level, and the future organization ofCOSRAM and its interface with EFfCIwill be discussed. In addition, therewill be presentations on legislativeand EHS topics of current interest tothe sector. The meeting is open toboth non-members and members ofBACS.

Caroline Edser

RAWMATERIALS

Linear alkylbenzene

LAB market profile

In 2003, global linear alkylbenzene(LAB) capacity was 3 M tonne/y,whilst worldwide demand totalled 2.4M tonnes. Plant operating rates werearound 80%, and global oversupply isanticipated for the next few years.Consolidation may occur in theindustry. Almost all LAB output isused to produce linear alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) detergent surfactants.Asia-Pacific accounted for 42% ofcapacity in 2003, followed by theNAFTA region (19%) and WesternEurope (19%). In 2006, globalcapacity is expected to be 3.67 Mtonne/y, with 42% sited in Asia, 17%in the Middle East/Africa, 15% in theNAFTA region and 13% in WesternEurope. The main LAB producersinclude Sasol, with plants in Italy, andBaltimore, MD, and Lake Charles, LA,in the US, and Petresa, with plants inSpain, Canada and Brazil. Globalgrowth rates of 2-3%/y are forecast,with growth in Asia expected to riseby 4-5%/y. In 2006, Qatar Petroleumwill open a 100,000 tonne/y plant inMesaieed, Qatar, and Gulf Farabi willstart up a 70,000 tonne/y plant in AlJubail, Saudi Arabia. A 50,000tonne/y plant will be opened in Iran in1H 2004 by Bisotoon Petrochemicaland a 30,000 tonne/y unit will bestarted up in Dubai by Emalab.

European Chemical News, 23 Feb 2004, 80 (2088), 15

Huntsman raises LAB price

Huntsman Petrochemical hasannounced a 6% price rise for allgrades of LAB, effective from 1 Apr

2004. The company cites continuinghigh costs for raw materials, includingbenzene, paraffin and natural gas.

Chemical Week, 17 Mar 2004, 166 (9) (Website:http://www.chemweek.com)

Fluor gets LAB contract in Egypt

Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Co(Echem) has chosen Fluor Daniel asthe managing contractor for itspreviously announced 80,000tonnes/y LAB plant at Alexandria,Egypt (Focus on Surfactants, Nov2003).

Chemical Week, 31 Mar 2004, 166 (11) (Website:http://www.chemweek.com)

Indian LAB market may see priceslump

Analysts believe that the price warwitnessed in India’s detergentsegment is likely to extend to the LABsegment (p 5) as well, due to surpluscapacity. The cost of LAB is Rup54,000/tonne. LAB accounts for about30% of the detergent production cost.The LAB segment has an installedcapacity of 350,000 tonnes/ycompared to a demand of 320,000tonnes/y. The surplus capacity isexpected to increase to 150,000tonnes/y soon as Indian Oil Corp(IOC) is set to commission its120,000 tonnes/y LAB plant inVadodara by Jul 2004. At present, theIndian manufacturers are forced tosell the surplus stock in low marginChinese and European markets. IOChas signed an agreement with HLL tosupply LAB at lower cost.

Business Line, 23 Mar 2004, 11 (82), 1

Alpha-olefins

Outlook for alpha-olefins

On recovery of the global economicmarket, growth of 6%/y is expectedfor the C12-C16 range of alpha-olefins used in the manufacture ofdetergent alcohols. A further 3-5years will be needed before operatingrates begin to rise and the marketsbecome more balanced. New projectsare currently being announced bypetrochemical producers in theMiddle East.

Oils and Fats International, Mar 2004, 20 (2), 9

Oleochemicals

Global oleochemicals producerssurvey 2004

Oils and Fats International haspublished an updated survey ofglobal oleochemicals producers. Foreach manufacturer (the majority ofwhich are based in Malaysia andprocess palm and palm kernel oils),the survey lists the raw materialsused, products, production capacityand full contact details includingwebsite address. Companies profiledare Acidchem International, AkzoNobel Oleochemicals, CognisOleochemicals, Derichem, Esterchem,FOI Industries, FPG Oleochemicals,Pan Century Edible Oils, SouthernAcids, Stabilchem, Uniqema Malaysia,all located in Malaysia, SymexHoldings (Australia), Oleon (Belgium),Peter Greven Fett-Chemie (Germany),PT Sumi Asih/Derifats Chemicals(Indonesia), United Coconut Chemicals(Philippines), Karlshamns Tefac(Sweden) and Imperial IndustrialChemicals (Thailand). The threelargest producers are Acidchem, FPGOleochemicals and Oleon. Together,the 18 listed companies have acombined oleochemical productioncapacity of about 2.28 M tonnes/year.

Oils and Fats International, Mar 2004, 20 (2), 38-39

A solid year ahead for CPO

Malaysian experts have forecastedthat Malaysia’s average crude palmoil (CPO) price will range aroundRinggit 1600-2100/tonne during 2004due to high demand and tight stocksand supply, up on the average CPOprice of Ringgit 1544/tonne in 2003.During Sep 2003-Feb 2004, theglobal market price of palm oil was$115/tonne and palm kernel oil was$185/tonne. The global demand forpalm oil has surpassed productionfrom 2001 onwards, while stocks alsoreduced drastically.

The Star, 5 Mar 2004 (Website:http://www.thestar.com.my)

Other

Lion poised to expand methyl ester

Plans to expand methyl ester capacityhave been proposed by Lion Corp.

2 MAY 2004

F O C U S O N S U R F A C T A N T S