Chemical Industry Impacted by Chinese EPA Crackdown

Air pollution has become a serious concern in Northern regions of China, especially as the area feels the effects of La Nina, a periodic cooling of the surface of the equatorial Pacific Ocean which causes abnormal weather patterns. Beijing was blanked in smog this past week with visibility reported at less than 200 meters, closing... Read more »

Fire at BASF in Ludwigshafen Impacts Supply Chain for Many

A fire at BASF’s Ludwigshafen Headquarters on October 17th, 2016 has killed three people and injured several.  BASF reported the explosion happened during work on a pipeline which transported raw materials. Due to the blast, two steamcrackers at BASF were taken offline because of an interruption in raw material supply.  Last Wednesday BASF reported that... Read more »

Chemical Synthesis of Sebacic Acid

Sebacic Acid is a castor-derived fatty acid and a precursor to various esters such as dioctyl sebacate, dibutyl sebacate, and dimethyl sebcate. While the price is often tied to the castor crop yield each year, many consumers of Sebacic Acid have become curious about how the chemical is produced from its castor oil feedstock. Although... Read more »

ChemCeed joins ILMA as Supplier Member

ChemCeed is proud to announce our inclusion in the Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association (ILMA) as a supplier member. ILMA, founded in 1948, represents independent lubricant companies that produce over 30 percent of all lubricants and 75 percent of the metalworking fluids and other specialty industrial lubricants sold in America. ChemCeed has long been a trusted... Read more »

DOTP imports from Korea subject of Antidumping Investigation

On July 21, 2016 the U.S. Department of Commerce announced it would be launching and antidumping investigation of dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) imports from South Korea.  The petition, which was initiated by Eastman Chemical Company, alleged dumping margins of 23.7 – 47.86 percent below market value.   A preliminary determination in the antidumping investigation is expected to... Read more »

Advantages of Synthetic Ester Base Stocks

Synthetic Esters fall into API category Group V fluids.   These esters are synthesized through reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol, and due to the chemical variety of such building blocks there are numerous synthetic esters commercial available on the market today.  Because ester chemistry is so varied and esters can be linear or... Read more »

ChemCeed Exhibits at Vinyltec 2016

ChemCeed LLC is exhibiting at Vinyltec 2016 in Woodbridge (Iselin), NJ from September 20-22, 2016. The conference will be focused on enabling technologies for the future of the PVC industry and will be held at the Woodbridge Renaissance Hotel.  The annual conference, hosted by the Society of Plastics Engineers, will feature tabletop displays, luncheons, a... Read more »

Hanjin Declares Bankruptcy: How will it affect your supply chain?

Last week news broke that South Korean-based company, Hanjin Shipping Co., filed for bankruptcy, leaving many in chaos and confusion.  Hanjin announced that it would stop releasing equipment and accepting new bookings for a period of time. The company’s assets are currently frozen.  They are reportedly the world’s seventh largest shipping line by capacity. The... Read more »

Spilling the Beans About Castor Oil and its Derivatives

ChemCeed acquired NCeed Enterprises in 2009 when NCeed founder Noreen Cherry retired, and the company is ChemCeed’s selling arm into the lubrication and grease industry.  The below industry product perspective report by NCeed founder Noreen Cherry provides insight into castor oil and its derivatives: It has become apparent that customers are curious about castor oil... Read more »

10 Ways to Prepare for Natural Disasters

September is National Preparedness Month.  Below is a list of ways you and your business can prepare for various types of emergencies that you may encounter in the future.   For more information on how you, your business, or your community can participate visit Ready.gov. Access alerts and warning Test communication plans Assemble or update supplies... Read more »