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drymix.info Newsletter 189/2017; ISSN Number 1613-0111; 30. January 2017

1. SEADMA and ThaiDMMA Event in Bangkok, 24.1.17: an Entirely New Type of Seminar
2. SEADMA Enlists Lim Seh Wan to Support its Regional Network and the SEADMA Mortar College
3. First MEDMA Member's Round Table, Dubai, 12. February 2017
4. Kick-Off Meeting for SEADMA Chapter in Malaysia on 13. February 2017 in Kuala Lumpur
5. idmmc six in Nürnberg, 3. April 2017: Organizational Changes
6. Evonik Completes Acquisition of Air Products' Specialty Additives Business
7. Arkema Increases Capacity for Acryic Acid in Clear Lake, TX, USA

1. SEADMA and ThaiDMMA Event in Bangkok, 24.1.17: an Entirely New Type of Seminar

The Thai Drymix Mortar Manufacturer's Association ThaiDMMA and The South East Asia Drymix Mortar Association SEADMA have staged an entirely new type of event last week: The Seminar on the Use of Mortar Machines in Efficient Construction in Thailand took place at Siam Kempinski Hotel in Bangkok on 24. January 2017. The event was supported by Collomix, Maltech, Siam City Cement (Insee Mortar) and Ubau (Bee Mortar). Prof. Tanate Srisirirojanakorn of Chulalongkorn University had agreed to translate the mostly Thai lectures into English (thanks a lot!). The sponsors had invited their clients, thus we had a unique group of contractors, architects, engineers, developers and drymix mortar producers (altogether over 60 mortar experts). The lectures came from contractors (Private House Company, Unicorn Engineering and Bouygues-Thai) and were entirely focussed on render applications by machine and the demands of the contractors towards the mortar industry. A vivid discussion accompanied most of the event, it was continued during the coffee break outside where Collomix and Maltech had also brought machines for display. ThaiDMMA and SEADMA are extremely pleased with this unique exchange of experiences, we will certainly think to repeat this format in the near future.

2. SEADMA Enlists Lim Seh Wan to Support its Regional Network and the SEADMA Mortar College

As decided in the preparation phase of SEADMA Mortar College last fall, SEADMA has enlisted Mr. Lim Seh Wan as Director for its new activity. Being stationed in Singapore,he will also service the various SEADMA members there and throughout ASEAN. Lim Seh Wan is a senior building materials expert with focus on the concrete and drymix mortar technology. He started his career as a surveyor with Singapore Housing and Development Board (HDB) back in 1978, going on to Fosroc, National Starch, MBT (today BASF) and Euco. At Concrete Connections (then licensee of Laticrete) he completed his knowledge in mortars. Since 2011 is acts as self-employed consultant to the building materials and machinery industry. In several of his employments he was assigned to practical and technical training and vocational education.

3. First MEDMA Member's Round Table, Dubai, 12. February 2017

During the Annual General Member's Assembly (AGM) of the Middle East Drymix Mortar Association MEDMA in Dubai last November it was decided to hold quarterly roundtables for members. The AGM of MEDMA sees this measure as an important step to improve communication with and amongst its members and more importantly to identify and recognize the expectations of MEDMA members. The First MEDMA Round Table takes place at Courtyard by Marriott, Dubai Green Community on Sunday, 12. February 2017 from 13:30 to 15:30. We will have a three course served meal prepared for all of us, contribution per person is AED 100 (AED 400 for non-members).

Confirmation of attendance (pre-registration) by e-mail to info@drymix.info is absolutely mandatory by 5. February 2017.

4. Kick-Off Meeting for SEADMA Chapter in Malaysia on 13. February 2017 in Kuala Lumpur

In the discussions during SEADMA's 11th Annual Conference in November 2016 it became obvious, that our members see the necessity to form a local chapter also in Malaysia. Please note that this meeting will only be an open discussion, it is NOT a conventional technical seminar.

All interested drymix mortar producers are asked to send a delegate to our Kick-Off Meeting, which will take place on Monday, 13. February 2017, 14:00 to 17:00 at Le Méridien Hotel KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Confirmation of attendance (pre-registration) by e-mail to info@drymix.info is absolutely mandatory by 9. February 2017.

5. idmmc six in Nürnberg, 3. April 2017: Organizational Changes

For the sixth time, the International Drymix Mortar Conference idmmc six unites experts from the drymix mortar industry in Nürnberg. As usual, the event takes place just before European Coatings Show, the bi-annual and most important exhibition for our industry. It features a comprehensive Industry Showcase.and the Drymix Mortar Yearbook 2017 will appear on this occasion. As always, delegates can enjoy a casual welcome at Barfüsser im Mautkeller on Sunday evening, 02. April 2017 (sponsors still welcome!).

There is an important change in chairmanship: Prof. Dr. Johann Plank, Technische Universität München (TUM), our long-standing Technical Chairman of idmmc is not available this year due to other obligations. We could convince Prof. Dr. Andreas Gerdes of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) to replace him for idmmc six, thanks a lot, Andreas!

Admission is 460 Euro, reduced to 380 Euro for SEADMA and drymix.info members. Mortar Producers are eligible to our specially reduced rate of only 280 Euro. All rates include 19% German VAT. Online registration is available on www.drymix.info (Visa or Mastercard required).

6. Evonik Completes Acquisition of Air Products' Specialty Additives Business

Evonik Industries AG, Essen, Germany has completed acquisition of Air Products, Inc., Allentown, PA, USA Performance Materials Division for 3.500 mio Euro (US$ 3.800 mio) by the end of 2016. After receiving oks from all relevant antitrust authorities the integration of the acquired business is underway. “The successful completion of the acquisition paves the way for swiftly merging the activities of Evonik and the acquired units of the Air Products Performance Materials business,” said Klaus Engel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries AG.

The Specialty & Coating Additives business of Air Products has around 1.100 employees at 11 production and development locations. Apart from substantial savings in taxes, Evonik expects to fully realize annual synergies amounting to approximately 75 mio Euro by 2020.

7. Arkema Increases Capacity for Acryic Acid in Clear Lake, TX, USA

Arkema, SA, Colombes, France has announced it will renew its acrylic acid production in Clear Lake, Texas, USA. Arkema plans to replace to existing 45 kt/a atmospheric reactors by a single new unit with a capacity of 90 kt/a, the total investment amount announced is 84 mio Euros (approx US$ 90 mio). The new reactor is expected to come on stream by mid-2019. At completion of this program, Clear Lake's total acrylic acid production capacity will be 270 kt/a.

Arkema has reported sales of around 7.700 mio Euro in 2015 and employs about 19.000 people worldwide. In Europe, Arkema has recently acquired and integrated Den Braven (we reported earlier).


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