Schott Solar and BASF present a new roof-integrated photovoltaic concept

(BASF) -- At the Intersolar trade fair, Schott Solar and BASF are presenting a new roof-integrated photovoltaic concept based on the Schott Advance Series. The concept employs only two parts: a specially developed, multi-functional pan made from the BASF resin Ultramid B High Speed and a frameless double-glazed module from Schott. The product has been designed for large roof areas on industrial or agricultural buildings and is very light and easy to install.

The PV module from the Schott Protect Series employs proven double-glazing technology for reliable protection against rain, hail and other adverse weather conditions. To ensure safe handling of the double-glazed module, handles that are also made from Ultramid are provided on the back. This makes it easy to carry the PV module, place it on the integrated support edges of the plastic pan and simultaneously secure it at all four attachment points quickly and without the need for tools by sliding the module into the latching mechanism on the pan. Moreover, the new bayonet connection and screw-free attachment to the pan provide automatic tolerance compensation. The pan itself is stackable, thus minimizing shipping volume.

MRC

(Arabian Oil and Gas) -- Kuwait's Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC) has decided to scrap the idea of establishing a methanol project in Algeria, and decided to set it in one of the GCC countries, according Issa Al-Issa, vice board chairman of QPIC.

⌠Instability within the management of our local partner Sonatrach doesn't help the project, Al-issa told reporters on the sideline of the general assembly of the company. ⌠It's better to re-locate the project in another GCC country, he added.

In 2007, QPIC won a USD 900m contract to establish a 1 million t/y methanol plant in Arzew, on the western coast of Algeria.

The company was a part of the Almet consortium which includes in addition to QPIC, Lurgi, Mitsui and Sotraco.

MRC

(Plastemart) -- Repsol is mulling investment at its Puertollano site in Spain to increase the production capacity of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA). During H2-2011, the investment outlay will be towards a new production unit with capacity to produce 15 KTa of EVA, with the possibility to achieve vinyl acetate (VA) contents exceeding 35%, as per Packaging Europe.

In 2009, Repsol carried out the conversion of one of its EVA copolymer units (including 5% to 20% of VA content) to EVA resins (ranging from 20% to 40% of VA content). Additionally, in June 2010 Repsol implemented process changes in another of its EVA copolymer units, to adapt it to the quality demands of the specialized film converters. Because of this change and process improvement, Repsol has been able to reduce significantly the potential off-spec production associated to this type of film grade production.


MRC

(Plastics Today) -- Avantium (Amsterdam) has raised EUR 30 million, money it says it will use to develop and commercialize a next-generation polyester based on bioderived Furanics building blocks. Avantium will apply the funds to the construction and operation of its pilot plant in Geleen, the Netherlands, as well as to develop more green materials, including a polyamide, on the basis of its YXY building blocks.

The company calls its PEF (Poly-ethylene-furanoate) polyester a "new-to-the-world" polymer that can be made out of plant material instead of oil. Avantium has ambitious goals for PEF, positioning the green material as replacement to petroleum-based polyesters like polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

PEF has demonstrated some superior properties over traditional PET, according to Avantium, including lower permeability of oxygen, carbon-dioxide, and water and an enhanced ability to withstand heat. The company is currently developing PEF bottles for beverages, food, cosmetic products, and detergents.

MRC