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Interplastic expands to meet composites demand
Eastman enters isophthalic acid business THE GLOBAL shortage of isophthalic acid (IPA) looks set to ease somewhat with Eastman Chemical Co’s announcement that it is entering the business. The Kingsport, Tennessee-based company plans to construct a world-scale facility in North America. Construction of the 60 000 tonne plant will begin this summer and it should be online by mid-1998. Full details of the site will be announced later. “The plant will provide IPA for Eastman’s internal needs and allow Eastman to participate in the growing global market for this important chemical intermediate,” says Jim Dickert, vice president and general manager of Eastman’s Coatings, Inks and Resins business. Dickert adds that Eastman has a long term commitment for the supply of metalxylene, the raw material required to produce IPA. IPA is used as an intermediate in the manufacture of polyester resin for reinforced plastics, coatings, inks and packaging applications. The major producer until now has been Amoco Chemical which recently announced its own expansion plans (Reinforced Plastics, February 1996). Tom Dickens, Eastman; tel: + I-423-228
3149.
Interplastic expands to meet composites demand RESIN producer Interplastic Corp is planning capacity expansions at three sites for its Silmar@ Resins and Commercial Resins divisions. The firm says the expansions at Fort Wright, Kentucky; Hawthorne, California; and Pryor, Oklahoma, will significantly increase its production capacity in order to support the growth it anticipates for the US composites industry. According to Robert DeRoma, senior vice president, these expansions will allow Interplastic’s production and sales to continue to grow at a rate equivalent to industry growth, and for each division to maintain its current market share. “We will attempt to time these expansions with the growth needs of the industry and with those of our customers,” he says. At the Silmar Resins’ plant in Fort Wright a 30 280 litre reactor expansion is expected to be operational later this year. This will provide sufficient blending and storage equipment for high-volume production of a full range of DCPD (dicyclopentadiene) and orthophthalit laminating resins, as well as Silmar’s traditional product line. Ex-
pansion at this location will strengthen its market position in the midwestern, eastern and south eastern regions says Interplastic. The Silmar Resins division is also finalizing cost estimates for a 15 140 litre reactor at its Hawthorne plant. The division plans to install a Hastelloy reactor to produce halogenated bases for fire retardant resins. Project approval is expected by the second half of 1996, with production scheduled for 1997. The Commercial Resin division is finalizing cost estimates for a 37 850 litre reactor expansion at its Pryor plant. This will allow it to meet growing customer need in the south western region, says Interplastic. Plans and funding for the project are expected to be finalized by the third quarter of 1996. “These expenditures, along with the acquisitions we have completed during the last three years, are continued indications of Interplastic’s longterm commitment to the composites industry,” says DeRoma. Robert DeRoma, Interplastic Carp; tel: + l-612-481-6860; fax: + 1-612-481-
9834.
Pultruder aims to replace aluminium extrusions A NEW US pultruder is aiming to replace aluminium extrusions in consumer applications and recreational vehicles (RV). Veracor Composite Technologies says it will focus its efforts on replacing aluminium extrusions with proprietary profiles in consumer products and structural components for RVs. The firm will complement this business with the manufacture of complete products and custom profiles for other composites markets. Veracor will be headed by Robert L. Sturkey, formerly vice president of operations for A.R.E Inc of Massillon, Ohio. It will be based in Akron, Ohio, and will comprise an experienced team drawn from the pultrusion, chemical, plastics engineering and research and development sectors. Robert L. Sturkey, Veracor Composite TechnoG ogies Inc; tel: + l-216922- 1842.
In-brief Vetrotex
CertainTeed’s
manufacturing plant in Wichita Falls, Texas, USA, is now officially operating as an IS0 9002 facility. The plant received its certificate from British Standards Institution Quality Assurance on 18 January.
Reinforced Plastics April 1996
3149.
Interplastic expands to meet composites demand RESIN producer Interplastic Corp is planning capacity expansions at three sites for its Silmar@ Resins and Commercial Resins divisions. The firm says the expansions at Fort Wright, Kentucky; Hawthorne, California; and Pryor, Oklahoma, will significantly increase its production capacity in order to support the growth it anticipates for the US composites industry. According to Robert DeRoma, senior vice president, these expansions will allow Interplastic’s production and sales to continue to grow at a rate equivalent to industry growth, and for each division to maintain its current market share. “We will attempt to time these expansions with the growth needs of the industry and with those of our customers,” he says. At the Silmar Resins’ plant in Fort Wright a 30 280 litre reactor expansion is expected to be operational later this year. This will provide sufficient blending and storage equipment for high-volume production of a full range of DCPD (dicyclopentadiene) and orthophthalit laminating resins, as well as Silmar’s traditional product line. Ex-
pansion at this location will strengthen its market position in the midwestern, eastern and south eastern regions says Interplastic. The Silmar Resins division is also finalizing cost estimates for a 15 140 litre reactor at its Hawthorne plant. The division plans to install a Hastelloy reactor to produce halogenated bases for fire retardant resins. Project approval is expected by the second half of 1996, with production scheduled for 1997. The Commercial Resin division is finalizing cost estimates for a 37 850 litre reactor expansion at its Pryor plant. This will allow it to meet growing customer need in the south western region, says Interplastic. Plans and funding for the project are expected to be finalized by the third quarter of 1996. “These expenditures, along with the acquisitions we have completed during the last three years, are continued indications of Interplastic’s longterm commitment to the composites industry,” says DeRoma. Robert DeRoma, Interplastic Carp; tel: + l-612-481-6860; fax: + 1-612-481-
9834.
Pultruder aims to replace aluminium extrusions A NEW US pultruder is aiming to replace aluminium extrusions in consumer applications and recreational vehicles (RV). Veracor Composite Technologies says it will focus its efforts on replacing aluminium extrusions with proprietary profiles in consumer products and structural components for RVs. The firm will complement this business with the manufacture of complete products and custom profiles for other composites markets. Veracor will be headed by Robert L. Sturkey, formerly vice president of operations for A.R.E Inc of Massillon, Ohio. It will be based in Akron, Ohio, and will comprise an experienced team drawn from the pultrusion, chemical, plastics engineering and research and development sectors. Robert L. Sturkey, Veracor Composite TechnoG ogies Inc; tel: + l-216922- 1842.
In-brief Vetrotex
CertainTeed’s
manufacturing plant in Wichita Falls, Texas, USA, is now officially operating as an IS0 9002 facility. The plant received its certificate from British Standards Institution Quality Assurance on 18 January.
Reinforced Plastics April 1996