GLG News by Titanium Dioxide Experts

Paul HodgesChairmanInternational eChem

Oil price volatility will challenge chemical company profits

May 8, 2011

Many analysts have taken Q1 chemical company results as an excuse to upgrade their full-year forecasts. This flies in the face of history, which shows that whilst companies do well initially as oil prices rise, they then pay a severe penalty in terms of future profits and volume. With oil prices now under pressure, the rest of 2011 could therefore prove a lot more difficult than expected.

David McCoyDirectorTZ Minerals International Pty Ltd

TiO2 Pigment Annual Review Released

May 4, 2011

TiO2 Pigment Annual Review has been developed as a benchmark publication to provide this much sought after information to the sector. TZMI presents its own views, numbers and forecasts within this publication, contrasting against alternative publically available information. The 2011 TiO2 Pigment Annual Review details the titanium supply chain, manufacturing technologies, characteristics, demand, supply, trade, pigment plant economics and trends and outlooks. 

Dave HillmanIndependent ConsultantDave Hillman

Fibria's 1Q11 Reports Shows Impressive Results

May 4, 2011

Most impressive was their cash costs for market pulp of R$446/mt down 1% compared to 2010 average...this in spite of higher wages, chemical and maintenance/supplies costs. Net Income was R$389 million vs. 4Q10's $162 million and 1Q10's R$9 million. Fibria declared a dividend in the amount of R$264 million. Significantly higher earnings can be expected over the next 18 months.Net debt was reduced 19% qtr on qtr and 27% year on year.

Dave HillmanIndependent ConsultantDave Hillman

China Gains On The US But Still #2 Paper Producer

May 3, 2011

China surged in March buying 951,000mt - 65% more than in February and 35.5% over 1Q2010. With this increased demand China was forced to pay more for NBSK (i.e. $80/admt). From 2005-2010 China's paper and board production grew by 30-31 million mt while US production declined by 9.2 million mt. Containerboard was the largest segment at 53.4 million mt with graphic papers and tissue following at 34.37 million mt. Total annual capacity is now 100 million mt.

David McCoyDirectorTZ Minerals International Pty Ltd

Independent TiO2 pigment price forecast expects continued growth in 2011

May 1, 2011

The global TiO2 sector ended 2010 on a strong note with price increases flowing through the market and substantial gains reported in 2011. Current pricing expectations are based on low inventory levels of pigment entering the northern hemisphere’s paint season and undersupply brought on by lack of investment throughout the value chain for several years.

Dave HillmanIndependent ConsultantDave Hillman

March's Positive Boxboard Report

April 21, 2011

Boxboard is considered a leading indicator of the nation's business climate. Manufactured goods, fruit, vegetables, beverages etc. must be shipped in corrugated containers. Production in March increased by 2.2% over 2010 and increased 11.1% over February (bad weather may have contributed). Unbleached Kraft folding boxboard also increased year over year as did Recycled Folding Boxboard. All these statistics bode well for a continuing increase in business.

Dave HillmanIndependent ConsultantDave Hillman

Wausau To Install New TAD Machine To Produce Recycled Products

April 19, 2011

Wausau will be producing "green" tissue and toweling products to meet an anticipated demand from environmentally conscientious customers. Other producers with TAD machines have all opted for virgin cellulose furnishes. Office papers (OP) will be the main raw material but their cost is rising to a level the highest since 1995. Currently it's $246/st FOB the collector's plant. This could still be a bargain if virgin pulp continues to escalate.

Dave HillmanIndependent ConsultantDave Hillman

Aditya-Birla Purchases Sweden's Domsjo-Fabriker-Rayon Quality Pulp Producer

April 19, 2011

Having previously purchased the shut Canadian NBHK St. Anne's Nackawic mill to convert it to 100% rayon quality dissolving pulp, they now have purchased one of Sweden's top quality specialty mills for US$340 million. An additional $75 million will be spent to raise the mill's output to 255,000 from 210,000 mt/year. The purchase was made through two subsidiaries in Thailand and Indonesia. Birla is a $35 billion/year multinational conglomerate with operations in 27 countries.

Paul HodgesChairmanInternational eChem

Chemical companies need to warn on the outlook

April 15, 2011

Rising oil prices can lull investors into a dangerous sense of complacency.They appear to lead to a sustained period of robust chemical demand, as buyers rush to protect supplies. This creates a '13 month' year in terms of volumes and profits. But when oil prices stabilise, or fall, this trend reverses, and we have an '11 month year', as buyers destock again.

Dave HillmanIndependent ConsultantDave Hillman

Two Chinese Pulp Mills To Convert To Dissolving Pulp

April 12, 2011

China imports huge quantities of hardwood and softwood chips to supply the fiber needs of its many pulp mills. Two mills which have been producing paper grade market pulp, Shandong Sun Paper Co. and Fujian Qingsham Paper Co. are now installing the equipment to produce rayon quality dissolving pulp. These two mills have been producing a total of 1000 mt/day for area papermills. Anticipated start up is 4Q, 2011. These paper mills will now have to find new pulp suppliers - not an easy job today

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