Bulk Distributor Mar/Apr 16
BULKDISTRIBUT0R
www.bulk-distributor.com
March/April 2016
Est. 1990
Your single information source for bulk and semi-bulk logistics
Tank Containers • Flexitanks • IBCs • Drums • FIBCs • Bulk Liners • Road Tankers • Loading/Bagging • Bulk Logistics • Cleaning & Repair Depots • Components
Stagnant growth for EU chemicals sector
IN THIS ISSUE
Shipper 2
Asset Management
4
Tank Containers
9
Rail Logistics
12
Components 13
IBCs & Drums
14
FIBCs & Bagging
15
Flexitanks & Bulk Liners
18
Logistics 20
Terminals & Storage
22
Managing Editor: Neil Madden
[email protected]
Tel: +33 (0)3 88 60 30 68
Advertising Director: Anne Williams
[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)20 854 13130
Business Development Executive:
Mike Reardon
[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1565 653283
Circulation: Berni Chetham
[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)1565 653283
E
uropean chemical output grew just 0.3
percent during 2015 compared with the
previous year, according to the latest Cefic
Chemicals Trends Report.
Producer prices fell 4.7 percent year-on-year.
Sales were estimated to be down 2.9 percent
during January-December 2015, compared with
2014. Data for the fourth quarter of 2015
showed output just 0.6 percent up against the
corresponding quarter the previous year, while EU
chemicals prices plunged 5.1 percent.
The EU net trade surplus was €38.4 billion
during the first 10 months of the year, up by €2
billion, and capacity utilisation rose slightly during
the fourth quarter and was close to its long-term
average. It remained 2.8 percent below the postcrisis peak (Q1-2011).
Consumer chemicals output generated a drop in
output of about 1.6 percent in the fourth quarter
compared to the previous year quarter.
Petrochemicals fell 2.6 percent compared with
the last quarter of 2014. The drop was partially
offset by 4.3 percent growth in output of
specialty chemicals. Basic inorganics grew by 1.4
percent. Polymers grew 2 percent during the
same period. Overall, EU chemicals output for the
12 months was up just 0.3 percent compared to
2014.
Total EU chemical sales dropped 3 percent
during the first 11 months of 2015 compared
with the same period the prior year. Sales in the
fourth quarter were estimated to have declined by
2 percent, reaching the same level of sales in the
second quarter of 2010.
As for the EU net trade surplus of €38.4 billion
the largest contributors were a group of other
European countries – including Russia, Turkey and
Switzerland – and the USA were by far the largest
two. However, the EU chemicals sector recorded a
trade deficit with India, China and Japan during
the first 10 months of 2015. Taking together the
three countries, the EU chemicals deficit reached
© Ashley & Dumville Publishing Ltd
Bulk Distributor is published by
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Caledonian House, Tatton Street, Knutsford,
Cheshire WA16 6AG, United Kingdom
www.bulk-distributor.com
To advertise or contribute please email
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FEATURES IN THE NEXT ISSUE
Tank Containers
China
FIBCs
EU producer prices and sales were down but the net trade surplus rose
the value of €1.2 billion during Jan-Oct 2015.
On the other hand, the trade surplus with Asia
– excluding Japan and China – increased by €58
million to €6.16 billion. The EU’s net chemicals
trade balance with China contracted by €578
million. The United States further increased its
chemicals trade deficit with the EU by €3.0 billion
to €7.55 billion during the ten-month period.
Capacity utilisation reached a robust 82.2
percent in Q4, up from 81 percent in Q3.
Capacity utilisation remains 2.8 percentage
points below the post-crisis peak recorded in the
first quarter of 2011, and only 0.9 percentage
points below the long term average from 1995
to 2014.
Sober year for German
chemicals
A turbulent business year in 2015 ended with sober
realities for the German chemical-pharmaceutical
industry, according to the latest quarterly report by
the German chemical industry association Verband
der Chemischen Industrie (VCI).
All indicators of importance to the industry
pointed downward at the end of the year; this
held true for chemical production, producer prices
and sales. Chemical business at home in Germany
was adversely affected by the weak domestic
demand, while weaker dynamics in China and in
the USA made themselves felt in foreign trade. By
contrast, in Europe – the most important market
outside Germany – the chemical industry saw a
minor plus.
For 2016 the VCI forecasts an increase in
chemical production by 1 percent. Chemical prices
are projected to drop by 0.5 percent. Thus, in the
current year chemical industry sales could rise
slightly by 0.5 percent to €191 billion.
Den Hartogh, Interbulk complete union
I
nterBulk and Den Hartogh officially joined
forces on 9 March. As a result, InterBulk was
delisted from the London Stock Exchange and
is now part of the family-owned Den
Hartogh.
A statement said that the integration will create
a stronger global organisation, and offer
significant operational benefits to customers. The
company will have a combined asset base of
approximately 25,800 liquid, gas and dry bulk
containers, 550 trucks and 400 road tankers, with
47 offices in 23 countries.
We keep
The Port of Antwerp is not your average transport
partner. Every challenge you bring drives us to serve you
even better. By constantly adapting to your needs we
achieve faster distribution, smarter logistics, smoother
customs, greener activities and clearer processes.
Improved solutions that keep inspiring you. At the
Port of Antwerp standing still is no option. Moving is.
Challenge us at
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