Strictly-Extrusion

BP of the U.K. intends to divest several more plastics businesses. Among them are plastic fabrics and fibers, in which BP is reportedly the world’s leading producer of primary and secondary polypropylene carpet backings and is a leading producer of nonwoven PP fabrics for furniture and bedding. It also makes nonwoven geotextiles and woven fabrics for packaging. BP will also sell off its plastic fabrications business, which is a leading European producer of specialty packaging for foods, pharmaceuticals, and industrial products. It supplies films, nonwoven materials, and composites for hygiene and medical applications, and it is a leading blow molder of automotive and appliance components. It is also a leading European producer of agricultural films and netting. In addition, the business includes a 51% share in Arjobex, a world leader in polyethylene synthetic papers.

Included in the sale are seven wholly-owned sites around the world, including seven in the U.S., plus interests in four joint-venture sites in the the U.S., Europe, and China.

Extrusion Dies, Inc. (EDI), the leading international supplier of flat-die systems for extrusion and web converting, has promoted Timothy C. Callahan to the position of President, conferred new executive responsibilities on four other EDI officials, and hired Ronald Kuhnen to be Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the company announced today.EDI made the appointments following the resignation of William W. Brown, Jr., who had served as President and Chief Executive Officer since February of 1998. At the same time, EDI established two new Executive Management Committees that will oversee North American and international operations, respectively, and report directly to Callahan.
EDI now accounts for more than half of the U.S. market for flat-die systems and more than a quarter of the world market. Half of EDI’s sales are outside the U.S.

Omni Plastics L.L.C. in Evansville, USA., which began compounding engineering thermoplastics in 1999, has doubled its capacity with the addition of a second 81-mm Berstorff Ultra Torque twin-screw extruder. Each line is capable of 10 million lb/yr.

The development of a Surlyn® based film used in peel-to-foil trays is benefiting food processors and consumers alike. The result is a reduction in material use, improved production performance, easy opening and in some cases, increased shelf-life. DuPont worked with film producer KM Convenience to introduce Surlyn® based film in food packaging systems for a range of UK supermarkets, including Marks and Spencer. The project brief was to produce a peelable lid for wrinkle-wall, uncoated aluminium trays, supplied by UK producer Ekco Packaging Ltd. The lid acts as a replacement to the polyethylene coated board commonly used in such applications. It also means that there is no need for secondary packaging. The wrinkle wall was developed first due to the difficulty in achieving a hermetic seal and clean peel to the uneven edge. The use of a lower-cost aluminium foil tray, as well as the elimination of the outer-board sleeve and secondary shrink wrap, increases customer friendliness and greatly reduces costs on the processing production line.

Belgium-based Etex Group SA has acquired Glynwed International plc´s pipe systems business in a US$ 1,14 billion cash deal. The Glynwed name will remain on the pipe business, said Tony Wilson, who will transfer with Glynwed Pipe Systems as chief executive officer. The remaining Glynwed businesses will be renamed Aga Foodservice Group plc.

Toray Industries, Inc. of Tokyo, Japan and Bimo S.p.A. of Atessa, Italy, have signed an agreement for the production and sale of high-barrier metalized OPP films. The agreement covers the production of Toray’s proprietary metalized products by Bimo for sale to major food companies in Europe, as well as joint development of next- generation metalized barrier products utilizing Bimo’s novel orientation process, called SOL (Simultaneous Orientation Line).

Worldwide operating film manufacturer Nordenia AG, Germany has opened a new plant in Zdzieszowice, Poland. The company invested EURO 4,6 million in film extrusion and printing equipment with a capacity of 8.500 tonnes p.a.

Klöckner Pentaplast GmbH, Germany has expanded its barrier films business by acquiring a rival German operation. Klöckner Pentaplast bought the polyvinylidene chloride-coated films business of VAW Aluminium AG, Germany. The business has annual sales of about US$ 10,6 million. VAW also makes PVDC-coated paper and aluminum foil.

PET film extruder Sicht-Pack Hagner GmbH, Germany is opening a US$ 7,5 million plant in South Carolina, its first North American extrusion factory. The plant, with a single line, is slated to open in February, said Tim Toskin, vice president of sales and marketing with Hagner´s U.S. arm.

Dutch-based chemicals distributor Royal Vopak is now close to total ownership of Ellis & Everard, the British-based chemical distributor which owns Distrupol in the UK and Performance Polymers in the USA. The purchase offer was made last November and Vopak has steadily secured E & E shares to the extent that it now owns or has acceptances for 92,8 per cent of the company. Acquisition of E & E will add a strong commodity chemicals portfolio to Vopak’s specialities business. It will also give entry to the polymers market, an area in which it says it has ‘long had an interest to participate’.