November 3, 2010 by Doris de Guzman of ICIS.
The bioplastic industry strengthened its presence at last week's international plastic and rubber trade show "K" held every four years in Germany.
There had been several announcements from major plastic producers at the show and one of them the blog already reported about Braskem's plans to build a sugarcane-based polypropylene. Here is a video from the K Show organizers as they interview Braskem VP Riu Chammas on their green plastic.
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October 28, 2010 - Düsseldorf, Germany - Building on the corporation’s experience in material innovation within the renewable energy sector industry, DuPont Performance Polymers has tailored its portfolio of thermoplastic materials and design knowledge to the needs of the photovoltaic industry. This includes the introduction of two specific grades of DuPont™ Rynite® PET for photovoltaic applications. The objective behind DuPont Performance Polymer solutions for the photovoltaic industry is to reduce the total cost of manufacturing, assembling and installing photovoltaic systems. By doing so, it is helping the photovoltaic industry reach grid parity faster.
Delrin ® is used for a Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) bearing, which helps the curved mirrors to follow the movement of the sun.
Drawn from its portfolio of high-performance polymers, UV-resistant DuPont™ Rynite® PET resins offer an excellent balance of properties which makes them an ideal candidate for the cost-effective manufacturing of photovoltaic module frames and components. Two specific grades are currently available from DuPont for these applications: Rynite® 935SUV is a 35% glass-fiber/mineral reinforced, UV stabilized grade of polyethylene terephtalate (PET) suitable for injection molding; Rynite® 540SUV is a 40% glass-fiber reinforced, UV stabilized grade of PET suitable for extrusion and injection molding. Both grades combine high stiffness with low warpage and have been specifically developed for long-term outdoor applications. Other DuPont engineering polymers for the photovoltaic sector include flame-retardant DuPont™ Zytel® nylon for junction boxes and inverters, and low-wear/low-friction DuPont™ Delrin® acetal resin for bearings used in sun-tracking mirror installations, for example.
When used in photovoltaic applications, DuPont’s polymers can help increase design flexibility for greater ease of assembly and installation; provide an opportunity for functional integration (thereby reducing the overall number of components); and when produced in large numbers, offer one of the most cost-competitive methods of production through injection molding and extrusion. Moreover, high performance thermoplastics such as Rynite® can offer a high degree of stiffness for structural strength, excellent outdoor performance, high impact resistance, corrosion resistance and good aesthetics. By using Rynite® PET for frames, resistance to ultraviolet rays, heat, wind and significant loads of snow is assured, as well as enhanced durability and a high surface finish.
DuPont™ Delrin®, DuPont™ Crastin® and DuPont™ Zytel® are part of a broad and growing portfolio of products represented by DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions, which connects science and technology from across the company on a global scale to help support the dramatic growth in the photovoltaic industry. To learn more, please visit http://photovoltaics.dupont.com
The DuPont Performance Polymers business manufactures and sells Crastin® PBT and Rynite® PET thermoplastic polyester resins, Delrin® acetal resins, Hytrel® thermoplastic polyester elastomers, DuPont™ ETPV engineering thermoplastic vulcanizates, Minlon® mineral reinforced nylon resins, Neoprene® polychloroprene, Tynex® filaments, Vespel® parts and shapes, Kalrez® perfluoroelastomer parts, Vamac® ethylene acrylic elastomers (AEM), Viton® fluoroelastomers, Viton® FreeFlow processing aids, Zytel® nylon resins and Zytel® HTN high-performance polyamides. These products serve global markets in the aerospace, appliance, automotive, consumer, electrical, electronic, healthcare, industrial, sporting goods and many other diversified industries.
DuPont (www.dupont.com) is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 90 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
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October 27, 2010 - Leverkusen, Germany - “Innovations in Polymers Energized by LANXESS” is the specialty chemical company’s slogan for the international K 2010 plastics fair in Dusseldorf. “This slogan and the design of our stand underline our commitment to innovation. We provide highly effective materials, processes and technologies in responses to the demands of global megatrends and our most important markets. We are also a creative development partner for the associated key industries,” explained Dr. Werner Breuers, member of the Board of Management of LANXESS AG. The stand of this Leverkusen-based specialty chemicals group covers around 1,300 square meters and its generous size and distinctive design provide the Butyl Rubber, Performance Butadiene Rubbers, Technical Rubber Products, Rubber Chemicals, Semi-Crystalline Products, Functional Chemicals and Inorganic Pigments business units with the ideal forum to showcase their developments.
Efficient lightweight construction, replacing metal and thermosetting plastics
Exhibits relating to Durethan polyamides and Pocan polybutylene terephthalates will concentrate on applications in the automotive, environmental, electrical/electronics and living sectors, with a focus on lightweight construction using easy-flowing, highly filled material grades. The exhibits include numerous components consisting of the exceptionally stiff polyamide 6 Durethan DP BKV 60 H2.0 EF filled with 60 percent glass fibers, perfect for applications such as a printing press pan, intake manifold and circuit breaker. A highlight that offers a replacement for sheet steel is the polyamide 6 spare wheel recess with integrated reinforcing channels in the Audi A8. The front end of the Audi A8 reveals the opportunities opened up by the use of organic sheets instead of metal in plastic-metal composite technology (hybrid technology) with Durethan. These nylon composite sheets are used to create a thin U-section in the lower beam of the hybrid front end. This results in a weight reduction of 20 percent compared with the equivalent aluminum insert. An innovative material for the electrical/electronics industry is Durethan DP AKV 30 FN00. This flame-retardant polyamide 66 does not contain any halogens or red phosphorus and is ideal for products such as insulation material.
Innovations in rubber
The innovations on display in the rubber and additive field cover the complete range of applications for these materials. One example of a successful development is Therban AT 3400 VP. This low-viscosity HNBR elastomer flows much more easily than previous Therban grades, making it ideal for liquid injection molding, for example. Special new Therban grades are also the material of choice for seals used in the pressure refueling of natural-gas-operated vehicles. This synthetic rubber is resistant to natural gas and retains much greater flexibility in cold conditions than fluororubbers, even at -40 °C. As a result, seals made of this material do not become brittle at the icy temperatures that occur during refueling and thus maintain their sealing effect.
A further process innovation comes in the form of removable adhesive films made from the EVM polymer Levamelt. These can now also be produced in high volumes using blown film extrusion. LANXESS, in conjunction with a manufacturer of extrusion equipment, has demonstrated this using a three-layer film with a functional layer of Levamelt. This EVM polymer is in high demand on the adhesive film market, as its bonding properties can be adapted to substrates of different polarities.
LANXESS is the sponsor of this year’s “Rubber Street”
K 2010 will once again feature a “Rubber Street” in Hall 6. LANXESS is the sponsor this year of the initiative, which has been a proven success since it was introduced at “K” in 1983. “As the world’s leading manufacturer of synthetic rubbers, we would like to offer companies in the rubber-processing industry a platform to present their new developments,” said Breuers.
New additives for the polymer industry
LANXESS is also offering a multitude of new products in its additives range, such as Disflamoll TP LXS 51036, an odor-neutral flame retardant for PVC-based artificial leather products. Other innovations include formulations of the tried-and-tested flame-retardant construction material Bayfomox that can be applied easily and safely as a spray foam. Silica additive 9202 is an excellent alternative to zinc soaps used as an emulsifier for silica in “green tires”. Its use means that no zinc finds its way into the environment through tire abrasion. And, unlike zinc soaps, it does not have a plasticizing effect. Further key topics include various alternatives to phthalate-containing bonding agents and plasticizers and developments in the fields of, for example, vulcanization accelerators, crosslinkers, peptizing agents and antidegradants.
Successful culture of innovation
“All the new developments presented by LANXESS at K 2010 reflect the creative culture of innovation we have evolved in our company,” said Breuers. This culture has enabled LANXESS to significantly boost the effectiveness and success of its research and development activities.
LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 5.06 billion in 2009 and currently around 14,400 employees in 23 countries. The company is represented at 42 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals.
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October 28, 2010 - Dusseldorf, Germany - At the K Show, the Innovative Plastics strategic business unit of SABIC, announced the establishment of a new business unit to meet growing customer demand for advanced engineering thermoplastic materials and application development expertise in the Middle East and Africa. This new organization, which is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, demonstrates SABIC’s strong commitment to this increasingly important region – providing customers access to a robust portfolio of more than 40,000 high-performance resins. The new business unit will be led by Richard Crosby, a veteran Innovative Plastics executive and scientist.
“Our innovation in materials and service has been a key differentiator in helping customers be successful in growing and dynamic markets – from understanding their unique requirements to continuously innovating high-performance materials, technologies and services that help give them competitive differentiation,” said Charlie Crew, president and chief executive officer, Innovative Plastics. “Under Richard’s leadership, we are committed to providing the same level of support in the Middle East and Africa to help OEMs and processors in the region create world-class products. This new business unit will enable customers to easily leverage our expansive portfolio of solutions to meet the changing requirements of local and global markets.”
Today’s announcement is the second recent example of SABIC’s focus to bring advanced materials solutions to this important region. The company recently announced a new Application Development Technology Center in Riyadh, which is slated to open in late 2012. The center will offer customers advanced design, material development, conversion processing and part testing.
“Innovative Plastics’ proven success in serving global industries such as appliances, automotive, building and construction, alternative energy and electrical components will enable us to establish and grow new customer relationships as well as create greater market demand in this growing region,” noted Crosby. “For example, the solar energy industry, a major focus area for the Middle East, uses several of our engineering thermoplastics in current photovoltaic applications and will need new innovative materials for future designs. We see an opportunity to add value to the design, development and production of new applications across multiple markets helping our customers achieve their business goals.”
Crosby brings 22 years of extensive experience in business development, marketing and technology to his role. Most recently he served as the general manager of marketing and technology for the Innovative Plastics’ business unit in the Pacific. He holds a doctorate in chemistry from Texas A&M University.
For additional information on SABIC Innovative Plastics’ thermoplastic materials portfolio, please go to www.sabic-ip.com. For technical product inquiries, please contact us at www.sabic-ip.com/prtechinquiry.
SABIC is Exhibiting at K 2010 in Düsseldorf, Germany in Hall 6, Stand D42
For K 2010, SABIC’s focus is A Culture of Innovation, which means investing in Growth, Technology, Sustainability and Customer Focus. We help our customers to innovate, differentiate their applications and optimize costs by:
About SABIC
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) ranks among the world’s top six petrochemical companies. The company is among the world’s market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers.
SABIC recorded a net profit of SR 9 billion (US$ 2.4 billion) in 2009. Sales revenues for 2009 totaled SR 103 billion (US$ 27 billion). Total assets stood at SR 297 billion (US$ 79.2 billion) at the end of 2009.
SABIC’s businesses are grouped into Chemicals, Polymers, Performance Chemicals, Fertilizers, Metals and Innovative Plastics. SABIC has significant research resources with six dedicated Technology & Innovation Centers in Saudi Arabia, Europe, the USA and India. The company operates in more than 40 countries across the world with 33,000 employees worldwide.
The company has 19 world-scale complexes in Saudi Arabia. Elsewhere, SABIC manufactures on a global scale in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. SABIC’s overall production has increased from 35 million metric tons in 2001 to 59 million metric tons in 2009.
Headquartered in Riyadh, SABIC was founded in 1976 when the Saudi Arabian Government decided to use the hydrocarbon gases associated with its oil production as the principal feedstock for production of chemicals, polymers and fertilizers. The Saudi Arabian Government owns 70 percent of SABIC shares with the remaining 30 percent held by private investors in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
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October 27, 2010 - Dusseldorf, Germany - At K 2010, Hall 6, Stand D42, SABIC is showcasing new technologies, expanded capabilities and strong customer relationships that comprise its theme for the show: Culture of Innovation. A key focus is SABIC’s sustainability strategy, underscoring the company’s commitment to addressing worldwide sustainability issues – including energy and greenhouse gas reduction, water conservation and material efficiency. The SABIC stand features an impressive array of materials from its broad and growing portfolio that enable breakthrough applications across major growth sectors such as healthcare, automotive, electronics, packaging, film and alternative energy.
“Participation at K 2010 allows SABIC to demonstrate our steadfast, long-term commitment to the plastics industry and our customers,” said Khaled Al-Mana, executive vice president, Polymers, SABIC. “Our Culture of Innovation focus drives SABIC’s strategy to be the preferred world leader in chemicals and plastics. We are proud to show how investments in our global capabilities and portfolio help us achieve mutual success with our customers.”
“SABIC is investing and driving growth in the global plastics industry by providing material solutions that deliver better performance and added value to our customers,” said Charlie Crew, president and chief executive officer, SABIC Innovative Plastics. “In keeping with our long, rich history of innovation, we continue to expand the boundaries of materials excellence with next-generation products, processing expertise, and advanced application development capabilities to help customers differentiate, compete and grow. Our number-one priority is to support our customers’ success.”
SABIC’s Culture of Innovation theme for K 2010 is built on four strategic pillars: growth, technology, sustainability and customer focus.
1. Growth
To meet customers’ requirements today and tomorrow, SABIC continues to invest in the expansion of global production capacity and to add new technology resources in key sectors.
2. Technology
SABIC continues to focus on the development of new and future innovations, giving customers a broad and growing portfolio of materials technologies. These materials deliver better performance and added value by reducing system costs, opening up new design opportunities, and driving market penetration and growth. Key technologies include:
3. Sustainability
Global sustainability issues are at the core of SABIC’s business strategy, built on the company’s commitment to maximize the usefulness of valuable natural resources. Customers want solutions that help reduce their environmental footprint by cutting energy consumption during manufacturing; that help reduce the weight of their products or make them thinner; and that are more easily recycled or include recycled content. SABIC’s product portfolio, technological expertise and history of innovation enable the development of materials that can help customers tackle a wide variety of environmental issues.
Sustainability examples announced here today include:
4. Customer Focus
To help customers innovate, differentiate their applications, and optimize manufacture, SABIC works collaboratively throughout the application development process. A dedicated local team presence around the world enables the company to meet unique customers’ needs in a broad range of geographies and industries.
Customer innovation seminars will be held at SABIC’s booth during the course of the K show. These seminars are focused on educating and assisting customers in solving real-world challenges with SABIC materials technologies and innovations to help customers grow their businesses. Seminars range from metal replacement; reducing weight in automobiles; maximizing sustainability opportunities; and high-performance materials for the aircraft and rail markets to the use of thermoplastics in photovoltaics; innovative solutions using Lexan polycarbonate sheet; resins for the healthcare industry; and more.
The full program is available at www.sabic.com/K2010 and www.sabic-ip.com.
SABIC’s Culture of Innovation Lounge
Underscoring the theme of innovation, the SABIC stand is a unique, double-decker, 1,200 m2 (12,917 ft2) design named Culture of Innovation lounge. The stand is based on the structure of a molecule as the core building block of existence and SABIC materials were used in the construction. For example, the new grade of Lexan SG305-OB PC sheet is used for the interior and exteriors walls of the stand to illuminate the dynamic LED light band flowing along the top edge of the structure. This unique product offers both uniform light diffusion to eliminate LED “pinholes” and a view of light sources, and superior light transmission for exceptional optical brightness at lower energy costs.
About SABIC
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) ranks among the world’s top six petrochemical companies. The company is among the world’s market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers.
SABIC recorded a net profit of SR 9 billion (US$ 2.4 billion) in 2009. Sales revenues for 2009 totaled SR 103 billion (US$ 27 billion). Total assets stood at SR 297 billion (US$ 79.2 billion) at the end of 2009.
SABIC’s businesses are grouped into Chemicals, Polymers, Performance Chemicals, Fertilizers, Metals and Innovative Plastics. SABIC has significant research resources with six dedicated Technology & Innovation Centers in Saudi Arabia, Europe, the USA and India. The company operates in more than 40 countries across the world with 33,000 employees worldwide.
The company has 19 world-scale complexes in Saudi Arabia. Elsewhere, SABIC manufactures on a global scale in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. SABIC’s overall production has increased from 35 million metric tons in 2001 to 59 million metric tons in 2009.
Headquartered in Riyadh, SABIC was founded in 1976 when the Saudi Arabian Government decided to use the hydrocarbon gases associated with its oil production as the principal feedstock for production of chemicals, polymers and fertilizers. The Saudi Arabian Government owns 70 percent of SABIC shares with the remaining 30 percent held by private investors in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
® SABIC and Stamax are registered trademarks of SABIC.
* Trademarks of SABIC Innovative Plastics IP BV.
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October 26, 2010 - Wyandotte, MI - Combine innovative materials, development processes and partners—and a healthy dose of hard work—and you might just end up with an innovative application. That is precisely what happened when BASF turned its focus to automotive seating. Result: the first highly styled seating to incorporate a material-saving, weight-saving thermoplastic seat back frame.
BASF, an experienced automotive supplier, saw the potential to simplify the back frame assembly by converting the structure to thermoplastic materials.
By doing so, BASF was able to develop a seat back that is very thin, and contoured to the shape of the human form. The new seat back integrates the seat frame and back panel into one thermoplastic structure. It enables the reduction of foam, and simplifies the trimming process. Further integration potential exists with other seating components, such as lumbar support, and heating and cooling modules. BASF foresaw other innovative styling opportunities in view of textures, colors and surface appearance made possible by thermoplastics to complement the interior design. Easy and cost-efficient contouring, another benefit of designing with thermoplastics, also facilitated the providing of ergonomic support for the human form, while using thinner frames that contribute to the reduction of overall vehicle mass.
Undertaking an exhaustive process of conversations with automakers, examination of industry trends, and reviews of concept vehicles from around the globe, BASF provided itself with a reality-check on the idea of the plastic seat back frame. One considerable challenge was that the thinner, lighter back frame would have to be able to withstand the high crash energy demands required of automotive seats.
Innovative material choice
Continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTs) represent the next step in the advance of thermoplastics’ structural capabilities. Although the use of CFRTs had been established in aerospace and defense applications, by the time BASF began its own research on the materials, CFRTs had rarely been used in automotive applications. But, with serious development efforts, the benefits were there for the reaping. CFRTs can produce a very stiff, strong, lightweight end product that can be efficiently manufactured. They have higher modulus, impact strength and overall durability than that available from traditional filled thermoplastics. At the end of a months-long technical review and brainstorming of different concepts, BASF decided to pursue development of a thermoplastic seat back comprised of continuous fiber reinforcements overmolded with Ultramid Polyamid 6 resin (PA 6). The inserts would provide the necessary structural integrity when reinforced with PA 6 resin, while injection-molding the back would allow for the necessary feature integration, contours, and styling.
Innovative development process
“In order to design effectively with any material, accurate CAE tools are required,” said Peter A. Zorney, Advanced Development, BASF Corporation.
“Unfortunately, the industry did not seem to have the experience in utilizing FEA tools like LS-Dyna for continuous fiber materials, let alone for a combination construction of injection-molded PA resin and continuous fiber materials.”
BASF spent almost two years gathering data on continuous fiber materials through extensive testing and employment of its Ultrasim™ numerical material model, a versatile and flexible CAE tool developed for the demands of innovative applications. The Ultrasim technology—referred to as an integrative simulation—combines traditional tooling and process data with experimental data obtained from a special high-speed measuring device, itself developed by BASF. The technology thereby yields optimum part and process design.
“We took state-of-the art characterization of our materials and added state-of-the-art characterization of continuous fiber materials in order to accurately simulate dynamic crash events. We are now able to design automotive seat structures, and other structures, using our computer tools.
This allows us to efficiently design complex, CFRT reinforced structures to withstand the very demanding requirements of automotive seating,” added Zorney.
Innovative partners
BASF partnered with Performance Materials Corporation, Camarillo, California, a forerunner in the development and manufacture of CFRT products. The continuous fiber materials were tested and retested and the results were compared to FEA predictions.
“Using these leading edge analysis techniques, we have worked closely with BASF to develop both a CFRT material and a part design, which not only is compatible in the injection over-molding process, but can provide the necessary structural performance in a cost effective thin and lightweight seat application as demonstrated in actual crash tests,” said Thomas Smith, CEO of Performance Materials.”
During the development of the injection-molded Ultramid® PA 6 resin technology, BASF also sought out a seating supplier with both the technical capability to integrate the back frame into a seat and the innovative spirit to invest in the new technology. Faurecia Automotive Seating was that supplier. The end result was the SUSCO 1.5 seat, which will be displayed at the October K 2010 show in Düsseldorf, Germany. BASF and Faurecia are in the process of executing development contracts with key automakers to ready the technology for series production expected in 2014.
“BASF’s new technology has helped Faurecia push our seat technology into the next generation of automotive seating,” said Thilo Ludewig, Faurecia Vice President Research & Development. “BASF is an excellent partner to work with—innovative, technically astute, and themselves willing to invest in game-changing technologies.”
The technology has already yielded a significant advance in automotive seating, and BASF plans to apply its new predictive technology for CFRT both in additional automotive applications, as well as other industries.
For more information contact:
Kathy Dennis
BASF Corporation
Tel: (973) 245-6288
E-mail: kathy.dennis@basf.com
About Faurecia
Faurecia is one of the world's leading (#6 worldwide) automotive equipment suppliers with four key Business Groups: Automotive Seating, Emissions Control Technologies, Interior Systems and Automotive Exteriors. In 2009, the Group posted pro-forma sales of 11.3 billion euros, including Emcon Technologies and Plastal Germany. It employs 62,000 people in 32 countries at 200 sites and 33 R&D centers. Faurecia is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris stock exchange. For more information, visit: www.faurecia.com
About Performance Materials Corporation
Performance Materials Corporation (PMC) is an innovative developer and manufacturer of continuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic (CFRT®) materials, components and sub-assemblies. These compounded materials offer high strength and stiffness to weight ratios and can be used to improve structural performance in various applications. PMC has business units which focus on basic materials, industrial, medical, recreation, computing and automotive applications. PMC is privately held.
To get “the Material Edge,” visit www.performancematerials.com.
BASF - The Chemical Company
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $13 billion in 2009. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.us.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
CFRT is a registered trademark of Performance Materials Corporation
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October 19, 2010 - Dusseldorf, Germany - At their first K Show, TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) producer Polymax Elastomer Technology will be introducing to the European market for the very first time, their new high heat (up to 302°F or 150° C) TPE. This new TPE offering is ideally suited for automotive and other high temperature applications. Polymax will be highlighting this grade at their K Show Stand/Booth #F61 in Halle/Building 08b.
With a Shore A hardness of 82, the new Maxelast® TPE grade offers users a product that is easy to process, and provides a finished product that is both esthetically pleasing and durable.
At this show, Polymax is offering its TPEs into European and other world markets beyond Asia and North America. In North America, this large and well-respected TPE producer has a partnership with Alliance Polymers & Services in Romulus, MI www.apstpe.com. Polymax manufactures 7 families of Maxelast TPEs at their world headquarters in Nantong (near Shanghai) China. The firm is looking into building a new manufacturing site in North America.
For further information on this new grade and other Maxelast products in Europe, China and the Far East, inquirers should contact: Marketing Department, Polymax Elastomer Technology Co., Ltd., 698 Changtain Road, Gangzha District, Nantong, Jiangsu, China 22601. Tel: 86-513-80113188. Fax: 86-513-80113173. Email: tlxu@polymax.com.cn. Web: www.polymax.com.cn. In North America, go to www.apstpe.com.
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October 6, 2010 - With its new Ultrason® E Dimension, BASF has succeeded in combining high dimensional stability and ease of processing where previously this was not possible: in the market for high-temperature resistant thermoplastics. The new member of the polyethersulfone (PESU) family exhibits not only very high stiffness at temperatures between 120 and 220 °C, but also exceptional dimensional stability. Nevertheless, its viscosity is still so low at processing temperatures that it can fill complex injection molds reliably. Thanks to the good flow characteristics, it has also been possible to increase the glass fiber content beyond that achievable with conventional PESU grades. This makes the new material a strong – and economical – alternative to polyetheretherketone (PEEK), for instance.
New formulation resolves contradiction: stiff, well-flowing and dimensionally stable
While stiff, semi-crystalline high-temperature polymers such as PEEK or PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) often warp during injection molding, the dimensionally stable amorphous thermoplastics such as PESU are usually more difficult to process. In both product groups, the challenges become more pronounced when glass fibers are incorporated. Whoever tried to increase the stiffness of high-temperature plastics quickly found that there were limits.
A new component in a classic Ultrason E formulation now contributes to increased stiffness at elevated temperatures while simultaneously improving the flow characteristics of the PESU melt significantly without noticeably compromising the dimensional stability of the material: The elastic modulus of Ultrason E Dimension still achieves values of over 10,000 MPa even at 120 °C, making it comparable to PEEK or PPS compounds. The new Ultrason’s coefficient of thermal expansion is about as high as that of aluminum, which is an enormous achievement for a plastic. Furthermore, in contrast to semi-crystalline polymers, the new material exhibits almost linear and isotropic thermal expansion between 25 and 200 °C. At similar performance, the new Ultrason also frequently represents a considerably more economical alternative to other high-performance polymers.
Head-to-head with aluminum
Compared to aluminum, the new plastic can exploit its greater ease of processing, since the plastic part does not require subsequent finishing with a drill or milling tool. This translates into economic advantages over a metal counterpart. The material offers potential, e.g., for use in the form of pistons, switches and gears that come into contact with hot oil and must still function reliably above 140°C. The field of application is in no way limited to the automotive sector: Ultrason E Dimension is also suitable for food contact.
Additional information on the Ultrason® E (PESU) materials group from BASF can be obtained by sending an e-mail to the address Ultraplaste.infopoint@basf.com or by calling the telephone number +49 (0) 621 60 78780.
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October 5, 2010 - Wilmington, Delaware – DuPont Packaging experts Barry Morris, Ph.D., and Terry Kendig will be featured speakers at an ongoing DuPont symposium for packaging professionals to be held during Pack Expo 2010 show in Chicago from Oct. 31 through Nov. 3, 2010. Morris will present on reducing package sealing failure and Kendig will discuss how to meet consumer needs for convenience through easy-peel lidding. The presentations will be delivered in the DuPont meeting room, McCormick Place, South Hall, Room 402B.
DuPont also is sponsoring the new Pack Expo pavilion "Project 2020 - The Consumer Experience," which will examine the consumer demands expected to drive packaging innovation 10 years from now. Project 2020 is about pushing the boundaries of packaging and anticipating what will drive brand owner purchasing decisions in the future. The series of expert technical presentations complements this sponsorship.
"As a specialty packaging materials supplier, our goal is to foster better understanding of the way expertise, materials and manufacturing methods come together for innovation in consumer packaging," said Yasmin Siddiqi, global packaging marketing director. "Every day, DuPont experts are asked to respond to market drivers, such as source reduction and cost efficiency, increased convenience and improved food protection. We hope to share our know-how as widely as we can during the show. In addition to the scheduled expert presentations, DuPont will be hosting a gathering room for packaging engineers interested in exchanging best practices and learning more about available specialty materials."
Morris is a widely published expert on film extrusion and polymer melt behavior. He is a long-time member of TAPPI, a Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) and a member of the board of directors of the SPE Flexible Packaging and Extrusion Divisions. Kendig is DuPont's resident expert on lidding films, holding several patents for innovative film and adhesion combinations. His expertise is frequently sought by developers of new convenience packaging, and he has contributed to award-winning designs for brand leaders.
Morris and Kendig will be making formal presentations to registered attendees on a regular schedule during show hours, with time for interactive Q&A. To see a video preview of their presentations, learn more about their planned topics and presentation schedule, or register for available seating, visit packexpo.dupont.com.
DuPont Packaging is an innovations leader in flexible packaging materials and a long-time sponsor of the DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation, the packaging industry's premier independently judged excellence award. DuPont specialty resins are problem-solvers in a variety of sealing, lidding, and multi-layer film extrusion applications helping increase packaging effectiveness and efficiency around the world.
DuPont (www.dupont.com) is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 90 countries and regions, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.
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October 2, 1020 - Houston, TX - Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. (NYSE: KRA), a leading global producer of styrenic block copolymers or "SBCs," and SO.F.TER. SPA, compounder specialized in the production of tailor-made thermoplastic elastomers and engineering solutions, in response to the demands of the automotive industry for lighter-weight, higher-performance, lower-cost, and more environmentally-sustainable solutions, announce the development of a new SBC-based alternative for slush molded interior soft skins.
Slush molding is a specialized processing operation traditionally designed for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based compounds to produce the interior surface of automobiles such as instrument panel skins, door panels, airbags and consoles.
"Kraton Polymers and SO.F.TER. formed a strategic alliance to leverage the leading innovation and scientific capabilities of both companies. This resulted in the development of a superior and more environmentally-friendly alternative to PVC and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU)," said Michael Oberkirch, Vice President, Advanced Materials at Kraton Polymers.
This development provides a major technology and performance leap for the automotive industry. Manufacturers can achieve significant improvements in low-temperature performance, fogging, and recyclability while still using existing slush molding equipment and standard processing conditions. An additional benefit is lowered manufacturing costs due to reduced service temperatures and decreased processing time.
"Our new product provides a 30 to 40% reduction in material weight, better aging properties, and improved soft touch compared to existing materials. These benefits help automotive manufacturers reduce the weight of vehicle components, while still enhancing aesthetics and performance," added Oberkirch. "This is another example of innovation and collaborative customer relationships leading to a specialized product solution designed to meet ever-increasing market needs," he concluded.
For more information about this superior alternative for slush molded interiors, please contact Christian Kafka, Global Market Development Manager, Kraton Polymers, at christian.kafka@kraton.com, or Riccardo Meucci, Sales Director of SO.F.TER. TECNOPOLIMERI, at riccardo.meucci@softerspa.com. To see, touch, and learn more about our new technology, please visit both companies at the 2010 KSHOW in Dusseldorf, Germany from October 27 – November 3, 2010. Visit Kraton Polymers in Hall 6, Booth C80, or SO.F.TER. in Hall 6, Booth A58.
About Kraton
Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc., through its operating subsidiary Kraton Polymers LLC and its subsidiaries, is a leading global producer of engineered polymers and, we believe, the world's largest producer of styrenic block copolymers ("SBC's"), a family of products whose chemistry was pioneered by us almost fifty years ago. SBC's are highly-engineered thermoplastic elastomers, which enhance the performance of numerous products by delivering a variety of attributes, including greater flexibility, resilience, strength, durability and processability. Our polymers are used in a wide range of applications, including adhesives, coatings, consumer and personal care products, sealants and lubricants, and medical, packaging, automotive, paving, roofing and footwear products. We currently offer approximately 800 products to more than 700 customers in over 60 countries worldwide, and are the only SBC producer with manufacturing and service capabilities on four continents. We manufacture products at five plants globally, including our flagship plant in Belpre, Ohio, as well as plants in Germany, France and Brazil, and a joint venture plant operated in Japan.
Kraton, the Kraton logo and design, and the "Giving Innovators their Edge" tagline are all trademarks of Kraton Polymers LLC.
About SO.F.TER.
SO.F.TER. SPA develops and produces polymeric compounds for the manufacturing industry and is among the few specialists whose range of business goes from thermoplastic elastomers, to thermoplastic vulcanizates, to engineering plastics. Thanks to its world-class technological know-how SO.F.TER. can offer customized and integrated solutions, with a strong focus on the automotive, home appliances, building, electrical/electronic, footwear and sport industries. The SO.F.TER. Group has its headquarters in Forli, Italy, with two production units in Mexico and Brazil. Products and Brands include Thermoplastic Elastomers: Forprene® (TPV), Forflex® (TPO), Laprene® (SEBS), Sofprene® (SBS), Sofpur® (TPU), Heraflex® P (TPO), Forgrin®, Terra® (TPE for turf infill), Pavprene® (bitumen modifier) and Engineering Plastics: Polifor® (PP), Pibifor® (PBT), Nylfor® (PA6, PA66), Abistir® (ABS), Stirofor® (HI-PS), Cabofor® (PC), Blendfor® (PC/ABS), Norfor® (PPO), Sanfor® (SAN). For more information about SO.F.TER. visit www.softerspa.com.
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