Borealis launched next generation high performance grade Borclear RC737MO

(Borealis) -- Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, is taking transparency in extrusion blow moulded polypropylene (PP) bottles to new heights with the launch of next generation high performance grade Borclear RC737MO.

Presenting a crystal-clear advance in visual appeal and processability, the new PP grade creates differentiation, cost-efficiency and sustainability advantages for converters and brand owners in the fast moving consumer goods market. Borclear RC737MO is designed specifically for cosmetics and baby bottles and enables to produce bottles up to two litres in size.

Borclear RC737MO can be processed by applying the usual processing settings for random PP grades, with barrel temperatures in the range of 190-220╟C. Its higher melt strength enables converters to more easily regulate wall thickness. This enables consistent and enhanced processing combined with good reproducibility as well as greater design flexibility. The lower weight variations will reduce the potential for breakage during transportation and use.

The grade Borclear RC737MO responds to consumers' safety concerns through the elimination of Bisphenol A (BPA). From an environmental perspective, it can also contribute to lower resource consumption and CO2 emissions from the processing cycle through weight reduction. Borclear RC737MO is fully recyclable.

MRC

(Plastemart) -- Qatar Petroleum International (QPI) plans to buy a 25% stake in the USD4 bln Long Son petrochemical project in Vietnam, as per senior executive of Petrovietnam as reported by Reuters.
"We will establish a joint venture to build the complex," Do Van Hau, Petrovietnam chief executive officer said after signing an investment agreement with QPI officials. Detailed work on the joint venture will start next month.

The complex will be Vietnam's first fully integrated petrochemical project, consisting of upstream, intermediate and downstream plants, QPI said. The venture comprises Petrovietnam, Vietnam's Vinachem, SCG Chemicals and Thai Plastics and Chemicals Co Pcl.

MRC

(Plastemart) -- Polymera Inc., producer of wood and natural fiber polymer composite compounds, announced that the company has added 60 mln lbs of WPC compound capacity at their central Ohio facility. The 160,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, located in central Ohio, houses a state-of-the-art, fully automated manufacturing system for wood/natural fiber polymer composite compounds. The company has the flexibility to provide varying material formulations utilizing a wide spectrum of raw materials per customer specifications.

"Polymera is addressing a need for WPC compound that simply has not been available in the industry, until now," stated Polymera's Vice-President, Herb Hutchison. Polymera can provide technology assistance in addition to the WPC compounds. "Our objective is to help extrusion, injection and compression molding companies that would like to enter the WPC market but cannot justify the very large investment in upstream blending and material handling systems".

Merablend is a wood/natural fiber polymer composite material for injection molding, extrusion and compression molding applications that targets processors interested in entering the WPC market by offering multiple material options such as varying fiber loadings in High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Polypropylene (PP) base polymers. Merablend WPC compounds can be used for both interior and exterior applications, in a variety of markets. Meraplast Technology Solutions provides consultation for companies looking to enter the wood/natural fiber polymer composite market.

MRC

(Plastics Today) -- Automotive injection molder Century Mold Inc. will invest USD4.2 million to expand its Shelbyville, TN plant, a move that ultimately will create 58 new jobs. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty today joined with representatives from Century Mold to announce the investment on Jan. 13.

According to the company's website, the operation in Shelbyville covers 100,000 sq ft, and runs 25 injection molding machines, ranging in clamp force from 60 to 1150 tons. It also as a full tool room with the capacity to build molds up to 20,000 lb.

In early 2012 Century Mold will start construction on a new injection molding facility in Queretaro, Mexico located in the El Marques Industrial Park. The company plans to invest more than USD15 million on new equipment for this facility over the next 36 months, with the plant to cover approximately 100,000 sq ft and able to house injection molding machines up to 3500 tons.

Century anticipated that facility being complete early in the fourth quarter of 2012, with actual production to start as early as January 2013. The facility will house up to 40 machines in larger tonnages ranging from 390 tons to 2200 tons by 2016 including two shot injection molding machines.

MRC

(PlastEurope) -- In anticipation of rising environmental pressure on cobalt, DSM Composite Resins (Schaffhausen/Switzerland) and Akzo Nobel (Arnhem/The Netherlands have signed a cross-license agreement on cobalt-free technologies for the curing of thermoset resins. The companies said these innovative solutions would offer more sustainable alternatives to the cobalt-based systems currently in use.

Commenting on the agreement, Akzo Nobel's Alain Rynwalt said both companies had been working independently on developing cobalt-free resin curing systems for several years, adding that ⌠Combining these technologies will bring viable, leading-edge solutions to the whole composites industry.

The two companies said details of the agreement were still being finalised, adding that additional information would be provided at the upcoming ⌠JEC Composites fair, held in Paris/France from 27-29 March 2012.

MRC