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Additives for Polymers (v.2008, #3)
BASF expands Asia Pacific plasticizers business, becomes ‘European Company’ (pp. 1,6).
International chemicals major BASF is to expand its plasticizers business in the Asia Pacific region by increasing the production capacity of its oxo-C4 plant in Nanjing, China, by 55 000 tonnes/year to 305 000 tonnes/year by the fourth quarter of 2008. This move will ensure reliable supplies of the precursor alcohols n-butanol and 2-ethylhexanol, the company says.
New additive from Lanxess reduces tyre wear (pp. 2-3).
Leverkusen-based speciality chemicals group Lanxess has developed Nanoprene, a new high-performance rubber additive. Designed for use in the tread of automobile tyres, the additive is claimed to significantly enhance wear resistance and service life but without reducing rolling resistance or wet grip.
Axel introduces flow-enhancing additive for HDPE (pp. 2-2).
Axel Plastics Research Laboratories, based in Woodside, NY, has introduced a new MoldWiz process aid additive – INT-41FPE – designed to improve resin flow at low loading levels. A proprietary, synergistic blend of modified polymers and organic fatty amides, the new additive is recommended particularly for use in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin.
Albemarle develops halogen-free flame retardant for flexible foams (pp. 2-2).
Albemarle Corp has further expanded its extensive range of flame retardants with the introduction of halogen-free Antiblaze® 117HF for flexible furniture and automotive foams. The company says the new product is designed to provide a safe, highly effective and more environmentally appealing alternative to halogen-based flame retardants in these furniture applications.
Ampacet launches amber masterbatches for pharmaceutical packaging (pp. 3-3).
New York-based masterbatch producer Ampacet has developed two amber masterbatches for the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) used in US pharmaceutical prescription bottles.
Clariant extends masterbatch range for medical applications (pp. 3-4).
Clariant Masterbatches has extended its Renol®-med family of colour masterbatches with a range specifically for use with the polyether block amide (PEBA) and nylon 12 materials commonly deployed in medical applications.
Akzo Nobel unveils new structure, continues strong performance (pp. 4-5).
Netherlands-based Akzo Nobel has finalized the new structure of the company following the official conclusion of its £8 billion (€10.75 billion) acquisition of UK firm Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in early January.
ICL Industrial Products to produce two flame retardants in China (pp. 5-5).
Israel's ICL Industrial Products (ICL-IP) plans to produce two of its phosphorus-based flame retardants, Fyrol PCF and Fyroflex BDP, at a plant in Zhapu Industrial Park, near Shanghai in China. The plant is designed to initially produce 10 000 tonnes annually of each of these products, with production scheduled to come on stream by the end of 2008.
Adeka to double Chinese output of phosphorus flame retardants (pp. 5-5).
Japan's Adeka Corp intends to expand capacity for oligomeric phosphorus-based flame retardants from the present 10 000 tonnes/year to 20 000 tonnes/year at its Chinese subsidiary Adeka Fine Chemical (Changshu) Co. The expansion is scheduled for completion in April 2009.
PolyOne opens French design centre, introduces permanent antistatic compound (pp. 6-6).
Polymer materials firm PolyOne Corp has opened a second European colour design centre in Cergy, near Paris in France. The Cergy facility will specialize in serving the European packaging market, and features state-of-the-art equipment developed to replicate actual manufacturing conditions.
BYK gains new production location (pp. 6-7).
Additives specialist BYK-Chemie GmbH, headquartered in Wesel, has gained a new production location in Germany. From the beginning of January, BYK has taken over the Kempen plant, grounds and staff formerly employed by fellow Altana subsidiary Elantas Beck of Hamburg.
Techmer PM opens new technical centre, applies nanoclay technology to polyamide films (pp. 7-7).
Tennessee-based supplier of colorants and additives Techmer PM has announced the completion of a new state-of-the-art technical centre as an addition to its existing laboratory.
Companies continue attempts to recoup costs through additive price increases (pp. 7-8).
Antioxidants, plasticizers and titanium dioxide pigments are among the products affected by additional price rises in recent weeks. All listed changes are subject to the terms of existing contracts.
Chitec enters Japanese market for flame retardants (pp. 8-9).
Chitec Technology, a Taiwan-based producer of flame retardants and stabilizers for polymers, has ventured into the Japanese market, according to a report in Japan Chemical Week.
Vertellus Specialties acquired by Wind Point (pp. 8-8).
Indianapolis-based Vertellus Specialties, a manufacturer of niche speciality chemicals and additives used in the pharmaceuticals, personal care, nutrition, agriculture and performance materials markets, has been acquired by US private equity investment firm Wind Point Partners. Vertellus, previously owned by Arsenal Capital Partners, originated from the 2006 merger of Rutherford Chemicals and Reilly Industries.
Rohm and Haas reports strong finish to year (pp. 9-10).
For the fourth quarter of 2007, Philadelphia-based Rohm and Haas Co reported record sales of US$2.343 billion, a 16% increase over the same period in 2006. The growth was driven by strong performances from Electronic Materials, Salt and the chemical businesses in rapidly developing economies. R&D expense of $83 million was up 6% from the same period last year, reflecting continued investments in its growth platform, the company says. Earnings from continuing operations rose 8% to $180 million.
Record annual income and operating profit for Albemarle (pp. 9-9).
Albemarle Corp posted net income for 2007 of US$229.7 million, up 61% from $143.0 million in 2006 and a record for the company. Operating profit of $310 million was also at a record high. However, 2007 net sales of $2.34 billion were down slightly compared to $2.37 billion for 2006.
Annual growth of 4.7% forecast for flame retardants (pp. 10-11).
Global demand for flame retardants is predicted to rise by 4.7% per year, from 1.75 billion tonnes in 2006 to 2.21 billion tonnes in 2011, when the market will be worth an estimated US$4.8 billion (€3.2 billion). This represents an improvement in demand growth from 4.1% per year in the 2001–2006 period.
Teknor to eliminate lead-based stabilizers from wire & cable compounds (pp. 11-11).
The Vinyl Division of Rhode Island-based Teknor Apex has advised customers that it will supply only non-lead-stabilized (NLS) PVC wire and cable compounds after 31 July this year. The initiative is said to be a first for the wire and cable industry. In addition, where NLS compounds have already been fully developed and established as compliant with requisite codes and standards, the company will cease producing lead-stabilized versions with immediate effect.