Toray Industries agrees to acquire Zoltek Companies

The global demand for PAN-based carbon fibers is expected to expand at an annual growth rate of exceeding 15% as an advanced material which contributes not only to energy saving through weight reduction but also to spread of renewable energy as alternative of fuel (oil and coal) energy. On the one hand, regular tow carbon fiber is widely being accepted in the field of high performance / high quality application such as aerospace, but on the other hand, large tow carbon fiber is anticipated to expand its applications, based on its reasonable balance between cost and performance, to wind energy-related which shows rapid demand growth in recent years, and automobile structural parts in future. It is foreseen that demands for regular tow carbon fiber and large tow fiber will grow separately, reflecting each characteristic.

Zoltek entered into large tow carbon fiber business in 1988, and acquired textile acrylic fiber plants in Hungary and Mexico in 1996 and 2007 respectively, and has been promoting development of large tow carbon fiber application and demand. Under its unique marketing strategy distinguished from that of regular tow manufacturers, Zoltek has recently realized outstanding growth in its business along with the demand increase in wind energy-related application, pursuing its ultimate cost competitiveness. 

Toray has showed its presence in the field of advanced applications such as aerospace represented by Boeing 787 and natural gas pressure vessel by concentrating its business resource to high performance / high quality regular tow carbon fiber. Meanwhile, not having large tow carbon fiber as its product line up, Toray has been considering how to address promising growth in commodity industrial field such as wind energy-related application and automobile structural parts application. By acquiring Zoltek, Toray has obtained opportunity for further growth, expanding its business in totally different field from regular tow carbon fiber.

As one of its strategically expanding businesses, Toray has promoted business expansion of carbon fiber composite　materials business by proactively allocating business resources. Through entering into large tow carbon fiber business, Toray aims at further expanding its business and providing solution to global issues including environmental, resource-related and energy issues with this advanced material.

Source:Toray

BASF at K 2013: Unveils Metal Replacing Semi-aromatic PA Grades for Specialized Applications

When it comes to replacing metals with intelligent plastic solutions, one can easily lose track of the spectrum of possible applications, also beyond the realm of automotive construction. Handles for doors and windows often have internal parts made of die-cast zinc that can be replaced with plastic. Heavy and expensive metals are still being used for sports equipment, household appliances, and furniture and even for thermal separators and assembly systems in solar modules. However, there are hardly any choices between standard polyamide – which does not always meet the requirements – and costly high-performance materials. In a quest to fill this gap, BASF has now expanded its Ultramid® portfolio and is introducing two new materials upon the occasion of the K 2013 plastics trade fair. Ultramid D3EG10 FC Aqua® and Ultramid D3EG12 HMG are two materials that are suitable for replacing metal in many different, and yet highly specialized, areas of application.

Balancing act between cost and performance

Aside from the two classic advantages of plastics, namely their potential for lightweight construction and function integration, an important role is also played by the thermal and electric insulation capacity of these materials. Whenever standard plastics reach their technical limits, users first turn to high-performance plastics. The actual implementation, however, is then often thwarted by cost considerations since high-performance plastics are often very expensive, particularly when they contain fillers such as carbon fibers. This is where the two new materials can come to the rescue.

Thanks to its good chemical and hydrolysis resistance, Ultramid D3EG10 FC Aqua is a polyamide specialty well-suited for components that come into contact with drinking water. This material has all of the usual drinking water approvals. And then, there is Ultramid D3EG12 HMG, which is a polyamide that stands out for its high modulus of elasticity of over 20,000 MPa. This is why it is the product of choice to replace visible die-cast metal parts since, in spite of its extraordinarily high glass fiber content of 60 percent, this material has extremely good surface properties.

These two partly aromatic polyamides were systematically developed as a high-performance complement to the standard assortment. Both of them are very stiff, display good creep behavior and are relatively irrespective of moisture in comparison to standard polyamide. For this reason, these two products lend themselves to cost-effectively replacing metal parts in almost all areas of application.

For drinking water – water meters and more

With Ultramid D3EG10 FC Aqua, BASF is also expanding its line of products developed for contact with drinking water. The special requirements stipulated for parts that come into contact with drinking water include very low migration values, a high level of taste neutrality, and substantiation that long-term contact with the plastic will not cause accelerated algae growth. Moreover, these plastics of the Aqua product line are also approved for food contact (FC).

An attractive application example of the Aqua grades is housings for water meters. Conventional brass housings have a high content of expensive copper as well as up to three percent lead to enhance processing. Lead-free materials are now acquiring greater significance since the limit value for lead in drinking water will be lowered from 0.025 mg/l to 0.01 mg/l in the member states of the European Union as of December 2013. Not least because of its strength and toughness, Ultramid D3EG10 FC Aqua is well-suited for such applications. Moreover, this polyamide exhibits reduced water absorption as well as high stiffness, and it can withstand dynamic load cases of the type encountered, for instance, when single-lever mixer taps are shut off abruptly.

More flexible than die-cast metal

The materials earmarked as metal substitutes are first evaluated in terms of their mechanical properties. They are competing with die-cast zinc and die-cast aluminum. The extraordinary mechanical properties of Ultramid D3EG12 HMG have led to the suffix HMG, which stands for "high modulus grade" and emphasizes its very high modulus of elasticity. A remarkable characteristic of polyamide is that, on the one hand, it consistently retains its high modulus of elasticity in the conditioned as well as in the dry state. On the other hand, thanks to the reduced moisture absorption, the tensile strength in the conditioned state only drops slightly as compared to the dry state. Aside from the mechanical properties, there are other characteristics such as thermal behavior or chemical resistance that also need to be taken into account. Thus, this material stands out, among other things, for a broad processing window, which is reflected in moderate mold and melt temperatures.

Visible parts made of highly filled polyamide

The new Ultramid D3EG12 HMG is thus a logical addition to the Ultramid portfolio. In spite of its high glass fiber reinforcement, this material is just right for the production of finished products having high-quality surfaces such as office chairs. This property combination alone opens up interesting application possibilities, both in visible applications and for sealing purposes. Ball shut-off valves are already being made of the HMG material nowadays.

It is precisely here that the high surface quality entails an additional advantage: the sealing surfaces of components made of Ultramid D3EG12 HMG are so smooth that there is no need for any rework. This is another strong point of the plastic version, which is why it is often the more cost-effective alternative in comparison to metal. During material development, BASF assesses the surfaces on the basis of realistic sample parts.

Economical thanks to plastics-oriented design and to parts testing

As a rule, metal designs cannot be transferred directly to plastic. As a matter of principle, a plastic part should be designed completely separately from the precursor variant. Precisely when the switch is being made from a metal to a plastic solution, it is often practical and economically advantageous to work with appropriate simulation programs as soon as possible, that is to say, already during the initial concept for the component, and also to utilize available plastic know-how. BASF experts are on hand to help customers with expertise in materials and processes in order to maximize the technical and economic potential of a plastic for a specific application. Conversely, however, it can also happen that a metal solution is the more economical variant, particularly in the case of simple geometries.

In individual cases, BASF offers the possibility to test components. For instance, the BASF flow laboratory has facilities to test the long-term resistance of water meters, pipe fittings or other parts that come into contact with water when exposed to chlorinated water at different temperatures, pressures, pH values and flow rates, even over the course of thousands of hours. Bursting-pressure tests or other customer-specific tests are likewise possible.

All in all, the new materials, along with knowledge about product behavior in realistic scenarios and with cutting-edge computational tools, open up new and promising perspectives in component development.

Source: BASF

Asys Uses Eastman Tritan™ Copolyester to Make Transparent Stands of iPads

Eastman, a specialty chemical company, is announcing another new innovation using Eastman Tritan™ copolyester: the Anypad line of stands for iPads from the brand, which uses copolyester to make the transparent stands. With an innovative design, these stands make the iPad more functional and offer practicality to its users. There are four models with very specific features: AnyPad Office, AnyPad Hand, AnyPad Cook and AnyPad Wall.

The Office can be used to turn the tablet into an elegant desktop computer and provides spring-regulated articulation, height adjustment, and swivel and tilt adjustment, providing greater comfort and ergonomics. The Hand is recommended for those looking for added safety when holding the iPad to use it, in addition to offering an option for use as a tabletop stand in four different positions. The Cook, which can be hung on cabinets and shelves using the mount, is geared toward people who spend a lot of time in the kitchen and want to see their recipes and other content on the iPad. No holes need to be drilled into cabinets, and the doors can even remain closed. Finally, the Wall, which comes in two sizes, has a hinged arm that attaches to the wall. All of the stands are made of chromed steel and Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, and they fit all generations of iPads.

Jorge Curi, Commercial Manager at Asys, said that the use of the copolyester was essential for the products to have the quality and design they have achieved today. "We were looking for a clear, malleable material with good resistance Eastman Tritan™ met all of our requirements and enabled us to continue the project." he said.

Tritan™ is an Eastman brand of copolyester that is unique because of its clarity, toughness and heat and chemical-resistance as well as because it contains no bisphenol A. It can be used in many ways and is found in household goods, cosmetics, technical parts, medical devices and packaging, infant care products, personal care items, small appliances and other goods. "Tritan is a very versatile material and can be used in many products. It really meets the most varied demands that we receive from our customers," said Luis Pagan, Eastman's Commercial Director for Special Plastics in Latin America.

Asys has been performing studies for some time to launch the Anypad line, receiving its first patent in 2010. The result of this effort is an innovative product with a practical design. Today, the brand is working on launching a model that also fits the iPad mini. The AnyPad line is on sale now at major stores.

Source: Eastman Chemical Company

Perstorp at K 2013: To Unveil Akestra™ Co-polyester, an Alternative to PC, PS and Glass

The Perstorp Group, among the world leaders in specialty chemicals, will be presenting the next generation of co-polyesters at K Fair 2013. This will include Akestra™, a high performance plastic with remarkable properties. Perstorp have formed a strategic partnership with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical to develop and distribute this exciting co-polyester throughout Europe. On a long term, this will result in both companies jointly establishing the most competitive production platform in Europe for the raw material used in these co-polyesters.

Perstorp puts its main development focus into delivering high performance, safe and sustainable chemistry. Akestra™ is the latest in a long line of innovative products that support Perstorp's development philosophy. Akestra™ is not only innovative, but represents an entirely new generation of plastics. Its unique properties make it an important alternative to polycarbonate, polystyrene and glass.

Perstorp presents Akestra™ – a new plastic alternative

Sparkling alternative to polycarbonate, polystyrene & glass

Akestra™ is a remarkable plastic with a sparkling glass-like appearance that is sure to enhance both disposable and reusable packaging. It can be used as a polystyrene replacement for heat resistant thin wall containers, a poly-carbonate replacement for durable "dishwasher proof" transparent products and a glass replacement for hot-fill food containers. The high glass transition temperature, combined with its amorphous and high strength properties make it a superior alternative in food packaging, and a material that can be easily blended with other plastics to improve their properties too.

Clarity, heat resistance & high melt strength

Clarity, heat resistance & high melt strength are properties that open up a wide range of design opportunities particularly in packaging. The high melt strength of Akestra™ makes it particularly suitable for extrusion blow molding as well as extrusion foaming processes. In combination with PET, it creates a finer cell structure allowing further weight savings with superior mechanical properties in structural and packaging foam applications.

Akestra™ promotes sustainability too!

When used in co-extrusion sheets for thermoforming, Akestra™ bypasses polystyrene heat resistance for hot-fill applications and, by using recycled PET, it can contribute to a more sustainable packaging solution with a lower carbon footprint.

Visit at K Fair

Discover all the sparkling advantages of Akestra™ by visiting at stand B15, hall 07.2 at K Fair. Perstorp will also be showcasing new products for biodegradable plastics, non-phthalate plasticizers for sensitive applications and intumescent flame-retardants.

Source: Perstorp Group

Airbus Military A400M successfully performs unpaved runway trials

Airbus Military has completed an important set of trials of the A400M new generation airlifter, demonstrating the aircraft’s excellent performance on gravel runways. In tests lasting more than a week at Ablitas in northern Spain, development aircraft MSN2 performed 25 landings during six flights on the same runway.

The trials confirmed that despite the harsh conditions, damage to the aircraft exterior from stones and dust was minimal and within expectations, and the runway remained usable after repeated operations.

Demonstrations included ground manoeuvring, rejected take-offs, and use of propeller reverse thrust at speeds as low as 70kt (130 km/h) – none of which caused engine or cockpit contamination.

Tests were successfully performed with and without the optional nosewheel deflector which can be fitted to protect the aircraft during such operations, underlying the A400M’s ability to operate to and from rough strips close to the scene of military or humanitarian action in addition to its strategic capability.

Head of A400M Flight Tests, Eric Isorce, said: “We are extremely pleased with the results of these tests which were very close to all predictions and confirm the A400M´s capability to operate successfully from gravel runways.”

Source:www.eads.com

bio-on Develops 100% Biodegradable Bioplastic PHAs to Create Scaffolds to Regenerate Human Bones

The bioplastic PHAs developed by bio-on can be used to regenerate human tissue, notably to create support structures (scaffolds) for cultured bone cells; structures through which it is possible to regenerate a human bone. This is possible because this material, 100% biodegradable in water, is also extremely bio-compatible, as shown by a study by a team of Italian researchers. The first results of this study are being published in major international specialized scientific journals.

"It has been amply demonstrated in writings on the subject that polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are materials well suited to be used in tissue regeneration from cell cultures"

"It has been amply demonstrated in writings on the subject that polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are materials well suited to be used in tissue regeneration from cell cultures," explains Paola Fabbri, a researcher at the Enzo Ferrari Department of Engineering at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. "In our laboratory, we've shown how this material, when properly combined with ceramic or vitreous osteoinductive particles in highly porous structures, is suitable for the construction of composite scaffolds devoid of cytotoxicity. Biological validation tests with cell proliferation assays have demonstrated that bone cells are able to adhere fully to these scaffolds, and to give rise to a supported process of tissue regeneration".

In the future, the properties of this material, especially its extreme bio-compatibility, will enable its use to be extended to the regeneration of other tissues, thanks to the design of bioresorbable scaffolds in vivo, i.e., which are absorbed by the human body and therefore do not need removal at the end of the tissue regeneration process.

"We're extremely pleased with these results,' says Marco Astorri, CEO and co-founder of bio-on "because the biomedical sector is one of the many in which our biopolymers can be used (obtained in this case from by-products from Co.Pro.B., the leading Italian manufacturer of sugar beet). We've already finalized a deal with Virdhi an innovative start-up that develops advanced materials for biomedical use, and in the months ahead we'll be doing the same with other similar initiatives in the world."

Source: bio-on

Arsenal Acquires IFC, a Supplier of Cellulose-based Insoluble Fiber Products from Swander Pace

Arsenal Capital Partners, among the leading New York-based private equity firms that invests in middle-market specialty industrial and healthcare companies, recently announced the acquisition of International Fiber Corporation ("IFC"), one of the leading suppliers of cellulose-based insoluble fiber products for food and industrial applications globally. Prior to close of this acquisition, IFC was a portfolio company of Swander Pace Capital.

Founded in 1917, and headquartered in North Tonawanda, NY, IFC is one of the industry leaders in insoluble fiber products, providing exceptional service and customized product solutions. IFC's fiber is used in food applications for a variety of functions including improving taste and texture, enhancing yield and processability, and numerous health benefits. In industrial applications, IFC's fiber is used to thicken paints, strengthen rubber used in industrial hoses and belts, for filtration as well as to control viscosity in thermoplastics. IFC's products include brands such as Solka-Floc, Alpha-Cel, KEYCEL, JustFiber, FloAm, Qual Flo, and NutraFiber. IFC has operating facilities in North Tonawanda, NY, Urbana and Oberlin, OH, Nitro, WV and Temse, Belgium.

"Arsenal is delighted to invest in a global company with long history of innovation providing great solutions and service to its diverse customers. IFC maintains a strong industry reputation by providing its customers with the highest level of performance and quality, and is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for fiber products both domestically and internationally," said John Televantos, a Partner who co-heads the Arsenal's Specialty Industrials practice.

"We look forward to partnering with IFC management, growing the business organically as well as building through strategic acquisitions to further expand its offerings," added Sal Gagliardo, an Operating Partner at Arsenal.

"Swander Pace is pleased with the growth and performance of IFC throughout the duration of our investment, which included the addition of a new production facility, expansion into several new product categories and a significant increase in production capabilities," said Swander Pace Managing Director Mo Stout. "It has been a very rewarding partnership on both sides, and our team will continue to look for opportunities to partner with innovative, industry-leading companies, such as IFC."

Arsenal Senior Advisor Ken Blackburn will assume the position of Chief Executive Officer of IFC following successful executive roles with Arkema Corp., FMC Corp. and ITT Rayonier. "I'm excited to join a best-in-class team at IFC, and look forward to the growth IFC is well-positioned for in both the U.S. and international markets. As we further expand the business's product suite, we hope we can continue to improve the service and solutions we provide to our customers."

The acquisition of IFC is the eighth acquisition by Arsenal in 2013, and sixth by its Specialty Industrials Team following the acquisitions of TP Electrical, Fournier Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Arnco, Pathway Polymers and ADCO Global, Inc. IFC joins Arsenal's extensive portfolio of investments in the specialty industrials sector.

Arsenal's current investments in the specialty industrials sector include Dash Multi-Corp., among the leading manufacturers of formulated polyurethane, vinyl plastisol, specialty coatings as well as recycled rubber products; IGM Resins, one among leading providers of intermediates to the global ultraviolet ("UV") radiation cure coatings, inks and adhesives industry; Chromaflo Technologies, one of the largest independent global pigment dispersion providers to the architectural and industrial coatings and thermoset composites industries; Fluoro-Seal Holdings, among the leading providers of unique plastic barrier, adhesion and surface enhancement products and services as well as manufacturer of value-added materials; Royal Adhesives & Sealants, one of the largest global pure-play producers of proprietary, high-performance adhesives, sealants and coatings. Previous investments in the sector include Novolyte Technologies, Genovique Specialties, Velsicol Chemical, Sermatech International, and Vertellus Specialties.

Sagent Advisors acted as financial advisor and DLA Piper LLP acted as legal advisor to Arsenal. Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal advisor to Swander Pace.

Source: Arsenal Capital Partners