Antimicrobial Silver Additive Gives Ultra Protection to Ultrasonic Medical Equipment

Ultrawave, a UK-based manufacturer of ultrasonic cleaning equipment, has added SteriTouch® antimicrobial silver additive to its Hygea 2 benchtop ultrasonic model. The intention of the company was to meet specific guidelines for the sterilization of surgical instruments in the dental and primary care settings. The fine particles of the additive powder allow polyethylene casing of the ultrasonic bath mix in a better manner even during the rotational molding process.
Incorporating SteriTouch® into the medical equipment reduced MRSA levels by 99.93% (according to an independent lab testing). Addition of this antimicrobial additive significantly increased protection against black mould and other bacteria. Ultrawave has recently launched an updated model with a white case, replacing the previous grey model.

Aircraft Seat Designed Using PPS from TenCate Wins 2011 JEC Composite Innovation Award

TenCate Advanced Composites USA in Morgan Hill has announced that a composite design utilizing TenCate thermoplastic prepregs is the recipient of a 2011 JEC Composite Innovation Award. TenCate Cetex® brand of PPS-based thermoplastic composite unitape is utilized in Cutting Dynamics award winning composite aircraft seat design.

The 2011 JEC Thermoplastic Composite Innovation Award will be awarded to Cutting Dynamics Inc., with TenCate Advanced Composites, A&P Technology and Ticona Engineering Polymers, which teamed to develop a thermoplastic modular composite seat frame used in passenger seat assemblies on lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft.

The award will be presented during the 2011 JEC Awards ceremony at 5 p.m. Tuesday 29 March, during the JEC Show in Paris, France. The 2011 JEC award winning modular composite seat frame from Cutting Dynamics consists of a match molded seat back and seat pan that supports the seat cushion. The frames depend on TenCate Cetex® TC 1100, a PPS / carbon fiber unitape that is braided into a pre-form by A&P Technology, then shaped by Cutting Dynamics into a complex tube using a process that is capable of achieving high volumes unique in the aerospace industry.

Jim Mondo, TenCate Advanced Composites Vice President of Thermoplastic Technology notes: "This is truly a team award made possible by the innovations of each of the recipients with a special recognition to Cutting Dynamics who developed the process and optimized the material form that allowed this new composite seat design. We find it especially significant that several companies including TenCate Advanced Composites, A&P Technology and Ticona Engineering Polymers contributed in their areas of expertise to make this innovation possible."

A&P Technology designed and engineered a braided preform from the TenCate Cetex® TC1100 unitape that exactly meets the geometry and mechanical requirements of the seat frame. This collaboration allowed Cutting Dynamics to reduce process cost, increase process volume, and improve both product aesthetics and overall quality.

BASF Signs a License Agreement with Metabolix to Produce & Market PLA Blends under Ecovio®

BASF Corporation has announced that it has received a license from Metabolix under U.S. Patent No. 5,883,199, titled "Polylactic Acid-Based Blends," to produce and market PLA and PBAT compounds under the BASF trade name Ecovio®. Ecovio biodegradable polymer is a blend of Ecoflex® biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester and polylactic acid on the basis of corn.

The University of Massachusetts is the owner of the '199 patent, and Metabolix, Inc. is its exclusive licensee in the relevant field. U.S. Patent 5,883,199 is directed at PLA:polyester blends in the ratio 9:1 to 1:9 wherein the polyester forms a continuous or co-continuous phase in the blend. Metabolix, Inc. is a leader in the use of bioscience to provide biobased, sustainable, solutions for the world's needs for plastics, fuels and chemicals.

Ecovio can be used to extrude biodegradable films without any further admixtures or preparation and is used to create tailor-made blends to meet customer needs.

BASF SE owns intellectual property for Ecoflex biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester in all regions of the world. Further details of the patent agreement are undisclosed.

Ticona's Vectra® LCP Grades Receive UL 94 V-O Classification for All Colors at 0.15 mm

Ticona Engineering Polymers announced that two Vectra® liquid crystal polymer (LCP) specialty grades E488i and E471i have received an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) V-O classification, according to the global independent safety science company's UL 94 plastic flammability standard for all colors and at wall thicknesses of 0.15 millimeters.

Both the Vectra E488i and E471i specialty grades will be showcased at the Ticona Booth, #627, during the two-day DesignCon 2011 exhibition on Feb. 1 and 2 in the Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, California. These glass and mineral filled specialty grades offer very low warp characteristics, which is important for injection molded, lead-free solderable electrical components with ultra-thin wall thicknesses.

Designed for use in eco-friendly electrical and electronic components and available in different colors for quality and assembly purposes, these specialty grades offer unique property profiles that can help E/E customers meet demanding lead-free soldering and halogen-free requirements," said Ed Hallahan, Technical Marketing Manager Ticona High Performance Polymers. "Now, the Vectra E488i and E471i specialty grades from Ticona provide a UL 94 V-0 classification for thin-walled parts in all colors."

The Vectra LCP ultra-low warpage E488i grade from Ticona is specifically designed for use in flatter molded parts such as CPU sockets and DIMM connectors that must maintain extremely tight dimensional tolerances after lead free reflow soldering temperatures of 260 Celsius. Formulated with enhanced mechanical properties for design flexibility, the 45 percent glass-fiber and mineral filled Vectra E488i grade offers:

• Improved flatness
• Heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 260 degrees Celsius (500 degrees Fahrenheit)
• High flow characteristics to fill thin, complex flow paths at faster cycle times

The 35 percent glass-fiber and mineral filled Vectra E471i grade is designed as a low warpage LCP with excellent properties for use in long type connectors. It offers a good balance of:

• Mechanical properties
• HDT at 265 degrees Celsius (509 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Improved flow
• Improved flatness

Vectra LCP is widely used by customers to make eco-friendly connectors, bobbins, switches and relays that meet Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) and European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directives. In addition, customers and original equipment manufacturers are striving to accelerate the production of green and safe products.

The Van der Windt Group Introduces Floral Packaging Made from PLA

A biodegradable and compostable tulip sleeve is a new addition to Van der Windt Verpakking's range for the ornamental horticulture market. This introduction is Van der Windt's response to the growing interest in packaging made from renewable raw materials. As both the sleeve and the ink are compostable the sleeve can be put in the fruit and vegetable waste container along with the tulip stem trimmings. 

This bio-based tulip sleeve is made from PLA (poly lactic acid) a renewable raw material extracted from corn. The material is also ideal for magazine outer sleeves and as a coating for hot and cold drinks cups. The tulip sleeve has been given the brand name 'Feel the nature'. PLA is suitable for packaging all types of flowers. 

By purchasing the 'Feel the nature' sleeve Wesselman Flowers of Roelofarendsveen, the Netherlands, is investing in the environmentally-responsible processing of tulips. Every year Wesselman Flowers, under the name Tulpen.nl, supplies millions of tulips to European retailers. Wesselman strives to ensure its production and processing operations are as sustainable and environmentally-responsible as possible. The 'Feel the nature' sleeve is making a positive contribution towards achieving this goal.

BASF Offers Better Insulating Solution with the Launch of High Temperature-resistant XPS

BASF has now extended its range of extruded polystyrene rigid foam panels (XPS) with an innovative product. The new insulation material is called Styrodur® HT (HT = high temperature). Its key feature is a heat distortion temperature of up to 105° Celsius (application limit temperature). This makes the foam suitable for all applications exposed to high temperatures and requiring the proven properties of Styrodur C: high compressive strength, low water absorption, resistance to rot and outstanding insulation performance. Like all of BASF's Styrodur C panels, the insulation panels can be recognized by their green color. Conventional XPS can be used at a temperature of up to 75°C.

Styrodur HT stays dimensionally stable even with high ambient temperatures and with high solar radiation. BASF offers the new insulation material at nominal compressive strengths of 300 and 600 kPa. Styrodur HT is particularly suitable for inverted flat roofs subject to heavy loads, for insulating hot water tanks (including those in contact with the ground), for various insulation applications in solar technology and for all special insulation applications with hot water which are exposed to pressure and moisture. Thus, the service life of these applications is considerably increased.

Insulation material Styrodur C

The pressure-resistant, water-repellent, and rot-proof Styrodur C has been protecting houses from heat, cold and moisture for over 40 years, increasing the life of buildings, enhancing their value and improving the room climate. The various Styrodur C grades, which all contain only air as cell gas, differ mainly in their compressive strength.

ISO Certification Granted to Solvay's Solviva® Biomaterials used in Implantable Medical Devices

Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC, announced that it has achieved ISO 13485:2003 certification for the quality system that governs the production of its Solviva Biomaterials offered for use in implantable medical devices. The international quality standard facilitates harmonized medical device regulatory requirements for quality management systems applicable to medical devices and related services.

ISO 13485:2003 is a quality standard that specifies certain quality system requirements to ensure consistent manufacturing, according to Judy Melville, Business Manager, Solviva products. "This achievement demonstrates our commitment to the medical device industry," said Melville. "It also reaffirms our position as a reliable supplier that is solidly focused on meeting the quality standards of our customers." Melville noted that a key element of the ISO quality standard is the use of validation methods to ensure consistent high-quality manufacturing. Solvay Advanced Polymers produces its unique line of biomaterials - featuring exceptional strength, stiffness, and biocompatibility - at a dedicated manufacturing facility in Alpharetta, Ga.

The entire line of Solviva Biomaterials is manufactured in compliance with ISO 13485 and under the relevant aspects of current Good Manufacturing Practices. The company's biomaterial manufacturing processes are carefully validated and enhanced controls provide product traceability. In addition, all materials are tested in a lab accredited to the ISO 17025:2005 standard.

The Solviva Biomaterials line includes Zeniva® polyetheretherketone (PEEK), one of the most biostable plastics available with high strength and stiffness plus excellent toughness and fatigue resistance; Proniva® self-reinforced polyphenylene (SRP), one of the world's stiffest and strongest unreinforced thermoplastics that offers exceptional biocompatibility and hardness; Veriva® polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), which provides unsurpassed toughness combined with transparency and excellent biocompatibility; and Eviva® polysulfone (PSU), which offers practical toughness in a strong, transparent polymer.

Solviva Biomaterials can be sterilized via all conventional methods including gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, and steam. These products are available in resin for injection molding or extrusion, as well as stock shapes for machined components. Solvay Advanced Polymers is currently in active product trials with several medical device manufacturers using the broad range of Solviva biomaterials.

Solvay's experience as a key materials supplier in the healthcare field spans more than 20 years. The company has been a leading manufacturer of high-performance plastics, offering its traditional range of materials for medical devices. More recently, Solvay has successfully introduced its line of Solviva Biomaterials for a range of implantable devices. The company is a full-service supplier, providing design, technical service, and application development support for the global healthcare market.