How many new requests did I receive? How many new offers do I have? Is there an update on my order? Did I receive a new message or document? Buyers and Suppliers on CheMondis now easily find the number of unread updates.
You can’t miss the updates.
After login, you find your updates in the menu bar displayed as blue dots. The number in the dots shows the number of new developments which are still unread.
After opening a table, a blue dot in the table view will show you where any update happened. The blue dots are displayed with the Request, Agreements, and Orders tables.
How the counter and blue dot work?
The counter considers all status updates as well as all chat messages and shared documents. The status updates include new requests and new offers and confirmed orders. For each update you are assigned to, the blue dot will appear.
After opening the details page of any negotiations, the blue dot will disappear for you as a user. For your colleagues who are also assigned to certain negotiations, the blue dot will stay until those details were read by them personally. This way we can ensure that each user receives all the relevant information, even if there are multiple users for one account.
Now it is up to you.
Do you have any questions or comments about our new feature? If so, feel free to contact us using the options below. We are looking forward to your feedback!
Currently there are supply chain imbalances globally affecting all industries. For the chemical industry this means that players all over the globe are fighting for container slots to deliver raw materials against importers and exporters of high-margin products such as gaming consoles or televisions.
The pressure on supply chains is increasing and difficulties are likely to increase in the coming month. Let’s have a look at the reasons and effects on the chemical industry, focusing on the paints & coatings segment.
Where do the problems come from?
Large amounts of goods, basically everything we can imagine, ranging from sport shoes to chemical raw materials are shipped to us from Asia. Especially from China, where seven of the ten largest container ports in the world are located. Consequently, supply problems arising there permeate many supply chains worldwide.
The shipping issues in Asia began in early 2020 with the outbreak of the pandemic in China. Due to the increased demand for certain goods during the lockdown in many parts of the world and the urgent need for medical supplies and protective equipment to overcome the pandemic, many container ships made their way from China to the United States and Europe. But, with countless delays. Many workers were not allowed to work due to an Covid-19 infection or quarantine. Restrictions at the ports and distancing made the situation even more critical.
Consequently, the ports were overwhelmed and not able to catch up on the backlog. Huge container ships are parked outside the ports and cannot access the berths.
In addition, there is another circumstance which exacerbates the situation. Of course, logistics providers want to act as economic as possible and try to avoid empty runs of the containers to minimize their costs. Consequently, there are many empty containers at the ports around the world waiting to be loaded there, even though there are goods waiting to be loaded on the other side of the world. The result: an imbalance between where the containers are and where they are needed.
This is leading to an increased reluctance on both sides to commit to the shipping, especially when it is unclear whether and at what time it will be possible to return a container. It is becoming some kind of vicious cycle in which the logistics situation is becoming more and more critical to the world’s supplies.
Which other factors are affecting the broken supply chains?
There are also factors, not directly connected to logistics, impacting the current situation. Two examples would be the weather in Texas and congestion triggered by the Ever Given.
Why Texas? Texas was hit by a deep freeze in February 2021. Petrochemical plants located in the area, which produce a significant amount of the world’s plastics, had to shut down their activities to avoid accidents or permanent damage to the plants. These factories are slowly being restarted, but it will take many weeks to replenish supplies. The result is a widespread shortage of plastics. Alternative supplies that could come from Asia are stuck in the previously discussed Pacific Ocean traffic jam. This leads to many shutdowns of plants especially within the automotive industry.
Another impacting factor, which has been broadly spread via the news, is the giant Ever Given container ship that got caught in the Suez Canal – blocking the 6,000 miles passage between Asia and Europe. This situation further troubled global supply chains – schedules were thrown into disarray and congestion at European ports increased.
What specific effects can we observe?
Expected shipments of goods to the rest of the world were delayed or even failed entirely – many supply chains are broken. This impact can be seen in trade and shipping costs and this effect is expected to last over the coming weeks and months. To give a short example: shipping containers to the West Coast of the United States increased by 30 percent in February 2021, compared to 2020.
Logically, the shortage of materials also leads to increased prices. If we take a closer look at the Paints & Coatings Industry for example, we see that prices for epoxy resins, an important binder for many paints and coatings have extremely increased. In the last two months, they increased by up to 60%. Prices for polyester resins, which are often used in powder coatings, have also risen significantly – by up to 45%. Looking at solvents, we see price increases of up to 100%.
Over the last weeks and months we also noticed that the limited availability of one of the very basic ingredients for coatings, titanium white, led to a broken supply chain in many different sectors. You can thus see how individual shortages and problems impact the overall value chains, across market segments.
What market development do we expect in the coming month?
Governments worldwide are trying to accelerate the economy’s recovery with stimulus programs. This will most likely lead to a worsening of the logistics crisis as more goods will be in circulation.
The solution to the problem requires time, new investments in ports, and capacity. Therefore, probably many companies will rethink their sourcing strategies and try to reduce the risk of disruption through diversification. Already now we see intensified efforts to find local alternatives for sourcing in order to reduce shipping risks.
In summary we can say, a quick improvement of the situation is unlikely in the coming weeks.
How CheMondis helps you to overcome these issues.
CheMondis might help you to diversify you sourcing strategy and can get you in touch with new potential business partners, in your region and beyond. We are currently working with more than 1.300 suppliers from all over Europe, offering more than 45,000 products. In times where logistics resources are that scarce, it is also worth mentioning that we can help with this as well. You can book your required logistic services in cooperation with the German logistic company Alfred Talke Logistics right on our platform.
Now it is up to you.
Benefit now from the advantages of the leading marketplace for chemicals in Europe and register your company on CheMondis.
We are super excited to announce that we have launched our CheMondis Incoterms Assistant. This feature helps every buyer in the chemical industry to find the fitting Incoterm when requesting an offer. Just by clicking through 3 simple questions.
During the past months we received a lot of feedback from our customers that finding a fitting Incoterm can be challenging.On our platform, but also in general. We started to research on our own and looked up many descriptions, illustrations, and definitions about Incoterms. However, we found most explanations to be complicated and overlapping. Nothing was easy enough to identify the fitting Incoterm at one glance or a few clicks.
Therefore, we developed a solution. The CheMondis Incoterms Assistant.
What are Incoterms?
Incoterms® (International Commercial Terms) are predefined commercial conditions used in international trade. They clearly define the tasks, costs, insurance, and risks on the buyer and supplier side. In total there are eleven different Incoterms which sometimes only differ in small details.
At CheMondis we have the Incoterms® 2020 in place. On our marketplace as well as on any other sourcing channel the supplier always needs to know about the requested Incoterm to be able to prepare an offer because the offered price largely depends on logistics, insurances, and custom responsibilities.
Details about each Incoterm are described at the bottom of the article.
How the CheMondis Incoterms Assistant works.
CheMondis customers can start the assistant directly from the request page. The assistant can also be started by non-CheMondis customers using this link:
Now just 3 clicks are required to find the correct Incoterm easily:
Do you want the goods delivered by the supplier or do you want to pick them up yourself?
Where do you want the goods to be delivered or where do you want to pick them up?
Select details about loading, insurances, customs, or risk responsibilities.
That’s it.
You will receive the suggested Incoterm including a description of the responsibilities for the buyer and the supplier. CheMondis customers can start the assistant directly from the request page.
Now It Is Up to You.
We are looking forward to your feedback on the CheMondis Incoterms Assistant. Let us know about what you think about it: Sebastian.Schnock@CheMondis.com
You want to find out more about each Incoterm? Find our descriptions.
EXW – Ex-Works or Ex-Warehouse
EXW delivery method is the oldest delivery method used in international trade. The seller has no responsibility other than packaging the goods at their own facility and keeping them ready.
As soon as the buyer picked up the goods the buyer is responsible for transportation, loading, and customs and has all risks in case of loss or damage.
FCA – Free Carrier
Approximately 40 percent of international commercial transactions are carried out with FCA. The seller transfers the goods to agreed place (e.g. warehouse, airport, shipping terminal) named by the buyer at a specified dat. As soon as the seller completes the customs procedures, and from all costs and risks related to the goods pass to the buyer.
FCA delivery, which can be used in all types of transport, the responsibility of the seller ends without loading the goods, especially in sea transport.
FAS – Free Alongside Ship
FAS rules describes that the goods are placed on the dock or barge in the direction of the ship at the designated port of loading. Doing that the seller’s delivery obligation has been fulfilled. From this moment all costs and risks of loss or damage pass to the buyer.
FOB – Free On Board
FOB rules describes that once the goods are on the ship’s board at the port of loading the seller’s delivery obligation are fulfilled. From now on, during the shipping itself, any costs and risks of loss or damage belong to the buyer.
CFR – Cost and Freight
CFR rules describes that the seller needs to arrange and pay the transport and freight costs until the goods arrive to the port of destination. However, risk of loss and damage is responsibility of the buyer since the goods transferred to ship and onboarded with other possible expenses which may occur after loading.
CIF – Cost, Insurance and Freight
With the CIF rules the seller has the same responsibilities as in CFR (ensure the delivery to the port of destination). However, in addition the seller must obtain a sea transport insurance for the goods and must pay the insurance premium.
Please note that within the old Incoterms® 2010 rules, CIF and CIP had a standard minimum guarantee and referred to a shipping insurance. Now with Incoterms® 2020, the insurance coverage in CIF have different insurance guarantees unless otherwise agreed.
CPT – Carriage Paid To
CPT rules describe that the seller pays for the freight to an agreed destination. After transferring the goods to carrier-transporter all additional charges and risks are in responsibility of the buyer.
CIP – Carriage And Insurance Paid To
CIP rules describe the same obligations as the CPT term (freight to agreed destination), but in addition, it is obliged for the seller to provide the buyer with cargo insurance against the risk of loss and damage during the transportation of the goods. The seller concludes the insurance contract and pays the insurance premium.
Please note that within the old Incoterms® 2010 rules, CIF and CIP had a standard minimum guarantee and referred to a shipping insurance. Now with Incoterms® 2020, the insurance coverage in CIP has increased to “all risks” unless otherwise agreed.
DAP – Delivered At Place
DAP rules describe the seller’s obligation to deliver the goods to an agreed place of destination. All risks of damages and loss as well as all costs belong to the seller.
DPU – Delivered At Place Unloaded (replaces Incoterm®2010 DAT) DPU rules describe the seller’s obligation to deliver the goods to the designated destination and to unload the goods including all risks due to damages until the unloading has happen.
In Incoterms® 2010 rules DAT (Delivered at Terminal) described the delivery to a terminal while in Incoterms® 2020 the term “terminal” has been removed as the delivery and unloading can happen at any place.
DDP – Delivered Duty Paid
The DDP rules describe the seller’s obligation to transport to goods to an agreed place and to complete custom clearance as well as unloading the goods. Seller is responsible until the goods are on the ground of agreed place.
Sounds complicated? Use our Incoterms Assistant for your next request:
After last year’s great success with over 160 attendees from more than 25 countries, we are pleased to present to you the second edition of our CheMondis Paints & Coatings Digital Summit on March 11th.
Register to the Event and Enjoy a Day Full of Learnings and Networking.
Our 2nd CheMondis Paints & Coatings Summit (re-)connects big and small industry players from the industry in Europe.
You can listen to inspiring talks from industry leaders about digital success stories and projects in the Paints & Coatings industry. Additionally, you can find out more about the latest trends regarding digital tools, culture and new work by talks from well-known tech companies.
Besides the presentations and interactive workshops all participants you have the chance to digitally meet up – with one or more registered participants, potential and existing business partners. This is your opportunity to expand your network and discuss business.
What Could your Successful Summit Day Look like?
After your registration on our event page (https://cpcsummit2021.converve.io) you are asked to set up your personal attendee profile. This will enable other attendees to find and digitally meet you.
Afterwards, you can create your personal schedule for the day. Look at the “Program” tab and select the sessions you would like to attend.
To schedule meetings with another attendee please find “Attendees”. You will see your meeting requests under “My Meetings” in the left-hand navigation bar or you can send out requests yourself. And your personal program for the day is done!
There are two sessions which we highly recommend all attendees to join: the Opening Keynote by Sebastian Brenner (Managing Director at CheMondis) and Cornelia Birnbrich (Commercial Director at CheMondis) at the very beginning of the day, and the round-table discussion at the end of the day. Within our morning session you will get all important information to make the day a success.
It’s All about Digitization!
This year’s summit will focus on everything related to Digitization in the Paints & Coatings industry. During the event three streams with exciting talks, Q&A sessions and workshops will run in parallel:
Get inspired about the potential of digital tools, culture & new work by speakers from companies like Microsoft, Google, Elemica, Salesforce and many more
Gain insights into digital success stories and projects of industry leaders like Evonik, Clariant and many others
Learn more about CheMondis’ best practices and how to use our marketplace for your own success
2. The ticket price is set at 70 euros for the full day per attendee. As a registered CheMondis user from the Paints & Coatings industry, you have a free ticket option valid until February 26th. Please reach out to get your voucher: [Button | mailto:caroline.sajonz@chemondis.com]
3. Your registration will be reviewed since the event is exclusive for the Paints & Coatings industry. You will receive a confirmation email as soon as your registration has been approved.
4. Then you will get access to your personal planning tool. You can complete your attendee profile and create your individual program for the day.
In 2021 we want to continue our journey of making buying chemicals for you as easy as possible. We learned from your feedback that our buyers are missing two extra filters to be able to narrow down their searches on CheMondis to their exact needs. Here they come:
As of now, buyers can filter according to the “Supplier Location” or for “Manufacturers”. Of course, they can be combined with each other and with our existing filters to make your search results even more precise.
Supplier Location Filter
With our location filter, you can choose which countries you would like to source from. Using the filter only suppliers from your selected countries will be displayed in the search results. This will help you to find local suppliers and to keep transportation costs low.
Please note: that we use the company’s headquarter address for this information. Products might eventually be located at different locations.
Manufacturer Filter
For some product demands you might prefer to purchase from a specific manufacturer directly. You can now filter the product search results by one or more preferred manufacturers to narrow down your search before sending a request. To find this filter please log in to your buyer account.
Please note: that manufacturers often only sell large quantities and your request might be forwarded to a distributor.
Now It Is Up To You.
We hope you will enjoy using those filters to find a fitting product. We look forward to seeing your quote requests and orders on CheMondis.
If you have questions about those filters, please get in touch with us. For general feedback around any feature and the usage of feedback please let us know about your problems and ideas. Just send a mail to sebastian.schnock@chemondis.com
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