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Additives for Polymers (v.2009, #10)
Milliken Chemical introduces reinforcing agent for polyolefin enhancement (pp. 1-2).
With recently announced measures in the USA and the European Union (EU) to improve vehicle efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions for passenger cars, respectively, weight reduction promises to become even more imperative for the automotive industry, according to Milliken Chemical. To help automotive manufacturers and suppliers meet this growing need, the company is introducing Hyperform® HPR-803, a high-performance reinforcing agent for polyolefins.
Huber launches optimized alumina trihydrate for pultrusion-related applications (pp. 2-2).
Inorganic speciality ingredients firm Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), a division of J.M. Huber Corp, has launched MoldX™ A105, an optimized alumina trihydrate (ATH) with a fine-particle size and a ‘unique’ particle-size distribution for use as a flame retardant in pultrusion and wet-mat-based applications.
Polyvel develops speciality odour-managing masterbatches (pp. 2-3).
US masterbatch producer Polyvel Inc reports that it has developed a number of speciality, odour-managing masterbatches tailored to specific applications and resins. They have been shown to be effective in recycling, wood–polymer composites (WPC) and chemical contamination, the company says.
Lanxess' Nanoprene microgel additives ready for series production (pp. 3-3).
For several years, Nanoprene microgel polymer additives [ ADPO, March 2008] have been under development by Lanxess Technical Rubber Products business and the company's rubber chemicals subsidiary Rhein Chemie. Now, the companies report that the products are available for industrial applications and have achieved their first major series application.
High-performance lubricants from Honeywell certified for PVC water pipe formulations (pp. 3-4).
Honeywell Specialty Materials reports that its Rheochem® line of high-performance lubricants (HPLs) has received certifications from independent, not-for-profit organization NSF International and the Plastics Pipe Institute for use in PVC water pipe formulations. The certifications indicate that the HPLs are safe and effective for use in plastic pipes that carry water throughout homes and municipalities.
Solvay Solexis presents fluorinated polymer modifiers (pp. 4-4).
Italy-based Solvay Solexis, an expert in the production of fluorine-based materials, has developed fluorinated reactive additives Fluorolink D10 H and Fluorolink E10 H specifically for the modification of polyurethane, polyester and epoxy resins. They are designed to enhance the surface properties of the end product without modifying the typical characteristics of the substrate material itself. Likely application areas for the new products include leather and textiles, surface treatments, rubber and paints.
Arkema launches stabilizer for PVC pipes in USA, eliminates fluorosurfactants from Kynar process aids (pp. 5-5).
Arkema Inc, the US arm of France-based Arkema, has introduced Thermolite® 140 butyl tin stabilizer to the PVC pipe extrusion industry in the USA. The product, which is listed by the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), is intended for rigid PVC applications such as siding substrate, standard pipe, foam core pipe, conduit and larger diameter pipes.
Improved glass fibre reinforcements unveiled by AGY and Gibson/Jushi (pp. 5-6).
South Carolina-based AGY, a global producer of high-strength glass fibre reinforcements and glass fibre yarns, has introduced S-1 Glass™ high-performance glass rovings for use in long fibre reinforced thermoplastics (LFT). The new material is also available in chopped form for glass-filled polymers.
Huntsman signs asset purchase agreement with Tronox; reports reduced 2Q revenues for TiO2 pigments (pp. 6-7).
Huntsman Corp's subsidiary Huntsman Pigments has signed a ‘stalking horse’ asset and equity purchase agreement with Tronox. Under the terms of the deal it will acquire a major part of the assets of its fellow titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment producer, which filed for US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January this year.
Grupo KUO subsidiary opens nanoadditives plant in Mexico (pp. 7-8).
In Mexico, Grupo KUO reports that its newly established nanotechnology subsidiary Macro-M has opened a plant in Lerma for the production of nanostructured additives for polymers. The company says the development will consolidate its position in the nanotechnology business.
Dow raises US$2.75 billion to pay off Rohm & Haas purchase loan (pp. 7-7).
Chemical giant Dow Chemical Co is to pay off a bridging loan that helped fund its purchase of Rohm & Haas [ ADPO, May 2009] by effectively incurring US$2.75 billion in debt raised by a three-way sale of notes. The company intends to use the net proceeds of this public offering of debt securities to repay the loan as well as refinancing other outstanding indebtedness.
Union Colours on pigments acquisition trail (pp. 8-8).
UK-based organic pigments producer Union Colours is on the acquisition trail after buying the Stockport technical centre of its former rival European Colour Pigments, which went into administration in April this year. The purchase, for an undisclosed sum, provides Union Colours with a new headquarters and expands the company's global infrastructure.
Widespread price increases for polymer additives (pp. 8-9).
With costs rising again for key raw materials in recent months, regular price increases also are becoming the norm for a wide range of polymer additives including pigments, plasticizers and modifiers. Producers are also citing rising energy and freight costs and the need to speed up the recovery of such elevated operating costs in the current economic climate. All listed changes are subject to existing contracts.
Losses for Ferro continue into second quarter 2009 (pp. 9-10).
Ferro Corp posted net sales for the three months ended 30 June 2009 of US$399 million, a decline of 37% from the second quarter of 2008. Demand continued to be weak from customers serving economically cyclical markets including construction, automotive and appliances. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates accounted for approximately 3% of the fall in sales. However, net sales increased 12%, sequentially, from the first quarter of 2009, with all geographical regions recording growth.
Chemtura posts reduced loss of US$118 million in 2Q 2009 (pp. 10-11).
Chemtura Corp recorded a net loss of US$118 million for the second quarter of 2009. However, this is an improvement on the previous year when a net loss of $273 million was posted. The company's 2Q net sales fell 33% from $1023 million in 2008 to $687 million this year.
AkzoNobel reports 10% decline in revenues in 2Q 2009 (pp. 10-10).
For the second quarter of 2009, AkzoNobel NV reported a revenue decline of 10% to €3.668 billion, compared to €4.085 billion in 2Q 2008. The company says that trading remained tough throughout all of its businesses during the quarter, with sales volumes down 16%. EBITDA was €527 million, 9% lower, while net income declined 13% to €155 million from €179 million for the same period in 2008. However, sequentially this was an improvement from the loss of €7 million posted in 1Q 2009.
Global market for flame retardants forecast to grow steadily to US$6.1 billion in 2014 (pp. 11-11).
The global market for flame-retardant chemicals was valued at US$4.1 billion in 2008. According to a new report, The Global Market for Flame-retardant Chemicals (CHM014K), published by Massachusetts-based market research firm BCC Research, this figure should increase to $6.1 billion in 2014, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%.