Nomaco Engineered Foam Solutions to launch first biodegradable PE foam

(Plastemart) -- The world's first biodegradable polyethylene foam is to be launched by Nomaco Engineered Foam Solutions. Unlike competing biodegradable products, NomaGreen foam is not starch-based or bio-based, and will meet all performance requirements for packaging foam without any worry of exposing it to moisture, heat, light or mechanical stress.

A third party independent laboratory was utilized to test to the foam to ensure it meets ASTM D-5511 standards for biodegradability. Results showed that after 120 days in the lab, Nomagreen achieved 49% biodegradation. The proprietary formulation allows the foam to biodegrade naturally without having to sacrifice any of the excellent performance characteristics that standard polyethylene foam provides. NomaGreen's biodegradation process only occurs when the foam is placed in a microbe-rich environment, such as a landfill.

MRC

(PRW) -- Global car parts group International Automotive Components Group (IAC) is reported to be preparing to resume production later this year at a former interior components plant in Plzen Prestice, Czech Republic.

According to a Czech environmental impact assessment, the Luxembourg-based group intends to install new injection moulding machines in the former plant. There, it will turn out polypropylene door panel parts for vehicle builders Skoda and Volkswagen, reports the East European Nov-Ost industry news portal.

It reported that IAC wants to add new injection moulding capacity at the relaunched interior trim plant where it already has 4 - 6 injection presses. Annual capacity in this operation is set to reach 660 tpa of moulded PP parts.

MRC

(PRW) -- A Polish bathroom and kitchen products manufacturer has opened a ┬3.6m plant producing polymer-based granite composite basins and sinks. The new 5,000 m2 facility, established by the company Deante Wagran in Tomaszow Mazowiecki close to Lodz in Poland, employs around 70 and has the capacity to produce 100,000 granite sink components.

The firm employs a production technology developed along with the Institute of Polymer Technology at the Technical University of Lodz to manufacture the high strength sinks. The composite, which uses polymers blended with granite and quartz, was created after more than two years of research and development, according to the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency Palilz.

MRC

(ExxonMobil) -- Rosneft and ExxonMobil have entered into an agreement regarding joint development of oil and gas resources in the Black Sea, which includes an initial focus on oil exploration and production in the Tuapse Trough in the Russian Black Sea basin.

The agreement enables Rosneft and ExxonMobil to consider additional opportunities to expand Black Sea energy sector cooperation in areas such as additional exploration and production, crude oil sales to Rosneft's Tuapsinsky refinery and other Black Sea markets, development of regional transportation infrastructure, and deepwater offshore technology research and development.

MRC

(Plastemart) -- Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL)'s proposed petrochemical complex at its 15 mln tpa refinery at Paradip is set to be delayed due to financial constraints. Work on the petrochemical complex is expected to begin two years after the commissioning of the refinery. IOCL is reviewing the situation to expedite work.

The Paradip refinery will be commissioned in two phases. Production at Phase-I is expected to start by March 2012 while Phase 2 production is scheduled for November 2012. The production from the refinery will cater to the domestic market rather than exports as planned earlier.

MRC