Wacker presents innovative binders and hydrophobic agents for gypsum applications

MOSCOW (MRC) -- At the European Coatings Show (ECS) in Nuremberg, Germany, from April 21 to 23, 2015, the Munich-based Wacker Group will be exhibiting a new polymeric binder for modifying gypsum drywall products, reported the company on its site.

VINNAPAS 4800 G is a new polymer powder ideal for enhancing ecologically sound, gypsum-based joint fillers and jointing compounds for drywall applications. Gypsum mortars containing the powder yield smooth, crack-free surfaces, are easy to apply and offer excellent adhesion.

VINNAPAS 4800 G dispersible polymer powder is based on vinyl acetate and ethylene and was specially developed for enhancing gypsum-based joint-filler compounds. The new powder boosts the adhesion of grout mortars to both reinforcement strips and plasterboard. The reinforcement strips, which may be made of paper, glass fiber, or specialty nonwovens, are placed in the joints and plastered over to make the joint more stable and to prevent cracks.

Thus, VINNAPAS 4800 G gives gypsum-based joint fillers outstanding tensile adhesive strength on gypsum plasterboard and jointing tapes. Joint fillers finished with this new dispersible polymer powder also show excellent workability to yield particularly smooth surfaces. Furthermore, the powder’s low emissions make it ideal for joint fillers and jointing compounds used indoors.

Plus, Wacker will be presenting SILRES BS POWDER S, an additive for waterproofing gypsum-based dry-mix mortars. This highly efficient powder is low in volatile organic compounds and can be quickly mixed with water without raising dust.

SILRES BS POWDER S consists of a methyl siliconate which is produced as a colorless, free-flowing powder by a special process. The active ingredient is inherently soluble in water, a property which confers excellent mixing properties when the mortar is being prepared. Nonetheless, the gypsum mortar is water-repellent as soon as it sets.

SILRES BS POWDER S can be used with all types of gypsum dry mix mortars, irrespective of the pH. It eliminates the prereaction times which are often needed by conventional powder-form water-repellent agents. The additive even supports the formulation of Type H1 gypsum jointing compounds that meet the highest requirements for reduced water absorption. According to Standard EN 13963:2014, which was revised last year, Type H1 joint fillers must absorb no more than 5 weight percent water after setting.

As MRC wrote before, in November 2014, Wacker developed a thermally conductive adhesive for electronics applications. The new silicone rubber with the trade name SEMICOSIL 975 TC is characterized by high thermal conductivity and good flow and processing properties. Even light pressure is enough to form an ultrathin adhesive layer between the contact surfaces. This ensures not only good bonding, but also optimum heat dissipation by the heat sink. SEMICOSIL 975 TC is an ideal interface material for forming thermal and mechanical connections in power electronics components or packages.

Wacker Chemie AG is a worldwide operating company in the chemical business, founded 1914. The company is controlled by the Wacker-family holding more than 50% of the shares. The corporation is operating more than 25 production sites in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The product range includes silicone rubbers, polymer products like ethylene vinyl acetate redispersible polymer powder, chemical materials, polysilicon and wafers for semiconductor industry.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- The Board of Directors of Westlake Chemical Partners, the general partner of Westlake Chemical Partners LP, a Westlake company has declared a distribution of USD0.2750 per unit, as per the company's statement.

This is the second distribution announced by the Partnership since its successful IPO closing on August 4, 2014. The distribution will be payable on February 24, 2015, to unit holders of record on February 9, 2015.

This release is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b). Brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100.0%) of the Partnership's distributions to non-U.S. investors as being attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, the Partnership's distributions to non-U.S. investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate.

As MRC reported earlier, in late November 2014, the board of directors of Westlake Chemical Corporation authorized the company to repurchase up to USD250 million in shares of its common stock under a new share repurchase program. Repurchases under this program should be made through the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. These repurchases may be begun or suspended from time to time without prior notice.

Westlake Chemical Corporation is a manufacturer and supplier of petrochemicals, polymers and building products with headquarters in Houston, Texas. The company's range of products includes: ethylene, polyethylene, styrene, propylene, caustic, VCM, PVC resin and PVC building products including pipe and specialty components, windows and fence.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- PPG Industries has announced that it has submitted an offer to acquire a majority interest in the aerospace and automotive sealants businesses of Le Joint Francais (LJF), according to StreetInsider.

LJF is a supplier of sealants and adhesives products for the aerospace and automotive industries and has been a long-term licensee of PPG’s aerospace sealant technology.

LJF’s aerospace and automotive sealants businesses would be spun-off to form a new, separate entity, of which PPG would be the majority owner.

PPG anticipates closing the transaction in the second half of 2015, following completion of the French works council consultation process, receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed.

This venture is a natural progression for the two companies, as LJF has been a licensee of PPG technology for more than 60 years. This would allow us to serve our aerospace and automotive customers with greater geographic reach and with a wider array of automotive products," said Michael McGarry, PPG chief operating officer.

As MRC wrote previously, in 2013 PPG Industries announced the successful closing of the previously announced separation of its commodity chemicals business and merger of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Eagle Spinco Inc., with a subsidiary of Georgia Gulf Corporation. Initially, Georgia Gulf and PPG Industries announced the merger between commodity chemicals business in July, 2012. The combined company was named Axiall Corporation.

LJF is headquartered in France and is part of the Hutchinson Group, a world leader in sealing systems, vibration, acoustic and thermal insulation, fluid transfer systems, transmission and mobility. LJF’s aerospace and automotive sealants businesses employ more than 200 people, and the new entity would continue operations in Bezons, France, at the facility where these businesses are currently based.

PPG Industries Inc. is an Americain international company that produces paints, chemicals, optical components, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company consists of more than 150 production units and offices in more than 60 countries. PPG industries is in the list of the top 500 U.S. corporations in terms of sales of. As MRC reported previously, PPG Industries plans to open its first factory in Russia near Tver. As of today, PPG Industries has no production facilities in Russia.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Styron, the global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, has announced it has changed its name to Trinseo, effective February 1, 2015, said the producer in its press release sent to MRC.

The name Trinseo comes from the word "intrinsic," meaning something is essential and belonging by its nature. The new company name reflects how Trinseo’s technologies and materials play an intrinsic role in the innovative and sustainable solutions that its customers require in developing the next generation of products.

"The name Trinseo captures our commitment to deliver materials that provide intrinsic value to our customers’ products," said Chris Pappas, President and CEO of Trinseo. "Customers approach us for help with complex material challenges, and we collaborate and innovate with them to design new applications and products together. Our new name of Trinseo better reflects our breadth as a growing company with broad global reach and a diverse portfolio of materials and technologies."

The company will maintain the gold arrow icon in its new logo, along with its current color palette and tagline of "Materials. Powering Ideas." The company had previously changed the name of some legal entities; all legal entities around the world have now been renamed as Trinseo.

As MRC informed before, in October 2014, Trinseo announced that it would realign its business divisions, creating two new business groups called Performance Materials and Basic Plastics and Feedstocks.

The Performance Materials division will include the following reporting segments: Rubber, Latex and Performance Plastics (consisting of the Automotive and Consumer Essential Markets businesses). The Basic Plastics and Feedstocks division will also represent a separate segment for reporting purposes and will include the following businesses: Styrenic Polymers (Polystyrene, ABS, SAN), Polycarbonate, and Styrene Monomer.

Trinseo is a leading global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, dedicated to collaborating with customers to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions. Trinseo’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. Trinseo had approximately USD5.3 billion in revenue in 2013, with 19 manufacturing sites around the world, and approximately 2,100 employees.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- MTM Plastics GmbH, which produces recycled polyolefins from mixed plastic waste, is planning to invest 8 million euros (USD9.2 million) to expand its production facilities in Niedergebra, Germany by the end of 2016, said Plasticsnews.

The company states that around 20 new jobs will be created. Two new production halls, expected to be completed by the end of February 2015, and two new halls will extend its granulate warehouse.

MTM will then concentrate on expanding its production area by 20,000 square meters. The company currently produces 30,000 metric tons of granulate in Niedergebra with a workforce of 88. By late 2016, those numbers should grow to around 110 employees and an output of nearly 40,000 metric tons.

Looking to the future, MTM says that within the next five years, it plans to build a second plant at a new location because its site in Niedergebra will no longer be large enough.

MTM Plastics converts secondary raw materials into high quality regranulates for plastic products. This involves cleaning and enhancing the shredded material in various process steps (recycling). The company is headquartered in Niedergebra, a town to the south of Hanover in Germany, the company has been recycling plastic packaging material since 1994. Since then, there have been two changes of ownership (1998 and 2003). European technology leader in in the recycling of mixed plastics and as one of the world's biggest producers of polyolefin recyclate. With our substantial production capacities, we can turn out up to 30,000 metric tons of regranulate a year.
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