South East Asian Chemical News

THAILAND 

Bayer Group of Germany has recorded a sales increase in Thailand of 40% in H1 1998 to a total of Bht5bn (US$125m) with polymers contributing 48% of revenues.  The start-up of the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) production plants in H2 1997 were main factors for boosting sales. (July 27^th 1998) 

Birla of India is to build a Bht2.3bn (US$57.5m) plant at Map Ta Phut, Thailand.  The facility will produce 10,000 tpa of epichlorohydrin, 24,000 tpa of hydrochloric acid and 70,000 tpa of sodium hydroxide.  The products are for Thai Epoxy and Allied Products.  (June 22^nd 1998) 

Gun-ei Chemical Industry and Nissho Iwai, both of Japan, will acquire all the locally owned shares in the Thai phenolic resin JV, Thai GCI Resitop Co (TGCI).  Acquisition of the shares will take place in H2 1998.  Automotive parts for engine castings, brake components and interior furnishings are the main uses for TGCI phenolic resins.  (August 3^rd 1998) 

Henkel, the German chemical manufacturer, opened a new surfactant factory in Bangpakong, Chonburi Province.  The surfactant factory is the first step in a Bht1.3bn (US$31m) investment to expand production in Thailand.  Metal surface chemicals and industrial adhesives facilities should be opened by March 1999.  Thailand will be Henkel’s main production base for SE Asia.  (June 25^th 1998) 

Indorama Group, a leading polyester and worsted yarn manufacturer, plans to invest Bht5bn (US$125m) in the next three years to expand local production of polyester, woolen yarn and specialty chemicals. The group has annual sales exceeding US$1bn and has production facilities in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.  (July 23^rd 1998) 

Sanyo Chemical Industry Ltd, the Japanese surfactant manufacturer, will invest Bht300m (US$7.5m) in a Thai production facility. The investment will result in the JV company, Sanyo Kasei Thailand Ltd.  Sanyo Chemical Industry will hold a 70% stake in the company and Tomen Enterprise (Bangkok) and VIV Interchem will each hold a 15% stake. The plant will produce surfactants, sodium, polyacrylate and copolymer.  It will have a production capacity of 1,850 tpa by the year 2000.  The products are used in the textile, automotive, cosmetic and paper industries. (July 14^th 1998) 

Teijin Ltd of Japan plans to quadruple the capital of Teijin (Thailand) Ltd to Bht4bn (US$100m) in August 1998.  The Japanese company will provide 83.7% of the Bht3bn (US$75m) recapitalization, with the remainder invested by Teijin Polyester (Thailand) Ltd, another Thai subsidiary.  The capital injection will leave Teijin owning 75.5% of Teijin (Thailand) and Teijin Polyester (Thailand) with the remaining stake.  (July 28^th 1998)