MOSCOW (MRC) -- Clariant plans to invest approximately CHF 10 mln - a global initiative to expand its ability to produce color and additive masterbatches and compounds using engineering polymers and high-temperature plastics like PEEK (polyether ether ketone) is progressing on schedule, reported Plastemart.
Jeff Saeger, who heads the expansion program for Clariant, reports two extrusion lines at the Masterbatches plant in Ahrensburg, Germany, have been refurbished and can now run at temperatures up to 450 C. Another new line will be installed and running by the end of Q1 2017.
In Shanghai, two new co-rotating extruders are now up and running in Shanghai and a smaller high-temperature unit has been started up in Singapore. Saeger says equipment for processing fluoropolymers has been installed in Lewiston, Maine, U.S.A, and new lines for specialty high-temperature compounds are now running in Holden, Massachusetts. A new black masterbatch line, for engineering polymers is schedule start-up in Holden in Q3 2017.
In addition, the Shanghai plant is being expanded to include not only additional compounding space, but also a new testing and quality-control laboratory. The Asian region already is served by a state-of-the-art lab in Singapore, but Clariant plans to add new physical, chemical and weathering test equipment there as well in the first half of 2017.
The new investments are expected to be especially beneficial to manufacturers of electrical products and appliances, since many of these devices and the components in them contain engineering plastics that need to meet flammability-resistance standards promulgated by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Clariant has obtained UL94 masterbatch listing for more than 200 commercial grades.
As MRC informed before, in February 2106, Clariant Masterbatches Saudi Arabia, a joint venture (JV) between Clariant and Rowad National Plastic Company, started construction of a new masterbatch production unit in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Being built on a 38,000 sq. m area, the new unit will be located in Yanbu Industrial Zone 2 and is scheduled to be commissioned by early next year. The new facility, which will be the second manufacturing site of the company in Saudi Arabia, the other being situated in Riyadh, will manufacture white masterbatches.
Clariant AG is a Swiss chemical company and a world leader in the production of specialty chemicals for the textile, printing, mining and metallurgical industries. It is engaged in processing crude oil products in pigments, plastics and paints.
MRC