Tuesday, 19-Aug-08

Sato unit buys AZ Electronic´s parts business
TOKYO (August 19, 2008) – Tokyo-based PBI Advanced Materials Co. Ltd. has expanded by purchasing the polybenzimidazole parts business of AZ Electronic Materials (Japan) KK. The business includes plants making parts, stock shapes, compounds and coatings. PBI Advanced Materials is part of Sato Group, a Japanese maker of parts for office automation, automotive and household appliances.

ITW’s decorative surfaces business going up for sale
GLENVIEW, ILLINOIS (August 19, 2008) -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) plans to sell its decorative surfaces business, which includes the Wilsonart, Polyrey and Resopal brands, with international operations in China, Thailand, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. And, with several inquiries from companies about buying Wilsonart International Inc., ITW officials think now might be the time to sell.

Taiwanese alliance develops all-electric press tech
TAIPEI, TAIWAN (August 19, 2008) -- A Taiwanese research alliance has developed technology that it claims puts it on par with high-end all-electric presses at a 30 percent cost savings, compared to similar Japanese machines. Now the Taiwan Association of the Machinery Industry says it just needs time for its image to grow to become competitive in the Taiwanese and mainland Chinese market, and then it will expand to Southeast Asia and South America. The technology will debut next month at Taipei Plas. Members of the partnership are press makers Fu Chun Shin Machinery Co. Ltd., Multiplas Enginery Co. Ltd. and Victor Taichung Machinery Co. Works Ltd.; servomotor supplier Teco Electro Devices Co. Ltd.; and stretch blow molding machine maker Chum Power Machinery Corp.

Business as usual: Auto execs still see promise in Russia
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN (August 19, 2008) -- The auto industry sees Russia as one of its bright areas for future growth, but the bulk of the news out of Russia this week isn’t about cars. Instead, it is with the regular reports on the growing battle between Russia and Georgia. While executives are quick to note that they are staying out of the political realm of discussions, one executive noted that business realities will keep the auto industry building in the region.

N. American Rotomolders adjust to changing landscape

Mooney

ADVANCE, NORTH CAROLINA (August 19, 2008) -- North American rotational molders were generally optimistic going into this year, despite signs of higher resin prices and more competition from industrial blow molding, according to an updated study by Plastics Custom Research Services (PCRS). Peter Mooney, president of PCRS, thinks growth for 2008-2010 will continue at 2 to 3 percent, and the study points to several reasons for the slowdown from previous years. For example, rotomolded toys have declined, squeezed by domestic retailers, changing tastes in toys and competition from China.

Plastic pipe maker JM Eagle runs ad during Olympics

JM Eagle ad image “all people everywhere”

LOS ANGELES (August 19, 2008) -- Los Angeles-based JM Eagle has debuted a new television commercial during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. The ad focuses on a “power of water” theme, highlighting the role of water in people’s lives and the importance of transporting it safely and efficiently. According to Advertising Age, a sister publication of Plastics News, through five days, NBC Universal said it has attracted 168 million total viewer for the Olympics, nearly 15 million more than the first five days for Athens, which reached 153 million viewers.

Advanced Drainage Systems garners pipe certification
HILLIARD, OHIO (August 19, 2008) -- Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. has received 100-year service life approval for its corrugated high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe by the Florida Department of Transportation, which will open up the state’s high-traffic arteries for the first time to the U.S.-based pipe maker.

Automakers discuss tooling at industry event
TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN (August 19, 2008) -- Automakers are aware how much the tooling industry is hurting. But that does not mean that tooling companies can expect any sympathy business. Executives noted that the industry needs to improve its flexibility in creating future products, including adjusting engineering specifics that allow toolmakers to adapt and improve their molds and speed development.

After delays, plastics futures are on their way in Dubai
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (August 19, 2008) -- After announcing four planned plastics futures contracts more than a year ago, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) are now anticipating a launch date before the end of this year.

Design Guide: Filament winding is reel deal

Lefteri

Designer and materials specialist Chris Lefteri’s latest Design Guide installment looks at a less common method of production, filament winding. Lefteri says that filament winding has recently been reinvented by designers to produce a whole range of products and furniture. The process can easily be described by imagining a cotton reel where the cotton has been impregnated with resin that is then able to be pulled off its reel to form a rigid plastic part.

Olympics slow plastics demand in northern China
SHANGHAI (August 19, 2008) -- Away from the action of the Olympic green, the rest of northern China is quiet. Manufacturing shutdowns, slow transportation and limited energy supplies have rendered factories silent and left highways pleasingly roomy. For the plastics industry in this part of the country, the Olympics have helped to slow demand, at least temporarily.

Tuesday, 12-Aug-08

Recycler MBA may expand in U.K. or China

Biddle

RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA (August 12, 2008) -- The United Kingdom and China were mentioned as possible locations for a plant that will recover plastic resin from end-of-life durable goods. MBA Polymers Inc. and European Metal Recycling Ltd. (EMR) are looking for a site for their joint venture and could reach a decision by the end of August or September.

Husky to emphasize packaging over automotive
BOLTON, ONTARIO (August 12, 2008) -- Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. will reduce its presence in the large-molding-machine market for the automotive sector in favor of building up its core business of presses for PET preforms and the packaging sector. The decision to de-emphasize large-machine manufacturing reflects differing growth rates in the respective markets.

Ex-GE official creates PC sheet, film business
CINCINNATI, OHIO (August 12, 2008) -- Former GE Plastics executive Richard Filiault launched Optiglass PC LLC, a polycarbonate (PC) sheet and film business, after buying a nearly 20-year-old sheet-coating business. Optiglass now operates a pair of coating lines, coating sheet that it buys from an undisclosed U.S. supplier. Optiglass imports PC film, polypropylene film and some specialty PC sheet from Mianyang Longhua Film Co. Ltd. of Mianyang, Sichuan province. Products imported from Longhua include graphic, nonhalogenated and flame-retardant PC films.

Thailand aims to be a bioplastics leader in S.E. Asia

Temprom

BANGKOK, THAILAND (August 12, 2008) -- Thailand’s cabinet approved funding for a bioplastics “road map” last month that aims to develop local production of polylactic acid (PLA) resin made from cassava and other materials. The Thai government plans to take advantage of its position as Southeast Asia’s largest plastic product exporter and its sizable agricultural industry to turn the country into a regional leader in bioplastics. The decision was welcomed by local industry, which said the funding culminates long discussions with the government. “We think this is a good opportunity,” said Benjaporn Temprom with Thai processor N.R. Rama Co. Ltd.

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