PET Barrier Bottles Challenge Aluminum Cans
PET is taking a determined run at the 12-oz aluminum can. A new
development in multi-layer barrier preforms is expected to make
possible the first large-scale introduction of 12-oz PET bottles
in the U.S. Kortec
Inc., Ipswich, Mass., has sold the first 144-cavity
PET preform coinjection system to a leading converter for one
of the world’s largest carbonated soft-drink (CSD) companies.
Kortec’s Ultra 144 coinjection system will produce 20-g
preforms at up to 250 million/yr. The three-layer preforms have
an MXD6 nylon barrier to meet the 20-week CSD shelf-life requirement.
Up to now, CSD makers have test marketed heavier (28-g) monolayer,
12-oz PET bottles that provided only seven to eight weeks’ shelf
life. According to Kortec, the cost to produce the 12-oz PET
bottles is similar to that for aluminum cans. More important,
CSD makers say consumers prefer PET for its clarity and aesthetics.
The
Ultra 144 preform system uses Kortec tooling and a G-600 injection
machine (600 tons) from Husky Injection Molding Systems, Bolton,
Ont. Kortec expects to deliver the machine in mid-November for
a major rollout of the 12-oz PET bottle next year.
Toho Tenax Buys Fortafil Fibers
Toho Tenax
Co., Ltd. of Japan has purchased Fortafil Fibers,
Inc., a maker of carbon fibers based in Knoxville, Tenn. Fortafil,
a subsidiary of Acordis of the Netherlands, will be integrated
into a Toho subsidiary, Toho Carbon Fibers (TCF), Menlo Park,
Calif. Tel: (800) 844-7013 • PTDirect:
Dow Starts Up Its New Versify Resins
Seven months after introducing Versify plastomers and elastomers,
Dow Polyolefins & Elastomers,
Houston, started up the first commercial plant for production
of these specialty propylene-ethylene copolymers in Tarragona,
Spain. Capacity was not revealed. Versify resins utilize new
Insite “post-metallocene” catalysts
to achieve performance advances in optics, sealing, and hot-tack
performance, plus elasticity and softness. Versify resins are
aimed at rigid and flexible packaging, molded goods, consumer
products, and fibers.
WestlakeTo Restart PVC Plant in 2005
Westlake Chemical Corp., Houston, will begin a phased start-up
next year of its vinyl chloride monomer and PVC resin plants
in Geismar, La. Each plant has a nameplate capacity of 600 million
lb/yr. They were acquired from Borden Chemical in December 2002.
The PVC plant has two 300-million-lb trains; just one will be
started up initially, and the other to follow when market conditions
are right. The first train’s output will serve the merchant
market as well as internal demand from three pipe plants acquired
in July from Bristolpipe Corp.
Atofina Splits in Two
French-based Atofina has reorganized into two companies with
new names. Atofina Petrochemicals Inc. in Houston, a producer
of PP, PE, and PS, has changed its name to Total Petrochemicals
USA, Inc. Its French oil-company parent is Total S.A.
Atofina Chemicals, Inc. of Philadelphia is now called Arkema
Inc. Total aims to spin off its Arkema Group in 2006. Arkema
makes PVC resins and compounds, acrylics (Atoglas), technical
polymers (Rilsan), PVC additives, and organic peroxides.
BASF Expands in High-Heat Resins
BASF AG in Germany (U.S. office in Wyandotte, Mich.) will increase
capacity for Ultrason S polysulfone and Ultrason E polyethersulfone
resins by 20% this year.
GM Pickups Get All-TPO Instrument Panels
In a first for General Motors in the U.S., two vehicles—the
Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon compact pickup trucks—feature
instrument panels injection molded of unpainted TPO. The material
is a new grade, Sequel 2380, from Solvay
Engineered Polymers,
Auburn Hills, Mich. While GM produces TPO instrument panels in
Europe, U.S. versions have utilized vinyl skin-and-foam constructions
or painted PC/ABS. The unpainted TPO panel is a lower-cost alternative
to both styles and saves even more by permitting elimination
of sound insulation. Molding it with a grained Class-A finish
eliminates the need for paint.
For the IP cover, glove-box door, and knee bolster, the Sequel
TPO is colored at the press with a concentrate from PolyOne
Corp.,
Avon Lake, Ohio. The colors used, medium dark pewter and very
dark pewter, have concentrate letdown ratios of 50:1, providing
cost savings over typical ratios of 25:1. The IP cover is molded
by Intier Automotive, Newmarket, Ont., which assembles the part
and ships it on a JIT schedule to GM’s assembly plant in
Shreveport, La. The glove-box door assembly and driver’s
knee bolster are molded for Intier by NYX Inc., Livonia, Mich.
Solvay
developed Sequel 2380 TPO for this application. The grade has
consistent low gloss rating of 4, giving it a leather-like appearance.
It also boasts extraordinary scratch resistance for a TPO and
heat resistance up to 110 C.
French Firm Brings Cable-Marking Laser
Laselec
Inc.,
a maker of uv lasers for labeling electrical wire and cable,
has opened its first U.S. office, in Arlington, Tex. The company,
part of Laselec SA in Toulouse, France, supplies Ulys and MRO
laser lines. The company says its uv laser provides indelible
marks on cables without affecting insulation and other properties.
DSM Boosts Capacity For Stanyl Nylon 46
DSM in the Netherlands (parent of DSM Engineering Plastics, Evansville,
Ind.) announced two capacity increases for its Stanyl nylon 46
resin. First, a debottlenecking project will add 20% to capacity
by the end of this year. Also, plans are under way for a second
plant that will double total capacity when it starts up in the
second half of 2007. It may be built in the Netherlands or in
China.
Fortron Eyes Another PPS Capacity Addition
Fortron Industries, Wilmington, N.C., plans further increases
in capacity at its PPS resin plant. The company, a joint venture
between Ticona, Florence, Ky., and Japan’s Kureha Chemical
Industries Co., will raise capacity at Wilmington by 20% in the
second half of 2005. This comes on top of a 10% capacity increase
slated to come on line by the end of this year. Fortron declines
to reveal exact capacity. The company also has plans under way
to build another PPS plant, though the timing and site are still
undetermined. Fortron PPS is marketed by Ticona.
BASF Licenses Bayer’s Impact Polyol
Technology
BASF Corp., Polyurethanes, Wyandotte, Mich., has taken a license
from Bayer Corp., Pittsburgh, that allows it to use Bayer’s
Impact technology for making long-chain polyether polyols for
flexible PUR foam slabstock. This technology is said to make
products that improve foam processing and output.
Uniloy Adds Aftermarket Blow Molding Services
Uniloy Milacron has consolidated its moldmaking and new Aftermarket
Services Business in a brand-new, 75,000-sq-ft technical service
center in Tecumseh, Mich. The facility, which replaces a location
in nearby Manchester, Mich., is dedicated to mold design and
manufacture as well as technical service and replacement parts.
Uniloy aims to extend the aftermarket services—rebuilding,
technical services, spare parts, and specialized plasticating
components for wear-resistant or heat-sensitive applications—that
its parent, Milacron Inc., has offered to injection molders and
extruders under the name ServTek. Uniloy will initially focus
on serving users of its own machines, but will eventually sell
parts and molds for all makes of blow molding machines.
Colortronic Adds Heating/Cooling Equipment
Colortronic
North America Inc., Runnemede, N.J., a supplier of
feeders, blenders, and granulators, has expanded its product
line with process heating and cooling equipment. New products
include water- and oil-temperature control units, portable and
central chillers, cooling towers, pump tanks, and water-treatment
and filtration systems. The company expanded its offerings to
meet the desire of many customers to source auxiliary equipment
from one supplier. Colortronic is a sister company to AEC Inc.,
Wood Dale, Ill., and Sterling Inc., Milwaukee, which have long
sold heating/cooling equipment.
New Distributor Starts Up
September saw the launch of a new plastics distributor, Channel
Prime Alliance, Norwalk, Conn., a joint venture of Prime Alliance
of Des Moines, Iowa, and Channel Polymers, part of H. Muehlstein & Co.
of Norwalk. Muehlstein owns a majority interest in the venture,
which is now part of the Muehlstein family of companies. Channel
Prime Alliance has a sales force of 35, which will expand to
40 by mid-2005. Its revenue will top $200 million during its
first year of operation.
