COMPANIES & MARKETS

New products increased sales

USA. The chemical company DuPont generated during 2008 more than US$10 billion in sales of products developed in the last 5 years, a figure that represents 35% of total sales. The firm also marketed 901 new products or new applications, and submitted more than 1,900 patent applications in that year alone.

In this regard, Uma Chowdhry, vice president and general manager of the Department of Science and Technology of DuPont, said that there is a great strength in the company in terms of research and development, achieving high-performance innovations that have a good profit margin, even in difficult times.

"DuPont scientists are now more committed to finding opportunities that translate into new sustainable products and technologies, and offer added value to current and future customers."

Akzo Nobel reported 38% in losses

Holland. Dutch multinational Akzo Nobel reported a loss of 1.1 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in profits in 2008, hit by non-cash charges from the ICI acquisition, and warned it faces a challenging 2009.

The chemical group said it took on charges of 1.2 billion euros ($1.5 billion) in the fourth quarter, after taxes related to ICI's depreciation and incidental charges of 600 million euros ($762 million).

The firm's annual loss compares with a profit of 595 million euros (US$755 million) in 2007. Latin America contributed 8% of the European company's total profits.

Compared to 2007, total sales in the industrial paints segment fell by 6%, from 2,032 to 1,915 million euros (US$2,432 million). In marine and protective paints, profits fell 8%, in automotive finishes they fell 3% and in packaging paints by 1%.

In total, sales in the four segments mentioned above fell from 1,054 to 1,098 million euros (US$1,394 million), 4% less than in 2007.

Source: Reuters.

Vinyl acetate unit closed in Mexico

Dallas. U.S. chemical maker Celanese will close its vinyl acetate production unit, also known as VAM, from its "Celanese Cangrejera" plant located in Coatzacoalcos in the Mexican state of Veracruz this month.

In a statement reviewed by elfinanciero.com, the company reported that after an evaluation it deduced that "this reduction in capacity is necessary, due to the important change in the global economy, the structural cost of the operations of its unit and the anticipation of a low demand."

Celanese had already announced on January 21 that it was considering the closure of the vinyl acetate unit at the Cangrejera plant, which has a production capacity of 115 thousand tons per year.

The company did not specify the number of workers who could be affected by this closure, but had earlier reported that it would offer its employees fair treatment in accordance with the laws and practices of the country.

Dallas-based Celanese clarified that this closure does not affect other production areas of the Cangrejera plant, which will continue its production of other chemicals, including acetic anhydride, ethyl acetate, acetone derivatives and methylamines, to meet its commitments to customers in Mexico and other countries.

DuPont Opens Center

A technical center for high-performance automotive paints in Russia, duPont recently opened. The investment was US$3 million. The company supplies paints to the Russian automotive industry (and from ex-Soviet countries) thanks to a co-investment made in 2006 with Russkie-Kraski, the largest Russian manufacturer of automotive paints and resins in that nation. This new research and development center will be primarily dedicated to adapting new paint techniques and properties to local in-line production conditions in both automotive and polymer factories. In this way, DuPont will be able to better anticipate and serve the needs of the growing Russian automotive industry.

B.C. Chong, Vice President and General Manager of DuPont's Automotive Paint Area Globally, said vehicle manufacturers in Russia will now have the opportunity to use a world-class paint manufactured locally, and with the economic benefits that this implies.

Rohm and Haas Figures

Rohm and Haas Co reported second-quarter results of the year announcing sales of $2.567 billion, up 17% from the same period a year earlier. The electronics and chemical materials businesses grew strongly outside of North America. The real growth of 7% was represented as follows: 4% by the demand for products and 3% as a result of acquisitions.

"We have made great progress towards our strategic vision for 2010," said company President Raj L. Gupta.