Royal DSM signed a partnership agreement with Plasticomp

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Life sciences and material sciences company Royal DSM (Heerlen / The Netherlands) has signed a partnership agreement with long fibre thermoplastic (LFT) specialist Plasticomp (Winona, Minnesota / USA) to develop bio-based LFT composite materials based on DSM’s "EcoPaXX" polyamide 4.10, said Plasteurope.

The lightweight materials, which include compounds reinforced with glass fiber as well as carbon fiber, will be targeted at automotive and other performance-driven markets.

The companies said that, following initial compounding, moulding and testing of carbon-fiber reinforced EcoPaXX, they have established benchmark composites for high-temperature (up to 200°C) and structural applications. EcoPaXX polyamide 4.10 is 70% derived from renewable resources.

In addition to automotive applications, the composites are suitable for metal-replacement applications such as electro-magnetic interference (EMI) shielding for electronics and radiolucency in X-ray applications.

DSM and Plasticomp said they will collaborate with potential customers to design injection-molded composite parts using computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools.

As MRC wrote before, DSM developed a new thermoplastic elastomer - Arnitel VT - for production of waterproof and highly breathable ultrathin membranes to be used in outdoor clothing. Arnitel VT is a very flexible thermoplastic elastomer that, when made into membranes just a few microns thick, is 100% waterproof but also highly breathable and comfortable. The material contains no PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals) and is 100% recyclable.

Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials.
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European processors group criticizes bioplastic sector

MOSCOW (MRC) -- European Plastics Converters (EuPC), the trade association representing European plastics converters, has come out in favor of the European Commission's green paper on plastics waste while criticizing the bioplastic industry, said Plasticsnews.

The Brussels-based trade group was particularly in favor of the paper's aim of tackling the problems of littering associated with short-life plastic carrier bags. However, EuPC remains concerned by a number of statements being made that bio-based plastic shopping bags are more sustainable than traditional oil-based alternatives. As users of plastics raw materials, plastics converters only want to use the most sustainable materials that are fit for customers' needs.

"When considering the sustainability of a material we need to look at resources used in their production, including land-use and water consumption (in the case of bio-based plastics and the sustainability of biomass used). EuPC believes that any EU policy related to bioplastics needs to take account of lessons learned from the biofuels sector," said the association in a statement.

"End of life solutions also play a crucial role in the determination of a materials sustainability," added EuPC. Compostable and biodegradable plastics need to stay out of traditional waste streams in order to avoid "detrimental impacts on the quality of recycling".

"Furthermore, bioplastics are not a solution to marine litter and this has been clearly recognised by the European Commission during an event on plastics waste held earlier this week."

EuPC believes that Europe needs to focus more on better separation and collection in order to ensure the correct end-of-life approaches for different plastics materials and increase recycling towards a circular economy for all plastic products.

As MRC wrote before, f group of European plastics converters, recyclers and collectors have completed a two-year project that looks at steps that can be taken to boost the use of post-consumer plastic scrap. The project was conducted by European Plastics Recyclers (EuPR) and the European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organisations (EPRO) in collaboration with the European Plastics Converters (EuPC), the European Association unoriented Polyester Films (EuPET), Recovinyl, the German company Cyclos GmbH and a few plastics recycling companies to perform the first pilot audits at factory level.
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PetroLogistics profit surges

MOSCOW (MRC) -- PetroLogistics LP Wednesday reported third-quarter net income of USD55 million, compared with USD0.6 million last year, said Rttnews.

Results for the prior-year quarter included realized loss on derivatives of USD31 million, among other items. Excluding items, adjusted earnings for the quarter were USD57 million, compared with USD28 million a year ago.

Houston, Texas-based PetroLogistics LP operates propane dehydrogenation facility that processes propane into propylene. The company posted quarterly revenues of USD198.4 million, compared with USD156 million in the prior year. On average, two analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimated revenues of USD195.93 million.

The company produced 313 million pounds of propylene and sold 301.8 million pounds of propylene during the quarter. In the prior-year quarter, it produced 312 million pounds of propylene and sold 318.5 million pounds of propylene.

The average polymer grade propylene benchmark price was 68.3 cents per pound for the quarter. The company also announced a quarterly cash distribution of USD0.45 per common unit, payable on November 14 to unit holders of record on November 4.

As MRC informed before, PetroLogistics LP (PDH), operator of the only dedicated U.S. propylene plant, is seeking permission to double the Houston factory’s output as supplies fall and competitors including Dow Chemical Co. (DOW) plan similar facilities.

PetroLogistics wants to add six combustion units to the five currently producing propylene, an ingredient in plastics, nylon and detergents, the Houston-based company said in an application to the Environmental Protection Agency.

PetroLogistics LP owns and operates a propane dehydrogenation ("PDH") facility that processes propane into propylene. The Company's product is utilized in the production of a variety of end uses including paints, coatings, building materials, clothing, automotive parts, packaging and a range of other consumer and industrial products.
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Solvay launches Ocalio cellulose acetate bioplastic

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Solvay has announced the introduction of OcalioT cellulose acetate bio-plastic manufactured using wood pulp, an entirely renewable resource obtained from SFI certified forests, said Foodbev.

This new and amorphous engineering bio-plastic is a non-toxic material. Together with a bio-plasticizer the bio-based content of OcalioT compounds is at present 50 %.

Unlike many bio-plastics, OcalioT, as a cellulose acetate bio plastic, only uses wood pulp. An entirely renewable resource and thus does not compete for food resources. It also has a much lower CO2 manufacturing footprint when compared to petroleum-based products.

With technical properties and performance more than comparable to oil-based plastics, OcalioT cellulose acetate compounds can not only replace applications made with engineering plastics such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) but also polycarbonates (PC).

In addition to the beneficial range and balance of mechanical properties and ease of processing, OcalioT plasticized cellulose acetate displays excellent surface aesthetics such as a high gloss, smooth and silky tactile qualities and an exceptional depth of colour, for both opaque and transparent grades.

"Solvay has over a century of experience developing and manufacturing commodity and high performance specialty plastics and polymers and the addition of bio-plastics is a natural progression," explains Marc Michels, marketing director Solvay Acetow.

"Our company's renewable chemistry platform studies the potential of bio-based chemistry with the objective of identifying opportunities for improving, advancing, and expanding Solvay's existing product offering to meet consumer's demanding expectations in an evolving society."

Patents for cellulose acetate were first deposited by Solvay Acetow in 1911 - the year of the first Solvay Conference, prestigious meetings of the world's leading scientists still held today. In recent years Solvay Acetow diversified its product portfolio based on its acetylation know-how.

Manufactured in Europe in back integrated and completely self-sufficient facilities, OcalioT cellulose acetate compounds will be commercially available in Q1 2014.

As MRC wrote before, Solvay announces that its Aroma Performance business unit has won the ICIS Best Product Innovation Award 2013 for its Govanil flavor whose revolutionary long-lasting and intensity of taste allows for a lower use of fat and sugar in pastry, bakery and chocolate food products.

Solvay is an international chemicals and plastics company. Solvay, with a market share 27%, is the second largest PVC manufacturer in Europe, after Kerling with 29% of the market. The group is headquartered in Brussels, employs about 29,000 people in 55 countries and generated 12.4 billion euros in net sales in 2012. Solvay SA SOLB.BE) is listed on NYSE Euronext in Brussels and Paris.

MRC

Hexpol TPE appoint MLPlastics as distribution partner in Germany

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The Hexpol TPE group, a manufacturer of custom-formulated TPE and flexible polymer compounds, has appointed MLPlastics as its distribution partner in the North of Germany, as per GV.

The group, which brings together the Elasto and Muller Kunststoffe businesses, announced the appointment at the K2013 exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany.

MLPlastics, based in Hamburg, Germany, was founded in 2003. Their primary focus is on the development and distribution of specialised technical polymer compounds. MLPlastics will be supporting the market expansion of Hexpol TPE’s Lifoflex and Dryflex TPE brands, with grades based on TPS (SBS, and SEBS), TPO and TPV technologies.

Specialist grades have been developed including halogen-free flame retardant, conductive, adhesion grades for 2K applications, hydrophilic and compounds offering improved compression set performance. Dryflex and Lifoflex are used in the consumer, automotive, construction, and electronics markets.

MLPlastics will also be working with the group’s range of complimentary flexible polymer compounds including Lifolit soft PVC, Lifocork cork compounds, Lifoprene TPU and Lifobatch colour and additive masterbatches.

As MRC informed previously, Hexpol acquired in 2010 thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) business Elasto from the Vita Group, which includes two production facilities in Europe and expanded its business in China with a launch of new compounding operations in 2012.

Hexpol is a compounder of thermoplastics and TPEs as well as a processor of wheels made from polyurethane, other plastics and rubber. The company is headquartered in Sweden but has a global footprint.
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