Plastics Engineering articles from December 2003

Plastics Engineering archives from December 2003

Correction.(Correction Notice)
December 1, 2003... On page 1 of the October 2003 issue of PE, the "On the Cover" caption should have included the information that the mold on the Husky machine is made by Marland Mold Inc.

Twenty years later ...(From SPE's Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director)
December 1, 2003... After serving the Society for 20 years, closing the door for the last time isn't such an easy task. We often feel excited and filled with anticipation when beginning a job, but when we leave a job and say farewell to a career, it's difficult to...

Tough pipe.(Materials)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... For many industrial services that involve hot, corrosive fluid transfer, EverTuff Industrial CPVC Pipe has been introduced by Coastline Plastics. The chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipe is manufactured completely in-house--from formulation to...

Flame retardant for flexible foams.(Materials)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Designed to improve processing efficiency by preventing the polymer degradation commonly caused by mechanical air cooling of flexible polyurethane foam, and thereby reducing product waste, Firemaster 552 is the most recent addition to the Great...

When plastic meets wood.(Materials)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... EverKote--a colorful, durable product designed to improve the performance, safety, and appearance of children's play sets, fences, decks, docks, and other structures--has been created by Buckhorn Custom Molding, a Division of Buckhorn, Inc.,...

Smart coat solves its own problems.(Materials)
December 1, 2003... A coating system based on Fortron polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) from Ticona, the technical polymers business of Celanese AG, and sold under the name of CurraLon by Curran International, Inc., is said to control corrosion, oxidation, and fouling...

Medical components achieve aesthetic appeal.(Materials)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Ketron PEEK GF30 (30% glass-fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone) is reported to resist all standard sterilization techniques; high-energy radiation (gamma rays and X-rays); and a range of chemicals, including aggressive cleaning solutions and...

Adhesives that stick around and wait.(Materials)
December 1, 2003... Agomet methacrylates--six adhesives and four hardeners--have been introduced by Huntsman as part of the company's range of Araldite structural adhesives. The new line of surface-activated methacrylate adhesives, developed for joining metals,...

Containing the hard-to-hold.(Materials)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... For hard-to-hold applications or those that Require excellent barrier properties, Flexion Corp. has developed 2100 roll stock. It can be used as a primary package for challenging applications, such as iodine and hand or baby wipes; for...

The year in plastic.(Plastics Applications)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... For this New Year's Eve, Meese Orbitron Dunne (MOD)/American Rotational Molding (ARM) is offering party planners a high-profile prop to help launch holiday festivities: the numerals 2-0-0-4, nearly two feet high, made from durable, lightweight...

Glass replacement to stick with.(Plastics Applications)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Sika Industry Auto Glass Replacement Group has introduced new Sika Super Kits, combining the company's fast-curing one-component polyurethane Autoglass adhesives with Sika Aktivator Pads and new Sika Primer 206 Stix. The Super Kits are...

Going my way?(Plastics Applications)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The "Gimme a Lift" Personal Aid has been invented to help post-operative patients get up and walk with greater comfort and ease and minimal discomfort and pain. The patented device uses the mechanical advantage of leverage to raise and lower...

Cut out for comfort.(Plastics Applications)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Collaborating with Fiskars Brands, Inc. (Madison, Wis.), and General Electric (Pittsfield, Mass.) on development of the Fiskars 45-mm Rotary Cutter, says GLS, it was challenged to help design a special cutting tool for crafters and quilters...

With intent to sell.(Plastics Applications)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... For the multiple-unit, spring-loaded dispensing display it manufactures for Harbor Industries, Anderson Technologies selected Kraton D-1403P styrenic block copolymer (SBC). According to Kraton, its SBC "stood out from the competition by...

Caps off to the dairy industry.(Plastics Applications)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Alcoa reports that its Closure Systems International (CSI) business has introduced the new Seal-Max 38-mm screw-on/screw-off plastic closure for the "dairy producer who desires and values improved sealing." And while designed to prevent leakage...

Crystal Blue (Ice) persuasion.(Plastics Applications)(Cyro Industries expands acrylic sheet range)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Cyro Industries has expanded its Acrylite FF Crystal Ice acrylic sheet family with two new colors and a double-sided frosted option for the P-O-P (point-of-purchase) market. The new Blue Ice color is said to feature an attractive crystal-clear...

Keeping it clean.(Plastics Applications)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Designed for packaging food, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, hygiene-grade FIBCs (flexible intermediate bulk containers) from Packaging Concepts are manufactured from 100% food-approved polypropylene and other materials. Their LDPE (low-density...

Offering improved efficiency to boost productivity and cut costs.(Primary Processing Machinery)(Industry Overview)(Cover Story)
December 1, 2003... To entice prospective buyers to invest in new plastics processing machinery, manufacturers know they have to demonstrate how their new equipment can improve processing profits. High on processors' shopping lists of "show-me" benefits are...

Hot runner hybrid.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... A hybrid of the company's MultiZone and Heat Pipe technologies, the new line of Kona XP hot runner products embodies the benefits of both, reports Synventive Molding Solutions. The company says that the Kona XP line gives processors access to...

Doubling the undercut.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(D-M-E Co.'s VectorForm Lifter System)
December 1, 2003... D-M-E Co. reports that its VectorForm Lifter System doubles undercut capability in molds for plastic parts. The system, developed by Takao Injection Mold Engineering, offers exceptional design flexibility to OEMs and mold designers, says the...

For cohesive powder, breaking up is hard to do.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)
December 1, 2003... A complete handling system said to be ideal for cohesive powders such as titanium dioxide has been introduced by Spiroflow Systems, Inc. When placed in conveyors or bulk containers, such as bulk bags, some powders exhibit characteristics that...

That is a lot of make-up!(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The global cosmetics industry requires more than 10 billion containers for its products annually, and manufacturers of these containers must meet the high demand at reduced costs. Husky offers a turnkey system, based on its Index Dual...

More uniform wall thickness for thermoformed parts.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Designed to produce thermoformed parts from 1 to 10 mm (1/16 to 3/8 inch) thick (depending on material type), the RV-2, manufactured by Eletro-Forming, is a two-station, carousel-type thermoforming machine that is completely automatic except...

Continuous vacuum forming stands-in for blowmolding.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The HPM Division of Taylor's Industrial Services has introduced a continuous vacuum forming (CVF) system that it describes as an alternative to blowmolding technology. Applications for the CVF System are similar to those of blowmolding....

Mold components "Glide".(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Glide-Rite Series of ejector pins and sleeves from Superior Die Set Corp. brings together a combination of coatings, materials, and hardness specifications intended to maximize wear resistance, increase productivity, and reduce downtime for...

Coating robot.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The P-50 coating robot's small size and multiple mounting methods it make ideal for companies with floor-space limitations, reports Fanuc Robotics. With a maximum horizontal reach of 1360 mm and coating speeds as high as 1500 mm/sec, the P-50...

Custom fit.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... For complete containment of dry powders, pastes, slurries, corrosives, fluids, solvents, vapors, and gases where traditional packings fail to seal, Woodex Bearing Co. offers Meco Seals, which are custom-designed and manufactured to fit each...

Get the picture?(Computer Hardware & Software)
December 1, 2003... Cognex Corp. has announced the newest member of its PatMax family of geometric pattern--finding technologies: PatFlex is described as a patent-pending software tool designed to enable a vision system to locate an object, feature, or pattern...

An "Impossible" offer on mold-debugging software.(Computer Hardware & Software)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Beaumont Technologies of Erie, Pa., is offering its latest debugging CD-ROM software on a one-month free-trial basis. The company says it is confident that moldmakers and processors will seek a single or site license after using Beaumont's...

Machining takes the fast lane.(Computer Hardware & Software)
December 1, 2003... According to CNC Software, the automated feed rate optimization offered by Version 9.1 of its Mastercam software can enable shops to cut their machine time by as much as one third while ensuring that the machines run at peak performance. These...

New signal conditioners from Eurotherm.(Computer Hardware & Software)
December 1, 2003... The Action Instruments group of Eurotherm has announced the availability of the following two signal conditioners: New to the WV series is the model WV448 bridge or strain gauge input, isolating signal conditioner with TouchCAL technology....

Software boosts performance of laser marking system.(Computer Hardware & Software)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Introduced for the VectorMark product line, Trumark software is said to allow users to achieve faster setup and cycle times, and to produce high-quality graphics more easily. Trumark is designed by Trumpf of Farmington, Conn., and works with...

Analytic and reporting tools are honed.(Computer Hardware & Software)
December 1, 2003... SPSS, Inc., of Chicago has launched ShowCase Suite 6.5 (formerly ShowCase Strategy), the newest version of the company's end-to-end business intelligence solution for organizations that use the IBM eServer iSeries (AS/400). With a focus on...

Linking device simplifies data sharing.(Computer Hardware & Software)
December 1, 2003... In response to the growing use of Ethernet on the plant floor, says Rockwell Automation, it has introduced the Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP-to-DeviceNet linking device (1788-EN2DN), which is said to excel at providing economical, efficient, and...

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: opportunities for polymers and composites.
December 1, 2003... The Materials Institute and the Department of Chemical Engineering Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia The concept of the fuel cell in which electricity and water are generated from the oxidation/reduction of hydrogen and oxygen--was first...

Single Screw and Twin Screw Extruders brochure.(Special Section)
December 1, 2003... New brochure contains comprehensive descriptions concerning our complete line of Laboratory Extrusion Equipment. Featuring details relating to Single Screw Extruders, Twin Screw Extruders, Die Assemblies, and Post Extrusion Equipment. C.W....

Manufacturer of electric heating elements, temperature Controllers & sensors.(Special Section)
December 1, 2003... Tempco's new TEC Temperature Controllers cover all requirements from simple analog controllers to complex microprocessor based units with multiple programmable outputs and universal input. Sizes include 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 DIN...

New! PTFE release agent/dry lubricant.(Special Section)
December 1, 2003... New! PTFE release agent/dry lubricant. creates a superior release for plastics elastomers, and resins--including acrylics, urethanes, rubber, nylons, epoxy, polycarbonates, and polystyrene. This family of release agents is designed to give...

Feedmax vacuum loaders.(Special Section)
December 1, 2003... Feedmax loaders are designed for all vacuum loading applications requiring single material or proportional operation, with models for low, medium and high throughput. Contact us today for complete specifications. Wittmann, Inc., One Technology...

FDA exempts food packaging from bioterrorism rules.(SPI News)
December 1, 2003... SPI has applauded a recent decision by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to exclude food packaging and other food-contact materials and articles from revised bioterrorism regulations announced by the agency. The trade association's...

SPI members are recognized for service to the industry.(SPI News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... SPI's Midwest Regional Office presented three awards during its annual Business and Technology Conference in October in Lexington, Ky. Susan Braun, director of management systems for Bemis Manufacturing in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., received the...

SPD plans Commercial Technical Session for Annual Conference in 2004.(SPI News)
December 1, 2003... SPI's Structural Plastics Division (SPD) has announced plans for a Commercial Technical Session, to be held during the group's 32nd Annual Conference and Design Competition, March 23-24, 2004, in Charlotte, N.C. A unique departure from the...

Film and Bag Federation praises Sonoco's efforts.(SPI News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... During its 2003 Fall Conference, held October 12-13 in Las Vegas, SPI's Film and Bag Federation presented an award to Rex Varn, vice president and general manager of Sonoco, of Hartsville, S.C., recognizing the company for its involvement in...

ANSI/SPI standards for machinery are approved.(SPI News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... SPI's Machinery Division recently announced the approval of two safety standards by The American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The first, a safety standard for robots integrated with horizontal and vertical injection molding machines, is...

DOE backs Cargill biomass project.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Cargill, based in Minneapolis, reports that it has received a matching grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a platform of new industrial chemicals from soy and other oilseeds. The platform would serve as the foundation for...

Plastics dominate growing cosmetic and toiletry market, study says.(Industry News)(Freedonia Group report on usage of plastic toiletry containers)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Cosmetic & Toiletry Containers, a new study from The Freedonia Group of Cleveland, projects that U.S. demand for cosmetic and toiletry containers will expand 2.6%/yr to 23 billion units in 2007. These advances are seen to reflect healthy growth...

Science teachers tap into UA website.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Akron Global Polymer Academy (AGPA) reports that it is helping teachers "improve the scientific literacy of their K-12 students" through resources provided by its website at www.agpa.uakron.edu. The academy is part of The University of...

CMAI announces market analyses on PS/EPS, styrene, and vinyls.(Industry News)
December 1, 2003... Announcing the completion of 2004 World Polystyrene/EPS Analysis and the near-completion of 2004 World Styrene Analysis, CMAI of Houston notes that these works "strongly complement each other as polystyrene (PS) and EPS represent approximately...

New-generation flame retardant shuts out predecessors.(Industry News)(Great Lakes Chemical Corp. to cease production of flame-retardant chemicals)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Great Lakes Chemical Corp. of Indianapolis announces that it will voluntarily cease production of two widely used flame-retardant chemicals--penta--and octa-polybrominated diphenyl ether--by the end of 2004, and replace them with a...

North American chemical sales are up 10%, CNI study says.(Industry News)(Chemical News and Intelligence survey on chemical sales)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... A survey by Chemical News & Intelligence (CNI) shows that chemical sales in North America rose to $49.1 billion in third-quarter 2003, a nearly 10% improvement over third-quarter 2002 results, the Internet-based business newswire reports. The...

The Magni Group, a Birmingham, Mich.-based manufacturer of fastener, brake, and fuel system coatings, has announced its acquisition of the coatings technologies of GDCS, Inc.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Magni Group, a Birmingham, Mich.-based manufacturer of fastener, brake, and fuel system coatings, has announced its acquisition of the coatings technologies of GDCS, Inc. The acquired coatings include WG250, a water-based coating for brake...

Based in West Chicago, Ill., BMCI (Bulk Molding Compounds, Inc.), announces that it has acquired the assets of Glastic Corp.'s BMC compounding business.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Based in West Chicago, Ill., BMCI (Bulk Molding Compounds, Inc.), announces that it has acquired the assets of Glastic Corp.'s BMC compounding business. While the name Glastic will remain a registered trademark of Cleveland-based Glastic Corp.,...

Headquartered in Evansville, Ind., Berry Plastics Corp. announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Landis Plastics, Inc., of Chicago Ridge, Ill., for $228 million, including repayment of existing indebtedness.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Headquartered in Evansville, Ind., Berry Plastics Corp. announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Landis Plastics, Inc., of Chicago Ridge, Ill., for $228 million, including repayment of existing indebtedness. The...

Klockner Pentaplast of America, Inc. (Gordonsville, Va.), has announced its acquisition of Greenway Plastics Industries Corp. (Wayne, N.J.), for an undisclosed sum.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Klockner Pentaplast of America, Inc. (Gordonsville, Va.), has announced its acquisition of Greenway Plastics Industries Corp. (Wayne, N.J.), for an undisclosed sum. Purchasing substantially all manufacturing assets associated with the Barex...

Plasticolors, Inc., reports that it has completed an asset purchase of Spartan Color Corp.'s product line including the Spartacryl PM universal color concentrates.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Plasticolors, Inc., reports that it has completed an asset purchase of Spartan Color Corp.'s product line including the Spartacryl PM universal color concentrates. Production of the acquired products will be moved from Spartan's location in...

In the United Kingdom, Malvern-based provider of particle-characterization instrumentation Malvern Instruments Ltd. has acquired Cirencester-based developer and manufacturer of theology measurements systems Bohlin Instruments.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... In the United Kingdom, Malvern-based provider of particle-characterization instrumentation Malvern Instruments Ltd. has acquired Cirencester-based developer and manufacturer of theology measurements systems Bohlin Instruments. With subsidiary...

The Plastics Pioneers Association, headquartered in Greer, S.C., announces that it has awarded $1500 scholarships to each of 12 college students working toward careers in plastics.(Awards)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Plastics Pioneers Association, headquartered in Greer, S.C., announces that it has awarded $1500 scholarships to each of 12 college students working toward careers in plastics. Continuing an annual tradition begun in 1988, says the...

A 2003 U.S. Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer was awarded to Toshifumi Sugama of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and Keith Gawlik of DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for their development and transfer of a smart, high-performance coating.(Award)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... A 2003 U.S. Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer was awarded to Toshifumi Sugama of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and Keith Gawlik of DOE's National Renewable...

DuPont.(Awards)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... DuPont (Wilmington, Del.) announces that it has been awarded the National Medal of Technology this year "for its global leadership and innovation in developing alternative technology that reduces the environmental impact caused by...

Fitz Chem Corp. of Elmhurst, Ill., announces that it will represent the liquid and solid epoxy resins of Nan-Ya, a division of Formosa Plastics, effective Oct. 1, 2003.(Distributors)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Fitz Chem Corp. of Elmhurst, Ill., announces that it will represent the liquid and solid epoxy resins of Nan-Ya, a division of Formosa Plastics, effective Oct. 1, 2003. Fitz Chem's sales territory includes the states of Illinois, Iowa,...

Florence, Kentucky-based International Mold Steel has named Molder's World as a new exclusive distributor of Porcerax II to Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana in the U.S., and to Windsor, Ontario, in Canada.(Distributors)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Florence, Kentucky-based International Mold Steel has named Molder's World as a new exclusive distributor of Porcerax II to Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana in the U.S., and to Windsor, Ontario, in Canada. Molder's World is headquartered in...

Headquartered in Atlanta, Azalea Color Company announces its appointment as distributor by Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A., of Genova, Italy.(Distributors)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Headquartered in Atlanta, Azalea Color Company announces its appointment as distributor by Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A., of Genova, Italy. Azalea will sell Italmatch's line of non-halogen flame-retardant additives in the states of Florida,...

DuPont Engineering Polymers.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... DuPont Engineering Polymers (Wilmington, Del.) reports that it will meet increasing demand for DuPont Zytel HTN high-performance polyamide resins with a new 30 million lb/yr polymer plant. The facility, being built at an existing DuPont site in...

Klockner Pentaplast of America, Inc. (Gordonsville, Va.), reports that it is installing a 12,000-[m.sup.2] facility for rigid vinyl film production at its subsidiary Klockner Pentaplast do Brasil Ltda in Cotia, Brazil.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Klockner Pentaplast of America, Inc. (Gordonsville, Va.), reports that it is installing a 12,000-[m.sup.2] facility for rigid vinyl film production at its subsidiary Klockner Pentaplast do Brasil Ltda in Cotia, Brazil. The first of three phases...

A $4.7 million expansion announced by 20/20 Custom Molding of Holiday City, Ohio, includes $3.2 million for two large Milacron presses, along with additional material silos, warehouse space, and other infrastructure upgrades.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... A $4.7 million expansion announced by 20/20 Custom Molding of Holiday City, Ohio, includes $3.2 million for two large Milacron presses, along with additional material silos, warehouse space, and other infrastructure upgrades. 20/20 ordered a...

Clariant Masterbatches.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Clariant Masterbatches, headquartered in Muttenz, Switzerland, has announced expansions at its production sites in Guangzhou and Shanghai, China. In Guangzhou, says the company, an additional 700 [m.sup.2] of space was added in May 2003. By May...

ISO/QS Certification.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The following have received ISO, QS, or other Certification: GLS Corp., McHenry, Ill., ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:1996. Blow Molded Specialties, Inc., Foley, Minn., ISO 9001:2000. Crane Plastics Manufacturing, Columbus, Ohio, ISO...

Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. announces that it has entered into a reciprocal sales agreement with Matsui Mfg. Co., Ltd., for the Asia-Pacific market.(Joint Ventures)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. announces that it has entered into a reciprocal sales agreement with Matsui Mfg. Co., Ltd., for the Asia-Pacific market. Per their agreement, Husky's Asia-Pacific operations (based in Yokohama, Japan) will...

The Dow Chemical Company's Wire & Cable Compounds business has announced an agreement with PolyOne Distribution Company to provide Dow's wire and cable compound products to a specific segment of Dow's customers.(Joint Ventures)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Dow Chemical Company's Wire & Cable Compounds business has announced an agreement with PolyOne Distribution Company to provide Dow's wire and cable compound products to a specific segment of Dow's customers. PolyOne Distribution is a...

Degussa AG of Dusseldorf, Germany, has announced a partnership with Germanium Corporation of America, based in Utica, N.Y., to offer the global fiber-optic manufacturing industry "one reliable and secure source of silicon tetrachloride (Si[Cl.sub.4]) and germanium tetrachloride (Ge[Cl.sub.4]).(Joint Ventures)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Degussa AG of Dusseldorf, Germany, has announced a partnership with Germanium Corporation of America, based in Utica, N.Y., to offer the global fiber-optic manufacturing industry "one reliable and secure source of silicon tetrachloride...

Techmer PM, with five manufacturing facilities in North America, and Guangzhou Eastern Rainbow, subsidiary of Hong Kong--based Far East Plastic Colours with a plant in mainland China, have formed a masterbatch partnership.(Joint Ventures)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Techmer PM, with five manufacturing facilities in North America, and Guangzhou Eastern Rainbow, subsidiary of Hong Kong--based Far East Plastic Colours with a plant in mainland China, have formed a masterbatch partnership. The agreement calls...

The German companies LPKF Laser & Electronics AG and Degussa AG announce that they have signed a know-how and license agreement to promote 3D-MID technology.(License)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The German companies LPKF Laser & Electronics AG and Degussa AG announce that they have signed a know-how and license agreement to promote 3D-MID technology. Per the agreement, the High Performance Polymers division of Degussa AG has acquired...

A planned merger has been announced by Asahi Glass Fluoropolymers, USA, Inc. (Chadd's Ford, Pa.), and AGA Chemicals, both subsidiaries of Asahi Glass Company of Tokyo.(Merger)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... A planned merger has been announced by Asahi Glass Fluoropolymers, USA, Inc. (Chadd's Ford, Pa.), and AGA Chemicals, both subsidiaries of Asahi Glass Company of Tokyo. January 1, 2004, will mark the formation of a new company responsible for...

Following the acquisition by Metapoint Partners, L.P. (Peabody, Mass.), of the assets and properties of the Laminate Division of Spaulding Composites Company, Inc., a new company called Spaulding Composites has been formed.(New Companies)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Following the acquisition by Metapoint Partners, L.P. (Peabody, Mass.), of the assets and properties of the Laminate Division of Spaulding Composites Company, Inc., a new company called Spaulding Composites has been formed. The new entity will...

Gekko Engineering.(New Companies)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... A new business called Gekko Engineering has been launched in Albuquerque, N.M., targeting product design and manufacturing market segments. Services include mechanical product design engineering, product troubleshooting, physics-based...

Linxx LLC.(New Companies)(new company will address the needs of the growing plastic-card industry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Linxx LLC has announced its debut as a company that will address the needs of the growing plastic-card industry. The company says it seeks to establish a new set of value-added relationships, or "linxx," between suppliers, card manufacturers,...

Fernqvist Labeling Solutions.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., Fernqvist Labeling Solutions announces that it has opened a new Midwest sales and distribution center in Illinois. The address and contact numbers are: 535 Tollgate Road, Suite B, Elgin, IL 60123; phone...

Lacks Enterprises, Inc.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Lacks Enterprises, Inc., a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based tier-one auto supplier, announces that it has opened a 25,000-[ft.sup.2] research and testing facility for contract testing. Employing 11 technicians, the lab offers capabilities in...

The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich.) has announced plans for its subsidiary Dow Chemical Iberica to build a commercial-scale plant for the production of Dow XLA elastic fiber at its facilities in Tarragona, Spain.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich.) has announced plans for its subsidiary Dow Chemical Iberica to build a commercial-scale plant for the production of Dow XLA elastic fiber at its facilities in Tarragona, Spain. Launched in autumn 2002...

Atofina, the Paris-based chemical branch of the Total Group, has announced its intention to build an organic peroxides production plant in China.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Atofina, the Paris-based chemical branch of the Total Group, has announced its intention to build an organic peroxides production plant in China. With an initial 3000 tpa capacity, says Atofina, the plant will be built on the Atofina Changshu...

Polyzen, Inc.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Polyzen, Inc., reports that it has moved into new and larger--30,000-[ft.sup.2]--facilities in Apex, N.C., only a few miles from its former location in Cary. The move-in completes the first of several phases, says the company; in the second...

Scholle Corp.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Scholle Corp., headquartered in Northlake, Ill., announces the opening of a new manufacturing and sales facility in Suzhou, China. With this, its 12th bag-manufacturing plant worldwide, says Scholle, it has become "the first bag-in-box company...

Clariant Masterbatches.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Clariant Masterbatches, based in Muttenz (near Basel), Switzerland, has announced the opening in Beijing of its third production site in China. To provide color and additive masterbatches for local and international customers in North China,...

Nordenia International AG.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Nordenia International AG, a German manufacturer of flims, flexible packaging, and product components, has announced the inauguration of a new Asia-Pacific regional headquarters facility in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Malaysian city of Ipoh had...