Perstorp and MGC form partnership to distribute copolyesters in Europe

(specialchem4adhesives) -- Perstorp and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical has announced the signing of a distribution agreement for the new copolyesters and key raw material. Through this agreement, Perstorp is the exclusive distributor of the innovative copolyester under its own brand Akestra in Europe.

This strategic partnership will enable developing the market for these new high heat resistant and durable copolyesters in Europe, addressing the demand for safer and superior thermoplastics.

"We are very pleased to collaborate with MGC for developing the market of this next generation of amorphous highly transparent co-polyesters," says David James, Market Development Manager. "There is strong need in substituting other thermoplastics like polycarbonate due to safety and environmental concern and Akestra can be seen as a viable alternative. Its unique set of properties also make it attractive for developing new applications and substituting other materials like glass and polymers with improved performance, durability, lighter weight, and with low energy consumption for processing. On longer term, thanks to our key integrated technologies in Europe, the ambition is to establish jointly the most competitive production platform in Europe for the raw material used in these copolyesters"

MRC

Dow presents new adhesives for the packaging industry

(specialchem4adhesives) -- Dow Europe announced the introduction of three new adhesives for the packaging industry. Dow thus expands its broad offering of performance adhesives for packaging applicationsю These new solutions are specifically designed to bring high performance features to enable faster lamination processing.

The new bio-based compostable adhesive offers a performance that is both efficient and sustainable, broadening customers' choice of innovative options for a range of flexible packaging applications, including dry foods and snacks.

This new bio-based compostable adhesive also demonstrates an improved biodegradability compared with cellulose, meeting the criteria set out in The European Standard EN13432 for packaging recoverable throughout composting and biodegradation.
MRC

Celanese to hike emulsion price in the Americas

(specialchem4adhesives) -- Celanese Corporation, a global technology and specialty materials company and a global leader in emulsion polymers, announced that it will increase the price of all emulsions (vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE), vinyl acrylic, pure acrylic, PVAc homopolymers and other copolymers) sold in the Americas by USD0.03 / wet pound, effective May 14, 2012, or as contracts allow.

This price increase affects all applications including, but not limited to, adhesives, paint and coatings, building and construction, nonwovens, glass fiber, carpet, paper and textiles.



MRC

Sabic to upgrade Geleen's cracker

(plasteurope) -- Underlining its commitment to its production site in Geleen / The Netherlands, Sabic (Riyadh / Saudi Arabia) in late April announced that it will invest EUR 135m in the site over the next 18 months.

The money is to go towards raising safety and energy-efficiency at the site's No.4 cracker as well as the launch of more than 20 additional improvement projects. The optimisation officially began on 11 April and is scheduled to be completed by September 2013 following what the group called a "substantial maintenance shutdown" in the wake of which the cracker will be considered one of Europe's most prominent, Sabic said.

As part of the upgrade, the Geleen cracker will not only see its energy consumption reduced by 8%, its output also is to rise by 2%. Sabic's cracker No. 4 currently produces 660,000 t/y of ethylene as well as 350,000 t/y of propylene. Jacques Slabbers, director of Area Manufacturing Services Europe, said the upgrade would not affect deliveries to Sabic customers.
MRC

Amcor and Sacmi to produce HDPE bottles

(pmpnews) -- Amcor Rigid Plastics, a producer of rigid plastic packaging, and Italy's Sacmi Imola , a manufacturer of compression molding equipment for closures, have commercialized the industry's first compression blow forming (CBF) machine for the production of rigid HDPE pharmaceutical bottles.

"By adding CBF into our technology platform suite, we continue to offer our customers enhanced technology capabilities which deliver on the high level of quality our customers demand, quicker production that supports the growth needs of our customers, and renewed support for our sustainability efforts," says Latricia Fry, market development manager, for Amcor Rigid Plastics.

Amcor collaborated with Sacmi, the original developer of the process, in a 14-month development project to adapt the technology for pharmaceutical packaging. The two companies primarily focused on optimization and implementation of process control enhancements to ensure the new technology platform met the demanding requirements of pharmaceutical manufacturers.

MRC