The Urethane Blog
November 28, 2023
Ingevity extends partnership with TRiiSO, LLC, expands Capa® distribution
footprint for customers in the United States and Canada
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., Nov. 28, 2023 – Ingevity Corporation (NYSE:NGVT) today
announced an extension of the distributorship with TRiiSO LLC (TRiiSO) to expand the
distribution footprint for the company’s Capa® products from the current western
United States (U.S.) to include all the U.S. and Canada. The new agreement will broaden
capabilities to serve existing Capa customers and support growth into new markets in
North America.
“Growing our partnership will allow for wider adoption of Ingevity’s Capa technology
and improved support for existing and new applications,” said Ingevity senior vice
president and president, Advanced Polymer Technologies, Steve Hulme. “Leveraging
TRiiSO’s nationwide reach and 50-year track record of supplying the coatings,
adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE) market strengthens our commitment to
providing current and future customers with innovative products and best in class
technical and customer service.”
“Ingevity’s focus on providing solutions to difficult formulating challenges aligns well
with TRiiSO’s technical support strengths,” said TRiiSO, vice president, Principal
Management, Mark McBee. “We are excited to expand our business footprint with
Ingevity throughout North America for the benefit of our existing and new customers
interested in high performance specialty polyols.”
The new distributorship agreement will take effect as of December 25, 2023.
Ingevity: Purify, Protect and Enhance
Ingevity provides products and technologies that purify, protect and enhance the world
around us. Through a team of talented and experienced people, we develop,
manufacture and bring to market solutions that help customers solve complex
problems and make the world more sustainable. We operate in three reporting
segments: Performance Chemicals, which includes specialty chemicals and pavement
technologies; Advanced Polymer Technologies, which includes biodegradable plastics
and polyurethane materials; and Performance Materials, which includes activated
carbon. Our products are used in in a variety of demanding applications, including
adhesives, agrochemicals, asphalt paving, bioplastics, coatings, elastomers, lubricants,
pavement markings, publication inks, oil exploration and production and automotive
components. Headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina, Ingevity operates
from 31 countries around the world and employs approximately 1,900 people. The
company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:NGVT). For
more information visit www.ingevity.com. Follow Ingevity on LinkedIn.
November 28, 2023
Panama Canal Congestion Causes MDI Price Increase in South America
PUdaily | Updated: November 27, 2023
The Panama Canal is Witnessing a Congestion with over 120 Ships Queueing
The Panama Canal Authority said on November 13 that approximately 126 ships were awaiting passage at the canal entrance, with potential waiting times of up to 12 days. To address the backlog of vessels, the authority holds auctions for those wishing to jump to the front of the line. In the latest auction, a Japanese energy group paid nearly USD 4 million to secure the crossing for its liquefied petroleum gas tanker, setting a new record and significantly increasing the transportation cost of transit goods.
El Niño Phenomenon Causes Congestion in the Panama Canal
Since the beginning of this year, the drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon has been affecting the water reservoir system of the Panama Canal, leading to a reduced supply of freshwater necessary for the operation of the locks. As a result, the Panama Canal Authority has repeatedly slashed the number of daily transiting vessels. Additionally, the authority has also lowered the permissible draft of ships, forcing vessels passing through the canal locks to reduce their weight or cargo load. This drove up the delivery time and logistics costs. In August, the canal experienced the first wave of congestion, with 200 vessels were floating at both ends of the dried up canal. Recently, the congestion issue has become more severe, significantly impacting global trade.
Panama Canal Congestion Affects Delivery Times and Costs between North and South America, Asia, and Europe
The Panama Canal, with a total length of 81.3 kilometers, connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It is a lock-type canal where ships need to navigate through a series of locks to raise or lower the water level in order to traverse the canal located between the Central American mountain range. Alongside the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal plays a crucial role in global trade and economic development. The canal currently serves a total of 180 maritime routes that link 1,920 ports across 170 countries, the authority reported. The most significant trade routes serviced by the canal involve the US East Coast-Asia, US East Coast-South America West Coast, and Europe-South America West Coast routes.
MDI Prices are Moving up in South America
South American countries mainly import MDI from U.S., Europe, China, Japan, and South Korea. Due to the congestion in the Panama Canal and recent heavy rainfall in Brazil causing flooding in many ports, ships have been unable to dock, leading to delays in MDI imports and tight supply. As a result, some MDI suppliers have recently raised their quotations. PMDI prices in South America have moved up from the previous USD 1,900/tonne to the current range of USD 1,950-2,000/tonne.
November 28, 2023
Wanhua Chemical : Converging Passion, Moving Forward Together – A Letter of Gratitude from Chairman to All Wanhua Staff
November 28, 2023 at 10:07 am
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Converging Passion, Moving Forward Together – A Letter of Gratitude from Chairman to All Wanhua Staff
TIME ：2023-11-28
Dear Colleagues,
As sure as day turns to night, another year has flown by, bringing us back to our annual day of gratitude at Wanhua. On this meaningful day, I want to extend my sincere regards to all our teammates, the families of Wanhua teammates, and our friends from every corner who’ve had our back – a massive thank you! We’re truly grateful for your understanding, support, trust, and belief in us.
The year 2023 holds exceptional significance. We’ve seen the international order was going through some real roller coaster changes. As we came out of the pandemic, the global economy is picking itself up, dusting off, and moving forward amidst challenges and opportunities. In this game-changing time, every one of us at Wanhua has pulled together, bringing our surging momentum, and fueling our drive for high-quality development.
Thank you for your contributions that have brought success to Wanhua. Our front-line production crew has been great like never before, fine-tuning our lean manufacturing process. Your dedication to excellence makes our products the go-to choice for customers. Our marketing team has been nailing it with the “broadening sales channels, cooperating in a win-win relationship” approach, continuously delivering value to our customers with standout products and services, and beefing up Wanhua’s global reach. The procurement team, focusing on business needs, has been sticking to the rules and making progress in securing feedstock supply, supplier diversification, and equipment localization. You all have played a part in Wanhua’s success story, winning rave reviews from customers with our stellar products.
A round of applause for sparking Wanhua’s innovation. With continuous innovation, our R&D folks have brought to reality our seventh-gen MDI manufacturing tech, pushing the boundaries of the polyurethane industry and leading a wave globally. You’re driving us towards greater efficiency, better quality, and lower energy consumption. Seizing the opportunities, you’ve made breakthroughs in advanced materials, helping Wanhua’s high-quality development and standing on the cutting edge with world-class products and technology, with your innovative spirit. In an era of ‘innovation inside the box,’ creating an environment where innovation isn’t just encouraged but a norm. Your collective efforts are the fuel that’s propelling Wanhua forward.
Thanks for mapping out Wanhua’s journey. You’ve been trailblazers, across continents, leaving a mark of Wanhua’s diligence everywhere. Our Penglai low-carbon industrial park is rising with the construction of mega ethylene project phase II, not to mention Fujian TDI, Ningxia MDI, Ningbo HDI phase II, and Meishan NMP started operation. You’re painting a picture of Wanhua’s growth day by day, pushing us towards greater heights.
I feel thankful to every unsung hero at Wanhua, for your tireless work and contributions, as even a bit of effort counts and deserves a salute. The sweat, and tears on this journey, the heroes who’ve stepped up when it is the time, and the incredible achievements we’ve accomplished together, have merged into an unstoppable force, moving us confidently towards an extraordinary future of Wanhua.
While the prospects are bright, the road has twists and turns. We’ve ridden the waves of a momentous journey and are now gearing up for even more remarkable glory! Fellow teammates, let’s carry the spirit of gratitude, our grand mission, and our heartfelt passion, and unite as one for exponential growth. Let’s aim to build a world-class enterprise, a legacy that will last for centuries, and write a dazzling story!
A heartfelt gratitude to every one of Wanhua for your unwavering dedication!
Liao Zengtai
November 23, 2023
November 22, 2023
Wanhua Chemical : Launched NMP Material Solutions
November 22, 2023 at 07:18 am
Wanhua Chemical Launched NMP Material Solutions
TIME ：2023-11-22
Recently, methylamine facility of Wanhua started production successfully in one shot. It initials from natural gas, through acetylene, then BDO, GBL, methylamine and finally NMP, with an annual capacity of 80kT which is the single largest line in the world. The establishment of this plant is a firm step of Wanhua’s ambition on battery industry.
High-Quality Product:
N-Mthylpyrrolidone (NMP) is an organic solvent used in a variety of industries and applications. For example, anode paste, conductive paste, photoresist, screen cleaner, and as solvent for a series of polymer synthesis like aramid, polyphenylene sulfide(PPS), polyimide(PI). Besides, it can also be seen in insulation coating and some other pharma and petrochemical applications.
When it comes to battery field, the purity, chroma, and free amine are among the key parameters that customers are concerned about. Through innovation and continuous optimization on process and high precision test, Wanhua established comprehensive quality control system resulted a more than 99.9% purity.
Industrial Chain Advantage:
Leveraging Sichuan production base that is deeply integrated and power by green electricity, plus its natural gas supply advantage, the supply chain is secured with consistency.
In the future, Wanhua Chemical will promote the development of li-ion battery industry with the advantages of R&D capability, supply chain competitiveness and industrial park integration. We will participate and build a sustainable battery ecosystem.
November 21, 2023
China’s PU Market Experienced Sluggishness in October
PUdaily | Updated: November 16, 2023
The PU composite index for October fluctuated. September saw a weaker-than-expected PU market. in October, the market became even more sluggish.Amid few inquiries, trading in PU raw materials was thin, resulting in a consolidating PU market.
The flexible PU foam index declined in October Earlier this month, spot TDI supply was tight as Wanhua(Xinjiang), Wanhua(Fujian) and Gansu Yinguang Chemical Industry shut their plants.In addition, some manufacturers needed to fulfill orders placed in September, and Covestro (Shanghai) stopped selling to boost the market. As a result, the TDI market rose significantly. Later, however, as demand became weak and spot supply increased with facilities restarted, manufacturers had to reduce prices to facilitate sale, resulting in a sharp fall in the TDI market. Flexible slabstock polyols manufacturers discussed prices with buyers.
In October, the rigid PU foam index consolidated at a low level. In the month, demand for rigid PU foam was sluggish.Specifically, demand from refrigerator manufacturers continued to rise, thanks to the double-digit year-on-year growth in refrigerator exports; that from insulated pipeline project in North China shrank; and that from the cold chain and OCF sectors remained weak. Late this month, due to tight MDI supply, the market bottomed out. With ample supply and finding it hard to sell, rigid polyols manufacturers discussed prices with buyers.
The resin index remained low in October. In the month, the AA market dipped. The high costs lent some support, but demand was sluggish as buyers made purchases as needed. The BDO market was down. In the month, the prices of feedstocks calcium carbide and methanol fell, lending decreased support to the BDO market. The supply rose significantly as maintenance was completed. However, demand was sluggish. Due to cost pressure, manufacturers were loath to reduce prices and decreased supply. but this provided limited support. traders were keen to sell. The THF market was soft-to-stable in October. The industry operating rate decreased, while operating rates in downstream sectors increased. traders sold goods according to market conditions. The PTMEG market remained stable in October. The operating rates in spandex industry remained stable, but the inventory cycle was extended. In the non-spandex products industry, synthetic leather resin manufacturers kept their operating rates low and made purchases as needed.
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