Plastics Engineering articles from February 2004

Plastics Engineering archives from February 2004

Freedom from embrittlement.(Materials)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... To eliminate the embrittlement that characterizes almost all stereolithography (SL) materials, Huntsman Advanced Materials has introduced RenShape SL 7580, a stereolithography material that the company says provides mechanical properties...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2004... Bekaert Fibre Technologies' address and contact information in the November 2003 issue of PE, p. 31, should have been: Bekaert Fibre Technologies, 1395 South Marietta Parkway, Building 500, Suite 100, Marietta, GA 30067; (877)235-4683; fax:...

Medical-tubing manufacturer looks to PVC alternative.(Materials)(polyvinyl chloride)
February 1, 2004... The continued debate on the safety of phthalate plasticizers has led to the creation of materials suitable to serve as alternatives to PVC (polyvinyl chloride). The Natvar Division of Tekni-Plex, Inc., reports that it is utilizing...

Lube job, plus.(Materials)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... During the injection molding process, internal lubricants are often used as substitutes for external release agents and to modify viscosity. MoldWiz INT-33PA from Axel Plastics Research Laboratories is said to offer an additional benefit to...

Networking.(Materials)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Hybridur 870 and Hybridur 878 waterborne resin technologies, which entangle acrylic and urethane polymers in an interpenetrating network, are reported to combine the affordability of an acrylic with the abrasion and chemical resistance of a...

Thermoset excels at light control.(Materials)
February 1, 2004... Large LCD (liquid crystal displays) and plasma displays are commonly used in electronic devices, and organic EL (electroluminescent) displays have begun to appear on the market. Also, mass production of white LEDs (light-emitting diodes) has...

Filling in for glass-filled polypropylene.(Materials)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Glass-filled polypropylene (PP) can create problems during processing, such as difficulty with tooling, visual defects, and warping. "Forte," a polypropylene-based nanocomposite from Noble Polymers, was developed as a replacement for...

Preprocessed PE.(Materials)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... A preferred way to improve the physical properties of formed polymer products has traditionally been to utilize chemicals that impart a high degree of crosslinking. However, crosslinking ultimately limits the processability and recyclability of...

A fetching role for Santropene.(Plastics Applications)
February 1, 2004... For robust operation in outdoor use, nearly every functional component of the remote control transmitter of a new dog-training system from Radio Systems Corp. (Knoxville, Tenn.) utilizes Santoprene thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) along with...

It may get on your nerves--but it's all good.(Plastics Applications)
February 1, 2004... Dutch biomedical company Polyganics B.V. reports that it has received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for Neurolac, "the first bioresorbable synthetic transparent nerve guide." A transparent tube composed of the copolyester...

Hands-down, the best protection.(Plastics Applications)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Using DuPont's Hytrel thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPE) in an ergonomic design, the new Flexmeter wrist guard protects snowboarders from injury while allowing maximum wrist mobility. Dr. Marc-Herve Binet, president of France's Medecins de...

Fencing in history.(Plastics Applications)(Homeland Vinyl Products)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Built in 1850 as the home of Texas Congressman Samuel B. Cooper and now a registered U.S. Historical Landmark, the Cooper-Reid House was given a fresh look that served to "accent its historic appearance" while in no way detracting from it, says...

Flowmeter components use PEEK polymer.(Plastics Applications)(Victrex USA )
February 1, 2004... Victrex USA reports that a new flowmeter from Digmesa AG of Ipsach, Switzerland, uses PEEK polymer components to provide high-precision volume metering with minimum pressure loss. The Digmesa Flowmeter EPI is used for measuring the fluid volume...

Perfectly framed.(Plastics Applications)(Solvay Advanced Polymers L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The German firm Wilkhahn relied on the flexural properties of IXEF polyarylamide resin from Solvay Advanced Polymers to solve a stress and weight-bearing problem posed by the seat base and back frame design of its new Modus conference chair....

Packaging worth its salt.(Plastics Applications)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Graham Packaging Company has announced that it is entering the salty snack-food market as a supplier of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) rigid canister for Frito-Lay's new "Lay's Stax potato crisps." Coming out in two sizes, the product went...

Says the packaging, "keep out!".(Plastics Applications)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The moisture barrier properties of Topas cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) from Ticona have enabled the Henkel Group of Dusseldorf to use a simpler and less costly type of packaging for its Sil stain-removing powder. The product of a joint...

Auxiliary equipment: product innovations deliver greater value.
February 1, 2004... Auxiliary processing machinery has attained new levels of efficiency, offering plastics processors more flexibility and ways to reduce costs. Automated material-conveying systems and sophisticated controls are available to streamline plant...

Leading the plastics industry to a greener world: the 2004 GPEC award winners.(GPEC 2004)(Global Plastics Environmental Conference )
February 1, 2004... Highlighting the SPE Plastics Environmental Division's perennial Global Plastics Environmental Conference (GPEC), to convene Feb. 18-19 in Detroit this year, will be an awards presentation honoring companies who have developed innovative...

Hands-off mold handling.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... To eliminate manual setups, reduce setup time, and provide more accurate setup, Technical Machine Products (TMP) has developed a line of highly automated rubber hydraulic molding presses that the company says provide higher production rates and...

Smooth going for robot interface.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Model RXS-800, a rotary indexing blast machine from Guyson Corp., features adaptations that enable a smooth interface with robotic load/unload equipment. The machine enables virtually "unmanned" automatic operation in production surface...

Designed with silicone in mind.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Series 500 tooling from Guill Tool & Engineering Co. ranges from special low-volume, thin-wall (as minute as 0.003 inch) crossheads or in-line dies for silicone that are specially enhanced for medical, fine wire, and OEM tubing, to large heads...

Heat in a hurry.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Hasco Z492 high-conductivity core pins, made from a beryllium-free copper alloy, enable rapid heat transfer--up to 10 times faster than traditional core pin steel--reports the company. Overall cycle-time reductions of up to 30% can be achieved...

Watch your head tooling!(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... For blow molders who make multiple product changes, adjustments must be made to the equipment's pin and die clearance to accommodate the wall thickness of various parts. Each time a modification is made, the machine operator must recalibrate...

Think positive displacement.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(K-Tron Feeder Group)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Positive displacement action--not the usual screws/augers, belts, or vibratory trays--enables the K-Tron Bulk Solid Pump (BSP) to feed free-flowing materials, reports the company. Said to offer accuracy, uniform discharge, consistent volume,...

Receiver for a small space.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... When space is at a premium and material volumes are minimal, the [Series.sup.3] Model 2406 Receiver is well suited for the job, reports the manufacturer, Premier Pneumatics, Inc. Designed to fit the needs of the small plastics part molder, the...

Lube with a view.(Plastics Machinery/Processing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Since processing equipment is being run at increasingly faster rates, and under increasingly heavy loads, flow monitoring is an important factor in ensuring the constant flow of lubrication oil to critical components. The Lube-View Flow...

Networking vision sensors.(Computer Hardware & Software)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... New software for use with the In-Sight family of vision sensors from Cognex software is said to combine ease of use with efficient administration of a vision sensor network. In-Sight Explorer is said to make vision application development "even...

Mechanical alignment now.(Computer Hardware & Software)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Pinpoint Laser Systems has introduced the DCU-200 quick-connecting interface, allowing its Microgage 2000 measuring and alignment system to be connected directly to a laptop or PC for acquiring measurement readings and analysis. A companion...

The artistry of CAD/CAM.(Computer Hardware & Software)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Vision Numeric has introduced TypeEdit 2003+, the latest version of its artistic CAD/CAM software. In an easy-to-use Windows format, says the company, TypeEdit allows the user to automatically create 3D images from 2D artwork, importing logo...

Security Vulnerability Analysis.(Computer Hardware & Software)(SVA-Pro software)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Dyadem International Ltd., a Canadian developer of commercial software for risk professionals, is incorporating the Security Vulnerability Analysis (SVA) methodology developed by AIChE's Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) into its...

Get Mastercam updates automatically.(Computer Hardware & Software)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... CNC Software is now offering a continuous software update program for Mastercam users. Subscribers to the optional Mastercam Maintenance program receive all new releases as they are announced, in addition to pre-release features, enhancements,...

Making it perfectly clear.(Computer Hardware & Software)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Expanding its ThinkVision line of monitors, IBM has introduced the ThinkVision L190p, a 19-inch high-end flat panel LCD monitor that is said to display clear, accurate images at a resolution of 1280 x 1024. Delivering excellent performance for...

Measurement device integrates laser scanner.(Computer Hardware & Software)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Faro Technologies, a Lake Mary, Fla.-based provider of portable CMMs (coordinate measuring machines), says it has introduced the "industry's first-ever seven-axis contact/noncontact measurement device with a fully integrated laser scanner: the...

Ethernet I/O modules.(Computer Hardware & Software)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Acromag's new BusWorks 900EN Series I/O Modules are designed to interface analog and discrete I/O signals directly to an Ethernet Modbus/TCP 10/100 network. These 12-channel, 1-inch-wide I/O modules operate independently of buscoupler or I/O...

ANTEC sets records for abstract submissions, exhibit space sales.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... SPE is pleased to announce that ANTEC 2004 has gotten off to a robust start, having received a record number of abstract submissions for the technical program and having sold 75% of exhibit space, up 13% over the same period last year. ...

Reports trace rising TPE demand.(Industry News)(Thermoplastic Elastomers)
February 1, 2004... Two new reports from the Freedonia Group of Cleveland predict that market conditions through at least 2007 will support healthy growth in demand for thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). On a global basis, says World Thermoplastic Elastomers, this...

New analysis describes China's "dynamic plastics additives market".(Industry News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Based in Mount Olive, N.J., BRG Townsend, Inc., reports that it has completed an extensive analysis of the "dynamic plastics additives market in China." Plastics Additives in China, 2003 values this market at over $2.4 billion and expects it to...

The HPM Division of Taylor's Industrial Services (Mt. Gilead, Ohio) has added several new product lines for the metalworking and plastics industries through purchasing the assets of Columbus, Ohio-based PH Group Inc.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The HPM Division of Taylor's Industrial Services (Mt. Gilead, Ohio) has added several new product lines for the metalworking and plastics industries through purchasing the assets of Columbus, Ohio-based PH Group Inc. HPM says it can now offer...

BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany) and Ticona, the technical polymers business of Celanese AG (Frankfurt) have announced an agreement for BASF to acquire the nylon 6,6 business of Ticona, which reportedly generated 2002 sales of EUR 45 million.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany) and Ticona, the technical polymers business of Celanese AG (Frankfurt) have announced an agreement for BASF to acquire the nylon 6,6 business of Ticona, which reportedly generated 2002 sales of EUR 45 million....

Virco Mfg. Corp. reports that it has acquired certain assets of Corex Products, Inc., that will enable it "to switch from thermoplastic to hard plastic"--a material consisting of finely ground wood flour, pigments, and melamine resin--in its manufacture of chairs and desks for the classroom.(Acquisitions)(Corex Products, Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Virco Mfg. Corp. reports that it has acquired certain assets of Corex Products, Inc., that will enable it "to switch from thermoplastic to hard plastic"--a material consisting of finely ground wood flour, pigments, and melamine resin--in its...

Based in Roanoke, Va., NSW, LLC, has announced its acquisition of the Vexar extruded plastic diamond mesh netting product line from Conwed Plastics of Minneapolis, effective Dec. 1, 2003.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Based in Roanoke, Va., NSW, LLC, has announced its acquisition of the Vexar extruded plastic diamond mesh netting product line from Conwed Plastics of Minneapolis, effective Dec. 1, 2003. The acquisition includes the technical assets associated...

St. Louis-based provider of rigid packaging solutions TricorBraun has acquired Packaging West, the $35 million Denver-based distributor, the companies have jointly announced.(Acquisitions)(Packaging West)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... St. Louis-based provider of rigid packaging solutions TricorBraun has acquired Packaging West, the $35 million Denver-based distributor, the companies have jointly announced. Effective immediately, Packaging West becomes part of TricorBraun,...

PolyOne Corp. of Cleveland has completed its acquisition of the North American commodity plastic resin distribution business of ResinDirect LLC.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... PolyOne Corp. of Cleveland has completed its acquisition of the North American commodity plastic resin distribution business of ResinDirect LLC. The acquired business will be integrated into PolyOne's own Distribution business, which supplies...

Danvers, Mass.-based ITW Devcon has acquired certain assets of Futura Coatings, Inc., of St. Louis, a producer of sprayable high-performance elastomeric coatings and linings.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Danvers, Mass.-based ITW Devcon has acquired certain assets of Futura Coatings, Inc., of St. Louis, a producer of sprayable high-performance elastomeric coatings and linings. All Futura manufacturing and packaging operations have been relocated...

GE Aircraft Engines of Cincinnati has completed its acquisition of the Agfa-Gevaert Non-Destructive Testing business unit, following all required regulatory approvals.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... GE Aircraft Engines of Cincinnati has completed its acquisition of the Agfa-Gevaert Non-Destructive Testing business unit, following all required regulatory approvals. Agfa NDT will be combined with GEAE's Non-Destructive Testing business unit...

Canon, Inc. (Tokyo) reports that Igari Mold Co. Ltd. will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon through share exchange, effective March 17, 2004.(Acquisitions)(Igari Mold Co. Ltd)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Canon, Inc. (Tokyo) reports that Igari Mold Co. Ltd. will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon through share exchange, effective March 17, 2004. Igari Mold specializes in the design and manufacture of precision molds for plastic...

Ezell Precision Tool Company, a Clearwater, Fla.-based manufacturer of custom precision tooling and die- and mold-ready components, has been acquired by Fred Coelho, formerly VP of sales and marketing at Royal Diversified Products, Inc., of Warren, R.I.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Ezell Precision Tool Company, a Clearwater, Fla.-based manufacturer of custom precision tooling and die- and mold-ready components, has been acquired by Fred Coelho, formerly VP of sales and marketing at Royal Diversified Products, Inc., of...

Effective Jan. 1, 2004, Sherwin-Williams Chemicals of Cleveland has appointed Specialty Chemical Sales, Inc. (SCS), as the exclusive distributor of Kemgard products--comprising molybdenum and zinc based flame-retardants and smoke suppressants for the plastic compounding industries--in the lower midwestern U.S.(Distributors)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Effective Jan. 1, 2004, Sherwin-Williams Chemicals of Cleveland has appointed Specialty Chemical Sales, Inc. (SCS), as the exclusive distributor of Kemgard products--comprising molybdenum and zinc based flame-retardants and smoke suppressants...

BASF has named Archway Sales, Inc., of St. Louis and GMZ Inc. of West Chester, Ohio, as regional distributors for BASF's Urethane Chemicals business unit.(Distributors)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... BASF has named Archway Sales, Inc., of St. Louis and GMZ Inc. of West Chester, Ohio, as regional distributors for BASF's Urethane Chemicals business unit. Archway Sales' distribution responsibilities extend to Colorado, North Dakota, South...

Dow Corning Corp.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Dow Corning Corp., headquartered in Midland, Mich., reports that it has increased production of its range of silanes by more than 40%. To address fast-growing customer demand, Dow Coming explains, it had invested $6 million in its manufacturing...

Bayer MaterialScience.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Bayer MaterialScience, a subgroup of Bayer AG based in Leverkusen, Germany, has announced plans to increase capacity for the polyurethane raw material MDI (diphenyl methane diisocyanate) at its sites in Tarragona, Spain, and Baytown, Texas,...

EMD Chemicals, Inc.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Based in Hawthorne, N.Y., EMD Chemicals, Inc., Pigments Division has announced that it is in the initial stages of expanding production capacity at its Savannah, Ga., plant to manufacture Iriodin WM8 products for enhancing the properties of...

DSM Performance Materials.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... DSM Performance Materials (Evansville, Ind.) a business group within DSM Performance Materials, reports that it has increased the capacity of its new compounding facility in Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province, China. The increased capacity will...

ISO/QS Certification.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The following have received ISO, QS, or other Certification: Red Spot Paint & Varnish Co., Inc., Evansville, Ind., ISO 14001--for its manufacturing facilities in Evansville, Ind., and Westland, Mich. Keystone Aniline, Chicago, ISO...

PlastiComp, Inc., of Winona, Minn., and profile extrusion company GaMra Corp. have announced a business alliance.(Joint Ventures)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... PlastiComp, Inc., of Winona, Minn., and profile extrusion company GaMra Corp. have announced a business alliance to develop profile extrusions based on the patented Pushtrusion Direct In-Line thermoplastics compounding line.

German automotive suppliers Hella (Lippstadt) and Behr (Stuttgart) and French manufacturing and services company Plastic Omnium (Levalloi-Perret) have announced their intention to create an equally owned joint company called HBPO to design, develop, and product automotive front-end modules for synchronous delivery to automakers.(Joint Ventures)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... German automotive suppliers Hella (Lippstadt) and Behr (Stuttgart) and French manufacturing and services company Plastic Omnium (Levalloi-Perret) have announced their intention to create an equally owned joint company called HBPO to design,...

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Atofina Chemicals, Inc., announces that it has signed a mutually exclusive agreement with UK-based foam technologists Zotefoams plc to share market and technical information toward the development of closed-cell PVDF-based foams to meet market needs.(Joint Ventures)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Headquartered in Philadelphia, Atofina Chemicals, Inc., announces that it has signed a mutually exclusive agreement with UK-based foam technologists Zotefoams plc to share market and technical information toward the development of closed-cell...

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP, based in The Woodlands, Texas, reports that it has licensed its loop slurry technology to China Petrochemical International Company Ldt. of Sinopec for the construction of a new 350,000-MT/yr high-density polyethylene plant.(License)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP, based in The Woodlands, Texas, reports that it has licensed its loop slurry technology to China Petrochemical International Company Ldt. of Sinopec for the construction of a new 350,000-MT/yr high-density...

Headquartered in Wauconda, Ill., Progressive Components announces the opening of Progressive Components Europe.(New Division)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Headquartered in Wauconda, Ill., Progressive Components announces the opening of Progressive Components Europe in Buckinghamshire, England.

BASF.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany) has installed a new 2500-[ft.sup.2] applications development laboratory for its consumer refrigeration insulation systems at the company's site in Wyandotte, Mich.

Noveon, Inc.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Noveon, Inc., headquartered in Cleveland, has announced plans to construct a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) manufacturing facility near Shanghai, China.

RishiChem, a joint venture between Chemcentral and Rishiroop Group, has moved into an expanded headquarters facility in Mumbai, India.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... RishiChem, a joint venture between Chemcentral and Rishiroop Group, has moved into an expanded headquarters facility in Mumbai, India. The new office will "greatly enhance RishiChem's ability to service its growing based of chemical customers...

Husky Injection Molding Systems.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Husky Injection Molding Systems (Bolton, Ontario, Canada) has announced plans to build a new PET mold facility on its Luxembourg manufacturing campus. Scheduled to open in spring 2006, the new plant will be dedicated to mold insert production,...

Gneuss Kunstofftechnik GmbH.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Headquartered in Bad Oeynhausen, Germany, Gneuss Kunstofftechnik GmbH reports that it opened a branch office in Shanghai, China, in mid-2003. Specializing in rotary melt filtration systems for the plastics processing industry, the new branch...

Singapore Polymer Corp. (SPC) has finished relocating its entire plastics compounding operation to a new site in Singapore comprising three new manufacturing plants and extensive new technical and sales service facilities from which it supplies processors throughout Asia.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Singapore Polymer Corp. (SPC) has finished relocating its entire plastics compounding operation to a new site in Singapore comprising three new manufacturing plants and extensive new technical and sales service facilities from which it supplies...

Noveon, Inc.(New Locations)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Headquartered in Cleveland, Noveon, Inc., has announced plans to move production of its existing lines of Sancure polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) from Leominster, Mass., to a 30,000-[ft.sup.2] facility within the company's existing site in Avon...

Composite Technologies, Inc. (CTI).(New Locations)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Composite Technologies, Inc. (CTI), a manufacturer of OEM replacement parts for twin-screw extruders and for strand-die pelletizers, announces that it has moved to a new location and is planning to expand operations in spring 2004. The new...

Lansco Colors.(New Locations)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Lansco Colors announces that it has moved its laboratory from Passaic, N.J., to Warwick, R.I. The company adds that its East Greenwich, R.I., sales office is moving to the new location this month. The address is 191 Second Ave., Warwick, RI...

Extrusion Dies Industries, LLC (EDI), has launched a new, wholly owned subsidiary in Reichshof-Wehnrath, Germany, where it is headquartered.(New Subsidiaries)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Extrusion Dies Industries, LLC (EDI), has launched a new, wholly owned subsidiary in Reichshof-Wehnrath, Germany, where it is headquartered. Housed in a newly acquired 450-[m.sup.2] (5000-[ft.sup.2]) facility, EDI GmbH was to begin operation in...

Japanese injection molding machine manufacturer Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd., reports that it has established a local corporation.(New Subsidiaries)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Japanese injection molding machine manufacturer Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd., reports that it has established a local corporation, Nissei Plastic (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., in the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone of Shanghai.

PolyOne Corp.(Plant Shutdown)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... PolyOne Corp., based in Cleveland, has announced that it will close the Burlington, N.J., manufacturing plant within its Engineered Films business segment in mid-February, resulting in the loss of approximately 115 jobs. "This business unit has...

Mineral Technologies.(Price Changes)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Mineral Technologies of New York City has announced a price increase for talc and barite products, effective Feb. 1, 2004, or as contracts allow. The average increases for Barretts Minerals, Inc. (BMI), Montana talc products are 5%. For...

The Dow Chemical Company.(Price Changes)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich.) has announced a price increase for propylene oxide of $0.04/lb, which became effective Jan. 1, 2004.

Lonza, Inc.(Price Changes)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Based in Fair Lawn, N.J., Lonza, Inc., has announced that the price of Acrawax is increasing by $0.05/lb, effective Feb. 15, 2004.

BASF.(Price Changes)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... BASF (Mount Olive, N.J.) reports that it is increasing prices in North America for Ultramid polyamide (PA) 6 spinning polymers, and Ultramid and Capron PA 6 neat resins by $0.09/lb, effective Feb. 1, 2004.

DuPont Dow Elastomers.(Website)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... DuPont Dow Elastomers, Wilmington, Del., www.dupont-dow.com/vitonapa--new website offering the latest information on DuPont Dow's new high-performance specialty products based on Advanced Polymer Architecture (APA).

The Freedonia Group.(Other Briefs)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... In World Pharmaceutical Packaging, The Freedonia Group of Cleveland (www.freedoniagroup.com) reports that global demand for pharmaceutical packaging will increase by 4.3% annually (including price increases) to $22.2 billion in 2007,...

DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymer (P&IP).(Other Briefs)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Based in Wilmington, Del., DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymer (P&IP) has announced plans to add capacity in Europe to manufacture DuPont Elvax ethylene vinyl acetate resins and DuPont Bynel adhesive resins. Production was to begin in early...

Headquartered in Bolton, Ontario, Husky announces that it was one of only two companies to make the fifth annual ranking of the "50 Best Employers in Canada," based on a 2003 study compiled by Report on Business Magazine and human resources consulting firm Hewit Associates, which had invited more than 2500 companies to compete.(Other Briefs)(Husky)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Headquartered in Bolton, Ontario, Husky announces that it was one of only two companies to make the fifth annual ranking of the "50 Best Employers in Canada," based on a 2003 study compiled by Report on Business Magazine and human resources...

BASF.(Other Briefs)(Badische Anilin und Soda Fabrik (German chemical products company))(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... BASF reports that its Altamira, Mexico, site has begun production of Styrolux styrene-butadiene copolymers (SBCs). With a capacity of 45,000 MT/yr, the facility was to begin supplying North and South American customers in Jan. 2004, the company...

Westlake Polymers LP, headquartered in Houston, has announced that it has purchased rights from BP Chemicals to expand the licensed capacity of its Lake Charles linear polyethylene plant from 220,000 to 260,000 MT/yr.(Other Briefs)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Westlake Polymers LP, headquartered in Houston, has announced that it has purchased rights from BP Chemicals to expand the licensed capacity of its Lake Charles linear polyethylene plant from 220,000 to 260,000 MT/yr. The plant uses BP's...

SPI report shows how plastics industry affects U.S. employment and economy.(SPI News)(Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc)
February 1, 2004... A recently released SPI report shows that the U.S. plastics industry (including captives) employed more than 1.4 million workers nationwide and generated nearly $310 billion in shipments in 2002. Another 772,400 people were employed by upstream...

Mayzo.(Personnel News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... Mayzo Corporation, Norcross, Ga., has named Dr. Robert Lee vice president of sales, effective January 2, 2004.

Coastline Plastics.(Personnel News)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2004... David DeAngelis has been named sales manager for Coastline Plastics, Yulee, Fla.