Novosystems' micro granulate to colour basic plastic materials more efficiently

(Plastech) -- Since its launch at the Fakuma fair in 2011, the gap between liquid colors and conventional batch granulates has been filled by Novopearls micro-granulate.

For the first time it has been possible to use the positive characteristics of liquid colors with higher levels of coloration (liquid colors max. 3% filling volume) while simultaneously reducing the amount of batch material added. Additionally, the liquid carrier can have a positive effect on surface quality. The micro-granulate melts in the molding machine faster than the plastic to be colored. This results in a rapid, streak-free homogenization of the color and the plastic, previously only achievable with liquid colors.

Bulk plastic materials such as PVC, PS and other technical plastics can be colored with Novosystems' micro-granulate. Novosystems claims cost savings compared to conventional color batches can be as high as 20% to 30%.

Numerous customer applications have already generated a great deal of practical experience of mixing Novopearls with liquid colors. As a result applications such as those with very thin cross-sections for the packaging industry can result in further increases in coloration. Injection molding use adds to the range of applications of Novopearls, which since the product launch at the Fakuma fair in 2011, have been in high-volume extrusion solutions.

Currently Novopearls are used in the furniture industry, packaging, toys and for the manufacture of technical components.
MRC

(Plastics Engineering) -- MuCell Extrusion LLC and Styron have concluded an agreement for MuCell Extrusion LLC to acquire access to Styron’s patent portfolio for extrusion of styrenic resins. This agreement gives MuCell Extrusion and its customers exclusive rights to the Styron patents related to Sheet technology for a wide variety of applications.

This agreement creates a significant strategic alliance between two companies with leading experience in the successful development and application of physical blowing agents to produce superior foamed products.

MuCell technology is applied to most plastic materials and processes. Rigid sheet, low-density flexible sheet, blown film, cast film, pipe/tubing/profile, and blow molding manufacturing processes are all current applications using MuCell technology.

Styron is a leading global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber. Styron's technology is used by customers in industries such as home appliances, automotive, building & construction, carpet, consumer electronics, consumer goods, electrical & lighting, medical, packaging, paper & paperboard, rubber goods and tires.
MRC

(Converting Quarterly) -- ISO Poly Films, Inc., a member of the Sigma Plastics Group, has ordered two new VAREX blown-film lines from W&H for its facility in Gray Court, SC. Installation is scheduled for early 2013.

ISO Poly's production has tripled over the past three years. To secure its foothold, the company has continued to invest heavily in order to increase capacity and accommodate growth, from adding blown-film lines and building a new facility for the manufacturing of specialty films to opening a new plant in Vancouver, WA.

With the installation of these two VAREX lines, Sigma Plastics will have more than 26 co-extrusion blown-film lines from W&H. In just over a year, nine VAREX lines have been installed or ordered at Sigma companies.

Windmoeller & Hoelscher (W&H) is a leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of flexographic and gravure printing presses, blown and cast film extrusion systems, multiwall equipment, plastic sack and bag making machines, as well as form-fill-seal machinery for the converting and packaging industry.
MRC

1. Ukrainian prices of PVC for August increased significantly.

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Ukrainian market of PVC has faced a serious rise in prices on rising price quotations in Europe, according to MRC analysts. The growth of oil quotations in July led to a serious increase in ethylene prices in Europe, the August contracts rose to EUR140/tonne, from the July level. Given the growth of ethylene quotations, the prices of PVC should increase by EUR70/tonne, but European makers are targeting to achieve more serious price rise. As a consequence, the price of PVC in the Ukrainian market immediately echoed the trend in Europe. This week the price quotations of resin for August delivery rose to UAH11,000-11,500/tonne, including VAT, CPT Kiev.

2. PP an PE prices in Asia are sluggish on weak demand.

MOSCOW (MRC) - Low buying activity in the Asian market of polyolefins does not allow domestic producers to raise prices, according to MRC analysts. Price quotations of polyethylene in Asia last week remained unchanged. Purchasing activity was low because of the high volatility of oil quotations and uncertain global outlook of economy. The situation in the polypropylene market looks much the same as the market of PE. Buying activity is low on the back of volatility of oil quotations and decreasing prices of propylene. In South-East Asia, the number of deals was small because many companies have already closed contracts for August and are in no hurry to buy PP for September.

3. MEG prices keep rising in Asia

MOSCOW (MRC) – MEG prices continued its upward trend following an announcement of Equate facility shutdown in the Middle East, report MRC analysts. In connection with the fire at the Kuwait plant (with the total capacity of 550,000 tpa) operated by Equate, MEG price-offers in Asian markets grew by USD40/tonne. Traders kept speculative prices and did not make concessions to the buyers. MEG spot prices at the Chinese port were voiced at the level of USD951-963/tonne CFR, China.

4. Rusian prices of pipe HDPE increased in August.

MOSCOW (MRC) -- A tightened supply of pipe polyethylene and surge in buying activity resulted in the price increase in the market. The availability of pipe HDPE is unlikely to improve in the nearest two months, according to MRC analysts. August is the last month before the scheduled turnarounds of Kazanorgsintez and Nizhnekamskneftekhim. Local producers of pipes on oncoming increase in demand for finished products and turnarounds of major producers began actively replenishing their inventories. The limited supply of pipe PE and increased demand led to a small deficit in the market and price increase. As Russian producers expectedly have announced an increase in contract prices of pipe polyethylene for delivery in August.

5. In July imports of SPVC to Russia exceeded 33,000 tonnes.

MOSCOW (MRC) -- In July, imports of suspension PVC exceeded 33,000 tonnes. Imports of resin from the U.S expectedly grew on the back of a serious fall of export prices last month, according to MRC analysts. According to preliminary data, imports of suspension PVC to Russia in July exceeded 33,000 tonnes, with a slight increase from June. Expectedly, the imports volume of the resin from the U.S. grew significantly, while the supply of acetylene resin from China fell by almost twofold. In general, over the first seven months of this year, the total import volume of suspension PVC in Russia amounted to 213,000 tonnes, down 29% year on year.

6. European makers keep raising PE prices.

MOSCOW (MRC) – This week European producers lifted again their export PE quotations for August deliveries on the back of tightened PE supply. Some producers are already contracting polyethylene for shipments in September, report MRC analysts. The reduction of PE prices in July increased the demand from both domestic consumers and export markets. Some makers partially sold out August quotas.

7. GPPS imports to the Russian market set a new record in July.

MOSCOW (MRC) – Last month Russian traders imported more than 8,000 tonnes of GPPS, report MRC analysts.
As it was reported previously, since early 2012 imports of GPPS have grown significantly, due to which the index reached record values every months starting from May, 2012. Another record of 8,032 tonnes was set last month. From January to July 2012 Russian traders imported 32,867 tonnes of GPPS, up 30% year-on-year. Styrolution holds a leading position among makers of imported GPPS. Ukrainian PS producer concern Stirol (Gorlovka) increased the volume of GPPS supplies to the Russian market to 2,680 tonnes in 2012.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) – The volume of suspension PVC import to Ukraine slashed to 8,800 tonnes in July. The total year-to-date import of suspension made about 44,000 tonnes, down 45% year-on-year, report MRC analysts.

In July the total volume of SPVC exports to the Ukrainian market reduced to 8,800 tonnes while in June this index made about 10,300 tonnes. The volatility of PVC importing volumes to the Ukrainian market is determined by the cycling of resin purchases in the USA by some local converters.

Last month importing supplies of resin from the USA dropped to the level of 2,700 tonnes from the June level of 3,700 tonnes. The limit of export quotas in Europe did not allow Ukrainian traders to increase PVC purchasing volumes from Europe on a major price cut. Resin imports from Europe made about 5,800 tonnes in July while this index in June made about 5,600 tonnes.

In general, the total year-to-date SPVC import to Ukraine made about 44,000 tonnes, down 45% year-on-year. PVC importing volumes from Europe are expected to decline in August and, vice versa, it is expected that resin imports from the USA will grow on the June drop of export quotations.

MRC