The Bayer subgroup MaterialScience is reacting to the effects of the financial crisis, but without resorting to short-time working for the time being. Instead, an opening clause in the general collective agreement for the chemical industry is to be invoked, according to a solution worked out jointly by the Central Works Council, the IG BCE and company management on Friday. This allows a temporary lowering in worktime of 6.7 percent (for example from 37.5 hours to 35 hours per week) with corresponding reductions in salaries for non-managerial employees.

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.

With its first session of the New Year, the interpack Advisory Council has begun concrete preparations for interpack PROCESSES AND PACKAGING 2011 (www.interpack.com). According to tradition, this session is used to elect new council leadership. Christian Traumann, managing director of MULTIVAC Sepp Haggenmüller GmbH & Co. KG, steps up to the top council job as President of interpack PROCESSES AND PACKAGING 2011 with immediate effect.

LyondellBasell to increase PE prices in Europe

Effective February 1, LyondellBasell Industries will increase prices in Europe by €100 per tonne on all of its polyethylene grades.

"Short term demand for these products is increasing, along with feedstock costs. Therefore, this price increase is necessary," said Richard Roudeix, Vice President of LyondellBasell’s Polyethylene Europe Business.
LyondellBasell, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

The new high-performance plastic Ultrason® E2010 HC, a BASF PESU (poly­ether sulfone), has recently been put to an extraordinary use. The PAB com­pany, a manufacturer of safety equipment headquartered in Buzet, Croatia, is using the highly transparent HC variant (HC = high clarity) of this material for the visor of its very heat-resistant firefighter’s helmet, the FIRE HT 04 . This is the first commercial application for this new type of plastic.

Plastica.asia can help you to promote and marketing your products and services in Asia and Middle East by:

- Distributing your products and services
- Assist you to locate, local trading agencies and partners

For more information please contact our marketing department.

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

International Training Program (TechnoBiz)
Plastic Extrusion
Understanding, Optimization & Troubleshooting

29-31 January 2009, Impiana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

3-5 February 2009, Concorde Hotel, Singapore

This 3-day training program is designed to enhance skills of extrusion personnel related to optimization and troubleshooting of extrusion process. Extrusion problems can be very costly and it is important to troubleshoot these problems quickly, efficiently, and systematically. This program instructor is
Dr. Chris Rauwendaal, the world-renowned extrusion expert.

An extruded composite food packaging film containing pectin, polylactic acids (PLAs) and nisin can inhibit Listeria monocytogenes, according to scientists based at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the US Department of Agriculture.

The scientists said the objectives of their study, which was published in the International Journal of Food Science and Technology, was to evaluate the potential use of PLA/pectin and nisin composite film in antimicrobial food packaging.

DuPont materials for the medical and pharmaceutical industries – from high-performance, medical-grade polymers for the production of medical components to DuPont™ Tyvek® brand protective material for sterile packaging applications – will once more be in evidence during Medtec 09 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Engineering thermoplastics for medical components