New innovations on polymers & additives that will be seen at K 2004 exhibition

K 2004 - the largest exhibition on polymers is to be held in Dusseldorf from October 20th, 2004 until 27th October, 2004. K 2004 is the place where the global leaders and decision makers from the polymer industry will converge to see and absorb new ideas that they can profitably use to expand their businesses. All the exhibitors generally reserve their best innovative ideas for this spectacular exhibition. In fact, no other exhibitions in the World can showcase so much new at one time as what we generally see at K exhibition held every 3rd year.
Our readers have been asking us to provide some guidelines to plan out their visit to K 2004 and achieve their objectives to learn about new innovations in order to sustain their business in the present environment where polymer prices have sky rocketed. This article covers the innovations in polymeric materials.

POLYETHYLENES

Polyethylenes; expected to grow at about 5% from the level of about 55 million tons continue to see innovations. These innovations are particularly in the areas of the younger and fastest growing member LLDPE. Some of the newer developments that are likely to interest you are:

	Single site catalyzed LLDPE with uni-modal as well as bi-modal molecular weight distributions. The uni-modal grades have been tailored to provide better shrink properties, higher stretching ratios or lower migration so that they can be used for food packaging. The bi-modal grades are designed to enhance the processability. Both these grades will be presented by Borealis.
	Nexxstar new grades developed by ExxonMobil will also be shown for excellent stretchability. ExxonMobil will demonstrate the use of Nexxstar grades for stretch hood.
	New grades of Exceed m-LLDPE with very low gel count will be displayed for the purpose of food packaging and other clear applications.
	Borealis will also exhibit a new super cure cross-linkable MDPE compound with excellent purity. This new grade would find applications in wire and cable.
	Borealis will also exhibit a new super cure cross-linkable MDPE compound with excellent purity. This new grade would find applications in wire and cable.
	Borealis will also demonstrate a new grade of HDPE with bi-modal molecular weight distribution designed with a primary objective for developing stronger caps/closures to withstand the pressures of carbonated beverages.

POLYPROPYLENE

PP, the largest single polymer with almost 35 million tons of global consumption continues its ride on the development front. Some of the newer developments that you would enjoy seeing at the exhibition are:

	Borealis will demonstrate newer film grades designed for medical pouches as well as blister packaging. These medical grades have very low migration characteristics.
	With an aim of increasing the market of OPP bottle, Borealis's new grades have been designed to widen processability.
	Dow has improved the melt strength of its Inspire single site catalyzed PP.
	ExxonMobil will showcase the newer Metallocene based PP grades for a variety of applications.
	While significant development has already been shown in the earlier K fairs about the upward blown film by several leading suppliers, Borealis's new grade to be demonstrated at this fair is focused on superior clarity.

TPE & ELASTOMER/PLASTOMER

Ethylene and propylene based elastomers, plastomers and TPE are gaining greater market acceptance. Significant developments have been taking place in this area. You will see some of the exciting developments at K 2004:

	Basell Polyolefins, the largest PP producer in the world has expanded the grade range of its Catalloy process with Softell. As the name suggests, this new series of grades have excellent softness and can mimic leather as well as fabric in finish. Some of the newer applications to be viewed are: hygienic film, auto interiors and film produced by calendaring process.
	Dow has developed Versify ethylene-propylene plastomers that have broad crystallinity distribution.
	Advanced Elastomers has developed an extra soft grade of Santoprene.
	ExxonMobil will showcase a new specialty elastomer grade called Vistamaxx for non woven application.

ETP

ETP has an excellent growth potential and is definitely likely to showcase more innovations compared to the large volume products that we have covered above. It is extremely difficult to list all the new developments, we have made attempt to list a few interesting innovations.

	New generation Polyamide 6 will be showcased at the stall of BASF. These grades will have lower cost and yet provide high temperature resistance.
	BASF will demonstrate the new Polyamide 6 having paintless metallic effect.
	Rhodia will showcase large roto moulded tanks from a newer grade of Polyamide 6.
	Dupont will display newer grades of Polyacetal that will have enhanced resistance to diesel and fuels. These products are ideally designed for fuel reservoir.
	The new grades developed by Dupont will meet the new limit of 10 ppm of emission stipulated by VDA 275 German standard.
	BASF will display a high flow grade of PBT based on nano particle. The viscosity of this new grade is almost 50 % compared to the conventional PBT.
	Ticona will demonstrate a new grade of PPS for blow molding.

ADDITIVES

Additive suppliers will demonstrate some newer developments mainly to enhance usefulness and widen scope of polymers. Some of the developments that can be seen at K 2004 are:

	Safer heat stabilizers for PVC.
	PVC pipe and cable require lead stabilizers. These lead stabilizers are environmentally more harmful because of their heavy density. Newer approaches of calcium zinc as well organic stabilizers will be demonstrated by leading suppliers like Crompton etc.

Nanofillers

Nano fillers are of recent origin and should be taking center stage at K 2004. Many suppliers will demonstrate their newer developments. Some leading compound manufacturers such as Basell would showcase newer compounds based on nano fillers. The use of nanofillers as flame retardant could be explored. More information on these new exciting nano reinforcing products can be obtained from manufacturers like: Carbon Nanotechnologies, Hyperion, Mo6, Nikkiso, Nanocor, Nanophase Technologies, Polykemi, Southern Clay Products, Zyvex etc.
Similarly more information on the newer nanocomposite product/application can be obtained from compounders like A.Schulman, Basell & Polyone.

Impact Modifier

Polyamide can be improved in toughness by incorporating impact modifiers. Dupont has developed a new impact modifier based on functional ethylene acrylate. Similarly newer grades for PVC and PP can also be seen at K 2004.

Lubricant

Boron Nitride from Saint Gobin will be seen as a new development. This will not work as lubricant for ETP but would also enhance thermal conductivity of the product.

Toughener for PET/PBT

PET/PBT have a tendency to break down during processing. Their mechanical properties can be retained by incorporation of newly developed chain extender from Ciba. In fact, Ciba has a special pavilion emphasizing the newer innovations. A visit to this stall is a must for all the compounders who are looking at bringing some novel features in their compounds.

Flame retardant

Fire resistance has become a very important feature of those plastic products that find applications in automobile, building, electronics etc. While halogenated flame-retardants still dominate the scene, the stringent environmental issues would compel the compounders to look for alternatives. Suppliers like Clariant, Great Lakes etc should be visited to learn about the new developments.