A new spiderless foam sheet die from US extrusion machine maker Davis-Standard improves processing of PS and PE materials for commodity and high-end foam sheet markets. The new die supports an extensive range of sheet thickness, widths and densities. It is also engineered to reduce downtime and maintenance while offering precision capabilities to improve quality and efficiency, says the firm.

The spiderless die eliminates spider weld lines and provides a uniform basis weight and thickness over the entire sheet width. This results in a better yield and eliminates the need for edge trim. Other advantages include streamlined flow channels, up to three zones of temperature control, nickel plating on all wetted surfaces, and aluminum constructed internal and external air rings.

Die designs are capable of thicknesses from 1-12 mm thick and for widths from 600-3,048 mm.

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.