In full force for the additives market

Recent trends indicate the dynamic growth of the Middle East and African markets for polymers, and many companies are taking aggressive steps to explore these emerging markets. Songwon Industrial Co. Ltd opened its headquarters in Bahrain to serve its customers in the Middle East and Africa. International Plastics News - Middle East (IRNE) leans from Mr. Maurizio Butti, President & CEO - Songwon International AG, the details on the company's recent move. IRNE: Songwon Industrial Co. Ltd. recently opened its headquarters in Bahrain. What were the factors that encouraged the company to do so? Butti: As a global scale plastics additives manufacturer the dynamic growth of the polymers industry in the Middle East region over the past few years and the projected capacities due to come on stream between now and 2015 means that this geography is extremely important to our business. To support our existing customers in the region and to broaden our customer base, it is essential that we have a local presence. " It is our intention to further strengthen our position through new business development whilst not losing sight of our traditional markets that have formed the foundation of our business to date." - Mr. Maurizio Butti, President and CEO, Songwon International AG IRNE: What specific products would be introduced into the Middle East and African markets? Butti: We produce additives which are fundamental for the polymer industry. Demand for enhanced cost performance from our customers will continue to be the major factor in driving our product and applications development and associated services. These demands are constantly evolving and as such we are committed to providing state of the art solutions to the market. This requires close cooperation, both technically and commercially, with the key players in the region to ensure we remain one step ahead in developing the right products and services at the right time. The quality of our products is of the highest standard in the industry. We are already a strong number two in the field of polymer additives. We have a comprehensive product offering which we are adding to all the time. Our capability to deliver blends and physical forms which provide excellent cost performance and efficiencies for our customers will continue to be the major focal point of our product development and key to us being a supplier of choice to the polymer industry. Songwon is committed to meeting customers needs and fully committed to providing best in class regulatory support as well as on-going technical and applications development, seamless logistics and overall commercial service. IRNE: What steps were necessary for Songwon to achieve the current overall quality and acceptability of its products? Are there special requirements in your markets that you are working hard to meet now? Butti: Songwon was established as a specialty chemical company in 1965. We have been producing polymer additives since the mid 1980s. We are currently the second biggest producer of anti-oxidants for the polymer industry in the world. So these products have been the central focus of the company's activities for many years. Over time we have strived to improve quality and develop our technology. The processes, engineering and design of our plants were developed in-house. We have our own proprietary technology, while our R&D resources represent more than 10% of the company workforce. There is a drive in the market towards high quality clean polymers and so it is our focus to develop our products and technology in line with this. IRNE: Where is your production facility located?? Are you planning to set up a processing factory in the Middle East? Butti: We are a Korean company based in Ulsan where we operate two world-class production units. Our decision to significantly expand ourAir Jordan XI 11 Low