RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — March 1, 2019 — As part of its strategy to foster the additional growth of its Specialties business, and to provide outstanding service to its customers, SABIC has named Amco Polymers LLC as a third distribution partner in North America, providing SABIC customers with specialty engineering thermoplastics and related services in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Amco Polymers joins Nexeo Solutions Inc. and Chase Plastic Services Inc. as authorized distributors of SABIC’s complete portfolio of specialty materials, including NORYL™ resins (polyphenylene ether-based materials), ULTEM™ resins (polyetherimide materials), LNP™ compounds and the full range of polycarbonate-based high-performance copolymers.

“We are delighted to welcome Amco Polymers to the team, as we seek to further expand our ability to deliver high-performance solutions, along with outstanding service, to our Specialties customers in North America,” said Cathie Hess, director, customer fulfillment, SABIC. “Amco Polymers’ extensive knowledge of specialty plastics, together with their application development expertise, and a culture focused on delivering ‘peace of mind’ to their customers make Amco Polymers an excellent fit with SABIC and, most importantly, our customers.”

In addition, Hess noted that Amco Polymers’ strong solution development mindset, coupled with technical expertise, particularly in industries of focus for SABIC’s Specialties business, were critical factors in the decision to add Amco Polymers as a distribution partner.

Amco Polymers has represented SABIC’s Petrochemicals business since 2014, and will continue to provide SABIC’s portfolio of filled polypropylene materials, in addition to now distributing SABIC’s portfolio of specialty materials.

“We are excited to establish a partnership with SABIC’s Specialties business and promote products that are the hallmark of our industry,” said Kevin Wettstein, vice president and general manager of Amco Polymers. “Customers need suppliers who help them innovate and compete. They need flexibility and reliability to help them navigate ever-changing demands. Amco Polymers is committed to providing solutions that help to accelerate our customers’ growth and adding SABIC’s specialties materials to our portfolio further strengthens our ability to do just that.”

Amco Polymers is headquartered in Orlando, Fla., and has a network of more than 200 distribution centers and warehouses in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Their representatives will begin serving SABIC customers during Q1 2019, with a primary focus on initial introductions and orientation to programs in progress with select SABIC customers. Amco Polymers representatives will also have access to the full range of SABIC’s global application design and testing resources to support their relationships with SABIC customers.

Posted March 8, 2019

Source: SABIC

IRVING, Texas — March 4, 2019 — ExxonMobil said today that it will fund the construction of a new polypropylene production unit in Baton Rouge that will expand production capacity along the Gulf Coast by up to 450,000 tons per year.

• Gulf Coast polypropylene capacity to increase by 450,000 tons per year;
• Expansion positions Baton Rouge chemical facility for further growth; and
• Construction begins in 2019; production startup in 2021.

Construction will begin in 2019 and startup is anticipated by 2021. The project is expected to create up to 600 jobs during construction and 65 permanent jobs once completed.

“Growth in feedstock supply along with the increase in global demand for chemical products continues to drive our strategic investments and expansion along the Gulf Coast,” said John Verity, president, ExxonMobil Chemical Company. “We’re well positioned to meet the demand for these high-performance products and investing further in Baton Rouge enhances our facility’s competitiveness.”

Polypropylene is a versatile material that can help improve the safety and performance of everyday consumer products and help improve vehicle fuel efficiency when used to manufacture lighter-weight auto parts.

The engineering, procurement and construction contract has been awarded to Baton Rouge-based Turner Industries and Jacobs Engineering. The companies will use local workers to design and construct the new facility.

This new project is in addition to ExxonMobil’s previously announced plans to invest $20 billion to build and expand manufacturing facilities in the U.S. Gulf region as part of its Growing the Gulf initiative, which is expected to create more than 45,000 high-paying jobs across the region.

Growing the Gulf projects include a new state-of-the-art aviation lubricants blending, packaging and distribution facility in the Baton Rouge area as well as refining and chemical expansions at ExxonMobil’s Beaumont and Baytown facilities. ExxonMobil and SABIC have also created a new joint venture to advance development of the Gulf Coast Growth Ventures project, a 1.8 million metric ton ethane cracker currently planned for construction in San Patricio County, Texas. And, earlier this month, ExxonMobil and Qatar Petroleum announced a decision to proceed with the development of the Golden Pass LNG export project in Sabine Pass, Texas.

ExxonMobil’s integrated operations in Baton Rouge include a 502,000 barrel-per-day refinery, as well as chemical, lubricants and polyethylene plants. ExxonMobil has more than 2,500 employees in the Baton Rouge area and its operations account for approximately 1 in every 10 jobs in the region.

Posted March 8, 2019

Source: ExxonMobil

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — March 8, 2019 — The following is a notification from Cal-June Inc. that the Model 601 and 603 life vests identified below may not be able to be donned properly.  This is due to a potential condition where the movable strap may be fused to the vest preventing proper donning. The life vests are typically sold for use on commercial vessels.

Name of Product:

• JIM-BUOY Model 601 Adult Type 1 life jacket
• JIM-BUOY Model 603 Child Type 1 life jacket

Manufacturer:

• Cal-June Inc. of North Hollywood, Calif.

Hazard:

• The movable strap may be fused to the vest, preventing proper donning.

Remedy:

• Cal-June Inc. recommends that you stop using this product should this condition be encountered and replaced with a suitable alternative life jacket.

Cal-June Inc. highly recommends that JIM-BUOY Model 601 and Model 603 life jackets be inspected Immediately and Semi-Annually thereafter to ensure that the movable strap is not fused to the vest.

Posted March 8, 2019

Source: Cal-June Inc.

Posted March 8, 2019

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — March 5, 2019 — Eastman, one of the world’s leading specialty materials companies, announced today its intention to pursue the launch of an innovative advanced circular recycling technology that uses polyester waste which cannot be recycled by current mechanical methods, and as a result, often ends up in landfills and waterways.

Using the process of methanolysis, Eastman’s advanced circular recycling technology breaks down polyester-based products into their polymer building blocks. These building blocks can then be reintroduced to the production of new polyester-based polymers, delivering a true circular solution. Eastman was one of the pioneers in developing methanolysis technology at commercial scale and has more than three decades of expertise in this innovative recycling process. Eastman’s experience with methanolysis makes it uniquely qualified to be a leader in delivering this solution at commercial scale. Advanced circular recycling technology can be an especially impactful solution, as low-quality polyester waste that would typically be diverted to landfills can instead be recycled into high-quality polyesters suitable for use in a variety of end markets, including food contact applications.

“We recognize that plastic waste is a complex problem that needs advanced solutions. As we have engaged potential partners, it is clear there is high interest across the entire value chain,” said Mark Costa, Eastman’s board chair and CEO. “Our long history of technical expertise in chemical processes, including methanolysis, and our leading position in copolyester chemistry, enables us to provide this innovative solution to address the growing challenges of plastic waste in our environment.”

Eastman is currently executing an engineering feasibility study on the design and construction of a commercial scale methanolysis facility to meet the demands of our customers and has engaged in initial discussions with potential partners across the value chain on the development of such a facility. The goal is to be operating a full-scale, advanced circular recycling facility within 24 to 36 months.

Eastman’s efforts to find new end-of-life solutions to advance the circular economy align with the company’s innovation-driven growth strategy and commitment to create value through sustainability. With a strong focus on issues and opportunities within the environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework, the company has established goals and strategies to address the world’s complex challenges.

“We believe we have an obligation to enhance the quality of life in a material way,” said David Golden, senior vice president, chief legal & sustainability officer, and corporate secretary. “As the desire grows for products that have a sustainable life cycle, Eastman continues to build on its heritage of world-class technology platforms and product innovation to offer solutions at the molecular level. Today, more than ever, the world needs innovation, and Eastman is excited about the possibilities we can achieve by working along the value chain, across industry sectors and with community partners to expand our efforts and make the greatest collective impact.”

Posted March 8, 2019

Source: Eastman

LONDON — March 4, 2019 — BP Virent Inc. and Johnson Matthey (JM) have signed an agreement that will further advance the commercialization of Virent’s Bioforming® process for production of bio-paraxylene (PX), a key raw material for the production of renewable polyester.

Virent’s Bioforming® technology, which is being developed with JM, produces drop-in reformate product from renewable sources that can be used to produce renewable fuels and also processed into lower carbon intensive bio-PX, the feedstock for bio-purified terephthalic acid (PTA), using existing technologies.

As part of this agreement, the parties will work together to commercialize the BioForming technology — BP will contribute technical resources and has exclusive rights to negotiate becoming the sole manufacturer of bio-PX using Virent’s technology.

Charles Damianides, BP’s vice-president of petrochemicals technology and licensing, said: “We consider Virent’s technology to be the leading route to commercial quantities of renewable bio-PX that may enable BP’s existing petrochemicals plants to produce a distinctive product in support of our commitment to advance a low carbon future. In our petrochemicals business we have also introduced our PTAir product line, a low carbon PTA product, and we continue to work toward improving the efficiency of our operations.”

“We have been working with JM to scale up the BioForming process for production of renewable fuel and are very pleased to enter into this agreement with BP to commercialize the technology for production of bio-PX and bio-PTA,” said Dave Kettner, president of Virent. “This is an indication of the flexibility of the BioForming technology to produce both bio-fuels and bio-aromatic chemicals.”

Eugene McKenna, business development and innovation director at JM, added: “JM is a leader in science that makes the world cleaner and healthier. In bringing this latest technology to market, we continue to apply our catalyst and process engineering expertise and capabilities to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. We are delighted that BP has selected this technology to support its ambitions in supplying renewable bio-PX. This is an important step in increasing the quantity of renewable feedstocks used to make polyester packaging and fibers. We will continue to use our science and engineering skills to facilitate wider adoption of this technology.”

Posted March 8, 2019

Source: BP

DALLAS/AMSTERDAM/FERRARA, Italy — March 5, 2019 — Celanese Corp., a global chemical and specialty materials company, today announced the expansion of its Pibiflex® and Riteflex® TPC (thermoplastic copolyester) production unit at the Donegani facility in Ferrara, Italy, to support the continued growth of its global engineered materials business.

Celanese continues to exhibit its leadership position in the manufacture and compounding of highly engineered materials, such as thermoplastic copolyesters, by adding this capacity to support growth in sophisticated, functionalized polymers. The company will continue to partner with its customers to deliver innovative solutions to meet ever-increasing consumer and industrial needs and respond to the changing complexity in high-performance polymers.

Celanese recently added one more solid-state polymerization unit at the Donegani facility, which started up successfully in September 2018. Celanese expects to expand the production capacity of the unit further by adding another polymerization line to be completed in the next 15 to 18 months.

The expansion of this thermoplastic co-polyester unit further demonstrates the company’s ability to respond to global customer demand using the knowledge and expertise of world-class engineering capabilities which enable these types of projects and expansions.

Thermoplastic co-polyester (TPCs) are block co-polymers that combine favorable characteristics of vulcanized rubber with the easy processability of thermoplastics for toughness, tear and flex fatigue resistance over a wide temperature range. Besides thermoplastic co-polyesters, Celanese also offers a broad range of other thermoplastic elastomers like thermoplastic vulcanizate (Forprene® TPV), thermoplastic olefines (Forflex® TPO), thermoplastic elastomers based on SBC (Laprene® and Sofprene® TPS), and thermoplastic elastomer solutions for special markets like artificial turf infill (Holo®, Forgrin®, Terra XPS® granules) and footwear (Sofprene TPR, Sofpur® TPU) for a broad range of customer-oriented solutions, including functionalization and color.

Posted March 8, 2019

Source: Celanese Corp.