WEB EXCLUSIVE: The newest EPS resin from Nova Chemicals, Monaca, Pa., is a shape/packaging grade, R625B, with 25% recycled content.

Novel hybrid of polyethylene and polystyrene acts as a processing aid for HDPE, LDPE, and PP.

Shift from private to capital ownership give Tray-Pak a boost.

Nova Chemicals Corp., Pittsburgh, plans three capacity additions at its facilities in Canada.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Surpass IGs153-A resin is a new octene-copolymer HDPE for injection and compression molding water-bottle caps.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: A new joint venture will market and manufacture structural-foam polyethylene sheets suitable for applications in recreational-vehicle panels; shipping containers; concrete forms (already commercial); marine decking, storage bins, and hatches; and playground equipment.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Up to 50% higher moisture barrier than standard resins is claimed for an experimental HDPE from Nova Chemicals, Pittsburgh.

The world’s first water-blown expandable polystyrene bead (WEPS) is in development at Nova Chemicals’ new technology center in Breda, the Netherlands.

Nova Chemicals Inc., Pittsburgh, the main domestic producer of Dylark styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymers, announced in late June that it would discontinue making the resin after a final production run in July.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: The acquisition of Nova Chemicals Corp., Pittsburgh, by International Petroleum Investment Co. of Abu Dhabi was completed in July.

WEB EXCLUSIVE Polyolefins producer Nova Chemicals Inc., Pittsburgh, has launched a new Customer Care website (www.novachemicals.com/CustomerCareWeb), which allows them to place orders and access shipment information.

WEB EXCLUSIVE Nova Chemicals Corp., of Calgary, Alberta (U.S. office in Pittsburgh) has agreed to the acquisition of all its outstanding shares by International Petroleum Investment Co. (IPIC), which is wholly owned by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Huge new shuttle and carousel machines, expanded availability of CNC-machined aluminum molds, and new resins and additives highlighted the recent Rotoplas ’08 exhibition and 33rd Annual Fall Meeting of the Association of Rotational Molders (ARM) in Rosemont, Ill.

An ultra-high-barrier HDPE resin is designed for use in film structures where moisture barrier and stiffness are important.

Several new resins and additives that raise part performance and improve processability were launched at the recent 32nd Annual Fall Meeting of the Association of Rotational Molders (ARM) in Detroit.

October saw the launch of two new styrenics joint ventures.

When two large joint ventures are completed later this year, they will reduce the number of polystyrene producers in North America from fi ve to three, signifi cantly altering the competitive landscape.

Nova Chemicals Corp., Pittsburgh, has sold its Zyntar flame-retardant PS and certain other PS compounds to PMC Group’s Polymer Products Div. in Stockertown, Pa.

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.

Smaller is proving to be better in several different areas of expandable bead molding.

Nova Chemicals Corp., Pittsburgh, plans to close its Chesapeake, Va., polystyrene plant this year.

A new version of a four-year old expandable bead foam for packaging electronics has 25% smaller beads that are expected to expand its range of applications.

 A new LLDPE resin is aimed at blown films that require extra toughness, such as produce and frozen-food packaging or protective films for transportation of mobile homes and boats.

The leading edge of EPS and EPP technology is multi-step processes, molding EPS into and around other parts, coating it, or using it as a coating—all in one cycle and fully automated.

Several new commercial or experimental materials offer rotational molders higher stiffness, toughness, and processability in applications from toys to large storage tanks.