Company News
October 5, 2023
Tosoh Plans MDI Splitter in Vietnam
Japan’s Tosoh to build MDI splitter in Vietnam
Published date: 02 October 2023
Japanese petrochemical producer Tosoh plans to build a methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) splitter in south Vietnam’s Ba Ria–Vung Tau province, targeting to begin commercial operations by October 2026.
Tosoh plans to operate the splitter, which will have manufacturing capacity of 100,000 t/yr of monomeric and polymeric MDIs, using crude MDI as a feedstock. MDI is used as feedstock to produce polyurethane. It aims to start construction from November 2024 and complete the splitter by June 2026.
The company will bring the crude MDI from Japan to the splitter in Vietnam. Tosoh produces 400,000 t/yr of crude MDI at its Nanyo plant in south Japan’s Yamaguchi prefecture.
Tosoh has an 85,000 t/yr splitter in China and another at its Nanyo plant of undisclosed output capacity, although its said annual production is 400,000t. Its MDI production will be unchanged even after the launch of the Vietnamese splitter, as Tosoh plans to modify manufacturing in Japan and China based on demand.
It also plans to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary Tosoh Vietnam Polyurethane by January next year to enhance MDI sales in southeast Asia.
By Nanami Oki
October 2, 2023
PCC Plans
PCC makes progress on plan for Oxyalkylates production in the USA
Duisburg, September 15, 2023. PCC is making progress on its plan to establish an Oxyalkylates production in the USA, thereby advancing the expansion of the PCC Group’s core business areas in the important US market. PCC has now reached a milestone at the possible location in Bay City, Matagorda County, Texas, on the Gulf of Mexico. On September 15, 2023, the project company PCC Chemicals Corporation signed a terminable lease agreement with the Port of Bay City for a property in the immediate vicinity of the port there. Although the site selection and final investment decision is far from over, the contract with the port ensures that PCC Chemicals Corporation has the opportunity to intensively examine an investment at this location as part of due diligence.
“Working with the Port of Bay City and fellow entities over these past two years have been a most enjoyable experience,” said Dr. Peter Wenzel, CEO of PCC SE, and emphasized: “We still have many several project milestones to achieve and will require additional partnerships for the economic development of the project.”
Contract signing between PCC and Port of Bay City on September 15, 2023. Dr. Peter Wenzel, CEO of PCC SE (3rd from left), Waldemar Preussner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of PCC SE (6th from left), and Peter Berger, Head of Legal Department (7th from left), together with representatives from Bay City.
Bay City Port Director George Harrison said: “This is a proud day for Matagorda County. We’ve been pursuing PCC Chemicals Corporation for two years and it feels good to secure their lease agreement.”
The region at the port of Bay City on the Gulf of Mexico is a possible location for a planned new production of Oxyalkylates (special non-ionic surfactants and polyether polyols) in the USA. In 2022, PCC SE founded the project company PCC Chemicals Corporation which is examining the development and construction of petrochemical production plants in the USA. PCC is currently setting up an Oxyalkylates production in Malaysia in a joint venture with PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad to cover the Asian market. The planned project in the USA would further advance the expansion of the PCC´s core business in the Group segments Polyols & Derivatives and Surfactants & Derivatives in the US market, too.
Contract signing between PCC and Port of Bay City on September 15, 2023. Dr. Peter Wenzel, CEO of PCC SE (3rd from left), Waldemar Preussner, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of PCC SE (2nd from left), and Peter Berger, Head of Legal Department (left), together with representatives from Bay City.
Profile of PCC SE
Headquartered in Duisburg, Germany, PCC SE is the parent and investment holding company of the globally active PCC Group with its approx. 3,400 employees. Its Group companies have core competencies in the production of chemical feedstocks and specialty chemicals, silicon and silicon derivatives, and in container logistics. An investor committed to the longer term, PCC SE concentrates on continuously increasing the enterprise value of its portfolio companies through sustainable investments and the ongoing creation of new value. The largest chemical producers of the PCC Group are PCC Rokita SA, a major chlorine manufacturer and Eastern Europe’s leading producer of polyols, and PCC Exol SA, one of Europe’s most advanced surfactant manufacturers. PCC BakkiSilicon hf. operates in Iceland one of the world’s most modern and climate-friendly silicon production facilities. PCC was founded in 1993 by Waldemar Preussner, sole shareholder of PCC SE, who today holds the position of Chairman of the Supervisory Board. The PCC Group generated consolidated sales of around € 1.3 billion and earnings before interest/financial result, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of some € 292.0 million in fiscal 2022, with capital expenditures in the same year amounting to around € 116.3 million.
September 28, 2023
Shepherd and Everchem
Shepherd’s Exclusive Partnership with Everchem
As a leading global metal chemistry manufacturer, Shepherd relies on key partnerships to help boost product awareness and sales. Everchem is one such partner, deserving not only recognition but gratitude for its commitment to marketing Shepherd’s BiCAT polyurethane catalyst product line to customers in need of catalysts for polyurethanes, spray foam, coatings and more.
Everchem is an exclusive partner for Shepherd’s BiCAT® polyurethane catalyst product line in United States and Canada. The partnership provides downstream customers with access to the broad range of BiCAT® products, an array of packaging options, closer-to-market customer service, and an unmatched level of expertise within the polyurethane market that only Everchem provides.
At its core, Everchem is a sales, marketing, and technology driven company that operates within the North American marketplace. Its core markets served include urethanes, epoxy, UV curing, and industrial chemical raw materials. Everchem prides itself on providing invaluable market intel and superior service which creates mutual benefit and value to customers and suppliers alike. The company’s lean business model and strong supplier relationships increase its responsiveness to customer needs with lower costs and less bureaucracy than many larger organizations can offer.
The Future of BiCAT Polyurethane Catalysts is Bright
Shepherd is considered a market leader when it comes to current and next-generation polyurethane catalysts. It was the first to develop hydrolytically stable bismuth carboxylate chemistry for use in HFO blowing agents, which reduces VOC’s and improves curing rates amongst other enhancements. This technological breakthrough earned Shepherd the 2016 CPI (The Center for The Polyurethanes Industry) Polyurethane Innovation Award.
Shepherd has experienced healthy growth in the sales of its BiCAT® product line through Everchem since our partnership was announced in September 2019. Through this arrangement, BiCAT® products are finding new markets, new customers, and new applications which only enhance the historically strong Shepherd brand.
Our Shared Philosophy
The mutually shared philosophy upon which Everchem and Shepherd respectively and collectively do business is a strategic difference maker when it comes to serving customers. We work together on a platform of transparency, which has yielded fantastic results for both companies since the inception of the partnership.
Everchem a wonderful steward of the Shepherd brand and our confidence in their capability and reliability is second to none. The future only provides additional opportunity for further strengthening of this relationship between the two companies.
If you’re in the market for BiCAT polyurethane catalysts, we’d love to work with you. Please contact us online or by calling 513-731-1110.
www.shepchem.com/news
September 28, 2023
Quadrant Names Stephenson VP of Sales
Quadrant Performance Materials Names Geoff Stephenson as Vice President of Sales
McKinney, TX, September 27, 2023 –(PR.com)– Quadrant Performance Materials (QPM), a global leader in high-performance materials, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mr. Geoff Stephenson as its new Vice President of Sales. In this strategic leadership role, Mr. Stephenson will drive the company’s sales efforts and strengthen its spray foam insulation market position across key industries.
Geoff Stephenson brings over 15 years of sales and management experience in the spray foam materials and manufacturing sector. He has a proven track record of delivering growth and driving revenue in competitive markets. Prior to joining Quadrant Performance Materials, Mr. Stephenson held executive sales positions at Henry Roofing and Foam where he consistently exceeded sales targets and enhanced customer relationships.
In his new role, Mr. Stephenson will be responsible for leading the sales team, developing, and executing sales strategies, and identifying new opportunities for Quadrant Performance Materials’ innovative product portfolio. His industry expertise and leadership will play a pivotal role in strengthening customer partnerships and expanding the company’s market share.
“We are delighted to welcome Geoff Stephenson to our executive team,” said QPM President & CEO Robert Jamieson. “His extensive experience, strategic vision, and customer-centric approach align perfectly with our company’s values and objectives. We look forward to his leadership as we continue to innovate and deliver cutting-edge solutions to our customers.”
Geoff Stephenson expressed his excitement about the new role, stating, “I am honored to join Quadrant Performance Materials, a company known for its commitment to quality and innovation. I am eager to work with the talented sales team and contribute to the company’s growth trajectory by delivering value to our customers.”
For more information on the line of spray foam products, please visit www.QuadrantPM.com or call 972-542-0072.
September 24, 2023
Mattress Recall
48,000 mattresses sold at Costco recalled for mold risk
Lara Bonatesta
20 hours ago
(WHTM) — The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced that 48,000 mattresses that were sold exclusively as Costco have been recalled by FXI Inc. due to the risk of mold exposure.
The recalled mattresses include Novaform ComfortGrande 14-inch and Novaform DreamAway 8-inch mattresses.
The ComfortGrande 14-inch mattress has a blue base with “Novaform” written in white letters.
The DreamAway 8-inch mattress has a gray base with “Novaform” written in white letters.
The item number can also be found on the mattress box and on the law tag attached to the mattress. Only mattresses with the following model/item numbers and manufactured at FXI’s San Bernardino, California facility between January 2, 2023, and April 28, 2023, are included in the recall:
| ComfortGrande 14″ Mattress | ||
| ITM/ART # | Price | |
| King | 1413200 | $700 |
| Cal King | 1413201 | $700 |
| Queen | 1413202 | $580 |
| Full | 1413203 | $500 |
| Twin | 1413204 | $400 |
| King | 1413200 | $750 |
| Queen | 1413202 | $600 |
| DreamAway 8″ Mattress | ||
| ITM/ART # | Price | |
| Twin | 1698562 | $160 |
| Full | 1698564 | $210 |
| Twin | 1698562 | $150 |
| Full | 1698564 | $200 |
FXI has received 541 reports of mold on the mattresses. No injuries have been reported.
The recalled mattresses were sold at Costco in the Northwest United States and in the San Francisco Bay area and online at www.costco.com from January 2023 to June 2023 for between $150 and $750.
Consumer Contact
FXI Inc. toll-free at 888-886-2057 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, or online at https://novaformcomfort.com/pages/recall or https://novaformcomfort.com and click Product Recall on the site for more information.
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