DSM Showcased Dyneema® Force Multiplier Tech.-based Vehicle Armor Solutions at Eurosatory

At Eurosatory 2014, DSM Dyneema, the manufacturer of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber, branded as Dyneema®, and among the world leader in life protection materials and high-performance fibers, showcased innovative vehicle armor solutions based on its industry-leading Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology. Aerospace and naval armor solutions from TenCate Advanced Armour and Rheinmetall Ballistic Protection GmbH, respectively, leverage this radical breakthrough in protection to address three major trends for light tactical interdiction vehicles: new operating environments, increasing weight from electronics and extended fuel supply chains. Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology platform delivers exceptional ballistic performance and the lightest weight and lowest profile for enhanced protection.

"We are spotlighting two major vehicle protection applications to showcase the extreme performance and multiple benefits of Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology," said Shitij Chabba, Global Business Segment Director, DSM Dyneema. "These game changing aerospace and naval solutions from two industry leaders epitomize the value of our revolutionary technology platform for vehicle armor and build on our success in personal protection applications. Our ongoing collaboration with both TenCate and Rheinmetall demonstrates the disruptive power of Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology to drive the evolution of leading-edge ballistic protection."

Both TenCate and Rheinmetall selected Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology to help strengthen their competitiveness in the fast-changing operating environments of light tactical vehicles for military, law enforcement and homeland security operations. In general, asymmetrical, unconventional warfare, low-intensity conflicts and homeland security needs have dramatically altered the traditional missions of smaller vehicles requiring enhanced light weight armor protection. Finally, they help meet the need for better fuel efficiency, which can reduce operating costs, expand vehicle range and enhance sustainability.

In contrast to vehicle armor made from traditional materials such as ceramics, glass, and aramid that can negatively impact speed, agility, range and payload capacity, solutions engineered with Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology can reduce weight by up to 25 percent.

Built on DSM Dyneema's Radical Innovation Platform, this technology combines breakthroughs in polymer science, next-generation UHMwPE fiber technology and unique uni-directional engineering.

Two Innovative Companies Change the Game in Aerospace Armor:

"We are very proud of our new helicopter armor solution made possible by DSM Dyneema's technology, expertise and support," said Steen Tanderup, Managing Director, TenCate. "The exceptional armor technology and low weight of Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology made it an obvious candidate as we set out to develop our solution. We know our customers in the aerospace sector will be very satisfied with the results."

Close Collaboration Brings Innovation to Naval Sector:

"Rheinmetall is known for innovative, high-quality naval solutions — a reputation that stems from creating consistently superior products," said Onno't Hart, Managing Director, Rheinmetall Ballistic Protection. "We are able to achieve this quality by selecting only top suppliers as collaboration partners, companies that bring their own valued solutions. With DSM Dyneema's advanced technology and expertise, we were able to pioneer a uniquely lightweight armor solution for our new anti-piracy protection solutions that does not compromise on protection."

Dyneema® and Dyneema®, the world's strongest fiber™ are trademarks of DSM. Use of these trademarks is prohibited unless strictly authorized. 
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


Source: DSM

EPA Honors FRX Polymers with Environmental Merit Award for its Flame Retardant Plastics

FRX Polymers, Inc. (FRX), a manufacturer and marketer of Nofia®, a family of environmentally friendly inherently flame retardant plastics, announced that it has recently been awarded an EPA Environmental Merit Award. The company was presented the award during the EPA New England Merit Awards ceremony on April 22, 2014 at Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA.

The EPA's New England Environmental Merit Awards program honors businesses, among others, who have made outstanding contributions on behalf of the region's public health and natural environment.

In the last few years FRX Polymers has taken several important steps in making its products available globally, including the December 2013 start-up of its first commercial scale plant. Nofia® replaces halogenated flame retardants, which are widely used and are being phased out due to toxicity concerns. Nofia® products have been registered globally and have a very favorable toxicological profile. Also, Nofia® products are produced using sustainable green chemistry principles as FRX's process is solvent free, creates no waste biproducts and has near 100% atom efficiency.

"EPA sends our congratulations to FRX Polymers, a great example of an innovative New England company that is making a real difference by making products that reduce risks to human health and reduce environmental damage. EPA gave FRX Polymers a 2014 Environmental Merit Award for their development of safer alternatives to toxic, persistent brominated flame retardants, providing many industries with a safer solution for their product needs," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office.

"We are honored to receive this award and we thank the agency for acknowledging our efforts and congratulate the other winners," said Marc Lebel, President and CEO. "This award represents what we are trying to accomplish — create a product that has a real need in the marketplace, while addressing an urgent need to protect our environment with sustainable products."

Source: FRX Polymers, Inc.

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Solegear & r-pac Team up to Accelerate Commercialization of Plant-based Plastic Packaging

r-pac International Corp. and Solegear Bioplastics Inc. completed an agreement to accelerate the production, sales and distribution of Solegear's Polysole® and Traverse® plant-based plastic packaging.

Using its award-winning expertise in Green Chemistry, Solegear collaborated with leading Canadian research institutions, including the National Research Council of Canada, to develop novel bio-based and environmentally responsible bioplastics for rigid consumer product packaging. As part of this new agreement, r-pac and Solegear will work together on selling and marketing the bio-based packaging, having successfully completed materials evaluation and production testing. r-pac plans to begin offering the new products immediately.

"It has been a pleasure developing our relationship with r-pac. Their expertise in packaging design, production, sales and retail support is first-rate. This agreement sets the stage to further broaden Solegear's vision: providing a better performing and more sustainable alternative for rigid packaging solutions on a global basis," said Toby Reid, CEO of Solegear.

"When it comes to creating solutions for our customers, the stakes are always very high and the challenges are compelling, so we choose our partners very carefully," noted Michael Teitelbaum, CEO of r-pac. "Solegear's plant-based plastic packaging is a unique solution and executes seamlessly with r-pac's rigid plastic manufacturing capabilities. We are pleased to have collaborated with Solegear and to be on the forefront of sustainable innovation."

r-pac delivers an extensive portfolio of packaging and trims products across a wide range of categories, providing bottom-line results to many leading global brands, including Target, Walmart and more. r-pac operates sales and production facilities around the world with a commitment to sustainability that includes using bio-based materials in rigid packaging applications and beyond.

In keeping with both companies' policies, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Source: Solegear Bioplastics Inc.

Foster Unveils Nano Reinforced, PEBA-based LoPro Plus™ Radiopaque Compounds for Catheters

Foster Corporation, among the leaders in custom polymers for medical devices, introduces LoPro Plus™ radiopaque compounds reinforced with nanoparticles for improved pushability of thin wall catheters. These compounds allow for extrusion of single layer tubes with radiopacity and strength properties equivalent to conventional two layer tubes, in which each layer provides the distinct properties. LoPro Plus reduces material and inventory costs when compared to standard two layer constructions.

Radiopaque compounds typically include 30% to 40% barium or bismuth filler to provide fluoroscopic visibility of catheters within blood vessels; however, these fillers are not designed to improve strength properties. Improved pushability and torque for catheters that must reach deep in the body or precise locations often requires coextrusion of additional layers using polymers with high strength properties. This can increase manufacturing costs due to the purchase and inventory management of multiple materials. LoPro Plus compounds combine radiopacity and strength enhancement in a single material designed to replace the two materials used for traditional extrusions.

LoPro Plus compounds use particles that are less than a nanometer thick and up to 1,500 times the thickness in length. These extremely small reinforcements are dispersed throughout the polymer at the molecular level to improve physical properties. When added to radiopaque filled compounds in small quantities, the nano particles improve rigidity without increasing brittleness. Recent studies performed by Foster indicate the addition of 3% nanoparticles to a 72 durometer polyether block amide (PEBA) with 35% bismuth filler, improves flexural modulus by 60% and increases elongation by 10%.

"Catheters require enhanced performance properties to reach deeper inside the body. At the same time, device manufacturers are aggressively pursuing cost reductions associated with these devices," said Bill Blasius, Manager of R&D and Polymer Science for Foster Corporation. "LoPro Plus compounds are designed to replace multi-layer tubes with a single layer, which will reduce material and inventory costs."

LoPro Plus compounds are the latest addition to Foster's portfolio of radiopaque polymers that leverage nano technology for enhanced performance.


Source: Foster Corporation

A high stiffness PEEK grade

Solvay Specialty Polymers has announced the introduction of a high stiffness grade of KetaSpire polyetheretherketone (PEEK) that provides 50% greater modulus/stiffness than standard neat PEEK grades.

Despite its higher stiffness, the new grade, KetaSpire KT-825, retains the elongation and toughness that is comparable to that of neat PEEK resin for structural applications in transportation, electronics, semiconductor, and oil and gas. 

This grade utilizes a proprietary additive and compounding technology that allows a combination of high stiffness, ductility, and low specific gravity of 1.35 compared to 1.30 for neat PEEK. The new grade bridges the performance gap between unfilled PEEK and traditional glass fiber reinforced or carbon fiber reinforced PEEK grades, according to Jamal El-Hibri, principal scientist for Solvay Specialty Polymers. 

Unfilled PEEK offers ductility, good impact resistance and isotropic properties, but often lacks sufficient stiffness and strength, while reinforced PEEK grades are typically the opposite – very strong and stiff materials but comparatively brittle.

The heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 1.84 MPa (264 psi) of KT-825 is 10°C (18°F) higher than standard unfilled PEEK. Meanwhile, the modulus of KT-825 is 50% greater than that of the natural resin at temperatures below the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PEEK (150°C/302°F). At temperatures above the Tg, the tensile and flexural moduli are two times that of unfilled PEEK. As a result, KT-825 is a more robust material than unfilled PEEK for use in applications that approach or slightly exceed operating temperatures of 150°C (302°F).
While the tensile strength of KT-825 is unchanged from that of standard unfilled PEEK, the flexural strength is about 10% higher. From a rheological standpoint, the new compound is easily processed due to a melt viscosity that is similar to that of a 30% glass fiber reinforced PEEK compound (e.g., KT-820 GF30). In its natural (uncolored) state, KT-825 has a uniform light beige appearance.

Testing in accordance with the UL-94 vertical burn procedure demonstrates that KT-825 is capable of meeting UL’s V-0 flammability resistance requirements at a thickness of 0.8 mm (0.03 in), providing an advantage over other commercial neat PEEK grades, which do not meet the UL 94 V-0 flammability rating requirements at this thickness. Neat PEEK grades are typically rated V-0 at 1.5 to 3.2 mm (0.06 to 0.13 in); however, published literature indicates that neat PEEK does not demonstrate robust V-0 performance at 1.5-mm (0.06 in) thickness.

As an added bonus, KT-825 achieves a 70% higher dielectric strength relative to neat PEEK. Dielectric strength per ASTM D149 at a thickness of 3.2 mm (0.13 in) is 26.0 kV/mm (660 V/mil) for KT-825 as compared with 15.2 kV/mm (385 V/mil) for neat PEEK. This makes KT-825 particularly suited for applications where a combination of high mechanical properties and a high degree of electrical insulation is needed.

The new compound can be processed by conventional methods including injection molding and extrusion. It also has excellent film forming characteristics for melt extruded films down to thicknesses of approximately 50 microns (0.05 mm). Targeted application areas include automotive and aerospace due to a continuing demand for materials that offer a high stiffness-to-weight ratio as well as structural applications in mobile electronics where a good balance of stiffness and toughness are required along with a low specific gravity.

More information: www.solvay.com

Metabolix at Interpack 2014: Exhibits Compostable Film Grade Resins for Packaging

Metabolix (NASDAQ: MBLX), an advanced biomaterials company focused on sustainable solutions for the plastics and chemicals industries, recently announced that it is highlighting at Interpack 2014 its high performance biopolymers offering a range of innovative solutions for packaging applications. Show attendees may visit Metabolix's booth at Messe Dusseldorf located in the "Biopolymers in Packaging Pavilion" in Hall 9, Booth G05 between May 8 and May 14.

"As a result of our focus on innovation, we continue to offer our customers new solutions for packaging applications," said Bob Engle, vice president, biopolymers at Metabolix. "We look forward to highlighting at Interpack 2014 our compostable resin, performance additive and color masterbatch product lines. Further, we are continuing to focus on the unique performance advantages our PHA biopolymers can bring in applications such as compostable film and PHA latex coatings. Our goal is to deliver new developmental and commercial products over the next 12 months that have a clearly differentiated range of capabilities well-suited to packaging and other applications."

Metabolix polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs)-based biopolymer technology enables manufacturers and brand owners across the plastics and packaging industries to meet sustainability and performance objectives.

• Mvera™ B5011: This certified compostable film grade resin from Metabolix is designed as a transparent option for the compostable film and bag market. Mvera B5011 provides excellent clarity and low haze, as well as performance characteristics such as tear and puncture toughness, excellent seal strength, and a balance of strength and stiffness. Mvera B5011 combines easy processability with certified compostability to deliver unique advantages for packaging applications.
• Mvera™ B5010: This film grade resin from Metabolix is designed for compostable bag and film markets across the globe. It meets international industrial standards for compostability and has been certified by Vincotte to meet the EN13432 standard. The resulting film has exceptional seal strength and good printability, making it an ideal option for compostable packaging.
• Performance Additives: Metabolix has developed a line of PHA biopolymer performance additives for traditional and biobased plastics, including PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and PLA (polylactic acid). In packaging applications, Metabolix's performance additives can be used as property modifiers to impart a range of physical and performance properties in PVC and PLA.
• Color Masterbatches: Metabolix biopolymer color masterbatches are highly compatible with a wide range of biopolymers, and can preserve high bio-content and certifiable compostability for broad end-of-life options, including soil and marine degradability and suitability for home compost. Metabolix is displaying its color masterbatches based on PHA in cooperation with AF-Color.
• Metabolix Developmental Grades in Film and PHA Latex Coatings: Metabolix is featuring developmental film grades that enable creation of film products with a range of properties and capabilities. For example, Metabolix is displaying films that can range from flexible to stiff while maintaining high load carrying capabilities. Metabolix's PHA biopolymers also provide the benefit of biocontent, toughening, and flexibilization to film compounds used in packaging applications.
• Metabolix also is developing PHA latex coatings for packaging applications. These PHA latex coatings are expected to offer good barrier properties and tough, tack-free performance. Metabolix's PHA patex coatings are biodegradable in marine and soil environments, as well as by anerobic digestion, while maintaining compatibility with repulping, the most common recycling method used for paper and cardboard.

Source: Metabolix, Inc.