New Borsoft PP grade makes squeezable tube innovation a reality

(Borealis) -- Borealis' first polypropylene (PP) grade for squeezable cosmetics tubes, Borsoft SL600MO, is the material innovation behind an inspirational, sustainability-focused packaging solution for the cosmetics sector called CLUBE.


Developed by Plasticum Group, a leading European manufacturer and designer of innovative plastic packaging solutions, CLUBE is a one piece squeezable tube with an integrated closure and in-mould label (IML) that cuts material usage by up to 40%. CLUBE is unique in enabling all three elements to be produced in one single bi-injection moulding production step, instead of the traditional three, for more efficient production and a series of knock-on productivity, design and environment-related benefits.


Borsoft SL600MO was created specifically by Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, for this project. Tailored to meet the needs of the production process and the tube, the grade was optimised for outstanding flowability, good flexibility, excellent contact transparency and outstanding environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR).


MRC

In November Ukrainian PP production is expected to grow

(MRC) -- In November, Ukrainian producer Linik plans to increase the output of polypropylene (PP) to 9,000 tonnes. Following the October results, the total volume of the polymer made 6,900 tonnes, according to MRC ScanPlast.


In October, Ukrainian producer Linik increased volumes of PP production to 6,900 tonnes, that was by 25% more compared with September. In recent months Ukrainian producer of PP has undergone difficulties with production. Last month, Linik cut back PP production, due to technical problems at the refinery. In August, a week-long stop for a turnaround as well as the accident led to a decline in production volumes of PP.

The 9 months' volumes of crude oil refinery by Linik made about 4 million tonnes. The converter processed only 969,000 tonnes and 555,000 tonnes of the feedstock for the Ukrainian market. This year, the company changed its business model and implemented programs to improve the work efficiency, which allowed TNK-BP to have $17 million net profit over the nine months of 2011.

A significant increase in the production of PP is expected in November. This month Linik planned to process 100,000 tonnes of different feedstock for the domestic market. According to preliminary estimates, the planned total processing volume of crude oil will allow the company to increase the output of PP to 9,000 tonnes. The 9 months' volume of production of PP by Linik made more than 77,000 tonnes, that by 22% more year on year.


MRC

CTL Packaging to invest in locating its headquarters in North Carolina

(PlastEurope) -- CTL Packaging (North Carolina / USA), a subsidiary of Spain's flexible plastic and laminated tube manufacturer Tuboplast CTL (Vitoria-Gasteiz), is to invest USD 58.5m in locating its North American headquarters in Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina. The producer of packaging products for the cosmetic, personal care, food and pharmaceutical industries says the investment will create over 130 jobs.


Tuboplast CTL claims to be the third largest tube manufacturer in Europe, producing over 500m tubes annually and employing around 700 people worldwide. Its primary manufacturing operations are in Tuboplast Hispania in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in northern Spain, and CTL Packaging in Charmeil / France.


MRC

GAIL earmarked US$400 mln for its new Singapore trading office

(Plastemart) -- GAIL (India) has earmarked US$400 mln for its new Singapore trading office to secure LNG and petrochemical product cargoes for delivery to India in 2012. The Singapore office will begin trading next month on getting all formal approvals. 90% of the trade would be in LNG from the initial start-up. GAIL is also building shale gas expertise through participation in projects in the United States.


MRC

Plast Eurasia illustrates Turkey's ongoing plastics boom

(Plasteurope) -- The rise in both visitor and exhibitor numbers at this year's ⌠Plast Eurasia industry fair, held in Istanbul / Turkey, illustrates the country's ongoing plastics boom. The injection moulding sector, especially, is posting high growth rates, not least as a result of Turkey's budding automotive sector, which numerous international OEMs rely on. Even though Chinese plastics machinery still dominates in Turkey's plastics processing sector, there has been a marked increase in plastics machinery made in Europe as well, says Abdulkadir Topucar, CEO of Engel Enjeksiyon Makineleri, the Istanbul-based branch of Austrian injection moulding machinery maker Engel.


Even though Chinese machinery remains the cheaper option, Engel's experience in Turkey shows that many plastics processors also opt for the Austrian machinery because of its high integration and automation standards, its low energy consumption and its highly developed processing technology. All these factors increasingly play a role in automotive production, as weight prerequisites are increasingly lowered and composites used to replace heavier materials.


Topucar points out that Turkish processors are constantly feeling the pressure of prices, largely since the country does not produce sufficient feedstocks to meet domestic demand and therefore has to rely on imports. In addition, many companies continue to moonlight their activities, evading the tax authorities, which gives rise to an unfair competitive climate.


MRC