Displaying items by tag: AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel's Specialty Chemicals business has completed a $10 million investment at its LeMoyne sulfur derivatives plant in the US, which supplies essential ingredients used in several major industries.

Located in Alabama, the investment includes a 20,000 dry metric ton expansion for the production of sodium hydrosulfide (NaSH), which the company supplies to customers in the paper, leather tanning, mining and specialty polymers segments.

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"This is a key expansion which will help to support growing customer demand," explains Sulfur Derivatives General Manager, Ignacio Garin. "The LeMoyne facility employs unique AkzoNobel technology which provides NaSH at lower impurity levels and higher concentrations than competing processes, providing a significant sustainability benefit for customers."

AkzoNobel is the only company to produce a high strength, high purity NaSH at 60% concentration, which means the product qualifies as an eco-premium solution, offering advantages in terms of energy efficiency, emissions and waste water.

Commenting on the expansion, Werner Fuhrmann, AkzoNobel's Executive Committee member responsible for Specialty Chemicals, adds: "This project is just the latest in a series of capital investments we have made to support the growth of our customers across a range of end-use markets. It also underlines our ongoing commitment to sustainability."

AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make people's lives more liveable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients, essential protection and essential color to industries and consumers worldwide. Backed by a pioneering heritage, our innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life easier. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 46,000 people in around 80 countries, while our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. Consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability, we are dedicated to energizing cities and communities while creating a protected, colorful world where life is improved by what we do.

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AkzoNobel's Specialty Chemicals business has completed the expansion of a Chemical Island in Brazil to support a major project for Brazilian forestry company Fibria. The world's leading producer of eucalyptus pulp from planted forests, Fibria has invested $2.2 billion to more than double pulp capacity at its mill in Três Lagoas to 3.25 million tons per year.

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The expansion of the Chemical Island (a concept developed by AkzoNobel) includes the installation of a second chlorine dioxide plant, as well as increased space for storage and logistics. The Chemical Island concept provides pulp mill customers with a sustainable and cost-effective solution

for the production and supply of bleaching chemicals as well as services for other chemical processes.

"We are a dedicated partner with Fibria and have now supplied five of their six chlorine dioxide units, including the two at Três Lagoas," explains Antonio Carlos Francisco, General Manager of Bleaching Chemicals South America for AkzoNobel's Pulp and Performance Chemicals business.

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"The close proximity to our customer provides important sustainability benefits by reducing transportation, and we also reduce our carbon footprint by operating the Chemical Island with 100% bio-energy from biomass that derives from the pulp mill."

The new production line in Três Lagoas (Mato Grosso do Sul state) is now the largest single pulp line in the world and strengthens Fibria's leading market position.  The new Chemical Island is also the largest of the four being operated by AkzoNobel to serve the Brazilian pulp industry.

"We are proud to have a well-established and sustainable footprint for the pulp industry in Brazil," says Niek Stapel, Managing Director of AkzoNobel's Pulp and Performance Chemicals business. "It emphasizes our long-term strategic commitment to growing with our customers and also to this increasingly important market."

Click here for the video about Chemical Islands.

About AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make people's lives more liveable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients, essential protection and essential color to industries and consumers worldwide. Backed by a pioneering heritage, our innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life easier. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 46,000 people in around 80 countries, while our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. Consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability, we are dedicated to energizing cities and communities while creating a protected, colorful world where life is improved by what we do. 

About Fibria

The world leader in eucalyptus pulp production, Fibria strives to meet - in a sustainable manner - the growing global demand for products from planted forests. With annual pulp production capacity of 7.25 million tons, the company has industrial units located in Aracruz (Espírito Santo state), Jacareí (São Paulo state) and Três Lagoas (Mato Grosso do Sul state), as well as in Eunápolis (Bahia state), where it operates Veracel in a joint operation with Stora Enso. Fibria has 1,056,000 hectares of forests, which include 633,000 hectares of planted forests, 364,000 hectares earmarked for environmental preservation and conservation, and 59,000 hectares allocated for other uses. The pulp produced by Fibria is exported to more than 35 countries and is the raw material for educational, health, hygiene and cleaning products. For more information please visit www.fibria.com

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AkzoNobel's Specialty Chemicals business has developed a novel technology platform for producing ethylene amines and their derivatives from ethylene oxide. As well as significantly reducing raw material consumption per ton of product, it also offers a substantially improved cost and sustainability profile when compared with existing processes.

2017 09 29 105724Egbert Henstra The flexibility of the technology will allow the selective production of a wide range of end products, enabling the company to expand its amines product offering. AkzoNobel intends to start construction of a demonstration plant in 2018 to showcase the competitiveness of the platform and validate the products with customers.

The range of ethylene amines targeted includes, but is not limited to, DETA (diethylenetriamine) and TETA (triethylenetetramine), which are key building blocks in a number of growth applications such as epoxy curing, oil and road additives, and paper.

"We are excited to announce this technology, which underlines our commitment to the global ethylene amines market," said Joppe Smit, General Manager of AkzoNobel's Ethylene Amines business. "It offers unique benefits to our customers in comparison to mainstream technology and we strongly believe it has the potential to become a game-changer in the industry."

Added Egbert Henstra, Managing Director of AkzoNobel's Ethylene and Sulfur Derivatives business: "Launching this technology strengthens our product portfolio and will further improve the company's position as one of the leaders in the ethylene amines industry. Establishing this unique position is of strategic importance to our business."

Commenting on the development, Peter Nieuwenhuizen, RD&I Director of Specialty Chemicals at AkzoNobel, said: "The development of this novel technology is another great example of AkzoNobel's commitment to growth through innovation. In addition, it underlines our commitment to make a positive and lasting impact on a more sustainable planet."

He added that substantial efforts have been made to protect the new technology platform via a comprehensive patent portfolio.

AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make people's lives more livable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, we supply essential ingredients, essential protection and essential color to industries and consumers worldwide. Backed by a pioneering heritage, our innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life easier. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 46,000 people in around 80 countries, while our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. Consistently ranked as a leader in sustainability, we are dedicated to energizing cities and communities while creating a protected, colorful world where life is improved by what we do

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AkzoNobel has just inaugurated its new €6.5 million technology center in Songjiang, Shanghai. The company's largest research facility in China, it will support product innovation and the development of next-generation paints, coatings and specialty chemicals.

4 95505 article tcm9 95508Equipped with a full array of state-of-the-art material analysis and performance testing facilities, the center currently employs 150 scientists, which is expected to rise to 200 by 2020. The majority of the products supported by the new facility will be waterborne and powder-based, in line with the company's ambitions to develop more eco-premium solutions.

"Innovation and locally developed products and solutions are critical to ensuring that we continue to create everyday essentials that make people's lives more liveable and inspiring," said Klaas Kruithof, RD&I Director of AkzoNobel's Performance Coatings business. "The opening of this new technology center marks another milestone in the company's organic growth strategy, as we continue to drive our innovation agenda and build a resilient portfolio of more sustainable products."

AkzoNobel invested a total of €347 million in research and development during 2015, with a strong focus on sustainability. The company is also looking to increase its revenue from downstream eco-premium solutions to 20 percent of revenue by 2020. In China, it has already reached 30 percent.

"A key strength of our new technology center is that it is focused on all the company's paints and coatings activities," added Roger Jakeman, RD&I Director of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints. "This offers major advantages in terms of synergies, efficiency benefits and creating additional value for customers."

Commenting on the inauguration of the new facility – an expansion of an existing AkzoNobel research center in Songjiang – Dr. Lin Liangqi, President of AkzoNobel China and Managing Director of the company's Decorative Paints business in China and North Asia, added: "China accounts for between ten and 15 percent of global RD&I investment annually. With Asia, and especially China, upgrading its manufacturing industry protocols, innovative solutions with strong sustainability features will be key to future success. The new center will therefore play a vital role in supporting manufacturing, as well as future markets, such as solar and wind power."

Deputy Executive of Songjiang District, Wanli Long, also welcomed the opening of the new facility: "We are glad that AkzoNobel is locating such an important research facility in Songjiang," she said. "The new center is an enhancement of our innovation capability."

AkzoNobel employs over 7,500 people in China (including 500 in RD&I), while revenue in China totaled €1.8 billion in 2015. The company operates more than 30 production sites across the country, with RD&I resources allocated to 26 of them to support local customers.

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AkzoNobel has strengthened its position in the North American hydrogen peroxide market after acquiring the outstanding shares in EkO Peroxide LLC from joint venture partner OCI Peroxygens LLC (a subsidiary of OCI Enterprises Inc.).

Established nine years ago and headquartered at AkzoNobel's site in Columbus, Mississippi, the joint venture owned and controlled the 70,000 short tons per annum (nameplate capacity)  hydrogen peroxide manufacturing facility.

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Hydrogen peroxide is a key component of AkzoNobel's bleaching chemicals product portfolio and is marketed by the company’s Pulp and Performance Chemicals business. It has essential applications in various markets, notably pulp bleaching, chemical processing and mining.

"This deal supports the strategic growth objectives for our bleaching chemicals activities. The hydrogen peroxide market in North America has improved significantly in recent years, with AkzoNobel well placed to grow the business," said Werner Fuhrmann, AkzoNobel's Executive Committee member responsible for Specialty Chemicals. "It will also enable us to strengthen our integrated platform for the production of hydrogen peroxide and sodium chlorate at the Columbus site."

Financial details of this transaction are not disclosed.

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AkzoNobel is exploring new ways of increasing business value by piloting a unique four dimensional approach.

The so-called 4D method looks at the whole value chain and is designed to measure both positive and negative environmental, human, social and financial impact. Already piloted at the company's Pulp and Performance Chemicals business in Brazil, the innovative approach has been confirmed by project partner True Price as the first of its kind to be published.

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Six sites in Brazil participated in the pilot, which took place during 2014. The findings - analysed in cooperation with sustainability research organization True Price and economist Pavan Sukhdev - are already being used to make relevant improvements.

AkzoNobel CEO Ton Büchner:

"We wanted to push the boundaries of our impact assessment and develop a deeper understanding of our influence across the whole value chain. By attaching an economic value to the positive and negative aspects of each dimension, we can gain valuable insights into how we can drive longer term value not only for our shareholders, but also for the environment, people and society at large. In addition, the results will inform our strategic decision-making and provide further momentum for our ongoing efforts to do more with less."

Adrian de Groot Ruiz, Executive Director at True Price:

"A 4D method such as this is the future of integrated thinking and reporting. Companies can use it internally to shape innovations and strategies that create shared value for shareholders and society."

Pavan Sukhdev, CEO of GIST Advisory:

"I am delighted with AkzoNobel's pilot study. It showcases the future of impact valuation and integrated reporting and is a first-of-its-kind integrated method in the four dimensions of capital - financial, natural, social and human."

Following the success of the pilot, the company is now looking at scaling up the project.

azkoAkzoNobel is a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals. Calling on centuries of expertise, we supply industries and consumers worldwide with innovative products and sustainable technologies designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we have approximately 47,000 people in around 80 countries, while our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon and Eka. Consistently ranked as one of the leaders in the area of sustainability, we are committed to making life more liveable and our cities more human.

About True Price
True Price is a social enterprise that aims to contribute to a circular and inclusive economy that creates value for all people by providing the information needed in such an economy. True Price helps organizations - multinationals, SMEs, NGOs, governments - quantify, value and improve their economic, environmental and social impacts. True Price works directly with organizations by providing research services. In addition, True Price enables organizations to measure their impact through a multi-stakeholder platform that develops open source methods for impact measurement.
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azkoAkzoNobel and cleantech company Photanol have teamed up to develop a process for harnessing the power of the sun to make chemicals.

The two companies will work on creating sustainable technology which mimics the way plants use photosynthesis. The aim is to produce "green" chemical building blocks that will eventually replace raw materials AkzoNobel currently obtains from fossil-based production.

"Given the challenges the world is facing in terms of resource scarcity, we are actively looking for bio-based alternatives for our chemicals and Photanol's existing technology is a potential game-changer," explained Peter Nieuwenhuizen, AkzoNobel's Director of Innovation and Partnerships.

"We are constantly looking for less traditional solutions as we strive to do more with less and this exciting partnership - which has the potential to significantly reduce our carbon footprint - is a perfect example of our Planet Possible approach to sustainability."

The collaboration is focused on Photanol's existing proprietary technology, which uses light to directly convert CO2 from the air into predetermined raw materials such as acetic acid and butanol. The only by-product is oxygen.

Michiel Lensink, Photanol CEO, added: "The cooperation with AkzoNobel is of major strategic importance to us. Not only does it give us access to a large potential market, but AkzoNobel's processing technology expertise also means that we will shorten our time to market."

The two companies will start by developing a number of specific chemicals that are currently used by AkzoNobel's Specialty Chemicals Business Area. The partnership is intended to be a stepping stone for potential commercial production of fourth generation bio-based chemicals.

AkzoNobel's chemicals are used extensively by the chemicals, detergent, construction, food, pulp and paper and plastic industries.

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azkoAkzoNobel's new €90 million Jupiá Chemical Island in Brazil is now operational and has started supplying the Eldorado Brasil Celulose pulp mill, which is the biggest in the world.

Operated by the company's Pulp and Performance Chemicals business, the state-of-the-art Jupiá facility represents one of AkzoNobel's largest investments in Latin America. It will supply, store and handle all chemicals for the 1.5 million tons per year Eldorado mill under an agreement which runs for the next 15 years.

"We are very proud to be involved in such a prestigious project which marks a significant step in AkzoNobel accelerating growth in one of its core markets," said Werner Fuhrmann, member of AkzoNobel's Executive Committee, responsible for Specialty Chemicals. "The plant's official opening also emphasizes our commitment to expanding our activities in one of the world's most rapidly growing regions", added Ruud Joosten, Managing Director of Pulp and Performance Chemicals.

As well as providing long-term employment for around 60 people, the Jupiá plant will play an important role in ensuring a sustainable eucalyptus pulp supply to the global marketplace.

Jose Carlos Grubisich, CEO of Eldorado Brasil Celulose commented: "We are pleased to be working with AkzoNobel and we look forward to further developing our strategic partnership. I am sure that our cooperation will be mutually beneficial."

AkzoNobel has a well-established pulp and paper chemicals operation in Brazil, where the company already operates the Chemical Island concept at several pulp mills, as well as running production units in Jacareí, Eunápolis, Três Lagoas, Rio de Janeiro and Jundiaí.  

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Monday, 03 December 2012 10:12

CEO Ton Büchner returns to AkzoNobel

azkoThe Supervisory Board of AkzoNobel is delighted to announce that CEO Ton Büchner will resume his duties on Friday, December 7, following a full recovery. 

"On behalf of the Supervisory Board and the Executive Committee we welcome Ton coming back to the office. It has obviously been a testing time for all of us but now Ton is back as expected, leading the company forward and returning to business as usual," said Karel Vuursteen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. 

Commented CEO Ton Büchner: "I am thrilled to return to my post. I am grateful to my team who have taken care of the company so well during my absence. There is a great future for AkzoNobel and we are looking forward to updating you on our plans to further improve the company’s performance." 

AkzoNobel will organize an analyst conference call and media interviews on Friday, December 14. Supervisory Board member Antony Burgmans, and CEO Ton Büchner will answer questions relating to this announcement. 

On February 20, 2013, AkzoNobel will announce its Q4 and Full Year 2012 results, and Ton Büchner will give the Strategy Update, postponed from October 22.

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AkzoNobel’s Supervisory Board this week received an update on the progress of CEO Ton Büchner’s recovery. Following a Supervisory Board meeting today, the company reported that medical specialists expect the CEO to fully recover and that it is anticipated that he will return to work sometime around year-end.

“We are pleased to report that the current treatment is effective and progress is being made. However, it is important that the full cycle of treatment is completed and a premature commencement of activities is avoided,“ said Karel Vuursteen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “We are glad that Ton is progressing and we look forward to welcoming him back to the company later this year. In the meantime, we have appropriate governance in place.”

The company’s temporary arrangements to accommodate Ton’s absence will remain in place. CFO Keith Nichols will continue to be the first point of contact and coordinator for the Executive Committee, while Antony Burgmans, member of the Supervisory Board, will remain on hand to offer advice and support to Keith and the Executive Committee.

AkzoNobel will announce its Q3 results for 2012 at 07.00 CET tomorrow. A conference call for analysts will be held from 09.00 until 10.30 CET. Supervisory Board member Antony Burgmans will answer questions relating to this announcement.

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