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GCR to increase masterbatch and PP compound capacity
STRATEGIES
GCR to increase masterbatch and PP compound capacity
S
pain’s GCR Group, based in La Bisbal del Penedès in Tarragona, is increasing its annual production capacity of mineral masterbatches and polypropylene (PP) compounds to 320 000 tonnes in 2016 from its previous level of 255 000 tonnes. The company is installing a new production line for its Granic calcium carbonate and talc masterbatches, which it expects to commence operating in mid-summer 2016. This will raise its Granic masterbatch capacity from 220 000 tonnes/year to nearly 300 000 tonnes/ year, GCR says. The firm also reports that it has developed new products in its Ciclic range of recycled talcfilled PP compounds in response to the growing demand for sustainable materials in the automotive sector. The PP is sourced from process scrap and petrochemical plant scrap material. GCR expects to produce 15 000 tonnes of these automotive grades in 2016, and forecasts that production of the new grades will increase to around 25 000 tonnes in 2017. GCR’s investment in 2016 also includes the construction of a new 10 000 m2 logistics warehouse, which it says will enable it to supply Granic and Ciclic products at short notice. The new warehouse is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016. With customers in more than 100 countries worldwide, GCR reports that exports account for 85% of its sales. In addition, the company is investing in more R&D staff and new pilot plant equipment to assist in its continuing development of new products with a lower environmental impact. Contact: GCR Group, La Bisbal del Penedès, Tarragona, Spain. Tel: +34 977 166 950, Web: www.granic.es or www.gcrgroup.es
Chemours building first full-scale plant for production of low GWP foaming agent
P
erformance chemicals company Chemours, in partnership with Changshu 3F Zhonghao, is building its first full-scale production facility for hydrofluoroolefin product HFO-1336mzz
8
Additives for Polymers
(1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene) in Changshu, Jiangsu Province, China. The companies broke ground in November and the site is expected to begin production mid-year in 2017, providing increased capacity for low global warming potential (GWP) foam expansion agents and refrigerants. Foam expansion agents based on HFO-1336mzz, sold by Chemours as Formacel™ 1100 [ADPO, June 2014], are reported to offer excellent environmental properties across a variety of applications, including appliances, spray foam and board stock. In addition to its zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and an extremely low GWP of less than two, the product can further reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions ‘with better thermal insulation performance than incumbent products’, the company claims. Formacel 1100 also provides ‘superior stability’ compared to other olefin-based blowing agents, and its shelf life of up to 12 months allows customers ‘to use the product with confidence over an extended period’, according to Chemours. HFO1336mzz is also the basis of a number of Chemours’ existing and developmental refrigerant fluids. ‘The Changshu facility shows our continued commitment to meeting the needs of our customers for high-performance, environmentally friendly solutions that enable them to meet growing regulatory and sustainability demands’, comments Thierry F.J. Vanlancker, president, Chemours Fluoroproducts. Chemours reports that it has invested ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ to offer customers new sustainable foam, refrigerant and aerosol propellant products with no ozone depletion and low global warming potential. In addition, the company and its suppliers ‘have plans to invest hundreds of millions more’ in the next five years to bring online additional capacity for these more-sustainable, high-performance products, it reveals. Newly formed as a spin-off from DuPont [ibid., August 2015], Chemours is a leading global provider of titanium technologies, fluoroproducts and chemical solutions with approximately 8400 employees across 36 manufacturing sites. Shortly after its establishment as an independent company, it announced a five-point transformation plan with the aim of becoming ‘a higher-value chemistry company’. The plan focuses on five strategic elements – reducing structural costs, growing market positions, refocusing investments, optimizing the portfolio and enhancing the organization – and aims to cut costs by US$350
January 2016
GCR to increase masterbatch and PP compound capacity
S
pain’s GCR Group, based in La Bisbal del Penedès in Tarragona, is increasing its annual production capacity of mineral masterbatches and polypropylene (PP) compounds to 320 000 tonnes in 2016 from its previous level of 255 000 tonnes. The company is installing a new production line for its Granic calcium carbonate and talc masterbatches, which it expects to commence operating in mid-summer 2016. This will raise its Granic masterbatch capacity from 220 000 tonnes/year to nearly 300 000 tonnes/ year, GCR says. The firm also reports that it has developed new products in its Ciclic range of recycled talcfilled PP compounds in response to the growing demand for sustainable materials in the automotive sector. The PP is sourced from process scrap and petrochemical plant scrap material. GCR expects to produce 15 000 tonnes of these automotive grades in 2016, and forecasts that production of the new grades will increase to around 25 000 tonnes in 2017. GCR’s investment in 2016 also includes the construction of a new 10 000 m2 logistics warehouse, which it says will enable it to supply Granic and Ciclic products at short notice. The new warehouse is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016. With customers in more than 100 countries worldwide, GCR reports that exports account for 85% of its sales. In addition, the company is investing in more R&D staff and new pilot plant equipment to assist in its continuing development of new products with a lower environmental impact. Contact: GCR Group, La Bisbal del Penedès, Tarragona, Spain. Tel: +34 977 166 950, Web: www.granic.es or www.gcrgroup.es
Chemours building first full-scale plant for production of low GWP foaming agent
P
erformance chemicals company Chemours, in partnership with Changshu 3F Zhonghao, is building its first full-scale production facility for hydrofluoroolefin product HFO-1336mzz
8
Additives for Polymers
(1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluorobut-2-ene) in Changshu, Jiangsu Province, China. The companies broke ground in November and the site is expected to begin production mid-year in 2017, providing increased capacity for low global warming potential (GWP) foam expansion agents and refrigerants. Foam expansion agents based on HFO-1336mzz, sold by Chemours as Formacel™ 1100 [ADPO, June 2014], are reported to offer excellent environmental properties across a variety of applications, including appliances, spray foam and board stock. In addition to its zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and an extremely low GWP of less than two, the product can further reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions ‘with better thermal insulation performance than incumbent products’, the company claims. Formacel 1100 also provides ‘superior stability’ compared to other olefin-based blowing agents, and its shelf life of up to 12 months allows customers ‘to use the product with confidence over an extended period’, according to Chemours. HFO1336mzz is also the basis of a number of Chemours’ existing and developmental refrigerant fluids. ‘The Changshu facility shows our continued commitment to meeting the needs of our customers for high-performance, environmentally friendly solutions that enable them to meet growing regulatory and sustainability demands’, comments Thierry F.J. Vanlancker, president, Chemours Fluoroproducts. Chemours reports that it has invested ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ to offer customers new sustainable foam, refrigerant and aerosol propellant products with no ozone depletion and low global warming potential. In addition, the company and its suppliers ‘have plans to invest hundreds of millions more’ in the next five years to bring online additional capacity for these more-sustainable, high-performance products, it reveals. Newly formed as a spin-off from DuPont [ibid., August 2015], Chemours is a leading global provider of titanium technologies, fluoroproducts and chemical solutions with approximately 8400 employees across 36 manufacturing sites. Shortly after its establishment as an independent company, it announced a five-point transformation plan with the aim of becoming ‘a higher-value chemistry company’. The plan focuses on five strategic elements – reducing structural costs, growing market positions, refocusing investments, optimizing the portfolio and enhancing the organization – and aims to cut costs by US$350
January 2016