Dow introduces novel 100% acrylic redispersible powder

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Dow Construction Chemicals (DCC), a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, has announced the launch of a new high performance 100% acrylic redispersible powder, DLP-500, reported Dow in its press release.

With this launch, Dow enters a new market with a dry acrylic powder that performs as well as the company’s highly regarded acrylic emulsion products.

"This product represents our ongoing commitment to, and a truly unique innovation in, the redispersible powder market," said Bill Wagner, commercial director for DCC in North America. "DLP-500 provides all the performance benefits of a traditional wet acrylic, along with the sustainability benefits and savings from lower shipping and packaging costs."

Designed specifically for Exterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS) and stucco finishes, DLP-500 enables a dry mix with exceptional early rain resistance and dirt pick-up resistance while maintaining the workability and feel of traditional wet-formulated products. DLP-500 is the first product to be commercialized from what is expected to be a robust platform of high-performance, 100% acrylic redispersible powders for applications ranging from EIFS and roof coatings to repair mortars, grouts and tile adhesive.

Leveraging Dow’s decades-long experience in acrylic polymer technology, DLP-500 also enables formulators to serve a construction industry increasingly focused on sustainable building practices. By allowing for packaging in bags instead of pails or buckets, DLP-500 realizes package cost savings in excess of 60%. Additionally, without the presence of water, which can represent 50% of a traditional acrylic emulsion, DLP-500 customers can potentially cut their shipping costs and fuel use in half.

Produced in the United States, DLP-500 is being debuted in North America, with global launches expected in other regions throughout 2015.

As MRC wrote previously, in early 2014, Dow Chemical announced that the SCG-Dow Group, a joint venture between Dow and Siam Cement Group, had finalized the start-up of its new propylene oxide (PO) facility in Thailand by successfully completing its full capacity performance test.

The Dow Chemical Company is an American multinational chemical corporation. As of 2007, it is the second-largest chemical manufacturer in the world by revenue (after BASF) and as of February 2009, the third-largest chemical company in the world by market capitalization (after BASF and DuPont). Dow is a large producer of plastics, including polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, and synthetic rubber.
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PolyOne launched new technology for fiber and textile applications

MOSCOW (MRC) -- PolyOne Corporation, a premier global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, has announced the launch of OnCap UV technology for fiber and textile applications, as per the company's press release.

Manufacturers of geotextiles and house wraps require fabrics and fibers to stand up to the sun without falling apart. Those who make UV resistant apparel, outdoor tents and shades also need the colors in their fabrics and fibers to stay fresh over time to promote brand identification and preserve brand image.

"Consumers in Asia and across the globe have higher standards for product quality and service life than ever before. We can now provide manufacturers with a single formulation that provides excellent color fastness and prolongs usable life while preserving mechanical properties," said Say Eng Lee, general manager, Color Asia.

Combining colorants with performance-boosting additives, these formulations help to protect non-woven polymer fabrics, fibers and filaments from UV light-induced degradation without any tradeoffs in performance.

OnCap UV colorant and additive solutions are compatible with PA, PET, PP and a range of other materials. They feature excellent color fastness at low loading levels, and can include flame retardants to meet stringent safety standards. Formulations can pass weathering standard ASTM G154 and AATCC 186, and fire resistance standard FMVSS302.

As MRC informed earlier, in June 2014, PolyOne Corporation presented its specialty portfolio for automotive interiors to designers and engineers at the 2014 WardsAuto Interiors conference. These advanced technologies, including soft-touch materials as well as colorants and special effects, enable customers to design new features that boost consumer appeal and reduce manufacturing complexity.

PolyOne Corporation, with 2013 revenues of USD3.8 billion, is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions with operations in specialty polymer formulations, color and additive systems, polymer distribution and specialty vinyl resins.
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Williams Olefins extends ethylene force majeure at Louisiana plant

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Williams Olefins has extended its October ethylene force majeure allocation at its Geismar, Louisiana plant, keeping its sales allocation for November at 0%, as per Plastemart.

"As of today, we continue to estimate the earliest date of ethylene production will be before the end of November," the letter stated. "For ethylene planning purposes, we will stay with our original allocation of 0 (zero) volume in November released in the October 15th Force Majeure letter," the letter added.

A trading source said that expectations for ethylene supply out of the plant is "at best after mid-December. When Geismar returns, the company is expected to boost its ethylene production capacity by 600 mln lb/year to a total capacity of 1.95 bln lb/year (885,000 mt/year).

As MRC wrote before, Williams Partners L.P. has announced it expects its expanded Geismar Olefins plant to begin manufacturing ethylene for sale in November. That timeline is consistent with the financial guidance the partnership provided in July.

Williams, headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., is one of the leading energy infrastructure companies in North America. It owns controlling interests in both Williams Partners L.P. and Access Midstream Partners, L.P. through its ownership of 100% of the general partner of each partnership. Additionally, Williams owns approximately 66% and 50% of the limited partner units of Williams Partners L.P. and Access Midstream Partners, L.P., respectively. On June 15, 2014 Williams proposed the merger of Williams Partners and Access Midstream Partners. The proposed merger has been approved by boards of each partnership and is expected to close in early 2015.
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Dow introduces revolutionary flashing and sealant for commercial building industry

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Dow Building Solutions, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, has introduced LIQUIDARMOR - CM Flashing and Sealant, an innovative, patented liquid flashing solution designed to provide commercial buildings advanced moisture and air sealing protection, reported Dow on its site.

An innovative alternative to flashing tape, the elastomeric spray forms a tight, seamless barrier along the rough openings of windows and doors while helping to significantly reduce labor time. The new product offers an excellent alternative sealant solution to conventional flashing and sealing products for installation of THERMAX or the Ultra Air Barrier Wall Systems.

LIQUIDARMOR - CM Flashing and Sealant covers and seals hard-to-reach gaps up to a quarter inch wide and offers a reliable replacement to peel-and-stick flashing tapes commonly used on board joints of commercial buildings. The versatile, water-based coating works on a wide range of surfaces, including foam boards, steel studs, concrete masonry units, tapes, wood buck, and wraps. With sprayable, aqueous technology, it facilitates a consistent application using commonly available airless paint sprayers, such as those sold through Titan and Graco, without measuring, cutting or special accessories. Additionally, the non-hazardous, liquid flashing solution can be safely sprayed without a respirator or extra ventilation required.

"Dow Building Solutions has been and always will be committed to providing the industry with the most innovative products," said Tim Lacey, commercial director for Dow Building Solutions. "Today, we are continuing to innovate for all construction professionals with the launch of our LIQUIDARMOR - CM Flashing and Sealant, which is as much as three times faster than traditional flashing tapes, and helps cut down on overall installed labor time and costly call backs by getting the job right the first time. We believe this product will help make commercial jobs easier while providing unmatched results, enhancing the reliability of our high performance wall systems even more."

Dow’s liquid flashing solution seals around screws, veneer anchors and penetrating fasteners, resulting in a durable and resilient barrier suited to withstand job site variations and long-term building performance. Once the LIQUIDARMOR - CM sealant sets to the final elastomeric solid, the treated area is protected and helps provide superior air leakage and moisture control as part of a joint treatment with Dow’s commercial wall assemblies.

As MRC wrote before, Hanwha Chemical, one of South Korea's leading polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride producers, has picked Credit Suisse to advise on possible purchases from Dow Chemical's chloro-alkali business but its interest is still in the early stages.

The Dow Chemical Company is an American multinational chemical corporation. As of 2007, it is the second-largest chemical manufacturer in the world by revenue (after BASF) and as of February 2009, the third-largest chemical company in the world by market capitalization (after BASF and DuPont). Dow is a large producer of plastics, including polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, and synthetic rubber.
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Solvay earned Responsible Care certificationfrom the Indian Chemical Council

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Solvay Specialty Polymers, a leading global supplier of ultra-high performance thermoplastics, has announced that its Panoli, India manufacturing facility recently earned Responsible Care certificationfrom the Indian Chemical Council, as per the company's press releaese.

Responsible Care is a voluntary initiative of the global chemical industry to improve health and environmental performance, enhance security, and communicate with stakeholders about products and processes.

"Our company is committed to sustainable development which improves employee safety, the health of the communities in which they operate, and the environment as a whole, moving us toward a safer, more sustainable future," said S. Sankaranarayanan, Panoli plant manager for Solvay Specialty Polymers. "Responsible Care certification further reinforces our dedication to developing and supplying products and services that, throughout their life cycle, involve minimum risk to human beings and the environment, while best meeting the needs of our customers."

Solvay became a signatory to the Responsible Care guiding principles in India in 2013 and later successfully passed an audit inspection by the Indian Chemical Council. The Responsible Care guiding principles are at the heart of the voluntary commitment. Through these principles, member companies pledge to improve environmental, health, safety, and security performance for facilities, processes, and products throughout the entire operating system. Companies also are committed to open and transparent reporting and submit annual data on their progress toward meeting performance measured goals.

Responsible Care goes above and beyond what is legally required in most countries and is typically a condition of membership in industry associations.

At the Panoli site, Solvay manufactures Veradel polyethersulfone (PESU), KetaSpire® polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and related monomers for PESU.

Responsible Care was launched in Canada in 1985 and has expanded into a global movement now practiced in more than 60 countries around the world, and overseen by the International Council of Chemical Associations. Specific Responsible Care practices may vary from country to country as they are determined by each country’s laws, culture, and national industry association requirements.

As MRC wrote before, Solvay unveiled its breakthrough innovation for surface cleaning formulations. While Mirapol Surf S polymers are a well-established range of polymers for hydrophilization of surfaces such as ceramic, glass, stainless steel, Solvay launches a unique technology enabling formulators to deliver the key benefits consumers now expect for even modern plastic surfaces.

Solvay S.A. is a Belgian chemical company founded in 1863, with its head office in Neder-Over-Heembeek, Brussels, Belgium. The company has diversified into two major sectors of activity: chemicals and plastics. Solvay supplies over 1500 products across 35 brands of high-performance polymers – fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, fluorinated fluids, semi-aromatic polyamides, sulfone polymers, aromatic ultra polymers, high-barrier polymers and cross-linked high-performance compounds.
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