News

Today it is difficult to imagine modern automobiles without plastics. They are used in interiors, for bumpers and body parts and even in heavy-duty components found under the bonnet. Thanks to their low weight and integrated functions, these materials make a decisive contribution to building vehicles that are increasingly powerful yet also low on consumption.

 
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A new blend of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and biodegradable copolyester (PBAT) degrades more rapidly than the copolyester alone, broadening application possibilities for blown and cast film, sheet, and thermoformed and injection molded parts intended for composting, it was announced today by the Bioplastics Division of Teknor Apex Company. 

With TPS content ranging up to 40%, Terraloy™ 20000 Series compounds have passed the ASTM D6400 test for plastics intended for composting in aerobic facilities. Teknor Apex recommends the compounds for replacing polyolefins and polystyrene in applications such as carrier bags, can liners, trays and plates, cutlery, and flower pots.
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RAMPF Group, Inc., US subsidiary of the German company RAMPF-Gruppe, has extended its range of mixing and dispensing machines. The new C-DS Basic offers a wide variety of applications for cost efficient processing of multi-component materials such as silicone, epoxy or polyurethane. Furthermore, the uncomplicated control system guarantees easy application especially for first-time-users of low pressure equipment.

 
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A new Vibro-Air™ Size/Density Separator for extruded pellets, regrind and recycled plastics, employs vibratory screening and airflow to simultaneously remove fines, angel hair, strands and film scrap from pellets and ground/chopped plastics, it was announced by Henry Alamzad, president, Kason Corp.

Material fed through a port on the unit's hood cascades over a series of strategically placed internal trays, and ultimately onto a vibrating, fine mesh screen that moves on-size material in controlled flow patterns toward and through a discharge port at the screen's periphery. Heavier fines pass through the screen onto a chute leading to a lower discharge spout.
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BASF today announced it is increasing prices for all grades of Styropor® and Neopor® expandable polystyrene in North America by $0.05 per pound effective May 15, 2010.  This increase is necessary due to raw material cost increases, particularly benzene and ethylene, principal precursors in the production of EPS.
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Effective May 15, 2010, TOPAS Advanced Polymers (TAP) is raising the prices for all grades of its TOPAS^® cyclic olefin copolymer (COC). This price increase is necessary due to continuously rising cost of raw materials and other cost increases during recent months. As contracts allow, TAP will increase prices for all COC resins by 0.15 €/kg
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Metabolix, Inc. (NASDAQ: MBLX), a bioscience company focused on developing sustainable solutions for plastics, chemicals and energy, today reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

The Company reported a net loss of $9.8 million or $0.37 per share for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to a net loss of $9.1 million or $0.40 per share for the first quarter of 2009.

The Company's net cash used for operating activities during the first quarter of 2010 was $9.4 million, which compares to net cash used of $8.6 million for the comparable quarter in 2009. Unrestricted cash and short-term investments at March 31, 2010 totaled $82.8 million. The Company continues to have no debt.
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U.S. ethylene prices were volatile during April, with the May New York Mercantile Exchange's (NYMEX) cleared ethylene settling and expiring at $0.50 per pound. The contract, which began trading in July 2009, settled for April last month at $0.615 per pound. Ethylene trades in 100,000-pound lots per contract on the NYMEX's Clearport system.

In the overall cash markets, May ethylene traded from $0.5875 up to $0.68 during the first week of April and traded down to $0.53 per pound by April 23, according to PetroChem Wire (PCW), a daily U.S. petrochemical industry newsletter. PCW's cash market assessments are used to settle the cleared NYMEX contracts. Typical ethylene deals are a minimum of 3 million to 5 million pounds in size, or 30 to 50 lots per trade. So far in April, more than 150 million pounds of ethylene have traded in the spot market.
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For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, Pactiv Corporation announced that income from continuing operations was $48 million, or $0.36 per share, compared with $77 million, or $0.58 per share, in 2009.  Excluding a one-time expense of $3 million related to reduced tax deductibility of Medicare Part D retiree drug subsidies under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, first quarter 2010 earnings were $0.38 per share.

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BASF will increase the price for Polyamide (PA) 6 polymer by $0.05 per pound, effective May 3, 2010.  This increase covers PA6 polymer for spinning and compounding.

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