Company News
June 24, 2019
Emery Oleochemicals Donation
Emery Oleochemicals Supports Great Oaks Career Campuses with One-of-a-Kind, Concept Car Donation
Unique, custom-built vehicle will be showcased as part of automotive technology program
CINCINNATI, OH, USA (June 24, 2019) – What was once a vehicle built for use at exhibitions to showcase how EMEROX® and INFIGREEN® Eco-Friendly Polyols can be effectively utilized in the creation of foam for multiple components of an automobile, Emery Oleochemicals’ CASP R2 Car (Concepts for Advanced Sustainability in Polyurethanes for Renewable and Recycled solutions) is getting a second life as a training platform for future automotive technicians and mechanics.
Emery Oleochemicals, a leading global manufacturer of natural-based specialty chemicals that was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1840, had the CASP R2 Car custom-built in 2014. The full-sized sedan was recently retired from use and it has found a new home through Emery’s generous donation of the car to the Great Oaks Career Campuses, which specializes in career and technical education for both high school students and adults throughout the Cincinnati area through its four campuses.
“After being an eye-catching display for many years, we decided that the best use for this vehicle now would be to provide a local school that has automotive-related programs with an invaluable training resource,” said Mark Kinkelaar, Eco-Friendly Polyols Global Business Head at Emery Oleochemicals. “Over our nearly 180 years in Cincinnati, local universities, community colleges and career centers have been important resources for hiring qualified employees who are critical to the ongoing success of Emery’s business. Therefore, it is fitting that we find a way to give back to the local community.”
Eric Morris, Instrumentation & Electrical Supervisor, North America, who oversees a department of 14 employees at Emery’s Cincinnati Plant, contributes his current success in part to his early studies at Great Oaks. “I studied industrial electronics at the Diamond Oaks Campus before computers were used to control processes. The control systems we used then transformed into the digital controls of today but still use the basic building blocks. In my field of work, technology is always changing. Learning every day keeps you ahead and informed,” said Morris. “Technical schools are the fast track to good employment opportunities. Skilled trades have high paying wages and are always in demand,” Morris added.
Andy McCool, Dean of Instruction at the Great Oaks Diamond Oaks Campus, accepted the car on behalf of the school where it will be utilized to help instruct current students as part of their automotive technology program.
“We appreciate the generosity of Emery Oleochemicals for their donation of this unique vehicle to our Great Oaks Diamond Oaks campus. Our automotive program has been looking for a car to be able to physically show our students the inner workings and this full-size cutaway model is ideal for that purpose once we build it out with an engine and other relevant working components,” said Mr. McCool. “It’s also an impressive looking display that we hope will inspire future generations to want to study at our campus.”
Andy McCool (front left) accepts the CASP R2 Car donation from Mark Kinkelaar (front right)
Since its founding in 1840 as a candle and lamp oil manufacturer in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, Emery Oleochemicals has grown into a leading global manufacturer of natural-based specialty chemicals. At its production, sales and research & technology development site located in Cincinnati, the company employs over 330 people from the Greater Cincinnati area which includes southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana.
June 21, 2019
First Order of Polyurethane Wind Blade
Covestro: First ever order of PU resin for wind blades delivered
Covestro announced that it has delivered its first commercial order of polyurethane raw materials for wind blades to China. According to the World Wind Energy Association, China is the world’s largest wind power market with 221 GW of installed capacity at the end of 2018.
The blades, produced by Zhuzhou Times New Material Technology (TMT), one of the largest manufacturers of wind blades in China, have then been delivered to the wind turbine technology company Envision. They are scheduled to be installed in a wind farm in East China in July 2019.
The joint team of Covestro and its partners is pleased about the first commercial use of a polyurethane resin for the manufacture of wind rotor blades in China (Source: Covestro)
Covestro delivered polyurethane resin to TMT for the production of 18 polyurethane wind blades of 59.5-meter-length, also for the spar caps and shear webs. These blades were delivered to Envision, heralding the successful deployment of Covestro’s polyurethane resin in blades for commercial wind farm projects. To ensure successful deployment, the Covestro wind power team produced a prototype of the wind blades which has passed static and fatigue tests. The prototype was put into trial operation at a wind farm in central China in 2018.
Ulrich Liman, Global Head of R&D, Business Unit Polyurethanes at Covestro said, “We are very excited to be working with Envision and TMT on this first sales order of PU wind blades in China. Polyurethane resin in the production of wind blades, is a game-changing innovation delivered by Covestro teams around the world. We remain committed to our vision of creating products that benefit society and improve people’s lives all over the world.”
Zilu Liang, Deputy Chief Engineer, Wind Power Products at TMT, said, “As an innovative material, polyurethane, compared to epoxy resin, has advantages in costs and in the production process. We have cooperated with Covestro since 2016, and now we have achieved continuous production. We hope to further collaborate with Covestro to explore large-scale wind blades and wind blades completely made of polyurethane.”
According to Covestro, the polyurethane infusion resin was developed to help the wind power industry meet the growing demand for longer wind blade designs. Wind turbine rotor blades of this kind are typically made out of fibreglass-reinforced resin by applying vacuum infusion technology. The successful use of polyurethane resin for manufacturing large-scale rotor blades for wind turbines suggests that the material itself features superior mechanical properties and anti-fatigue performance. There are also benefits for the production processes in the wind blade factory, for example, a faster curing process and better processing properties to deliver higher productivity levels.
Irene Li, Head of PU Application Development Asia Pacific at Covestro, summarised, “This is the first step to realising the industrialisation of polyurethane resin in the wind industry, opening up a new chapter in polyurethane chemistry. We believe that our polyurethane solution delivers significant advantages in wind blade production and along the value chain.”
https://www.gupta-verlag.com/news/technology/22979/covestro-first-ever-order-of-pu-resin-for-wind-blades-delivered
June 21, 2019
First Order of Polyurethane Wind Blade
Covestro: First ever order of PU resin for wind blades delivered
Covestro announced that it has delivered its first commercial order of polyurethane raw materials for wind blades to China. According to the World Wind Energy Association, China is the world’s largest wind power market with 221 GW of installed capacity at the end of 2018.
The blades, produced by Zhuzhou Times New Material Technology (TMT), one of the largest manufacturers of wind blades in China, have then been delivered to the wind turbine technology company Envision. They are scheduled to be installed in a wind farm in East China in July 2019.
The joint team of Covestro and its partners is pleased about the first commercial use of a polyurethane resin for the manufacture of wind rotor blades in China (Source: Covestro)
Covestro delivered polyurethane resin to TMT for the production of 18 polyurethane wind blades of 59.5-meter-length, also for the spar caps and shear webs. These blades were delivered to Envision, heralding the successful deployment of Covestro’s polyurethane resin in blades for commercial wind farm projects. To ensure successful deployment, the Covestro wind power team produced a prototype of the wind blades which has passed static and fatigue tests. The prototype was put into trial operation at a wind farm in central China in 2018.
Ulrich Liman, Global Head of R&D, Business Unit Polyurethanes at Covestro said, “We are very excited to be working with Envision and TMT on this first sales order of PU wind blades in China. Polyurethane resin in the production of wind blades, is a game-changing innovation delivered by Covestro teams around the world. We remain committed to our vision of creating products that benefit society and improve people’s lives all over the world.”
Zilu Liang, Deputy Chief Engineer, Wind Power Products at TMT, said, “As an innovative material, polyurethane, compared to epoxy resin, has advantages in costs and in the production process. We have cooperated with Covestro since 2016, and now we have achieved continuous production. We hope to further collaborate with Covestro to explore large-scale wind blades and wind blades completely made of polyurethane.”
According to Covestro, the polyurethane infusion resin was developed to help the wind power industry meet the growing demand for longer wind blade designs. Wind turbine rotor blades of this kind are typically made out of fibreglass-reinforced resin by applying vacuum infusion technology. The successful use of polyurethane resin for manufacturing large-scale rotor blades for wind turbines suggests that the material itself features superior mechanical properties and anti-fatigue performance. There are also benefits for the production processes in the wind blade factory, for example, a faster curing process and better processing properties to deliver higher productivity levels.
Irene Li, Head of PU Application Development Asia Pacific at Covestro, summarised, “This is the first step to realising the industrialisation of polyurethane resin in the wind industry, opening up a new chapter in polyurethane chemistry. We believe that our polyurethane solution delivers significant advantages in wind blade production and along the value chain.”
https://www.gupta-verlag.com/news/technology/22979/covestro-first-ever-order-of-pu-resin-for-wind-blades-delivered
June 19, 2019
The Pendulum Swings Back
Covestro to sell European Systems Houses
business to H.I.G. Capital
Sales proceeds in the high-double-digit euro million range
Systems houses with revenues of EUR 230 million
Covestro to remain a key supplier to European Systems Houses
New ownership allows unit to further grow and to position itself as
an independent player
Covestro has signed an agreement with H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”) for the sale of
Covestro’s European Systems Houses business. H.I.G. focuses on investments in small and mid-sized companies. The sales proceeds amount to a high-
double-digit euro million sum. The decision to sell the systems houses was taken as part of Covestro’s ongoing portfolio optimization process that includes
the sale of Covestro’s North American spray polyurethane foam systems house
in 2017.
“Our focus is future growth and value creation. That’s why evaluating and
optimizing our portfolio is part of our daily business”, said CFO Dr Thomas
Toepfer. “Providing tailor-made solutions, systems houses serve relevant market
needs. However, in an advanced polyurethanes market like Europe we focus on
a more centralized approach to efficiently address the needs of our customers.”
With its new owner H.I.G., the European Systems Houses now have the
perspective to position themselves as an independent, focused player for mid-
sized customers. In Asia with its developing polyurethane markets, Covestro will
continue to serve its customers through its established systems houses network.
The systems houses are part of the company’s Polyurethanes segment and are
offering tailor-made polyurethanes systems for customers. The European Systems Houses business comprises facilities in the Netherlands, Denmark,
Spain, Germany and further businesses in Italy. Approximately 250 employees
are generating annual sales of some EUR 230 million. Operations will continue
at the current facilities while Covestro will continue to have strong ties with the
systems houses as a key polyurethanes supplier.
Polyurethanes are a class of plastics that can be found in many areas of modern
life – be it in the form of soft or rigid foam or as thermoplastic polyurethane
(TPU). They are used in numerous applications like, for instance, mattresses,
automobile seats, sports equipment or as insulating material in buildings and
refrigerators.
With view on scale and capabilities as well as the solid asset base, the
European Systems Houses perfectly fits into H.I.G.’s buy-and-build approach.
H.I.G. aims to further develop their pan-European presence and to build a
strong and independent European group of polyurethane systems houses with a
clear focus on mid-sized customers. The company intends to continue working
with the current experienced management team of the systems houses to
further improve the business. The closing of the transaction is expected for the
second half of 2019 after the required antitrust clearance.
About H.I.G. Capital
H.I.G. is a leading global private equity and alternative assets investment firm
with over €26 billion of equity capital under management. Based in Miami, and
with offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco,
and Atlanta in the U.S., as well as international affiliate offices in London,
Hamburg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, H.I.G.
specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to small and mid-sized
companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused / value-added
approach:
1. H.I.G.’s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations
and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming
manufacturing and service businesses.
2. H.I.G.’s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche and junior debt financing
to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct
origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. is also a
leading CLO manager, through its WhiteHorse family of vehicles, and
manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance.
3. H.I.G.’s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can
benefit from improved asset management practices.
Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 300
companies worldwide. The firm’s current portfolio includes more than 100
companies with combined sales in excess of €28 billion. For more information,
please refer to the H.I.G. website at www.higcapital.com.
June 19, 2019
The Pendulum Swings Back
Covestro to sell European Systems Houses
business to H.I.G. Capital
Sales proceeds in the high-double-digit euro million range
Systems houses with revenues of EUR 230 million
Covestro to remain a key supplier to European Systems Houses
New ownership allows unit to further grow and to position itself as
an independent player
Covestro has signed an agreement with H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”) for the sale of
Covestro’s European Systems Houses business. H.I.G. focuses on investments in small and mid-sized companies. The sales proceeds amount to a high-
double-digit euro million sum. The decision to sell the systems houses was taken as part of Covestro’s ongoing portfolio optimization process that includes
the sale of Covestro’s North American spray polyurethane foam systems house
in 2017.
“Our focus is future growth and value creation. That’s why evaluating and
optimizing our portfolio is part of our daily business”, said CFO Dr Thomas
Toepfer. “Providing tailor-made solutions, systems houses serve relevant market
needs. However, in an advanced polyurethanes market like Europe we focus on
a more centralized approach to efficiently address the needs of our customers.”
With its new owner H.I.G., the European Systems Houses now have the
perspective to position themselves as an independent, focused player for mid-
sized customers. In Asia with its developing polyurethane markets, Covestro will
continue to serve its customers through its established systems houses network.
The systems houses are part of the company’s Polyurethanes segment and are
offering tailor-made polyurethanes systems for customers. The European Systems Houses business comprises facilities in the Netherlands, Denmark,
Spain, Germany and further businesses in Italy. Approximately 250 employees
are generating annual sales of some EUR 230 million. Operations will continue
at the current facilities while Covestro will continue to have strong ties with the
systems houses as a key polyurethanes supplier.
Polyurethanes are a class of plastics that can be found in many areas of modern
life – be it in the form of soft or rigid foam or as thermoplastic polyurethane
(TPU). They are used in numerous applications like, for instance, mattresses,
automobile seats, sports equipment or as insulating material in buildings and
refrigerators.
With view on scale and capabilities as well as the solid asset base, the
European Systems Houses perfectly fits into H.I.G.’s buy-and-build approach.
H.I.G. aims to further develop their pan-European presence and to build a
strong and independent European group of polyurethane systems houses with a
clear focus on mid-sized customers. The company intends to continue working
with the current experienced management team of the systems houses to
further improve the business. The closing of the transaction is expected for the
second half of 2019 after the required antitrust clearance.
About H.I.G. Capital
H.I.G. is a leading global private equity and alternative assets investment firm
with over €26 billion of equity capital under management. Based in Miami, and
with offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco,
and Atlanta in the U.S., as well as international affiliate offices in London,
Hamburg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, H.I.G.
specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to small and mid-sized
companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused / value-added
approach:
1. H.I.G.’s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations
and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming
manufacturing and service businesses.
2. H.I.G.’s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche and junior debt financing
to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct
origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. is also a
leading CLO manager, through its WhiteHorse family of vehicles, and
manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance.
3. H.I.G.’s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can
benefit from improved asset management practices.
Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 300
companies worldwide. The firm’s current portfolio includes more than 100
companies with combined sales in excess of €28 billion. For more information,
please refer to the H.I.G. website at www.higcapital.com.
Everchem Updates Archive 
Sign Up for Email Updates