Mel Ettenson

UHMW-PE capacity in U.S. increased by 15000 tons annually by Celanese

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Celanese announced this massive increase to be completed by 2022.  Increased demand for  Electric Vehicle (EV) battery separator plates is driving this need. Celanese last increased capacity in 2017 and  this expansion will raise their capacity to 120,000 t/y. EV demand is estimated to grow 25% through 2025.

Clear barrier applications growing

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Delta Airlines announces ” 2600 plexiglass shields in place throughout your journey”. Plaskolite running at capacity although expecting slowing as market becoming saturated. Growing market is maintenance (using proper cleaners) and replacement of clear MMA & PC sheet.

Plaskolite adds antimicrobial coating to its barrier sheet -called AMGARD

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Plaskolite just announced the availability of an antimicrobial coating for its MMA, PC and PETG sheet used in coronavirus barrier applications.  Trademarked AMGARD, it is touted as an additional safeguard to protect infection prevention applications from being contaminated especially when continual cleaning is not practical.

Resin Production and Pricing at halfway 2020

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US resin production to fall 6% in 2020, rebounding in 2021 by increasing 13 %, year over year. Prices of volume resins bottom out. Increased exports, higher prices for feed stocks, and a slow ramp up of production of industrial goods are projected  to stabilize  resin prices, Upward pressure on PE and PC seems certain. … Read more

Plexiglass with 2 ss’s helps defeat Covid-19

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Much is reported, and in fact now being seen  universally,  about “Infection Protection” barriers and dividers made from “Plexiglass” as this pseudo mark is referred to. Some background: Originally trademarked Plexiglas® in 1933 by Rohm und Haas in Germany, now owned by Arkema France. First used as a glass substitute; one of the first applications … Read more

SIMONA acquires PMC ( Premier Material Concepts )

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PMC is an extruder of sheet products for primarily thermoformed products made of ABS and PVC/Acrylic. and TPO and combinations of these materials. PMC was formerly PE company owned. Integrated with its Boltaron subsidiary this new SIMONA entity will continue its growth in the U.S., it’s second largest market.