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Additives for Polymers (v.2009, #7)
Clariant develops new colour masterbatches for PEEK polymers (pp. 1-2).
A range of colour masterbatches formulated specifically for use with high-performance polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polymers has been developed by Clariant Masterbatches. The extension to the division's Renol® colour masterbatch series for engineering resins includes more than a dozen standard colours designed expressly for use in PEEK polymers. Custom colours are also available, the company says.
Americhem launches new line of chemical blowing agents; aims to reduce CO2 emissions and waste (pp. 2-2).
Polymer colour and additive specialist Americhem Inc of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, USA, recently launched an expanded line of chemical blowing agents (CBAs) to the market under the brand name nCore™.
Holliday Pigments extends ultramarines range for plastics (pp. 2-3).
Ultramarine pigment specialist Holliday Pigments has added three new grades to its Premier and Prestige ranges for plastics. The products offer a slightly redder shade of blue compared to the company's existing grades.
BYK introduces dispersing additives for pigments & fillers in thermoplastics and moulding compounds (pp. 3-3).
BYK Additives & Instruments, part of the Altana group, has introduced a new polymeric processing additive for use in filled thermoplastic compounds and colour masterbatches based on PE, PP, ABS, PA or PVC. Wetting and dispersing agents for use with filled moulding compounds have also been launched.
Addisperse offers full line of dry azo powders (pp. 4-4).
Privately held formulator and distributor Addisperse Inc of Bensalem, PA, USA, is offering a full line of dry azodicarbonamide powders to the US market. The products service a broad range of plastic and rubber applications, including PVC and olefin extrusions, vinyl flooring, plastisols, coated fabrics, nitrile and crosslinked foams, among others.
Combination masterbatches from Gabriel-Chemie improve PP stadium seating (pp. 4-4).
Austrian masterbatch producer Gabriel-Chemie is offering colouring systems for polypropylene stadium seating that also combine a UV stabilizer and flame retardant. Developed in partnership with Ciba, the Maxithen® PPSYS series is designed to provide surface protection and minimize surface degradation or ‘chalking' caused by exposure to the sun.
DSM Elastomers presents Keltan processing additive for rubber (pp. 5-5).
Dutch company DSM Elastomers has introduced a new EPDM grade that can be used as a processing additive for rubber applications. Keltan® 1200A, available from June 2009, is among the first of a new range of high-performance EP(D)M grades to be produced with the firm's new state-of-the-art reactive extrusion (REX) technologies. It was originally tested as development grade DE5001, and the company reports that it has been well received in the market.
Silvergate reveals economical calcium carbonate masterbatch (pp. 5-5).
UK-based Silvergate Plastics has launched Silvergate CCM, a masterbatch that uses calcium carbonate as a filler and polymer carrier substitute. According to the firm, using a natural compound such as calcium carbonate is more economical than using polymer and there are no long- or short-term adverse effects with solid colours.
Momentum's chemical foaming agents promote fine cell structures (pp. 5-6).
German company Momentum International GmbH, which specializes in chemical foaming and nucleating agents and additives for cycle optimization in injection moulding, extrusion and directly gassed systems, has introduced new foaming agents for applications in PP, HDPE, TPU and nylon.
Arkema restructures North American operations, reports 1Q net loss (pp. 6-6).
International chemical company Arkema is to restructure its North American activities. A combination of staff reductions, significant cost cutting and process-efficiency improvements will lower its cost basis by US$40 million (€30 million) in 2010 and achieve a total annual savings of S$50 million by 2012, the company says.
Songwon establishes Japanese company (pp. 6-7).
Songwon Industrial Co, Ltd, headquartered in Ulsan, Korea, has established Songwon Japan KK to ‘confirm its position as global contender and regional leader' in the polymer additives market. The company says that the incorporation of the Japanese company will allow customers in Japan greater efficiency through local distribution of products and a high level of local services.
Lanxess proceeds with Indian plant investment, posts 31% fall in 1Q 2009 sales (pp. 7-7).
With India already showing signs of recovery from the economic crisis, Lanxess' Indian subsidiary remains on schedule to start up its new production site at Jhagadia in Gujarat state in 2010. Involving an investment of around €50 million, the site will have an ion exchange resins plant and a rubber chemicals plant, which is being relocated from Thane, Maharashtra state. The plants will employ 230 workers in total.
Polynt celebrates opening of Chinese production lines, increases investment (pp. 8-8).
Polynt Chemical (Changzhou) Co, Ltd, a subsidiary of Italy's Polynt Group, celebrated the official opening of new production lines at its plant in Xinbei Industrial Park, Changzhou, China, in late May.
Price increases resume for TiO2 pigments and plasticizers (pp. 8-9).
Following a period with little movement in pricing, a number of producers of polymer additives are once again beginning to increase their selling prices. The reasons cited for the increase vary. All listed changes are subject to existing contracts.
BASF cuts global workforce in wake of 23% drop in sales (pp. 9-10).
At €12.2 billion BASF's 1Q 2009 sales were 23% lower than in the first quarter of 2008, primarily due to persistently weak demand. Income from operations (EBIT) before special items fell by 58% to €985 million as a result of a substantial decrease in volumes in many divisions.
Albemarle's polymer additives continue to suffer as firm prepares for prolonged recession (pp. 9-9).
For the first quarter of 2009, Albemarle Corp reported earnings of US$25.4 million on net sales of $486.6 million. This compares with earnings of $63.3 million on net sales of $668.2 million for 1Q 2008. The company says it has achieved solid progress on cost-reduction initiatives and is undertaking additional efforts to prepare for a prolonged recession.
Clariant responds to continuing weak demand (pp. 10-11).
Swiss speciality chemicals company Clariant achieved sales of CHF1.6 billion (c. €1.1 billion) in the first quarter of 2009 compared to CHF2.1 billion in the same period a year earlier, a decline of 19% in local currencies and 24% in Swiss francs. The quarter was characterized by a steep decline in demand.
Atlas device offers ultra-accelerated UV testing (pp. 11-11).
Chicago-based durability testing firm Atlas Material Testing Technology has developed a new, ultra-accelerated exposure testing device for outdoor use that can provide approximately 63 years of South Florida UV radiation exposure in a single year.