Newsletter-Plastics Products and processing

BASF’s specialty foam Basotect® is being used in the Beijing swimming stadium in order to clad the interior of the building with flame-retardant and environmentally friendly acoustic insulation. The National Aquatics Center has been fitted with a specially developed ceiling structure made of large Basotect panels that not only provide sound protection but fulfill additional prerequisites: The lightweight panels blend in with the architectural design and meet the environmental requirements. They are load-bearing, flame-retardant and able to withstand high levels of humidity.

LANXESS AG has put together a global package of measures named “CHALLENGE 09” in order to mitigate the effects of weak demand worldwide and strengthen the specialty chemicals group’s position. This package includes a number of technical process improvements as well as measures affecting personnel.

HMG Extrusions is proud to announce that we now assemble in our factory in Malaysia as OEM European Liquid Ring Vacuum Pumps designed for Plastic Machineries but also for other Industries in which Liquid Ring Vacuum Pumps are required. HMG/REFEC Vacuum Pumps are made of cast iron with high vacuum power and low maintanance. Several types are available from stock and for the Technical Specifications please check our website under "Vacuum Pumps". Perfect Solution for replacements of old, worne out pumps. If you are looking for a reliable and cost effectice source for Vacuum Pumps

Biograde®, the injection mouldable biocompound from FKuR Kunststoff GmbH , in the form of the new Bio-Pen from the writing utensils manufacturer Ritter-Pen GmbH has been granted the award for innovation "Biomaterial of the year 2008"

Discount retailer Aldi has started offering 100% compostable plastic bags made from renewable raw materials in Germany. The bag retails at EUR0.39 (USD0.56) and is offered in addition to Aldi's canvas bags and its reusable standard bag at EUR0.09(USD0.12) which is made from recycled and recyclable polyethylene. The bag features Aldi's Bio organic logo and the claim 'Give a smile to nature!' (Zeig der Umwelt ein Lächeln!)

source: progressivenewsletter.com/view_news.do?id=19466

A tray derived from sugar cane waste with frozen ready meal and chilled food applications has received PIRA food contact certification, claims its UK manufacturer.

According to packaging supplier, Rockwell Solutions, its iTray has also been PIRA certified for chilling, freezing and dual oven usage.

The company said as the tray is made out of ground sugar cane waste, it is a sustainable option for food manufacturers; it added that the container is compostable, and also offers good moisture resistance through the application of a compostable coating based on sugar cane chaff.

DuPont recently received the "2008 European Bioplastics Product Line Strategy Award” from Frost & Sullivan for its accomplishments in rapidly developing an extremely diverse range of high-performance materials based on renewable sources. Several DuPont renewably sourced products already are in the market and can be found in textile, automotive, cosmetics, personal care and industrial applications.

NaturePlus compostable film recognised with 2008 Bioplastics Award in the category 'Best Bioplastics Application – Packaging'.

Aiming to grow its business in automotive lighting, Empire Electronics Inc. is meeting more stringent demands for high-temperature resistance and durability in automotive lighting parts with new T20 sockets and the 2.8 In-Line connector series made of two different DuPont engineering polymers. Empire assembles the components into wire harnesses for various car and truck lights that it supplies to automotive tier ones and OEMs.

Schaeffler Concludes Takeover of Continental AG

The Schaeffler Group has concluded the takeover of Continental AG (Hanover/Germany) and paid 75 euros per share to the depositary banks of those shareholders who tendered their shares to Schaeffler. The depositary banks will now credit these payments to the shareholders’ accounts. This means that the Schaeffler Group holds 49.90 percent of the voting stock of Continental AG and is thus the company’s largest shareholder. Schaeffler has transferred the shares tendered in addition to this percentage to financial institutions.