Borealis and Borouge introduced a new grade of PP for Renault

(plastech) -- Borealis and Borouge, leading providers of innovative, value-creating plastics solutions, have introduced a new grade of polypropylene (PP) specified for use in lightweight bumper applications for two new Renault automotive platforms.

High flow Borcom WH107AE was specified for the recently introduced Dacia Lodgy, a minivan produced at Renault’s new plant in Morocco and for the Renault Twizy, Renault’s first electrical car produced at its plant in Spain. Borcom WH107AE is already in use for new generation bumper applications in other Renault platforms including but not limited to the new Dacia Duster and Sandero in South America and Russia.

Borcom WH107AE is a global automotive grade available from Borealis and Borouge. This new generation high flow PP was specially developed to meet new specifications for bumpers. The material’s main characteristics are high flow and low density for lightweight applications with excellent surface quality.

The material helps to achieve substantial weight savings by making it possible to design lighter and thinner parts while maintaining the mechanical performance required for these specific applications. By facilitating reductions in part thickness and density, Borcom WH107AE can make a significant contribution to overall weight reduction for car manufacturers.
MRC

(chemmonitor) -- The demand for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is currently described as stable in the southeast part of Asia.

Until recently, a sufficient purchasing interest has been the key factor defining the price level in Southeast Asia.

Nevertheless, values trends in the market for PVC is set to change in the following month. Prices for the material are expected to trend lower.


MRC

(downstreamtoday) -- Iran is due to inaugurate a new petrochemical company named Arvand with the capacity of producing 340,000 tons of PVC annually.

Iran is slated to officially inaugurate three important petrochemical industry projects in the country's Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Economic Zone.

The projects include the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production line at Arvand Petrochemical Complex, the oxygen and nitrogen production line at Maroon Petrochemical Plant and the second liquids loading pier at Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Economic Zone.

All three enterprises are due to be inaugurated in the presence of senior Iranian officials on Monday, May 21, to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Khorramshahr from Iraqi occupation during the eight-year imposed war (1980-1988).

Arvand, the fourth petrochemical complex to produce PVC in Iran, will increase the country's annual production capacity by 340 thousand tons.

The output will fully satisfy Iran's domestic demands and even turn the country into a PVC exporter. It is estimated that the Islamic Republic will hold 25 to 30 percent of the global market following the export of the product.

MRC

(plasticstoday) -- Arkema feels confident it can continue to meet demands to medical customers "for life-saving applications" of Pebax elastomer although customers in other markets, such as sporting goods and automotive, will need to use "extremely close" alternatives.

A force majeure on Pebax was declared last month due to the explosion March 31 at an Evonik plant that produced cyclododecatriene (CDT), a raw material used to produce lactam 12. The plant was the largest producer of CDT in the world and is expected to be closed until the end of the year. Lactam 12 is the primary monomer used to make nylon 12 and Pebax elastomers.

Pebax, which is a thermoplastic elastomer made up of block copolymers consisting of a sequence of polyamide and polyether segments, is sole-sourced in the manufacturing of balloon catheters used to open blood vessels close to the heart. Many patients require angioplasty to widen a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel within hours or days of first feeling pain or other symptoms of constricted blood flow to the heart. The alternative would be open heart surgery in many cases.

MRC

(nordson) -- Nordson Corporation announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin-based EDI Holdings, Inc. (Extrusion Die Industries), a leading provider of slot coating and flat polymer extrusion dies for plastic processors and web converters.

The USD200 million purchase price, subject to adjustment as provided in the purchase agreement, will be financed with availability under an existing USD500 million revolving credit facility. The transaction is expected to close during Nordson’s third quarter pending customary closing conditions and regulatory reviews.

EDI employs approximately 317 people, has additional operations in Cologne, Germany and Shanghai, China, and will operate as part of Nordson’s Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment. EDI’s operations include its March 2012 acquisition of Premier Dies Corporation, a complementary provider of slot coating and flat polymer extrusion dies that expands EDI’s product and technology offering. Nordson expects the acquisition of EDI to be accretive to the company's earnings in the first full year of operation.

MRC