Europe Ripe for Consolidation.(surfactants market)(Brief Article)

Chemical Week, February, 2001 by WALSH, KERRI

THE EUROPEAN SURFACTANTS MARKET IS RIPE for consolidation because there are many producers, a lack of product differentiation, and depressed profits, says a study by Frost & Sullivan (London). "As a result of high raw material prices and critically low finished product prices, high volume basic surfactants have become a profit burden in recent years," says Frost & Sullivan. "Producers need to reduce their exposure to such markets."

"North America is several years ahead in terms of streamlining its operations and has been quicker to adapt to the mature nature of the surfactants industry," says Gavin McAulay, consultant at Frost & Sullivan. A slowing U.S. economy and high energy costs, however, are expected to decrease sales gains for U.S. surfactants producers....

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