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Additives for Polymers (v.2011, #11)
Clariant extends Mevopur medical range with antimicrobial masterbatches… (pp. 1-2).
Clariant's Mevopur® range of dedicated products for pharmaceutical and medical applications [ ADPO, December 2010] has been extended by the addition of a line of antimicrobial masterbatches. The new masterbatches are based on MedX antimicrobial agents from long-standing partner Sanitized® AG and are intended to support the development of medical devices with surfaces that are active against bacteria.
…and nucleants for pharmaceutical packaging (pp. 2-2).
The Mevopur range has been further expanded with a new family of polyolefin additives targeted at pharmaceutical packaging converters. These new additives include nucleating agents and processing aids.
3B introduces three glass fibre reinforcements for polyamide and polypropylene (pp. 2-4).
3B is enhancing its broad range of glass reinforcements for thermoplastics with the introduction of new chopped strand and roving products for polyamide (PA) resins, and a high-performance short-fibre grade for polypropylene. The products were unveiled at the Composites Europe 2011 trade show in Stuttgart, Germany, in September.
Momentive launches surfactants and other additives for improved PU foams (pp. 4-5).
Silicones specialist Momentive Performance Materials Inc has expanded its offering of additives for polyurethane (PU) foams with the launch of a range of silicone surfactants and modifiers designed to improve the performance and production of both rigid and flexible foams. The products were introduced at the Polyurethanes 2011 conference or at UTECH Asia 2011 held, respectively, in Nashville, TN, USA, and Shanghai, China, during September.
New Enzymoplast masterbatch accelerates biodegradation of plastics (pp. 5-5).
A new bacteria/enzyme-based biodegradation technology developed by UK-based Enzymoplast Technology Ltd is being introduced into the UK market. The Enzymoplast™ masterbatch is the result of seven years' research to develop a bacteria/enzyme-based additive that promotes a chemical reaction within polyethylene (PE) to accelerate the process of biodegradation, the company says. The product is available exclusively via plastics raw material distributor Plastribution Ltd.
A Schulman unveils new range of polymer processing aids (pp. 6-6).
Ohio-based A. Schulman is enhancing its range of polymer processing aids (PPAs) in masterbatch form with a new line of Polybatch® AMF products. Containing third-generation PPAs, they are ideal for film extrusion applications and help to substantially increase customers' productivity, the company claims.
CTS enhances TPE sustainability with oyster shell powder (pp. 6-6).
French thermoplastics manufacturer CTS claims to have increased the environmental performance of its Tefabloc® thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) range by adding oyster shell powder (OSP) to its formulas. The OSP is used to replace chalk as a functional filler and CTS reports that it imparts the same cycle time, rheology and reprocessing properties as quarried chalk.
Songwon completes expansion of antioxidant plant, introduces two new forms of Songnox 1076 (pp. 6-7).
Korea's Songwon Industrial Group reports that the expansion of its antioxidant capacity from 55 000 to 70 000 tonnes/year has been completed ahead of time. This is the result of the consolidation of Songnox® 1076 production into its new fully backward-integrated Maeam plant [ ADPO, January 2011 & September 2009], the group explains. In addition, two enhanced physical forms of Songnox 1076 have been introduced as a consequence of the expansion.
Eastman acquires Brazil's Scandiflex, announces further plasticizer capacity increases (pp. 7-8).
Scandiflex do Brasil SA Indústrias Químicas, a manufacturer of plasticizers located in Mauá, São Paulo, Brazil, has been acquired by Eastman Chemical Co for an undisclosed sum. The acquired plasticizer business and manufacturing capabilities are now part of Eastman's Performance Chemicals and Intermediates (PCI) segment. The company has also revealed plans to expand capacity for plasticizers at its Estonian plant, as well as at several US sites.
Cabot opens Chinese masterbatch plant, expands European fumed silica capacity (pp. 8-8).
In China, Cabot Corp has officially opened its new plant for black masterbatches at its Tianjin facility. The plant has an annual nameplate capacity of approximately 45 000 tonnes. Elsewhere, the company is to extend capacity for fumed silica at its Barry site in the UK by 25%.
Tronox acquires Exxaro operations to create vertically integrated TiO2 producer (pp. 9-10).
Oklahoma-based titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment producer Tronox Inc has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the mineral sands operations of Exxaro Resources Ltd. The acquisition includes Exxaro's 50% interest in the Tiwest joint venture with Tronox in Western Australia [ ADPO, April 2007 & November 2010], along with 74% of its KZN Sands and Namakwa Sands operations in South Africa, in exchange for approximately 38.5% of Tronox's equity. These operations produce the key feedstock used in TiO2 pigment production.
Lanxess invests €15 million in Antwerp glass fibre plant (pp. 9-9).
German speciality chemicals company Lanxess is investing €15 million in its glass fibre plant located in Antwerp, Belgium. The investment will be used to replace both furnaces at the plant. As a result, the facility's current annual capacity of 60 000 tonnes of glass fibres will increase by 10%, Lanxess says.
Evonik ends carbon black activity; postpones stock exchange listing (pp. 9-9).
Germany's Evonik Industries has completed the divestment of its carbon black business, Evonik Carbon Black, to investors Rhône Capital and Triton Partners [ ADPO, June 2011]. The transaction marks Evonik's exit from carbon black activities as it focuses on its core speciality chemicals business.
Flame retardants market to reach US$5.8 billion by 2018 (pp. 10-11).
With the ever-growing use of plastics and other flammable materials worldwide, coupled with rising safety standards globally, the flame retardants market is gaining increasing importance. In a new market study (UC-2305), market research institute Ceresana Research forecasts that global flame retardant revenues will rise to approximately US$5.8 billion by 2018.
Market for fillers forecast to grow at 2.5%/year to 2018 (pp. 11-11).
A second recently published study from Ceresana considers the market for fillers (UC-2505). It forecasts an average growth rate of 2.5% per year to reach revenues of about US$22.5 billion in 2018. Emerging countries, spearheaded by China and India, offer the greatest opportunities, it finds, with South America and the Middle East also registering above-average growth of 2.9% to 4.2%.