Chemicals Division News

In early June, the shipping community met in Athens, Greece for Posidonia 2014. While the focus in Athens tends to be skewed more toward the night life and after hour parties, Maritime Reporter was able to dig out some relevant product and service news from the exhibition center. Wilhelmsen Ship Service (www.wilhelmsen.com/shipsservice) introduced its fuel oil treatment range and integrated welding safety products and services at Posidonia. Engineered to maintain vessel performance and engine efficiency even when slow-steaming or burning low sulfur fuel…

Introducing its fuel oil treatment range and integrated welding safety products and services at this year’s Posidonia exhibition, WSS said it will be providing advice on both for the entire duration of the show, June 2-6 in Athens, Greece. Engineered to maintain vessel performance and engine efficiency even when slow-steaming or burning low sulphur fuel, WSS’s Fuel Oil Treatment products have been developed in response to these recent significant operational changes, the company said. Jonas Östlund, Product Marketing Manager from Marine Chemicals division explained, “Fuel quality is a major problem and it is becoming more complex. Drawing on 30 years of experience in fuel treatment…

Brenntag announces the signing of a Pan-European distribution agreement with Genencor International, Palo Alto, Calif. Brenntag is established as distributor in most European countries for a variety of Genencor enzyme products. The contract is scheduled at least for 5 years. Genencor’s products are an extension of Brenntag’s product range and will strengthen the company’s position in various market sectors, such as water treatment, food, alcoholic beverages, leather and paper industries. Brenntag’s extensive range of quality products, combined with technology and market expertise, makes the company a unique partner in product development and process improvement.

TotalFina Chairman Thierry Desmarest said that relations with rival Elf Aquitaine had entered a more relaxed phase and said he would seek a friendly end to their takeover fight in the coming weeks. "The atmosphere has become more relaxed over the past week," Desmarest said. Desmarest confirmed he was ready to raise his offer if a friendly deal could be reached. "In order to secure a deal, if we want to move more quickly, we need to accept that there is room for discussion," he said. TotalFina launched a 42 billion euro hostile bid for Elf on July 5 and Elf responded with a 50 billion counter-bid two weeks later. Desmarest said that negotiations between the two oil giants had not yet begun.