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drymix.info Newsletter 186/2016; ISSN Number 1613-0111; 7. Nov 2016

1. 11th Annual SEADMA Conference, Jakarta, 17. 11. 2016, Delegate Info
2. 2. MEDMA AGM in Dubai on 20.11.16, Member Survey
3. Casual drymix.info Evening during BAU 2017, Munich, Wednesday, 18. January 2017
4. New Date: SEADMA and ThaiDMMA Workshop on Plastering, Bangkok 24.1.2017
5. Ubau Joins SEADMA as Member
6. Saint Gobain Weber Takes Over E-Mix
7. Blackburn Chemicals Joins drymix.info as Industrial Partner
8. BASF SE Declares Force Majeure for the supply of products Based Upon Acrylic Monomers in Ludwigshafen and Tarragona
9. Zug District Court Publishes Ruling in Saint-Gobain/Sika Takeover Battle

1. 11th Annual SEADMA Conference, Jakarta, 17. 11. 2016, Delegate Info

In cooperation with Perkumpulan Produsen Mortar Industri Indonesia PROMINDO (the Indonesian Drymix Mortar Manufacturer's Association), The South East Asia Drymix Mortar Association holds its 11th Annual Conference at Hotel Aryaduta, Jakarta, Indonesia on 17. November 2016. As usual, SEADMA's Annual General Meeting (AGM) also takes place during the conference. 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 new MEDMA/SEADMA Technical Bulletin Nr. 11 (now in color) will be presented on occasion of this event.

Delegate check-in starts on Thursday, 17. November 2016, 08:00, the conference will start at 09:00 and end at about 17:00. Please be there timely if you still have to pay your admission (delegates from Indonesia, wishing to pay in IDR, please pre-register with us by e-mail, we will have a receipt ready for you). Admission is 310 Euro, reduced to 270 Euro for SEADMA and drymix.info members. You can book using your credit card (Visa, Master) on www.drymix.info. The specially rebated rate for mortar manufacturers has been granted, it is only 150 Euro.

2. MEDMA AGM in Dubai on 20.11.16, Member Survey

The Middle East Drymix Mortar Association MEDMA e.V.'s Annual General Meeting (AGM, "Vollversammlung") takes place at Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 18:00 to 22:00. In the AGM, MEDMA members are being informed about the past year and the strategy of MEDMA for the years to come. Also they can elect a new Executive Committee (and run for office themselves, registration of a candidate for our EC is still possible until 14.11.16 by e-mail to Leo). All members are asked to fill in the MEDMA Members Survey, which has recently been distributed, if you don't have a copy, please enquire with us.The new MEDMA Technical Bulletin 11 with focus on External Insulation and Finishing Systems (EIFS) will be presented during this AGM.

Admission is free of charge for members only (up to two participants per member company), all others pay AED 500 per person. Actemium, Haver Middle East and Poraver support this event, thanks a lot; sponsoring is still welcome! Advance registration by e-mail to drymix.info is absolutely mandatory (both for members and non-members!).

3. Casual drymix.info Evening during BAU 2017, Munich, Wednesday, 18. January 2017

The casual (and traditional) drymix.info Evening during BAU takes place again on 18. January 2017 at 19:00 at Hofbräukeller, Munich, Innere Wiener Straße 19, 81667 München (see www.hofbraeukeller.de). This is near the subway station Max Weber Platz, U4, U5). This no-tie event has become an excellent chance to relaxfor tired showgoers on "BAU-Wednesday". After a hard day at the fair there is time to network, chat, have dinner with friends and just have a good time. Seating is limited, so advance registration is absolutely mandatory, please e-mail us to info@drymix.info. Calucem and Wacker-Chemie are sponsoring this evening, thanks a lot!

4. New Date: SEADMA and ThaiDMMA Workshop on Plastering, Bangkok 24.1.2017

The Thai Drymix Mortar Manufacturer‘s Association (ThaiDMMA) and SEADMA invite to a Workshop on the Use of Mortar Machines in Efficient Construction in Thailand. Location is the splendid Siam Kempinski Hotel. This unique training and exchange opportunity is intended to bring together specialized (plastering) contractors with developers, consultants, architects and the drymix mortar industry. It is intended to discuss  the chances of machine supported mortar applications and the increase in efficiency and jobsite logistics. Most of the lectures come from contractors that focus on render (plaster) application, most of the lectures will be held in Thai language. Private Houses Co. Ltd., Pheung Chengtong (working predominantly for SYNTEC), Bouygues-Thai Ltd., Ngamwongwan and Powerline Engineering have already confirmed their contributions and attendance.

Members of ThaiDMMA and SEADMA can invite their clients, be it architects, consultants or contractors. Details on the event can be found on www.seadma.org. Admission for industry observers is THB 19.500 (500 €) reduced for SEADMA members to THB 15.500 (400 €). Contractors, Architects and Consultants get in free of charge, by invitation of supporters only. Special conditions have been agreed upon for registered members of ThaiDMMA, please enquire with us.

5. Ubau Joins SEADMA as Member

Ubau (Thailand) Ltd. has decided to join The South East Asia Drymix Mortar Association SEADMA. The company originated in 1993 and is one of the pioneers for drymix mortars and construction chemicals in Thailand. Ubau markets its products under the “Bee Brand” (Beemortar) and produces drymix mortars and  bagged concrete. The company deliverd into large projects such as Thai Farmer’s Bank , Holiday Inn Hotel , Yatch Harvana Marine, Pilot station of Marine Department, the BTS SkyTrain, Government Housing projects, Underground Tunnels for HV Cables, Suwanaphummi International Airport , MRTA Subway Blue Line and Red Line, Siam Paragon Shopping Mall, Siam Discovery, Central World, The Met Condonium and many more. Already in 2008, when SEADMA launched the idea of establishing a local chapter in Thailand, Ubau joined the discussions, at that time at Shangri-Là Hotel in Bangkok. With Ubau as a founding member, the Thai Drymix Mortar Manufacturers Association ThaiDMMA was formed last year.

SEADMA warmly welcomes Ubau amongst its members

6. Saint Gobain Weber Takes Over E-Mix

Saint Gobain Weber, Brie Comte Robert, a subsidiary of Saint Gobain SA, Courbevoie (both French), has recently signed and agreement with NSL Ltd., concerning the acquisition of E-Mix (, both Singapore). E-Mix (formerly Eastern Pretech) is one of the major volume mortar producers in South East Asia, with operations in Singapore, Malaysia, (SE) China and Hong Kong. The company produces masonry mortars, skim coats, renders (plasters), tile adhesives, grouts as well as technical mortars. E-Mix reported sales of 70 mio Euro in 2015. The transaction value is 104 mio Euro (S$ 160 mio), which translates into a factor of 6,6 over the 2015 adjusted EBITDA. Saint Gobain Weber is already active in many markets in Eastern Asia, namely in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. The transaction is still subject to regulatory approval. E-Mix is a long standing member and supporter of SEADMA.

7. Blackburn Chemicals Joins drymix.info as Industrial Partner

Blackburn Chemicals Ltd., Blackburn, Great Britain has decided to join drymix.info as Industrial Partner. The company was formed in 1972 by the current Chairman George Lamb. Blackburn is an independent privately owned company specialising in the development and manufacture of Foam Control Agents and Anti-shrink additives. In 1975 it set up shop in Blackburn which over time has become a modern 10-acre manufacturing, research and development and administration centre. Blackburn Chemicals Ltd supply products to surface coatings, adhesives, construction, pulp and paper, vegetable processing and fermentation to more than 75 countries, exporting over 75% of its production to the global markets.

We warmly welcome Blackburn Chemicals to our community.

8. BASF SE Declares Force Majeure for the supply of products Based Upon Acrylic Monomers in Ludwigshafen and Tarragona

A fire incident occured at the North harbor of BASF SE in Ludwigshafen (Germany) on 17. October 2016. It damaged the unloading and loading capacities for monomers and other chemicals. As a consequence, BASF has now declared Force Majeure on deliveries of dispersions, dispersion powders and hotmelts on acrylic monomer basis (tradenames Acronal, acResin, Acrodur, Acrosol E 20 D, Aqagloss, Basonal, Col.9, Epotal and Luhydran) from Ludwigshafen and Tarragona (Spain) until further notice. Tplants for the above mentioned products were not affected directly by the incident, but due to the fire, the raw material supply to the steam crackers was stopped and other integrated plants remain idled or at reduced production. Despite the fact that many plants, such as one of the steam crackers, have resumed operations in the meantime, product inventories are nearly exhausted and the production output is restricted due to still limited access to key raw materials. BASF says it is currently not able to specify how long this situation will last.

9. Zug District Court Publishes Ruling in Saint-Gobain/Sika Takeover Battle

The District Court of Zug, Switzerland has recently approved of the limitations in voting rights for Schenker-Winkler Holding (owned by the founding families of Sika) in the board of administration of Sika AG, Baar, Switzerland. The family holding's votes (52,4 %) were reduced by the Board to 5% in the wake of the takeover of all Schenker-Winkler shares by Saint Gobain, Courbevoie, France in December 2014 (we reported earlier). Schenker-Winkler holds only 16,1 % of the shares of Sika AG. The management of Sika AG opposes the takeover and fights it on various (legal) levels for almost 2 years now. The ruling of the Zug court is being interpreted as a strengthening of the position of the Sika management against Saint Gobain and in turn the Schenker-Winkler Holding. According to Paul Hälg, currently acting Chairman of the Administrative Board of Sika AG, Sika itself has made an offer to Schenker-Winkler Holding to take over their remaining shares while the family holding and Saint Gobain are expected to further challenge the legal actions and carry through with the takeover.

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