DSM presents halogen-free engineering plastics for electronic and electrical applications

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Royal DSM announces a broad portfolio of halogen free materials for electronics and electrical applications, said the producer in its press-release.

By eliminating substances of potential hazardous concern, DSM makes a significant contribution to solutions that reduce the environmental impact of e-waste and address the customer drive for more sustainable solutions.

The electronics and electrical industry is facing growing regulatory demands and OEM requests related to the elimination of substances of hazardous concern, requiring, for example, halogen-free technology and solutions for lead-free soldering.

Moreover, producers of key electronic components, such as connectors, sockets, wire & cables, low voltage switch gear devices and, more specifically, enclosures of MCB, MCCB and other Industrial Control Gear devices and LED lighting, are looking to advance miniaturization, system cost reduction and integration of components. This requires materials with higher mechanical, thermal and processing performance over conventional halogen-free high temperature polyamide materials, such as higher temperature performance and flow, thin wall strength, high reflectivity and Glow Wire Ignition Temperature (GWIT) at end use part level.

DSM has recently introduced its new thermally conductive thermoplastic polyester for such components, as foglamp housings, lens holders and AFL (Adaptive Forward Lighting) frames.

We remind that, as MRC wrote previously, DSM is going to invest about EUR100 million in three new R&D facilities in Delft and Sittard-Geleen (both in the Netherlands) over the next two years.

DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials.

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Injured contract workers file suit against Williams Olefins

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Three contract workers injured in the June 13 explosion at the Williams Olefins plant in Geismar have filed suit against the company, said Theadvocate.

Rigoberto Rio, Manuel Escobedo Sr. and Manuel Escobedo Jr., employees of Chicago Bridge and Iron Co. who were working as independent contractors at Williams Olefins, filed suit against the company.

The three men were working as pipefitters and suffered severe injuries in the blast, according to the suit, which was filed in the 23rd Judicial District Court in Ascension Parish.

The lawsuit alleges Williams Olefins’ failure "to properly and completely clear and maintain the pipeline … resulted in a catastrophic explosion," killing two people and injuring more than 100 others. Lawsuits against the company have started to mount since the first suit was filed the day after the explosion by a contractor working at the nearby BASF facility.

Several class-action lawsuits featuring plaintiffs working in neighboring plants also have been filed, attorneys said, as well as a suit filed Friday afternoon on behalf of two truck drivers making deliveries to the plant at the time of the explosion.

As MRC reported previously, the explosion and fire at Williams Olefins plant injured 77 and killed two persons. Williams president and CEO Alan Armstrong and Geismar plant manager Larry Bayer held a press conference Friday near the site of the explosion and said that they are still unsure what caused the deadly explosion and massive fire at the natural gas liquids processing facility.

The Geismar, La. plant is a natural gas liquids cracker that processes olefins used in the petrochemical industry. Williams Partners produces approximately 1.3 billion pounds of ethylene and 90 million pounds of polymer grade prophylene from the plant.
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Sabic introduces new "smart polymer materials"

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Sabic, the Saudi Arabia-based raw materials group, launched its Innovation Challenge last week in order to find and develop new "smart polymer materials", said the producer in its press-release.

Speaking at the European Polymer Congress in Pisa, Frank Kuijpers, vice president of Sabic’s Technology & Innovation operation, said: "When we speak about "smart polymer materials", Sabic is referring to high-performance polymers that change depending on the environment they are in."

Kuijpers said the polymer’s responsiveness will lead to a different functionality compared with the original polymer material.

"These polymers can be found in both highly specialised applications and the products we use in our daily lives. This challenge creates interesting opportunities to further develop these smart polymers."

Apart from Sabic employees anyone can take part in the challenge, said Kuijpers, "from students to researchers or from up-and-coming entrepreneurs to small businesses".

Sabic is ranked among the world's largest petrochemicals manufacturers. It is the largest public company in Saudi Arabia. The comany manufactures chemicals and intermediates, industrial polymers, fertilizers and metals. It is currently the second largest global ethylene glycol producer. Among its products are propylene, paraxylene, styrene, vinyl chloride monomer. Sabic's venture capital arm is looking for opportunities in the U.S., Europe and China to buy stakes in start-up companies that can turn shale gas into petrochemicals, as MRC reported earlier. Formed last November, the Netherlands-based business is negotiating 30 to 40 deals and is looking especially at technologies that use different feedstocks.
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Total developed a new bimodal HDPE

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Total specifically developed XSene 55060, a bimodal high density polyethylene, as a direct response to the demands of the Industrial Packaging market, said the producer in its press-release.

Based on Total’s proprietary XSene technology, the next generation 55060 was specifically designed to offer increased rigidity and therefore to reduce weight, without compromising the performance of the end product.

AST Kunststoffverarbeitung GmbH, a producer of plastic containers and drums for the chemical, oil and food industry, approached Total to increase its product range to meet the demands of the chemical industry. Total proposed XSene 55060.

"Our range of products currently includes PE drums from 5 to 60 litres and open top drums of 120, 150 and 220 litres" commented Dirk Strohmann, AST. "Our success depends on our ability to offer a range of products with high and consistent quality and competent service. By using XSene 55060, we were able to provide our customers with better performing products. At the same time it expanded the type of materials they could transport."

XSene 55060 is an advance in downgauging for the industrial packaging market and meets the industry need for easier processing, higher performances, and lighter weight solutions. It also offers the advantage of increased sustainability thanks to the reduction in raw materials use and lower extrusion temperatures.

Total’s advanced dual loop technology enables versatility in product design, bringing a combination of improved product qualities. These include excellent and consistent processing on standard extrusion lines, cycle time reduction and potentially lower extrusion temperatures. The outstanding Stress Crack resistance offers excellent resistance to aggressive chemicals and allows downgauging up to 10% versus comparative materials.

"We see ourselves as pioneers in the way we work closely with our customers to add value and help them to improve their production process. Our relationship with AST is built on this type of forward thinking," says Veerle Naets, Business Manager Technical Parts & Consumer Goods, Total. "And now we are looking beyond this latest project to explore the next generation of PE, targeting the replacement of metal packaging, which today, is still required for some aggressive chemicals. The ability to transport even more aggressive chemicals in plastic packaging provides our customers with more opportunities for profitable growth."

As MRC wrote before, Total has increased its stake in Novatek to 16%. Total took a 12% stake in Novatek in 2011, saying it would increase its share up to 19.4% in three years. Novatek's main shareholders are its Chief Executive, Leonid Mikhelson, and oil trader Gennady Timchenko. Total also holds a 20% stake in Novatek's Arctic LNG project, Yamal LNG. Novatek signed a deal to sell a 20% share in that project to CNPC.

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AkzoNobel plans to divest German paint stores

MOSCOW (MRC) - Dutch paints and chemicals group AkzoNobel NV said on Wednesday it plans to sell its 72 decorative paints stores for professionals in Germany to independent wholesale distributors to improve efficiency, said Reuters.

"The new set-up will allow AkzoNobel to select the most efficient distribution channels for its professional paint products, rather than operating its own stores," the company said in a statement, adding that it wants to enter into strategic partnership agreements with the future shop owners. No financial details were given.

The company currently operates 72 German stores selling professional paint and third party products, with the Decorative Paints organization employing around 950 people in Germany. In total, AkzoNobel's Decorative Paints, Performance Coatings and Specialty Chemicals businesses have 3,900 employees in Germany, along with 17 manufacturing plants and eight offices, generating revenue of close to EUR1.3 billion in the country in 2012.

The company stated that the new set-up will allow it to select the most efficient distribution channels for its professional paint products, rather than operating its own stores. The company intends to enter into strategic partnership agreements with the future shop owners, as well as strengthening its relationship with its existing network of independent distributors.

As MRC wrote before, AkzoNobel and Solvay have signed a three-year agreement whereby AkzoNobel will increase the use of renewable raw materials in its paints and coatings, building on an existing partnership between the two companies. Under the terms of the deal, AkzoNobel will progressively increase the use of Solvay’s bio-based epichlorohydrin, or Epicerol, which is already contained in many of the company’s resins for its coatings products. The agreement underlines the commitment of both parties to play a key role in sustainable development and expand the use of renewable raw materials.

Akzo Nobel N.V., trading as AkzoNobel, is a Dutch multinational, active in the fields of decorative paints, performance coatings and specialty chemicals. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the company has activities in more than 80 countries, and employs approximately 55,000 people.
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