WEB EXCLUSIVE: Several new specialty material production units will be build on the U.S.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., has introduced Engage XLT, a new grade of polyolefin elastomer (POE) for PP-based TPOs.

Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., has combined its remaining plastics businesses into its new Performance Plastics Div.

These days, blown film processors supplying converters and packagers with high-end materials are between a rock and a hard place.

Business might be slow in most blown film extrusion markets, but leading-edge processors are preparing for better times by tapping into a seven-layer line installed last year at Dow Chemical Co.’s Film Application Development Center (FADC) in Freeport, Tex.

Last month, Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., agreed to sell its Styron Div. to Bain Capital Partners, a Boston-based private-equity firm.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: PolyOne Corp., Cleveland, has a new line of USP Class VI colorants for medical devices called OnColor HC gamma-stable concentrates.

The Dow Chemical Co., Houston, recently introduced its Health+ line of polyethylene resins for medical and pharmaceutical packaging, as well as medical devices such as protective needle caps and sheaths, labware, and incidental parts such as handles.

A silky-smooth surface unlike the rubbery touch of most TPVs distinguishes the first vulcanizate products in the Telcar OBC line from Teknor Apex Co., Thermoplastic Elastomer Div., Pawtucket, R.I.

One of the unusual features of NPE 2009 in Chicago June 22-24 will be the first-ever concurrent presentation of the SPE ANTEC conference, by far the largest of seven conferences at McCormick Place during the show.

A new development in die-drawn polypropylene building profiles will be introduced by Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., in a paper at the SPE ANTEC conference, which will be held concurrent with the NPE 2009 show in Chicago next month.

A number of major businesses have changed hands recently.

The K-Dow Petrochemicals joint venture of Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., and Petrochemical Industries Co. (PIC) sub. of Kuwait Petroleum Corp. (KPC), was canceled on Dec. 28, just before it was to launch on Jan. 1.

Lubrizol Corp., Cleveland, last month purchased the TPU business of Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich.

Last Fall’s annual SPE Automotive TPO Global Conference in Sterling Heights, Mich., heard presentations on new formulations that cut cost by eliminating the compounding step and that bridge the gap between molded-in-color and painted parts.

The new 50:50 joint venture between Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., and Petrochemical Industries Co. (PIC), sub. of Kuwait Petroleum Corp., was officially launched Jan. 1.

Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Rohm and Haas of Philadelphia.

Olefinic TPEs originally comprised only two classes of rubber-modified polypropylene, known as TPO and TPV. More recently, these have been supplemented by new types of olefinic elastomers that can be used on their own or as the rubber component in TPO/TPV compounds. Additionally, a small handful of specialty TPEs using olefinic matrices occupy niche applications.

This first of two articles on directions in TPE development focuses on styrenic, copolyester, polyamide, and TP urethane elastomers. The following article covers olefinics—TPOs, TPVs, and POEs.

Among the host of new additives at K 2007 were a number of unusual entries: additives to add scratch resistance or reduce odor, leaps ahead in PP clarifying, specialized antioxidant protection for nanocomposites, a growth enhancer for greenhouse films, and a naturally free-flowing TiO2. In addition, “Green” was the theme of exhibits that highlighted “all-natural” additives for biopolymers, and colors to enliven recycled resins.

Major chemical companies are investing big bucks in new plants and technologies to produce plastics from annually renewable sources, not from petrochemicals.

Dow Engineering Plastics, Midland, Mich., will halt sales of ABS and SAN in the Americas to non-automotive markets on Feb. 1.

Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., plans to move its polyethylene, polypropylene, and polycarbonate businesses (as well as various amines) into an $11 billion joint venture with Petrochemical Industries Co. of the State of Kuwait, sub. of Kuwait Petroleum Corp.

Improved clarity and cost competitiveness, added to its inherent heat resistance, are reviving OPP’s prospects in hot-fill barrier containers. But hot-fill PET containers are raising the bar with higher productivity and ‘panel-less’ bottle designs.

Among new developments discussed at the Profiles 2007 conference in Charlotte, N.C., were high-melt-strength polyolefin elastomers for use as ingredients in TPO compounds that can compete with TPVs and flexible PVC.

Infuse thermoplastic olefi n block copolymers (OBCs), unveiled by Dow Chemical, Midland, Mich., a year ago, are now reported by Dow to comply with all requirements for food contact of the U.S.

Three new polyethylene resins are designed for hose and tubing used for microirrigation in landscaping and agriculture.

The major thrust in new materials at K is engineering thermoplastics for automotive, appliance, medical, and electrical/electronic parts.

Two Brazilian firms are developing methods of making polyethylene from ethanol derived from sugar cane.

A new family of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) with a low yellow index will be commercialized under the Pellethane brand by the end of 2007, according to Dow Chemical, Midland, Mich.

Eight new grades of propylene-ethylene plastomers and TP elastomers reportedly offer an outstanding combination of clarity, heat-sealability, elasticity, softness, processability, and compatibility in blends in fi lm, sheet, and molded products.

Dow Chemical, Midland, Mich., is gearing up for fullscale manufacturing of its new Infuse OBCs (thermoplastic olefi n block copolymers) at Freeport, Texas, in the third quarter.

Developmental Infuse thermoplastic olefin block copolymers (OBCs) from Dow Chemical, Midland, Mich., appear promising for a wide range of automotive applications as both neat resins and as impact modifiers.

From PPs for frozen-food packaging to nylons and alloys that withstand the heat of circuit-board soldering or automotive paint ovens, NPE 2006 was rich in news of commodity and engineering resins and TPEs.

A developmental family of novel olefin block copolymers (OBCs) from Dow Chemical Co. is lauded as a breakthrough in olefinic thermoplastic elastomers due to a unique block structure, which reportedly delivers novel combinations of end-use properties and processability at a “cost-in-use” competitive with materials such as TPVs, TPUs, and styrenic block-copolymer (SBC) TPEs.

Barriers to large-part thermoforming with TPOs reportedly have been overcome by a new material introduced at NPE 2006.

Whether it was molding thermoplastic and polyurethane foam into one part in one machine, continuously foaming insulation between a metal pipe and thermoplastic skin, or pouring rigid foam behind a thermoplastic skin to replace steel refrigerator doors, there were plenty of novelties in PUR machinery and material among the exhibits at the K 2004 show in Dusseldorf last October.

 Higher flow, higher heat, higher barrier, higher clarity, higher stiffness, lower durometer, lower smoke, lower odor—materials exhibits at the recent K 2004 show in Dusseldorf were stretching the bounds of processing and performance properties in all directions.

The first quarter of 2005 will see the first commercial production of a dramatically new family of resins that offer the processing advantages of liquid thermosets plus the properties and recyclability of engineering thermoplastics.

Quite a few new polyolefins are being featured at this year’s show, with a particular emphasis on specialty PP and PE materials.

New packaging opportunities are opening up for PP, thanks to a new crop of additives that boost clarity, stiffness, HDT, and processing rates.

Whether it’s toughness, stiffness, heat resistance, clarity, barrier properties, high flow, or high melt strength—you’ll find more of what you’re looking for in new breeds of PP resins from all suppliers.

NPE 2000 offered up new HMW-MDPE and HMW-HDPE film and molding resins with enhanced mechanical properties, plus new VLDPE resins, a hexene LLDPE with improved stiffness/ strength balance, and an LDPE for high-speed extrusion lamination.

New octene and hexene LLDPEs, as well as HDPEs based on new metallocene and non-metallocene catalysts, will make their debut in Chicago next month. Among them will be the first metallocene HDPE film resin in North America.

HFCs, pentanes, and blends are all in the running for next-generation rigid insulation foams. SPI's PUR Conference provided a status report.