' Plants we just happen not to own '
From qualification to scheduling , clients urge tollers to act as if they are internal . Gregory DL Morris reports from Fort Worth
Panellists from major chemical companies discussed what they wanted from tollers
Panellists from several large global chemical companies told delegates at the Specialty & Custom Chemicals Show , sponsored by SOCMA , in Fort Worth , Texas on 28 February to 3 March , that they are more interested in specific areas of competency than in the general capabilities of toll and custom manufacturers . “ Texas is still recovering from the winter storm of February 2021 and raw materials are still a challenge up and down the supply chain ,” said Sam Pathak , project supervisor at BASF . His colleagues on the panel added that many companies are still struggling with the pernicious and persistent effects of the pandemic . That is particularly the case for toll and custom manufacturers and their clients because the timing of workflow is so sensitive to disruption . In situations where production runs have begun , tollers and their clients can adjust schedules . The greatest challenge is with pilot projects . “ For trials , we will send raw materials to the site in case there is a window , any widow ” said Jessie Walters , global director of external manufacturing at Evonik . “ In our experience , about 90 % of the time the toll manufacturing company can find a slot or create an opportunity .” Given the relatively small volumes in trials or pilot projects , storage is usually not an issue . Walters hastened to clarify that the advanced deliveries are coordinated with the toller . That supply arrangement also allows the client company to have more control over quality and logistics . “ It fits into our supply-chain and risk management ,” said Walters . “ There can be significant risk where external companies are buying raw materials because they are typically buying
52 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981