S Caltex Co. completed a polymer compound plant in the eastern China

(Plastemart) -- South Korea's second-largest refiner - S Caltex Co. has completed a polymer compound plant in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, eastern China. Commercial operations have commenced with an annual output of 37,000 tons of polymer compounds widely used for making cars and home appliances. With this, GS Caltex aims to capture a 7% share of the fast-growing Chinese market for polymer compounds.


MRC

Lanxess Macrolex colorants proved themselves in the plastics sector

(Lanxess) -- Macrolex colorants from Lanxess have once again proven themselves in the plastics sector: The renowned U.S. legal firm Keller & Heckman LLP based in Washington, D.C., has certified that Eastman Tritan colored with Macrolex colorants meets the requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Their opinion is based on results from trials and extensive toxicological testing. Specialty chemicals company Lanxess worked with Eastman Chemical Company, manufacturer of Tritan, in selecting 10 Macrolex colorant grades to demonstrate their specific suitability for coloring the copolymer.


Eastman Chemical Company, a U.S. based company with operations around the world, is the leading manufacturer of polyester plastic for packaging. In 2007, Eastman launched a polymer called Eastman Tritan that balances the properties of clarity, toughness, dishwasher durability and high heat and chemical resistance. An additional bonus is that it is free of bisphenol A (BPA).


Macrolex colorants meet numerous legal conditions for use in food packaging and toys. They make it possible to achieve excellent results in coloring amorphous polymers. Coloration can range from transparent to full coverage, depending on the polymer and combination of colorants. Other benefits are high color intensity, outstanding brilliance, very good weather resistance and lightfastness and excellent heat stability.


MRC

Fanuc focused at system approaches rather than all-new machine models

(Plastics Today) -- The focus of Fanuc at the recent IPF show in Japan was system approaches rather than all-new machine models. One such solution on display was application of its horizontal 15-tonne Roboshot S-2000i15B press in hoop molding of LED components. Lead frame feed from the machine side is controlled via a servomotor/ball screw/clamp mechanism.

According to Fanuc Senior Development Engineering Satoshi Takatsugi, use of a horizontal machine in this application brings several advantages. "Firstly, a horizontal machine is cheaper than a vertical press and generally delivery lead time is quicker. You can also use a horizontal machine for standard molding jobs that don't employ inserts and of course the horizontal machine boasts a much lower profile."


Fanuc has also applied its servomotor expertise to feed of the metal tape (lead frame), which is controlled in a closed loop manner via the machine controller. The machine on show at IPF was molding LED components from LCP in a 6.5-second cycle using an eight-cavity tool.


MRC

India's second largest PE maker to invest in SBR production

(Plastemart) -- In a bid to come out of its financial crisis, India's second largest PE maker Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) plans to invest in plants to produce Butiene-1 and Styrene-Butadiene-Rubber (SBR).


The cash-starved company, co-promoted by the West Bengal government, may float a request for a proposal from global firms for project Butiene-1 by Friday, as per a company official. HPL managing director Partha S. Bhattacharyya told IANS that the total investment for the project will be Rs.200 crore.


MRC

In September EPS imports to Ukraine fell by one fourth

(MRC) -- Following September results, Ukrainian companies reduced the import volumes of expanded polystyrene (EPS) by 25% compared to August, according to MRC DataScope.


EPS shipment to the Ukrainian market in September exceeded 2,000 tonnes that was by 25% less then in the previous month. In August, import made 2,800 tonnes, which was a year's high record. Over the nine months, the Ukrainian companies supplied more than 17,500 tonnes of EPS that was 14% more year on year.


The main reason for the decline in September import of EPS was the high export quotations in July, the period of materials contracting. In July, the Asian producers increased export prices to nearly $1,800/tonne FOB, in the late July, which was by $100/tonne more than in June.


Excess offer from producers resulted in a significant reduction of purchases by the Ukrainian companies. Low EPS market activity in the first half of the year also affected the purchases in July.

Over September, demand for EPS in the Ukrainian market was high. The decline in imports resulted in a shortage of the material in early October. Available EPS volumes covered contract obligations of the trading companies, while the spot market was practically still. Following October results, the price of the Asian material in the domestic market increased by UAH1,000/tonne.


MRC