World of Chemicals - latest chemistry news, articles, research, jobs, academics: March 2017

Friday, 31 March 2017

ExxonMobil receives unsolicited mini-tender offer by TRC Capital

IRVING, US: ExxonMobil Corporation said that it has received notice of an unsolicited mini-tender offer by TRC Capital Corporation to purchase up to 2 million shares of ExxonMobil common stock. This represents approximately 0.05 percent of the shares outstanding as of the 13 March offer date.

TRC Capital’s offer price of $78 per share is approximately 4.42 percent lower than the $81.61 closing share price of ExxonMobil’s common stock on 10 March– the business day prior to the date of the offer.

ExxonMobil recommends that stockholders do not tender their shares in response to TRC Capital’s offer because the offer is at a price below the current market price for ExxonMobil’s shares and subject to numerous conditions. ExxonMobil is not affiliated or associated in any way with TRC Capital, its mini-tender offer or the offer documentation.

TRC Capital has made many similar mini-tender offers for shares of other companies. Mini-tender offers to seek to acquire less than 5 percent of a company’s shares outstanding, thereby avoiding many disclosures and procedural requirements of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

ExxonMobil urges investors to obtain current market quotations for their shares, to consult with their broker or financial advisor and to exercise caution with respect to TRC Capital’s offer.

ExxonMobil recommends that shareholders who have not responded to TRC Capital’s offer take no action. Shareholders who have already tendered their shares may withdraw them at any time prior to the expiration of the offer, in accordance with TRC Capital’s offering documents. The offer is currently scheduled to expire on 11 April. TRC Capital may extend the offering period at its discretion.

Dow, DuPont receives EU approval for proposed merger of equals

WILMINGTON/ MIDLAND, US: DuPont (DD) and The Dow Chemical Company (DOW) said that the European Commission (EC) has granted conditional regulatory clearance in Europe for the companies proposed merger of equals.

This regulatory milestone is a significant step toward closing the merger transaction, with the intention to subsequently spin into three independent publicly traded companies.

The transaction is expected to create significant cost synergies of approximately $3 billion with the potential for $1 billion in growth synergies. Longer term, the intended three-way split is expected to unlock even greater value for shareholders and customers and more opportunity for employees as each company will be a leader in attractive segments where global challenges are driving demand for their distinctive offerings.

The EC’s approval is conditional on DuPont and Dow fulfilling commitments given to the EC in connection with the clearance.

The companies believe the outcome of the EC review is pro-competitive and maintains the strategic logic and value creation potential of the transaction.

Specifically, DuPont will divest its Cereal Broadleaf Herbicides and Chewing Insecticides portfolios. DuPont will also divest its Crop Protection research and development pipeline and organisation, excluding seed treatment, nematicides, and late-stage R&D programs, which DuPont will continue to develop and bring to market, and excluding personnel needed to support marketed products and R&D programs that will remain with DuPont. DuPont is currently in negotiations to divest the crop protection assets.

Additionally, on 2 Feb, Dow announced an agreement with SK Global Chemical Co LTD to divest its global Ethylene Acrylic Acid (EAA) copolymers and ionomers business. These divestitures are conditioned on Dow and DuPont closing their merger transaction, in addition to other closing conditions, including regulatory filings, local employment law and governance.

Following the divestiture of a portion of DuPont’s crop protection business, the Agriculture Division of the merged company will retain strong crop protection assets, including an excellent portfolio in corn and soy broadleaf and grass control, a robust cereal weed control portfolio, DuPont’s strong position in disease control, and Dow AgroSciences’ industry leading insecticide portfolio.

The Agriculture division will be well positioned to accelerate growth, leveraging strong pipelines in both seeds and chemistry to better serve growers around the world with a superior portfolio of innovative solutions, greater choice, and competitive price for value.

The companies continue to work constructively with regulators in the remaining relevant jurisdictions to obtain clearance for the merger, which they are confident will be achieved.

Total, Borealis, Nova JV to build ethane cracker in US

PARIS, FRANCE: Total is entering a partnership with Borealis AG and Nova Chemicals Corporation to form a joint venture with the aim of building an ethane steam cracker and a new Borstar polyethylene unit on the US Gulf Coast.

Total is expected to hold a 50 percent interest in the new joint venture.

More surely, the joint venture (JV) will include:

building a new 1 Mt/y ethane steam cracker in Port Arthur, Texas

Total’s existing polyethylene 400 kt/y plant in Bayport, Texas

building a new 625 kt/y Borstar polyethylene plant on the Bayport site, Texas.

The joint venture is expected to be established in late 2017 and the final investment decision on the Borstar polyethylene plant will be taken simultaneously.

The $1.7 billion new cracker is scheduled to start up in 2020 and will create around 1,500 jobs during peak engineering and construction activity. The engineering, procurement and construction contract (EPC) of the ethane steam cracker has been awarded by Total to CB&I.

The new cracker will be built alongside Total’s Port Arthur refinery and Total/BASF existing steam cracker. By leveraging synergies with its existing world-class integrated platform in Texas, Total optimised capital expenditure and will deliver one of the most competitive cracker projects in the US.

The abundance of available gas in the US as result of the shale revolution provides two competitive advantages for petrochemicals: access to low-cost energy to run the facilities and competitively priced ethane feedstock.

“After significant investments in US LNG and US shale gas in 2016, this almost two-billion-dollar investment signals our determination to strengthen our presence in the US, where we have operated for 60 years and have more than 6,000 employees," said Patrick Pouyanne, chairman and CEO of Total.

“We want to take advantage of the business-friendly environment to contribute to making American petrochemicals even greater. By joining forces with Borealis and Nova, we aim to create a major player in the US polyethylene market,” added Pouyanne.

Sabic introduces new design services for aircraft interiors

HAMBURG, GERMANY: As airlines seek the opportunity to reduce weight, differentiate their brands, minimise costs and enhance their customers’ flying experiences, they look for versatile materials, creative design options and global support from suppliers who understand these desired outcomes.

Sabic said that it will showcase a number of new and inspiring offerings that can help aircraft customers meet regulatory requirements and OEM standards, enhance safety and sustainability, and optimise the passenger experience. These offerings include a range of high-performance engineering thermoplastics in a number of forms – resin, sheet, film and foam – that are compatible with a range of processing techniques such as injection moulding, thermoforming, and additive and composite manufacturing.

“SABIC has a long history of innovating with the aircraft interiors industry, and we are pleased to share our solution story with customers and potential business partners at the premier global event for the aircraft industry,” said Lori Louthan, director, mass transportation.

New ULTEM XP050 Foam

Sabic is introducing the fourth grade of ULTEM foam, called ULTEM XP050, as a complement to its ULTEM foam series. This latest addition is lighter than ever, at a weight of just 50 kg/m3 (3.1 lb/ft3). The new grade can be considered as a core for sandwich construction, as it is compatible with thermosets and metal laminates. Potential uses include ceiling panels, sidewalls, storage bins and other applications where lightweight, compliant structures are needed. The ULTEM XP050 foam meets OSU <55/55 and is available in thicknesses from 3 mm to 30 mm.

Digital design lab concept

Digital Design Lab, a prototype of a digital capability that can help enable designers to explore four different design themes, with functionality to apply various trends in colour, materials, textures and finishes utilising swatches of Sabic aircraft-compliant materials in a virtual design environment.

“We are looking forward to sharing our design tool concept with attendees at the show – particularly aircraft interior designers – in order to get their feedback as we move forward in developing tools that will help designers achieve their objectives,” Lori said.

Included innovative customer solutions:

ULTEM 9085 resin: This resin is compatible with 3D printing and is FAR 25.853 and OEM toxicity compliant, offering low moisture absorption and design flexibility. Use of 3D printing enabled the rapid prototyping of the Studio Gavari design, resulting in a seat with less than 15 components.

JET PANEL sheet: based on Sabic’s 2015 Crystal Cabin Award-winning CLEAR LEXAN XHR 2000 sheet series, a design-enabling transparent material which allows customization via printing, texture, colour or digital graphics and offers 80 percent light transmission to enhance the passenger experience.

An ULTEM foam sidewall prototype, fabricated with lightweight, regulatory-compliant, formable ULTEM XP060 density foam, based on SABIC’s renowned high-heat formulation. ULTEM foam is highly processed able: the foam can be machined, vacuum formed and match metal formed. Additionally, because of its amorphous nature, it can tolerate most of the adhesives used in the market today. ULTEM foam is also compatible with lamination and composite skins, including thermosets and thermoplastics, as well as metal. It may be considered for applications where honeycomb structures are currently used, especially in lightweight core applications.

Lanxess presents tailor-made solutions for polyurethane industry

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Lanxess, the global speciality chemicals company, has presented a wide-ranging product portfolio which meets effectively for all the polyurethane industry’s requirements, recently in Delhi, India.

The complete product range includes flame retardants, plasticisers, crosslinking agents, catalysts and hydrolysis stabiliser for rigid and flexible foams, coatings, elastomers, sealants and adhesives.

The focus was on products such as Stabaxol (hydrolysis stabilisers), Addonyl (additives and catalysts for cast nylon) along with Addocat catalysts, Addolink crosslinkers and Addovate stabilisers (for the production of polyurethane flexible foams).

The Disflamoll 51092 grade was primarily developed for PU flexible foam and elastomers while Levagard TP LXS 51114 is specifically suitable for flexible foam. Both flame retardants can be used in polyester as well as in polyether flexible foams.

Foams manufactured using Levagard TP LXS 51114 even meet the German Association of the Automotive Industry's strict VDA 278 standard for the characterization of non-metallic materials in cars.

The established reactive flame retardant Levagard 4090 N is now available in improved quality owing to process optimisations. The lower acid number and water content ensure better processability, especially in the manufacture of rigid polyurethane foams.

Lanxess also showed its phthalate-free plasticisers from the Mesamoll range. They are ideal for the production of PU sealants or for use as cleaning agents for polyurethane processing equipment.

“At Lanxess, we stand for tailor-made solutions, top technical know-how and the ultimate in additives expertise. We develop, produce and market additives, phosphorus chemicals and speciality chemicals and service products for the worldwide rubber, lubricants and plastics industries,” said Sriganesh, head of business unit Rhein Chemie additives, Lanxess India Private Limited.

BASF, Audi, Covestro develop new clearcoat with biobased hardener

MUNSTER/ LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY: A team of employees from BASF’s coatings division, Audi and Covestro have collaborated, for the first time, developing a clearcoat containing a biobased hardener. And was applied to test bodies of the Audi Q2 under near-series conditions at the Audi plant in Ingolstadt, Germany.

This will help the automotive industry, manufacturers and suppliers who are working constantly to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions in production.

BASF developed the clearcoat using the biobased hardener Desmodur eco N 7300 from Covestro. A total of 70 percent of the hardener’s carbon content is sourced from renewable raw materials. This innovation reduces the consumption of fossil resources. The clearcoat forms the top layer of the coating system, lending it scratch resistance, a glossy appearance and protection against sunlight and other weather effects.

Improved eco-balance, high quality

“Our new clearcoat helps our customers to reach their sustainability targets, without having to compromise in terms of quality and performance,” said Dr Matthijs Groenewolt, head of clearcoat and topcoat development at BASF.

“Using renewable raw materials in the production of biobased hardeners helps to conserve fossil resources. At the same time, the biomass, as it grows, captures CO2 in the environment,” added Dr Markus Mechtel, head of marketing for automotive coatings at Covestro.

In addition, process steps are eliminated during biobased raw material production for this hardener, and thus leading to an additional reduction of CO2 emissions.

Promising test results

“The use of biobased raw materials in automotive coatings is still in its infancy. But the application of the new clearcoat on our existing machines fulfilled all our specifications and delivered promising results. With this project, Audi takes up a pioneering role in this field in the automotive industry,” said Thomas Heusser, head of materials and process engineering at Audi.

After successful coating of test bodies of the Audi Q2, Thomas Heusser is hopeful: “Even though not all tests required for approval of the coating for use in full-scale production have been concluded, the three companies have taken an important step toward an even more sustainable automotive coating process.”

PPG donates $10,000 to Kentucky Science Center

LOUISVILLE, US: The PPG Foundation has recently donated $10,000 to the Kentucky Science Center (KSC) to support the organisation’s “Ion Jones and the Lost Castle of Chemistry” travelling science education program.

The donation was made on behalf of PPG’s architectural coatings plant and distribution centre in Louisville, US.

Supported by the PPG Foundation for 3 years, the interactive “Ion Jones and the Lost Castle of Chemistry” program travels to local and regional schools to teach students how chemistry affects various industries, technology and the environment.

As part of the show, students explore and observe chemistry in action courtesy of a fiery volcano, a cola geyser, an exploding hydrogen-filled balloon and other experiments. The Ion Jones show is just one of many Kentucky Science Center programs that encourage people of all ages to “do science” in engaging, educational and entertaining ways to inspire a lifetime of learning.

“PPG looks for every opportunity to support and cultivate students’ math and science education. We’re proud to help bring the ‘Ion Jones and the Lost Castle of Chemistry’ program and its engaging way of teaching chemistry in different ways to children in more schools,” said Chris Smith, PPG plant manager, Louisville.

“The Kentucky Science Center and PPG have a long-standing partnership, and we are honoured that the PPG Foundation continues to support our mission of educating students on the importance of science and mathematics with unique, innovative programs,” said Jo Haas, executive director, Kentucky Science Center.

ADM to acquire French starch producer, Chamtor

CHICAGO, US: Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) said that it has been granted exclusivity in relation to the proposed purchase of Chamtor, a French producer of wheat-based sweeteners and starches.

Chamtor, founded in 1992, produces glucose, starch and proteins from wheat. The company, which is currently owned by Vivescia Industries, is located in Reims, France, and has about 210 employees.

In 2015, ADM purchased full ownership of corn wet mills in Bulgaria and Turkey and a 50 percent stake in a wet mill in Hungary. Last year, the company acquired a sweetener and starch facility in Morocco and announced expansion plans for the Turkey and Bulgaria plants.

“Chamtor is located in the heart of the European wheat belt, and is perfectly positioned to efficiently serve Western European sweetener and starch customers, particularly in France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands,” said Pierre Duprat, president, ADM Europe, Middle East and Africa.

“One of the key elements of our strategy to grow shareholder value is the expansion and diversification of our global sweetener and starch capabilities. With our significant and growing footprint, we are looking forward to efficiently serving sweetener and starch customers throughout Europe,” added Chris Cuddy, president of ADM’s corn processing business.

Tuesday, 28 March 2017

PolyOne introduces new TPE grades for audio speakers

MCHENRY, US: PolyOne Corporation announced an expansion of its industry-leading Versaflex CE thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) portfolio for consumer electronics with two new grades tailored specifically for portable audio speakers.

These new materials are formulated to improve design, performance and processing capabilities versus traditional silicone, thermoplastic urethane (TPU), or thermoplastic vulcanizates.

The first new grade can be over moulded onto a range of rigid polymer substrates to form internal seals or gaskets. With its 40 Shore A hardness, it also offers a low compression set to protect sensitive audio components from water and dust. The second grade, with 80 Shore A hardness, enhances speaker skin design with a silky feel, excellent colorability and outstanding resistance to abrasion and environmental effects.

“Our new Versaflex CE TPE grades combine durable aesthetics with extreme protection from outdoor environments. These materials also expand design possibilities while streamlining the manufacturing process for lower production cost. Our continued investment in designing innovative materials specifically for the audio device industry demonstrates our commitment to the success of our customers in this space,” said Michelle Hearn, global marketing director, GLS thermoplastic elastomers at PolyOne.

Protection against the elements

For speaker gaskets and seals, Versaflex CE (40 Shore A) replaces separate O-rings with an over moulded, internal part that firmly bonds to polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), copolyester, or PC/ABS without adhesives. This integrated approach, together with a low compression set, delivers robust long-term ingress protection against dust and water to the highest International Protection Marking (IEC standard 60529) ratings.

Overmolding gaskets and seals also pave the way for complex designs that are impossible to achieve with separate O-rings. In addition, Versaflex CE TPE is ideal for high-volume production and offers faster cycle times than TPU or silicone.

Durability with a silky feel

For speaker skins, Versaflex CE (80 Shore A) supplies a softer, silkier feel than TPUs while also delivering durability via resistance to abrasion, UV light and sunscreen chemicals. This material is designed for over moulding directly onto the speaker housing to simplify and accelerate manufacturing. It avoids a need for the cumbersome mechanical interlocks and primers that silicone requires for good adhesion to rigid polymer substrates.

Sealed Air to sell New Diversey in $3.2 billion deal

CHARLOTTE, US: Sealed Air Corporation (SEE) has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Diversey Care division and the food hygiene and cleaning business within its Food Care division (together with New Diversey) to Bain Capital Private Equity, a leading global private investment firm, for approximately $3.2 billion.

New Diversey will be a leading hygiene and cleaning solutions company that integrates chemicals, floor care machines, tools and equipment, with a wide range of technology-based value-added services, food safety services and water and energy management. New Diversey will continue to employ approximately 8,600 people globally. Diversey Care and the related food hygiene businesses combined generated net sales of approximately $2.6 billion in 2016.

Upon closing of the transaction, Sealed Air expects to use the proceeds to repay debt and maintain its net leverage ratio in the range of 3.5 to 4.0 times, repurchase shares to minimise earnings dilution, and fund core growth initiatives, including potential complementary acquisitions to its food care and product care divisions.

Sealed Air's board of directors has authorised an increase of the share repurchase program by an additional $1.5 billion of Sealed Air common stock. With this increase, the total authorization for future repurchases under the program is approximate $2.2 billion.

The board has also determined that Sealed Air will maintain its quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per common share while the company reduces earnings dilution. Following past practices, the board will continue to evaluate the quarterly cash dividend annually.

The sale of New Diversey is expected to close in the second half of 2017. The acquisition includes a formal offer to acquire certain of Diversey's business in France and the Netherlands, which may be accepted following Works Council consultation.

The results of operations of New Diversey will be reported as discontinued operations beginning in the first quarter of 2017.

Citi is acting as financial advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as legal advisor to Sealed Air. Barclays and RBC Capital Markets LLC are serving as financial advisors and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel to Bain Capital Private Equity.

Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs together with Barclays, BofA Merrill Lynch, HSBC, RBC Capital Markets, and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey are providing committed financing for the transaction.

“Diversey Care and its related hygiene business have built an impressive innovation pipeline that includes the Internet of Clean, robotics and AHP disinfection technologies, revamped its go-to-market strategy and significantly improved profitability,” said Jerome Peribere, president and CEO.

“New Sealed Air, a leading provider of food, product and medical packaging solutions, will continue to focus on accelerating profitable growth and generating strong cash flow through end market opportunities and the global adoption of new products and solutions. Sealed Air’s advanced product portfolio is designed to reduce waste, conserve resources and provide product security, and deliver unique and measurable value to customers and the planet,” added Peribere.

“Diversey has a long track record of leadership in the hygiene and cleaning solutions market on a global basis. We are excited to partner with the talented team at Diversey to grow across key market verticals and geographies while investing in innovative hygiene solutions. Bain Capital’s integrated global platform and strong growth orientation are well aligned with the strategic vision for Diversey,” concluded Ken Hanau, a managing director at Bain Capital Private Equity.

Henkel expands business venture capital activities

DUSSELDORF, GERMANY: Henkel AG is making further progress in expanding its corporate venture capital activities. With investments of more than €25 million in a number of start-ups and venture capital funds, the company will now manage its venture capital activities in a dedicated unit: Henkel Ventures.

Led by an experienced management team, Henkel Ventures will focus on investing a total amount of up to €150 million in start-ups with specific digital or technological expertise.

The team will actively evaluate and manage equity investments and joint development projects with start-up companies in order to explore new technologies, applications and business models in areas of strategic interest to Henkel. Start-up businesses will benefit from the collaboration with Henkel Ventures through access to Henkel’s global footprint and long-term experience.

“With Henkel Ventures, we are combining our corporate venture capital activities across our three business units – adhesive technologies, beauty care and laundry & home care. We are partnering with start-ups, helping them to successfully develop their innovative ideas and technologies. We offer a deep understanding of customers and consumers worldwide, a portfolio of leading brands as well as strong expertise in bringing innovations and new technologies to markets,” said Dr Robert Gunther, member of Henkel Ventures’ core team.

Focus on start-ups

In November 2016, Henkel announced to step up its corporate venture capital activities with early-stage investments in start-up companies with digital or technological expertise.

In its consumer businesses beauty care and laundry & home care, the focus will be primarily on digital – from “internet of things” to social media, e-commerce as well as personalised products and services. For Henkel’s adhesive technologies business, technology innovations such as 3D printing, functional coatings and printed electronics are of particular interest.

Existing investments in start-ups and venture capital funds

“At Henkel Ventures, we will build on our existing successful collaborations with start-up companies,” added Gunther.

For example, Henkel’s adhesive technologies business invested in total around €10 million in two material science-focused venture capital funds from Emerald Technology Ventures and Pangaea Ventures Ltd in the last months.

Moreover, the business has already made direct investments in two material science start-ups – Vitriflex and DropWise. Additionally, the laundry & home care business unit invested in the online dry cleaners and laundry service ZipJet.

Ishihara increases titanium dioxide price

OSAKA, JAPAN: Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha Ltd (ISK), a Japan-based chemical company and its affiliates announced a price increase of Tipaque titanium dioxide (TiO2) by $150 per metric tonne in the Asia-Pacific region.

This is effective as from 1 April 2017.

Tipaque is a registered trademark of ISK for titanium dioxide products.

Mitsui Chemicals increases stake in Sotus to 18 percent

TOKYO, JAPAN: Mitsui Chemicals Agro Inc (MCAG) has acquired an additional 1.5 percent shares in Sotus International Co Ltd (Sotus), an agrochemicals company in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Mitsui Chemicals Agro Inc was established on 1 April 2009, by the integration of Agrochemicals Division of Mitsui Chemicals Inc (MCI) and Sankyo Agro Inc.

MCAG has reached a share sale and purchase agreement with individual shareholders of Sotus. This increases MCAG shareholding ratio to 17.7 percent of Sotus’ total shares.

To enhance overseas business, MCAG had reached an agreement on business and capital tie-up with Sotus to acquire 10 percent of its outstanding shares in 2011, for the purpose to secure a production base in the growing South East Asian markets.

In 2013, in order to strengthen its development capability, MCAG established a formulation research centre together with SOTUS, who therefore has become a more important partner to MCAG. In 2016, for reinforcing this partnership, MCAG acquired 6.2 percent shares of Sotus from Pacific Agriscience Pte Ltd, an expertise in agricultural science and technology.

The present transaction will enable MCAG to tie-up more profoundly with Sotus and drive further success by accelerating development of new products in South East Asian markets.

Clariant presents next generation stabiliser for automotive interiors

MUTTENZ, SWITZERLAND: Clariant has introduced a new heat and light shield for automotive interiors- AddWorks ATR 146. This is now setting a new benchmark, aiming to create longer-lasting aesthetics and a healthier environment inside future vehicles due to reduced volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Soon commercially available, AddWorks ATR 146 is a new low dosage, a sulfur-free stabiliser for filled polypropylene (TPO) compounds used in interior applications. It offers the automotive industry unmatched high performance and reduced VOC emissions in a single solution that goes even beyond current OEMs' standard requirements in heat stability.

AddWorks ATR 146 is proven to deliver exceptional heat stability to TPO compounds, with no surface cracking reported after 700 hours and beyond @ 150°C when dosed as low as 0.3 percent. This performance level largely exceeds the standard requirements in the industry for such applications and outperforms the heat stability of currently available alternatives. Moreover, it displays excellent light stability performance that protects long term against discoloration.

The outstanding UV and heat protection, plus high resistance to extraction media like water or detergents, enable typical TPO-based parts such as dashboards, instrument panels, door panels, and pillars to maintain their aesthetics for longer than with traditional stabilisers.

In addition, AddWorks ATR 146 has high compatibility with the PP polymer and high intrinsic stability that contribute to reducing blooming and VOC emissions from an injected part. As a result, AddWorks ATR 146 strongly supports the industry effort to make the new generation of automotive interiors healthier and odourless due to reduced VOC emissions.

“Today, over 50 percent of plastics in vehicle interiors are made of polypropylene. With AddWorks ATR 146, we are excited to offer Tier Ones and OEMs the opportunity to go beyond the most stringent requirements for heat stability, light stability and VOC emissions with a low dosage solution,” said Emilie Meddah, global segment leader for automotive applications at Clariant.

“Such advanced performance responds precisely to the emerging trend in the segment for durability and lower VOC environments, setting the new benchmark for the next generation of automotive interiors,” added Meddah.

Weicon develops all-round adhesive for plastics

MUNSTER, GERMANY: Weicon GmbH & Co KG, a manufacturer of adhesives and sealants from Germany has developed a new adhesive that is especially suitable for bonding different types of plastic – Weicon Easy-Mix RK-7300.

It is a fast curing, solvent free structure and construction adhesive based on methyl methacrylate (MMA).

The adhesive has a high-strength and a high viscosity. It is impact resistant and withstands both static and dynamic loads.

Special fillers (glass beads), which have been added to the product, ensure a consistent bonding line of approx. 0.25 millimetres. The adhesive allows a maximum gap-bridging of one millimetre.

Bonding of plastics

The adhesive adheres perfectly to a variety of plastics and has a high adhesive strength. High-strength bondings are possible even in the case of low-energy plastics which are difficult to bonds, such as PE or PP.

“RK-7300 is a universal multi-talent when it comes to the bonding of a wide variety of plastics,” said Holger Lutfring, product manager at Weicon.

The application of the new adhesive is not limited to the permanent bonding of various plastics. Its high viscosity characteristics also permit material pairing with different expansion coefficients, such as plastic with aluminium or steel.

Many applications

The adhesive is particularly suitable for use in the plastics processing industry. RK-7300 can also be used in a variety of applications, including other areas, such as mechanical engineering or rail vehicle construction.

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