UniteChem expands its portfolio of high-performance light stabilizers

Dusseldorf, Germany, November 3, 2021 – UniteChem Group, the world’s leading supplier of light stabilizers for plastics in a broad range of high-end industrial applications, has recently started full-scale production of advanced high-performance light stabilizers UniteChem LS2020 and LS119 in its newly commissioned production facilities.

“UniteChem Group began producing industry-standard light stabilizers such as UniteChem LS944 in 1997 and has been continuously expanding its polymer additives portfolio ever since”, says Junyi Lin, CEO of UniteChem Group. “Today, we are proud to be among the world’s largest- capacity suppliers of light stabilizers and other plastic additives, offering over 40’000 tons of finished products. Our full backward integration with a production capacity of over 80’000 tons of intermediates provides extensive production flexibility, high reliability, and maximum quality control. Current production, located in two state-of-the-art production facilities in Jiangsu province, is now in process of being complimented with two new major production facilities in Jiangsu and Sichuan provinces, with completion in 2022/23.”

UniteChem LS2020 is a modern HALS (hindered amine light stabilizer) offering excellent anti- aging properties in applications such as cross-linked polyethylene, olefin copolymers and other polymer materials. UniteChem LS119 is especially suited for use in polyethylene greenhouse film applications, polypropylene fibers, TPO automotive parts as well as other polymers such as EVA, EPDM, PA, PET and PMMA. With these product additions, UniteChem Group further enhances its commitment to offer customers the most up-to-date and value-added product
portfolio.

Junyi Lin added: “The production of UniteChem LS2020 and LS119 is currently being methodically ramped up, with target capacities of 1’000 tons and 2’000 tons annually to meet global demand.”

As part of its commitment to invest in future solutions for its customers, UniteChem Group regularly allocates five percent of its total revenue to R&D, operating five independent laboratories – including its recently opened modern Shanghai R&D Center. Current efforts focus on expanding the group’s portfolio with high-demand UV Absorbers, NOR-HALS light stabilizers as well as other key polymer additives.

UniteChem Group, the world’s leading supplier of light stabilizers for plastics in a broad range of high-end industrial applications, has recently started full-scale production of advanced high- performance light stabilizers UniteChem LS2020 and LS119 in its newly commissioned production facilities. (Photos: UniteChem)

About UniteChem
UniteChem Group, with global headquarters in Suqian City, Jiangsu (China), is the world’s #1 supplier of high-performance light stabilizers for plastics in a wide range of demanding industrial applications. As one of China’s largest specialty chemicals companies, the Group has diversified activities in R&D, application development, production, sales, trading and machine manufacturing. It specializes in the production of light stabilizers, UV absorbers and other related products.

With a workforce of about 1,650 employees worldwide, UniteChem generates a turnover of approximately EUR 300 million and supports its growing customer base through several production plants in China and a strong network of sales, service and warehousing facilities throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. Its operations are fully certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and OSHAS 18001. In 2020, the Group also succeeded in passing a strict Together for Sustainability (TfS) audit, a de facto global standard for environmental,
social and governance performance of chemical supply chains based on the UN’s Global Compact and Responsible Care® principles.

Learn more at www.unitechem.eu.

THE NEW PIONEERING INTELLIGENT BRAKING SYSTEM FROM BREMBO

The new benchmark of efficient

Mercedes-Benz is setting new standards for electric range and efficiency with the VISION EQXX. The prototype demonstrates just how efficient, sustainable and luxurious electromobility can be. This champion of efficiency has a range of more than 1,000 kilometers on a single battery charge, which equates to consumption of less than 10 kWh of energy per 100 kilometers.

This is due in part to the exterior design and aerodynamics, which achieve a benchmark drag coefficient of 0.17. The irresistible bodywork takes the revolution further: the VISION EQXX demonstrates precisely what will make an electric vehicle a Mercedes-Benz in the future, with lightweight design, battery innovations and new materials.

The fine art of aerodynamics has a long and illustrious tradition at Mercedes-Benz. Automotive enthusiasts will recall the C 111 from the 1970s. Today, it is the luxury class pioneer, the EQS, that holds the world record for the most aerodynamic production vehicle.

The VISION EQXX is now establishing the next milestone – with a drag coefficient of just 0.17. This record value is of particular importance for electric driving and, above all, for the range. This is because two-thirds of the electric energy is needed just to counter the air resistance.

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Indorama Ventures opens new IOD business and R&D center in Mumbai to serve customers in India and Asia-Pacific

Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a global sustainable chemical company, opened its new 10,000-square-foot office and technology center at Marwah Centre in the prime area of Mumbai, India. The new facility is part of the company’s high-growth Integrated Oxides & Derivatives (IOD) business segment, serving global customers in India and the Asia-Pacific.

Alastair Port, Chief Operating Officer of IOD business at Indorama Ventures, said, “IVL is committed to growing our IOD business sustainably in India and Asia-Pacific and this new business and technology center in Mumbai is a key driver.

Having support functions as well as an R&D center under one roof in the heart of Mumbai is convenient for customers to collaborate with us to create better solutions.”

The new R&D center is the company’s hub for the Indian Subcontinent and South East Asia to develop products supporting downstream markets, such as home, personal and industrial care and cleaning, agrochemicals, energy, lubricants, mining, and coatings.  The center will also work closely with IVL’s global R&D team to exchange information and accelerate product development cycles.

Samir Rawal, Regional Business Director of IOD – ISC, China, ASEAN, said, “The new state of the art Innovation Center and office facility reflects our commitment to a fast-growing Indian Subcontinent and wider APAC market . This will provide a strong platform for our rapid growth in years to come.”

The new facility provides a higher quality environment for employees with convenient transport options and modern facilities. The business’s commercial and technical functions, including supply chain, finance, sales, and R&D are integrated at the new facility. The integration enables closer collaboration across functions and faster improvements to address changing customer needs.

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Keep food fresh with this bacteria-killing packaging

A team of scientists from NTU Singapore and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US, has developed a ‘smart’ food packaging material that is biodegradable, sustainable and kills microbes that are harmful to humans. It could also extend the shelf-life of fresh fruit by two to three days.

The natural food packaging is made from a type of corn protein called zein, starch and other naturally derived biopolymers, infused with a cocktail of natural antimicrobial compounds (see video). These include oil from thyme, a common herb used in cooking, and citric acid, which is commonly found in citrus fruits.

In lab experiments, when exposed to an increase in humidity or enzymes from harmful bacteria, the fibres in the packaging have been shown to release the natural antimicrobial compounds, killing common dangerous bacteria that contaminate food, such as E. coli and Listeria, as well as fungi.

The packaging is designed to release the necessary miniscule amounts of antimicrobial compounds only in response to the presence of additional humidity or bacteria. This ensures that the packaging can endure several exposures, and last for months.

As the compounds combat any bacteria that grow on the surface of the packaging as well as on the food product itself, it has the potential to be used for a large variety of products, including ready-to-eat foods, raw meat, fruits, and vegetables.

In an experiment, strawberries that were wrapped in the packaging stayed fresh for seven days before developing mould, compared to counterparts that were kept in mainstream fruit plastic boxes, which only stayed fresh for four days.

The invention is the result of the collaboration by scientists from the NTU-Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Initiative for Sustainable Nanotechnology (NTU-Harvard SusNano), which brings together NTU and Harvard Chan School researchers to work on cutting edge applications in agriculture and food, with an emphasis on developing non-toxic and environmentally safe nanomaterials.

The development of this advanced food packaging material is part of the University’s efforts to promote sustainable food tech solutions, that is aligned with the NTU 2025 strategic plan, which aims to develop sustainable solutions to address some of humanity’s pressing grand challenges.

https://www.ntu.edu.sg/

WL Plastics Completes Acquisition of Charter Plastics’ Titusville, Pennsylvania Site

WL Plastics Corporation has announced it has completed the acquisition of the polyethylene pipe
extrusion assets of Charter Plastics, Inc. located in Titusville, Pennsylvania. This strategic acquisition provides the opportunity for WL Plastics to further diversify its product offerings, expand its customer base, and enter new regional markets.

The Titusville site and associated assets have the capability of producing a broad range of
polyethylene pipe for numerous end-uses including potable water, reclaimed water, sewer,
geothermal, gas, irrigation, and industrial applications.

“We are delighted to bring such an established and well-positioned asset kit into the broader manufacturing base of WL Plastics,” said Mark Wason, CEO of WL Plastics. “We are excited to be a part of the Titusville community.”

WL Plastics is a wholly owned subsidiary of INEOS USA LLC d/b/a INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA,
which is part of the INEOS Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of petrochemicals,
specialty chemicals, and oil products.

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Guill Introduces Reciprocating Head

The automated extrusion process drastically changes the extruded

Guill Tool, a global manufacturer of extrusion tooling, has released its new reciprocating head. The traditional tip and die assembly is replaced with a linear reciprocating assembly that changes the tube’s profile within a given length.This process is repeated throughout a single extrusion run without interruptions. Cutting capability, in association with the extrusion speed, cuts the finished product to length.

While cost and value stream activities are reduced, quality is improved. Only one extrusion run is needed to produce a finished product, as opposed to multiple extrusion runs with tooling changes along with a manual assembly operation to connect different tubing shapes. Guill’s new reciprocating head eliminates an assembly operation. It also eliminates in-process inventory. Thus, there is no need for storage of various tubing shapes and connectors needed for assembly, fulfillment of orders and replenishment of finished goods.

Furthermore, the reciprocating head eliminates a connecting piece, allows JIT production and products made-to-order. Lastly, it reduces total run time from receiving the order to shipping.

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