Sabic and CK Technologies to produce a new injection moulded thermoplastic roof fairing

(sabic-ip) -- SABIC's Innovative Plastics (Pittsfield, MA) business has announced that its collaboration with CK Technologies (Montpelier, OH), a provider of engineered plastic systems, and Volvo Trucks North America has produced the trucking industry's first injection-molded roof fairing, soon to be featured on all 2013 Volvo heavy-duty trucks.

This large component, molded with SABIC's tough Cycoloy polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) resin and CK Technologies' proprietary in-mold coating (IMC) technology, delivers high strength, excellent heat stability and impact performance with a Class A surface. The roof fairing demonstrates the feasibility of replacing traditional thermosets with thermoplastics to reduce weight and energy requirements for manufacturing and enable recycling.

Further, the IMC process yields a fully primed part, eliminating the secondary coating steps that generate volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This major breakthrough provides a more environmentally responsible alternative to thermosets without sacrificing the outstanding performance and aesthetics that truck OEMs and end customers expect.
MRC

Wine bottles are served in plastic

(polyestertime) -- While wine glass bottles are still the majority, the opportunity for alternative packaging is increasing, said David Schuemann, owner and creative director of CF Napa Brand Design, a firm specializing in branding, which includes packaging and structural designs, for the wine, spirits, and beer industries.

A few years ago, PET packaging suppliers jumped at the opportunity to produce plastic bottles for the wine industry. Many wine producers from New Zealand, the U.S., and France switched from glass bottles to plastic bottles.

Weight savings, prevention of breakage, and recyclability are part of the popularity of PET bottles.
When PET wine bottles first hit the market, it was "the talk of the town" and the industry viewed it as a green
alternative to heavy bottles, Schuemann said.

However, PET wine bottles still face a unique set of challenges, he said. "The PET bottles look quite small, and the consumer may not understand that it is the standard size of wine," he said. "Also, the PET bottles preserve the look of the original glass containers, and it can be difficult to communicate to the consumer that it is actually an alternative, environmentally-friendly package."
MRC

Fine Organics inaugurates a 10,000 MTPA DMG facility near Mumbai

(fineorganics) -- On March 18, 2012, Fine Organics inaugurated its newest facility dedicated to the production of distilled mono-glycerides (GMS) near Mumbai.

The 10,000 MTPA facility is designed in keeping with Fine's high standards in plant safety, productivity and controls. The world-class facility, built with in-house knowledge and technology expertise, is a result of the collaborative efforts of Fine's R&D team and the Projects team.

Fine Organics finds itself in the middle of a high growth market in India and abroad. It is witnessing a surging global demand for specialty additives derived from plant sources. The new facility will enable Fine to stay ahead of this demand and to increase its reach and presence locally as well as globally.

Fine Organics is determined to maintain its reputation as a leading global supplier of specialty additives by building such facilities. These facilities feature a safe work environment, a high level of productivity and consistent quality achieved through complete process automation and a streamlined organizational structure. The new facility is one of the many expansions planned by Fine Organics until 2013.
MRC

SOCAR to build 550,000 tpa polypropylene plant in Azerbaijan

(fibre2fashion) -- The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) will be building a petrochemical complex having a capacity to produce 550,000 tons of polypropylene, which is widely used in the textile industry, Vice President of SOCAR has announced.

SOCAR will be constructing the oil and gas processing plant and petrochemical complex at an estimated total cost of EUR13 billion, near the capital Baku. 30% of the capital would be invested by the Azerbaijan Government and SOCAR, and the remaining amount would be private investment.

The petrochemical complex is likely to be commissioned by 2020. Besides its own thermal power plant, it will have 30 processing plants to process 10 million tons of oil and 10 billion cu m of gas.
MRC

Belgian plastics and rubber industry confronted by sharp resin increases

(Federplast) -- After a strong year 2011, the Belgian plastics and rubber industry is confronted by sharp resin price increases. Maintaining margins is priority number 1 for the near future.

More expensive energy and resources will stimulate in the long term the demand for plastics. At its general meeting, Federplast.be, the Belgian Association of Manufacturers of Plastic and Rubber Products, released the results of a survey of its members.

The production volume of the plastics and rubber industry in 2011 experienced a growth of 3.7%. For 2012, 40% of general managers foresee future growth while nearly 1/3rd expect stabilization. Employment increased by 1.6 %. In the first 2 months the prices of commodity plastics such as polyolefins and polystyrene increased by 11 to 16 %. As the raw materials are by far the biggest cost factor for plastics and rubber converters, these increases will in general lead to higher prices for all kind of plastic and rubber products .

The plastics and rubber converters recorded, after a growth of 5.7 % in volume in 2010, a further growth of 3.7 % in 2011 and even of 13 % in turnover. Although employment has grown by 1.6 %, 86 % of the businesses managers expect stable or decreasing employment for 2012.

The Belgian plastics and rubber processors fear a significant erosion of margins due to the sharp increase in polymer prices. Since the beginning of the year, the prices of commodity plastics have risen steadily, from 11 to 16 % in only 2 months' time. The explanation lies in the price evolution of oil and naphtha (+27% since October 2011) and the strengthening of the dollar compared to the euro.

MRC