UniteChem to Present Itself at K 2022 as the World’s Largest Dedicated Provider of Light Stabilizers With Expanding Global Footprint and Production Capacity

• Continuing growth journey based on capacity expansion, back integration, committed sustainability initiatives and local customer support
• New local operations to be established in the United States, and expansion of warehousing network into southern Europe
• IPO listing at Shanghai’s main stock market by end of the year
• Exhibit of multiple new products at Booth E33 in Hall 8a during K 2022

UniteChem Group, the world’s leading supplier of light stabilizers for plastics in a broad range of high-end industrial applications, will give a strong debut at K 2022, presenting itself as the industry’s pre-eminent manufacturer of a complete portfolio of high-quality additives with a dedicated local footprint in all major markets of the plastics industry. The company’s ambitioned expansions in production capacity, new products, R&D and customer support logistics will be featured during K 2022 from October 19 to 26 at Booth E33 in Hall 8a on the grounds of Messe Düsseldorf, Germany.

“Our investments extend across all levels to make sure that we will be uniquely positioned to serve our customers’ current and future needs with maximum reliability and security of supply,” says Junyi Lin, CEO of UniteChem Group. “We are the world’s only producer of light stabilizers with a completely back-integrated value chain, which helps us weather raw material supply fluctuations and keep offering our products at competitive prices to support our customers’ businesses. Firmly rooted in our DNA, our core values of Trust, Partnership and Excellence are laying the foundation for further global and sustainable growth by meeting local market needs.”

Expanding support network & IPO
UniteChem will continue expanding its local presence worldwide, with new operations to be established in the U.S. market through a new sales office in New Jersey and warehousing capabilities in Savannah, Georgia becoming operational by end of 2022. A second European warehouse in southern Europe (Italy) is planned and will complement the existing logistics hub at Antwerp, Belgium. The security of supply is backed by shipments from several different key ports in China, including Guangzhou, where UniteChem operates a major warehouse, as well as Shanghai, Qingdao, Tianjin and Lianyunyang.

As global demand is growing fast, so is the Group’s team. In Europe, sales professionals with a strong industry focus and various local language capabilities have been hired to bring UniteChem’s technical support even closer to customers and enable faster response to their specific needs. In addition, a modern new R&D Center was recently opened at Shanghai, raising the number of independently operating laboratories to five. UniteChem regularly allocates five percent of its total revenue to R&D.

In order to secure the funding of all these and future investments, the Group has filed for initial public offering (IPO) at the Shanghai Main Stock Exchange and expects to become officially listed by end of 2022.

Multiple new performance additives showcased at K 2022
UniteChem Group is taking the opportunity of K 2022 to showcase various new performance additives, spearheaded by its recently commercialized HALS LS-2020 for fibers and webs of polyolefin and other polymer materials and HALS LS-119 mainly for agricultural, greenhouse and engineering polymer applications in automotive etc.

Novelties in the portfolio include LS-4050, a low-molecular weight HALS to be officially launched in 2023 for thick-wall items, as well as several halogen-free bisphenol A bis-diphenyl phosphate (BDP) and piperazine pyrophosphate (PAPP) flame retardants for demanding applications such as multi-fiber push on (MPO) connectors, and two high-heat polyamide (PA) stabilizers for automotive parts and fibers.

Moreover, UniteChem will also share a first glimpse on new chemistries in the pipeline, such as N-OR HALS products to meet the demands of the important European agricultural films industry, and various nucleating agents for polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), engineering polyester (PBT) and polylactic acid (PLA) formulations.

Major investments in sustainable global production
Putting safety and environmental protection first, UniteChem is continuously monitoring, optimizing and upgrading the sustainability of its production infrastructure, implementing dedicated recycling, reuse and reduction initiatives in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

This includes extensive DCS automatic control and SIS safety instrumentation systems, wastewater treatment plants capable of managing up to 1,800 m³ of COD, salt, ammonia and nitrogen loads per day, and state-of-the art hazardous waste management with a capability of 8,800 tons of solid chemical waste treatment per year and 280,000 m³ of waste gas treatment per hour using regenerative thermal oxidization (RTO) technology.

Besides regular third-party audits, a new ESG team has been set up to incorporate and oversee the Group’s sustainability, circular economy and environmental protection initiatives across all operations. Highlights among these are the adoption of a novel, environmentally-friendly and more sustainable technology for synthesizing benzotriazole UV absorbers in a proprietary catalytic hydrogenation reduction process at UniteChem’s expanding Suqian (Jiangsu) site.

Thanks to its solid backward integration, which provides extensive production flexibility, high reliability and maximum quality control, UniteChem has capacities of 80,000 tons for intermediates and 40,000 tons for finished products, all scheduled to be significantly expanded in scale as well in portfolio by 2024.

With the construction of two new plants at Shengjin and Shengrui in Jiangsu province and another at Nanchong in Sichuan province proceeding as planned, the capacity for HALS (hindered amine light stabilizers) and UV absorbers will be increased by 16,000 and 15,000 tons, respectively – plus 20,000 tons for other key performance additives, including flame retardants, anti-oxidants and nucleating agents.

New UniteChem Shengrui (Jiangsu) facility in China.

Visit UniteChem during K 2022 in Hall 8a at Booth E33 to meet the Group’s team, learn more about their expanded service and product offering and discuss how your business can benefit from their growing global and local footprint.

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K 2022 – Trade Fair Results Fulfil Highest Expectations

Innovation driver for the global plastics and rubber industry.

Multitude of concrete solutions, machines and products for the transformation towards a circular economy.

The joy of the plastics and rubber industry at finally being able to exchange ideas in person on a global level again after three years characterised K 2022 Düsseldorf and ensured an excellent mood among the 3,037 exhibitors. The companies reported extraordinarily good leads and a marked willingness to invest among trade visitors, mentioning promising new customer relations and the conclusion of numerous, in part, spontaneous business deals.

“K in Düsseldorf has once again fulfilled highest expectations. It continues to be the most international, complete and innovative trade fair of the global plastics and rubber industry,” says Erhard Wienkamp, Managing Director at Messe Düsseldorf, delighting at the good results and adding: “The trade fair has impressively demonstrated just how valuable face-to-face networking, chance meetings and physical brand and product experiences are. We are very satisfied to see that K 2022 succeeded in sending out strong signals as an innovation driver of the industry and that our exhibitors did business with a high number of international customers with great decision-making powers.”

176,000 trade visitors from all continents travelled to their most relevant sectoral event in Düsseldorf. At over 70% the proportion of international guests at K 2022 remained at a constantly high level.

The verdict from Ulrich Reifenhäuser, Chairman of the Exhibitor Advisory Board at K 2022, is also very positive: “After hardly any trade fairs could take place worldwide also on a national level over the past three years, K 2022 was all the more eagerly anticipated as the world’s No. 1 trade fair of the plastics and rubber industry and succeeded in providing fresh impetus in all sectors of our industry. The many, in part, unexpected concrete contract negotiations held at the trade fair speak for themselves!”

The current unpredictability and uncertainty of events does make for a tight situation in the sector overall, but this did not do any harm to exhibitor commitment and visitor interest, quite on the opposite: “Especially now in turbulent times and where the plastics industry is undergoing transformation towards the circular economy K 2022 was the ideal place to jointly and actively chart the course for the future,” sums up Ulrich Reifenhäuser.

It was especially the wealth of new technology developments that raw materials producers, machine manufacturers and plastics processors presented for implementing the circular economy, resource conservation and climate protection that thrilled the trade visitors. Commenting on this Ulrich Reifenhäuser says: “It can be clearly felt that all companies have embraced the need to take on social responsibility and think about plastics in a sustainable way from the beginning of the process chain. The variety of solutions, machinery and products for transformation towards a circular economy presented at K 2022 was incredible.”

The trade visitors at this year’s K travelled from 157 nations to the Rhine. Next to Germany, those European countries strongly represented on the visitors’ part included the Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, France, Belgium, Poland and Spain. With 42% of visitors coming from overseas, the reach of K is as high as usual among the international trade audience. While visitors from the East Asian region, in particular, were less well represented than at K three years ago due to the currently more difficult conditions in those countries on account of quarantine regulations, numerous visitors from the USA, Brazil and India were welcomed at K 2022.

For around two thirds of all visitors polled machinery and plant construction ranked first in terms of interest. 57% and, hence 5% more than at K 2019, said they were interested in raw and auxiliary materials, with recyclates and bioplastics being particularly popular. For 28% semi-finished products and technical parts made of plastics and rubber were the main reason for coming (multiple responses possible). Over 70% of all visitors come from top and middle management.

Top marks were given by visitors to K 2022 for the completeness of its ranges and its mapping of the entire supply chain. 98% of all professionals stated they had fully achieved the goals associated with their visit.

During the eight trade fair days it became clear that this year’s K was right on target with its selection of hot topics, circular economy, climate protection and digitalisation. In terms of investment intentions, machinery and equipment for processing and recycling stood out at 43%. The focus was particularly on sustainability, but also on circular economy and energy/resource efficiency in production. Around 40% of decision-makers said they were looking into the topic of decarbonisation.

The K specials, which also focused on the three hot topics, were also very well received. The official special show, ‘Plastics Shape the Future’, focused on the economic, social and ecological challenges and potential solutions around the K guiding topics in high-calibre discussions and lectures, and this show was well attended throughout. The Circular Economy Forum, where the VDMA and 13 of its member companies impressively demonstrated the importance of technology in the implementation of the circular economy in the plastics industry, scored points with the international audience with live demonstrations and a great deal of well-founded knowledge as well as detailed information on the topic.

At this year’s K in Düsseldorf, there was also a lot of discussion about the global production language, OPC UA. This standard allows the processing parameters of the machinery and equipment involved to be coordinated more precisely and in a more targeted manner. This, in turn, is considered an important prerequisite for optimised circular management. 40 companies from eight countries participated in an OPC UA demonstration project at the trade fair.

At the Science Campus both exhibitors and visitors at K 2022 were provided with a condensed overview of scientific activities and findings in the plastics and rubber sector. Numerous universities, institutes and funding bodies offered opportunities for direct dialogue here.

The offer of the Plastics Training Initiative (KAI) was used by many pupils, trainees and students to gather information on the job profiles and career opportunities in the plastics industry.

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Hiking Gear Makes Strides With TPEs

The Thermolast K FC/LF series of compounds from Kraiburg TPE, a global thermoplastic elastomer manufacturer with a diverse range of products and custom solutions for a wide range of industries, is gaining traction in hiking equipment applications.

The healthy lifestyle trend is sweeping the globe, with more people engaging in outdoor activities, such as hiking, that can strengthen the immune system and reduce disease risks.

Hiking, without a doubt, improves overall health and reduces stress. To endure the long, strenuous walks on rocky terrains, hikers must use proper gear, clothing, and accessories that protect them from injuries, bad weather, encounters with wild animals, and other unforeseen hazards.

As with any outdoor adventure activity, packing the right gear and making sure it’s made of advanced materials such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) are essential for a successful hike.

Kraiburg TPE, a global thermoplastic elastomer manufacturer with a diverse range of products and custom solutions for a wide range of industries, offers multifunctional, custom-engineered TPE compounds for use in hiking goods and other outdoor activity products to achieve flexibility, scratch and abrasion resistance, and resistance to UV, temperature, and chemicals.

FC/LF series for trekking poles and wearables

It is a good idea to bring trekking poles when hiking for safety. When navigating unpredictable trails, this hiking gear aids in providing stability while out walking. Kraiburg TPE offers the Thermolast K FC/LF series for use in trekking pole handles, to assist in maintaining a steady hiking pace over longer distances. The TPE compounds provide an ergonomic design for ease of use and a perfect fit for a secure grip. This series of compounds is resistant to abrasion and scratches and accords a soft and velvety surface. It also has consistent colorability, allowing for more eye-catching equipment design.

Furthermore, the TPE series of compounds provide good adhesion to PP, thereby benefiting wearable accessories, such as sunglasses. It is used for seals and end elements on eyewear to make them more comfortable and safer for long-hour wear while still being robust enough for outdoor use.

AD1 series for shoe dial and headlamp sealing

Kraiburg TPE’s Thermolast K AD1 series of compounds is a durable and stable material solution for shoe dial and headlamp sealing applications. The series provides a soft and velvety feel and non-sticky haptics.

Sustainability successes of our TPE In addition to the material for outdoor activity equipment and gears, other recent sustainability innovations from Kraiburg TPE include a material solution specifically developed for automotive, consumer and industry applications that contains post-consumer recycled (PCR) and post-industrial recycled (PIR) content. This demonstrates how strongly Kraiburg TPE adheres to its sustainability principle. Are you looking for a sustainable TPE solution? Talk to us! Our experts are happy to answer any questions you have, as well as to offer the right solution for your application.

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