Americhem Inc. and a host of other compounders and concentrate makers will be at NPE 2015 with ways to improve and specialize resin performance.
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio-based Americhem (Booth S24027) will be there with new grades of nDuramax-brand UV stabilizers for polymeric film products. The materials are made for outdoor exposure and can be based on PET, polyethylene and ionomer resins. Potential end markets include vinyl siding, composite decking, synthetic turf and fabrics. The materials are customized for specific customers and can be combined with color and other additives to make customized, multifunctional masterbatch concentrates.
Other compounders and concentrate makers onsite include:
Adell Corp. (Booth S20026): Compounder in Baltimore will be spotlighting compounds based on nylon, polyolefins and polybutylene terephthalate.
Albis Plastics Corp. (Booth S16047): Compounder in Houston will be at NPE for the first time since 2002, showcasing Alcom-brand compounds in light diffusion, light blocking and light guide grades. The light diffusion line offers almost loss-free light diffusion and excellent luminous efficacy, officials said, while the light blocking grades are for high light intensity and reflectance. The light guide compounds are used for optimum light guidance combined with a high level of functionality, toughness and good resistance to heat distortion.
Birch Plastics Inc. (Booth S15096): Houston-based compounder and recycler will offer compounds, recycled resins and off-grade virgin resins. The firm also will be providing high density polyethylene with post-consumer recycled content for the first time. Birch recently moved into a new 65,000-square-foot site and installed a new grinder.
Kureha America (Booth S33026): New York-based firm can supply conductive polymers, microspheres and carbon fiber.
Multiquimica SA (Booth W209): Compounder based in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, will be offering improved rigid and flexible PVC compounds in North America for the first time. These materials can be used in siding, medical and other applications. Multiquimica recently expanded its facilities in the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. The firm also is a supplier of rotomolded plastic products and garden hose.
Malion New Materials Co. Ltd. (Booth S22132): Chinese materials firm based in Shantou can make white, black, color and additive masterbatch concentrates based on PE and PP. These materials are used in food packaging, medical packaging, personal care products, plastic tubing and household products.
RTP Co. (Booth S28080): Engineering resins compounder in Winona, Minn., will focus on new materials for medical devices and a line of low-emission, very long-fiber reinforced polypropylene for automotive interiors. RTP will offer new data for the healthcare industry based on an innovative friction test to predict friction behavior in single-use devices. The new VLF PP compounds can meet OEM mandates to reduce VOC levels in auto interiors. RTP officials said that OEMs have identified the need to reduce odor fogging and total VOCs to improve air quality and safety in auto interiors.
So.F.Ter USA (Booth S26035): Lebanon, Tenn.-based materials firm will offer compounds based on engineering resins and thermoplastic elastomers. The firm is a unit of Italian compounder So.F.Ter Group, which opened the plant — its first U.S. venture — in October.
The 100,000-square-foot plant employs 50 and has annual production of 50 million pounds on four twin-screw extrusion lines. The plant is making compounds primarily based on polypropylene, nylon and polyesters. New lines to make compounds based on TPEs are being installed this year. The firm already has plants in Mexico and Brazil, although it was selling very little into the U.S. So.F.Ter now can provide material for the European automakers it works with. Appliances are the firm's second-largest end market.