Registration Document 2005 - Total.com

trademarks. It is present on three continents with plants in the
United States, Mexico, Europe and South Korea.
Following a two-fold capacity increase at the Jinhae plant (South
Korea) in 2004, this business unit has continued to develop its
presence in Asia.
The plan to consolidate its entire European sheet production at
its two French facilities, Bernouville and Saint-Avold, began a new
phase with the startup of an extruded sheet line at Bernouville in
May 2005. The plan should be fully implemented by the end of
2006.
The Thiochemicals business unit includes sulfur derivatives,
amines, oxygenated solvents, and rubber additives. Its markets
are highly diverse and include animal feed, the oil industry, water
treatment, fine chemicals, polymers and the rubber industry.
The start-up of new acrolein and MMP (methylthiopropionaldehyde)
plants at the Beaumont facility (United States) was an important
event in 2005. This investment illustrates Arkema’s commitment
to remaining an important supplier of methyl mercaptan to the
methionine industry.
The Fluorochemicals business unit produces and markets
a range of HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) and HFCs
(hydrofluorocarbons) under the brand Forane®. These products
are used primarily in refrigeration (building, motorcar, distribution)
and foam manufacture (e.g. blowing agent for polyurethane foam).
Some grades are used as monomers for fluorinated polymers
(PTFE or polytetrafluoroethylene, PVDF or polyvinylidene fluoride).
For Arkema, Fluorochemicals are a worldwide business, with
production plants in Europe (France, Spain), the United States and
China.
The Hydrogen Peroxide business unit targets applications in
two major sectors: bleaching and chemicals. Its main products
include hydrogen peroxide, sodium chlorate, and hydrazine and
its derivatives. Production involves six industrial facilities. Hydrogen
peroxide is a global business for Arkema, with production plants in
Europe (France, Germany), North America (Canada, United States),
and Asia (China).
In July 2005, Arkema announced a plan to extend its production
capacities in North America by 20 kt/y through investments at its
Bécancour facility (Quebec, Canada). The new capacity is due to
come on stream in mid-2006.
This decision is in line with Arkema’s strategy to continue
developing this activity. Arkema also increased the capacity of its
Shanghai plant (China) in 2004.
Performance Products
Business overview
Arkema - Chemicals
TOTAL - Registration Document 2005
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The Performance Products sector consists of six business units:
Technical Polymers, Specialty Chemicals (Ceca), Organic Peroxides,
Additives, Urea Formaldehyde Resins, and Agrochemicals
(Cerexagri). These business units have a common objective:
provide their various markets with technical solutions adapted
to their customers’ specific needs. Arkema has strong positions
in a number of niche markets, i.e. polyamide 11 and 12, PVDF,
molecular sieves, PVC additives (tin-based heat stabilizers, impact
modifiers, and acrylic process aids), organic peroxides, as well as
pre- and post-harvest treatments for fruits and vegetables. With
industrial facilities on three continents, Arkema is able to reach
markets worldwide.
The key factors for the Performance Products sector include the
quality of customer relationships, the ability to offer innovative
solutions and develop new high value-added products, and the
ability to capitalize on the potential offered by growing regional
markets.
The Technical Polymers business unit consists of a number of
product lines (specialty polyamides, PVDF, functional polyolefins)
with well-known brands: Rilsan®, Orgasol®, Pebax®, Kynar®,
Evatane®, Lotryl®, Lotader® and Orevac®.
A new EVA high content plant came on stream in May 2005 at the
Balan site (France). This new plant replaces the former unit at Mont
(France) which has been closed.
The activities of the Specialty Chemicals (Ceca) business
unit, which are organized as a subsidiary, involve two sectors:
surfactants and interface agents on one hand and adsorption and
filtration on the other.
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