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drymix.info Newsletter 193/2017; ISSN Number 1613-0111; 2. May 2017

1. Founding Meeting of Malaysia Drymix Mortar Manufacturer's Association in Late May
2. Second Central American Drymix Mortar Meeting, Mexico City, 27. June 2017 at Holiday Inn Plaza Universidad
3. Second Iran Drymix Mortar Meeting, Tehran, 9.10.2017: Location; Call for Papers Ends 10.05.17
4. SEADMA Forms ASEAN Task Force for the Standardisation of Drymix Mortars
5. Codex Lays Cornerstone for New Mortar Plant in Ulm/Germany
6. Maco Group (Meichao) Joins drymix.info as Member
7. Takeover of Xella by Lone Star Funds Completed
8. AkzoNobel Obtains Third Offer from PPG, Separates Specialty Chemicals Business
9. BASF Announces Acquisition of Thermotek in Mexico

1. Founding Meeting of Malaysia Drymix Mortar Manufacturer's Association in Late May

After a first kick-off meeting on 13. February 2017 (we reported earlier), SEADMA has formed a core team to prepare the formation of The Malaysia Drymix Mortar Manufacturer's Association (MDMMA). This team, consisting of drymix mortar experts from E-Mix, LafargeHolcim, Mapei and SEADMA (Lim SehWan and Leo) has prepared the new association's constitution which is currently under review by our peers. Many Malaysian drymix mortar manufacturers have already committed to become a member of this National Chapter of SEADMA. The application deadline to become a founding member of MDMMA expires on 12. May 2017 (application can be obtained from drymix.info).

The core team feels confident that it can stage its Founding Meeting in Kuala Lumpur in the week starting 29. May 2017 (exact date and location tbd.). For this festive occasion all members of the new Malaysia Drymix Mortar Manufacturer's Association (MDMMA) are expected. Industry observers are admitted at a contributive fee (400 €, reduced to 320 € for SEADMA members). Sponsoring is welcome, please enquire with SEADMA or drymix.info.

2. Second Central American Drymix Mortar Meeting, Mexico City, 27. June 2017 at Holiday Inn Plaza Universidad

The Second Central American Drymix Mortar Meeting takes place on 27. June 2017 at Holiday Inn Plaza Universidad, Mexico City (we apologize for the mistake in our last Newsletter). For the second time, mortar experts from throughout Central America and the Carribbean meet the international crowd for scientific lectures and intensive networking. Lectures are being predominantly held in Spanish language, simultaneous translation is available both ways for all delegates. Confirmed supporters are Actemium, Allgaier, Dow, Evonik, Granitos y Marmoles, Haver & Boecker, J. Rettenmaier & Söhne (JRS), Kerneos, Laticrete, Mapei, Poraver, Naseda and Wacker (sponsors are still welcome of course). Delegate registration is already running on the drymix.info website. By mutual request, we have established a bank payment option in Mexico, specially for Mexicans and delegates from Central America, please enquire with Melíza or Leo.

Admission to the Second Central American Drymix Mortar Meeting is 335 Euro (MXN 7.500), reduced admission for members of drymix.info is 275 Euro (MXN 6.000). Drymix mortar manufacturers pay only 180 Euro (MXN 4.000).

3. Second Iran Drymix Mortar Meeting, Tehran, 9.10.2017: Location; Call for Papers Ends 10.05.17

In cooperation with the Iran Construction Chemicals Association ICCA and the Iran Mortar Association IMA,  drymix.info, The International Community for Drymix Mortars is organizing the Second Iran Drymix Mortar Meeting on 9. October 2017 in Tehran. After recent discussions with the Iran Ministry for Urban Development, Construction and Roads (BHRC), a location inside the compound of the Ministry has been found, which would enable the organizers to stage a larger industry showcase than last time, even with outdoor space. We will inform you further in our next Newsletter. A Call for Papers to submit scientific lectures has been issued in March, submission deadline is 10. May 2017 (available from drymix.info). The organizing committee has decided it will also admit short product presentations in addition to the scientific lectures, the same deadline applies for those proposals.

Admission to the Iran Drymix Mortar Meeting is 350 Euro, reduced admission for members of drymix.info is 270 Euro. Drymix mortar manufacturers pay only 140 Euro. Local payment through Iran Construction Clinic is possible for admissions and sponsoring

4. SEADMA Forms ASEAN Task Force for the Standardisation of Drymix Mortars

Creating legally enforcable and binding norms for the performance of drymix mortars is an essential tool in improving the overall quality of our products worldwide. The standardisation of drymix mortars, and here especially the initial applications cementitious tile adhesives (CTA) and tile grouts is also of great importance for the growth of drymix mortar technology throughout ASEAN. Only with homogeneous regulations throughout the area can our members act internationally and establish themselves as producers of high quality mortars. The South East Asia Drymix Mortar Association and its National Chapters have recently agreed to form the ASEAN Task Force for the Standardisation of Drymix Mortars. Member companies Ardex and Mapei, both hadquartered in Singapore, have agreed to lead this process and delegate experts into the task force. SEADMA members are welcome to join and/or contribute to the ASEAN Task Force for the Standardisation of Drymix Mortars.

The Task Force will analyze the standardisation situation with focus on CTA and grouts in the most important Nations (Singapore, Thailand, The Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia) and issue a report about it. The National Chapters (ThaiDMMA, PhilDMMA, Promindo and MalaysiaDMMA) have already submitted their current status for analysis. It is also the responsibility of the new ASEAN Task Force to review and modify SEADMA's recommendation for each application and to issue expertises for the ASEAN region or individual Governments for each relevant application of drymix mortar.

The updated SEADMA expertise will also serve as a template for the introduction of standards in all other Nations of ASEAN, namely Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. The SEADMA Technical Bulletin 12, to be published at the 12th Annual SEADMA Conference in Puteri Harbour, Johor, Malaysia on 23.11.17 will feature both the SEADMA expertise and the area analysis of the workgroup.

5. Codex Lays Cornerstone for New Mortar Plant in Ulm/Germany

Codex GmbH, Ulm, Germany (a subsidiary of Uzin Utz AG) has recently layed the cornerstone for a new mortar plant in Ulm/Germany. The new plant will feature a fully automated drymix mortar unit with a production capacity of 60.000 t/a along with warehouses, a research & development center and applicaiton training facilities for customers. It will be built on a property of 10.000 sq.m. According to Codex, the investment volume for this project is around 18 Million Euro and start of production is planned to be in early 2018.

6. Maco Group (Meichao) Joins drymix.info as Member

Maco Group Corporation Beijing, China, founded in 1996 by Mr. Zhang Jingfu has decided to join drymix.info as Member. Maco, also branded as Meichao, produces drymix mortar for decorative and indstrial applications as well as interior paint. Within the past few years, Maco has invested over 65 mio Euro (500 mio RMB) to set up a manufacturing, R&D and administration center with 50,000 sq. m. in Daxing, Beijing, China. According to Maco, the capacity of its fully automated drymix mortar plant is 750,000 t/a .

We warmly welcome Maco Group to our community

7. Takeover of Xella by Lone Star Funds Completed

The sale of the Xella Group (Duisburg, Germany) to Lone Star Funds LLP (Dallas, TX, USA) which was announced on 1. December 2016 has recently been completed. Xella is a leading and globally active manufacturer of Aerated Lightweight Concrete (ALC) Blocks, calcium-silicate units and high-performance boards. Xella's products brands include Ytong, Hebel, Silka, Multipor, Fermacell and Fels. Headquartered in Germany, Xella operates 96 production plants in 20 countries and employs over 5,900 people globally. Further details about the transaction were not disclosed.

8. AkzoNobel Obtains Third Offer from PPG, Separates Specialty Chemicals Business

The takeover battle between AkzoNobel N.V. (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and PPG Industries Ohio Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA, USA) has gone into a third round. As we reported earlier, PPG had already made two proposals to take over AkzoNobel which were rejected twice. Now PPG Industries Ohio Inc. has made a third Proposal offering almost 27.000 mio Euro (over 10% more than the last proposal). AkzoNobel management confirmed it will review this proposal carefully.

Meanwhile, AkzoNobel has solidified plans to spin off its Specialty Chemicals business and form a new, separate entity for it within 12 months from now. The company expects annual savings amounting to 50 mio Euro from this measure and obtains the option of finding additional capital or selling this new entity. Currently, AkzoNobel employs approximately 46.000 people in around 80 countries.

9. BASF Announces Acquisition of Thermotek in Mexico

BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany, represented by BASF Mexicana, S.A. de C.V., Mexico City, has recently announced its intention to take over all shares of privately held Grupo Thermotek, Monterrey, NL, Mexico. Thermotek produces resin- and dispersion-based liquid waterproofing systems as well as asphalt membranes. Thermotek also supplies concrete admixtures and paints (coatings) into the Mexican market. Further transaction details were not given, the deal is still subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.

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