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PP blends; begins construction at Shanghai site
MATERIALS
MATERIALS BYK develops modifier for PS/PP blends; begins construction at Shanghai site
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YK Additives & Instruments, part of Germany’s Altana group, has introduced a new modifier designed to improve the distribution of polystyrene (PS) in a matrix phase of polypropylene (PP) in blends of the two polymers. Elsewhere, the company has broken ground for a new multifunctional integrated facility in Shanghai, China. SCONA TPPP 1616 FA is based on a PP homopolymer functionalized with PS. The additive can be used to improve blends of PP with both general-purpose PS and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), the company reports. Based upon the total formulation, a use level of 5–10% of the powdered additive is suggested, depending on the PS content of the compound; however, the optimal level for a given application should be determined by customer testing, the company stresses. The modifier is typically added to the main feed of the extruder during production of the compound, BYK says. In other recent news, BYK Additives & Instruments broke ground for its integrated site on the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park in late July. The company is investing more than E30 million in the new facility, which, when completed, will extend over an area of 50 000 m2 and combine R&D, technical services, logistics and administrative functions ‘under one roof’. The development will include application laboratories conforming to BYK’s global standards that will be equipped with advanced chemical synthesis equipment and precision analytical instruments, Gerd Judith, managing director BYK Additives & Instruments, revealed at the ground-breaking ceremony. The local R&D team will also be boosted. ‘We also plan to gradually introduce the latest technologies, customizing products to meet local customers’ needs’, Judith says. The Shanghai site is expected to become fully operational in the second half of 2018, and will provide the basis for the continued expansion of the company’s business operations in Greater China and the Asia Pacific region as a whole, BYK reports. According to Dr Fu Dechun, managing director BYK Greater China, the construction of its Shanghai site is ‘a major step forward’ for the company and of ‘strategic significance for the future long-term development’ of both
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Additives for Polymers
BYK and the wider Altana group. The Shanghai project represents Altana’s third significant investment in its BYK subsidiary in the past year, following the acquisitions of Dutch company Addcomp Holland [ADPO, September 2016] and US additives producer PolyAd Services [ibid., April 2017]. BYK achieved sales of E909 million in 2016, up 4% on the previous year; however, it recorded double-digit sales growth for the year in the Greater China region. More information: www.byk.com/additives More information: www.altana.com
Velox launches flame retardant masterbatch range
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erman firm Velox GmbH, a distributor of raw material specialities for plastics, composites and rubber, among others, is extending its flame retardants offering by launching its own range of flame retardant masterbatches. The Vemab® FR-branded range comprises seven brominated and halogen-free masterbatches, which are reported to be suitable for use in many applications, including the extrusion of film, sheets and cables, and blow and injection moulding. While designed mainly for applications in polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene and thermoplastic olefins, the flame retardants can also be used in other thermoplastic polymers including polyamide, polystyrene and their derivatives, the company observes. In addition, individual solutions can be offered on request, Velox says. The new range will be exhibited at Fakuma, to be held in Friedrichshafen in October, but samples are already available for evaluation. The company also supplies flame retardants produced by Italmatch Chemicals, SI Group [ADPO, July 2011] and Tolsa Group. Velox was established in 1993 and is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. It operates throughout Europe, with 21 offices and more than 230 employees.
More information: www.velox.com
Holland Colours unveils new colorant for PET packaging
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utch colorants manufacturer Holland Colours has introduced a new product for the coloration of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging
September 2017
MATERIALS BYK develops modifier for PS/PP blends; begins construction at Shanghai site
B
YK Additives & Instruments, part of Germany’s Altana group, has introduced a new modifier designed to improve the distribution of polystyrene (PS) in a matrix phase of polypropylene (PP) in blends of the two polymers. Elsewhere, the company has broken ground for a new multifunctional integrated facility in Shanghai, China. SCONA TPPP 1616 FA is based on a PP homopolymer functionalized with PS. The additive can be used to improve blends of PP with both general-purpose PS and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), the company reports. Based upon the total formulation, a use level of 5–10% of the powdered additive is suggested, depending on the PS content of the compound; however, the optimal level for a given application should be determined by customer testing, the company stresses. The modifier is typically added to the main feed of the extruder during production of the compound, BYK says. In other recent news, BYK Additives & Instruments broke ground for its integrated site on the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park in late July. The company is investing more than E30 million in the new facility, which, when completed, will extend over an area of 50 000 m2 and combine R&D, technical services, logistics and administrative functions ‘under one roof’. The development will include application laboratories conforming to BYK’s global standards that will be equipped with advanced chemical synthesis equipment and precision analytical instruments, Gerd Judith, managing director BYK Additives & Instruments, revealed at the ground-breaking ceremony. The local R&D team will also be boosted. ‘We also plan to gradually introduce the latest technologies, customizing products to meet local customers’ needs’, Judith says. The Shanghai site is expected to become fully operational in the second half of 2018, and will provide the basis for the continued expansion of the company’s business operations in Greater China and the Asia Pacific region as a whole, BYK reports. According to Dr Fu Dechun, managing director BYK Greater China, the construction of its Shanghai site is ‘a major step forward’ for the company and of ‘strategic significance for the future long-term development’ of both
2
Additives for Polymers
BYK and the wider Altana group. The Shanghai project represents Altana’s third significant investment in its BYK subsidiary in the past year, following the acquisitions of Dutch company Addcomp Holland [ADPO, September 2016] and US additives producer PolyAd Services [ibid., April 2017]. BYK achieved sales of E909 million in 2016, up 4% on the previous year; however, it recorded double-digit sales growth for the year in the Greater China region. More information: www.byk.com/additives More information: www.altana.com
Velox launches flame retardant masterbatch range
G
erman firm Velox GmbH, a distributor of raw material specialities for plastics, composites and rubber, among others, is extending its flame retardants offering by launching its own range of flame retardant masterbatches. The Vemab® FR-branded range comprises seven brominated and halogen-free masterbatches, which are reported to be suitable for use in many applications, including the extrusion of film, sheets and cables, and blow and injection moulding. While designed mainly for applications in polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene and thermoplastic olefins, the flame retardants can also be used in other thermoplastic polymers including polyamide, polystyrene and their derivatives, the company observes. In addition, individual solutions can be offered on request, Velox says. The new range will be exhibited at Fakuma, to be held in Friedrichshafen in October, but samples are already available for evaluation. The company also supplies flame retardants produced by Italmatch Chemicals, SI Group [ADPO, July 2011] and Tolsa Group. Velox was established in 1993 and is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. It operates throughout Europe, with 21 offices and more than 230 employees.
More information: www.velox.com
Holland Colours unveils new colorant for PET packaging
D
utch colorants manufacturer Holland Colours has introduced a new product for the coloration of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging
September 2017