This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
additives feature | Reinforcing fibres


Milled short glass fibres


from Lanxess have a very


narrow length distribution and uniform diameter


necessary. The processor can therefore begin produc- tion directly and obtains products in a constant, reproducible quality,” says Wiemer. Typical PTFE components with milled short glass fibres include sealing rings for chemical reactors or other extremely heavy-duty applications, cable insulation and moulded parts for use in bearings and sliding assemblies. Lanxess has four basic grades of milled short glass


Jushi Egypt’s new 80,000 tonnes/year production


plant opened in Egypt earlier this year


fibres in its range, all of them classified as E-glass. They differ in the formulation of their finishes (surface treatment) and the length of the fibres. Average fibre lengths range from 50 to 210 µm. They have a uniform fibre diameter of 14 µm and the residual moisture content is less than 0.05% by weight. The company highlights ease of dosing and a consistent white colour. The range also includes product grades suitable for food contact applications. Lanxess says that the milled short glass fibres also


have potential applications outside of conventional plastics compounding. For example, they could be used in coatings with fire-resistance additives, as they improve the effectiveness of the flame retardant. Their small size also makes them ideal for use in reinforced thermoplastics for 3D printers.


Out of Africa Established glass fibre manufacturers in Europe now have to contend with a new(ish) kid on the block. Jushi Egypt For Fiberglass Industry, part of China Fiberglass, opened an 80,000 tonnes/year production plant in Egypt earlier this year. It is the only glass fibre plant in Africa. Located in the China-Egypt Suez Economic & Trade Cooperation Zone, it borders the Red Sea, providing Jushi with good access to Europe as well as Asia and Africa. Output includes roving and chopped strands for thermoplastics as well as chopped strand mats for thermosets. The company reckons it has an advantage over established suppliers with a plant that incorpo- rates the latest technology that makes it very cost- efficient; the new facility is claimed to have the most advanced large-furnace technology in the world for the production of glass fibres. The company adds that, “depending on the market situation,” it could raise capacity to 200,000 tonnes. Jushi Group already has three large glass fibre


production plants in China, from where it exports to around 70 countries. Alan Gardiner, COO of Jushi USA, says that Jushi has been hampered in the past by high import tariffs for fibres it makes in China, but the new facility is a sign that it intends to be a long-term partner for customers in the west. Gardiner also notes that Jushi


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94