Albemarle acquires aluminum finishing chemical business

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Chemetall, a unit of specialty chemicals maker Albemarle Corp. in Baton Rouge, has acquired the aluminum finish business of Chemal GmbH & Co. KG, based in Hamm, Germany, as per Miami Herald.

The Advocate reports Chemal GmbH specializes in research and development of surface finishing chemicals for aluminum and its alloys.

Chemetall said the acquisition will bolster its portfolio in the aluminum finishing industry.

As MRC wrote previously, in November 2014, Albemarle Corp. and Rockwood Holdings announced that shareholders from both companies had approved the proposals relating to Albemarle's acquisition of Rockwood at their respective special meetings.

Earlier, in September 2014, Albemarle and ICL entered into an agreement to establish a manufacturing joint venture for the production of ICL's FR-122P polymeric flame retardant and Albemarle's GreenCrest polymeric flame retardant.

These flame retardants are designed to replace hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). HBCD has been the leading flame retardant used in expanded (EPS) and extruded (XPS) polystyrene foam applications, but is being phased out in the European Union (EU), Japan and other countries. The joint venture and its partners will own and operate a 2,400-tpy Netherlands plant, which is currently operating, and a 10,000-tpy Israel plant, which is scheduled to start operations in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Albemarle Corporation is a chemical company with corporate headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is a specialty chemical manufacturing enterprise. The company employs approximately 6,900 people and serves customers in approximately 100 countries.
MRC

Lubrizol introduces innovative polymers

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Lubrizol Engineered Polymers, an innovative specialty chemical company, is showcasing several of its new and/or expanded polymer solutions at NPE 2015 - The International Plastics Exposition - in Orlando, FL from March 23-27, reported the producer on its site.

A global leader in supplying polymer solutions, Lubrizol will be highlighting its innovative offering including:

- BounCell-X Microcellular TPU Foam: containing Lubrizol’s Estane TPU, BounCell-X is a new microcellular TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) foam that contains highly elastic microcellular parts that excel in energy absorption and cushioning applications. In addition to lightweight, superior long-term compression properties and a fast molding cycle, BounCell-X can provide a high-quality, thin skin layer that adds aesthetic values, as well as the typical advantages of TPU such as outstanding abrasion and cut resistance;

- Bio TPU by Lubrizol: Bio TPU by Lubrizol is a revolutionary line of bio-based TPU that’s made with renewable-sourced material. Bio TPU by Lubrizol provides the same performance and benefits as traditional petroleum-based TPU and can range in hardness from 82 Shore A to 55 Shore D. Both extrusion and injection molding grades are available;

- High-Heat TPU: a new, high-heat TPU, Estane TS92AP7 is not only formulated for superior abrasion and chemical resistance, but also features excellent high heat resistance and low temperature flexibility. With its 125 C rating and UL yellow card certification, Estane TS92AP7 is the next generation of high-heat-resistant TPUs for cable jacketing and injection molded components.

"At our core, the Engineered Polymers business is focused on collaboration with our customers and developing new and innovative solutions to meet their toughest application challenges. Our advanced technologies deliver on these goals," says Arnau Pano, vice president and general manager, Lubrizol Engineered Polymers. "Our wide-ranging portfolio of solutions is unlike anything else available in the market and highlights our continuous investment in new technologies and dedication to future growth."

As MRC informed previously, since 2013 Lubrizol has been implementing four-year, USD400 million global expansion of its chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) resin and compounding manufacturing sites.

The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is an innovative specialty chemical company that apart from its production develops and supplies technologies to customers in the global transportation, industrial and consumer markets. Lubrizol's advanced polymer technology delivers exceptional performance for the plumbing, fire sprinkler, industrial and other building and construction related applications. Lubrizol is providing innovative solutions for its customers' high-performance application needs and remains committed to ongoing investment in its CPVC capabilities that support future growth.

With headquarters in Wickliffe, Ohio, Lubrizol owns and operates manufacturing facilities in 17 countries, as well as sales and technical offices around the world. Founded in 1928, Lubrizol has approximately 8,000 employees worldwide. Revenues for 2014 were USD7 billion.
MRC

DSM and NHU form joint venture for production of high performance engineering plastics

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Material Sciences company, and NHU have announced the formation of a new joint venture company for the market development and manufacturing of high performance plastics compounds based on polyphenylene sulphide, PPS, as per DSM's press release.

The compounds will further enhance DSM’s offering in the high performance engineering plastics space, adding to its leadership positions with Stanyl polyamide 46 and Stanyl ForTii polyamide 4T. All sales at the joint venture, including those in China, will be handled by DSM’s Marketing and Sales organization with the brand name of Xytron PPS.

The joint venture, DSM NHU Engineering Plastics (Zhejiang) Co Ltd, in which DSM will hold a 60% share and NHU 40%, will be located at Zhejiang, Peoples Republic of China. It will produce a range of high performance engineering plastic compounds based on PPS polymer produced by NHU. The partners do not disclose financial details of the agreement or information on the capacity of the new operation. Products will be targeted principally at Automotive, as well as in Electrical and Electronics, and Industrial markets.

Subject to anti-trust and other approvals from the relevant authorities the transaction is expected to close within a few months.

The partnership will benefit from a commitment by NHU to long-term supply of PPS polymer from its existing plant in Zhejiang. This plant uses proven technology to provide high quality base polymer for compounds. NHU will also contribute its existing compounding capacity to the JV. DSM for its part brings its long-standing expertise in application development and materials science, as well as access to its global customer network.

As MRC informed before, in November 2014, Royal DSM opened its new center for research into and development of high-performance materials on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Sittard-Geleen, the Netherlands. The completion of DSM’s largest materials center worldwide is part of the EUR100 million investment in knowledge and innovation in the Netherlands that DSM announced in May 2012. The center employs over 400 knowledge workers and combines important technological skills and expertise unique in the Netherlands for use in applications the world over.

Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. 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.
MRC

Solvay launches new wear-resistant Veradel PESU

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Solvay Specialty Polymers has introduced Veradel 3300 SL 30 polyethersulfone (PESU), reported the producer on its site.

The new Veradel grade is a tough, high-performance resin designed to meet growing global demand for advanced polymers that can improve automotive powertrain efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Formulated to replace metal in automotive applications prone to friction and wear - such as oil pumps and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems - the new resin offers wear resistance, and low coefficient of friction in both dry and lubricated environments.

"Veradel 3300 SL 30 PESU is an excellent example of how Solvay proactively targets the emerging needs of its customers," said Brian Baleno, global automotive business manager for Solvay Specialty Polymers. "Our Veradel polymers are already a mainstay in automotive lighting and electronics. However, this latest addition to our high-performance Veradel line introduces new solutions to improve wear resistance in automotive powertrains, and further support OEMs and tiers aiming to develop leading-edge designs that can help reduce global CO2 emissions."

An injection moldable resin, Veradel 3300 SL 30 PESU is formulated with a ternary anti-friction/anti-wear additive system comprised of carbon fiber, graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). As a result, it offers excellent wear resistance to broaden metal replacement options in oil pumps and EGR systems where thermoplastic parts come into contact with metals.

Veradel 3300 SL 30 PESU complements Solvay’s already extensive portfolio of wear-resistant thermoplastics, which includes Ryton polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), KetaSpire polyethetherketone (PEEK), AvaSpire polyaryletherketones (PAEK) and Torlon polyamide-imide (PAI). Other Solvay products used in oil pumps and EGR systems include Tecnoflon FKM fluoroelastomers for sealing systems, and Fomblin® perfluoropolyether (PFPE) fluorinated fluids for lubricants and greases.

As MRC wrote previously, in January 2015, Solvay completed the acquisition of the Ryton PPS (polyphenylene sulphide) business from US-based Chevron Phillips Chemical Company for USD220 million, enlarging its high-performance polymers offering and entering a solid growth market.

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. The group employs about 26,000 people in 52 countries and generated EUR10.2 billion in net sales in 2013.
MRC

Clariant launches breakthrough iron sulfide scale inhibitor

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Clariant, a world leader in Specialty Chemicals, has introduced SCALETREAT FeS iron sulfide scale inhibitor, which offers a paradigm shift for inhibiting iron sulfide scale, as per the company's press release.

Counter to the standard practice of allowing scale to form and relying on a chelating option or dissolver for removal, the new high-performance SCALETREAT FeS prevents scale formation in the first place, and the resultant damage, at considerably lower dosages than existing chemistries, such as THPS (tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphonium sulfate) and Acrolein.

"Iron sulfide scale formations cause well failures and, therefore, result in lost production and costly repairs," says Dr. Jonathan Wylde, global head of innovation for Clariant Oil Services. "Our innovative SCALETREAT FeS chemistry controls iron sulfide and other sulfide scales and allows oil producers to reduce their chemical spend, while, at the same time, dramatically increasing running days of their wells and production facilities."

A low-dose, continuous injection iron sulfide scale inhibitor, Clariant Oil Services' patented SCALETREAT FeS also targets and inhibits sulfide scales of zinc and lead. Field-proven, SCALETREAT FeS also slowly dissolves existing iron sulfide deposits at threshold concentrations levels as much as 50 percent lower than the market's benchmark THPS product. Furthermore, the scale inhibitor is effective over a broad range of temperature, pressure and salinity conditions.

As MRC wrote before, in April 2015, Clariant announced that it had acquired the black pigment preparations portfolio of Lanxess, located at Nagda, Madhya Pradesh. This product line of Lanxess manufactures black pigment preparations used for processing of viscose fibre, which goes in the manufacture of mainly viscose-based apparels, knitwear, towels, bed-linen, etc. With this acquisition, Clariant in India gains additional pigment preparation capacity to cater to a larger, wider customer base.

Clariant AG is a Swiss chemical company and a world leader in the production of specialty chemicals for the textile, printing, mining and metallurgical industries. It is engaged in processing crude oil products in pigments, plastics and paints.