Chemicals, Coatings and Plastics Industry

THE CHEMICALS 400 is our unique grouping of the biggest, most successful corporations in all segments of the chemicals, coatings and plastics industry. Tens of thousands of pieces of information, gathered from a wide variety of sources, have been researched and are presented in a unique form that can be easily understood. This section includes thorough indexes to THE CHEMICALS 400, by geography, industry, sales, brand names, subsidiary names and many other topics. (See Chapter 4.)... 

The two primary sections of this book are devoted first to the chemicals, coatings and plastics industry as a whole and then to the Individual Data Listings for THE CHEMICALS 400. If time permits, you should begin your research in the front chapters of this book. Also, you will find lengthy indexes in Chapter 4 and in the back of the book. 

Glossary A short list of chemicals, coatings and plastics industry terms. 

Chapter 1 Major Trends Affecting the Chemicals, Coatings and Plastics Industry. This chapter presents an encapsulated view of the major trends that are creating rapid changes in the chemicals industry today. 

Chapter 3 Important Chemicals, Coatings and Plastics Industry Contacts - Addresses, Telephone Numbers and Internet Sites. This chapter covers contacts for important government agencies, industry organizations and trade groups. Included are numerous important Internet sites. 

Chapter 4 THE CHEMICALS 400 Who They Are and How They Were Chosen. The companies compared in this book (the actual count is 395) were carefully selected from the chemicals, coatings and plastics industry, largely in the United States. 171 of the firms are based outside the U.S. For a complete description, see THE CHEMICALS 400 indexes in this chapter. 

The companies chosen to be listed in PLUNKETT S CHEMICALS, COATINGS PLASTICS INDUSTRY ALMANAC comprise a unique list. THE CHEMICALS 400 (the actual count is 395 companies) were chosen specifically for their dominance in the many facets of the chemicals, coatings and plastics industry in which they operate. Complete information about each firm can be found in the Individual Profiles, beginning at the end of this chapter. These profiles are in alphabetical order by company name. 

The businesses of chemicals, coatings and plastics are closely linked, and those sectors, in turn, are closely linked to the oil and gas industry. Plastics comprise a branch of petrochemicals—that is, chemicals refined from petroleum. Total world consumption of oil for industrial uses is about 30 million barrels daily—mostly for use in chemical processes. Coatings, which include paints, are chemical concoctions. Other everyday chemicals products include pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, dyes, fibers, packaging, adhesives and explosives, among... 

Based on a symposium jointly sponsored by the ACS Divisions of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Chemical Information, Organic Coatings and Plastics Chemistry, Small Chemical Businesses, and the Board Committee on Corporation Associates at the 182nd National Meeting of the American Chemical Society at Las Vegas, Nevada,... 

The other ACS divisions that served as joint sponsors with the Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry and the chairmen provided for three of the four sessions of this symposium should be identified for their helpful assistance Howard M. Peters from the Division of Chemical Information (Chemistry and the Law Subdivision) Kenneth W. Greenlee from the Division of Small Chemical Businesses and Lawrence Keller from the Division of Organic Coatings and Plastics Chemistry. Lawrence Keller served also as co-chairman and helped develop the general scope of the symposium. The Board Committee on Corporation Associates also was a joint sponsor. 

Acrylonitrile is used in the manufacture of acrylic fibers and in the plastic surface coatings and adhesive industries. It is also used as a pesticide/fumigant. It is a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of antioxidants, pharmaceutical dyes, surface-active agents, and in reactions requiring the cyanoethyl group. 

The biochemical reaction catalyzed by epoxygenase in plants combines the common oilseed fatty acids, linoleic or linolenic acids, with O2, forming only H2O and epoxy fatty acids as products (CO2 and H2O are utilized to make linoleic or linolenic acids). A considerable market currently exists for epoxy fatty acids, particularly for resins, epoxy coatings, and plasticizers. The U.S. plasticizer market is estimated to be about 2 billion pounds per year (Hammond 1992). Presently, most of this is derived from petroleum. In addition, there is industrial interest in use of epoxy fatty acids in durable paints, resins, adhesives, insecticides and insect repellants, crop oil concentrates, and the formulation of carriers for slow-release pesticides and herbicides (Perdue 1989, Ayorinde et al. 1993). Also, epoxy fatty acids can readily and economically be converted to hydroxy and dihydroxy fatty acids and their derivatives, which are useful starting materials for the production of plastics as well as for detergents, lubricants, and lubricant additives. Such renewable derived lubricant and lubricant additives should facilitate use of plant/biomass-derived fuels. Examples of plastics that can be produced from hydroxy fatty acids are polyurethanes and polyesters (Weber et al. 1994). As commercial oilseeds are developed that accumulate epoxy fatty acids in the seed oil, it is likely that other valuable products would be developed to use this as an industrial chemical feedstock in the future. 

Acetaldehyde is a widely produced organic chemical used in the manufacture of acetic acid, plastics, and raw materials. Approximately a billion kg of acetone are produced each year as a solvent and for applications in the rubber, leather, and plastics industries. Methylethyl ketone is employed as a low-boiling solvent for coatings and adhesives, and for the synthesis of other chemicals. 

This and its companion Volume 2 document the proceedings of the International Symposium on Physicochemical Aspects of Polymer Surfaces held under the auspices of the American Chemical Society in New York City, August 23-28, 1981. This event was sponsored by the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry and the Divisions of Organic Coatings and Plastics Chemistry, and Industrial and Engineering Chemistry were the cosponsors. 

Eastman Goal Chemicals. In 1983 Eastman Chemical Co. became the first chemical producer in the United States to return to coal as a raw material for large-scale manufacture of industrial chemicals (35). In that year, Eastman started manufacturing acetic anhydride from coal. Acetic anhydride is a key intermediate for production of coatings, ceUulosic plastics, and cellulose acetate fibers. Acetic anhydride from other sources also is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, starches and sweeteners, and flavors and fragrances. 

Total consumption of lead in the United States in 1993 reached 1,318,800 t. Of this, 766,000 t (58%) is allocated to battery use suppHed as either a mixed oxide or as metal. Approximately 95% of batteries are recycled and the lead recovered. In 1993, 908,000 t of lead came from secondary smelters and refiners compared to 350,000 t originating in primary mines and smelters (39). Approximately 51,000 t of lead was consumed in U.S. production of all oxides and chemicals appHcable to all industries other than batteries. Estimates include 8000 t for plastics, 6000 t for gasoline additives, 2000 t for mbber, and 30,000 t for ceramics, glass, and electronics. Lead is not used to any extent in dispersive appHcations such as coatings. 

Zinc dust is used in the sherardizing process where work pieces are tumbled with zinc dust in rotating steel dmms which are heated electrically or by gas to 370—420°C (149). The steel parts are uniformly coated with zinc. In the chemical and metallurgical industries, zinc dust is used as a reducing agent, in the manufacture of hydrosulfite compounds for the textile and paper industries, and to enhance the physical properties of plastics and lubricants (2). 

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