MAAG Group is a broadly diversified global solutions provider of Pump & Filtration Systems, Pelletizing & Pulverizing Systems, Recycling Systems and digital solutions.
More and more new developments in plastics are being made in China, one of the strongest growth markets in the world. MAAG Group takes this into account and will be present at Chinaplas in Shenzhen, China, from April 17-20, 2023 in the German Pavilion in hall 10, booth No. F11.
Our experts on site will be happy to inform you about our product portfolio for the polymer industry:
The MAAG Group extrex gear pumps GA are designed for common thermoplastic extrusion applications and offer a high overall efficiency and hence minimum abrasion due to leading gear and bearing technology. They convince with low pulsation pump action also in cases of high differential pressure and a simple and compact design. With over 15’000 MAAG gear pumps installed in China, you know that you have competence on your side. The newly developed extrex recycling pump ensures reliable extrusion in the recycling process. The extrex features an optimized geometry that, in many cases, eliminates the need for an upstream protective filter, saving space and reducing the energy required for heating and drive power. Like all MAAG pumps, extrex is designed to meet the high demands of everyday operation.
MAAG ETTLINGER ERF 350 is a high-performance melt filter for the filtration of heavily contaminated polymer feedstock. The filter is self-cleaning with a rotating, perforated drum, through which there is a continuous flow of melt from the outside to the inside. A scraper removes the contaminants that are held back on the surface and feeds them to the discharge system. This enables the filter to be used fully automatically and without any disruptions over long periods without having to replace the screen. The advantages: Reliable melt filtration, ultra-low melt losses and good mixing and homogenizing of the melts.
The BAOLI-3 strand pelletizer is outfitted with German-made core components and has been designed for use with both hard and soft pelletizing materials. The most noteworthy highlights are its compact design that features height-adjustment, left-side/right-side control capabilities that provide greater operational flexibility, and reduced noise generation during operation. At the same time it offers easy access for cleaning making it easy for maintenance, material changes, and color changes. The BAOLI- 3 pelletizer is based on MAAG’s more than six decades of experience and an installed base of nearly 1’000 BAOLI pelletizers in China to develop a new and enhanced version which provides high reliability, improved handling, and an optimized cost/benefit ratio.
The ZHULI system is a highly flexible, cost-efficient underwater pelletizing system designed for use with standard products, such as filled Polyolefins, Polyesters and Thermoplastic Elastomers. ZHULI ’s cutting tools deliver spherical pellets of the highest quality that are ideally suited for further processing, with throughput rates of up to 1,200 kg/h. The pelletizing system has a small footprint and is simple to operate.
For more innovations and information on our products, visit www.maag.com
SABIC to Launch at MD&M West 2023 New Chemically Resistant, Thin-Wall Transparent LNP CRX Copolymer Resins That Can Help Improve Medical Device Durability & Sustainability
SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, will introduce at MD&M West 2023 two new LNP CRX polycarbonate (PC) copolymer resins offering a distinct combination of robust chemical and impact resistance, thin-wall transparency, dimensional stability and processability. In device applications such as clear covers, screens and display lenses, the new materials can overcome key drawbacks of incumbent PC resins and co-polyester resins when exposed to disinfectants or aggressive chemicals. Customers can choose LNP ELCRES CRX1314TW copolymer or its bio-based equivalent, LNP ELCRIN CRX1314BTW copolymer, which offers up to a 42 percent reduction in carbon footprint based on life cycle assessment (LCA). Both grades feature limited biocompatibility according to ISO 10993 and coverage under SABIC’s healthcare product policy, which provides stringent management of change processes. Since SABIC’s first LNP ELCRES CRX copolymer resins were introduced at MD&M West 2020, the continued market need for chemically resistant materials has driven the development of these innovative thin-wall transparent materials.
Nithin Raikar, SABIC’s Senior Business Manager for LNP Resins and Compounds, will discuss these new LNP CRX materials at MD&M West 2023. His presentation, “Thin-wall Transparent, Chemically Resistant LNP CRX Copolymer Resins: Addressing Medical Device Durability and Sustainability Trends,” will take place on February 8 at 11:30 am in the Design Alley Theater.
“The rigorous healthcare disinfection protocols established during the COVID pandemic are ongoing and SABIC continues to innovate in the area of chemical resistance,” said Joshua Chiaw, Director, Business Management, LNP & NORYL, Specialties, SABIC. “Our Specialties business is developing new solutions that not only help device manufacturers avoid degradation from aggressive disinfectants, but also address other requirements. Our newest materials extend the LNP CRX portfolio by combining signature chemical resistance with other desirable properties, including sustainability. These thin-wall transparent copolymers, which complement our opaque LNP CRX grades, can help customers take a holistic approach when creating diagnostic devices and wearables that deliver longer service life, lower system costs and reduce environmental impact.”
Distinct Combination of Properties
Like all LNP CRX materials, the new grades feature exceptional resistance to harsh disinfecting chemicals, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, alcohols and peroxides, which can lead to the environmental stress cracking (ESC) of medical device displays and covers. Furthermore, these materials offer transparency equivalent to that of PC resins at thin-wall geometries of 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm, and offer translucency at higher thicknesses. They also deliver high impact resistance across a wide temperature range (down to -40°C), excellent dimensional stability and good processability. Both grades meet the UL94 HB standard for horizontal burning.
The new LNP ELCRES CRX1314TW copolymer and its bio-based version can help customers avoid the trade-offs associated with incumbent transparent materials. Amorphous resins like PC provide excellent clarity and dimensional stability for tight part tolerancing, but typically have insufficient chemical resistance to harsh disinfectants. Semi-crystalline materials, while offering higher inherent chemical resistance exhibit significant shrinkage and part warpage that can negatively affect part tolerances. Due to high moisture absorption, they may be difficult to process and generate excessive scrap resulting from surface defects. Amorphous co-polyesters may be incompatible with harsh disinfectants and may exhibit processing tradeoffs that may lead to potential production inefficiencies.
Improved Sustainability
The new SABIC materials contribute to sustainability goals by helping customers design and manufacture devices with optimized service life. Improved chemical and impact resistance can help to reduce premature part damage and failures. Greater durability results in a more positive life cycle, as fewer devices need to be replaced and, consequently, fewer are disposed to landfills.
Through expanded thin-wall design freedom, the LNP CRX copolymers enable sustainability to be incorporated in devices up front. They can help designers reduce overall part dimensions, consolidate parts and materials, and enhance manufacturing efficiencies with thin-wall molding, which is becoming increasingly important in the design of smaller and lighter-weight applications such as portable and hand-held medical equipment.
Materials based on certified renewable feedstocks could be a great option to help device manufacturers meet their sustainability objectives. Because medical device applications are subject to strict regulatory requirements, any change in material selection triggers product requalification efforts that are costly for manufacturers. The new LNP ELCRIN CRX grade enhances circularity through the incorporation of renewable feedstock derived from non-fossil, bio-based content from waste materials that do not compete with the food chain. The incorporation of renewable feedstock does not compromise product quality and provides identical performance compared to virgin materials. LNP ELCRIN CRX grade can provide a potential drop-in solution to avoid requalification and meet regulatory requirements.
LNP ELCRIN CRX1314BTW resin can offer reductions in carbon footprint of up to 42 percent when compared to the fossil-based version in accordance with ISO 14040/14044 protocols. SABIC’s Specialties business has received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC+) designation at its production facilities in Cobourg, Canada, Benoi, Singapore and Pontirolo, Italy, enabling recognition of its new LNP ELCRIN CRX1314BTW grade, and other mass-balance, certified renewable grades.
Streamlined Manufacturing
To streamline the manufacturing process, LNP ELCRES CRX1314TW and LNP ELCRIN CRX1314BTW grades can offer several advantages, including laser welding capability. To meet the healthcare industry’s growing need for high-precision, vibration-free assembly technology, these new copolymer resins provide near-infrared (IR) transmission optical properties that are required for laser welding. They enable leakproof, low-stress welds without the need for adhesives.
SABIC’s first LNP ELCRES CRX materials that were launched in 2020 are opaque and custom colorable. The introduction of thin-wall transparent LNP CRX copolymers now gives customers a broader selection of high-performance materials for a wide range of applications across multiple industries.
In addition to providing benefits for healthcare devices and wearables, the new LNP CRX products can help protect against the effects of chemicals used in sunscreen, hand creams and insect repellent, which can potentially degrade consumer electronics and industrial applications.
SABIC’s new LNP ELCRES CRX1314TW and LNP ELCRIN CRX1314BTW copolymer resins are globally available.
SABIC’s new LNP ELCRES CRX1314TW copolymer and its bio-based equivalent, LNP ELCRIN CRX1314BTW copolymer resins offer a distinct combination of robust chemical and impact resistance, thin-wall transparency, dimensional stability and processability and are well-suited for clear covers, screens and display lenses.
Borouge Accelerates Sustainability and Circularity in India With Innovative Polyolefin Solutions
Borouge’s design solutions incorporate recycled polyolefins to drive towards a circular economy
Its sustainable and differentiated solutions for India’s Infrastructure sector aim to better serve local communities
2023 marks 25 years of Borouge’s continual commitment to value chain partners and customers
Borouge Plc (ADX symbol: BOROUGE / ISIN: AEE01072B225), a leading petrochemical company that provides innovative and differentiated polyolefin solutions, is advancing its sustainability and circularity ambitions in India with its value-creating products.
To further accelerate the transition to a circular economy, Borouge is showcasing groundbreaking innovations and solutions from its portfolio including Agriculture, Advanced Packaging, Circular Economy, Energy, Healthcare, Infrastructure and Mobility at PLASTINDIA 2023 from 1 to 5 February 2023 in New Delhi.
Rainer Hoefling, Chief Executive Officer, Borouge Pte Ltd said, “2023 marks a significant milestone for Borouge as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of service to our customers including our Indian subcontinent partners. India has always played a critical role in our business expansion and we are heartened by the collaboration and partnerships that we have formed in the market. We see a perfect synergy between Borouge’s growth ambitions in India and bringing our innovation and technological expertise to our partners in the market. We are committed to supporting the fast-growing industries in India by developing creative solutions that bring value to partners and customers.”
PLASTINDIA 2023 marks the 11 th edition of Asia’s largest polymers exhibition. Borouge has been a key participant of the tri-annual trade show while contributing to the local communities via agriculture, water and gas infrastructure projects of national significance including the recent completion of 900 greenhouses in Jaipur, Rajasthan and the Urja Ganga Gas Pipeline Project.
“Borouge’s participation in PLASTINDIA 2023 allows us to showcase our latest products and gives us the opportunity to reconnect with our customers in person to ensure that we are helping them respond to the dynamic market needs. The polyolefin market in India has expanded rapidly over the past two decades and we are proud that our differentiated solutions not only contributed to industry developments in India, they have had positive impact on society as well. This is why we are confident and well-positioned in supporting our Indian customers while advancing our efforts in innovation, circularity and sustainability for a better tomorrow,” added Eddie Wang, Senior Vice President, Asia South, Borouge Pte Ltd.
Highlights of Borouge’s products and solutions
With the company’s expansion of strategic partnerships with recycling companies recently, Borouge has also introduced design solutions that incorporate recycled polyolefins to drive the transformation towards a zero waste economy. Highlights include courier bag, collation shrink film, non-food bottle and cap application, all of which contain a combination of post-consumer recycled polyolefins and Borouge’s premium Anteo and Borstar polyethylene grades. Other circular economy solutions include full PE mono-material pouches and packaging developed in collaboration with value chain partners.
Anteo FK1826 is a bimodal terpolymer linear low-density polyethylene produced using the proprietary Borstar technology for high performance flexible packaging requirements. With its superior mechanical and sealing performance, Anteo promotes high throughput and cost-efficient processing in blown film production, offering further downgauging potential and cost competitiveness when used together with the Borstar family.
RH668MO is a polypropylene random copolymer, based on proprietary Borstar Nucleation Technology (BNT) that combines excellent clarity and aesthetics with superior productivity, designed for use in premium houseware and food containers. Its combination of high flow and BNT allows for cycle time reduction and energy savings, providing tangible cost and sustainability benefits.
Also featured is the Borstar FB1200, a bimodal polyethylene designed for agriculture films which come with a unique matt surface, excellent mechanical strength and toughness, and superior melt strength and higher bubble stability. It complements Borouge’s suite of agriculture solutions for greenhouses, mulch films, aqua pond liners, and drip irrigation, enhancing farming efficiencies with precision farming with benefits including crop yield improvement, water savings and resource conservation.
Borouge is also displaying its differentiated solutions for the Infrastructure sector, featuring its latest product portfolio that promotes durability and sustainability with the goal of better serving communities in India and globally.
One of Borouge’s key exhibits at PLASTINDIA 2023 is BorSafe HE3490-ELS-H, its latest PE100 solution for thick-walled and large diameter pipes in industrial applications. A recent addition to Borouge’s high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pressure pipe portfolio, it has superior low sag properties that enable a more uniformly distributed wall thickness compared to conventional PE100 materials, delivering tangible material savings for pipe producers.
Borouge has also recently introduced Borstar HE3477-RT, a new innovative polyethylene of raised temperature resistance (PE-RT) Type II bi-modal material, designed for heating and industrial pipes that can achieve more than 50 years of service life at elevated temperatures. Its superior processability allows for easier production of heating and industrial pipes with larger diameters than most PE-RT Type II currently available. It is also an excellent material that can address the growing demand for replacing conventional metallic materials in district heating and industrial applications.
Borouge is bringing its polymer solutions to life with live machine demonstrations at PLASTINDIA 2023, which will be open to all event participants. Borouge’s booth at
PLASTINDIA 2023 is located at 2H, GF-D1.
LANXESS Showcases Fungicides for Leather at IILF 2023
Business Unit Material Protection Products’ impressive debut at the IILF, 2023
Presents its Preventol fungicides portfolio for enhancing shelf life of leather intermediates
Specialty chemicals company LANXESS, is presenting its exclusive fungicides portfolio for the leather industry at the India International Leather Fair (IILF) in Chennai, India between February 1 – 3. The Material Protection Products (MPP) business unit is showcasing its Preventol preservative range in Hall 2, booth no: 2-11-F.
With Preventol LANXESS offers effective and economical long-term preservation of leather intermediates. It provides protection against mold & fungi in leather manufacturing process. While fighting mold, the membrane active biocides are not degraded but released unchanged, so they can repeat their defense work over and over again – a truly regenerative biocide ensuring long-term protection.
Unlike other systems, most Preventol products contain more than one active substance and function ensuring that both modes of action are combined in one product. This leads to a broader spectrum of efficacy and additional safety for the tannery.
A further benefit of these active substances, unlike electrophilic active substances which protect mainly the surface, is their ability to penetrate the cross-section of a hide. That gives an extra protection even after splitting the leather intermediates : otherwise, new surfaces emerging from splitting would immediately be at risk. Membrane active biocides reduce this risk and give tanneries more security.
Speaking at the event, Anand Muthureddy, Head – Business Unit Material Protection Products, LANXESS India, said, “LANXESS has continuously manufactured quality products to meet the demands of the fiercely competitive Indian market. Over the years, we have concentrated our efforts and consciously invested in providing sustainable solutions for the industry. We are extremely pleased to showcase our products at the IILF 2023 and will continue to keep our customer orientation a top priority.”
Mobil Launches 50% Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Pails in India
Mobil is driving an initiative to transition to 50% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic pails – helping customers reduce waste, convert waste to value and advance sustainability ambitions
Mobil is taking steps to incorporate recycled plastics in finished lubricant product packaging
The company’s move towards PCR drives the use of recycled plastic, and helps reduce plastic waste, while enabling sustainable progress
Mobil , a global leader in lubrication technology innovation, has launched an initiative to encourage sustainable packaging with its 50% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic pails. The PCR pails drive the use of recycled plastic, helping reduce plastic waste, and enabling sustainable progress. The company’s 50% PCR pails, first in pails packing for lubricating oils in India, aim to help customers reduce waste, convert waste to value and advance sustainability ambitions.
Vipin Rana, Chief Executive Officer, ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt. Ltd., said, “Mobil can help create value by advancing customers’ mobility, productivity, and sustainability ambitions. Our initiative to transition to 50% post-consumer recycled plastic pails is just one example of how we are advancing our customers’ sustainability ambitions. We understand the ever-changing needs of our customers and stakeholders and are committed to operating our business in an accountable and sustainable manner, supplying feature products by minimizing the environmental impacts, and supporting the communities in which we operate.”
ExxonMobil has emerged as a categorical leader in the diversion of waste in lubricant facilities. All Mobil products manufactured in the company’s global network of lubricant facilities carry the Underwriters Laboratories Zero Waste to Landfill, Silver Validation, first earned in 2018. This validation recognizes ExxonMobil’s commitment to reducing waste and advancing a circular economy. Additionally, ExxonMobil continues to be the first and only finished lubricants marketer to carry this credential, and each year diverts more than 90% (over 50,000 tons) of lubricant operations waste from landfills into new productive uses.
ExxonMobil is also leveraging scale and integration to increase the production of certified circular plastics and meet growing demand. In December 2022, the company announced the successful startup of one of the largest advanced recycling facilities in North America. The facility at the integrated manufacturing complex in Baytown, Texas, uses proprietary technology to break down hard-to-recycle plastics and transforms them into raw materials for new products. The recycling facility in Baytown is capable of processing more than 80 million pounds of plastic waste per year, supporting a circular economy for post-use plastics and helping divert plastic waste currently sent to landfills.
Mobil’s range of products and solutions help support businesses, communities, and individuals to make more efficient and sustainable choices. Mobil branded offers help customers extend oil and equipment life, improve energy efficiency and fuel economy, deliver performance, and achieve more with less by making the most of valuable resources.
The World’s Largest International Plastics Exhibition “PLASTINDIA 2023” Concludes Successfully
Witnesses high foot fall of 3.60 lakh Visitors over the five days
The 1800 exhibitors identify newer business avenues and expansion potentials
The 11th edition of International Plastics Exhibition PLASTINDIA 2023, now the world’s largest plastic exhibition, has been a grand success. The 5-day conference (Feb 1st to 5th ) witnessed a high footfall of 3.60 lakh visitors. One of the most comprehensive exhibitions for the plastics industry, around 1800 exhibitors showcased their latest world-standard Processing Machinery, Raw Materials, Recycling Technology, and latest Automation Technologies in PLASTINDIA 2023. The exhibitors successfully reached out to potential customers and identified newer avenues for growing their business. Several high-value transactions were made over the 5 days.
A high-powered CEO Conclave presided over by Hon’ble Minister of Chemical & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare; Shri Mansukh Bhai Mandaviya ji was organized at the venue of the exhibition. Over 90 industry leaders and CEOs attended the Conclave and deliberated on how the Indian Plastics Industry can reach its full potential. It was agreed that the industry and the policymakers will walk hand in hand so that the policies can be encouraging to the industry instead of being a deterrent. The policymakers would be ready for iterations if there were edits to be made along the way to provide an apt environment for the Indian Plastics Industry to become the global sourcing hub. Shri Arun Baroka, Joint Secretary, Dept. of Chemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Govt. of India, was also present.
During the Exhibition, RBSM meetings was also organized in association with PLEXCONCIL, attended by over 300 plus buyers from various countries to source their requirements from India. The RBSM successfully brought potential overseas buyers of plastic products/machinery & mold to India.
Speaking on the successful exhibition, Shri Jigish Doshi, President – Plastindia Foundation, said, “I am delighted to say that the largest edition of PLASTINDIA to date – Plastindia 2023 has been a grand success. Since this was a business-only exhibition with the entire range of offerings from industry, right from raw materials, to machinery, to finished goods showcased under one roof, both the exhibitors and the visitors found it very beneficial. The world is now looking at India and I am confident that with the right policy support, we will soon emerge as the global sourcing hub for plastics.”
Shri Ajay Shah – Chairman, National Executive Council, Plastindia 2023 said, “The outcome of PLASTINDIA 2023 has been very promising. The innovations and the technologies showcased will set the roadmap for the future. PLASTINDIA 2023 also brought together the industry’s brightest minds who used the opportunity to network, explore and learn more about the industry. It also introduced and familiarized various businesses with state governments and city councils.”
Launched in 1990, the Plastindia series of exhibitions under the aegis of the Plastindia Foundation is closely followed in the industry and retains a permanent date in the corporate calendars globally. It provides investors and industrialists with a compelling doorway to global markets of commerce and success. This exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Government of India.
Covestro Launches New Ultra-Durable Material Solution for Healthcare and Life Sciences
Makrolon 3638 polycarbonate is engineered to meet rigorous standards
Material offers a unique combination of properties that are maintained over a wide temperature range
It underscores the commitment of Covestro to developing innovative material solutions to meet industry challenges
Both healthcare and life sciences applications – ranging from drug delivery devices, wellness and wearable devices, to single-use containers for biopharmaceutical manufacturing – all have one thing in common. They must be tough and durable and able to withstand everyday use while maintaining their structural integrity.
To meet these challenges, Covestro, a leading producer of advanced polymers and high-performance plastics in the United States and around the world, developed Makrolon 3638 polycarbonate. This new material features multiple benefits, including:
Durability from cryogenic to steam sterilization conditions with high impact strength and ductility
Best-in-class chemical resistance to everyday chemicals
Limited medical grade with biocompatibility testing according to USP Class I, ISO 10993-5 and ISO 10993-10 and meets the requirements for skin contact applications
Food contact quality
Ability to be sterilized using methods most prevalent in the healthcare industry
Design freedom for applications that are tough and transparent, yet attractive
Consistent and efficient processing for both injection and blow molding methods
“Every day, the healthcare and life sciences industries are hard at work delivering new life-enhancing and life-saving devices and therapies. We recognized the opportunity to meet a need by offering a tailored material with the property profile desired for these rigorous applications,” said Emily Shaffer, Americas healthcare marketing manager, Engineering Plastics, Covestro LLC. Shaffer points out that by harnessing its global resources, Covestro is able to provide its medical-grade polycarbonates wherever they are needed all over the world. “This global availability, combined with our robust portfolio and technical expertise is why we’ve been a supplier of choice to the healthcare industry for more than 50 years,” she concluded.
It is Covestro’s aim to become fully circular. Shaffer notes this material can enable circular business models by supporting closed- and open-loop recycling. It can also contribute to a lower carbon footprint with the possibility for attributed bio-circular content.
Polycarbonates from Covestro are found in some of modern technology’s most essential medical devices and play a major role in the development of next-generation, life-saving technology. Used in applications where strength, transparency and toughness are necessary, polycarbonates from Covestro exemplify the innovation, safety and biocompatibility that healthcare and life sciences designers and manufacturers across the world have come to know and trust. To learn more about how your company can use Covestro’s material expertise to enhance your medical and healthcare manufacturing, visit our Solution Center.
Covestro Successfully Starts Up a new World-Scale Chlorine Plant in Tarragona
First world-scale plant based upon energy efficient ODC technology
New plant strengthens European MDI production network of Covestro
Investment of 200 million euros creates 50 new jobs in Tarragona
Covestro has successfully started up a new world-scale facility for the production of chlorine in Tarragona, Spain. It is the first world-scale production plant for chlorine based upon the highly innovative and energy efficient ODC (oxygen depolarized cathode) technology invented by Covestro and its partners. The new plant ensures an efficient, sustainable and independent supply of chlorine and caustic soda to MDI production in Tarragona. This will strengthen the European production network for MDI – a precursor for the manufacture of rigid polyurethane foam used to insulate refrigeration appliances and buildings. The 200 million euro investment has created 50 new jobs on site.
“The successful start-up of the new plant is good news, both economically and ecologically, for Covestro as well as for our site in Tarragona”, said CEO Dr. Markus Steilemann. “The plant demonstrates how new technologies enable us to advance our vision of the circular economy and further reduce resource consumption while increasing the robustness and efficiency of our production network.”
The new chlorine facility is the first industrial-scale plant in the world to use the innovative oxygen depolarized cathode technology (ODC). The technology has been developed by Covestro in collaboration with thyssenkrupp nucera. Compared to the currently predominant conventional chlor-alkali electrolysis, the new process requires a lower voltage, which results in energy savings of up to 25 percent. At the new plant in Tarragona, this can avoid up to 22,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year compared with existing processes – based on the energy mix at the start of construction planning in 2018. The new plant will thus make an important contribution to Covestro’s goal of being operationally climate-neutral by 2035.
The chlorine is used on site as a raw material for the production of MDI, a precursor for the manufacture of rigid polyurethane foams as used for producing energy-efficient insulation solutions for buildings and refrigerating devices. In 2019, the global MDI market had a volume of around 7,500 kilotons and is expected to further grow in the long term. In addition to chlorine, the plant will also produce caustic soda for the Iberian and European markets. Both chlorine and caustic soda are two indispensable basic chemicals for the chemical industry, and are also key raw materials for many other strategic sectors.
Covestro’s new chlorine plant in Tarragona will enable more sustainable and efficient production of MDI, a major raw material for polyurethane rigid foam.
Andrea Firenze, General Manager of Covestro in Spain, added: “The arrival of this plant allows us to significantly strengthen Covestro’s MDI production in Tarragona. Being able to have our own, independent supply of chlorine gives us the ability to further increase the efficiency and competitiveness of our MDI plant. Moreover, the new plant also strengthens Tarragona’s position as the benchmark for chemistry in southern Europe, promotes the economic and social development of the area and both directly as well as indirectly generates new jobs. I would therefore like to sincerely thank all my colleagues who have contributed to the success of this project with their work.”
Winner: Arburg has the best equipment for electric injection moulding machines
Survey: 9,000 companies choose winners
Award ceremony: Event with over 450 guests
The annual award ceremony of the Brazilian magazine “Plásticos em Revista” took place in São Paulo. The electric injection moulding machine from Arburg was awarded the “Prêmio Plásticos em Revista (PPR)” in the best equipment category. Leandro Goulart, Head of Marketing and Sales at Arburg’s Brazilian subsidiary, accepted the award at the event with over 450 invited guests.
The PPR was awarded in eight categories: Distributors, Components, Recycling, Professionals, Transformers, Contribution to the Sector, PCR Products and Equipment. When choosing the best equipment, a distinction was made between different processes and drives. The Arburg injection moulding machine was the winner in the electric drive category. A total of 39 prizes were awarded.
Established prize
The “Plásticos em Revista” magazine award was launched in 2003 to recognise the achievements of processors, compounders, raw material traders, machinery manufacturers and recyclers, as well as professionals in the petrochemical industry. Between September and October 2022, the registered 9,000 contacts from plastics companies in the “Plásticos em Revista” database were able to participate in an online survey. They could each cast one vote, which was evaluated by an independent company.
Covestro Decides to Discontinue Maezio Product Line
Covestro to focus Engineering Plastics business entity more strongly on core business in the future
Production of thermoplastic fiber composites under the Maezio brand to be discontinued
Markt Bibart site to be closed during the course of the year as a result of this change
As part of its ongoing, Group-wide portfolio optimization efforts, in the future Covestro will increasingly focus the Engineering Plastics business entity on its core business. As a result, the Maezio product line with highly specialized fiber-reinforced composites and the associated production at the Markt Bibart site are to be discontinued in the course of the current year. “With its Group-wide ‘Sustainable Future’ strategy, Covestro is consistently aligning itself with the needs of high-growth customer industries to generate sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive market,” says Lily Wang, Head of Covestro’s Engineering Plastics business entity. “Despite major investments in the development of the Maezio business and in production technology, as well as technological advances achieved as a result, we were ultimately able to leverage only a few synergies with our core business. Therefore, after a thorough review, we have decided that the Maezio product line will be discontinued. This decision was not easy for us,” Wang adds.
Covestro started working in the field of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites in 2015 with the acquisition of TCG Thermoplast Composite GmbH. Following the strategic decision to discontinue the Maezio product line after almost eight years, Covestro searched intensively for a buyer for the Markt Bibart site. As this attempt was ultimately not successful, Covestro decided to close the site later this year. Most recently, 48 of the approximately 7,600 employees in Germany were employed there. “We have initiated an extensive sales process, which, unfortunately, was not successful. Our focus on the ground is now on providing the best possible support to all colleagues. To this end, we will be working closely with the local employee representatives to find fair solutions for all those affected and to ensure that the closure process is socially responsible,” emphasizes Site Manager John Bauer.
A focus on core business
Thermoplastic fiber composites are a highly specialized and competitive niche business. Covestro has invested in building up the business since taking over the site in 2015 and has made very good technical progress in production. Nevertheless, the company has not succeed to scale the Maezio business with sufficient success in the market. There are only a few synergies with the core business of the Engineering Plastics business entity and the vast majority of key account business. In addition, the typical customers for thermoplastic composites only order on the basis of joint, complex and time-consuming technical application development, and then only in very small quantities. This is in marked contrast to the far predominant distribution model and key account business in the Covestro Group.
Covestro is thus sharpening its focus on its core Engineering Plastics business by discontinuing the Maezio products. Major customers in the automotive, electronics and healthcare divisions, among others, use these high-quality polycarbonates for further processing in a wide range of products.
