K2007 gets underway at Messe Dusseldorf

In a briefing on Wednesday last week, Messe Düsseldorf chairman Werner Dornscheidt based his optimism on the increase in the number of exhibitors from 2,904 to 3,130 and the corresponding 8,518 sq m increase in exhibition space with the availability of the new hall 8b with additional stands and meeting rooms, at an investment of ?51m, to a total of 168,993 sq metres.

With a series of launches, the polymer majors have got the show off to a lively start:

New metallocene PE technology launched by ExxonMobil Chemical at the show under the mPE HTC (high throughput, high clarity) banner allows extruders to reach unprecedented throughput rates, the group says.

When used in conjunction with state-of-the-art machinery, they can achieve figures of two kg/hr/mm/ die diameter coupled with “superb” bubble quality allied to the toughness, sealing and optical properties of the company’s Exceed mPE materials.

Both Reifenhauser and Windmoeller and Hoelscher’s stands feature extrusion of the latest product from the ExxonMobil Chemical metallocene stable.

Arkema has unveiled a new family of bio-based products under the Arkema Renewables label which capitalise on its long-standing expertise in the manufacture of Rilsan 11 high performance biopolymer derived from vegetable castor oil.

Pebax Rnew is the first range of thermoplastic elastomers produced from renewable raw materials, is directly inspired by the chemistry of polyamide 11, offers the same properties as Pebax, and, “fits perfectly into the eco-design concept,” the company says. Platamid Rnew is derived from 100% renewable raw materials, and represents a new concept for thermoplastic hot melt adhesives.

DuPont is using K2007 as the stage for the launch of a nanocrystalline metal/plastics hybrid technology to develop lightweight components with the strength and stiffness of metal and the design freedom and lightweight properties of plastics.

The group is linking up with three North American companies to combine its engineering polymers with the nanocrystalline metal technology in a metal over plastics process that opens up new horizons for designers.

The new technology, branded MetaFuse, employs a proprietary process which applies ultra high strength nanometal to components made of DuPont’s engineering polymers to create lightweight components in complex shapes with the stiffness of magnesium or aluminium.

From Solvay Advanced Polymers came first morning K news of its Solviva family of biomaterials, offered for use in implantable medical devices, which the Georgia-based group believes gives it the lead in breadth of polymers available for use in implantable applications.

Solviva Biomaterials comprise Zeniva PEEK (polyetheretherketone) – one of the most chemically resistant plastics available, exhibiting high strength and stiffness, toughness and fatigue resistance, Proniva SRP (self-reinforced polyphenylene) – the stiffest and strongest unreinforced thermoplastic available, offering exceptional chemical resistance and hardness , Veriva PPSU (polyphenylsulphone) –for “unsurpassed” toughness combined with transparency and excellent chemical resistance and Eviva PSU (polysulphone), a tough, strong, transparent polymer.

The launch of Solviva Biomaterials is the culmination of more than 18 months of planning and extensive investments by the company in its production facilities, biocompatibility testing and the installation of a highly stringent production process.

Solvay Advanced Polymers is currently in active product trials for its line of Solviva biomaterials with several medical device manufacturers including worldwide leader, Zimmer Medical.

Novamont is highlighting its introduction of Mater-Bi Nanostarch, a second generation bioplastic that allows the production of ultra-thin, high strength films. The new material has the same level of biodegradability as its predecessors, says Novamont, but the starch can now be regarded as a high-tech component that doesn’t limit the film’s performance. Films are suitable for demanding applications in critical operating conditions, including low humidity.

The Novamont biorefinery in Terni is undergoing expansion to bring its capacity up to 60,000tpa of completely biodegradable and compostable materials. The plant is integrated within the local environment and will rely on local agricultural resources. It will be fully operational in 2008.