www.plastics-technology.com Pressreleases

'PolyOne Showcases High-Performance Product Portfolio At PlastIndia 2009'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

'PolyOne Corporation (NYSE: POL), a leading global provider of specialized polymer materials, services, and solutions, will exhibit its high-performance product offering of colorants, additives, and specialty engineered materials in Hall 7B Booth R1A at PlastIndia 2009, Feb 4–9.

PolyOne’s portfolio of specialty materials to be featured at PlastIndia 2009 includes:

Colorants

OnColor™ color concentrates for packaging, automotive and healthcare applications
OnColor™ BIO color concentrates for use with biodegradable or bioderived polymers

Additives

OnCap™ additive concentrates for polymers, including UV, PPA, anti-static, anti-fog, anti-microbial, oxo-degradable, and fragrance
OnCap™ BIO additive concentrates for biodegradable polymers such as PLA, starch blends, PHBV, and others

Engineered Materials

Maxxam™ flame-retardant polyolefin compounds
Bergamid™ polyamide compounds
Edgetek™ high performance engineered thermoplastic compounds
LubriOne™ wear resistant compounds
Stat-Tech™ static dissipative and conductive compounds

Low Smoke & Fume, Zero Halogen (LSFOH) Compounds

ECCOH™ low smoke and fume, zero halogen (LSFOH) compounds

To facilitate the import, manufacture and sale of PolyOne products in India and neighboring geographies, PolyOne formed PolyOne Polymers India Pvt. Ltd at the beginning of 2008, which includes a new manufacturing facility and color lab designed to enhance PolyOne’s ability to meet customer demand for rapid turnaround with locally available materials and support services.

“PolyOne’s initial focus in India will be on supplying processors with colorants, additives, and engineered materials as well as technical support,” said Tushar Parida, managing director of PolyOne Polymers India Pvt Ltd. “We are also working with India’s key OEMs to gain specification for PolyOne’s full bundle of materials and services, including thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and other specialized products.”

Willie Chien, vice president and general manager of Color and Engineered Materials Asia, said, “PlastIndia 2009 provides an outstanding opportunity to highlight PolyOne’s ability to service our customers across this important emerging market. Providing high-performance solutions to customers in India and throughout Asia is a key component of our globalization strategy.”

For more information about PlastIndia 2009, visit http://www.plastindia.org.

About PolyOne

PolyOne Corporation, with annual revenues of more than $2.7 billion, is a premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions. Headquartered outside of Cleveland, Ohio USA, PolyOne has operations around the world. For additional information on PolyOne, visit our Web site at www.polyone.com.

'NEW NIBCO DURA-PEX® Facility'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

'NIBCO has announced that it is combining its PEX extrusion operation and post-processing/distribution operations into a new facility in Lebanon, Ohio. The 130,000-square-foot facility has ample room for expansion of manufacturing and distribution operations. This location will make NIBCO's DURA-PEX manufacturing operations more efficient.

"The move was made in anticipation of NIBCO's future growth in the PEX market," said Randy Doering, NIBCO general manager - PEX piping systems. "NIBCO has built its success in the PEX business by leveraging the synergies between NIBCO's strong brand recognition, commitment to high service levels and the acquisition of a plumbing products company with strong core manufacturing capabilities."

In May 2006, NIBCO announced that it acquired the assets of Consolidated Plumbing Industries (CPI), a manufacturer of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing. The acquisition was a strategic move in expanding NIBCO's presence in the PEX water distribution and radiant heating markets.

NIBCO DURA-PEX tubing had been previously manufactured at 2775 Henkle Drive in Lebanon, Ohio, which is directly across the street from the new facility. The tubing was then post-processed and shipped from the Franklin Ohio, facility which is located 15 miles from Lebanon.

As of December 15, all NIBCO DURA-PEX tubing has shipped from the new location. All Lebanon and Franklin associates will be relocating to the new Lebanon location and both facilities will be completely exited by the end of January 2009. The new DURA-PEX address is 2800 Henkle Drive, Lebanon, Ohio 45036.

Founded in Elkhart in 1904, NIBCO INC. is a worldwide provider of flow control solutions to customers in the residential and commercial construction, industrial and irrigation markets. With the acquisition of CPI, NIBCO now operates 13 manufacturing plants throughout the United States, Mexico and Poland. Visit www.nibco.com for information on NIBCO's complete line of products.

For all media-related questions, contact:

Chris Mason, VP-Supply Chain/Logistics
PH: +1/574.295.3229

Sally Boyer, Manager-Strategic Communications
PH: +1/574.295.3381

'Arburg to present Technology Highlights at the Equiplast'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

At the Equiplast 2008, to be held from 20 to 24 October 2008 in Barcelona, Arburg will exhibit a representative cross-section of its product range at stand No. C339 in Hall 4. Exhibits will include the energy-efficient electric Allrounder A with a high-speed thin-walled application, the universal hydraulic Allrounder 370 S integrated in a complex production cell as well as the economical hydraulic Allrounder 720 S Golden Edition with a sophisticated technical application. “The Equiplast is the most important plastics fair in the Iberian Peninsula,” says Martin Cayre, Manager of the Spanish Arburg subsidiary. “Accordingly, we will be presenting three innovative exhibition machines and applications which perfectly meet the requirements of the Spanish and Portuguese market.”

Allrounder 420 A: fast, precise, and energy-efficient
Arburg has defined the efficient use of energy as one of its corporate objectives for 2008 and has incorporated the relevant measures in the all-embracing initiative “Energy Efficiency Allround”. Here, the objective is not simply to use as little energy as possible in the production of Allrounders and the entire Arburg technology. Rather, the company seeks to use its products and expertise in order to efficiently minimise energy consumption among its customers as well. It is therefore fitting that Arburg’s exhibit at the Equiplast 2008 in Barcelona is an electric Allrounder 420 A, which has been awarded Arburg’s “e²” energy efficiency label.

“Because our customers are increasingly interested in electric machines and the packaging sector is very strong, we will be demonstrating the production of cups on an electric Allrounder,” explains Martin Cayre. The high-speed Allrounder 420 A 1000-400 features a distance between tie bars of 420 millimetres, a clamping force of 1,000 kN and a size 400 injection unit. Equipped with a two-cavity mould, it produces polypropylene cups in a cycle time of only 2 seconds. The shot weight for both cups is 16.8 grams. In addition to a pneumatically-operated needle shut-off nozzle for sprue-free injection, the machine also features an electro-mechanical ejector for rapid demoulding. With this equipment, the Allrounder A is ideally suited to high-precision but also rapid and reproducible production cycles with thin-walled parts.

Complex production cell around the Allrounder 370 S
“The field of automation will become increasingly important for our customers in Spain and Portugal in the future,” says the subsidiary Manager, who looks forward to exhibiting an application of this type in Barcelona. With the fully-automated production of a toy car at the Equiplast, Arburg will impressively demonstrate the flexibility of its machines and robotic systems, as well as the competency of its project department, which designs, implements and commissions customer-specific systems. On the hydraulic Allrounder 370 S with a clamping force of 600 kN and a size 170 injection unit, a buggy will be produced with metal axles encapsulated in plastic. For this purpose, the injection moulding machine operates with the Arburg Multilift V robotic system, which enters vertically into the mould and is fully integrated into the Selogica machine control system. The complex gripper of the robotic system performs insertion of the metal axles, removal of the sprue and of the individual components as well as their subsequent assembly into the finished toy car.

The metal axles are provided in bulk then separated via a vibrating spiral conveyor. The gripper picks up two axles at a time and places these into the mould following removal of the finished moulded parts. Two wheels are injected onto each of the metal axles in a cycle time of 30 seconds during a single production step, while the chassis and roof are produced simultaneously. The gripper then removes the sprue and the four individual parts of the buggy. After the sprue has been discarded, the robotic system moves to the assembly table, where the toy car is assembled and then removed via a chute.

Economical Allrounder Golden Edition
“As the most successful machines in our market, an Allrounder Golden Edition is an absolute must at the Equiplast,” says Martin Cayre. “With the Allrounder 720 S Golden Edition, featuring a clamping force of 3,000 KN, Arburg will not only be presenting this successful machine series, but also a representative of the large Arburg machine segment.” Moreover, the production of an inhaler cap with two film hinges will demonstrate the high performance of the Golden Edition machines in the field of technical applications. This economical machine series combines state-of-the-art machine technology with an attractive price/performance ratio. It currently consists of a carefully thought-out range of nine Allrounders for various applications, each machine being equipped with a fixed clamping force/injection unit combination. Like all Allrounders, these machines are also produced exclusively at the parent factory in Lossburg.

About Arburg
Arburg, a German machine construction company, is one of the leading global manufacturers of injection moulding machines for plastics processing with clamping forces between 125 kN and 5,000 kN. Fields of application include the production of plastic parts for motor vehicles, communications and consumer electronics, medical technology, domestic appliances and packaging. The product range is completed by robotic systems, complex projects and other peripherals. Arburg’s operations are coordinated by an integrated management system and are DIN EN ISO 9001 and 14001 certified. Arburg is represented by its own organisations in 23 countries at 31 locations and by trading partners in more than 50 countries. However, production takes place exclusively in the parent factory in Lossburg (Germany) – with the mark of quality "made by Arburg - made in Germany". From a total of more than 2,000 Arburg employees, around 1,700 work in Germany. Around 330 further employees work at the 23 subsidiaries and representative offices. Further information about Arburg can be found at www.arburg.com

Further information for journalists:

ARBURG GmbH + Co KG
Press office
Susanne Wurst
Postfach 1109
D-72286 Lossburg
Tel.: +49 (0) 7446 33-3463
Fax: +49 (0) 7446 33-3413
e-mail: presse_service@arburg.com

'British Plastic Federation Launches New Website'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

The British Plastics Federation has launched its new website this week at the Interplas fair in Birmingham. This incorporates several highly innovative features and, according to BPF's Public and Industrial Affairs Director Philip Law, propels the BPF into the front-rank of the world's industrial web sites. Law said that the BPF's earlier website was enormously popular with 1.5 million unique visitors per annum. 'The site has been entirely re-styled. Major new additions include downloadable BUYERS GUIDES to the major players in the industry. Featuring BPF members they represent a tangible, new, membership benefit '.

The new site also launches 'PLASTIPEDIA', described by Law as 'the world’s largest on-line plastics encyclopedia'. 'Covering polymers, additives, processing technologies and products this will feature animations of processes and be exceptionally useful to companies in training their staff ', he said. 'A totally new dimension', said Law, 'is the introduction of an on - line professional and social network for the plastics community. ''PLASTBOOK'' will be a first rate networking tool facilitating exchange of experience between personnel in the industry. It will also provide a facility to ask and provide answers to particular questions which could lead to business development opportunities for the respondents.

An ''EXPORTERS’ TOOLBOX'' will provide immediate access to plastics market data for 80 countries and will enable lists of international agents and distributors to be quickly downloaded. The new website will also feature the BPF's ''INDUSTRY DIRECTORY''. Designed to help buyers, specifiers and designers to source particular products this is fully searchable and profiles some 2000 UK plastics companies categorised in great detail to ensure accuracy of search. ‘This new website has been long in germination and is the product of enormous effort' said Law. 'We believe it will do a terrific job in promoting the competence of the UK plastics industry to global markets and make the ‘British Plastics’ brand an even greater force to be reckoned with. The website is accessible on www.bpf.co.uk

…Ends...

For further information on this release contact Philip Batten, Marketing and Communications Executive, at the BPF on 0207 457 5007 or email him on pbatten@bpf.co.uk

British Plastics Federation : www.bpf.co.uk

'Evonik has Granted Exclusive License to Solvias'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

Evonik Degussa GmbH, Essen (Germany), has granted an exclusive license to Solvias AG, Basel (Switzerland), to develop, manufacture, and market the catASium® and cataCXium® ligand product lines. Evonik, a leading supplier of catalytic system solutions, remains active in homogenous catalysis as manufacturer and vendor of catMETium® catalysts for metathesis reactions. Solvias is one of the most capable excellence centers for homogeneous catalysis and High Throughput Screening (HTS).

“We developed catASium® and cataCXium® in record time and successfully introduced it to the market,” said Dr. Jürgen Krauter, the head of marketing in the Catalysts Business Line of Evonik. “ We are pleased to pass on these activities to a highly competent partner such as Solvias, who will further advance these technologies.”

catASium® is a product line of chiral ligands for asymmetric hydrogenations that consists of highly variable chiral ligands and their associated Rh complexes. cataCXium® is a line of CX coupling ligands with proven success in solving industrial CX coupling problems.
Company information

Evonik Industries is the creative industrial group from Germany which operates in three business areas: Chemicals, Energy and Real Estate. Evonik is a global leader in specialty chemicals, an expert in power generation from hard coal and renewable energies, and one of the largest private residential real estate companies in Germany. Our strengths are creativity, specialization, continuous self-renewal, and reliability. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In its fiscal year 2007 about 43,000 employees generated sales of about €14.4 billion and an operating profit (EBITDA) of more than €2.2 billion.

Disclaimer
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.

Contacts
Dr. Karin Aßmann
Tel: +49 69 218-2230
Fax: +49 69 218-62230

'Solvay invests EUR 55 milion in Reduced Electricity Consumption and lower Environmental Impact of its Electrolytic Unit at Tavaux (F)'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

Launch of membrane-based electrolytic technology

The Solvay Group announced its decision today to invest EUR 55 million at its Tavaux site in the Jura (France) for the conversion of part of its mercury-based electrolysis into one based on membranes. The new unit will be operational by the end of 2010.

The annual chlorine production capacity at the Tavaux plant will be maintained at the current level of 360,000 metric tonnes, but most of the chlorine production at the new Tavaux unit will be produced through membrane-based electrolysis. Chlorine made by Solvay is an intermediate product the Group put to full use downstream. At Tavaux, it will be used primarily to feed the fully integrated vinyl production line.

From an economic point of view, the conversion will allow a reduction in electricity consumption, always particularly high in the electrolytic sector. This investment in one of its most important production sites worldwide is another step in Solvay’s strategy to further strengthen its competitive position in the area of electrochemistry.

In the context of continuously soaring energy prices, the Solvay Group had already announced its participation in the Exeltium consortium, ensuring long term electricity supply at competitive rates. Now this particular investment provides an additional guarantee as to the durability and the development of both the Tavaux site and Solvay’s presence in France.

In addition, this investment will contribute to a further reduction of the environmental impact of the Tavaux site, even if the technologies currently in use already meet extremely tight regulations.

Sales of the Solvay Group in France amount to EUR 1.5 billion, with a workforce of more than 4,500 on all its sites, the main one being the Tavaux site. On average, the Solvay Group invests some EUR 100 million annually in its French sites, either into new projects or in order to maximize their competitiveness.

SOLVAY is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs some 29,000 people in 50 countries. In 2006, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 9.4 billion, generated by its three sectors of activity: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay (Euronext: SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR) is listed on the Euronext stock exchange in Brussels. Details are available at www.solvay.com.

For further information please contact :

Erik De Leye, Corporate Press Officer
SOLVAY SA Headquarters
Tel: 32 2 509 72 30
Fax: 32 2 509 72 40
E-mail: erik.deleye@solvay.com

Martial Tardy, Corporate Press Officer
SOLVAY SA Headquarters
Tel: 32 2 509 72 30
Fax: 32 2 509 72 40
E-mail: martial.tardy@solvay.com

Christian Clerc-Girard,

Tel: +33 (0)3 84712373
E-mail: christian.clerc-girard@solvay.com

'BASF raises Prices for Ethyleneamines'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

Effective immediately, or as existing contracts allow, BASF is raising its prices for ethyleneamines in Europe as follows

+ 500 EUR/to for ethylenediamine (EDA)
+ 250 EUR/to for diethylenetriamine (DETA)
+ 100 EUR/to for aminoethylethanolamine (AEEA)
+ 100 EUR/to for piperazine
+ 100 EUR/to for AMIX 1000

or by the related level in regional currency. The markups are due to the ongoing high demand situation.

The products in question are high-class intermediates used amongst others in the manufacture of agro- and paper chemicals, surfactants for detergents and cleaning products, process chemicals for gas treatment, lubricants, cement additives, and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

BASF produces ethyleneamines at its Verbund site in Antwerp, Belgium.

'BASF is leading in Disclosure about Climate Protection'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

The Chemical Company leads the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index in the carbon-intensive sector
BASF rated world’s best chemical company

BASF is the worldwide number 1 in the prestigious Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index. The index of the international Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is an honor roll for corporations addressing the challenges of climate change and carbon disclosure practices.

“We are delighted that our efforts for climate protection are being acknowledged by investors," said Dr. Ulrich von Deessen, head of BASF’s Environment, Health & Safety competence center and Climate Protection Officer. BASF presented its action program at the beginning of 2008, becoming the first corporation to appoint a climate protection officer, setting even more ambitious environmental targets, and compiling an extensive carbon balance. The latter shows that BASF products save three times the amount of CO2 that is used in the manufacture and disposal of all products. "Inclusion in the CDl Index is an incentive for us to continue pursuing our climate strategy on a systematic basis and report openly about our progress," von Deessen commented.

Honored for climate strategy and sustainability
Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) represents 385 institutional investors with $57 trillion in assets under management and provides an evaluation tool for institutional investors. Paul Dickinson, Chief Executive of the Carbon Disclosure Project, said: “Good corporate governance in respect of climate change disclosure will inevitably reap its rewards. As carbon regulation increases, those companies that have implemented climate change related strategies are clearly going to be in a far better position to meet the challenge of higher carbon prices than companies that have procrastinated. Good disclosure practices are synonymous with good management.”

In September 2008, BASF was named the leading chemical company in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World). The Chemical Company was recognized for its climate strategy, its environmental and social reporting and for developing innovative and eco-efficient products. The DJSI World is the most important sustainability index and represents the top 10 percent of the largest 2,500 companies in each industry in the Dow Jones Global Index.

Further information on the topic of climate protection at BASF, the answers to the CDP questionnaire and Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index is available on the Internet at the following links:
www.basf.de/sustainability
www.cdproject.net/results.asp
www.cdproject.net
top of page

Note:
Photograph can be downloaded at www.basf.de/pressefotos under the keyword “BASF SE”, search term “Carbon Disclosure”.

About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost €58 billion in 2007. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com

About CDP
The Carbon Disclosure Project, founded in 2000, represents some 385 global institutional investors with more than $57 trillion in assets under management. As an independent not-for-profit organization, CDP collects key climate change data from more than 1550 major corporations around the globe and has assembled the largest corporate greenhouse gas emissions database in the world. For more information regarding CDP please go to www.cdproject.net

'Rohm and Haas Announces Worldwide Price Increase for Ion Exchange Resins'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

Rohm and Haas Company today announced a worldwide price increase of up to 10% across its range of ion exchange resins, adsorbents, and catalysts. The increase will be effective October 1, 2008 or as contracts permit. The increase is needed to cover the continued volatility of raw materials and freight-related costs.

About Rohm and Haas Company
Leading the way since 1909, Rohm and Haas is a global pioneer in the creation and development of innovative technologies and solutions for the specialty materials industry. The company’s technologies are found in a wide range of industries including: Building and Construction, Electronics and Electronic Devices, Household Goods and Personal Care, Packaging and Paper, Transportation, Pharmaceutical and Medical, Water, Food and Food Related, and Industrial Process. Innovative Rohm and Haas technologies and solutions help to improve life every day, around the world. Based in Philadelphia, PA, the company generated annual sales of approximately $8.9 billion in 2007. Visit www.rohmhaas.com for more information. imagine the possibilities™

Contacts

Rohm and Haas
Shari Samuels, + 1 215-592-6877
ssamuels@rohmhaas.com

'Celanese introduces New Starch Line for Glass Fiber Yarns at China Composites 2008'

2008-07-03T16:24:40Z

Celanese Emulsion Polymers Focuses on Customer Solutions at China Composites 2008

Under their slogan, Your future is our focus…worldwide, Celanese Emulsion Polymers exhibited its broad range of polymer products at the China Composites show in Shanghai this week. A leader in delivering performance solutions to the glass fiber industry for decades, Celanese’s portfolio of polymer emulsions and starches optimize performance and improve handling for glass fiber sizing, in the production of chopped strand mats (CSM) and in secondary binder applications such as veils and scrims. Celanese also introduced a new line of natural starches for the glass fiber industry called JetSize™.

According to Paolo Bavaj, global marketing manager for Glass Fiber, Celanese Emulsions is in the unique position of having a time-tested portfolio of products combined with an expert technology group focused on customer solutions. “There are many emulsion and starch suppliers, but only Celanese has the 40 plus years of experience in the highly demanding field of glass fiber along with a global footprint to service the world’s largest and most innovative customers,” said Bavaj. “Whether we are assisting a new company start up in the Middle East or an industry leader refine a process in China, we pride ourselves on partnering with our customers to solve their issues and ensure their success.”

New starch line optimizes glass fiber yarn production
Celanese introduced Jetsize™, a new line of natural polymer starches to optimize the production of glass fiber yarns, according to Bavaj. “The Jetsize™ line is designed for glass fiber yarn production for use in printed circuit boards in the electronics industry as well as glass textile applications. These high weaving applications demand starch with low ash content and high tensile strength,” said Bavaj. Jetsize™ starches can be utilized in both pressure cooking and atmospheric cooking processes to ensure their success across a wide range of manufacturing environments.

The technology group at Celanese Emulsion Polymers is developing a wide variety of products, such as Jetsize™ starches, for the future of the glass fiber industry whether they are based in Asia, the Americas, Europe or the Middle East according to Bavaj. Celanese Emulsions Research and Development is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany and is supported by Technology Centers in Shanghai, China; Houston, Texas; and Frankfurt, Germany. “Our global manufacturing footprint enables us to meet the needs of both multi-national and regional glass fiber producers, but it is our regional technical service experts who help our customers turn today’s tough challenges into tomorrow’s competitive advantages,” he added. This customer-first attitude is the basis of the company’s motto - “Your future is our focus…worldwide.”

About Celanese
As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation makes products essential to everyday living. Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totaled $6.4 billion in 2007, with approximately 70% generated outside of North America. Known for operational excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 8,400 employees worldwide. For more information on Celanese Corporation, please visit the company's website at www.celanese.com.

About the Emulsion Polymers Business of Celanese
The Emulsion Polymers business of Celanese is a global leader in developing products and application technology to improve performance, create value and drive innovation in a broad range of industrial and consumer end-use applications including adhesives, coatings, engineered fabrics, glass fibers, paper, textiles and more. The business has manufacturing facilities worldwide and is supported by expert technical service regionally. More information about the Emulsions Polymers business of Celanese is available at www.celanese-emulsions.com.