Page 150 - CW E-Magazine (12-3-2024)

News from Abroad

UNVIABLE OPERATIONS
Mitsubishi Chemical to exit chelating agent and

acetonitrile businesses

Japan’s Mitsubishi Chemical
Group (MCG Group) has decided to
discontinue methacrylic acid (MAA)
monomer production by the acetone
cyanohydrin (ACH) process as well
as the production of acrylonitrile &
derivatives at its Hiroshima plant by
July 2024. Subsequent to this move,
MCG Group will withdraw from the
chelating agent and acetonitrile busi-
nesses.

The company said the decision was
taken to “enhance the Group’s competi- technology) at its monomer pro- production by the ACH process. The
tiveness in the MMA and acrylonitrile duction bases around the world. For MCG Group will continue to produce
businesses and optimise the supply the acrylonitrile business, the MCG MMA monomers via the C4 process
system”. Group has two production bases in at the Hiroshima plant, along with
Japan to supply acrylonitrile and its continued production of acrylonitrile
The MCG Group produces MMA derivatives, and also supplies a by- and sodium glycinate at the Okayama
monomers by three different methods product from the acrylonitrile produc- plant and acrylamide at the Kanto
(ACH process, C4 process, and Alpha tion process as a material for MMA plant in Japan.

STRATEGIC REVIEW
PPG mulls divestment of architectural coatings

business in US and Canada

PPG, the US-based paints & coat- manufactured through a common fac- provide the business with more speed
ings firm, is exploring “strategic alter- tory footprint. and accelerated growth capability”.
natives” for its architectural coat-
ings business in the US and Canada. In 2023, the architectural coatings “In January, we announced a strategic
The business, which operates within business in the US and Canada repre- review of alternatives for our silica pro-
the company’s performance coatings sented approximately 10% of PPG’s ducts business and are now also conduct-
segment, is an industry leader in resi- total net sales. PPG’s Chairman and ing a review of our architectural coatings
dential and commercial architectural CEO, Mr. Tim Knavish, said, “We US and Canada business. These actions
coatings through a well-known port- will assess whether some or all of reflect a regular and disciplined strategic
folio of brands. The business manu- the business could be better suited assessment process by our Board and
factures and sells interior and exterior to grow faster with a partner or dif- management team,” he added. PPG em-
paints, stains, caulks, repair products, ferent owner, or may be better suited phasised that there is no assurance that
adhesives, and sealants for homeowners to operate as a core business within the review will result in any transaction
and professionals. It also includes another company, as a standalone or other outcome. The review does not
certain light-duty protective coatings entity, or in a joint venture. Our include the company’s architectural coat-
products that are primarily sold review will help to determine if any ings businesses in the other parts of the
through company-owned stores and of these alternative structures will world.

150 Chemical Weekly March 12, 2024

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