Appliances - News

May 13, 2008 - TPEs Based on New Olefin Block Copolymers are Far Superior to Conventional TPOs and Provide Advantages Over Many Other TPEs

A new family of thermoplastic olefin (TPO) elastomers exceeds by a wide margin the performance and softness limitations of conventional TPOs and exhibit processing and physical property advantages over a wide range of other thermoplastics elastomers (TPEs), it was announced by Teknor Apex Company.
Apr 29, 2008 - China Array Plastics Exhibited New Camera Dome For Security System at Chinaplas 2008

China Array Plastics LLC, a full-service injection molder of high-performance thermoplastics, with headquarters in the United States in Pittsfield, Mass., is molding a high-clarity and near-optical quality camera dome for surveillance cameras. Molded of super-tough Lexan* 143R-111 resin from SABIC Innovative Plastics, the dome provides a weatherproof and distortion free enclosure to house a CCD camera for remote viewing.
Apr 25, 2008 - Suggar's Washing Machines Clean Up the Competition with Stylish, Transparent Top Doors Featuring Polypropylene Clarified with Milliken's Millad® NX8000

Milliken Chemical, a division of Milliken & Company, announced that Suggar, a leading appliance maker in Brazil producing 2,500 washing machines a day, is using polypropylene (PP) clarified with Millad® NX8000 to replace styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) in three of its most popular washer models: the Top Max 5.0, the Viva, and the Viva Max 6.0. By upgrading the existing washer top doors to PP clarified with Millad NX8000, which delivers previously unattainable levels of clarity, Suggar has provided the transparency that customers desire while significantly improving impact resistance for better durability. Further, due to lower density, the clarified PP is equivalent in cost to the SAN resin.
Apr 18, 2008 - Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association Supports Safety of Baby Bottles

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), which represents the leading manufacturers of baby bottles in the United States, stands by the scientific research indicating that plastic baby bottles are safe. JPMA supports the rigorous scientific evaluation process of the National Toxicology Program's (NTP) Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction. Following an expert panel review last year, this week's release of the draft NTP Brief on bisphenol A (BPA) affirms that there are no serious or high level concerns for adverse effects of BPA on human reproduction and development.
Apr 18, 2008 - Latest Visual Effects for Thermoplastic Part Design REV Up Bayer MaterialScience's extensive Fantasia® Color and Special Effect Technology Offerings

An innovative color or special effect can turn an ordinary design into an extraordinary one. Designers know this, and so do the Fantasia® color and special effect technology experts at Bayer MaterialScience LLC (BMS). BMS is unveiling a stimulating new set of LEDA® compounded color technology visual effects that can help designers bring even the most imaginative product design into reality. LEDA effects are designed to complement BMS' Makrolon® polycarbonate resin.
Apr 09, 2008 - Cool Polymers Introduces Next Generation Thermally Conductive Polymers for Heat Sinks

Cool Polymers, Inc. announces the introduction of the next generation of advanced thermally conductive injection molding grade thermoplastics for heat sinks and thermal management solutions. They have numerous advantages over metal. Among the many benefits of the new proprietary CoolPoly® grades are they provide no antenna effect (no amplification of electromagnetic or radio frequency interference and no magnetic coupling), are up to 50% lighter than aluminum and provide greater part design flexibility.
Apr 08, 2008 - Cost-Effective and Sustainable Production of Coated Parts Facilitated by Conductive Nylon Grade

The switch to a conductive grade of DuPont™ Zytel® nylon for the manufacture of lighting fixtures has helped Philips Lighting B.V. of Winterswijk (the Netherlands) achieve its aesthetic, production and sustainability requirements and has resulted in the approval of Zytel® CDV for future Philips lighting applications.
Apr 01, 2008 - Adjustment Device for Dishwashers Relies on Engineering Polymers from DuPont

A mechanism, used to adjust the height of the upper baskets in dishwashers and developed by Turkish appliance manufacturer Vestel, relies on the smooth, functional performance of DuPont™ Delrin® acetal resin and DuPont™ Minlon® mineral reinforced nylon. Both materials were selected for the application due to their combination of strength and dimensional stability, as well as additional benefits such as their appealing surface finish and overall colourability. The patented device is used on dishwashers in both the Turkish domestic market and across Europe.
Apr 01, 2008 - Potable Water Certifications for Sabic Innovative Plastics' Hydrostable Noryl Resins Speed Time to Market

Manufacturers of products that come in contact with potable water must navigate through a multitude of regulations, which can delay time to market. SABIC Innovative Plastics has proactively and voluntarily obtained potable water certifications for its hydrostable Noryl resins to help manufacturers simplify and speed up the approval process.
Mar 27, 2008 - SANYO Announces Industry's Smallest and Lightest XGA LCD Projector

SANYO, one of the world's largest manufacturers of 3LCD and DLP projectors, announced details about a new ultraportable projector, the PLC-XW60, which is the industry's smallest and lightest XGA LCD projector. At a mere 3.6 lbs, it is small enough to carry in one hand, offering simple setup, and is packed full of features such as automatic keystone correction, automatic input signal detection, an adjustable color mode for projecting on different surface colors, and an easy-off function that allows users to pull the plug and store the projector without waiting for a cool-down cycle.
Mar 14, 2008 - Ticona Celstran® LFRT And Trexel's MuCell® Technology Deliver Flat, Light-Weight Large Parts In Less Time

Designers, engineers and molders who are developing large and technically complex parts can now harness the superior mechanical properties of Celstran® long-fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFRT) from Ticona.
Mar 04, 2008 - Amkor Technology Introduces FusionQuad™

Amkor Technology, Inc. announced the introduction of FusionQuad™, a novel package technology designed for applications that demand superior electrical and thermal performance in a budget-conscious environment. Amkor recently co-presented FusionQuad™ with a leading digital storage OEM at the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) Pan Pacific Microelectronics Symposium in Kauai, HI. The paper highlighted FusionQuad's size and performance benefits reporting a dramatic improvement in electrical performance at frequencies up to 10 GHz.
Mar 03, 2008 - Consumer Goods Makers Seeking Solutions in Color, Performance and Productivity; Clariant Unveils New Initiative at ChinaPlas

Facing a complex array of challenges -- including increasingly global markets, regulatory and environmental pressures, and the need to cut costs while differentiating their products - consumer goods manufacturers are turning to Clariant Masterbatches for a wide array of services and multifunctional materials.
Feb 19, 2008 - Victor Plastics Signs Letter of Intent to Sell to Riverbend Industries

Victor Plastics, Inc. announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent to sell the Company to River Bend Industries of Fort Smith, AR. The announcement was made by Tim Czmiel, Victor Plastics chief executive officer.
Feb 18, 2008 - Eastman To Showcase New Eastman Tritan Copolyester At 2008 International Home & Housewares Show

Eastman Chemical Company will showcase Eastman Tritan copolyester for molded housewares and small appliance parts at the 2008 International Home & Housewares Show, March 16-18, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, Booth #S-4381. Combining the toughness, clarity and chemical resistance of traditional copolyesters with higher heat resistance and faster processing, Tritan offers a new level of flexibility and creativity for designers, brand owners and molders.
Jan 30, 2008 - ExxonMobil Chemical Introduces New Cold Insert Nylon Bonding Santoprene TPVs

ExxonMobil Chemical has introduced new grades of Santoprene™ thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) that bond with nylon in cold insert over-molding applications. The new B500 grade family, which is colorable or black, has been developed for applications that require a very strong bond with nylon and high temperature resistance, such as power tools, kitchen tools, automotive applications, furniture and sporting goods.
Jan 21, 2008 - ExxonMobil Chemical Completes New Facility to Supply High-Performance Polymer Compounds

ExxonMobil Chemical announced the completion and start-up of a new $20 million compounding facility to supply high-performance polymers to the automotive, appliance and specialty consumer products industries.
Jan 21, 2008 - UFP Technologies Acquires Stephenson & Lawyer, Inc.

UFP Technologies, Inc. , a manufacturer of packaging and specialty component products, announced the acquisition of Stephenson & Lawyer, Inc. located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. S&L is a full service designer, converter and distributor of foam plastic products, specializing in technical polyurethane foams. S&L sales in 2007 were approximately $13 million.
Jan 18, 2008 - Apple Introduces MacBook Air-The World's Thinnest Notebook

Apple® unveiled MacBook® Air, the world's thinnest notebook. MacBook Air measures an unprecedented 0.16-inches at its thinnest point, while its maximum height of 0.76-inches is less than the thinnest point on competing notebooks. MacBook Air has a stunning 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen display, a full-size and backlit keyboard, a built-in iSight® video camera for video conferencing, and a spacious trackpad with multi-touch gesture support so users can pinch, rotate and swipe.
Jan 11, 2008 - Braskem Launches the First Ultra-Clarified Polypropylene Resin in the Country

Braskem once again takes the lead and places the first ultra-clarified polypropylene resin on the Brazilian and Latin American markets. The resin is called Prisma 3410 and it opens a new frontier for applying polypropylene in parts that require great transparency. "With this development, Braskem reaffirms its commitment to innovation as a means to create value for its clients and the sector's entire productive chain," explains Rui Chammas, Braskem polypropylene business director.
Jan 08, 2008 - Polyurethane Process Industries Moves to Larger Facility

To better serve the company's growing customer base, equipment, parts and service supplier, Polyurethane Process Industries, LLC, has moved to larger quarters in Latrobe.
Dec 26, 2007 - Basell Building Second PP Compounding Facility in China

Basell has begun construction of its second polypropylene compounding facility in China at Guangzhou Nansha.
Dec 14, 2007 - Eastman TRITAN Copolyester Provides Delivers a New Level of Product Performance for Appliance Market

Brand owners, product designers and molders in the appliance market can now obtain greater design flexibility and product performance for molded plastic parts by using Eastman Tritan&153; copolyester, a new-generation copolyester from Eastman Chemical Company . This new material can provide greater value and design freedom for manufacturers and designers who traditionally use materials such as polycarbonate to produce plastic parts for small appliances.
Dec 13, 2007 - ARNITE® XG FOR White Good Connectors

DSM Engineering Plastics has introduced a halogen-free material specifically designed for connectors in unattended appliances. ARNITE® XG PBT, meets the requirements in IEC 60335-1.
Dec 07, 2007 - VIP Mixer, the Dynamic Mixer from Sulzer

Sulzer, the internationally recognized leading manufacturer of static mixers for plastics processing has introduced the patented VIP Dynamic Mixer for injection moulding applica-tions.
Nov 06, 2007 - New Halogen-Free Material Meets IEC 60695 Requirements : ARNITE® XG for White Good Connectors

DSM Engineering Plastics has introduced a halogen-free material specifically designed for connectors in unattended appliances. ARNITE® XG PBT, meets the standards specified in IEC 60695.
Oct 26, 2007 - Milliken Nucleation Innovation Gives Polyolefins A Boost

Milliken Chemical, a division of Milliken & Company, is continuing to expand the performance horizons of polyolefins with its pioneering nucleation technology. To be introduced to a broad audience for the first time at K 2007, Hyperform® HPN-20E makes cost-effective property modification of polyethylene (PE) a first-time reality for converters, resin and master batch producers, while providing a versatile, one-stop optimising solution for polypropylene (PP).
Oct 26, 2007 - Vita-Mix Enhances Blender Container Performance With New Eastman Tritan™ Copolyester

Vita-Mix Corporation, a top producer of high-end kitchenware blending equipment for household and commercial use, has partnered with Eastman Chemical Company to manufacture blender containers for the newly developed Vita-Mix 5200 using Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. This advanced polymer does not contain bisphenol-A (BPA), which enables Vita-Mix to meet growing demand for BPA-free products from its health-conscious customer base. The new generation copolyester also delivers excellent toughness to stand up to the rigors of frequent consumer handling. The latest in the company's line of state-of-the-art household blenders, the Vita-Mix 5200 is scheduled to launch in late 2007.
Oct 25, 2007 - Eastman Chemical Company Launches New Polymer

Eastman Chemical Company announces the launch of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, a new-generation copolyester that is ideal for a broad range of applications, including housewares, appliances and sheet applications. The result of new technology, this innovative material delivers the advantages of traditional copolyesters, such as clarity and chemical resistance, with higher heat resistance, improved design flexibility and ease of processing. These unique attributes offer differentiated performance for brand owners, designers, fabricators, processors and consumers. Tritan is being introduced in Hall 5, Booth H04 at K 2007, currently taking place until October 31st at Messe Dusseldorf, Germany.
Oct 19, 2007 - Durable Grade of Bayer MaterialScience's Bayblend® PC/ABS Blend Resin Helps Keep Power Flowing to Soldiers in the Field

Modern soldiers on the front lines depend on portable electronics to stay safe and connected with tools such as sensors, laptops and satellite phones. Generating the power necessary to keep sophisticated electronics up and running in the field has traditionally been a task left to battery packs that are short-lived, heavy and a hassle. An innovative solution from the UltraCell Corporation of Livermore, Calif., is a lightweight, high power density fuel cell system that is designed to withstand heavy abuse in the field thanks to a highly engineered grade of Bayer MaterialScience's (BMS) LLC Bayblend® PC/ABS blend resin.