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drymix.info Newsletter 181/2016; ISSN Number 1613-0111; 12. July 2016

1. Open for Entries: The SEADMA/MEDMA Technical Bulletin Nr. 11 Goes into Production in August
2. Post-Workshop Report: SEADMA Skills Training in Singapore in June 2016
3. Fifth Central and South European Drymix Mortar Conference cedmmc five, Istanbul, 20.9.2016
4. Iran Drymix Mortar Meeting, 25.October 2016, Tehran: Location and Program
5. Delegate Registration Starts for 11th Annual SEADMA Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, 17.11.16
6. Synthomer Completes Acquisition of Hexion PAC
7. BASF and Aspen Aerogels (MA) Intensify Partnership for the Production of Thermal Insulation Materials
8. Basco Products Opens Mortar Plant in Kenya
9. Sto Takes over Hesselberg (Norway)
10. Sika Opens Mortar Plant in Ecuador, Establishes Subsidiary in Nicaragua

1. Open for Entries: The SEADMA/MEDMA Technical Bulletin Nr. 11 Goes into Production in August

The SEADMA/MEDMA Technical Bulletin (TB) has become a standard source for scientific and market information in South East Asia, India and the Middle East. TB 11 goes into production in August. This is the last chance to position a scientific article, an advertorial or just a (colored) ad into this comprehensive publication. The Technical Bulletin Nr. 11 will be published on occasion of The 11th Annual SEADMA Conference in Jakarta in November and the Fourth MEDMA Workshop on Big 5 in Dubai (see below). SEADMA and MEDMA have increased own topics in TB 11, so you will find an Interview with F.A. Al Hoseiney, SEC Saudi Arabia, a detailed report on the EIFS event in Riyadh on 30. May 2016 and an article about the world's first printed office in Dubai in the MEDMA part. The SEADMA part will feature a case study on the construction of a small hotel in Bangkok as well as a report about the newly formed SEADMA Mortar College in Singapore (and some of the workshops conducted there; see below). Publication fees apply, please consult with us if interested.

2. Post-Workshop Report: SEADMA Skills Training in Singapore in June 2016

According to the students (which received Certificates of Participation at the end) the Goal of this workshop to convey a basic understanding of drymix mortars for tiling was reached, the SEADMA members present also thought similarily and now plan the next workshops at SEADMA Mortar College. SEADMA is determined to integrate its trainings eventually with the skills training program the Building and Construction Authority Singapore (BCA) offers to train unskilled foreign laborers in Singapore.

3. Fifth Central and South European Drymix Mortar Conference cedmmc five, Istanbul, 20.9.2016

The Fifth Central and South European Drymix Mortar Conference and Industry Showcase cedmmc five takes place on Tuesday, 20. September 2016 at Çırağan Palace Kempinski Hotel, Istanbul, Turkey. All delegates are also invited to join our famous Bosphorus Cruise (sponsored by Kalekim and Wacker) in the evening of 19. September 2016 (confirmation mandatory). The Drymix Mortar Yearbook 2016 is published on occasion of this event.

Online registration of delegates is available on drymix.info (Visa or Mastercard required). Admission for this event is 310 € per person for Industry Observers, reduced to 270 € per person for drymix.info members. Drymix mortar manufacturers pay only 170 €. Delegates wishing to pay locally please enquire us.

4. Iran Drymix Mortar Meeting, 25.October 2016, Tehran: Location and Program

Iran represents a very intersting market for the introduction of modern drymix mortar technology. Already now, mortar producers are active in the booming residential and commercial real-estate business which is in turn spurred by high inflation and the lifting of sanctions after the settling of the nuclear dispute. With well trained construction experts and engineers, Iran will be one of the powerhouses for the construction economy in the Middle East for the next decades to come.

drymix.info's first activity in this country is The Iran Drymix Mortar Meeting, it will take place on 25. October 2016 at Parsian Evin Hotel in Tehran. drymix.info has received overwhelming response from the industry (see program below) and also received the active support of Iran Drymix Mortar Association (IMA) and Iran Construction Chemicals Association. Here is the preliminary program (listed alphabetically by company name; subject to change without notice):
Ali Norouzi, Bakhtar Industrial Group (BNH): (working title) The Packaging of Drymix Mortars
Tuğhan Delibaş, Cimsa: (working title) Specialty Cements for Drymix Mortars
Henrik Knoche, Haver & Boecker: Modern and Efficient Packing Technology
Kultu Güvenç, m-tec: Dry Mortar Production and Application by Machine
Dr. Michael Monz, Poraver: The Use of Lightweight Aggregates in Drymix Mortars
Markus Greim, Schleibinger: (working title) The Testing of Mechanical Properties of Drymix Mortars
(tbd.) Sika Iran: The Introduction of Drymix Mortars in Iran: History, today’s Importance and Future Forecast in this Market
Hans-Heinrich Reuter, Testing Bluhm & Feuerherdt: (working title) The Ideal Drymix Mortar Laboratory
Mohammed Sanaobar, Wacker Chemie Dubai: (working title:) Building Iran’s Future - The Importance of Modern Drymix Technology

Online registration is already possible through our shop (Visa or Mastercard required), admission is 310 Euro per person, reduced to 270 Euro for drymix.info members. Drymix Mortar Manufacturers enjoy the discounted admission of 120 Euro per person. We have created the opportunity for delegates to pay locally (within Iran), please enquire with us, if needed (info@drymix.info).

5. Delegate Registration Starts for 11th Annual SEADMA Conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, 17.11.16

The South east Asia Drymix Mortar Association is inviting to its 11th Annual Conference at Raffles Hotel, Jakarta, Indonesia on 17. November 2016. This full day event will feature scientific lectures on production and formulation of all kinds of drymix mortars. SEADMA will hold its Annual General Meeting during this event. A special part of the program will focus on the recent development in SEADMA's regional chapters, namely in Thailand (ThaiDMMA), The Philippines (PhilDMMA and of course Indonesia (Promindo). The Technical Bulletin Nr. 11 will be presented on occasion of this event.

Online registration will start shortly in our shop (Visa or Mastercard required), admission is 310 Euro per person, reduced to 270 Euro for drymix.info members. Drymix Mortar Manufacturers enjoy the discounted admission of 150 Euro per person.

6. Synthomer Completes Acquisition of Hexion PAC

Synthomer plc, Harlow, Great Britain, has recently completed the acquisition of Hexion's Performance Adhesives & Coatings Division (Hexion PAC, Columbus, OH, USA; we reported earlier). Hexion PAC manufactures polymer dispersins, additives, specialty monomers and additives for coatings adhesives and construction applications and eploys 750 people at 7 sites in the US, Europe and Asia. Its 2015 year-end sales (turnover) was 370 mio Euro, EBITDA was 27 mio Euro. According to Synthomer, the transaction value was close to 205 mio Euro, which will be funded from the cash flow as well as with a credit line. The transaction is said to be completed this summer upon the receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other closing conditions.

7. BASF and Aspen Aerogels (MA) Intensify Partnership for the Production of Thermal Insulation Materials

BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany and Aspen Aerogels, Inc., Northborough, MA, USA, have intensified their existing strategic partnership in the field of the marketing of aerogel based panels. Aspen markets these products from now on together with BASF (tradenames "Spaceloft" from Aspen, "Slentex" from BASF) and BASF will make a low double-digit investment into Aspens new production line in East Providence, RI. Aerogels are known for their superior insulating preformance and allow for thinner insulating layers while maintaining similar insulation capacities when compared with conventional insulation media such as EPS or mineral wool. “We chose to partner with Aspen because of their superior aerogel technology platform, which we can enhance as partners in various ways,” said Raimar Jahn, President of BASF’s Performance Materials division. Says Don Young, President and CEO of Aspen: "...our preferred model is to partner with industry leaders to benefit from their technical, commercial, and financial resources (...) BASF is a perfect partner for Aspen Aerogels.” The origin of the partnership dates back to 2010 when BASF Venture Capital made an equity investment in Aspen and the two companies began to explore technology development and commercialization opportunities within the building materials market. The agreement will run through 2027.

BASF recently also announced, that it enters into the market preparation phase of its Poly Urethane (PU) based Aerogel system (tradename Slentite). BASF had commissioned a pilot plant for this material in June 2015.

8. Basco Products Opens Mortar Plant in Kenya

Basco Products (Kenya) Ltd., Nairobi, has recently started up its new drymix mortar plant. The semi-automatic unit contains sand preparation (drying, screening), raw materials bulk storage, dosing, mixing and packaging equipment. Basco, which is known as a paint manufacturer in Kenya and Eastern Africa (Duracoat brand) has produced cementitious tile adhesives (CTA) and wall putties (skim coats) in the past and will now start the industrial production of CTA, Skim Coats and grouts in the new plant. The nameplate capacity is 25 tons per day (single shift mode). The complete installations were delivered by Frigmaires Engineers of Mumbai, India.

9. Sto Takes over Hesselberg (Norway)

Die Sto SE & Co. KGaA, Stühlingen, Germany has recently acquired all shares Hesselberg Bygg AS in Moss, Norway (South of Oslo). Hesselberg manufactures industrial flooring compounds indoor and outdoor applications. The company operates subsidiaries in Sweden and Lithuania and employs 28 experts. Hesselberg a annual turnover of 11 mio Euro in 2015. Hesselberg Bygg AS will be continuing operations as independent unit within Sto SE, led by long-standing CEO Erik Grønner. StoCretec GmbH, Sto's competence center for concrete renovation and flooring compounds, will assume the technological leadership, StoCretec is.

10. Sika Opens Mortar Plant in Ecuador, Establishes Subsidiary in Nicaragua

Sika AG, Baar, Switzerland has recently started production of mortars at its new plant in Durán, Ecuador (near Guayaquil). Apart from a mortar production unit, the new site includes a packaging and logistics operation. It is Sika’s second plant in Ecuador. Also, Sika has opened a subsidiary in Managua, Nicaragua where Sika was present through distributors since 1998. According to Sika sources, the region is in desperate need for infrastructure improvements (roads, bridges, mining, hospitals and schools), the cement consumption is expected to triple within the next years.

The drymix.info Newsletter is being sent exclusively to registered subscribers and all members of drymix.info. Editor-in-Chief: Ferdinand Leopolder. Back issues will be published on www.drymix.info.

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Sincerely Yours, Ferdinand Leopolder