ELF ATOCHEM
PVC activities restructured / New investments in PP / Acrylic polymers business extended
Over the last ten years, the activities portfolio of Elf Atochem (HQ: 4, Cours Michelet, La Defense 10, Cedex 42, F-92091 Paris) has undergone significant changes with basic chemicals now accounting for 46% of total sales, compared with 66% in 1987, intermediates & fine chemicals increasing from 17% to 21% and performance products (including engineering polymers and adhesives) from 17% to 33%.
For the year 1997, the company reports an 8% growth of its turnover – FRF 58,1bn – and a 12% increase of its operating result – FRF 4,1bn. Performance products and intermediates & fine chemicals were the most profitable sectors, while basic chemicals suffered from an uneasy climate for PVC activities (recession of building sectors, decline in blow moulded containers, downturn in exports markets).
In order to consolidate PVC downstream markets, Elf Atochem purchased the compounding business of Generali Industrie Spa (Via Milano 201, I-21017 Samarate) – 1997 sales were at FRF 330m – thus becoming Europe's leading vynil compound manufacturer, with a total capacity of 335,000 t/y. In France, the company plans to refocus its general purpose PVC production on St-Fons and Balan sites. The total capacity of these plants will be extended to 505,000 t/y in year 2000, after the closure of the Brignoud line.
Two major investments in PP, for a global amount of FRF 1bn, were announced by Elf Atochem's subsidiary Appryl (51% Elf Atochem / 49% BP Chemicals). At Gonfreville-L'Orcher (Seine-Maritime), the production of block copolymers (ethylene-propylene) will be increased from 140,000 to 200,000 t/y at the end of 1999, while in Scotland a new plant for the production homopolymers with a capacity of 250,000 t/y will be constructed on Grangemouth BP's site. In the year 2000 Appryl's total capacity is expected to exceed 700,000 t/y, as the company has another plant located in Lavera (Bouches du Rhone) with an annual output of 270,000 t/y.
Regarding acrylic polymers, the buy-out of Rohm and Haas' share in Atohaas joint venture (see Plasteurope.com 03, 1998) will allow Elf Atochem to commercialise resins and sheets under the trade name of Plexiglas in North and South America, while continuing to develop the Altuglas market in Europe. In 1997, Atohaas generated sales of FRF 3bn, with a total capacity of 170,000 t/y. It's main markets are signs and lightings (30%), construction (19%), automotive (18%), sanitary wares (12%) and others (21%).
For the year 1997, the company reports an 8% growth of its turnover – FRF 58,1bn – and a 12% increase of its operating result – FRF 4,1bn. Performance products and intermediates & fine chemicals were the most profitable sectors, while basic chemicals suffered from an uneasy climate for PVC activities (recession of building sectors, decline in blow moulded containers, downturn in exports markets).
In order to consolidate PVC downstream markets, Elf Atochem purchased the compounding business of Generali Industrie Spa (Via Milano 201, I-21017 Samarate) – 1997 sales were at FRF 330m – thus becoming Europe's leading vynil compound manufacturer, with a total capacity of 335,000 t/y. In France, the company plans to refocus its general purpose PVC production on St-Fons and Balan sites. The total capacity of these plants will be extended to 505,000 t/y in year 2000, after the closure of the Brignoud line.
Two major investments in PP, for a global amount of FRF 1bn, were announced by Elf Atochem's subsidiary Appryl (51% Elf Atochem / 49% BP Chemicals). At Gonfreville-L'Orcher (Seine-Maritime), the production of block copolymers (ethylene-propylene) will be increased from 140,000 to 200,000 t/y at the end of 1999, while in Scotland a new plant for the production homopolymers with a capacity of 250,000 t/y will be constructed on Grangemouth BP's site. In the year 2000 Appryl's total capacity is expected to exceed 700,000 t/y, as the company has another plant located in Lavera (Bouches du Rhone) with an annual output of 270,000 t/y.
Regarding acrylic polymers, the buy-out of Rohm and Haas' share in Atohaas joint venture (see Plasteurope.com 03, 1998) will allow Elf Atochem to commercialise resins and sheets under the trade name of Plexiglas in North and South America, while continuing to develop the Altuglas market in Europe. In 1997, Atohaas generated sales of FRF 3bn, with a total capacity of 170,000 t/y. It's main markets are signs and lightings (30%), construction (19%), automotive (18%), sanitary wares (12%) and others (21%).
31.05.1998 Plasteurope.com [18644]
Published on 31.05.1998