Arkema develops new nanomaterials products

(arkema) -- A global chemical player and acknowledged leader in the development of nanomaterials, Arkema confirms its ongoing commitment to developing nanomaterials with three product groups: the Graphistrength range of carbon nanotubes, and the Nanostrength range of acrylic block copolymers, developed from its BlocBuilder radical polymerization technology.

Arkema will be also showcasing two innovations developed from its R&D and know-how in the nanostructuring of materials: the Altuglas ShieldUp PMMA sheet, particularly resistant to impact, and Apolhya Solar, a thermoplastic designed for the encapsulation of new generation photovoltaic modules.

Graphistrength carbon nanotubes facilitate processing during the manufacture of compounds and liquid dispersions, while imparting outstanding electrical conductivity and/or mechanical strength to the materials.
Nanostrength acrylic block copolymers help nanostructure polymers in order to enhance their performances. They are incorporated as an additive into certain thermoplastic or thermoset matrices to help modify their structuring on a nanometer scale and so produce unique properties.

The Altuglas ShieldUp sheet is a new nanostructured acrylic glass based on Blocbuilder technology, which is meshed and organized on a nanometer scale in order to maximize its properties. This results in more lightweight glazing (50% lighter than glass) combining sturdiness and transparency at any temperature.

Arkema's latest innovation dedicated to the photovoltaics market: Apolhya Solar, a nanostructured thermoplastic polymer designed for the encapsulation of new generation photovoltaic modules.

MRC

(polyestertime) -- The Coca-Cola Company has released its eighth system-wide sustainability report, outlining what it's doing to be a kinder, gentler beverage company.

The report, titled "Reasons to Believe," states that the company is continuing to find ways to make its packaging more sustainable, while working toward a goal of zero waste.

According to the report, 85 percent of its unit case volume is delivered in recyclable bottles and cans, with PET being used for 54 percent of the company's packaging, followed by aluminum at 12 percent. Currently, Coke recovers about 36 percent of the equivalent bottles and cans it sends to market, and hopes to raise that number to 50 percent by 2015.

However, the report acknowledges that "recycling is complicated by the fact that waste management is very much a local issue, with different circumstances in every locale," and states that collaboration with local governments, communities and NGOs (non-governmental organizations) will be critical to realizing the company's goals.
Coke is also helping support the market for recycled PET by entering into partnerships to use the material in consumer goods such as caps, t-shirts, bags and notebooks in hopes of educating consumers to think differently about their empty bottles. With increasing pressure on natural resources Coke is also looking into "alternatives to conventional PET bottles," according to the report, which highlights its PlantBottle, a fully recyclable PET bottle made partially from plant-derived PET.

However, Coke notes in the report that "we have found it is important to remind consumers that our PlantBottle packaging is still fully recyclable and not biodegradable, despite being made partly from plants."

MRC

(fibre2fashion) -- Global chemical fiber production reached 48.66 million tons in 2011, up 12.7 percent from 43.1 million tons posted in 2010.

Of which, production in China reached 32.2 million tons, an increase of 13.8 percent year on year. India produced 2.772 million tons, down 2.3 percent and output from Taiwan reached 2.1 million tons, down 6.9 percent.

West European production registered 2.332 million tons, a marginal increase of 0.7 percent and US production was 1.834 million tons, down 0.7 percent year on year.

Production of chemical fiber in South Korea stood at 1.4 million tons, down 1.2 percent year on year, Japanese output was 789,000 tons, a rise of 3.2 percent and ASEAN production achieved 2.7 million tons, down 2.3 percent.

MRC

(ivl) -- The Board of Directors of Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (⌠IVL) approved the acquisition of 100% partnership interest in Old World Industries I Ltd., and Old World Transportation Ltd., located in Clear Lake, Texas, USA.

Old World, is the largest single EO/EG production facility in the U.S. with Crude EO capacity
of 435,000 tons per annum. Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) is one of the key components,
together with Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA), in the manufacture of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and Polyester Fibers and Yarns, both downstream products of IVL.

IVL has signed a definitive Purchase Agreement on 6 February 2012 with the seller in USA
and the Company expects the closing of the transaction within first quarter of 2012 subject to
the applicable regulatory approvals.

MRC

(kpfilms) -- The Klockner Pentaplast Group announced that it broke
ground for construction of its first manufacturing facility in China.

Located 80 km west of Shanghai in the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, China, the new site will produce packaging films for the growing domestic Chinese market. The first phase of production capacity will focus on transverse-direction oriented shrink-label films, used primarily for full- or partial-body shrink-sleeve applications.

Klockner Pentaplast is the only producer of shrink-label films with global manufacturing in
the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
The new 12,000-square-meter manufacturing site will house state-of-the-art production
equipment, high-tech production control systems, and a research and development laboratory. The site will increase Klockner Pentaplast's global shrink-films capacity by 6,000 metric tons. The CNY 185.7 mln (USD29.5 mln ) investment is targeted for completion in first quarter 2013 and is expected to employ 100 people.

MRC