- Email: [email protected]
Avecia’s antimicrobial for plastics achieves EPA registration
Additives for Polymers
According to BASF, Uvinul 3030 has unusually high thermal stability and low volatility, making it highly suitable for use in plastics that are processed at high temperatures, such as polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate and polyether sulfone. Excellent compatibility with polycarbonate also means it is ideal for high-transparency applications, such as window panes. In other news, BASF reported sales growth of 7.2% for the first quarter of 2003, while income from operations before special items rose by 15.4%. The sales climb was due to significant increase in volumes, particularly for the Chemicals and Plastics & Fibers segments, and a high oil price. Lower costs and more efficient processes also played a major part in ensuring that all segments increased earnings compared with the same period in 2002, according to chairman of the board Jürgen Strube. However, second-quarter sales and earnings are expected to increase only slightly compared with previous year. Contact: BASF AG, D-67065 Ludwigshafen, Germany; tel: +49-621-60-0; fax: +49-621-6042525; e-mail: [email protected]; URL: www.basf.de
Avecia’s antimicrobial for plastics achieves EPA registration Avecia Biocides has been awarded US EPA registration for its Vanquish™ 100 plastics antimicrobial. Already on the market in Europe, Asia and Latin America, the achievement of EPA registration means that Vanquish 100 now has global regulatory status and can be introduced in US and other key markets. Vanquish 100 antimicrobial is based on a dualpurpose preservative and effects molecule and has broad spectrum activity. It both inhibits deterioration of plastics and prevents bacterial and fungal surface growth. The active ingredient is nBBIT (N-butyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3one), a liquid active containing no arsenic, tin or chlorine. According to the company, this is the first new biocidal active ingredient to be registered as a preservative for plastics in the USA in the past five years.
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July 2003
The antimicrobial is used in low dosage levels and applications span polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC, silicones and polyurethanes. Proven product applications include preservation of polyurethanes in shoe soles, automotive polymers and silicone sealants, and antimicrobial protection of PVC products, Avecia reports. Contact: Avecia Inc, PO Box 15457, 1405 Foulk Road, Wilmington, DE 19850-5457, USA; tel: +1-302-477-8000; fax: +1-302-477-8120; URL: www.avecia.com/biocides
Kerr-McGee closes Mobile synthetic rutile plant Kerr-McGee Chemical LLC closed its synthetic rutile plant in Mobile, AL, USA on 5 June. The closure, announced at the beginning of the year (Additives for Polymers, March 2003, p. 3), is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance operating profitability. As a result of ongoing supply chain initiatives, the synthetic rutile feedstock can now be purchased more economically than it can be manufactured at Mobile. The company took a charge of about US$10 million in the first quarter for closing the plant, and the remaining cost of closure, including decommissioning expenses, will be taken as an additional charge of about $15 million in the second quarter. The move should save the company $25 million to $30 million annually beginning in 2004. Kerr-McGee said that it had considered selling the plant but eventually decided that closing it was the best option. Contact: Kerr-McGee Corp, PO Box 25861, Oklahoma City, OK 73125, USA; tel: +1-405775-5012; fax: +1-405-775-5027; URL: www.kerr-mcgee.com
MARKETS Global demand for carbon black markets slated to grow 3.5% yearly According to a recent study from the Freedonia Group, the global carbon black market will rise 3.5% annually from the current level of 7.2 million tonnes/year to reach
According to BASF, Uvinul 3030 has unusually high thermal stability and low volatility, making it highly suitable for use in plastics that are processed at high temperatures, such as polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate and polyether sulfone. Excellent compatibility with polycarbonate also means it is ideal for high-transparency applications, such as window panes. In other news, BASF reported sales growth of 7.2% for the first quarter of 2003, while income from operations before special items rose by 15.4%. The sales climb was due to significant increase in volumes, particularly for the Chemicals and Plastics & Fibers segments, and a high oil price. Lower costs and more efficient processes also played a major part in ensuring that all segments increased earnings compared with the same period in 2002, according to chairman of the board Jürgen Strube. However, second-quarter sales and earnings are expected to increase only slightly compared with previous year. Contact: BASF AG, D-67065 Ludwigshafen, Germany; tel: +49-621-60-0; fax: +49-621-6042525; e-mail: [email protected]; URL: www.basf.de
Avecia’s antimicrobial for plastics achieves EPA registration Avecia Biocides has been awarded US EPA registration for its Vanquish™ 100 plastics antimicrobial. Already on the market in Europe, Asia and Latin America, the achievement of EPA registration means that Vanquish 100 now has global regulatory status and can be introduced in US and other key markets. Vanquish 100 antimicrobial is based on a dualpurpose preservative and effects molecule and has broad spectrum activity. It both inhibits deterioration of plastics and prevents bacterial and fungal surface growth. The active ingredient is nBBIT (N-butyl-1,2-benzisothiazolin-3one), a liquid active containing no arsenic, tin or chlorine. According to the company, this is the first new biocidal active ingredient to be registered as a preservative for plastics in the USA in the past five years.
10
July 2003
The antimicrobial is used in low dosage levels and applications span polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC, silicones and polyurethanes. Proven product applications include preservation of polyurethanes in shoe soles, automotive polymers and silicone sealants, and antimicrobial protection of PVC products, Avecia reports. Contact: Avecia Inc, PO Box 15457, 1405 Foulk Road, Wilmington, DE 19850-5457, USA; tel: +1-302-477-8000; fax: +1-302-477-8120; URL: www.avecia.com/biocides
Kerr-McGee closes Mobile synthetic rutile plant Kerr-McGee Chemical LLC closed its synthetic rutile plant in Mobile, AL, USA on 5 June. The closure, announced at the beginning of the year (Additives for Polymers, March 2003, p. 3), is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance operating profitability. As a result of ongoing supply chain initiatives, the synthetic rutile feedstock can now be purchased more economically than it can be manufactured at Mobile. The company took a charge of about US$10 million in the first quarter for closing the plant, and the remaining cost of closure, including decommissioning expenses, will be taken as an additional charge of about $15 million in the second quarter. The move should save the company $25 million to $30 million annually beginning in 2004. Kerr-McGee said that it had considered selling the plant but eventually decided that closing it was the best option. Contact: Kerr-McGee Corp, PO Box 25861, Oklahoma City, OK 73125, USA; tel: +1-405775-5012; fax: +1-405-775-5027; URL: www.kerr-mcgee.com
MARKETS Global demand for carbon black markets slated to grow 3.5% yearly According to a recent study from the Freedonia Group, the global carbon black market will rise 3.5% annually from the current level of 7.2 million tonnes/year to reach