NEWS
New developments in the Chemicals industry
Airedale Chemical sets K+S investing in salt brine field in the Netherlands minerals company K+S Aktiengesellsthe European chemical industry and producing a its sights on Europe Independent chaft is to develop a new off-shore brine field by comprehensive range of high purity salt special-
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-based specialist chemical manufacturer, Airedale Chemical, is employing an ambitious strategy to explore sales potential in European markets with an initial focus on Germany and France. It will implement its new European-focused strategy with the help of European-based chemical specialists to introduce Airedale Chemical to key industry leaders within strategically targeted countries. Daniel Marr, head of marketing at Airedale Chemical, explains: “We have been consolidating our position as one of the UK’s leading speciality chemical companies over the last decade and we’re now perfectly placed to conquer Europe with our history, expertise and strong values. It is an incredibly exciting time. One of the company’s primary objectives will be to grow Airedale Chemical’s BPR (Biocidal Products Registration) approved peracetic acid, often used as a disinfectant in the food and beverage, agricultural and industrial cleaning sectors, to European countries including Germany, France and Slovenia. Daniel added: “The uncertainty surrounding Brexit at the moment presents challenging conditions but with the insight, experience and knowledge the team brings we feel well-placed to make great strides into Europe over the next 12 months.” Visit: www.airedalechemical.com
BASF launches stir-in pigment for automotive coatings
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ASF has launched a pioneering stir-in pigment for automotive coatings, that provides enhanced colour depth, flop, and sparkle. eXpand!™ Red (EH 3427), marketed under the Colors & Effects brand, is the first pigment to result from the strategic partnership between BASF and Landa Labs.
12 Industry Europe
drilling a new cavern at its Dutch production plant, Frisia Zout BV in Harlingen, further implementing the group’s Shaping 2030 strategy. Frisia Zout is the largest vacuum salt plant in the K+S Group, serving electrolysis plants of
ties for a variety of industrial applications. All brine for the vacuum salt production stems from solution mining and comes from salt caverns at a depth of about 3000m. Based on a new mining permit from the relevant mining authorities in the Netherlands, K+S is developing a new off-shore brine field deep below the Wadden Sea close to the plant. The new brine field will be located near the port entrance of Harlingen, the so-called Havenmond area, and will be developed by directional drillings from shore in 2019. It will be fully operational by the end of 2020 and allow for a production increase of about 25%, bringing the production to a level of about 1.2 million tonnes per year. Visit: www.k-plus-s.com
Clariant introduces new range of label-free emulsifiers
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lariant is launching two new emulsifiers suitable for replacing traditional alcohol ethoxylate emulsifiers in metal working fluid formulations. The new products Emulsogen® MTP 020 and Emulsogen MTP 030 join Clariant’s well-known Emulsogen MTP 070 to create an innovative new range of hazard label-free low foaming emulsifiers for the industry. The new Emulsogen MTP 020/030/070 range combines an outstanding sustainability profile with performance-boosting properties that sets it apart from existing nonionic emulsifier options for cutting fluids. Extensive laboratory tests confirm that Emulsogen MTP 020/030 and 070 outperform traditional emulsifiers. Emulsogen MTP 020/030 and 070 are multifunctional additives offering excellent emulsification power, low foaming properties, lime soap dispersing power and lubrication. Each product has its unique performance profile, enabling the cutting fluid formulators to select the right product
for each individual performance requirement. The products perform well even with increasing fluid application pressures. Ralf Zerrer, Head of Strategic Marketing and Innovation at Clariant BU Industrial & Consumer Specialties, said: “With our two new low foaming emulsifiers Clariant now offers the metal working industry a unique range of highly-sustainable low foaming non-ionic emulsifiers for boosting the performance of cutting fluids, even under tough operating conditions.” Visit: www.clariant.com
“By bringing this technology to our customers, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to offering a revolutionary generation of Colors & Effects pigments that meet the requirements of the automotive coatings industry,” said Paul Verhoeven, eXpand!™ business leader at BASF. The blue-shade red pigment features both high transparency and high tinting strength for
more intensive shades with lower scattering. Compatible with modern automotive coating systems, eXpand!™ Red is the first of its kind suitable for outdoor applications. The small particle sized stir-in pigment is easily dispersible and cuts the time involved in the production process as opposed to conventional milling methods; this lowers costs significantly. Visit: www.basf.com