ISP Food Ingredients announces price increase

ISPISP Food Ingredients will implement an average price increase of 7 to10% for food-grade alginates and other hydrocolloid-based functional food systems. These increases apply to pricing worldwide and will take effect on December 1, 2004, or as contracts allow. Over the past year, raw material costs have increased substantially due to reduced harvests leading to a tight supply of some seaweeds and natural gums. Further, energy, water, transportation and environmental compliance costs increased dramatically in 2004 and are forecasted to significantly increase again in 2005. Although ISP has implemented aggressive cost containment measures as well as improved operating efficiencies, these actions have been insufficient to offset these substantial cost increases.

Rapid EnergyPRO™ saves energy and costs by using full power only when needed

The EnergyPRO™ is Rapid’s answer to requests from the industry to save energy and costs by using a granulator’s full power only when it is really needed. Rapid Granulator AB has introduced its new EnergyPRO™ energy saving device at K, Europe’s largest plastics industry fair, held from 20 to 27 October 2004 in Duesseldorf, Germany. The EnergyPRO is Rapid’s answer to requests from the industry to save energy and costs by using a granulator’s full power only when it is really needed.

New Owens Corning Scrap and Waste Reduction Program Helps Customers Reduce Scrap by up to 50 Percent and Direct Costs by up to 12 Percent

Owens Corning Composite SolutionsSÃO PAULO, Brazil – November 9, 2004 – Responding to customer needs to minimize losses from waste during processing and manage discarded post-production material, Owens Corning (OTC: OWENQ) today announced at the FEIPLAR COMPOSITES 2004 show a comprehensive waste management program named SUGERE (Sistema Owens Corning de Gerencamento de Residuos), which can help customers reduce waste by up to 50 percent, and direct costs by up to 12 percent. The program saves money for producers of thermoset composite products and manages manufacturing leftovers by finding environmentally friendly alternative uses for them.

Owens Corning OC® Molding Mat/Closed Cavity Bag Molding (CCBM) Speed Composite Part Production up to 300 Percent; Owens Corning Increases Molding Mat Production at Rio Claro Plant

Owens Corning Composite SolutionsSÃO PAULO, Brazil – November 9, 2004 – Owens Corning today announced at the FEIPLAR COMPOSITES 2004 show, that the company has added an additional line at its Rio Claro facility to meet increasing market demand for the OC Molding Mat reinforcement product, which, used in conjunction with closed cavity bag molding (CCBM), is up to three times faster than processing by hand or spray lay-up.

BG’s hygeia range of electrical accessories made in Polygiene™, a new antimicrobial compound, kills MRSA

Wall switches in BG’s Hygeia range of ‘enhanced electrical accessories’ are made out of Polygiene™, a plastic compound containing a silver-based additive that kills bacteria, viruses, yeasts and molds.  Electrical switches and sockets made by U.K. company BG Electrical Ltd incorporate a special compound, proven to kill the MRSA ‘superbug,’ the SARS virus, and numerous types of virulent bacteria, as well as yeasts and molds.

BorECO™ polypropylene is an economic solution that meets the future needs of non-pressure pipe applications

BorECO™ PP delivers an optimum balance of stiffness and impact properties and good processing characteristics for both extrusion and injection moulding, thereby offering the possibility of a ‘one material’ solution for complete systems in these applications. Borealis is at the forefront of polypropylene (PP) material advances. Its long-established relationships with many stakeholders in the pipe industry have enabled Borealis to convert market needs into BorECO™ PP solutions that benefit all members of the value chain: Converters, installers, end-user utilities and communities.

New Advanced Borseal™ products give extra benefits in packaging

New, Advanced Borseal™ terpolymers have been launched by Borealis that provide solutions to previously unsatisfied needs in biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). The new grades significantly reduce fumes and processing downtime, and provide higher gloss and improved transparency compared to previous grades. New, Advanced Borseal™ terpolymers have been launched by Borealis that provide solutions to previously unsatisfied needs in biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). The new grades significantly reduce fumes and processing downtime, and provide higher gloss and improved transparency compared to previous grades.

Motoral OY makes 3-in-1 box solution with Borecene Compact™

Using Borecene Compact™ RM 8346 from Borealis third generation linear medium density polyethylene designed for rotomoulding, Finnish rotational moulder Motoral OY produces a combined battery, windscreen washing liquid reservoir and toolbox for Valtra tractors that reduces production and assembly time. Using Borecene Compact™ RM 8346 from Borealis third generation linear medium density polyethylene designed for rotomoulding, Finnish rotational moulder Motoral OY produces a combined battery, windscreen washing liquid reservoir and toolbox for Valtra tractors that reduces production and assembly time. The part design won top honours in the “Innovative State of the Art” category at the Association of Rotational Molders (ARM) International Fall Conference, 2003.