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Plasticizer plant comes on stream
Industry
News
New research provides boost for phthalates Speaking at PVC 99 held in Brighton in April, David Cadogan of the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) highlighted the results of new research on the health and environmental effects ofphthalates, which still account for 92% ofplasticizers used in PVC. He declared that the new studies on five phthalates (BBP, DBP, DEHP, DINP and DIDP) provided strong evidence that phthalates have little or no effect on humans. New studies on primates combined with an improved understanding of why phthalates cause problems in mice have
drawn the condusion that the carcinogenic and reproductive effects produced by phthalates in rodents are specific to the species and of little relevance to humans. He claimed that the information gained from the research clearly shows that phthalates are not responsible for producing oestrogen in males and suppressing its activities in females. David Cadogan also argued that the hypothesis that phthalares could affect the group of male hormones known as androgens is not supported by initial investigations. Regarding the environment, he reported results that showed
that the extremely low solubility of phthalates in water and their rapid aerobic degradation mean that their levels in the environment are low. At such levels (up to the limit of their water solubility) they do not have any toxic effect on a wide range of aquatic organisms. A higher level of phthalates can be found in the anaerobic conditions in sediments. However, he asserted that a number of independent studies on a variety of sediment dwelling organisms have shown that phthalates, at concentrations many times greater than those found in the environment, have no adverse effects.
David Cadogan urged the industry to stand firm on the issue and the ECPI would be presenting the research findings to the European Union as part of its campaign to fight offa ban on the use of phthalates in toys. He was keen to stress that decisions need to be taken on scientific evidence and not on emotions. Research on phthalates has been conducted over 40 years at a cost of $100 million, he told the conference, with $5 million being spent this year. This meant that a great deal more was known about phthalates and PVC than any of the alternatives.
Solvay expands calcium carbonate business Belgian company Solvay has purchased the Winnofil ® precipitated calcium carbonate business from Zeneca. The 65 employees located at the Lostock facility, near Manchester in the UK, will
transfer with the filler business. Solvay says that the move is part of its commitment to increase its presence in the UK and expand its activities in speciality materials.
Plasticizer plant on stream Eastman Chemical has commissioned a plant to manufacture TXIB T M plasticizer at its Pulau Sakra complex in Singapore. The facility is one of five new plants to come on stream during the first half of this year at the site and is part of the company's $200 million investment in oxo chemicals manufacture. TXIB is a primary plasticizer used in manufacturing vinyl toys, sheet flooring, wallpaper and gloves.
Plastics Additives &
The company adds that the Lostock production unit complements its existing activities in Europe, as it already operates four precipitated calcium carbonate plants in mainland Europe. The Winnofil acquisi-
comes
tion will also increase Solvay's product range and provide improved flexibility and service, says the company. Precipitated calcium carbonate is the most important product of Solvay's fillers.
Ampacet looks for growth Ampacet Corporation, the manufacturer ofcotour and additive concentrates, is to increase its global capacity by 79 000 tonnes to more than 260 000 tonnes through a combination of growth and acquisitions. This will take its share of the global masterbatch capacity to around 17.5%, says the company. According to Ampacet, the global masterbatch industry will continue to grow at
Prior to completion of the complex, Eastman Chemical Singapore was using storage tanks at terminal facilities on Palau Sakra to supply its Asian customers with products from Eastman's facilities in the USA. Despite the economic problems in Asia, the company remains confident that there will be good demand for these products as the region regains its economic strength.
CompoundingJune 1999
4
around 6% per year. North America will grow at 5.0%, while it will be 4.3% in Europe. Asia will exhibit the largest annual growth at 8.1%, with the rest of the world growing at 5.5%. The company's overall programme for international expansion is based on new capacity for niche markets, mergers and acquisitions and an expanded international technology base.
News
New research provides boost for phthalates Speaking at PVC 99 held in Brighton in April, David Cadogan of the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) highlighted the results of new research on the health and environmental effects ofphthalates, which still account for 92% ofplasticizers used in PVC. He declared that the new studies on five phthalates (BBP, DBP, DEHP, DINP and DIDP) provided strong evidence that phthalates have little or no effect on humans. New studies on primates combined with an improved understanding of why phthalates cause problems in mice have
drawn the condusion that the carcinogenic and reproductive effects produced by phthalates in rodents are specific to the species and of little relevance to humans. He claimed that the information gained from the research clearly shows that phthalates are not responsible for producing oestrogen in males and suppressing its activities in females. David Cadogan also argued that the hypothesis that phthalares could affect the group of male hormones known as androgens is not supported by initial investigations. Regarding the environment, he reported results that showed
that the extremely low solubility of phthalates in water and their rapid aerobic degradation mean that their levels in the environment are low. At such levels (up to the limit of their water solubility) they do not have any toxic effect on a wide range of aquatic organisms. A higher level of phthalates can be found in the anaerobic conditions in sediments. However, he asserted that a number of independent studies on a variety of sediment dwelling organisms have shown that phthalates, at concentrations many times greater than those found in the environment, have no adverse effects.
David Cadogan urged the industry to stand firm on the issue and the ECPI would be presenting the research findings to the European Union as part of its campaign to fight offa ban on the use of phthalates in toys. He was keen to stress that decisions need to be taken on scientific evidence and not on emotions. Research on phthalates has been conducted over 40 years at a cost of $100 million, he told the conference, with $5 million being spent this year. This meant that a great deal more was known about phthalates and PVC than any of the alternatives.
Solvay expands calcium carbonate business Belgian company Solvay has purchased the Winnofil ® precipitated calcium carbonate business from Zeneca. The 65 employees located at the Lostock facility, near Manchester in the UK, will
transfer with the filler business. Solvay says that the move is part of its commitment to increase its presence in the UK and expand its activities in speciality materials.
Plasticizer plant on stream Eastman Chemical has commissioned a plant to manufacture TXIB T M plasticizer at its Pulau Sakra complex in Singapore. The facility is one of five new plants to come on stream during the first half of this year at the site and is part of the company's $200 million investment in oxo chemicals manufacture. TXIB is a primary plasticizer used in manufacturing vinyl toys, sheet flooring, wallpaper and gloves.
Plastics Additives &
The company adds that the Lostock production unit complements its existing activities in Europe, as it already operates four precipitated calcium carbonate plants in mainland Europe. The Winnofil acquisi-
comes
tion will also increase Solvay's product range and provide improved flexibility and service, says the company. Precipitated calcium carbonate is the most important product of Solvay's fillers.
Ampacet looks for growth Ampacet Corporation, the manufacturer ofcotour and additive concentrates, is to increase its global capacity by 79 000 tonnes to more than 260 000 tonnes through a combination of growth and acquisitions. This will take its share of the global masterbatch capacity to around 17.5%, says the company. According to Ampacet, the global masterbatch industry will continue to grow at
Prior to completion of the complex, Eastman Chemical Singapore was using storage tanks at terminal facilities on Palau Sakra to supply its Asian customers with products from Eastman's facilities in the USA. Despite the economic problems in Asia, the company remains confident that there will be good demand for these products as the region regains its economic strength.
CompoundingJune 1999
4
around 6% per year. North America will grow at 5.0%, while it will be 4.3% in Europe. Asia will exhibit the largest annual growth at 8.1%, with the rest of the world growing at 5.5%. The company's overall programme for international expansion is based on new capacity for niche markets, mergers and acquisitions and an expanded international technology base.