Polymer nanocomposites market to reach USD5100 mln by 2020

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The market for polymer nanocomposites in terms of value is expected to cross USD5100 mln by 2020, growing at a significant CAGR from 2014 to 2019, as per MarketsandMarkets, reported Plastemart.

The demand of light weight automotive parts has given an edge to polymer nanocomposites due to its high strength and light weight properties. The use of polymer nanocomposites enabled automotive parts reduction in light weight vehicles, improved engine efficiency, reduction in CO2 emissions and superior performance. The automotive industry can benefit from polymer nanocomposites in several applications such as powertrain, suspension and breaking systems, exhaust systems and catalytic converters, lubrication, tires and body parts.

The advantage of nanocomposites over conventional composites is that their mechanical, electrical, thermal, barrier and chemical properties such as increased tensile strength, improved heat deflection temperature, flame retardancy etc.

The Asia-Pacific region dominated the polymer nanocomposites market in terms of values in 2013 and it is expected to grow at a higher CAGR, from 2014 to 2020. Large packaging industry and increasing automotive and aerospace industry in Asia-Pacific region helped it to dominate the global market.

The electrical & electronics market in Eastern Asian market, driving the polymer nanocomposites application market. Europe & Asia-Pacific accounted for more than 60% share in the polymer nanocomposites market in terms of value in 2013. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a highest CAGR and secure its leading market position by 2020, with developing new application areas in electrical & electronics and automotive market. In Europe the use of polymer nanocomposites continues to increase in automotive industries.

As MRC wrote before, thermoplastic elastomer (TPO) nanocomposites developed by Korea's Honam Petrochemical Corp. (Seoul) have delivered a 25% weight saving versus 40% talc-filled polypropylene through thinwalling and lower density in a side sill molding used in a Hyundai vehicle.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Grand Pacific Petrochemical Corporation (GPPC) is likely to shut its styrene monomer (SM) plant for maintenance turnaround, as per Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in Taiwan informed that the plant is planned to be shut in November 2015. It is likely to remain off-stream for around one month.

Located in Tashe, Taiwan, the plant has a production capacity of 140,000 mt/year.

We remind that last year, GPPC shut down this SM plant for maintenance turnaround on February 15, 2014. The plant remained off-stream till March 11, 2014.

Besides, as MRC reported earlier, in April 2014, GPPC shut its SM plant in Taiwan for a one-month turnaround. Located in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the plant has a production capacity of 250,000 mt/year.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Accella Performance Materials Inc. is acquiring IPS Polymer Systems Inc. to expand the firm’s growing polyurethane operation, said Plasticsnews.

The St. Louis-based Accella’s strategic plan is to build the leading polyurethane systems house in North America with an even stronger presence on the West Coast, it said. The addition of IPS, which operates out of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., will help accomplish those goals.

"IPS is an excellent fit with Accella’s current polyurethanes business and will bring expanded technology and capabilities to both companies," Accella CEO Andy Harris said in a statement.

Merger of IPS with Accella, which was formally called Dash Multi-Corp., brings together an expansive polyurethane technology portfolio, regional manufacturing and technical application expertise, Accella said.

As MRC wrote before, PolyOne Corporation announced the acquisition of specialty assets from Accella Performance Materials. Accella will retain its polyurethanes and rubber products businesses.

Accella Performance Materials is a group of chemical and material companies. Accella Performance Materials is a producer of plastisol, polyurethane and rubber industry.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- The USD3.6 bln Liwa Plastics Project will invite bids for project construction by the end of 2015, in order to commence operations by 2018, as per Plastemart.

The project, which plans to manufacture polyethylene for the first time in Oman is launched by Orpic (Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company).

The project is divided into four packages, to be implemented together and the first one will be the cracking and earthling to ethylene and propylene. The second package is bidding for the polymer package to make the polyethylene and polypropylene and the management is bidding it in partnership with German-based Linde.

As MRC wrote before, Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company SAOC (Orpic), the Sultanate’s refining and petrochemicals flagship, has launched the process of prequalifying contractors for the construction phase of its USD3.6 bln Liwa Plastics Project (LPP).
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Wacker Chemie AG is currently building a new plant for specialty monomers with an annual capacity of 3,800 metric tons at its Burghausen site, said the producer on its site.

The Group has budgeted around EUR8 million for this. The specialty monomers vinyl neodecanoate and vinyl laurate are key raw materials for the manufacture of specific dispersible polymer powders. The plant is scheduled for start-up in the second quarter of 2015.

This new development allows Wacker to meet increasing demand for high-quality polymeric binders and strengthens its position as the world’s leading manufacturer of dispersible polymer powders. Besides, with the construction of the new plant, Wacker is strengthening its position as a market and technology leader in this field.

"The construction of the new plant for specialty monomers is an important strategic step," explains Christoph Riemer, head of dispersible polymer powder business at Wacker Polymers. "It makes us more independent of raw-material price fluctuations and boosts supply security during peak-demand periods. In addition, it strengthens the position of specialty products in our dispersible polymer powder portfolio."

Wacker has been producing dispersible polymer powders as binders for dry-mix mortars in Burghausen, Germany, since 1957 and, today, is a global technology and market leader in this field. VINNAPAS dispersible polymer powders find use in various construction applications such as tile adhesives, self-leveling flooring compounds, plasters, repair mortars, external thermal insulation composite systems and cementitious waterproofing membranes.

Wacker Polymers is a leading producer of state-of-the-art binders and polymeric additives based on polyvinyl acetate and vinyl acetate copolymers. These take the form of dispersible polymer powders, dispersions, solid resins, and solutions. They are used in construction chemicals, paints, surface coatings, adhesives and nonwovens, as well as in fiber composites and polymeric materials based on renewable resources. Wacker Polymers has production sites in Germany, China, South Korea and the USA, as well as a global sales network and technical centers in all major regions.
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