INJECTION MOULDING NEWS

German firm BASF’s new 30% glass fibre-reinforced PA6.10 has found a production application by French fastener supplier ARaymond while Rhodia Engineering Plastics has developed a higher heat resistant grade.

BASF first introduced the Ultramid S3WG6 Balance at the K2010 for quick connectors for fuel lines. The material is characterised by its hydrolysis and fuel resistance. The mechanical properties after storage for over 2,000 hours at elevated temperatures in biofuels such as E 24, B30, or B100, for instance, are at a level comparable to those of PA12 GF30. The material also passes the typical automotive tests for environmental stress cracking resistance in the presence of zinc chloride (SAE 2644, FMVSS 106). As a consequence, the material is able to replace PA12 in applications where this is required. Quick connectors of this kind are used by almost all major global automotive and truck manufacturers. In view of the high demand for P 12 substitutes, BASF is now enlarging its PA 6.10 portfolio together with customers.

Solvay-owned Rhodia Engineering Plastics’s heat-performance Technyl PA range is designed specifically for injection and blow moulded parts in turbo-charged engines. The PA 6, 6 grades allow engine parts to resist temperatures of up to 210°C, higher than previous grades that were resistant up to 200°C.

US firm Huntsman Corp. has acquired the remaining stake of Huntsman NMG, its Russian PU joint venture with NMG, the manufacturer of PU in Russia and other areas of the former Soviet Union.

Shanghai Sinopec Mitsui Elastomers, a 50:50 joint-venture between Chinese firm Sinopec and Japan-based Mitsui Chemicals, will build an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPT) production plant in Shanghai Chemical Industry Park

Swiss speciality chemicals group Clariant is acquiring the remaining 40% share of a joint venture between Alvigo and Chemie.

Belgian firm Solvay has started up its EUR21 million speciality polymers compounding plant at Changshu, targeting the electronics, automotive, consumer and industrial applications markets.

German automotive Tier 1 supplier Faurecia has opened a major R&D centre in Pune, India. Employing 800 automotive engineers, the facility will serve interior systems, automotive seating and automotive exteriors.

US international aerospace and industrial manufacturing and service provider Barnes Group will acquire privately held hot runner maker Synventive Molding Solutions for US$335 million.

US firms Bermis has tied up with Norwegian Thin Film Electronics to develop the Bemis Intelligent Packaging Platform for the commercial development of functional sensor labels manufactured from new and emerging printed electronic technology made from Thin Film’s propriety read/writable printed memory and programme logic

Not only did German robot maker Krauss-Maffei Automation celebrate its 30th anniversary since its foundation, it also marked it with its 1,000th robot delivery from the “robot wharf” of its branch in Schwerin.