- Email: [email protected]
Emanuele Mascherpa distributes Dow's products in Italy
NEWS centre – dedicated to butyl elastomers – that it has established in Canada. Located in the Research Park of the University of Western Ontario, the centre, believed to be the largest of its type in Canada, will play a central role in generating a continuous pipeline of product applications that meet the growing demand for high-quality rubber materials in emerging markets. Sharing the London Research Park with over 60 start-up companies creates a unique culture for innovation and a centre of excellence for material research, says the firm. In his address at the official inauguration ceremony, the chairman of Lanxess’ board of management, Axel Heitmann, said: ‘One of the most promising areas of research for our new R&D Centre is rubber made from biomass instead of petroleum-based raw materials. Here in this R&D Centre, we have produced the first quantities of ‘‘bio-butyl’’. This bio-based rubber will enable us to decouple our resources from petroleum dependency.’ Through its partnership with Gevo, a US-based renewable chemicals company, Lanxess has demonstrated a firm commitment to producing premium synthetic rubber from bio-based raw materials. Gevo is currently developing a fermentation process to produce isobutanol from the fermentable sugars in biomass. At the same time, researchers at Lanxess’ new R&D centre are developing a dehydration process to convert isobutanol into isobutene, a key component that is used in the production of butyl. Contacts: Lanxess Inc, PO Box 3001, 1265 Vidal Street South, N7T 7M2 Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. Tel: +1 519 337 8251, Fax: +1 519 339 7723, Web: http://lanxess.ca Lanxess Deutschland GmbH, 51369 Leverkusen, Germany. Tel: +49 214 30 33333, Email: [email protected], Web: http://lanxess.com
Federal-Mogul brings LKZ piston rings to the European aftermarket
F
ederal-Mogul Corp’s Goetze brand is launching its LKZ piston ring technology within the European aftermarket. Designed for engines that were originally equipped with LKZ technology (see Sealing Technology October 2010, page 2) this new replacement oil control ring helps reduce oil consumption by up to 50% compared with standard rings, says the firm. The ring also requires lower tension, which reduces ring-towall friction for improved fuel economy, performance and service life.
The Goetze LKZ piston ring recently received the Automotive News PACE Award for product innovation (see Sealing Technology June 2011, page 6). ‘Goetze LKZ replacement piston rings enable engine rebuilders to help restore like-new performance to direct injection gasoline engines that were originally equipped with this innovative technology,’ explained Paul Vure, Technical Service Manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Global Aftermarket, Federal-Mogul. ‘By relying on this OE-proven technology, repair providers can help achieve the same low-emissions, high-efficiency performance intended by the engine manufacturer. LKZ is one of the latest technologies now being used by vehicle manufacturers and Federal-Mogul is ensuring that its benefits are quickly made available to its aftermarket partners.’ Contact: Federal-Mogul Corp, 26555 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034, USA. Tel: +1 248 354 7700, Fax: +1 248 354 4530, Web: www.federal-mogul.com
Emanuele Mascherpa distributes Dow’s products in Italy
D
ow Corning Corp, a US company that specialises in silicones, has appointed Emanuele Mascherpa SpA as a distributor in Italy for its siliconebased products that are used to manufacture solar photovoltaic modules. The Italian company – a sole agent and exclusive distributor for machine tools, tooling instruments, components, speciality lubricants, industrial adhesives and sealants, and encapsulants and anti-corrosion products – will coordinate the distribution and promotion of Dow Corning’s range of junction-box potting agents, adhesives and sealants for local Italian customers in the solar industry. Based in Milan, it has been a distributor for Dow Corning lubricants and industrial sealants since 1954, Dow Corning electronics since 1990, and Xiameter brand products since 2009. ‘Italy is, and remains, an important market in Europe, so it is important that we have a committed channel partner in this territory,’ said Allison Ashbrook, Global Distribution Manager, Dow Corning Solar Business.’ ‘We are pleased to be working with Mascherpa, which has a long-standing relationship with Dow Corning. This 107-year-old company has built a strong presence in all of the main industrial sectors and markets, including renewable energies.’
IN BRIEF DP Seals is featured in TV programme DP Seals Ltd, a UK-based supplier of precision rubber seals and mouldings, is one of a select group of companies to feature in a TV programme on modern manufacturing. The programme, produced for Executive TV, was shown during August and September 2011 on Sky channel 166 and Freesat channel 402. Executive TV looks at the challenges and opportunities facing UK business leaders and offers inspiration, advice and expert opinion to entrepreneurs, start-ups and public companies on finance, marketing, sales and innovation. Earlier this year it commissioned a series of half-hour TV programmes entitled Modern Manufacturing – Inspiring UK Manufacturing, and DP Seals was chosen as one of the small and medium-sized enterprises for the programme. More information: Web: www.dpseals.com ADT appoints new CEO John Yerger has been named president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Advanced Diamond Technologies Inc (ADT), a US firm which develops diamond films for industrial, electronics and water-treatment applications. Commenting on the appointment, Bob Geras, Chairman, ADT, said: ‘Yerger is exactly the intelligent, high-energy, intense leader who thrives on building new things and implementing the structure, process and rigour necessary for success.’ Federal-Mogul delivers strong second-quarter sales and net income Federal-Mogul Corp has announced higher sales and improved financial results for the second quarter of 2011 compared with the equivalent period of 2010. It reported sales of $1.8 billion – a 13% increase compared with the previous year, or 6% in constant dollar terms. Net income for the second quarter of 2011 totalled $64 million or $0.64 per diluted share, versus $49 million or $0.49 per diluted share recorded for the corresponding period of 2010 – an increase of 31%. The firm says sales growth was driven by market-share gains in all original equipment business units combined with higher global original equipment market demand. Garlock buys pump diaphragm business EnPro Industries Inc has announced that its subsidiary Garlock Sealing Technologies Llc (GST) has completed the acquisition of the One-Up pump diaphragm business from W.L. Gore & Associates Inc. GST says that this acquisition significantly expands the range of products it is able to supply to the industrial pump market.
5 September 2011
Sealing Technology
NEWS
IN BRIEF ORB appoints co-founder of Byd to its board of directors ORB Automotive Corp, a manufacturer and distributor of bonding products, rubber gaskets and sealants, and coolant products, for the fast growing automotive industry in China, reports that it has appointed Xiang-Yang Lu to its board as an independent director. Lu is a leading pioneer in China’s automotive industry. He is the co-founder, vice chairman and non-executive director of Byd Co Ltd, the holding company of Byd Auto Co Ltd, a major domestic car manufacturer. Solvay builds speciality polymers production plant in China Solvay recently announced details of a project to build a polymers production plant in China for SOLEF polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), Tecnoflon fluoroelastomers (FKMs), and their essential monomer VF2, to satisfy the growing demand for these speciality polymers in Asia. The plant, which requires an investment of E120 million will be built at the firm’s industrial site in Changshu in the province of Jiangsu, and is scheduled to become operational at the beginning of 2014. The Tecnoflon FKM product family is used for demanding sealing applications in aggressive chemical and high heat environments where a long service life is essential. Typical end-use products include O-rings, seals, gaskets and complex moulded parts. Dow Corning celebrates 30 years of business in Taiwan Dow Corning Corp, a US company that specialises in silicones, recently celebrated 30 years of business in Taipei, Taiwan. The firm, which offers more than 7000 products and services via its Dow Corning and Xiameter brands, also recently celebrated a half-century of working closely with businesses and research organisations in Mexico (see Sealing Technology July, page 7). Latest smart-phone materials make their début at Display Taiwan 2011 Japanese materials manufacturer Nitto Denko Corp launched a range of new electronics materials for smart-phones at Display Taiwan 2011, which was held recently in Taipei, Taiwan. One of its latest products is SCF T100, which is described as a thin, flexible foaming material. The company says that it serves as an ideal dust-proof gasket material for smart-phones and other electronic devices, as well as an excellent cushioning material for devices that use liquid crystal displays and organic light-emitting diodes.
6
Sealing Technology
The expansion of Dow Corning’s global distribution network follows several recent investment announcements, including plans for the $13-million Solar Energy Exploration & Development Center (SEED) in Seneffe, Belgium. Contacts: Dow Corning Corp, PO Box 994, Midland, MI 48686-0994, USA. Tel: +1 989 496 7881, Fax: +1 989 496 6731, Web: www.dowcorning.com, Web: www.xiameter.com Emanuele Mascherpa SpA, Via Natale Battaglia 39, 20127 Milano, Italy. Tel: +39 02 280 031, Fax: +39 02 282 9945 Email: [email protected], Web: www.mascherpa.it
Publications of Interest Report illustrates Asia’s sealants and adhesives growth potential
T
he Adhesive and Sealant Council Inc (ASC), based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, has produced a report entitled ‘The 2010–2013 Asia Pacific Market Study for Adhesives and Sealants’. According to the study, the total demand for sealants and adhesives in the Asia–Pacific region is expected to grow by 3.6% a year through to 2013 – reaching 9.9 billion pounds of wet formulated product. It says the market currently stands at 8.9 billion pounds of wet formulated product, with an estimated market value of approximately $12.5 billion. ‘Because of its strong, growing middle class, the entire region is a considerable market for products that use adhesives and sealants, including packaging, construction and transportation,’ noted Matthew Croson, President, ASC. ‘Outside of Japan, which continues to feel the impact of the earthquake and tsunami, we expect all of the market to expand and increase the use of innovative adhesive and sealant products over the next three years.’ ‘Even with some market drivers having a negative impact in the short term, the strong consumer demand and growing population will make this region a strong player in the years ahead.’ The region covered by the report is broken down into China, India, Japan, Oceania, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan and the ‘rest of Asia’.
Contact: The Adhesive and Sealant Council Inc, 7101 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 990, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. Tel: +1 301 986 9700, Fax: +1 301 986 9795, Web: www.ascouncil.org
Meetings Update Call for papers issued for high performance elastomers conference
i
Smithers, part of Smithers Rapra Technology Ltd, has announced that its sixth high performance elastomers conference, with a special focus on oilfeld applications, is scheduled to take place in Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, on 17–18 April 2012. High Performance Elastomers and Polymers for Oil & Gas Applications 2012 is targeted at operators, contractors, equipment and component suppliers, material suppliers and research organisations involved with polymers and their use in the oil and gas industry. The company is currently recruiting speakers for this event. Authors who are interested in taking part in this conference are invited to send details (title and short summary) of their proposed technical paper to Helen Charlesworth, at the address given below, by 31 October 2011. A brochure containing details of the conference and a list of the topics to be covered can be downloaded from iSmithers’ Web-site. Contact: Helen Charlesworth, Conferences, Smithers Rapra Technology Ltd, Shawbury, Shropshire SY4 4NR, UK. Tel: +44 1939 250383, Fax: +44 1939 1118, Email: [email protected], Web: www.polymerconferences.com, Web: www.ismithers.net
Date and venue change for International Conference on Fluid Sealing
R
egistration is now open for BHR Group Ltd’s 21st International Fluid Sealing Conference. The event, which was scheduled to be held on 4–5 October 2011 in Poitiers, France, will now take place in Milton Keynes, UK, on
September 2011
Federal-Mogul brings LKZ piston rings to the European aftermarket
F
ederal-Mogul Corp’s Goetze brand is launching its LKZ piston ring technology within the European aftermarket. Designed for engines that were originally equipped with LKZ technology (see Sealing Technology October 2010, page 2) this new replacement oil control ring helps reduce oil consumption by up to 50% compared with standard rings, says the firm. The ring also requires lower tension, which reduces ring-towall friction for improved fuel economy, performance and service life.
The Goetze LKZ piston ring recently received the Automotive News PACE Award for product innovation (see Sealing Technology June 2011, page 6). ‘Goetze LKZ replacement piston rings enable engine rebuilders to help restore like-new performance to direct injection gasoline engines that were originally equipped with this innovative technology,’ explained Paul Vure, Technical Service Manager, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Global Aftermarket, Federal-Mogul. ‘By relying on this OE-proven technology, repair providers can help achieve the same low-emissions, high-efficiency performance intended by the engine manufacturer. LKZ is one of the latest technologies now being used by vehicle manufacturers and Federal-Mogul is ensuring that its benefits are quickly made available to its aftermarket partners.’ Contact: Federal-Mogul Corp, 26555 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48034, USA. Tel: +1 248 354 7700, Fax: +1 248 354 4530, Web: www.federal-mogul.com
Emanuele Mascherpa distributes Dow’s products in Italy
D
ow Corning Corp, a US company that specialises in silicones, has appointed Emanuele Mascherpa SpA as a distributor in Italy for its siliconebased products that are used to manufacture solar photovoltaic modules. The Italian company – a sole agent and exclusive distributor for machine tools, tooling instruments, components, speciality lubricants, industrial adhesives and sealants, and encapsulants and anti-corrosion products – will coordinate the distribution and promotion of Dow Corning’s range of junction-box potting agents, adhesives and sealants for local Italian customers in the solar industry. Based in Milan, it has been a distributor for Dow Corning lubricants and industrial sealants since 1954, Dow Corning electronics since 1990, and Xiameter brand products since 2009. ‘Italy is, and remains, an important market in Europe, so it is important that we have a committed channel partner in this territory,’ said Allison Ashbrook, Global Distribution Manager, Dow Corning Solar Business.’ ‘We are pleased to be working with Mascherpa, which has a long-standing relationship with Dow Corning. This 107-year-old company has built a strong presence in all of the main industrial sectors and markets, including renewable energies.’
IN BRIEF DP Seals is featured in TV programme DP Seals Ltd, a UK-based supplier of precision rubber seals and mouldings, is one of a select group of companies to feature in a TV programme on modern manufacturing. The programme, produced for Executive TV, was shown during August and September 2011 on Sky channel 166 and Freesat channel 402. Executive TV looks at the challenges and opportunities facing UK business leaders and offers inspiration, advice and expert opinion to entrepreneurs, start-ups and public companies on finance, marketing, sales and innovation. Earlier this year it commissioned a series of half-hour TV programmes entitled Modern Manufacturing – Inspiring UK Manufacturing, and DP Seals was chosen as one of the small and medium-sized enterprises for the programme. More information: Web: www.dpseals.com ADT appoints new CEO John Yerger has been named president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Advanced Diamond Technologies Inc (ADT), a US firm which develops diamond films for industrial, electronics and water-treatment applications. Commenting on the appointment, Bob Geras, Chairman, ADT, said: ‘Yerger is exactly the intelligent, high-energy, intense leader who thrives on building new things and implementing the structure, process and rigour necessary for success.’ Federal-Mogul delivers strong second-quarter sales and net income Federal-Mogul Corp has announced higher sales and improved financial results for the second quarter of 2011 compared with the equivalent period of 2010. It reported sales of $1.8 billion – a 13% increase compared with the previous year, or 6% in constant dollar terms. Net income for the second quarter of 2011 totalled $64 million or $0.64 per diluted share, versus $49 million or $0.49 per diluted share recorded for the corresponding period of 2010 – an increase of 31%. The firm says sales growth was driven by market-share gains in all original equipment business units combined with higher global original equipment market demand. Garlock buys pump diaphragm business EnPro Industries Inc has announced that its subsidiary Garlock Sealing Technologies Llc (GST) has completed the acquisition of the One-Up pump diaphragm business from W.L. Gore & Associates Inc. GST says that this acquisition significantly expands the range of products it is able to supply to the industrial pump market.
5 September 2011
Sealing Technology
NEWS
IN BRIEF ORB appoints co-founder of Byd to its board of directors ORB Automotive Corp, a manufacturer and distributor of bonding products, rubber gaskets and sealants, and coolant products, for the fast growing automotive industry in China, reports that it has appointed Xiang-Yang Lu to its board as an independent director. Lu is a leading pioneer in China’s automotive industry. He is the co-founder, vice chairman and non-executive director of Byd Co Ltd, the holding company of Byd Auto Co Ltd, a major domestic car manufacturer. Solvay builds speciality polymers production plant in China Solvay recently announced details of a project to build a polymers production plant in China for SOLEF polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), Tecnoflon fluoroelastomers (FKMs), and their essential monomer VF2, to satisfy the growing demand for these speciality polymers in Asia. The plant, which requires an investment of E120 million will be built at the firm’s industrial site in Changshu in the province of Jiangsu, and is scheduled to become operational at the beginning of 2014. The Tecnoflon FKM product family is used for demanding sealing applications in aggressive chemical and high heat environments where a long service life is essential. Typical end-use products include O-rings, seals, gaskets and complex moulded parts. Dow Corning celebrates 30 years of business in Taiwan Dow Corning Corp, a US company that specialises in silicones, recently celebrated 30 years of business in Taipei, Taiwan. The firm, which offers more than 7000 products and services via its Dow Corning and Xiameter brands, also recently celebrated a half-century of working closely with businesses and research organisations in Mexico (see Sealing Technology July, page 7). Latest smart-phone materials make their début at Display Taiwan 2011 Japanese materials manufacturer Nitto Denko Corp launched a range of new electronics materials for smart-phones at Display Taiwan 2011, which was held recently in Taipei, Taiwan. One of its latest products is SCF T100, which is described as a thin, flexible foaming material. The company says that it serves as an ideal dust-proof gasket material for smart-phones and other electronic devices, as well as an excellent cushioning material for devices that use liquid crystal displays and organic light-emitting diodes.
6
Sealing Technology
The expansion of Dow Corning’s global distribution network follows several recent investment announcements, including plans for the $13-million Solar Energy Exploration & Development Center (SEED) in Seneffe, Belgium. Contacts: Dow Corning Corp, PO Box 994, Midland, MI 48686-0994, USA. Tel: +1 989 496 7881, Fax: +1 989 496 6731, Web: www.dowcorning.com, Web: www.xiameter.com Emanuele Mascherpa SpA, Via Natale Battaglia 39, 20127 Milano, Italy. Tel: +39 02 280 031, Fax: +39 02 282 9945 Email: [email protected], Web: www.mascherpa.it
Publications of Interest Report illustrates Asia’s sealants and adhesives growth potential
T
he Adhesive and Sealant Council Inc (ASC), based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, has produced a report entitled ‘The 2010–2013 Asia Pacific Market Study for Adhesives and Sealants’. According to the study, the total demand for sealants and adhesives in the Asia–Pacific region is expected to grow by 3.6% a year through to 2013 – reaching 9.9 billion pounds of wet formulated product. It says the market currently stands at 8.9 billion pounds of wet formulated product, with an estimated market value of approximately $12.5 billion. ‘Because of its strong, growing middle class, the entire region is a considerable market for products that use adhesives and sealants, including packaging, construction and transportation,’ noted Matthew Croson, President, ASC. ‘Outside of Japan, which continues to feel the impact of the earthquake and tsunami, we expect all of the market to expand and increase the use of innovative adhesive and sealant products over the next three years.’ ‘Even with some market drivers having a negative impact in the short term, the strong consumer demand and growing population will make this region a strong player in the years ahead.’ The region covered by the report is broken down into China, India, Japan, Oceania, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan and the ‘rest of Asia’.
Contact: The Adhesive and Sealant Council Inc, 7101 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 990, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. Tel: +1 301 986 9700, Fax: +1 301 986 9795, Web: www.ascouncil.org
Meetings Update Call for papers issued for high performance elastomers conference
i
Smithers, part of Smithers Rapra Technology Ltd, has announced that its sixth high performance elastomers conference, with a special focus on oilfeld applications, is scheduled to take place in Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, on 17–18 April 2012. High Performance Elastomers and Polymers for Oil & Gas Applications 2012 is targeted at operators, contractors, equipment and component suppliers, material suppliers and research organisations involved with polymers and their use in the oil and gas industry. The company is currently recruiting speakers for this event. Authors who are interested in taking part in this conference are invited to send details (title and short summary) of their proposed technical paper to Helen Charlesworth, at the address given below, by 31 October 2011. A brochure containing details of the conference and a list of the topics to be covered can be downloaded from iSmithers’ Web-site. Contact: Helen Charlesworth, Conferences, Smithers Rapra Technology Ltd, Shawbury, Shropshire SY4 4NR, UK. Tel: +44 1939 250383, Fax: +44 1939 1118, Email: [email protected], Web: www.polymerconferences.com, Web: www.ismithers.net
Date and venue change for International Conference on Fluid Sealing
R
egistration is now open for BHR Group Ltd’s 21st International Fluid Sealing Conference. The event, which was scheduled to be held on 4–5 October 2011 in Poitiers, France, will now take place in Milton Keynes, UK, on
September 2011