Company News

April 21, 2020

Brenntag to Distribute Arkema Epoxides

Brenntag Expands Distribution Agreement with Arkema for Epoxides in the United States

READING, Pa., April 20, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Effective December 1st, 2019, Brenntag is now a distributor for epoxidized soybean oil and other specialty epoxides sold under the trade names Vikoflex® and Vikolox®.

Vikoflex® is a line of epoxy plasticizers made from renewable resources and can be used as acid scavengers, additives, reactive diluents, and viscosity modifiers. The manufacturing process for Vikoflex® uses soybean oil and other vegetable oils as the key raw materials. Vikolox® can be used in many different applications such as acid scavengers, functional intermediates, and reactive diluents.

“The synergistic relationship between Arkema and Brenntag Specialties will deliver a valuable offering to the CASE marketplace,” explained Linda Myrick, General Manager for Arkema’s Oxygénés and Derivatives in North America. “Brenntag Specialties has a strong presence within the CASE markets. They have the resources and expertise necessary to ensure end users get the most from our Epoxide product ranges. This positions them to support development of new Vikoflex® and Vikolox® products with national coverage, logistics efficiencies, digital marketing, and technical capabilities,” Myrick explained. “As such, with Arkema’s commitment to safety, operational, and commercial excellence, it is poised to support Brenntag Specialties’ skills and capabilities.”

Located close to soybean oil producers in Blooming Prairie, MN, Arkema has been developing new uses for epoxides since the 1960s. This plant produces more than two dozen finished products, many of which are green, sustainable, and support the local economy by utilizing soybean oil from Midwest growers.

“We are excited to expand our relationship with Arkema to include their specialty epoxides for the coating, adhesive, sealant, and elastomer markets. The Vikoflex® and Vikolox® line of specialty epoxides contain a selection of plasticizers, intermediates, and reactive diluents which enable our customers to formulate in-line with trends toward greener and renewable chemistry,” says Ted Davlantes, Vice President Coatings & Construction, Brenntag North America. “This adds to our growth strategy in the coatings and construction industry while offering products for a greener and sustainable future.”

https://uk.advfn.com/stock-market/stock-news/82267925/brenntag-expands-distribution-agreement-with-arkem

April 20, 2020

Hexion Introduces New Product

Hexion Introducing New Epoxy System and Curing Agent

COLUMBUS, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hexion Inc. (“Hexion” or the “Company”) is launching both a new lower yellowing epoxy system for concrete protection and a unique amine curing agent to help coatings manufacturers meet lower indoor air emissions requirements while also reducing costs.

The INFINIUM™ Lower Yellowing Epoxy System is EPON LY™ Resin 1810 combined with EPIKURE LY™ Curing Agent 3801. This two-component, ambient-cure system offers five times lower yellowing while providing excellent epoxy performance and overnight cure.

“The INFINIUM™ System can be used as a single coatings layer to potentially replace two-layer coating systems, thus enabling faster application,” said James Bellinger, Business Director Epoxy, Americas. A single coat layer allows our customers to save time and money by significantly reducing application costs and provides an opportunity to increase margins.

With the growing importance of Green Building initiatives (e.g. United States Green Building Council’s LEED), coatings formulators need epoxy systems that meet the more stringent indoor air emissions requirements. To meet this market need, Hexion is introducing a unique amine curing agent to the Americas market called EPIKURE™ Curing Agent 580.

“With the introduction of EPIKURE Curing Agent 580, we can offer customers a route to gain LEED points for lower indoor air emission coatings at affordable cost,” said Dan Weinmann, Market Development Manager, Epoxy Specialties. “This new curing agent also improves sustainability because it does not contain intentionally-added benzyl alcohol or nonylphenol.”

To learn more about these new products, visit https://pages.hexion.com/epoxy2020.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200420005066/en/Hexion-Introducing-New-Epoxy-System-Curing-Agent

April 20, 2020

Hexion Introduces New Product

Hexion Introducing New Epoxy System and Curing Agent

COLUMBUS, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hexion Inc. (“Hexion” or the “Company”) is launching both a new lower yellowing epoxy system for concrete protection and a unique amine curing agent to help coatings manufacturers meet lower indoor air emissions requirements while also reducing costs.

The INFINIUM™ Lower Yellowing Epoxy System is EPON LY™ Resin 1810 combined with EPIKURE LY™ Curing Agent 3801. This two-component, ambient-cure system offers five times lower yellowing while providing excellent epoxy performance and overnight cure.

“The INFINIUM™ System can be used as a single coatings layer to potentially replace two-layer coating systems, thus enabling faster application,” said James Bellinger, Business Director Epoxy, Americas. A single coat layer allows our customers to save time and money by significantly reducing application costs and provides an opportunity to increase margins.

With the growing importance of Green Building initiatives (e.g. United States Green Building Council’s LEED), coatings formulators need epoxy systems that meet the more stringent indoor air emissions requirements. To meet this market need, Hexion is introducing a unique amine curing agent to the Americas market called EPIKURE™ Curing Agent 580.

“With the introduction of EPIKURE Curing Agent 580, we can offer customers a route to gain LEED points for lower indoor air emission coatings at affordable cost,” said Dan Weinmann, Market Development Manager, Epoxy Specialties. “This new curing agent also improves sustainability because it does not contain intentionally-added benzyl alcohol or nonylphenol.”

To learn more about these new products, visit https://pages.hexion.com/epoxy2020.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200420005066/en/Hexion-Introducing-New-Epoxy-System-Curing-Agent

April 20, 2020

Hexion Update

Hexion switches production at two sites in Germany and Australia to hand sanitizer
April 20/2020
MOSCOW (MRC) — Hexion (Columbus, Ohio) has repurposed its manufacturing site at Letmathe, Germany, to produce hand sanitizer, with a second facility at Bunbury, Western Australia, set to start sanitizer production in the next few weeks, reported Chemweek.

The company is “leveraging its global manufacturing footprint and collective resources of its associates to help combat the challenges associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” it says. Hexion’s site at Letmathe has repurposed mixing machines typically used to produce other products, with hand sanitizer now being produced. The company’s joint venture site at Bunbury “is taking the final steps to begin producing in the coming weeks,” it adds.

The two sites are expected to initially produce approximately 25 metric tons of sanitizer, with the company saying four of its other sites in Texas, Australia, New Zealand, and Italy have already produced smaller “laboratory-scale” batches for use by Hexion associates. It has also contributed its chemical products or donated personal protective equipment (PPE) wherever possible for COVID-19 relief, it says.

“While we are saddened by the devastating impact of the coronavirus globally, we are resilient as a company and committed to helping support relief efforts whenever we can,” said George Knight, Hexion acting CEO and executive vice president and CFO. Hexion said in a regulatory filing 30 March that chairman and CEO Craig Rogerson had taken a temporary medical leave of absence due to a condition consistent with COVID-19. Knight has assumed Rogerson’s responsibilities until he returns from his leave.

As MRC informed earlier, in mid-January 2020, Hexion announced force majeure for the supply of bisphenol A (BPA) from the plant in Deer Park (Deer Park, Texas, USA). It was expected that this enterprise with a capacity of 140 thousand tons of BPA per year will resume its work in mid-February.

Such companies, as Hexion, Huntsman and Olin are large manufacturers of BPA and epoxy in the United States.

Bisphenol A is used as a hardener in the production of plastics, as well as plastic-based products. It is one of the key monomers in the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonate (PC).

According to MRC’s ScanPlast report, overall estimated consumption of PC granules totalled 12,600 tonnes in the Russian market in January-February 2020 (excluding imports and exports to/from Belarus), compared to 9,600 tonnes a year earlier. Demand increased by 31%.

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Hexion Inc. is a global leader in thermoset resins. Hexion Inc. serves the global adhesive, coatings, composites and industrial markets through a broad range of thermoset technologies, specialty products and technical support for customers in a diverse range of applications and industries.

http://www.mrcplast.com/news-news_open-369409.html

April 20, 2020

Hexion Update

Hexion switches production at two sites in Germany and Australia to hand sanitizer
April 20/2020
MOSCOW (MRC) — Hexion (Columbus, Ohio) has repurposed its manufacturing site at Letmathe, Germany, to produce hand sanitizer, with a second facility at Bunbury, Western Australia, set to start sanitizer production in the next few weeks, reported Chemweek.

The company is “leveraging its global manufacturing footprint and collective resources of its associates to help combat the challenges associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” it says. Hexion’s site at Letmathe has repurposed mixing machines typically used to produce other products, with hand sanitizer now being produced. The company’s joint venture site at Bunbury “is taking the final steps to begin producing in the coming weeks,” it adds.

The two sites are expected to initially produce approximately 25 metric tons of sanitizer, with the company saying four of its other sites in Texas, Australia, New Zealand, and Italy have already produced smaller “laboratory-scale” batches for use by Hexion associates. It has also contributed its chemical products or donated personal protective equipment (PPE) wherever possible for COVID-19 relief, it says.

“While we are saddened by the devastating impact of the coronavirus globally, we are resilient as a company and committed to helping support relief efforts whenever we can,” said George Knight, Hexion acting CEO and executive vice president and CFO. Hexion said in a regulatory filing 30 March that chairman and CEO Craig Rogerson had taken a temporary medical leave of absence due to a condition consistent with COVID-19. Knight has assumed Rogerson’s responsibilities until he returns from his leave.

As MRC informed earlier, in mid-January 2020, Hexion announced force majeure for the supply of bisphenol A (BPA) from the plant in Deer Park (Deer Park, Texas, USA). It was expected that this enterprise with a capacity of 140 thousand tons of BPA per year will resume its work in mid-February.

Such companies, as Hexion, Huntsman and Olin are large manufacturers of BPA and epoxy in the United States.

Bisphenol A is used as a hardener in the production of plastics, as well as plastic-based products. It is one of the key monomers in the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonate (PC).

According to MRC’s ScanPlast report, overall estimated consumption of PC granules totalled 12,600 tonnes in the Russian market in January-February 2020 (excluding imports and exports to/from Belarus), compared to 9,600 tonnes a year earlier. Demand increased by 31%.

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Hexion Inc. is a global leader in thermoset resins. Hexion Inc. serves the global adhesive, coatings, composites and industrial markets through a broad range of thermoset technologies, specialty products and technical support for customers in a diverse range of applications and industries.

http://www.mrcplast.com/news-news_open-369409.html