Nampak researches recycable HDPE for milk bottles

(PackagingNews) -- Plastic packaging specialist Nampak is looking to trial milk bottles with 30% recycled content after a university study found that 50% recycled content was a feasible target for HDPE milk bottles.

Using post consumer food grade rHDPE pellets, the experimental work assessed the properties of blends of virgin HDPE with between 10% and 50% rHDPE, and also quantified the effects on material properties of five thermal cycles through an extruder.


The researchers concluded that the recyclate grades studied had very similar properties - including flow behaviour, quality and molecular and chemical structure - to the virgin materials.

MRC

Timothy McCann Named President DuPont Building Innovations

(DuPont) -- Tim McCann, vice president - Performance Coatings, Americas, was appointed president, DuPont Building Innovations effective Oct. 1. Tim will report to Mark Vergnano, executive vice president.



Tim joined DuPont in 1980 as a technical representative for DuPont Permasep and has worked in a number of businesses since then, including DuPont Engineering Polymers and DuPont Fluoropolymers. In 2005, he was named vice president and general manager of DuPont Electronic Technologies. He was appointed to his current position in Oct. 2009.



"Tim will be responsible for implementing and executing the updated strategy for the Building Innovations business and leading the global team, Mark said. "Tim brings demonstrated business experience, strong people and organization skills, and a great mix of strategic and execution disciplines to the role.

MRC

Ticona introduces new line of polymers for thermal forming

(prw) -- Ticona Engineering Polymers has added a new member to its series of flame-resistant liquid crystal polymers (LCP). Vectra Trex is designed for thermal forming processes and is claimed to be the first LCP tailored for these applications, while offering the same properties as other Vectra materials: high dimensional stability, ⌠excellent high-temperature performance and chemical resistance.


"With high melt viscosity and melt strength, this new LCP is ideally suited for extrusion and thermoforming processes," said Edward Hallahan, marketing manager, high-performance polymers. "Initially, Ticona is offering a 40% mineral filled grade, Vectra Trex 541, which provides impact and notched impact strengths significantly higher than those of other mineral-filled grades."

MRC

LyondellBasell's business better than expected

(plastemart) -- Due to better than expected business, LyondellBasell Industries NV has about US$4.4 bln of liquidity available, more than the US$3 bln deemed appropriate in its plan for exiting bankruptcy. The company that emerged from bankruptcy in April, has about US$1.4 bln more cash and equivalents than planned, with no plans to decide how to spend it. The company has generated excess cash partly because the reduction of debt during the restructuring process has cut annual interest payments by US$1.7 bln and the elimination of 3,000 employees and plant closings has decreased fixed costs by US$1 bln. The new board has met once and will decide in the coming months on changes to the capital structure, how much cash to hold and what to do with the rest, Chief Executive Officer Jim Gallogly said.

A representative of LyondellBasell top management is going to participate in Russian Polymers Summit on October 14, 2010 organized by ICIS and MRC. For more information please refer to http://www.icisconference.com/russianpolymers/ Summit official web page.

MRC

BCPL application for project import certificate cleared

(plastemart) -- The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) has cleared an application of Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) for issue of project import certificate. BCPL had applied to DCPC for issue of project import certificate under Custom heading 98.01 for availing duty concession for the import of capital goods. BCPL had submitted a list of capital goods, based on the purchase orders placed by it on various foreign manufacturers and suppliers. After examining BCPL's request, DCPC has recommended issue of Project Import Certificate under Custom heading 98.01 of the Custom Tariff Act for import of capital goods of Freight on Board (FOB) value USD 8,80,000.


BCPL holds the IEM No. 3319/SIA/IMO/2008' for manufacture of 2,20,000 MTPA ethylene, 60,000 MTPA propylene, 2,20,000 MTPA HDPE, LLDPE, 60,000 MTPA polypropylene at its Lepetkata plant in Dibrugarh district. The project has been accorded excise duty exemption and exemption on IT services for 10 years. The project has also been sanctioned capital subsidy of Rs 2138 crore and feedstock subsidy of Rs 908.91 crore.

MRC