- Email: [email protected]
Robinson Brothers develops additives for biodegradable polylactic acid compounds
July 2003
also enhance recycled plastic products by reducing the yellowish tint. Contact: David Darden, Eastman Chemical Co, 100 North Eastman Road, PO Box 511, Kingsport, TN 37662-5075, USA; tel: +1-423229—8427; e-mail: [email protected]; URL: www.eastobrite.com/plastics
Robinson Brothers develops additives for biodegradable polylactic acid compounds UK speciality chemicals manufacturer Robinson Brothers, in conjunction with Aston University, has been working to develop additives to improve the physical characteristics of biodegradable polymer systems based on polylactic acid (PLA). The aim is to produce a PLA system that can be handled with standard plastics processing equipment, enabling it to compete with LDPE and other polymers in packaging applications. According to a PRW.com report, the team have developed a copolymer and a plasticizer suitable for use in the manufacture of PLA compounds. The additives also enhance the polymer’s biodegradability. Other partners in the two-year project are compounding equipment manufacturer Thermo Prism, film and bag manufacturer Euro Packaging and GlaxoSmithKline, which is interested in biodegradable packaging for some of its pharmaceutical products. Robinson is planning a production run on the PLA system later this year and hopes to have a commercial system available within two years. At current prices, the material would be significantly more expensive than LDPE. Contact: Robinson Brothers Ltd, Phoenix St, West Bromwich B70 0AH, UK; tel: +44-121553-2451; fax: +44-121-500-5183; URL: www.robinsonbrothers.ltd.uk
COMPANY STRATEGIES Great Lakes expands antimony oxide capacity in Mexico Great Lakes Chemical Corp has added a fifth antimony oxide production line at its Reynosa
Additives for Polymers
facility in Mexico. Commercial production was reported to have started in February 2003 and immediately boosted capacity by 20%. The company says the start-up of the additional production line is consistent with its strategy to remain at the leading edge of antimony production. The expansion increases manufacturing output and flexibility at Reynosa and allows Great Lakes to meet market demand for its range of antimony oxide based synergists and flame retardants. The Mexican facility was also recently awarded Oliver Wright Class A Business Excellence certification for operational excellence in sales and operations planning, and ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System certification. Great Lakes’ antimony trioxide, sold under the trade names TMS®, Timonox®, Trutint® and Microfine®, is used as a synergist along with brominated flame retardants in flameretardant polymer formulations widely used in electrical and electronics applications. Antimony trioxide is also an effective flame retardant in high performance PVC applications. Great Lakes is also reported to be expanding its flame retardant operations in the UK. According to PRW.com, Great Lakes Manufacturing (UK) is investing £3 million (4.2 million) to boost production of flame retardants by 30% at its Trafford Park site in Manchester. The company aims to expand markets in Europe, which is its biggest region. The Trafford Park operation currently has an annual turnover of more than £70 million, with at least 80% of production exported to Europe, the Americas, the Far East and the Middle East. This latest investment takes the amount spent on improving the site since it was acquired five years ago to almost £15 million. Great Lakes is concentrating its flame-retardants business in the UK after closing its US site last year. Contact: Great Lakes Chemical Corp, PO Box 2200, 1 Great Lakes Boulevard, West Lafayette, Indianapolis, IN 47906-5394, USA; tel: +1765-497-6100; fax: +1-765-497-6316; URL: www.pa.greatlakes.com
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also enhance recycled plastic products by reducing the yellowish tint. Contact: David Darden, Eastman Chemical Co, 100 North Eastman Road, PO Box 511, Kingsport, TN 37662-5075, USA; tel: +1-423229—8427; e-mail: [email protected]; URL: www.eastobrite.com/plastics
Robinson Brothers develops additives for biodegradable polylactic acid compounds UK speciality chemicals manufacturer Robinson Brothers, in conjunction with Aston University, has been working to develop additives to improve the physical characteristics of biodegradable polymer systems based on polylactic acid (PLA). The aim is to produce a PLA system that can be handled with standard plastics processing equipment, enabling it to compete with LDPE and other polymers in packaging applications. According to a PRW.com report, the team have developed a copolymer and a plasticizer suitable for use in the manufacture of PLA compounds. The additives also enhance the polymer’s biodegradability. Other partners in the two-year project are compounding equipment manufacturer Thermo Prism, film and bag manufacturer Euro Packaging and GlaxoSmithKline, which is interested in biodegradable packaging for some of its pharmaceutical products. Robinson is planning a production run on the PLA system later this year and hopes to have a commercial system available within two years. At current prices, the material would be significantly more expensive than LDPE. Contact: Robinson Brothers Ltd, Phoenix St, West Bromwich B70 0AH, UK; tel: +44-121553-2451; fax: +44-121-500-5183; URL: www.robinsonbrothers.ltd.uk
COMPANY STRATEGIES Great Lakes expands antimony oxide capacity in Mexico Great Lakes Chemical Corp has added a fifth antimony oxide production line at its Reynosa
Additives for Polymers
facility in Mexico. Commercial production was reported to have started in February 2003 and immediately boosted capacity by 20%. The company says the start-up of the additional production line is consistent with its strategy to remain at the leading edge of antimony production. The expansion increases manufacturing output and flexibility at Reynosa and allows Great Lakes to meet market demand for its range of antimony oxide based synergists and flame retardants. The Mexican facility was also recently awarded Oliver Wright Class A Business Excellence certification for operational excellence in sales and operations planning, and ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System certification. Great Lakes’ antimony trioxide, sold under the trade names TMS®, Timonox®, Trutint® and Microfine®, is used as a synergist along with brominated flame retardants in flameretardant polymer formulations widely used in electrical and electronics applications. Antimony trioxide is also an effective flame retardant in high performance PVC applications. Great Lakes is also reported to be expanding its flame retardant operations in the UK. According to PRW.com, Great Lakes Manufacturing (UK) is investing £3 million (4.2 million) to boost production of flame retardants by 30% at its Trafford Park site in Manchester. The company aims to expand markets in Europe, which is its biggest region. The Trafford Park operation currently has an annual turnover of more than £70 million, with at least 80% of production exported to Europe, the Americas, the Far East and the Middle East. This latest investment takes the amount spent on improving the site since it was acquired five years ago to almost £15 million. Great Lakes is concentrating its flame-retardants business in the UK after closing its US site last year. Contact: Great Lakes Chemical Corp, PO Box 2200, 1 Great Lakes Boulevard, West Lafayette, Indianapolis, IN 47906-5394, USA; tel: +1765-497-6100; fax: +1-765-497-6316; URL: www.pa.greatlakes.com
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