news
imcd has extended Eastman distribution
imcd has taken over the distribution of Eastman’s non-phthalate plasticizers in germany and Benelux. The deal covers Eastman’s Benzoflex, TXiB, 168 and Triacetin products. These additives are
already distributed by imcd in the Baltic States, denmark, Finland, ireland, poland, portugal, russia, Spain, Sweden and the uK. ❙
www.imcdgroup.com
Eastman 1 8 is one of the non-phthalate plasticizers distributed by IMCD
Schulman acquires Elian
A. Schulman is acquiring the French masterbatch maker
Elian from The Vita group for E48 million. The deal was announced on 30 January and is expected to be completed in early February. Elian produces specialized
colour masterbatch for a range of markets including health- care, cosmetics, packaging, personal hygiene products, pipes and tubing. it is located in oyonnax in France’s “plastics Valley” and it employs around 100 people. According to Ami’s latest
guide to Europe’s Top 50 masterbatch makers, Elian had a turnover of about E22 million in 2010, primarily within France and mostly for injection moulding. Elian will complement Schulman’s current European colour operations in Belgium, Sweden, poland, Hungary, the uK and italy. Joseph gingo, chairman, president and cEo of Schul-
Joseph Gingo says Schulman’s goal is to become the leading global manufacturer of masterbatch
man, said: “The acquisition of Elian will move us into the number-three position in France’s colour masterbatch market... our strategic goal is to become the leading global manufacturer of masterbatch and we will continue to seek out global opportunistic acquisitions that will diversify our end markets and provide profitable long-term growth to our shareholders.” Vita acquired Elian in 1999. its sale of the business marks
the group’s exit from the masterbatch market. it closed its Synco masterbatch plant in italy in 2007, and sold Silver- gate in the uK to a manage- ment buy-out in 2008. The group still retains activities in compounding, including the perrite group. Click here to see a video of
Joseph gingo explaining the strategy behind Schulman’s acquisition. ❙
www.elian-thevitagrooup.com ❙
www.aschulman.com
Ford picks plant fibres for new Escape
Ford is using natural-fibre filled polypropylene for the bolsters inside the doors of its new Escape SuV model, which goes on sale this spring. The pp compound which
contains 50% kenaf fibres is being processed by interna- tional Automotive components (iAc) at its plants in green- castle, indiana, uSA. Ford says that using the
kenaf fibres reduces the weight of the component by 25% and improves fuel
economy. it also claims that using it in the door bolsters will offset 300,000 lbs (140 tonnes) of resin annually in north America. Kenaf is a tropical plant
that looks similar to bamboo and is related to cotton and okra plants. oil from the plant is used in cosmetics, while its fibres are also used as an alternative to wood for paper and cardboard production. ❙
www.ford.com ❙
www.iacgroup.com
compounding world | February 2012
www.compoundingworld.com
Ford’s new Escape makes use of kenaf-filled PP
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