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Sample report for adhesive category. Other reports may vary in format.
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| TZMI TiO2 Review: March 2005
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Single copy - March 2005
TZMI's TiO2 Review covers the TiO2 pigment industry and its major end-use markets including paint and coatings, plastics, paper and ink. The newsletter provides current and timely market commentary and analysis relevant to understanding the growth and economics of the TiO2 pigment industry. Regular pricing trends are presented, including a focus on raw material costs. In this issue: Several news items of high importance to the global TiO2 industry have arisen. Leading these is the DuPont announcement that it is in consultation with local Chinese government officials from the city of Dongying, Shandong Province, which could lead to the construction of a world class titanium dioxide plant in the city's Economic Development Zone. Dongying City has emerged as the leading contender for a new plant, after a team from DuPont visited China and other Asian countries. The company, however, stressed that the talks are still at an early stage, and that further negotiations with local entities need to be undertaken, and internal DuPont approvals have not as yet been obtained to formally commit to the project.
DuPont's move to further expand its pigment production capacity contrasts sharply with the recent confirmation by Kerr-McGee Corp that it is evaluating options to either spin-off or sell its chemical business unit, which includes its TiO2 pigment business. Kerr-McGee Corp has recently been the subject of interest from high profile investor Carl Icahn and associated entities who have recently acquired between them 11.6 million shares, or approximately 8% of the company. Mr Icahn has challenged Kerr-McGee's management to instigate several changes to improve the share price of the company, including the sale of its chemical business.
The recent Intertech TiO2 Conference in France highlighted some expected changes to titanium feedstock supply. Of particular importance was the announcement at the conference that Sierra Rutile Limited expects to be back in production by late 2005.
The featured region for this month is Europe. TZMI estimates that pigment production in the region has grown by 4.7% in 2004. In the analysis of pigment trade TZMI looks at some of the changes in pigment trade that have occurred for this region over the last two years, examining trade balances of Western Europe with the US, Eastern Europe and China.
Another round of price increases has begun with three producers announcing increases in all global markets effective 1 April 2005.
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| Newsletter Table of Contents |
- News
- People news
- Conferences list
- Industry insight: The cost of supply for the TiO2 pigment industry
- Meeting report: 4th Petcokes Conference
- Pricing trends
- Trade statistics: Europe
- Financial results: 2004 full year results
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