WEB EXCLUSIVE: The new Recyclon family of nylon compounds from Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I., is offered with varying percentages of recycled polymer to meet individual customer requirements.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Two new high-hardness grades have been added to the Medalist MD-200 Series of TPVs from Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I., extending the already broad durometer range of these high-purity compounds for replacing rubber in medical applications. Previously ranging in Shore A durometer from an ultra-soft 15 to semi-hard 80, the MD-200 Series now includes an 87 Shore A compound, MD-240, and a 43 Shore D grade, MD-245.

Nearly 50 new PVC compounds that incorporate new biobased, non-phthalate plasticizers and other formulation enhancements that address the “green” concerns of wire and cable users will be introduced commercially in the first quarter of 2013 by Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I.

The potential for new or unusual materials to broaden the application potential of standard plastics processes was explored in a number of papers at April’s SPE ANTEC conference in Orlando, Fla.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I., has added two new PVC elastomer compounds to its Flexalloy line, which are said to be lower-cost alternatives to other elastomers such as TPUs for electric-vehicle charger-cable insulation and jacketing.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I., recently revealed for the first time that its Medalist MD-200 Series TPEs are thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs). These grades, which have not been publicized before, are recommended for their high purity and resilience for replacing rubber in medical applications.

Higher-performance and easier processing PE film resins for packaging, a one-pass crosslinked PE for photovoltaic (PV) wire and cable, several higher-performing nylons and TPEs, “greener” plastics, and enhanced styrenic and PC resins are among the new materials that made their debut at the big show in Orlando, Fla., last month.

A new melt-strength enhancer in masterbatch form increases the pull force that can be applied to molten polylactic acid (PLA) by 300% to 500%. This makes possible higher throughputs in PLA extrusion and thermoforming while reducing scrap rates, says Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I.Terraloy MB-90001A1 melt-strength enhancer broadens the processing window of PLA in cast film and sheet for clear products such as clamshell containers.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Long known for flexible compounds, the Vinyl Div. of Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I., now offers rigid standard and custom formulations for a broad range of uses, such as bottles, electrical conduit, home furnishings, irrigation connectors, retail displays, and medical devices.

Four suppliers are bringing out higher-performance materials partly or wholly based on PLA biopolymer.

New technology from Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I., eliminates a property tradeoff that could allow polylactic acid (PLA) to supplant polystyrene and polypropylene for microwavable frozen-food trays, lids for hot beverage cups, and carry-out containers.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Four suppliers are bringing out higher-performance materials partly or wholly based on PLA biopolymer.

 WEB EXCLUSIVE: Two high-performance vinyl jacketing compounds from Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I., are said to withstand harsh cold, exposure to lubricants, and other challenging conditions encountered by control and power cables within the nacelles high atop wind-turbine towers.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Teknor Apex Co. is the new exclusive North American distributor of TPU compounds for wire and cable from COIM S.p.A. in Italy.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: A new high-impact rigid vinyl compound for profile extrusion is said to meet the most stringent UL 94 classification—5VA—at 0.9 mm, well below the 1.5-mm minimum achieved previously for rigid PVC profile materials.

The second conference on biopolymers hosted by NatureWorks testified to the burgeoning interest in this new field of plastics.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: New rigid and flexible medical compounds that resist gamma sterilization are available from Teknor Apex Co.,Pawtucket, R.I.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Soft, thin skins for automotive instrument panels, airbag covers, and interior trim can now be molded with Tek-Spheres vinyl microbeads from Teknor Apex Co., Vinyl Div., Pawtucket, R.I.

The new Bioplastics Div. of Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I., has expanded its brand-new line of Terraloy compounds with a blend of HIPS and up to 30% thermoplastic starch (TPS). Introduced last June at NPE 2009, Terraloy is based on technology licensed from Cerestech Inc., Montreal.

New flexible PVC compounds from Teknor Apex Co., Pawtucket, R.I., are said to emit 80% fewer volatile organic compounds than standard vinyls.

WEB EXCLUSIVE.

Kraton Polymers has launched a new styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS) elastomer family that delivers better flow, lower warpage, and greater adhesion to other thermoplastics.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: New blends of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and recycled PP reportedly enable processors to incorporate 95% “green” content (biobased plus recycled) while obtaining physical properties comparable to virgin PP.