Engineered thermoplastics compounder RTP Co. has opened a new manufacturing plant in Ladenburg, Germany, the company’s second in Europe.



Operating as RTP Deutschland GmbH, the 61,500-square-foot operation will make products including very-long-fiber composites and conductive compounds.


“In addition to expanding manufacturing capacity, the Ladenburg plant also houses on-site product development engineers as well as a quality assurance laboratory,” John Van Wijk, European director of sales, said in a  news release.

Winona, Minn.-based RTP now has 11 manufacturing sites. Others include Beaune, France; Suzhou, China; Singapore; Monterrey, Mexico; and six plants in the U.S.

RTP bought the Beaune plant from French thermoplastics compounder Codiplast SNC in 1995. Since then, RTP has significantly expanded its global footprint. The company said a second plant in Europe was necessary because of growth in its market for engineered materials.

In an interview at K 2010, European sales and development manager Colin Rooney said RTP has seen strong demand for compounds based on nylon and polypropylene for the automotive sector.

“If you want to be in automotive [in Europe], Germany is the place,” he said, adding that a number of customers had asked RTP to locate a facility there.

RTP’s long-fiber products and other materials can be used in automotive battery trays, front-end parts and door panels. The first extrusion line at the Ladenburg plant was commissioned in late October, with the second line set to begin production in the first quarter of 2011.

Business in 2009 “wasn’t good for anybody,” Rooney said. “But it came back this year.”

Earlier in 2010. RTP entered the South American market with a sales office and warehouse in Alphaville, Brazil, near São Paulo. Officials said they are needed because of increased demand for domestically made products from the automotive, consumer-goods and energy markets.

RTP ranks as one of North America’s 30 largest compounders and concentrate makers.

For More Details About Online Business and B2B Trade Portal Visit : Plastic Marketplace  | Plastic Business Directory |  Plastic Trade Directory   |  Plastic Trade Leads

3B-the fibreglass company has partnered with Reprocover, a local Belgian company, to develop very attractive sustainable solutions for sewage, drainage and water supply applications. Typically, the composite solutions are made of 90% of recycled materials and have proven their ability to replace efficiently commonly used cast iron for the production of sewage trapdoors, manholes, utility access holes, etc.

Replacing metal has long been the challenge of glass fibre reinforced composites in order to reduce cost, complexity and weight. Alongside these attributes, two key performance criteria -- superior impact performance and improved weatherability -- have been achieved. This resulted in Reprocover, together with 3B, developing a product range molded from a thermoset compound reinforced by 50 to 60% Advantex glass.


The Reprocover breakthrough lies in their specialized process of grinding and mixing of the recycled materials. Reprocover also worked on the geometry of the different components of each product in order to maximize the load resistance to weight ratio. All of the applications can be easily fixed to PVC pipes, connections and inspection pits. The Reprocover`s products have been approved by Belgian Water Authorities, which definitely opens many new opportunities in building and road construction.

"The concept created by Reprocover is a huge step forward! It really demonstrates how thanks to the replacement of metal by glass reinforced composite, new markets and applications can benefit from the advantages of lightweight, design flexibility, corrosion resistance and easy processing. In addition, the products display dimensional stability over a large temperature range (from -40°C to 70°C) as well as a chemical resistance to salts and detergents. They open new opportunities in sewage and utility supply markets," stated Dr Eric Martin, Thermoplastic Product Manager of 3B. "Within 3B, we are dedicated to developing sustainable and durable glass fibre reinforcement solutions. Recycling our glass fibre wastes is a key driver in our sustainability strategy and partnering together with Reprocover has enabled us to pursue the minimization of our environmental footprint," he concluded.

Ludo Debergh, Founder & Director, Reprocover added, "Glass fibre plays a key role in Reprocover products, bringing high rigidity and outstanding load resistance. As an example, our 315mm diameter manhole can easily withstand a heavy pressure load without damage. Working with 90% of recycled materials can reduce the cost of existing cast iron solutions by a factor of 5 while providing much superior adhesion to asphalt and concrete." Manhole and trapdoors are the first product ranges of Reprocover portfolio. "New opportunities are already idenfitied for utility supply housings (water & gas), which can be seen in pavement. Considering all the metal parts which can be replaced, the opportunity is undoubtedly huge and the benefits are equally significant."

About 3B-the fibreglass company

3B-the fibreglass company is a leading developer and supplier of fibreglass products and technologies for the reinforcement of thermoplastic and thermoset polymers. This dynamic and entrepreneurial company has two state-of-the-art fibreglass manufacturing facilities in Battice, Belgium and Birkeland, Norway as well as a dedicated R&D Centre located in the heart of Europe. The company operates two unique eco-responsible and high performance glass technologies, Advantex and HiPer-tex. These two well established brands combine durability with eco-responsibility and versatility, making them the materials of choice for a wide range of industries. With a sound foundation of unique assets, 3B is committed to design reliable and durable fibreglass solutions available globally.

Source: 3B-the fibreglass companyFor More Details About Online Business and B2B Trade Portal Visit : Plastic Industry Updates | Plastic Business Offers | Plastic B2B Directory | Plastic Machinery Marketplace | Plastic Companies | Online Plastic Portal | Advanced E-Marketing | Plastic Exhibition
 

SIPA, a manufacturer of stretch blow molding machines for the production of PET, PLA, OPP and multilayer bottles, has released a new rotary blow molder to their existing range.

The SFR 6 EVO, which can produce up to 13,800 bottles/hour, is the smallest version in its rotary range, with six blowing cavities.

he new compact model features a preform alignment system inside the machine and a vertical mold opening that ensures maximum simplicity of preform/bottle transfer wheels and the lowest peripheral speed in the market.

Handling of the preforms is performed by a technopolymer transport chain, with the neck up heating and with very simple and low speed movements.



The heating oven features great process flexibility and can be used to produce high quality containers as well as hot fill containers of various shapes.

The company said that the SFR 6 EVO can produce extremely lightweight and complex containers such as a 1-litre container, weighing only 16g utilizing preforms which determine a total stretch ratio of 18, producing a speed of 2,200bph per cavity.

For More Details About Online Business and B2B Trade Portal Visit : Plastic Industry Updates | Plastic Business Offers | Plastic B2B Directory | Plastic Machinery Marketplace | Plastic Companies | Online Plastic Portal | Advanced E-Marketing | Plastic Exhibition
 

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire PET polymer and resins manufacturing facilities located in Spartanburg, S.C. and Querétaro, Mexico from certain subsidiaries of INVISTA B.V.

“This planned acquisition will allow IVL to build upon our expanding global platform, make the company the largest PET producer in the world, and deliver on our strategy to enter into new higher growth regions like Central and Latin America”

The total value of the acquisition will be $420 million less certain assumed liabilities, and includes $229 million for the net fixed assets and equity interests, as well as $174 million for the net working capital of the business, subject to customary adjustments at closing. The transaction is expected to be financed from a combination of cash on hand, amounts available under existing credit facilities and additional debt. The parties anticipate the transaction will close in the first quarter of 2011, pending receipt of necessary regulatory approvals.

INVISTA’s Spartanburg, South Carolina facility produces polyester resins used in bottles for carbonated soft drinks, water, beer, juice, and wine; food and custom-container applications, and polyester staple fiber and specialty polymers for a variety of applications. The Spartanburg operation has a total capacity of 470 kMT per annum. Approximately 490 people are employed at the site.

INVISTA’s Querétaro, Mexico facility produces polyester resins and polyester staple similar to that produced at INVISTA’s Spartanburg operation. Querétaro has a total capacity of 535 kMT per annum. Approximately 510 people are employed at the site.


The combination positions Indorama Ventures as the world’s leading producer of PET and enables IVL to better meet its customers’ needs. In North America, the acquisition complements Indorama Ventures’ existing PET manufacturing site at Asheboro, N.C. (StarPET) and its state-of-the-art MTR PET Resin facility at Decatur, Alabama (AlphaPET). Additional benefits for IVL will include:

* Access to new customers and markets via Querétaro
* Entry into the U.S. specialty PET fibers market via Spartanburg
* Enhancement of research and development capabilities
* Benefit from integration with IVL’s existing facilities, including AlphaPET and StarPET
* Increased production flexibility

The transaction is expected to be accretive to IVL’s earnings in the first full year of acquisition (pre-synergies). Indorama Ventures believes that there is a further opportunity to create value for its shareholders through synergy capture.

“We believe INVISTA’s Spartanburg and Querétaro businesses complement Indorama Ventures’ existing U.S. business,” said Chris Hamman, president of INVISTA Polymer & Resins. “I want to extend thanks and appreciation to all INVISTA employees involved in our polymer and resins business for their dedication through this process, and for building a business that so capably delivers innovation and value to its customers.”

“This planned acquisition will allow IVL to build upon our expanding global platform, make the company the largest PET producer in the world, and deliver on our strategy to enter into new higher growth regions like Central and Latin America,” said Aloke Lohia, Group Chief Executive Officer of Indorama Ventures. “We believe these valuable assets will further strengthen our capability and reinforce our ongoing commitment to the PET and Fiber business. We are truly excited as such million ton opportunities are seldom available. Furthermore, INVISTA’s innovative products and a recognized brand will allow Indorama Ventures to enhance its value proposition to its customers and stakeholders, considering the depth of management and knowledge that reside at these facilities supporting manufacturing, R&D and Post Consumer Recycling (PCR),” added Mr. Lohia.

It is currently anticipated that essentially all of INVISTA’s Polymer & Resins’ operations, marketing, sales, customer service, and research and development staff associated with the Spartanburg and Querétaro operations will be employed by Indorama after the sale is finalized, along with INVISTA Polymer & Resins’ staff associated with that portion of the business based at administrative offices in Charlotte, North Carolina; and Santa Fe, Mexico.

INVISTA Polymer & Resins’ Wilmington, N.C. site is not a part of the transaction, nor is INVISTA’s European Polymer & Resins business, which includes manufacturing operations in Gersthofen, Germany. INVISTA will also retain certain intellectual property related to the polymer and resins business.

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor, Lowenstein Sandler PC acted as lead counsel, and Jáuregui Navarrete y Nader, S.C. served as Mexican counsel to IVL on this transaction. On behalf of INVISTA, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated acted as exclusive financial advisor and Latham & Watkins LLP acted as lead counsel.

About Indorama Ventures

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, listed in Thailand (Bloomberg ticker IVL.TB), is a leading producer in the polyester value chain in Thailand with strong global network and manufacturing across Asia, Europe and North America. Its products serve major players in diversified end use markets, including food, beverages, personal and home care, health care, automotives, textile, and industrial. The company’s main products are PTA, PET and Polyester fiber, which are distributed across the world. IVL has approximately 3,500 employees worldwide and annual consolidated revenue of $2.3 billion in 2009. www.INDORAMAVENTURES.com

About INVISTA

INVISTA is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibers, primarily for nylon, spandex and polyester applications. With a business presence in over 20 countries, INVISTA’s global businesses deliver exceptional value for their customers through technology innovations, market insights and a powerful portfolio of global trademarks including: ADI-PURE®, ANTRON®, AVORA®, C12™, COMFOREL®, COOLMAX®, CORDURA®, CORFREE®, DACRON®, DBE®, DYTEK®, FRESHFX®, LYCRA®, PERFORMA™, POLARGUARD®, POLYSHIELD®, POLYCLEAR®, SOLARMAX®, STAINMASTER®, SUPPLEX®, SUPRIVA™, TACTEL®, TACTESSE®, TERATE®, TERATHANE® and THERMOLITE®. www.INVISTA.com.




For More Details About Online Business and B2B Trade Portal Visit : Plastic Industry Updates | Plastic Business Offers | Plastic B2B Directory | Plastic Machinery Marketplace | Plastic Companies | Online Plastic Portal | Advanced E-Marketing | Plastic Exhibition
 

Alexa is an Amazon owned company which is famous for its public traffic ranking service via its Alexa.Com website. As we know that website advertising guides often make a big pact about how to get better your Alexa ranking because a top position is mostly associated with high profits. So, as a new webmaster, you must comprehend a few very important points about Alexa's service as well as different ways to increase Alexa traffic ranking in website.

Alexa Ranking is highly affected on E-Commerce or Business to Business Marketplace or Product Based Platform. Alexa ranking is deciding the traffic of your website or portal.

What is Alexa Ranking?

Alexa is a famous search engine that offers extra information like traffic rankings. An Alexa ranking is an indicator used to gauge site performance and appears to be popularity based which is achieved by users loading a search tool on their website.

Why Need To Improve?

Now, definitely we have question that “Why should you improve Alexa ranking of site?” then there are many reasons to do that. If you have an e-commerce site,B2B Trade Portal or services online or sells a low-driven blogs work; and want to increase your website traffic then you can do this with help of improving Alexa ranking of the site.

Nowadays, we can find that the market of webmasters and even small or big business websites or web portals those are eager to expand their globe of business. Further, the traffic rank of the particular website is based on three months of cumulative data obtained from millions of Alexa users.

However, Alexa traffic rank is based on grouping of page viewers as well as the number of Alexa users visiting a website each day; moreover, it also depends on the % of internet users visiting a particular site. The site which has less than 1,000 page viewers/month is not ranked by Alexa and the sites having indistinguishable content are measured as the same site. With help of Alexa tool you can know your web traffic which allows you to determine whether your internet marketing is effective to carry unique visitors to your website/web portal or not.

Following are the different ways to increase the Alexa traffic ranking in website:

1. Install Alexa toolbar or Search Status Firefox extension; moreover, setting the blog as a homepage.

2. Convince the owners of Cyber Café to install Alexa toolbar and setting your website as a homepage for their computers; however, it is tough task but very effective way to boost your web traffic significantly.

3. By installing or setting up an Alexa Rank Widget on the website you can increase clicks per day of your site.

4. By putting content on your website or the blog about Alexa makes you can get the targeted traffic to your web presence.

5. Create webmaster tools on the website to increase the traffic for your website because webmasters keep visiting the website to get access to the tools.

6. As East Asian web users are the largest fans of Alexa toolbars; by posting website in the Asian social networking you can get better Alexa ranking.

7. PPC (Pay per Click) campaign is also one of the great ways to increase Alexa ranking.

8. If your advertisements are relevant to the webmasters then posting them on search engines are beneficial.

9. Create an Alexa Category on the blog or website that helps you to rank on search engines.

10. Use eye-catching pictures or visuals and link them redirected Alexa URL; this is the most effective way for enhancing Alexa Ranking.

11. Alexa auto-surfs are more than ever significant for the brand new websites.

So, to increase targeted traffic to your website becomes very easy by increasing the Alexa traffic ranking in website.

For More Details About Online Business and B2B Trade Portal Visit : Plastic Industry Updates | Plastic Business Offers | Plastic B2B Directory | Plastic Machinery Marketplace | Plastic Companies | Online Plastic Portal | Advanced E-Marketing | Plastic Exhibition

Today, people are involved in business have been taken their foot ahead on online B2B Marketplace; however, plastic world is also not exception of them. Generally we are familiar with diverse benefits of utilizing global plastic marketplace and plastic exhibition is one of them, so here we will discuss about how b2b online exhibition helps out to grow your plastic business.

In this modern time internet has raise the competition in the plastic business world market which in turn changes the tricks of business and now people turn their plastic business on B2B platform. As per the last decades scenario plastic business has proven in getting immense advancement in the business field.

Online plastic marketplace has been invented for all plastic industries and here one can have all information such as used machines, plastic goods, packaging films, second-hand machinery, plastic news, plastic market report, plastic manufacturer, plastic exports, Plastic Business Offers, plastic exhibition, plastic events, plastic companies and many more.

We know that exhibition is one of the glamorous media for exploring business branding as well as finding new avenues of expansion.

So, in following you come to know what you have to do on plastic B2B portal for utilizing plastic exhibition benefit.

- Keep your regular eye tracking on exhibition field.

- Select and get a stall booked.

- Make prior preparation for attending an exhibition with inclusion of accommodation as well as other reservations.

- For transportation make stuffs for distribution & packing.

- Study participants of a particular exhibition.

- Take accomplishment in advance.

- Attending the days of exhibition along with explaining to visitors.

- Gather all data of probable as well as packing on completion of exhibition.

- Reporting on exhibition to management & action plan.

These all are the points which we have to follow to take the benefit of Plastic B2B Exhibition from business lead generator - Plastic Trade Portal and now take a look at diverse benefit of utilizing plastic exhibition at plastic marketplace.

- No international Boundary: As online exhibition has deepest reach as well as penetration since any person at any point of time and from any part of the world can see the exhibitors’ products and services.

- No Traveling: The exhibitor doesn’t need to travel to a place to show their products or service or a visitor also doesn’t require traveling to see the products or services of the exhibitors.

- Cost effective – If we consider the cost of traveling, lodging and boarding, cost of distribution stuff then all are reduced. It is very cost effective; however, costing is the need of the hour especially when entire world is pointing on costing.

- No Time Limit - Convenience of timing is the other name of online exhibition because there is no restriction of time for visiting online exhibition.

- Maximum ROI and Better Communication – As it is cost effective it reaches high ROI (Return On Investment).

In terms of communication, a visitor can immediately contact him/her by email or call as entire details are available so communication becomes more effective as well as fast.


So, follow the above listed points for getting maximum benefit of avail plastic exhibition on plastic b2b portal.

About Plastic World :

Plastic-World.In – Online Plastic B2B Marketplace - is one of India's leading plastic trade portals which offer its vital role in the World Plastic Industry to generate future business opportunities.




It is the great platform for all businessmen who care for costing, profit, turn over,brand creation, brand make over, edge over others and growth.Here one can have latest updates about Plastic Industry News, used machines, plastic goods, packaging films and many more.

For More Details About Online Business and B2B Trade Portal Visit : Plastic Industry Updates | Plastic Business Offers | Plastic B2B Directory | Plastic Machinery Marketplace | Plastic Companies | Online Plastic Portal | Advanced E-Marketing | Plastic Exhibition

Swiss company Kistler Instrumente AG of Winterthur is the leading international supplier of sensors and systems for in-line cavity pressure-based quality monitoring of injection molding processes. German specialist Steinbeis Angewandte Systemanalyse GmbH (STASA) with headquarters in Stuttgart has many years of experience in the development of process models, online prognosis of quality features based on characteristic process values as well as the application of complex mathematical methods and models to industrial processes. This expertise is based on scientifically corroborated methods such as the design of experience (DoE) and the generation of models, and can be reliably applied to injection molding.

The implementation of approved Kistler systems into process-related quality monitoring of injection molding processes based on process profile characteristics such as the properties and tolerances of the cavity pressure curve is already widely established. Kistler and STASA have now joined forces to develop an enhanced quality monitoring method for injection molding processes that allows the direct quality monitoring and definite prognosis of the quality of the currently molded part by using the quality models of the STASA QC program. Based on the process models and measured process parameters, the final dimensions of the molded part can be predicted online, i.e. while the part is being produced. Immediately after injection molding, this approach provides information on whether the part will meet specified dimensional tolerances when it is used.

The new concept has many benefits for manufacturers and OEMs of injection molded products: they will receive information on the tolerance limits directly from the part specification and can use this criterion as a parameter of the process monitoring system. This technique significantly enhances in-line quality monitoring of injection molding processes: the limits of monitoring parameters such as pressure maxima, pressure integrals and other values need no longer be defined and evaluated. Instead, the relevant correlations between process profiles and quality criteria are acquired during mold sampling and are then used for process monitoring. The DoE used during mold sampling has beneficial side effects, because the injection molding process can be optimized automatically and ideal parameters for meeting the required quality criteria can be defined within the process latitude.

This combination of process and quality monitoring with quality prognosis has long been requested by molders of high-quality, extremely sensitive, hard-to-assemble moldings such as producers of medical parts and pharmaceutical components. This technology is integrated into Kistler CoMo Injection process monitoring systems as an optional module. Quality prognosis will become available as a high-end option for the CoMo Injection during the course of 2011.

Background: Quality Assurance with Mold Cavity Pressure
The cavity pressure curve is considered to represent a fingerprint of the injection molding process. It is the most informative characteristic for evaluating the quality of the part. Deviations from the optimum curve are clear indications of process fluctuations that lead to part defects ranging from incomplete mold filling to flashing or dimensional discrepancies. As the supplier with the largest and widest range of sensors for all methods of injection molding, simple connection technology and intuitively easy to operate, networkable systems, Kistler is the only manufacturer to offer complete monitoring of injection molding from a single source. Kistler is the world\'s leading manufacturer of pressure and temperature sensors for use in the plastics processing industry

Kistler Group
Kistler’s core competence is the development, production and use of sensors for measuring pressure, force, torque and acceleration. Kistler’s know-how and electronic systems can be used to prepare measuring signals for use in analyzing physical processes, controlling and optimizing industrial processes, improving product quality in manufacturing and improving performance in sports and rehabilitation.
Kistler offers a comprehensive range of sensors and systems for engine development, automotive engineering, plastics and metal processing, installation technology and biomechanics. A worldwide sales presence in the form of 25 group companies and 30 distributors ensures customer proximity, application support on an individual level and short lead times. With a staff of about 1 000, the Kistler Group is one of the world’s leading providers of dynamic measuring instrumentation. The Kistler Group achieved turnover of 166 million Swiss Francs in the 2009 financial year.

STASA Steinbeis Angewandte Systemanalyse GmbH
STASA Steinbeis Angewandte Systemanalyse GmbH was founded by Prof. Dr. Günter Haag and is a member of the Steinbeis network. The specialist’s objective is the utilization of useful innovations on the leading edge of research and development in order to keep industrial customers abreast of the competition by leveraging their expertise. A selected team of highly qualified experts is providing solutions to complex tasks in the area of applied analysis, model development and simulation of technical systems. The integration of innovative statistics and physical methods is one the specialist’s core competencies. The STASA QC application won the do-it Software Award.

Source : K Time 2010

The markets in India and parts of Africa, would benefit immensely with this collaboration. It would bring the very best in blown film technology of HOSOKAWA ALPINE through one of the most trusted and respected names in the business – Rajoo Engineers.

The maxim ‘Excellence in Extrusion’ continues to drive Rajoo Engineers and thus the technical collaboration with HOSOKAWA ALPINE AG of Germany – one of the most reputed companies globally in this sector – comes as no surprise.


Both companies are long-established manufacturers of blown film lines. The HOSOKAWA ALPINE lines are used around the world by customers with high quality and performance demands. The RAJOO systems cover the demands in many newly industrialised countries such as India, Africa, Gulf and parts of Latin America and have their main focus on an attractive price-performance ratio for the customers.

The markets in India and parts of Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania), would benefit immensely with this collaboration. It would bring the very best in blown film technology of HOSOKAWA ALPINE through one of the most trusted and respected names in the business – Rajoo Engineers at affordable price levels.

In a first step, Rajoo Engineers Ltd. will assume responsibility for marketing and service support for Alpine’s blown film systems in India as well as in Nigeria , Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania. Both companies plan to jointly develop a new product line of blown film systems. It is planned to combine the time proven machine components of both manufacturers to form new hybrid systems on a higher quality level and at a simultaneously attractive price levels.

In future, this joint venture will be extended to include co-operation in the areas of service support, development, production, joint procurement and sales and marketing.

‘Rajoo’s strong understanding of the developing economies coupled with world class technology of Alpine will ensure a unique mix that customers would benefit from, says Sunil Jain, President, Rajoo Engineers. ‘The brand and the network of Rajoo will only raise the bar of customer satisfaction’, he adds. This alliance with ALPINE would only further the focused efforts of Rajoo in blown film lines, an area where the company enjoys premium market position.

‘Synergies will result from this cooperation in the areas of international marketing, production and procurement as well as in joint product development. For Alpine, this collaboration would also serve as an extension of its manufacturing capability, wherein it could now source from India, aggressively priced blown film solutions (using its technology and manufactured by Rajoo Engineers), for its global markets.’, says Peter Krieg, President, Hosokawa Alpine AG.

The existing Rajoo portfolio of the widest range of mono and multilayer blown film lines up to seven layers, sheet lines up to five layers, water quenched downward extrusion lines up to three layers, lines for foamed film and sheets for various special applications and thermoformers will now be supplemented by hybrid products as well as complete ALPINE systems, giving the customer enough options to choose from.

About Rajoo
Based in Rajkot, Rajoo Engineers Limited, having made a modest beginning in 1986, has today emerged as an undisputed global player in blown film and sheet extrusion lines. Owing to its focused efforts in blown film and sheet extrusion lines, the Company enjoys premium market position in this segment. Being a technology driven Company, product innovations, world-class quality, state-of-the-art workmanship, increased energy efficiency and high levels of sophistication and automation have become the hallmark of Rajoo products during all these years, positioning the Company\'s products on a global platform, competing with the established world leaders. With representations in many countries of the world and customers in over 40 countries, the Companys exports have multiplied after its debut in the international market in 1990. (www.rajoo.com)

 K Time 2010

Materials maker Styron pulled back the curtain on eight new products at K 2010, with officials describing the new offerings as “game-changing technologies and new grades.”

The new products included:

• a high heat/high flow PC/ABS blend, a high flow/high module PC/PET/ABS blend and a high flow transparent polycarbonate, all for the TV enclosure market.

• the Inspire-brand at-press TPO system for auto parts.

• a next-generation environmental stress crack resistant grade of high-impact polystyrne for refrigerator liners.

• a customizable grade of Calibre-brand PC for LED lighting.

• a branched Calibre grade for clear sheet.

• CO2RE foaming technology for PS packaging.

“To do innovation well, you have to be attached to the market, so you can match it up with your technical ability,” President and CEO Chris Pappas said in an interview at K 2010. “It’s only through intimate relationships that you can drive technology quickly.”

Styron was formed earlier this year when Dow Chemical Co. sold its styrenics business to private equity firm Bain Capital for $1.6 billion. Styron had sales of $3.7 billion in 2009, with $2.2 billion coming from plastics.

The firm ranks as the world’s largest PS maker with a 14 percent market share, and is in the process of establishing a world headquarters in Berwyn, Pa.

Source: plasticsnews.com

Plastic is a part of our lives and will not be leaving anytime soon. Professor Fredrick S. vom Saal, a professor of biology at the University of Missouri, recommends using plastic items made with number 2 (high-density polyethylene) or 5 (polypropylene). When using the other plastics, follow these guidelines:

Recycle, do not reuse: Use the product only for what it was intended for. Do not reuse bottles or microwave trays if they were not made to be reused.

Keep the heat away from BPA: Do not warm bottles made with BPA in the stove or microwave, don\'t put boiling water in them, and do not place them in the dishwasher.

The key to using plastic safely is to use it as it is recommended

Source : Medicine Net

NUGA AG plastic granulators, Balgach / Switzerland, ® its completely revamped product line of low-wear CentriCut cutting mills for grinding plastics and rubber, which are available as stand-alone as well as in-line systems. The wide range of plastics recycling plants start at the type 33r for small-and medium-sized parts, sprues and hollow body with a maximum throughput of 500 kg / h and ranges up to type 44slr kg with a maximum throughput of 2.500 / h.

One focal point at NUGA AG plastic granulators, the wear protection. To improve this, the company has taken its own wear-test facility in operation. The reaction to the findings in the production was possible for the life of the typical parts of CentriCut ® cutting machines could now be increased and the machines would also set the industry standard in this regard, the company announced. Users could benefit from a very low maintenance, long uptimes and a reduction in costs for the plastics and rubber recycling.

The new of NUGA AG plastic granulators developed machines for shredding rubber have successfully completed their trial period. They have the structural advantage of requiring no coolant, which enables significant cost savings in rubber recycling.

The Nuga AG plastic granulators has been building for over 20 years, granulators and accessories for the shredding of plastics that are used worldwide as a central mills, for secondary in two-stage crushing plants for all types of plastics and for specialized applications such as fine crushing of fibers and rubber. The company employs approximately 40 employees.

At K 2010, also announced more than 250 exhibitors from Mainland China as well as 44 exhibitors from Hong Kong (2007: 155 from China and 31 from Hong Kong). Six Hong Kong companies present themselves in the context of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) organized national pavilions in Hall 1, Stand A25.

Hong Rita Mold Ltd.. supplies across industries, the automotive industry, medical and electronics industry with plastic molds, plastic parts and assemblies. The company covers the entire process from product design, manufacturing, dyeing and printing and quality control from up to.

The mold maker Ultratech Mold Design & Mfg.. Co Ltd. represents precision injection molds, assemblies and components for pre ago. Reflecting the high quality of products for the mobile industry, the cosmetics and packaging industries ensures Ultratech utilizes a two-step molding process, to handle different polymers. The bulk of manufactured goods went to the U.S. and Europe.

On trade and the production of pigment granules and color mixtures has Ngai Hing Hong Coltec Ltd.. specializes. The company chose to rely on the use of biodegradable polymers.

Kin fact Rubber Technology Ltd. primarily serves the electronics and motor vehicles with plastic and rubber small parts.

With TK Mold Ltd.. presents itself an injection molding manufacturer. The custom hardware is mainly used in mobile phones before, during the major components used in vehicles to come.

Since the last trade fair K 2007, at AH Chau Plastic & Mould Manufactory Ltd.. done a lot: The manufacturer of finished plastic parts for the entertainment industry, toys and office supplies in addition to meet international production standards now also the environmental standard ISO14000. 2009 he has also requirements of the automotive industry for the quality management standard under the OST / TS 16949 is connected to.

Source : Plasticker.de

Bayer Material Science produces high-quality material for an innovative robot suit to assist the human motor and power increased. The HAL exoskeleton ® developed and manufactured by the Japanese company CYBERDYNE, is now seen at Bayer Material Science at the K 2010 as an example of the mega-trend "Health".

The glossy white plastic housing of the robot suit is based on a recently thermoplastic polymer mixture of the product class Bayblend ®. "Our material combines toughness required for the HAL ® with an attractive design," said Dr. Lawrence Kramer, who is responsible at Bayer MaterialScience for the area of Robotics. "By working with CYBERDYNE we expand our global activities in the future market robotics continues."

HAL exoskeleton ® to make life easier
In Japan, HAL ® - the acronym stands for Hybrid Assistive Limb - already in a leasing model is used used in rehabilitation centers. Here the artificial legs the support to help with everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs or getting up and support as it did when building muscle.

Given the aging of Japanese society is predicted for such service robots in the coming years, a rapid market growth. Experts tend to see significant potential in the entire Western world.

"® is thanks to the use of the functionality of HAL Bayblend ® improved significantly," said Yoshiyuki Sankai Professor, CEO and founder of CYBERDYNE, Inc. He still sees many other uses for polymers in the manufacture of robots. Here was currently still mainly used metal but I have too many restrictions. Sankai: "The strong power of innovation and technology-orientation of Bayer MaterialScience is very valuable to us, we look forward to continuing to work.."

Used in factories or in emergency
According to the ideas of the internationally renowned scientist who teaches at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo, the robot should suit not only be used in health. Since HAL can almost tenfold ® physical strength, the system was well suited to facilitate such hard physical work in factories or on construction sites. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the exoskeleton civil protection assistance or help with sports bar.

The robot suit is strapped to the human limbs. It is controlled by a computer, the signals from electrodes on the skin of the user receives. This register again in a split second the weak bioelectric impulses that the brain sends to muscles, when a movement is intended. The whole robot suit moves so synchronized to the physical movement of the wearer.

Source : Plasticker.de

"Whether a film, a profile or a tube is made, the cooling of the semifinished product plays a significant role." According to Reisner, the cooling provides a high output of the entire system and guarantee an optimal final product quality. The refrigeration system manufacturer, be it with his new development "Epsilon (ε) is now able to design a cooling system that is flexible in every situation, the requested service and at the same time consumes a minimum of energy.

The heart of the ε-system is a magnetic bearing compressor, which works on the turbine principle - it sucks the refrigerant gas in axial and radial forces it out again. Thanks to its infinitely variable speed control can improve the performance of the entire system at any time with the current refrigeration demand of each extrusion line to be adjusted. In contrast to most screw compressors are Reisner Epsilon systems to remain in the partial load is always constant in their efficiency.

The Reisner presented during an open house of Battenfeld cincinnati, Bad Oeynhausen / Vienna, while the K 2010 in combination with refrigeration from Battenfeld Extrusion Systems-Cincinnati. The event provides the extruder specialist on three existing complete systems.

In the final pre-event briefing before the K2010 doors open on Wednesday, organizer Messe Dusseldorf said that the number of exhibitors will be down by just 12 compared to the last show in 2007 event – 3,102 exhibitors this year from 3,114 – representing a total exhibitor area of 164,125 square meters.

As at past K fairs, machinery and equipment producers account for the majority of exhibitors - 1,911 - followed by 635 raw materials producers, 271 producers of semi-finished products and technical parts and 185 service providers.

The number of German exhibitors is down slightly from 1,076 at K2007 to 1,131 at K 2010. But domestic companies still account for the largest share – 40 percent – whether measured by number or floor space.

However, 2,026 exhibitors – 60 percent of the total – come from outside Germany. Italy takes the lead among overseas countries, with 413 exhibitors, followed by China with 247. Taiwan at 139 takes third position, slightly ahead of France at 126, which is in turn ahead of India at 122 and 110 from the United States.

Well over 200,000 visitors are expected to visit the show - 242,000 visitors attended the K2007 event.

Speaking in his role as president of the K2010 exhibitors advisory council, Ulrich Reifenhäuser spoke at the briefing about the difficult times the industry has seen since the 2007 event. “We had this terrible crisis, the biggest catastrophe that the machinery industry has ever experienced,” he said.

However, Reifenhäuser said he remained optimistic and predicted the long-term average 9 percent growth rate of the plastics industry seen since 1950 will not be broken by the recent recession. “Readiness for change is much greater in a period of crisis,” he said.

Despite short-time working in the plastics machinery industry, German government measures have ensured that experienced staff are on hand to handle the strong growth now being experienced, Reifenhäuser said.

Reifenhäuser’s growth comments have since been confirmed by the German VDMA plastics and rubber machinery association, of which Ulrich Reifenhäuser is also chairman, which raised its forecast for sector sales growth in 2010 from 11 to 15 percent.

Meanwhile, Messe Düsseldorf CEO Werner Matthias Dornscheidt shared some key show data at the briefing. He said some 5,000 vehicles and 20,000 people are involved in the build up of the fair, which has seen 3,000 trucks, including 31 exceptional heavy transporters, on the showground.

Despite 23 hotel ships moored along the Rhein, Dornscheidt said rooms in hotels and private quarters have once again been largely taken up. He also said that Messe Düsseldorf has successfully managed to put a stop to a number of intermediaries that had been buying up hotel room space and selling it at twice the normal price.

Dornscheidt added that local hotels should only be applying modest premiums over their regular rates. “It is excessive if you have to pay 500 euros for a night in the Novotel,” he said.

Hotels, restaurants and taxi companies will, of course, benefit from the extra trade that a quarter of a million visitors will bring to the city of Düsseldorf. Local public transport operators will not benefit financially, however, as local transport costs are included with fair entrance tickets.

Engineered thermoplastics compounder RTP Co. has opened a new manufacturing plant in Ladenburg, Germany, the company’s second in Europe. 

Operating as RTP Deutschland GmbH, the 61,500-square-foot operation will make products including very long fiber composites and conductive compounds.  “In addition to expanding manufacturing capacity, the Ladenburg plant also houses on-site product development engineers as well as a quality assurance laboratory,” said John Van Wijk, the company’s European director of sales, in a news release. 

RTP now has 11 manufacturing sites. Other locations include Beaune, France; Suzhou, China; Singapore; Monterrey, Mexico, and six plants in the United States.  RTP bought the Beaune plant from French thermoplastics compounder Codiplast SNC in 1995. Since then, RTP has significantly expanded its global footprint. The company said a second plant in Europe was necessary because of growth in its market for engineered materials. 
Source : Plastics News

The French CIFRA announced at K 2010 the launch of two new products from recycled PVC range. The expanded product range allows you to information provider profile, pipe extruders, injection or more options and greater flexibility. Both recycled rigid PVC composites are characterized thus by a very low density (0.7 and 0.9) as well as by mechanical and UV-resistant properties of the foamed or not foamed PVC recycling are characteristic. Here, the grain size determination be customized.

The cellular and recycled rigid PVC compound RecyPVC PEX07 is considered a low temperature, easy to apply formulation presented very low density (0.7) and improved material distribution and good bonding. RecyPVC PEX07 has similar hardness and strength characteristics as standard composites of foamed PVC raw materials. Because of this composition, the CO2 production by 70 percent.

The second PVC formulation as a reduced density of 0.9 and should be suitable for processors that require a higher hardness and greater mechanical strength. The properties of PEX09 RecyPVC similar to those of foamed PVC composite raw materials will be used at the same time, however, allow a reduction in CO2 emissions by 60 percent.

Michel Py, chairman and founder of the company CIFRA, said: "The processors receive an optimal composite of recycled PVC. This is due to the different levels of MFI, but also reduced to micron-thick PVC, an infrared spectroscopic monitoring and a previous extrusion test. "

In addition, CIFRA other processors also its know-how in the utilization of recycled products. Since September of this year CIFRA partner of Green Waste plastic, one of the "Life +" projects of the European Commission. In the company\'s own laboratory, the characteristics of reusable waste to be determined. These will then be used in areas where have been for reasons of traceability and monitoring of any post-consumer products approved.

CIFRA was founded in 1989 and claims to include the leading companies in France, producing both rigid PVC composite materials and composite materials that are suitable for specialized and complex processing. Cifra is an active member of the recycling initiative Recovinyl and associations EuPR (European Plastics Recyclers), EuPC (European Plastics Converters) and UCAPLAST (trade union federation of small and medium-sized companies in the rubber and plastics industry).

Source : plasticker.de

Starlinger combine FMS technology and woven fabric .To combine these two successful concepts - on the one hand, the FFS-filling technology for bulk solids, the other packing materials from woven fabric - this challenge Dow, Starlinger and Haver & Boecker have taken on together.

Woven fabric is a packaging material stretched plastic tape. Woven fabric bags are insensitive to pressure, fracture and buckling. Even if they are moved by hook or damaged by nails, they break not occur and the valuable content is in the bag. In addition, woven fabric, in comparison to conventional films very thin, making it easy, but is still robust and durable - and with low raw material consumption. What is more, that it is completely recyclable.




The FMS technology (Form, Fill & Seal - Form, Fill & Seal) is a fully-automated, cost-effective packaging method for powder, granules, flakes and many other bulk goods. On the filling machine are made of plastic film tube endless bags that are immediately filled with the product and then sealed. The top of the filled bag and the bottom of the next bag to be welded simultaneously. The great advantage of the FFS method is that the bags are closed by welding. FFS machines do not need needles (which can easily break) or yarn (must be actual power again and again). As a result, no thread groups mingle with the medium, and the bags are hermetically sealed, because there are no stitch holes.

To date, it was not possible to use tissue from plastic strips on FFS-filling. Through joint Abstrengungen it is now the first woven fabric that was produced on machinery from Starlinger-Dow pellets to use for FFS-filling of Haver & Boecker. The so-called "woven * FFS" technology is specifically aimed at bottling plants in the chemical industry and building material and food industries.

The advantages of woven sacks * FFS include:
Robust but lightweight packaging material
Protection of the packaged goods from all around the sealed, waterproof packaging
Thanks to the fully automatic FFS machines from Haver & Boecker, the control activities are limited to roles and format changes.
Optimized bags: constant monitoring of the bulk density, and adjust the bag length.
Clean blind surfaces and greater safety during transport due to compact filled bags.
The lower consumption of raw materials helps to save resources and money.

In the development of "woven * FFS" Dow, Starlinger and Haver & Boecker claims to have paid particular attention to making the switch from PET to PE woven fabric for the bottlers as easy as possible. Customers who already have FFS systems of Haver & Boecker, should have to make any major conversions. To take advantage of woven fabric, a few minor changes to the FFS system was needed - and simply using a different material roll.

Even companies that have processed so far, due to customer and market requirements, tissue and could therefore not use FFS bottling plants, will now have the opportunity to take advantage of this fully automatic, cost-packaging concept. The high production capacity of the facilities and the time and cost savings in operation and maintenance would mean that the investment pay off in this new system in a short time.

The new packaging concept is presented for the first time at K 2010.

Source : plasticker.de

The Russian petrochemical group Salavatnefteorgsintez will increase the production of LDPE. The company is therefore currently working on a new plant to be completed by the end of 2013. This is the current annual production capacity increased by 66 percent to 200,000 tons, reports the international plastics portal eplastics.

"We have the necessary financial resources and credit for this investment," said the Director-General Damir Szawalejew. The total cost for this investment, which extends over five years amount, reported to 100 billion rubles (2.4 billion euros).

To the Group's products include styrene, which is used in the manufacture of packaging plastics. Similarly, the Russians produce ethylene, which is a basis in the production of PVC. Corporate gifts, according Salavatnefteorgsintez is one of the largest petrochemical companies in Russia.

Source : plasticker.de

Engineering plastics from Ultramid ® Family (PA), BASF offers solutions for plugs and sockets of photovoltaic systems.

Photovoltaic systems, also called solar systems to be treated as electrical systems and must therefore also with respect to the approval of their connection technology to meet high requirements. For the plugs and sockets of these plants, BASF can now offer special versions of the Ultramid ®, which not only flame retardant and highly resistant, but also very cold impact are: A property that is important for the life of the plants from wind and weather. In contactors, circuit breakers or bobbins, classical E & E applications, these special stamps are used for many years.


The Huber + Suhner, a leading global manufacturer of systems for electrical and optical connectivity with headquarters in Pfäffikon, Switzerland, used according to BASF already Ultramid ® type connectors in their latest generation of solar systems. "We decided very early on for its powerful and reliable material because it facilitates the production of our high-efficiency photovoltaic devices," said Max Goeldi, product unit manager at Huber + Suhner in Pfäffikon.

Depending on the requirements - for connectors or sockets
For the indication photovoltaic connectors BASF offers mainly Ultramid ® A3X2G7. This material is particularly rigid, so that the plugs can be very lean and still fulfill the high requirements. For example, to reach Ultramid ® A3X2G7 the UL-V0 with a wall thickness of 0.8 mm and 5VA at 1.5 mm.

For outlets of solar systems, BASF Ultramid ® A3XZG5 recommends, however. While required in the damp heat test only 1000 hours, offer the high-impact-modified Ultramid ® grade even after 4000 hours air storage at 85 ° C and 85% humidity of a stretch, which is twice as high as the previously used materials. In addition, junction boxes were made of this material with the challenging Cold Impact test according to UL 1703 easily done. This exam components if they have at minus 35 ° C after the impact of a good 500 g ball of 1.3 m height of cracks and damage. The prescribed fire protection classification UL 5VA Ultramid ® A3XZG5 fill from 2.3 mm.

Both polyamide-types are also after the interest to the solar technology f1-weathering test (UL) certification. It requires that the fire rating of the product after 1000 hours Xenon UV weathering and after seven days of water storage does not change. Strength and impact toughness after irradiation must achieve at least 70% of its initial value. This package provides the special BASF Ultramid grades well prepared for the growing market for solar technology. Initial parts will be on display at the plastics trade fair K 2010 in Dusseldorf.

Source : plasticker.de

InterTrade Industries, a full-service ISO-certified thermoforming company, has acquired the assets of Plastic Concept Inc., expanding InterTrade’s thin-gauge thermoforming capabilities and doubling its manufacturing square footage.

Financial terms of the transaction between both Huntington Beach-based companies were not disclosed.

InterTrade Industries has specialized in vacuum and pressure forming of heavy-gauge plastics as well as polyurethane foam products for a variety of industries, including aerospace, military, automotive, electronics, medical and consumer products. With the acquisition of Plastic Concept Inc., InterTrade Industries has quadrupled its tooling capabilities. In addition, it will be adding nine thermoforming lines that specialize in thin-gauge plastics, benefiting the retail packaging market, among others. This adds to the current blister and clamshell thermoforming capabilities of InterTrade Industries.

“For more than 35 years, the team at InterTrade Industries has been offering engineering insight and experience to help clients bring new ideas to life; now, we have even more technology to do so,” said Niki Kopenhaver, president and chief operating officer of American Innotek, parent company of InterTrade Industries. “This acquisition fits our strategic growth plan, and will allow us to help even more clients by providing high-quality products and unparalleled customer service.”

In order to ensure a successful transition, all current Plastic Concept Inc. employees will join the InterTrade team.

“We pride ourselves in understanding today’s competitive marketplace and our clients’ need to produce products quickly, cost efficiently and without sacrificing quality. We’re thrilled that the Plastic Concept Inc. employees who are joining our team share these ideals,” said Kopenhaver.

InterTrade Industries Ltd

The London Metal Exchange (LME) announces that it will delist its plastics contracts and that the last prompt date for all existing contracts will be Friday 29th April 2011. The formal decision to delist was taken by the Board of the London Metal Exchange following a recommendation by the Executive Committee. This announcement follows the establishment of delisting procedures.

The Exchange has decided that the costs of withdrawing outstanding warrants from the LMEsword depository will be waived. Current open interest for all plastics contracts is 228 lots, out to March 2011.

Plastics futures trading was introduced on the LME on 27th May 2005. Despite a number of changes to the contracts and the subsequent launch of regional contracts no significant volume or open interest has been established and the exchange believes that this position is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. It has therefore decided to focus its efforts and resources on other opportunities.

LME Chief Executive Martin Abbott commented, “The Exchange and its committee members have put considerable effort into this endeavour to bring transparency and hedging facilities to the plastic business. But we must now recognise that these efforts have not attracted sufficient volume business and the time has come to bring this activity to a close.”

London Metal Exchange

The Dr. Reinold Hagen Foundation and the Hagen Engineering GmbH will be showing their extensive know-how in the entire development process for plastic products and their production, with the help of a chain of blow mould articles at Stand D76 in Hall 6: beginning with brainstorming, computer-aided feasibility studies, CAD and layout as well as material and tool sampling in their own technical centre.

A highlight of the fair is the smallest blow mould machine in the world, being presented to the public for the first time, simulated by the manufacturing procedure for plastic hollowware.

The Hagen Foundation has been committed for many years, also in matters of occupational orientation. PAI (German KAI), is the Plastics-Apprenticeship-Initiative co-founded by the foundation, with the goal to get young people excited about a career in plastics. PAI (KAI) will offer pupils and students at the K2010 interesting insight into an occupational field with best future prospects.

plasticker.de

Pelletizers and Melt Pumps for High Capacity Plants
Right on time for this year´s K show Coperion GmbH, formerly Werner & Pfleiderer, will be presenting new machine sizes in their UG underwater pelletizer and MP melt pump series for high capacity polyolefin compounding plants.





Underwater Pelletizers: Breaking the 100 t/h barrier
An eye catcher on the Coperion booth B33 in Hall 14 will be the die plate from a UG 1.250, the largest underwater pelletizer in the world. It boasts a range of superlatives: The average cutting diameter is 1250 mm and it can have up to 11,000 die holes. Manufacturing the die plate, its wear protection as well as the uniform distribution of the melt onto the cutting ring present particular challenges. The new UG 1.250 allows throughputs in excess of 100 t/h for polyethylene and water flow rates of up to 1,500 m³/h. The hydraulic control elements and the drive system are based on technology that has proven itself in long term operation on other machine sizes. The first UG 1.250 will go into operation soon. A slightly smaller but similarly constructed UG 925 for polypropylene has been in operation since the middle of 2009.




Coperion also builds exceptionally large underwater pelletizers for thermoplastic elastomers. An example of this is a UG 750 which will go into operation at the beginning of 2011. The design and method of operation reflect the fact that TPE pellets tend to be very sticky. The axial water flow along the knife shaft into the cutting chamber and the radial water flow along the pelletizing knives towards the water chamber exit minimize turbulences in the cutting chamber. This results in fewer collisions between the freshly cut, tacky pellets, which prevents agglomeration.

Melt Pumps for up to 65 t/h of Polyolefins
Coperion presented in-house manufactured melt pumps for the first time at K 2007. Following successful installation and trouble free operation, in various cases for more than three years, the next model size, the MP 450 melt pump, will achieve a target throughput of up to 65 t/h. An MP 450 melt pump is currently in the final stages of installation. When processing polypropylene it will cover a throughput range from 30 to 50 t/h. Two further melt pumps of the same type with throughputs between 40 and 50 t/h for polyethylene are close to delivery to the client.

Coperion uses a well proven design for their melt pumps: A pair of involute gears run on hydrodynamic plain bearings lubricated by the polymer melt. These components are built into the housing that is sealed to the outside on both sides by a cover containing a contact-free threaded shaft seal. The detailed process dependent design factors, for example the type of cooling and the size of the operating clearance, are calculated and specified for each project and product. The melt pumps have single or twin shaft drive options.

plasticker.de

BASF has announced plans to build a production facility for customer specific antioxidant blends (CSB) in Bahrain. The new CSB plant will come in addition to the existing tolling agreement for CSB with Astra Polymer in the Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia, which is mainly supplying local customers.

“With the new production facility in Bahrain, we will be able to support the fast growth of our customers in the Middle East region while providing the flexibility in supply and service speed that our customers require”, explains Hans W. Reiners, President Performance Chemicals Division of BASF.

John Frijns, Senior Vice President Plastic Additives Europe/EAWA, adds: “Following the evaluation of several investment options, we have decided that a new antioxidant blending facility in Bahrain will provide the highest value for both, our customers and BASF”.



As the world’s leading Plastic Additives supplier, BASF is committed to support polymer growth in the Middle East Region with local production as well as the services that customers demand.

Plastic Additives
BASF is a leading manufacturer, supplier and innovation partner of additives and pigments for the plastics industry such as light stabilizers, antioxidants and process stabilizers, flame retardants, other additives, and organic and inorganic pigments.

BASF
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 as well as oil and gas.
BASF

As it sets sail for Germany and K 2010, PolyOne Corp. is hoping that its recent run of good fortune can continue. The Avon Lake-based compounding and distribution firm is on track to post its second straight profitable year in 2010. And while that may seem like faint praise, it is music to the ears of Chairman and CEO Stephen Newlin. “We’ve done a whole culture transformation,” Newlin said in a recent interview in Avon Lake. “We’re now focused squarely on our customers and have higher expectations and accountability.

Our focus is on new customers and prospects, and we’re driven around customer needs.” Those changes also have produced results on PolyOne’s bottom line. In 2007 — Newlin’s first full year at the helm — the firm eked out an $11.4 million profit on sales of about $2.6 billion. The economic flameout of 2008 hit PolyOne hard, as the firm posted a loss of almost $275 million on sales of about $2.7 billion. After making some tough choices in 2009 — closing a plant in Ontario and cutting almost 400 jobs companywide — PolyOne turned the corner in 2009, earning almost $70 million on a slimmed-down sales total of $2.1 billion.

The turnaround also has been reflected in PolyOne’s per-share stock price. When Newlin joined the firm in early 2006, the price was floating just under $9 per share. It bounced between $6 and $10 through mid-2008 before descending along with most other stocks, bottoming out under $1.50 in March 2009. Since that point, PolyOne’s stock price has been on a steady upward climb, closing Oct. 14 at $13.37. “We did a customer survey right after I started, and a number of people said we were difficult to do business with,” Newlin said. “On product quality, nothing stood out. In delivery and innovation, we were right in the middle of the pack. “That wasn’t good enough. We wanted to be the best in all stages. Our on-time delivery ranged from 81 percent to the mid-90s. Why would you buy from us? We needed to capture what made our customers profitable. “I don’t think we were arrogant, but we had grown complacent with our customers.

We used to go after volume. But that’s not our game anymore.” Newlin also made a number of moves which, he said, improved the caliber of PolyOne’s management team. “I believe that we have, bar none, the best management team in the industry,” he said. “We have a lot of ideas and energy focused on innovation.” At the K show, PolyOne will be highlighting several new or recently introduced materials, including:

• OnColor Complete, an eco-friendly liquid colorant system that can help processors and original equipment manufacturers reduce their costs of operations while eliminating waste and enhancing employee safety, according to PolyOne.
• Edgetek AM-brand flame-retardant, non-halogen compounds, a new line of nylon-based compounds for thin-walled parts.
• OnFlex-brand non-halogen flame-retardant, non-phthalate thermoplastic elastomers — a line from PolyOne’s GLS unit aimed at the wire and cable market.

• Compounds, additive and colorant solutions for photovoltaics, for use in back-sheet laminates, wire and other applications in solar energy and related markets.

• Halogen-free Eccoh-brand compounds, which provide structural strength, antimicrobial controls and other properties to the medical market.

“The K show is important to us because we’re a global player,” Newlin said. “There will be a lot of suppliers and business customers there. We want to support the industry and stay connected and have visibility.”

Regarding two of PolyOne’s main end markets — automotive and construction — Newlin said the firm “is dealing with things we can control and influence.”

“We can’t control how many houses or cars are built,” he said. “We’ll never fully abandon these markets, but we need to find ways to grow when they’re down.”

Newlin pointed out that the standard U.S. auto scrap rate — how many cars are taken off the roads each year — is 12 million. That’s slightly ahead of the 11.5 million build number expected for this year.

“That’s just treading water,” he said of those numbers. “Automotive is in the right zone globally, but it’s still down in the U.S. We see continued growth in that market, but we’ve become more of a custom shop.”

Any U.S. construction market recovery “will take a while longer,” according to Newlin. Although the U.S. market eventually could get back to its 50-year average of about 1.5 million new units built per year, the peak of 2 million “won’t be seen again,” he said.

Newlin also anticipates a change in the previously close relationship between housing starts and the performance of PVC-based products such as the compounds that remain a large business for PolyOne.

“People are going to have less to spend on a new house, and we need to match that,” he said.

PolyOne also is working in a challenging market space where it’s entering into sustainable products while still being a major developer of PVC, a resin that’s been targeted by environmentalists for many years.

“We need a sustainability line that goes all the way across our product line,” Newlin said. “But PVC is really difficult to replace unless you can replace its economics.

“Everybody’s for green products — it’s like apple pie — but they don’t always want to pay a 30-40 percent premium. So there’s not going to be a sea change. We’ll continue to pursue parallel paths.”

Newlin also touched on PolyOne’s recently introduced supplier scorecard program, where the firm will assess 30 of its suppliers in a number of performance areas.

“It’s not about beating our suppliers up on price,” he said. “We want them to understand where we’re going with the company. We want to draw them in to technology, open the door and see what it means.”

Future growth also is on the minds of Newlin and other PolyOne executives.

“We’ve got the strongest balance sheet and finances in the history of the company, and we’ll be gearing up our [mergers and acquisitions] activity,” he said. “We’ll look to global growth in technology plays and bolt-on applications. We like our position in Asia, but we’ll keep building on it, and also will look to South America.”

Source: plasticsnews.com

Cellect Plastics LLC has changed its name to Cellect Technologies LLC and has licensed its I-Cell EVA and polyethylene roll business to XL Foam LLC, a private investor group.

Cape Cod-based Cellect Technologies now will concentrate solely on low-carbon-impact specialty foams, including Opflex-brand materials for oil spill cleanup and Microflex LCI for yoga mats and other consumer applications.

Scott Smith, president and owner of Cellect, said in a news release that the deal strengthens his firm’s capital position. He added that the company plans to establish a new headquarters in Florida, Alabama or Massachusetts.

Source: plasticsnews.com