Dow Wire launches 100% bio plasticizers

(Dow) -- Dow Wire & Cable, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company (⌠Dow), launched new "Equilibrium" Bio-Based Plasticizers, a new family of phthalate-free plasticizers for use in wire insulation and jacketing that are made from nearly 100% renewable feedstocks. The use of "Equilibrium" Bio-Based Plasticizers in PVC compounds for wire applications can help cable-makers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40% if used instead of traditional PVC plasticizers. The new plasticizers were developed to meet growing demand for more sustainable options in wiring applications such as personal electronics and appliance wiring, residential and commercial building wiring, communications and data cabling, and automotive wiring.

MRC

MRC Reference

Share in the Russian market, 2008:

polyethylene - 2.5% (including LLDPE - 33.1%);

polypropylene - 0.8% (including PP-impact - 1.1%);

polystyrene - 2.6%.

Annual sales growth in Russia, recent 5 years:

polyethylene - 55%;

polypropylene - 28%;

polystyrene - 2%.

Imports by processing technologies:

pipe extrusion;

film extrusion;

sheet extrusion;

foaming.

(Borealis) -- Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, announces a net profit of EUR 38 million for the full year 2009, compared to EUR 239 million in 2008. The company ended 2009 with a return on capital employed (ROCE) after tax of 2%, down from 9% in 2008. Despite its ongoing significant investments, Borealis' net interest-bearing debt decreased by EUR 55 million due to a significant focus on working capital management and specific cost reduction measures. Borealis' financial position remains solid with a gearing ratio of 43% at the end of 2009, compared to 47% at year-end 2008.

Borealis' performance was affected by the economic crisis, which hit with full force in 2009, causing a significant downturn in consumer and industry demand and placing polyolefin margins under pressure, as well as costs incurred due to the start-up of the LDPE plant in Stenungsund, Sweden. Borouge's contribution in 2009 was also impacted by the economic crisis and costs related to the upcoming start-up of Borouge 2. In order to stay competitive Borealis had to take difficult decisions, one of them being the closure of its high-density PE plant in Beringen, Belgium, by March 2010.

MRCMRC Reference

Borealis. The share in the Russian market in 2008:

polyethylene - 4.1% (including HDPE - 4.7%, LLDPE в─⌠ 8.7%);
polypropylene в─⌠ 3.2% (PP-impact - 7.5%).

Annual sales growth in Russia over the last 5 years:
polyethylene - 11%;
polypropylene в─⌠ 6%.

Leader in polymers processing technologies:
extrusion coating;
cable extrusion;
injection molding.

Polyethylene imports dropped by 9% in that sector (24 kt), and those of PP went down by 23% (11 kt).

Imports replacement was actively developing in the packaging sector over the last years. Investments into equipment used to produce packaging amount to nearly 20% of the overall volume.

Alkor (Magnitogorsk) was the leader in investments into the packaging sector in 2009, having bought Kuhne, Anlagenbau and Gabler equipment.

Alpla group continues to expand its PET production capacities. In 2009, it imported about 10 lines to produce packaging for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals (Husky and Soplar equipment).

Schoeller Arca Systems imported Krauss Maffei moulding machines to produce Big Box. Alpha-plast, Polyer, Kutterer-Rus and Cerber are among the major investors in the packaging sector. Kamskie Polyany production complex is being actively developed, as well. Tatlesstroy expanded its capacities having imported equipment to produce s-type polypropylene sheets.

MRC

Detailed analysis of the events that took place in the Russian polymers market in 2009 and its development outlooks for 2010 can be found in MRC Annual reports.

(prw) -- Sharp Interpack has been purchased by the French packaging firm Groupe Guillin. Details of the deal, which includes the production facilities in Ayelsham, Bridgewater and Yate, were not revealed.

The UK company, which had a turnover of some GBP86m during its last financial year to March 2010, is now 100% owned by the French packaging giant, which claims the deal will be beneficial for both bottom line and cash flow.

"The combination of Groupe Guillin's expertise alongside Sharp Interpack's UK market exposure allows Guillin to reinforce its leading position in the European fruit and vegetable market, to widen its strategic positioning with meat products and to develop new industrial and commercial synergies," said a company statement.

MRC

(plasticstoday.com) -- Calling the system a "world first," KraussMaffei Berstorff has delivered an extrusion line to produce extra-large smooth-walled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe in diameters up to 2400 mm and with hourly (HDPE) output of 1700 kg. P.E.S. Co., which is a longtime KraussMaffei Berstorff customer, has been producing HDPE pipe on a range of KM's single-screw extruders for almost a decade, including extra-large pipe up to 1600-mm in diameter. Produced in the Persian Gulf, the large pipes are primarily used to supply seawater to desalination plants and cooling water to oil refineries.

In addition to KM's single-screw extruder, the system utilizes a spiral-distributor and runs high melt strength polyethylene (PE) XLS12B from Total Petrochemicals. A KM spokesperson said that to his knowledge, this is the first extrusion line in the world for the production of smooth plastic pipes with a diameter up to 2400 mm, eclipsing the usual limit of 1600 mm and the "extremely seldom" 2000-mm line.

The extra large pipe-extrusion line will allow P.E.S. to add smooth-walled HDPE pipes in diameters of 1800-, 2000-, 2200-, and 2400-mm. The system includes a KME 150-36 B/R single-screw extruder and a KM-RKW 40-2400 pipehead. The spiral-distributor design accounts for a material's rheological properties and utilizes a KraussMaffei Berstorff calibration system. By minimizing wall-thickness variations, the line can result in substantial material savings in the large pipes. That consistency also results in more uniform pipe dimensions, which help ensure tight joints in installation.

KraussMaffei Berstorff believes its 36D single-screw extruder, spiral-distributor tooling, and efficient calibration and cooling systems have helped it gain market share in the large-pipe-extrusion market. The company notes that in pipe production, material costs can account for up to 90% of total manufacturing cost, making stringent adherence to tight tolerances a money saver.

MRC