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Arkema launches stabilizer for PVC pipes in USA, eliminates fluorosurfactants from Kynar process aids
MATERIALS
Arkema launches stabilizer for PVC pipes in USA, eliminates fluorosurfactants from Kynar process aids
A
rkema Inc, the US arm of France-based Arkema, has introduced Thermolite® 140 butyl tin stabilizer to the PVC pipe extrusion industry in the USA. The product, which is listed by the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), is intended for rigid PVC applications such as siding substrate, standard pipe, foam core pipe, conduit and larger diameter pipes. According to Arkema, Thermolite 140 is a cost-effective tin stabilizer that offers heat resistance in pipes produced for use in warmer climates and has shown no discoloration during storage in high temperatures. The company claims that it can be used as a ‘one stabilizer that fits all’ for pipe/ conduit since it can be used in nearly all applications at similar use levels as higher-tin, higher-priced stabilizers, which may provide an added cost benefit. The company has also recently announced that it has eliminated the use of fluorosurfactants from the manufacturing process for its Kynar® and Kynar Flex® polymer process aid (PPA) resins. Perfluorinated surfactants, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), have come under scrutiny by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to concerns about their persistence in the environment and are subject to an EPA voluntary stewardship programme seeking reductions in emissions and product content levels. Fluoropolymer process aids are very commonly used in the production of polyolefin films that are targeted for food packaging applications, making the need to eliminate fluorosurfactants even more important, Arkema explains. In its most recent financial results, for the second quarter of 2009, Arkema posted a net loss of 114 million (net income of 60 million in 2Q 2008) on net sales of 1.167 billion, down 23% from 1.509 billion for the same quarter last year. The fall in sales was primarily due to lower volumes and customer de-stocking; however, the year-on-year decline in volumes was smaller than for the first quarter of 2009, reflecting a recovery in China and a progressive reduction in de-stocking. In the Performance Products segment 2Q 2009 sales stood at 355 million, 17% down on the 2Q 2008 (430 million). Weak demand particularly in the automotive and construction
October 2009
sectors continued to affect segment sales. EBITDA was down 62.3% to 23 million, with major fixed costs savings across the segment’s activities helping mitigate the impact of lower demand. The segment reported good price resilience in most business units. Contact: Arkema Inc, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Tel: +1 215 419 7000, Web: www.arkema-inc.com
Improved glass fibre reinforcements unveiled by AGY and Gibson/Jushi
S
outh Carolina-based AGY, a global producer of high-strength glass fibre reinforcements and glass fibre yarns, has introduced S-1 Glass™ high-performance glass rovings for use in long fibre reinforced thermoplastics (LFT). The new material is also available in chopped form for glass-filled polymers. Designed for industrial applications, these highperformance glass fibres reportedly allow new levels of mechanical properties to be developed in a thermoplastic with much lower levels of glass fibre filler, allowing for better processing and higher impact performance, the company says. S-1 Glass was developed in response to the need for higher-performance glass fibre at a lower cost, and bridges the cost and performance gap between E-Glass and higher performance glass such as the company’s S-2 Glass fibres, says AGY new business development manager Iain Montgomery. ‘Its excellent balance of performance and cost is enabling manufacturers to maximize the benefits from high-strength glass fibre rovings and allowing exciting new applications to be developed’, he adds. According to AGY, studies have shown that 32% of S-1 Glass fibre content in an LFT can deliver the same performance as 60% of an E-Glass filled product. Reduced fibre content levels mean higher impact levels, better aesthetics and easier processing of the resins, explains Montgomery. ‘Alternatively, going to high levels of fibre content with S-1 Glass would allow new applications to be found due to increases in mechanical performance from these high performance fibres.’ S-1 Glass is designed for use with a broad range of thermoplastic resins such as PC, PEI, PBT and PA 6.6.
Additives for Polymers
5
Arkema launches stabilizer for PVC pipes in USA, eliminates fluorosurfactants from Kynar process aids
A
rkema Inc, the US arm of France-based Arkema, has introduced Thermolite® 140 butyl tin stabilizer to the PVC pipe extrusion industry in the USA. The product, which is listed by the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI), is intended for rigid PVC applications such as siding substrate, standard pipe, foam core pipe, conduit and larger diameter pipes. According to Arkema, Thermolite 140 is a cost-effective tin stabilizer that offers heat resistance in pipes produced for use in warmer climates and has shown no discoloration during storage in high temperatures. The company claims that it can be used as a ‘one stabilizer that fits all’ for pipe/ conduit since it can be used in nearly all applications at similar use levels as higher-tin, higher-priced stabilizers, which may provide an added cost benefit. The company has also recently announced that it has eliminated the use of fluorosurfactants from the manufacturing process for its Kynar® and Kynar Flex® polymer process aid (PPA) resins. Perfluorinated surfactants, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), have come under scrutiny by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to concerns about their persistence in the environment and are subject to an EPA voluntary stewardship programme seeking reductions in emissions and product content levels. Fluoropolymer process aids are very commonly used in the production of polyolefin films that are targeted for food packaging applications, making the need to eliminate fluorosurfactants even more important, Arkema explains. In its most recent financial results, for the second quarter of 2009, Arkema posted a net loss of 114 million (net income of 60 million in 2Q 2008) on net sales of 1.167 billion, down 23% from 1.509 billion for the same quarter last year. The fall in sales was primarily due to lower volumes and customer de-stocking; however, the year-on-year decline in volumes was smaller than for the first quarter of 2009, reflecting a recovery in China and a progressive reduction in de-stocking. In the Performance Products segment 2Q 2009 sales stood at 355 million, 17% down on the 2Q 2008 (430 million). Weak demand particularly in the automotive and construction
October 2009
sectors continued to affect segment sales. EBITDA was down 62.3% to 23 million, with major fixed costs savings across the segment’s activities helping mitigate the impact of lower demand. The segment reported good price resilience in most business units. Contact: Arkema Inc, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Tel: +1 215 419 7000, Web: www.arkema-inc.com
Improved glass fibre reinforcements unveiled by AGY and Gibson/Jushi
S
outh Carolina-based AGY, a global producer of high-strength glass fibre reinforcements and glass fibre yarns, has introduced S-1 Glass™ high-performance glass rovings for use in long fibre reinforced thermoplastics (LFT). The new material is also available in chopped form for glass-filled polymers. Designed for industrial applications, these highperformance glass fibres reportedly allow new levels of mechanical properties to be developed in a thermoplastic with much lower levels of glass fibre filler, allowing for better processing and higher impact performance, the company says. S-1 Glass was developed in response to the need for higher-performance glass fibre at a lower cost, and bridges the cost and performance gap between E-Glass and higher performance glass such as the company’s S-2 Glass fibres, says AGY new business development manager Iain Montgomery. ‘Its excellent balance of performance and cost is enabling manufacturers to maximize the benefits from high-strength glass fibre rovings and allowing exciting new applications to be developed’, he adds. According to AGY, studies have shown that 32% of S-1 Glass fibre content in an LFT can deliver the same performance as 60% of an E-Glass filled product. Reduced fibre content levels mean higher impact levels, better aesthetics and easier processing of the resins, explains Montgomery. ‘Alternatively, going to high levels of fibre content with S-1 Glass would allow new applications to be found due to increases in mechanical performance from these high performance fibres.’ S-1 Glass is designed for use with a broad range of thermoplastic resins such as PC, PEI, PBT and PA 6.6.
Additives for Polymers
5