Sabic will highlight the progress of its Digital Composites Manufacturing line, a reported breakthrough in automated digital systems for rapid, large-scale laminate manufacturing, via a 360-degree virtual reality experience at JEC World 2019 (Hall 6, stand P12). JEC World 2019 will run from March 12 to 14 in Paris, France. The Digital Composites Manufacturing line, a partnership between Airborne and Sabic and enabled by Siemens and Kuka technologies, is one of the three finalists in the category “Industry & Engineering” at the 2019 JEC Innovation Awards. The winner will be announced at the JEC Innovation Awards ceremony, on Wednesday 13 March. According to Sabic, the system will help industrialize thermoplastic composite laminates, enabling broader adoption of this material across industries, such as consumer electronics, aerospace, automotive, sporting goods, healthcare, and mass transportation. In conjunction with the Digital Composites Manufacturing line exhibit, Sabic will showcase its ultra-strong, lightweight Udmax tape, a unidirectional, fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite used in automated and manual laminating, as well as other manufacturing processes. These include stamping and pressing, thermoforming, and winding with or without injection overmolding. To demonstrate this processing versatility, the company will display diverse Udmax tape applications from the automotive, consumer products and industrial sectors. One noteworthy application to be featured at the Sabic stand is a laminated bulkhead from a commercial vehicle. This part incorporates Udmax GPP tape within the structure to reduce weight by 30 percent vs. metal while improving processing efficiency and lowering tooling costs. Source: plasticstoday.com
According to the Russia Customs, trade value of the chemical products between Russia and China amounted to 5,350 million dollars from 2017 to 2018, total volume of trade has reached 6,679,000 tons. (Data Source: Russia Customs) The accumulated export amount from Russia to China is about 486 million USD in 2018, dropping by 56% from the earlier year. And import value is about 1.4 billion USD, down by 40% year-on-year. (Data Source: Russia Customs) In 2018, Russia exported1.35 million tons of chemical products to China, dropping by 62.4% from the earlier year, and imported 562,242 tons, decreased by 52%. (Data Source: Russia Customs) The organic chemicals, fertilizers, inorganic chemicals, essential oils and resinoids and paints account for a large proportion in the total trade volume of chemical product. The trade value of these products have decreased by as much as 45%, 58%, 47%, 49%, 41% respectively in 2018.
Nouryon (formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals) has more than doubled capacity for emulsion-based organic peroxides at its site in Los Reyes, Mexico to meet increased customer demand in the North American polyvinyl chloride (PVC) market. The company introduced emulsion-based peroxides to the North American market in 2018. Used for manufacturing PVC – a plastic used in a wide variety of products including pipes, doors, windows and home siding – these alternatives to solvent-based peroxides are inherently safer while also improving product quality. Emulsion-based peroxides are safer than traditional solvent-based peroxides according to Nouryon. “We are pleased that customers are attracted to the benefits of emulsions for PVC production,” said Johan Landfors, Managing Director Polymer Chemistry at Nouryon. “We have expanded production capacity quickly to meet demand and are ready to build more capacity to grow with our customers in the future.” Emulsion-based peroxides also play a key role in Nouryon’s patented continuous initiator dosing (CiD) technology, which allows PVC producers to increase reactor output by up to 40 percent with minimum capital expenditure. The Los Reyes expansion is the latest in a series of investments by Nouryon to better serve and grow with its customers in the polymer market. Another expansion project in Mexico is due to be completed this year and additional capacity is also scheduled to come online in Brazil, China, and India. “Organic peroxides often decompose at very low temperatures, which can lead to combustion when not stored or handled properly,” explains Rob van de Graaf, Director of Sales, Americas - Polymer Chemistry. “Emulsions contain water, significantly reducing the chance of combustion, and increasing the safety of transport, storage and handling. The improved safety characteristics also allow for bulk storage and fully automated handling, reducing the risk of manual operation mishaps. The flooded Arkema organic peroxides plant in Crosby, Texas, where explosions occurred due to flooding, loss of electricity and refrigeration in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. (Source: ABC News) The instability of organic peroxides can result in dire consequences if they are improperly handled. They must be stored at low temperature, typically at 10°C below the self-accelerating decomposition temperature (SADT). When flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in August 2017 cut off power at the Crosby, Texas organic peroxides plant of Arkema and destroyed the plant’s electrical systems and backup, loss of refrigeration systems for an “extended” period of time meant workers had to abandon the plant and allow uncontrolled explosions take place and the peroxides combust. A perimeter of 1.5 miles around the plant was evacuated due to the hazard. Emulsion-based peroxides also contain an anti-freeze agent, preventing the ice crystal formation that sometimes occurs in solvent-based solutions, which can affect the feeding of initiator to the polymerization reaction. This also improves the product quality of the finished PVC product. “European PVC manufacturers are already using our emulsion-based organic peroxides. With the introduction to the US, we believe our customers there will realize the same benefits and we are confident that the organic peroxide emulsion market will continue to grow,” says Johan Landfors, Member of the Executive Committee responsible for Polymer Chemistry. Emulsion-based peroxides are also used in Nouryon’s Continuous Initiator Dosing (CiD) technology. With CiD, heat production in a PVC reactor is controlled by the dosing of the peroxide during the polymerization process. This optimizes cooling capacity and reduces batch time by 20 to 40 percent, leading to an increase in overall capacity. It also further improves the PVC polymerization safety by being able to stop the polymerization reaction at any moment, thus preventing run-away reactions. Source: plasticstoday.com
Evonik’s new polyamide (PA) 6 powder features high mechanical strength as well as excellent chemical and temperature resistance. Its heat deflection temperature (HDT B) is around 195°C. Moreover, the powder material features low water absorption – below 3 percent — which has a positive effect on processability in 3D printing and the dimensional stability of printed 3D components. “New, ready-to-use materials that are optimally adapted to the individual printer and expand the range of application to higher temperatures move the 3D printing industry one step further toward series production,” says Mark Zhao, founder and CEO of TPM 3D, a Chinese selective laser sintering (SLS) machine OEM. “We are seeing strong demand for 3D solutions in the higher temperature range – for example in the automotive and electronics industries. That’s why we were pleased to launch the new temperature-stable material together with Evonik.” The new polymer powder in Evonik's PA 6 series with its nearly round grain shape stands out for excellent flowability and application properties, making it suitable for all powder-based 3D printing technologies. A proprietary procedure of Evonik is employed to produce the high-temperature material at the company’s Marl site. The 3D printing market is booming, posting double-digit growth rates. Evonik is a leader in the production of PA 12 powders, which have been used in additive manufacturing technologies for over 20 years. In addition to polyetheretherketone (PEEK) filament and PA 12 powders, the company's product portfolio includes flexible polyether block amide (PEBA) powders as well as a full range of additives such as dispersion agents, flow improvers or reactive modifiers. Source: plasticstoday.com
The 2019 edition of BP’s Energy Outlook raises some interesting environmental outcomes if the world transitions to a global ban on single-use plastics, including packaging by 2040. BP’s evolving transition (ET) scenario already assumes that the regulation of plastics tightens more quickly than in the past. But growing concerns about the use of plastics means that regulation of plastics may tighten by even more. The alternative ‘single-use plastics ban’ (SUP ban) scenario drawn up by BP considers a case in which the regulation of plastics is tightened more quickly, culminating in a worldwide ban on the use of plastics for packaging and other single uses from 2040 onwards. These single-use plastics accounted for just over a third of plastic products produced in 2017. In this alternative scenario, formulated by BP from its perspective as an oil producer, the growth in liquid fuels used in the “non-combusted sector” is reduced to just one million barrels/day, which is six million barrels/day lower than in the ET scenario – and the overall growth of liquids demand is limited to four million barrels/day, compared with 10 million barrels/day in the ET scenario. BP does note that the SUP ban scenario does not account for the energy that would consumed to produce the alternative materials — presumably paper, aluminum, steel and other non-fossil fuel-based products whose production is typically much more energy- and resource-intensive; just think of the steel straw — required to replace single-use plastics, and so represents an upper-bound of the impact on liquid fuels. Indeed, without further advances in these alternative materials and widespread deployment of efficient collection and reuse systems, BP notes that a plastics ban could lead to an increase in overall energy demand and consequently higher carbon emissions, and raise a number of other environmental concerns, such as increasing food waste. The BP report suggests that industry and consumers need to accept plastic packaging as a key player in combating climate change and minimizing food wastage. Rather than an outright ban on single-use plastics and packaging, the world needs to adopt a holistic approach centered on establishing recycling systems worldwide, increasing the recycled content in food packaging, putting in place infrastructure such as sewage systems in developing countries that would play a role in reducing the flow of plastics and other waste into river systems and the oceans, and considering bio-based plastics where appropriate. Source: plasticstoday.com
Clariant announced its 2018 fiscal year results. Sales increased by 5% in local currency to CHF 6.623 billion ($6.6 billion). EBITDA before exceptional items improved by 5% in Swiss francs, exceeding CHF 1 billion. EBITDA margin before exceptional items expanded to 15.4%. Net income climbed by 18% to CHF 356 million, while operating cash flow rose by 24% to CHF 530 million “In 2018, Clariant achieved good sales and profit growth and significantly improved operating cash flow despite an increasingly challenging environment,” said Ernesto Occhiello, CEO of Clariant. “Going forward, we will continue to identify and address the next challenges and future demands within our respective businesses and those of our customers.” For the full year, all regions contributed to the sales growth in local currency. Sales in Latin America grew the strongest, by 12%. Sales in Asia increased by 7%, bolstered by a particularly positive development in China and India. In North America, sales rose by 5%. Both Europe and the Middle East & Africa increased sales by 2%. The improved sales performance for the full year resulted from growth in all business areas with Care Chemicals, Catalysis and Natural Resources reporting strong expansion. Sales in Care Chemicals rose by 7% in local currency primarily supported by Consumer Care. Catalysis sales improved by 11% in local currency with a strong organic sales growth amounting to 8%. Natural Resources sales accelerated by 8% in local currency, mainly lifted by improved Oil & Mining Services demand and solid growth in Functional Minerals. In Plastics & Coatings, sales rose by 1% in local currency with particularly strong regional expansion in Latin America. Net debt decreased to CHF 1.374 billion versus CHF 1.539 billion recorded at the end of 2017. In the fourth quarter of 2018, sales rose by 3% in local currency to CHF 1.629 billion. This represents a decrease of 3% in Swiss francs year-on-year due to unfavorable currency fluctuations. The sales growth in local currency was mainly driven by Catalysis and Natural Resources. Source: inkworldmagazine.com
Merisant, the maker of Equal®, is launching an Amazon-exclusive brand of sugar substitutes, Sugarly Sweet™, spanning the spectrum of zero calorie sweeteners consumers love and available now for purchase on Amazon.com. The new product line is part of Equal's larger strategy to reinvigorate the brand through agile, on-trend innovations, including an entirely new line of fortified sweeteners, Equal Plus™. "Equal has been part of coffee and tea routines since 1982 – a testament to the iconic blue packets that made the brand a staple," says E.G. Fishburne, who leads marketing for the North America division of Merisant. "Now, as consumer needs evolve, we're prioritizing innovation that follows suit, like our Sugarly Sweet Zero Calorie Sweeteners, bringing comfort, flavor and convenience to people's lives." Sugarly Sweet is part of the Manufacturer Accelerator Program on Amazon and sold exclusively on its website. The new line includes the following products, available now in a variety of sizes and priced to give consumers the best value and eligible for Prime two-day delivery. Simply search "Sugarly Sweet" and choose the product(s) desired. Sugarly Sweet Zero Calorie Sweetener made with the stevia leaf and Non-GMO Project verified; available in green packets and bulk granulated pouches which can substitute for sugar in any recipe or beverage, measuring 1:1 just like sugar Sugarly Sweet Zero Calorie Sweetener made with sucralose; available in yellow packets and bulk granulated pouches which can substitute for sugar in any recipe or beverage, measuring 1:1 just like sugar Sugarly Sweet Zero Calorie Sweetener made with aspartame or saccharin; available in blue or pink packets. "Sugarly Sweet was developed in an unprecedented three months, from the initial idea to availability on Amazon," says Brian Huff, North America President of Merisant. "The brand launch demonstrates Merisant's larger, renewed commitment to a customer-first, agile business approach, as we breakdown internal barriers to create a culture of bold, empowered doers." With innovation at the core of Equal's growth strategy, increased demand for functional food products inspired Equal to develop a new line of vitamin & mineral fortified sweeteners, Equal Plus, launching January 2019. The line consists of three varieties: Vitamin C & Zinc, B Vitamins (B3, B5, B12), and Antioxidant vitamins C & E. Each packet provides 10% of the Daily Value of each vitamin or mineral, which is considered a good source of the nutrients. The MSRP is $3.79 per 100-packet box. source: prnewswire.com
PPG (NYSE:PPG) announced Feb. 12, 2019 that PPG RECC 3007 aerospace conversion coating has been qualified to U.S. Military Specification MIL-C-81706, Type II, Class 3, Form IV, Method A. It is the first non-chrome aerospace pretreatment coating to be qualified to the U.S. Department of Defense’s specification for chemical conversion coatings applied to aluminum. The coating is listed on the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency’s Qualified Product List. PPG RECC 3007 pretreatment is formulated without chrome as an intentionally added ingredient. It is sprayed onto bare aluminum alloy aircraft surfaces to help protect against corrosion and improve adhesion for surfaces on which primer is subsequently applied. The pretreatment is supplied in an aqueous solution and formulated without volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The coating offers low electrical resistance, allowing for some electrical continuity of aluminum surfaces that cannot be painted. These include aluminum and aluminum-coated electrical connectors, avionics surfaces and boxes, and materials and equipment that interface with aircraft surfaces, such as antennas, doors, seals and windshields. As a Class 3 conversion coating with low electrical resistance, PPG RECC 3007 pretreatment may have corrosion resistance uses for non-aircraft applications, such as electronic circuit boards and other aluminum substrates and equipment. “A key initiative for PPG is to offer aerospace coatings formulated without chromates and other chromium compounds that provide anticorrosion performance comparable to corrosion-resistant products formulated with chromium,” said Randall Brady, PPG global segment manager, aerospace pretreatment solutions. “This military specification qualification enables all U.S. military branches and subcontractors to purchase PPG RECC 3007 pretreatment. It also enables commercial and general aviation aircraft manufacturers, operators and subcontractors that purchase qualified coatings to order the product.” Source: news.ppg.com