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BASF exhibits novelty blue pigment
November 2001
Contact: Great Lakes Chemical Carp, PO Box 2200, 1 Greut Lakes Boulevard, West Lqfa_vette, Indianapolis, IN 47906.5394, USA; tel: +I317-715-3000; .fax: +I-76.5-497-6316; URL: nww.pa.greatlakes.com
Ticona introduces fine UHMW-PE powders as functional additives Ticona has introduced fine powder grades of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) for use as performance additives in plastics, rubbers, paints, coatings, sealants and other materials. GUR@ MicroPowder grades have average particle sizes ranging from 30 to 60 microns. Ticona says the products enhance abrasion and mar resistance, coefficient of friction (COF), chemical resistance, impact strength and other mechanical properties. Their action is similar to that of fluoropolymer powder additives but they offer better protection against scratching. Used as an additive for plastics, GUR8 MicroPowders offer better slip, abrasion resistance and texture. For rubbers the benefits include low COF and improved thermal properties, impact strength and abrasion resistance. Coatings and paints gain improved surface texture, wear resistance and gloss reduction, the company says. The grade with an average particle size of 30 microns has a specially engineered particle morphology that creates a unique light scattering effect when used as a matting agent in coatings. The 60-micron grade has smooth, relatively spherical particles. Both grades disperse and bond well in many matrices. Ticona says the powders need no additional micronizing and can be dispersed with standard mixing equipment, usually at concentrations of 3 to 10 wt%. They also withstand high-intensity mixing with minimum particle deformation. The GUR@ powders do not absorb moisture, and have an effective thermal range of -265 to +9O”C. They also have extended deformation resistance under low mechanical load, even above their melting point (135°C) which can be important in applications such as coatings cured at high-temperature.
0200 1 Elsevier Science
Additives.for
Polymers
In other company news, David N. Weidman has been appointed COO of Celanese AG as of 1 January 2002, with responsibility for Celanese Chemicals and Ticona Technical Polymers. From the same date, Stefan Sommer, currently COO of Ticona, becomes CEO of the technical polymers business. Contact: Ticona GmbH, Werk Ruhrchemie, Postfach 13 01 60, D-46128 Oberhausen, Germany; tel: +49-208-693-2837; .fax: +49208-693-2039; URL: t~ww.ticona.com
Chroma lnjecta introduces new transparent colours Chroma Injecta Color Systems of McHenry, IL, USA, has introduced a series of new transparent colours for thermoplastics. The company says the colours are suitable for use in a wide range of resins, including polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylic, ABS, polyethylene and PET. Low usage rates, which are normally less than 1% and can be as low as 0.5%, are an additional advantage, according to Chroma. The new liquid colours give a clear, clean, sparkling appearance in applications such as personal care, housewares and plastic bottles. Chroma Injecta Color Systems was established in 1999 when Chroma Corp acquired Morton International Inc’s liquid colorants division Injecta Color. The company specializes in the manufacture of liquid colorants for the thermoplastics industry. Contact: Chroma Corp, 3900 Dayton St, McHenry IL 600.50-837X USA: tel: +I-81.5385-8100; jl?x. +I-81.5-385-1518; e-mail. chroma@,chromacolors.com
BASF exhibits novelty blue pigment Described as a ‘trade-fair novelty’, BASF introduced a new low-warpage copper phthalocyanine blue pigment for colouring plastics at the K 200 1 show. Conventional copper phthalocyanine blues adversely affect the dimensional stability of PE-HD injection mouldings and hence their processing and functional properties. BASF claims its new Heliogen@ Blue K 6915 has no effect on the warpage of PE. The
Additives,for
Polymers
pigment, which is supplied as powder, consists of Cu phthalocyanine in the alpha form, stabilized by partial chlorination. Applications are large injection mouldings such as bottle crates, automotive parts, storage containers and transport containers. In other recent BASF news, two units serving the coatings industry - Colorants for Coatings and Coatings Raw Materials - have been combined into a new operating sector ‘Performance Chemicals for Coatings’. The sector belongs in the Performance Chemicals operating division alongside Performance Chemicals for Plastics and Specialties. The new structure is aimed at meeting the changing requirements of the coatings industry more closely. Contuct: BASF AC, D-67065 Ludwligshqfen, Gemany; tel: +49-62I-60-O;,fu.x: +49-621-604252.5; e-mail: iqfo.sewice@ba$ug.de; URL. MWW:ba$com/pigment
COMPANY
STRATEGIES
Restructuring continues for additives units at PolyOne PolyOne Corp, headquartered in Cleveland, OH, is making a series of changes within its colorants, performance additives and elastomers operations. These include the selection of eight centres of manufacturing excellence (CMEs) for colorants and the phasing out of a number of operations. The company is to invest US$l8 million in creating the CMEs at eight of its 12 existing colorants manufacturing plants, with the installation of new equipment and production lines. Production capacity will be increased by 15% as a result, and service and response time improved. The move is part of PolyOne’s strategy to modernize the North American operations of its largest business unit, Plastic Compounds and Colors (PCC). Under the new Grove Village, olefin colorants both small and colorants. Fort for the custom
4
structure, the operation in Elk IL, will concentrate on polyfor the packaging market in medium order sizes, and PET Worth, TX, becomes the CME profile and sheet market, and
November 2001
acrylic, vinyl and polyolefin products, while Glendale, AZ, will produce colorants for multiple products and markets on the West Coast. The facility at Lehigh Valley, PA, is to focus on products for the wire and cable and general industrial markets, with emphasis on polyolefins, vinyl and acrylic products. Automotive and non-automotive moulding customers will be served by the operation at Norwalk, OH, while Seabrook, TX, will manufacture products for the film, pipe and fittings markets, particularly large order styrenics and polyolefins, and additive concentrates. Styrenic colorants for other markets will be produced at St Peters, MO, while large orders for colorants for polyolefin products will be handled by the Vonore, TN facility. The size, location and product mix were among the factors considered in choosing the centres. Chairman and CEO Thomas A. Waltermire says that the reconfiguration and investment in PolyOne’s colorants capabilities reflects the company’s confidence in the potential of this business. After expansion of the CMEs, and transfer of all production, PolyOne will close its four remaining colorants plants in Broadview Heights. OH. Florence, KY, Gastonia, NC, and Somerset, NJ. The closures are projected to occur in the second half of 2002, and will yield an estimated improvement in pre-tax earnings of $16 million annually, beginning in 2003. About 180 positions will be lost through the closures, while some 30 new positions will be created at the expanded CMEs. In the next 18 months, PolyOne expects to invest approximately $45 million to consolidate and upgrade its North American PCC operations, which includes engineered materials and vinyl compounds in addition to colorants. Within the Elastomers and Performance Additives group, the company is to close three further elastomer manufacturing and compounding facilities, at Tillsonburg, Canada, Dyersburg, TN and Chicago, in addition to the previously announced closure of the Kingstree, SC compounding plant. PolyOne is also planning to integrate Performance Additives with its Specialty Resins and Formulators unit in the future. As a step towards this, the company is to eliminate 30 administrative positions in Performance Additives by the end of second-quarter 2002.
0200 1 Elsevier Science
Contact: Great Lakes Chemical Carp, PO Box 2200, 1 Greut Lakes Boulevard, West Lqfa_vette, Indianapolis, IN 47906.5394, USA; tel: +I317-715-3000; .fax: +I-76.5-497-6316; URL: nww.pa.greatlakes.com
Ticona introduces fine UHMW-PE powders as functional additives Ticona has introduced fine powder grades of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) for use as performance additives in plastics, rubbers, paints, coatings, sealants and other materials. GUR@ MicroPowder grades have average particle sizes ranging from 30 to 60 microns. Ticona says the products enhance abrasion and mar resistance, coefficient of friction (COF), chemical resistance, impact strength and other mechanical properties. Their action is similar to that of fluoropolymer powder additives but they offer better protection against scratching. Used as an additive for plastics, GUR8 MicroPowders offer better slip, abrasion resistance and texture. For rubbers the benefits include low COF and improved thermal properties, impact strength and abrasion resistance. Coatings and paints gain improved surface texture, wear resistance and gloss reduction, the company says. The grade with an average particle size of 30 microns has a specially engineered particle morphology that creates a unique light scattering effect when used as a matting agent in coatings. The 60-micron grade has smooth, relatively spherical particles. Both grades disperse and bond well in many matrices. Ticona says the powders need no additional micronizing and can be dispersed with standard mixing equipment, usually at concentrations of 3 to 10 wt%. They also withstand high-intensity mixing with minimum particle deformation. The GUR@ powders do not absorb moisture, and have an effective thermal range of -265 to +9O”C. They also have extended deformation resistance under low mechanical load, even above their melting point (135°C) which can be important in applications such as coatings cured at high-temperature.
0200 1 Elsevier Science
Additives.for
Polymers
In other company news, David N. Weidman has been appointed COO of Celanese AG as of 1 January 2002, with responsibility for Celanese Chemicals and Ticona Technical Polymers. From the same date, Stefan Sommer, currently COO of Ticona, becomes CEO of the technical polymers business. Contact: Ticona GmbH, Werk Ruhrchemie, Postfach 13 01 60, D-46128 Oberhausen, Germany; tel: +49-208-693-2837; .fax: +49208-693-2039; URL: t~ww.ticona.com
Chroma lnjecta introduces new transparent colours Chroma Injecta Color Systems of McHenry, IL, USA, has introduced a series of new transparent colours for thermoplastics. The company says the colours are suitable for use in a wide range of resins, including polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylic, ABS, polyethylene and PET. Low usage rates, which are normally less than 1% and can be as low as 0.5%, are an additional advantage, according to Chroma. The new liquid colours give a clear, clean, sparkling appearance in applications such as personal care, housewares and plastic bottles. Chroma Injecta Color Systems was established in 1999 when Chroma Corp acquired Morton International Inc’s liquid colorants division Injecta Color. The company specializes in the manufacture of liquid colorants for the thermoplastics industry. Contact: Chroma Corp, 3900 Dayton St, McHenry IL 600.50-837X USA: tel: +I-81.5385-8100; jl?x. +I-81.5-385-1518; e-mail. chroma@,chromacolors.com
BASF exhibits novelty blue pigment Described as a ‘trade-fair novelty’, BASF introduced a new low-warpage copper phthalocyanine blue pigment for colouring plastics at the K 200 1 show. Conventional copper phthalocyanine blues adversely affect the dimensional stability of PE-HD injection mouldings and hence their processing and functional properties. BASF claims its new Heliogen@ Blue K 6915 has no effect on the warpage of PE. The
Additives,for
Polymers
pigment, which is supplied as powder, consists of Cu phthalocyanine in the alpha form, stabilized by partial chlorination. Applications are large injection mouldings such as bottle crates, automotive parts, storage containers and transport containers. In other recent BASF news, two units serving the coatings industry - Colorants for Coatings and Coatings Raw Materials - have been combined into a new operating sector ‘Performance Chemicals for Coatings’. The sector belongs in the Performance Chemicals operating division alongside Performance Chemicals for Plastics and Specialties. The new structure is aimed at meeting the changing requirements of the coatings industry more closely. Contuct: BASF AC, D-67065 Ludwligshqfen, Gemany; tel: +49-62I-60-O;,fu.x: +49-621-604252.5; e-mail: iqfo.sewice@ba$ug.de; URL. MWW:ba$com/pigment
COMPANY
STRATEGIES
Restructuring continues for additives units at PolyOne PolyOne Corp, headquartered in Cleveland, OH, is making a series of changes within its colorants, performance additives and elastomers operations. These include the selection of eight centres of manufacturing excellence (CMEs) for colorants and the phasing out of a number of operations. The company is to invest US$l8 million in creating the CMEs at eight of its 12 existing colorants manufacturing plants, with the installation of new equipment and production lines. Production capacity will be increased by 15% as a result, and service and response time improved. The move is part of PolyOne’s strategy to modernize the North American operations of its largest business unit, Plastic Compounds and Colors (PCC). Under the new Grove Village, olefin colorants both small and colorants. Fort for the custom
4
structure, the operation in Elk IL, will concentrate on polyfor the packaging market in medium order sizes, and PET Worth, TX, becomes the CME profile and sheet market, and
November 2001
acrylic, vinyl and polyolefin products, while Glendale, AZ, will produce colorants for multiple products and markets on the West Coast. The facility at Lehigh Valley, PA, is to focus on products for the wire and cable and general industrial markets, with emphasis on polyolefins, vinyl and acrylic products. Automotive and non-automotive moulding customers will be served by the operation at Norwalk, OH, while Seabrook, TX, will manufacture products for the film, pipe and fittings markets, particularly large order styrenics and polyolefins, and additive concentrates. Styrenic colorants for other markets will be produced at St Peters, MO, while large orders for colorants for polyolefin products will be handled by the Vonore, TN facility. The size, location and product mix were among the factors considered in choosing the centres. Chairman and CEO Thomas A. Waltermire says that the reconfiguration and investment in PolyOne’s colorants capabilities reflects the company’s confidence in the potential of this business. After expansion of the CMEs, and transfer of all production, PolyOne will close its four remaining colorants plants in Broadview Heights. OH. Florence, KY, Gastonia, NC, and Somerset, NJ. The closures are projected to occur in the second half of 2002, and will yield an estimated improvement in pre-tax earnings of $16 million annually, beginning in 2003. About 180 positions will be lost through the closures, while some 30 new positions will be created at the expanded CMEs. In the next 18 months, PolyOne expects to invest approximately $45 million to consolidate and upgrade its North American PCC operations, which includes engineered materials and vinyl compounds in addition to colorants. Within the Elastomers and Performance Additives group, the company is to close three further elastomer manufacturing and compounding facilities, at Tillsonburg, Canada, Dyersburg, TN and Chicago, in addition to the previously announced closure of the Kingstree, SC compounding plant. PolyOne is also planning to integrate Performance Additives with its Specialty Resins and Formulators unit in the future. As a step towards this, the company is to eliminate 30 administrative positions in Performance Additives by the end of second-quarter 2002.
0200 1 Elsevier Science