Polymer Technology & Services expands Tristar range of flame retardant polycarbonates

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Polymer Technology & Services, LLC (PTS), a global manufacturer of flame retardant engineering thermoplastic compounds, is extending its TRISTAR family of polycarbonate-based materials with four halogen-compliant types certified 746R and 746H by Underwriters Laboratories, UL, as per the company's press release.

The new grades are intended for electrical and telecommunication devices, business machines, and small and large appliances. They will be available in Europe, North America and Asia.

A UL 746R certification indicates that a plastic material conforms to the EU’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) legislation, which limits the amount of six substances (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)) that plastics can contain. UL 746H certifies that a material conforms to non-chlorine and non-bromine requirements in IEC 61249, and subject to continual monitoring by UL in its follow up testing program.

The four new halogen compliant compounds are TRISTAR PC-HC (which has a UL94 flammability rating of V-2), TRISTAR PC-FR-HC (V-0 and V-1, depending on thickness), TRISTAR PC-FRN-HC (5VA and V-0), and TRISTAR PC-10GF-HC (5VA and V-0).

Polycarbonate grades with UL94 V-2 ratings are used in many products that are not powered by electricity, but which need the strength of PC; examples are hand tools, cases, lenses, personal protective gear and sports equipment. Attended electrical devices such as electrical hand tools, appliances and business machines require V-0 PC grades. Unattended electrical devices, such as electrical or telecommunications enclosures, mounted outside or inside of buildings, require that the more stringent 5VA listed grades be used.

"The numerous UL certificates that we have obtained for these new grades demonstrate the ability we have at PTS to develop and manufacture high performance plastics with effective self-extinguishing properties, without the use halogen-based additives," says Phil Berg, VP of Technology. "We achieve this through the use of the latest flame retardant technology and advanced manufacturing process control, which we apply in all our plants to serve customers globally.

"Companies in the electrical and electronics industries, especially in consumer electronics, are increasingly calling for plastics that comply with UL 746R and 746H, and we are very happy to be in a position to meet their demands. Our materials not only have excellent performance in their first life, but also offer increased flexibility for reuse and recycling."

The new TRISTAR grades all come with full UL Yellow Cards, which provide detailed information on flammability ratings and electrical properties. They are available for sampling now, and will be fully commercial by the end of the year in North America and Asia, and in Europe during the first quarter of 2017.

TRISTAR is a registered trademark of Polymer Technology & Services.

We remind that, as MRC wrote previously, in August 2016, another major petrochemical producer - Lanxess' Rhein Chemie Additives (ADD) business unit - expanded it extensive portfolio of flame retardants by introducing a new one - Levagard TP LXS 51114. The new flame retardant Levagard TP LXS 51114 is characterised by low emissions (fogging) and low scorch. It is suitable among other things for use in polyether- and polyester-based flexible polyurethane foams.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- INEOS O&P USA has announced it has acquired 100% of the shares of WLP Holding Corp., one of the largest high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe manufacturers in North America, as per the company's press release.

The business is headquartered in Fort Worth, TX with production facilities in Kentucky, South Dakota, Utah, Texas, and Wyoming. A facility in Georgia is currently under construction.

With over 500 million pounds of annual production capacity, WL Plastics (WL) provides HDPE pipe to markets including oil, gas, industrial, mining, conduit, and municipal water and sewer. The company’s best-in-class manufacturing processes and experienced production personnel allow WL to be one of the most efficient producers of HDPE pipe. WL’s mission is to be the supplier of choice for its customers through an unwavering commitment to customer service, high quality control standards and speed to market.

Dennis Seith, CEO of INEOS O&P USA said, "We are very pleased to have acquired WL Plastics. The business is well-positioned to serve the growing North American pipe market and will complement INEOS’s existing portfolio of olefins and polymer products."

Mark Wason, CEO of WL Plastics said, "INEOS and WL are committed to safety, quality, manufacturing excellence and customer service. We believe ownership under INEOS will enable WL to strengthen our position in the market place through upstream integration backed by the resources of a global company enabling the next phase of WL Plastics growth."

The purchase price was not disclosed.

As MRC informed before, in early September 2016, Ineos Enterprises, a portfolio unit of the Swiss-based chemical group, purchased Calabrian Holdings from private equity firm SK Capital for an undisclosed sum. Based in Kingwood, Texas, Calabrian claims North American market leadership for liquid sulfur dioxide and sodium-based derivatives. It has a production plant in Port Neches, Texas, that supplies markets in North and South America, and another 35,000 t/y facility currently under construction in Timmins, Ontario, Canada. Once the latter starts up in the fourth quarter of 2016, total capacity for both plants will be around 200,000 t/y.

INEOS Group Limited is a privately owned multinational chemicals company consisting of 15 standalone business units, headquartered in Rolle, Switzerland and with its registered office in Lyndhurst, United Kingdom. It is the fourth largest chemicals company in the world measured by revenues (after BASF, Dow Chemical and LyondellBasell) and the largest privately owned company in the United Kingdom.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Iran is planning to develop Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Economic Zone (PETZONE), a petrochemical official said, reported The Iran Project.

Addressing a ceremony held to farewell Mahshahr PETZONE’s managing director and welcoming his replacement, Marziyeh Shahdaei, deputy petroleum minister in petrochemical affairs, said Mahshahr PETZONE has been designed in two phases and its second phase is planned to be developed.

The project will be carried out by National Petrochemical Company (NPC) as a state body responsible for providing the infrastructure needed for development of the petrochemical sector, she said.

She further added that studies are underway for preparation of the second phase of the zone that will be home to petrochemical plants aimed at completing the value chain in the region.

As MRC wrote before, as of 2015, number of active Iranian Petrochemical complexes were 53, with total production capacity of 59 million metric ton, producing range of polymers, chemicals, aromatics & liquid gas, located mainly at Iranian south region, next to Persian Gulf, called Assaluyeh and Mahshahr Special Economic Zones.

At the moment, there are 67 developments projects in the country which are under construction, adding 61 million metric ton on total production and estimated to fully run till 2018.
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МОSCOW (MRC) -- Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, gave center-stage to China’s sustainable development at its second Sustainability Dialog Summit, said the company in its press release.

Held in Shanghai, this year’s event underlined Clariant’s commitment to helping customers respond to the Megatrend-driven sustainability and innovation needs reflected in China’s New Normal and 13th Five-Year-Plan.

More than 200 Chinese customers, distributors, suppliers and authorities joined presentations, panel discussions and parallel sessions offering insights from Clariant specialists and external experts on China’s sustainability challenges and performance. With the government now actively influencing customers and markets towards more sustainable solutions, Clariant demonstrated its proactive support through products and services linked to three global Megatrends affecting the country and its manufacturing framework: Environmental Protection; Globalization & Urbanization; and Resources & Energy.

Senior management representatives presented innovative products addressing aspects such as the reduction of harmful industrial emissions, fertilizer production and crop protection solutions to sustainably safeguard world food supplies, options to convert agricultural residues into biofuels, and safe, environmentally-compatible fire protection for buildings.

Company-wide and specific local environmental and social responsibility initiatives to support the country’s progress were presented to the engaged audience. For example, regional availability of EcoTain products, Clariant’s portfolio screened against specific sustainability criteria, and the dedicated HOPES community program to promote education and sustainable development in China, which has benefitted more than 800 young people to date.

The company’s high level of commitment to supporting its Chinese customers is reflected in the recent relocation to China of Executive Committee Member Christian Kohlpaintner. As part of his responsibilities, Kohlpaintner is steering the project team behind Clariant’s One Clariant Campus in Shanghai, an integrated facility with Regional Headquarters and a new regional R&D center, scheduled for completion in Q1 2019.

As MRC informed earlier, 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.

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.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- PPG announced that it has reached an agreement with the Emerging Europe Accession Fund (EEAF) to acquire DEUTEK S.A., a leading Romanian paint and architectural coatings manufacturer, said the producer.

PPG expects the transaction to close in the first quarter 2017, following the receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed.

DEUTEK, established in 1993, manufactures and markets a large portfolio of well-known professional and consumer paint brands, including OSKAR and Danke!. The company’s products are sold in more than 120 do-it-yourself stores and 3,500 independent retail outlets in Romania. DEUTEK, which is currently owned by EEAF, reported sales of 30 million euros in 2015.

"DEUTEK is a well-managed business with a long heritage of excellent customer service and a portfolio of leading, well-recognized brands in Romania," said Jean-Marie Greindl, PPG senior vice president, global architectural coatings, and president, PPG Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). "The acquisition adds the fastest-growing paint brands in Romania, where PPG has only a small presence in architectural coatings."

As MRC informed earlier, in 2015 PPG Industries agreed to acquire US-based IVC Industrial Coatings for an undisclosed amount. The company operates five manufacturing facilitates in the US, one plant in Guangdong, China, and a small development lab in Manchester, England. It has a workforce of over 300.

PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG) is a global supplier of protective and decorative coatings. Performance Coatings, Industrial Coatings and Architectural Coatings- EMEA segments supply protective and decorative finishes for customers in a range of end use markets, including industrial equipment, appliances and packaging; factory-finished aluminum extrusions and steel and aluminum. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in nearly 70 countries around the world. Reported net sales in 2014 were USD15.4 billion.
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