news Galata launches natural plasticizer
US-based polymer additives group Galata Chemicals has announced a new natural oil- based plasticizer for PVC. Called Drapex Alpha, the
new product can be used as an alternative to conventional petroleum-based plasticizers in general purpose and specialty applications. It offers broadly similar cost and performance attributes, says the company. Specific benefits of the new product are said to include better extraction
resistance, reduced VOCs and enhanced processing. The Drapex Alpha product
has already completed successful test marketing trials, according to Galata, and is available worldwide for
incorporation into existing formulations. The company has also set
up a collaborative development
agreement with US-based vinyl compounder Georgia Gulf Corporation to develop a range of flexible PVC compounds using the new plasticizer. The companies will be targeting applications in sectors such as cables and medical. According to Galata
Galata and Georgia Gulf will be targeting cable applications
president and CEO Dr Luc de Temmerman, working with Georgia Gulf will enable it to speed up commercialisation of the Drapex Alpha product line. ❙
www.galatachemicals.com
Japanese firms to develop bio-based nylons
Japanese chemicals group Toray Industries and food ingredients company Ajinomoto have agreed to initiate a joint research programme to develop a plant- based polyamide polymer using Ajinomoto’s fermenta- tion technologies. The project is intended to
develop the polyamide feedstock 1,5-pentanediamine
(1,5-PD) from the amino acid lysine – a core Ajinomoto product – using an enzyme decarbonation reaction. 1,5-PD can then be polymerised to polyamide 56, which is suitable for production of fibre and other products. The two companies have
already carried out successful test production of 1,5-PD using Ajinomoto’s lysine, as well as
running test production of bio- based polyamide 56. Further ahead, the two
companies plan to explore the use of Toray’s membrane- integrated bioprocess for manufacturing lysine feed- stocks. Bio-based chemical
production is a new venture for Ajinomoto, a producer of food seasonings, processed foods,
amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. Toray, however, is an established player in bio-based polymers market. The company is already developing plastics based on PLA and other bio-based polyamides within its Project AP-G 2013 initiative. This was launched back in 2011. ❙
www.ajinomoto.com ❙
www.toray.com
Wacker opens its new Korean tech centre
Chemicals and silicones group Wacker officially opened its new technical facility in South Korea last month. The facility, which is located in the Pangyo Techno Valley region of Seoul, brings together its regional silicones and polymers R&D, applications development and training activities. It includes a new laboratory to develop high-performance silicone formulations for electronics industry applications. “The Korea technical centre, with its research and testing
Wacker’s new Korean tech centre will develop high-performance silicone formulations
www.compoundingworld.com
laboratories that are unique in the region, is another important milestone in our growth strategy for Asia and particularly South Korea,” said Dr Wilhelm Sittenthaler, executive board member responsible for Asia at Wacker. ❙
www.wacker.com
April 2012 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 5
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