Evonik and NTEC developed new monofilament using VESTAMID

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Evonik and NTEC, an experienced manufacturer of filaments based in China, have jointly developed a new monofilament using Evonik’s high performance plastic VESTAMID for instrument strings, said Evonik in its press release.

Since the late 1930s, growing numbers of instruments have used strings made of robust nylon fibers. There are obvious benefits to these - they are environmentally stable, durable, and easy to use.

The monofilament made from VESTAMID D18 that Evonik and NTEC have developed, a polyamide 612 (PA 612), meets all these requirements and also excels thanks to its outstanding transparency and smooth surface. This last property gives musicians better dexterity when playing, while the high level of transparency enhances the clarity and tone of the strings.

On the process side, the new filament scores points with its excellent processing stability, which guarantees the same length of string diameter, resilience and scalability.

Derek Shi, a manager from Evonik’s High Performance Polymers Business Line, says: "We are committed to bringing the innovative solutions to the users by means of our wide range of specialty polymers. The concept of PA 612-based nylon strings is aimed at professional musical instruments with a pleasant and clear sound."

Strings made of VESTAMID D18 feature balanced mechanical properties and low hygroscopicity. This allows them to maintain stable frequency and pitch in moist or humid environments.

The monofilament with a diameter range of 0.5-0.7mm was originally developed for harp strings but with different diameters and winding methods can equally be used in other string and plucked instruments such as violins.

"The success of harp strings with VESTAMID® is the product of the excellent collaboration between Evonik and NTEC. Evonik provided the material & product know-how, while NTEC contributed its years of experience in producing these specific filaments for instrument strings," said Dr. Iordanis Savvopoulos, head of the Granules & Compounds Product Line at Evonik.

As MRC informed earlier, in September 2016, Evonik Industries officially broke ground in Marl for construction of a new production plant for specialty polyamide 12 (PA12) powders. The specialty chemicals company will thus increase annual capacity for its VESTOSINT brand of PA12 powders by 50%. The amount invested lies in the mid-double-digit million euro range. The new plant is scheduled to come on stream at the end of 2017.

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- LyondellBasell has granted its Spherizone and Lupotech T Licenses to Shaanxi Coal Yulin Energy and Chemical, according to Plastemart.

Spherizone is the most advanced polypropylene technology and should help expand the company’s product portfolio, while Lupotech T should provide a cost advantage. This technology will be used in the Jingbian Chemical Industrial Park in Yulin City, China.

The financial details of this transaction are still unknown.

This deal represents LyondellBasell’s 14th grant of Spherizone technology since it was launched in 2006. LyondellBasell Executive Vice President Global Dan Coombs stated: "The Spherizone technology enables polypropylene producers to expand their business and capture additional value through product differentiation. Lupotech T is the clear market leader in high-pressure tubular LDPE technology offering low operating and investment costs to our customers."

As MRC reported earlier, in March 2017, LyondellBasell polyethylene (PE) process technology ‘LyondellBasell Hostalen ACP’ was chosen by Shandong Yuhuang Shengshi Chemical for a 200,000 tpa high density polyethylene (HDPE) unit at its petrochemical complex in Heze, Shandong, China.

LyondellBasell is one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies. The company manufactures products at 57 sites in 18 countries. LyondellBasell products and technologies are used to make items that improve the quality of life for people around the world including packaging, electronics, automotive parts, home furnishings, construction materials and biofuels.
MRC

According to the statistical committee of the Republic of Belarus, local converters slightly increased purchasing of unmixed PVC in May, total imports were just over 2,800 tonnes, compared to 2,500 tonnes a month earlier. Thus, PVC imports rose in the first five months of 2017 to 11,400 tonnes from 8,000 tonnes in January-May 2016, local windows producers accounted for the main increase in demand.

Russian producers were the key suppliers of resin to Belarus. They accounted for about 74% of the Belarusian market in the first five months of the year. Producers from Germany with the share of about 23% were the second largest suppliers.

MRC

June PP imports to Ukraine rose to 10,500 tonnes from 9,400 tonnes a month earlier, the propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) segment accounted for an increase in shipments, whereas demand for propylene copolymers subsided. Overall imports of propylene polymers reached 57,100 tonnes in January-June 2017, compared to 57,600 tonnes a year earlier. Propylene block copolymers (PP block copolymers) accounted for an increase in imports, whereas demand for statistical propylene copolymers (PP random copolymers) decreased.

Structure of PP imports over the reported period was as follows.

Last month's imports of homopolymer PP to the Ukrainian market grew to 8,400 tonnes from 6,800 tonnes in May. Local companies offset a shortage of PP from European producers by higher shipments from Russia and Saudi Arabia. Overall shipments of homopolymer PP reached 43,800 tonnes in the first six months of 2017 versus 44,700 tonnes a year earlier.

June imports of PP block copolymers were 1,100 tonnes, compared to 1,200 tonnes a month earlier, demand for injection moulding propylene copolymers subsided. Over 6,100 tonnes of PP block copolymers were imported over the stated period, whereas last year's figure was 5,500 tonnes. Local pipes producers accounted for the greatest increase in demand.

Last month's imports of PP random copolymer also fell to 942 tonnes from 1,200 tonnes in May, shipments of injection moulding PP random copolymer were reduced. Overall imports of PP random copolymers exceeded 6,000 tonnes in January-June 2017, whereas this figure was 6,400 tonnes a year earlier.

Overall imports of other propylene copolymers were 1,100 tonnes over the stated period.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- To support the growth of Sartomer, the world leader in specialty photocure resins, Arkema announces a project to expand by over 30% production capacity at its Nansha facility in China, as per the company's press release.

This new production line will in particular help meet strong customer demand in Asia in the electronics, 3D-printing and inkjet printing cutting-edge markets.

Arkema's Sartomer plant in Guangzhou serves the customer base throughout Asia in this rapidly expanding, high growth market of specialty UV curable inks, coatings and adhesives.

Arkema announces the construction on its Nansha site south of Canton, China, of a new production line for UV, LED and EB (Electron Beam) photocure resins, which should come on stream early 2019. This new line will produce high performance photocure resins with innovative properties, earmarked for the electronics cutting-edge markets in which they are used for the manufacture and design of printed circuits and smartphone, tablet or television screens, as well as the 3D-printing market for which Sartomer has just launched its latest generation range of solutions under the trade name N3xtDimensionTM.

Thanks to production sites and R&D facilities in Europe, Asia and the United States, Sartomer’s customers benefit from high quality technical support for tailor-made developments as well as responsive local logistics services. This strong local presence in each of the 3 regions of the world marks Sartomer out as a partner with unique know-how who is close to its customers and therefore in a position to fulfil their specific requirements for high performance resins.

These innovative solvent-free specialty resins are environmentally friendly, while also complying in particular with global standards on volatile organic compound (VOC) low emissions. Hence they bolster the Group’s strategy in the development of new "eco-sustainable" materials, and will enable Sartomer to capitalize on the 10% annual growth expected in the electronics and 3D-printing high added value niche markets.

This project is consistent with the Group’s ambition to speed up the development of its advanced materials that should eventually account for over 25% of its sales, and to continue consolidating its presence in Asia.

As MRC informed before, in March 2017, Arkema completed the sale to INEOS of its 50% stake in Oxochimie, their oxo alcohols manufacturing joint venture, and of the associated business. The impact of this divestment on the group’s annual sales will represent some EUR40 million. With this operation, Arkema continues to implement its divestment program.

Arkema is a global manufacturer in specialty chemicals and advanced materials, with 3 business segments - High Performance Materials, Industrial Specialties, and Coating Solutions - and globally recognized brands, the Group reports annual sales of 7.5 billion euros. Buoyed by the collective energy of its 19,700 employees, Arkema operates in close to 50 countries.
MRC