news
BASF boosts pigments production
BASF is to increase production capacity for bismuth vanadate pigments in Besigheim, Germany by 2017 in order to meet growing demand for alternatives to lead chromate products. It is also planning to launch two new bismuth vanadate pigments in 2015, including a temperature-stable one for plastics. Bismuth vanadate pigments are yellow pigments with a special greenish colour tone that BASF markets under the Sicopal and Paliotan brand names for the formulation of paints, coatings and plastic coatings. They are a high performance inorganic alternative to pigments containing lead chromate, which are classified by the European REACH chemical legislation as CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction). “Over the next few years
we expect our customers’ demand for bismuth vanadate pigments to grow faster than the overall pigment market, both in Europe and worldwide,” explains Dr Alexander Haunschild, senior vice president of the Pigments & Resins Europe business unit. As of this year, BASF is no longer producing any pigments containing lead chromate. ❙
www.basf.com
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Borealis invests in PP compounding in Brazil
Borealis has increased polypropylene compounding capacity at its plant at Itatiba near Sao Paulo in Brazil. It has invested €45 million in two new compounding extruders housed in an additional production building at the facility. The new capacity was commissioned at the end of last year. The investment also included the addition of new silos, warehouse facilities and a bagging line. In addition, extensive upgrading of the utility and water systems was
Borealis has developed a new PP compound for the front
bumper on BMW’s i8
Chemtrusion and Mytex expand
Chemtrusion and Mytex Polymers have announced plans to jointly invest US$7.6 million to expand production capacity by 25% at their compounding plant in Jeffer- sonville, Indiana. They say that the expansion will help meet growing demand from its automotive customers. Chemtrusion operates the plant on behalf of Mytex, which was originally formed as a PP compounds joint venture between Exxon and Mitsubishi, but is now owned by Mitsubishi Chemical. The companies
COMPOUNDING WORLD | February 2015
constructed the 245,000 sqft (23,000 m2
) Jeffersonville plant
in 1996. Work on installing new equipment and expanding the site’s warehouse and rail storage facilities will start in March 2015. More than 100 people are currently employed at the site and up to 11 new jobs are expected to be created. “We have experienced
significant growth in automotive related sales during the last several years and look to capture continued growth in this segment,” said Masayuki Arai,
president of Mytex Polymers. “A key pillar in our parent company’s strategy is capacity expansion in North America, and Jeffersonville remains an attractive location, as it is centrally located amongst many of our automotive customers.” “We are excited about the
proposed expansion project and very pleased that Mytex Polymers continues to place its confidence in Chemtru- sion,” said Scott Owens, president of Chemtrusion. ❙
www.chemtrusion.com ❙
www.mytexpolymers.com
www.compoundingworld.com
carried out at the site. “Our expansion in Itatiba
enables us to intensify the development of pioneering, value-added applications in collaboration with customers and partners in South America,” said Harald Hammer, who is vice president for engineering applications at Borealis. Target markets for the
high-performance PP compounds produced on the new lines include South American automotive and
appliance manufacturers. l Borealis has also announced that it has developed a new PP compound for the front bumper on BMW’s i8 electric sports car. Daplen EE112AE is a 12% mineral-filled elastomer-modi- fied PP that meets BMW’s stringent paint adhesion quality requirements for primerless paint systems. The grade provides good processability, reduced density and a good impact/stiffness balance, enabling a low part weight. ❙
www.borealisgroup.com
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