the
multifunctional properties of sucrose
esters are driving the growth of the
market. However, the cost of raw
materials is hampering market growth.
Based on product, the confectioneries
sub-segment within the food segment is
likely to foster huge demand due to its
June 2020
ON SURFACTANTS
sugar crystallization properties, which
improves the emulsification of molten
sugar and oil, and prevents adherence to
the teeth, machine or wrapping papers.
By geography, Asia Pacific is likely to
account for significant consumption due to
high demand for food applications and
increased usage in the personal care
products, which are driving the market in
this region. Some of the key players in
the global sucrose esters market include
BASF, Adana Food Tech, Alchemy
Ingredients, Alfa Chemicals, Compass
Foods, Croda International, Dai-Ichi
Kogyo Seiyaku, Evonik Industries, FELDA
IFFCO, Guangxi Gaotong Food
Technology, Guanzhou Zio Chemical,
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings, P&G
Chemicals, Sinerga, Sisterna, Stearinerie
Dubois, World Chem Industries and
Zhejiang Synose Tech.
Original Source: Research and Markets, 2020.
Found on globenewswire, 31 Mar 2020 (Website:
http://www.globenewswire.com)
Oilfield surfactants market set to
cross $1 bn mark by 2026
The global oilfield surfactants market is
anticipated to exceed $1 bn by 2026 at a
compound annual growth rate of 4%
between 2020 and 2026, according to a
new research report by Global Market
Insights.
Original Source: Chemical Weekly, 17 Mar 2020
(Website: http://www.chemicalweekly.com)
ã Sevak Publications & Chemical Weekly
Database P Ltd 2020
ASSOCIATED
PRODUCTS
Clariant launches new natural
choice for effective and safe
cosmetic preservation
Clariant has expanded the Personal Care
industry’s increasingly limited preservation
options for both traditional and natural
formulations with the launch of next-
generation preservation booster Velsan
Flex. The 93% Renewable Carbon Index
(RCI) innovation is highly versatile and
effective in combination with all
preservative types, enabling a reduction of
typical preservative by as much as 50%
while still achieving safe antimicrobial
protection for cosmetics. Clariant’s latest
preservation booster ensures antimicrobial
protection with up to 50% less traditional
preservative, such as benzoic acid, benzyl
alcohol or phenoxyethanol, for a broad
range of cosmetic formulations. Clariant
demonstrates the preservative booster’s
versatility through sample formulations
focused on natural formulations and clear
formats, which are particularly difficult to
preserve. Velsan Flex overcomes the
challenges of clear applications with
extremely high water content, as in the
case of micellar gel, those with both high
water and active content, as for a tonic
water formulation, and in clear aqueous
formulations containing oil and fragrances
with low preservative load, such as a
nourishing shower gel. Natural content is
increased in formulations from the outset
as Velsan Flex is derived from the glucose
syrup of renewable corn and palm kernel
oil available in RSPO Mass Balance
certified quality. The ingredient is ISO
16128 compliant and approved by
COSMOS, supporting opportunities to
boost the performance of preservatives
accepted for naturally certified
formulations. Such formats are demanding
to preserve because natural formats only
allow a few selected preservatives that
need a boost to have sufficient
antimicrobial power.
Original source: Clariant, 26 Mar 2020 (Website:
http://www.clariant.com) ã Clariant 2020
Deinove to not sign collaboration
agreement with Sharon Laboratories
Deinove has announced that, in the
context of the global health crisis linked to
the COVID-19 pandemic, the agreement
which has been under discussion since
Feb 2020 [‘Focus on Surfactants’, May
2020] with Israeli group Sharon
Laboratories will not be signed. The
economic, industrial and financial
consequences of the current crisis, as
well as their duration, being unknown to
date, the collaboration on the
development of a complete range of
cosmetic ingredients has been
questioned. The $200,000 payment made
by Sharon Laboratories to Deinove at the
signing of the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) has been retained
by Deinove.
Original Source: Deinove, 2020. Found on
SpecialChem Cosmetics and Personal Care
Innovation and Solutions, 31 Mar 2020 (Website:
http://www.specialchem4cosmetics.com)
Coatex expands production
capacities to combat hand gel
sanitizers shortage
Coatex has expanded its production
capacities to produce Rheostyl UP, an
efficient thickener in liquid form to meet
3