April 15, 2019

BASF to Launch Second Phase of MDI Production Facility in Louisiana

By 4-12-19

BATON ROUGE, La. — Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and BASF Senior Vice President Stefan Doerr announced the company will proceed with the second phase of its production expansion for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, or MDI, at its Louisiana chemical complex in Geismar. BASF expects to double its production of MDI, from 300,000 metric tons to around 600,000 metric tons, through the multiphase expansion project announced in January 2018.

Details were shared in a press release.

MDI is used by industrial customers to produce polyurethanes, which contribute to improved insulation for appliances, lighter materials for cars and energy efficiency in buildings.

BASF will make an $87 million capital investment to continue the expansion of the MDI plant that has been a central aspect of its Geismar manufacturing facility for more than 30 years. The company committed $150 million to the first phase of the MDI expansion. That project is expected to be finalized in the first half of 2020. The second phase of the project will retain 1,238 existing BASF jobs at Geismar, the company’s largest manufacturing site in North America. Construction is expected to start by the end of 2019 with completion scheduled for 2021. The company estimates the project will support 170 construction jobs.

“BASF has called Louisiana home for more than 60 years, and this latest expansion at its Geismar plant will help to keep the company competitive in its global marketplace,” Gov. Edwards said. “From low operational costs to effective infrastructure and logistics, Louisiana provides industries across a broad spectrum of manufacturing specialties with the assets they need to succeed. We welcome this latest expansion at BASF’s Geismar facility and look forward to the continued economic impact of company operations for Ascension Parish and the Capital Region.”

BASF is a major player in the polyurethanes industry, operating a global production network of MDI facilities in China, South Korea, Belgium and the U.S.

“With the development of the American market, BASF needs this investment to support the growth of our existing customers,” said Doerr, head of BASF’s Regional Business Unit Monomers in North America. “The Geismar site is ideally suited for this investment thanks to the existing infrastructure, competitive raw materials and favorable business support from state and local governments. This investment also demonstrates our strong commitment to our employees, our community and our presence in Louisiana.”

Since 2009, BASF has invested more than $800 million in major capital projects in Ascension Parish. For this expansion project, the company is expected to utilize the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

“BASF continues to prove its commitment to our community and local workforce by investing and creating a partnership of long-term economic growth,” Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa said.

“Ascension Parish remains an ideal place for chemical manufacturing, and we are thrilled that BASF continues to choose the Geismar facility as a place to grow and thrive,” said President and CEO Kate MacArthur of the Ascension Economic Development Corp.

“Today’s expansion announcement is welcome news for the Capital Region, and speaks to BASF’s confidence in the future of our economy,” said President and CEO Adam Knapp of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. “Strong partnerships from the local to state level are important in creating business friendly environments, and we commend our allies at Ascension Economic Development Corporation for assisting BASF through the process.”

http://www.bizneworleans.com/April-2019/BASF-To-Launch-Second-Phase-Of-MDI-Production-Facility-In-Louisiana/

April 15, 2019

Tempur-Pedic Cooling Technology

Tempur-Pedic Creates World’s First Mattress That Stays up to Eight Degrees Cooler Through the Night

Mon April 15, 2019 9:00 AM|PR Newswire|About: TPX

PR NewswireLEXINGTON, Ky., April 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Tempur-Pedic, the brand synonymous with innovation in the mattress industry since 2012, is today unveiling the TEMPUR-breeze® mattress line, the first capable of keeping you cool from when you first get into bed, as you fall asleep, and throughout the night. Tempur-breeze® will help you feel up to 8 degrees cooler through the night.

“Sleeping cooler, and in particular, sleeping cooler throughout the night, is the number one unmet consumer need in the sleep industry — with more than 60% of Americans struggling with this problem — and the new TEMPUR-breeze is the only mattress line that truly addresses it,” said Rick Anderson, Tempur Sealy EVP and President, North America. “TEMPUR-breeze mattresses are a thermodynamic breakthrough that provide both unbeatable all-night cooling and maximum pressure relief for a deeper, more refreshing sleep.”

Tempur-Pedic’s thermal, material and textile scientists — including ten cross functional teams across three continents — have spent more than ten years and 2.6 million hours on R&D in the industry’s most sophisticated Thermal Lab. Building on this commitment to innovation, the new TEMPUR-breeze mattress performs exceptionally at each layer — and for the first time in the industry — across the whole system. This coordination addresses temperature and humidity flux in the sleep microclimate during three separate phases of sleep:

When you lie down: The high molecular weight yarn in the SmartClimate® Dual Cover System delivers a cooling sensation up to 30 percent more intense than non-cooling models. Thermal effusivity tests—which measure heat absorption—confirm this cool-to-touch yarn absorbs heat throughout sleep, continually feeling cool as you roll over and adjust. With a washable, easy-to-remove cover that features a patent-pending 360-degree zipper system, cooling effects will not diminish.
As you fall asleep: At about 80°F, the molecules within TEMPUR-breeze’s most efficient Phase Change Material (PCM) to-date, PURECOOL+™, activate, shifting from a solid to a liquid to absorb massive amounts of heat. For the first time, Tempur-Pedic’s scientists successfully altered these proprietary molecules to deliver more phase change material, increasing its capacity to absorb heat by 2x compared to other PCM.
Staying cool all night: In an unprecedented engineering feat at a cellular level, TEMPUR-CM+™ comfort layer is up to 10x more porous to more effectively channel heat and humidity away from you all night long. For the first time, both phase change and climate materials are integrated into the bed’s top layer where they’re most effective.

Coolness and comfort in concert
TEMPUR-breeze delivers the highest performing cooling system and most advanced pressure-relieving material in one mattress. On a molecular level, the ability to combine Tempur-Pedic’s pressure relieving, adaptation and motion-isolating properties with open-cell foam material is an industry-first. Tempur-Pedic is the only brand to successfully engineer this into soft, medium and firm feel preferences.

Perfect temperature every time
From cover to core the TEMPUR-PRObreeze™ and TEMPUR-LUXEbreeze™ mattresses combine the best cooling performance and pressure relieving properties in Tempur-Pedic’s history. The new TEMPUR-breeze line includes PRObreeze™, which features three-level cooling system and feels up to 3 degrees cooler through the night. It’s available in medium and medium hybrid and retails at a price point of $3,799 for queen-size.

The LUXEbreeze™ also includes the company’s most advanced pressure relieving material in a ventilated TEMPUR-APR® support layer, delivering even more breathability and cooling comfort for four-levels of cooling technology. As a result, it feels up to eight degrees cooler through the night. Available in soft and firm versions, the LUXEbreeze retails at $4,499 for queen-size.

About Tempur Sealy International, Inc. (TPX)
Tempur Sealy International, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets mattresses, foundations, pillows and other products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide through third party retailers, its own stores, and online. The Company’s brand portfolio includes many highly recognized brands in the industry, including Tempur®, Tempur-Pedic®, Sealy® featuring Posturepedic® Technology, and Stearns & Foster®. World headquarters for Tempur Sealy International is in Lexington, KY. For more information, visit http://www.tempursealy.com or call 800-805-3635.

https://seekingalpha.com/pr/17476376-tempur-pedic-creates-worlds-first-mattress-stays-eight-degrees-cooler-night

April 15, 2019

Tempur-Pedic Cooling Technology

Tempur-Pedic Creates World’s First Mattress That Stays up to Eight Degrees Cooler Through the Night

Mon April 15, 2019 9:00 AM|PR Newswire|About: TPX

PR NewswireLEXINGTON, Ky., April 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Tempur-Pedic, the brand synonymous with innovation in the mattress industry since 2012, is today unveiling the TEMPUR-breeze® mattress line, the first capable of keeping you cool from when you first get into bed, as you fall asleep, and throughout the night. Tempur-breeze® will help you feel up to 8 degrees cooler through the night.

“Sleeping cooler, and in particular, sleeping cooler throughout the night, is the number one unmet consumer need in the sleep industry — with more than 60% of Americans struggling with this problem — and the new TEMPUR-breeze is the only mattress line that truly addresses it,” said Rick Anderson, Tempur Sealy EVP and President, North America. “TEMPUR-breeze mattresses are a thermodynamic breakthrough that provide both unbeatable all-night cooling and maximum pressure relief for a deeper, more refreshing sleep.”

Tempur-Pedic’s thermal, material and textile scientists — including ten cross functional teams across three continents — have spent more than ten years and 2.6 million hours on R&D in the industry’s most sophisticated Thermal Lab. Building on this commitment to innovation, the new TEMPUR-breeze mattress performs exceptionally at each layer — and for the first time in the industry — across the whole system. This coordination addresses temperature and humidity flux in the sleep microclimate during three separate phases of sleep:

When you lie down: The high molecular weight yarn in the SmartClimate® Dual Cover System delivers a cooling sensation up to 30 percent more intense than non-cooling models. Thermal effusivity tests—which measure heat absorption—confirm this cool-to-touch yarn absorbs heat throughout sleep, continually feeling cool as you roll over and adjust. With a washable, easy-to-remove cover that features a patent-pending 360-degree zipper system, cooling effects will not diminish.
As you fall asleep: At about 80°F, the molecules within TEMPUR-breeze’s most efficient Phase Change Material (PCM) to-date, PURECOOL+™, activate, shifting from a solid to a liquid to absorb massive amounts of heat. For the first time, Tempur-Pedic’s scientists successfully altered these proprietary molecules to deliver more phase change material, increasing its capacity to absorb heat by 2x compared to other PCM.
Staying cool all night: In an unprecedented engineering feat at a cellular level, TEMPUR-CM+™ comfort layer is up to 10x more porous to more effectively channel heat and humidity away from you all night long. For the first time, both phase change and climate materials are integrated into the bed’s top layer where they’re most effective.

Coolness and comfort in concert
TEMPUR-breeze delivers the highest performing cooling system and most advanced pressure-relieving material in one mattress. On a molecular level, the ability to combine Tempur-Pedic’s pressure relieving, adaptation and motion-isolating properties with open-cell foam material is an industry-first. Tempur-Pedic is the only brand to successfully engineer this into soft, medium and firm feel preferences.

Perfect temperature every time
From cover to core the TEMPUR-PRObreeze™ and TEMPUR-LUXEbreeze™ mattresses combine the best cooling performance and pressure relieving properties in Tempur-Pedic’s history. The new TEMPUR-breeze line includes PRObreeze™, which features three-level cooling system and feels up to 3 degrees cooler through the night. It’s available in medium and medium hybrid and retails at a price point of $3,799 for queen-size.

The LUXEbreeze™ also includes the company’s most advanced pressure relieving material in a ventilated TEMPUR-APR® support layer, delivering even more breathability and cooling comfort for four-levels of cooling technology. As a result, it feels up to eight degrees cooler through the night. Available in soft and firm versions, the LUXEbreeze retails at $4,499 for queen-size.

About Tempur Sealy International, Inc. (TPX)
Tempur Sealy International, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets mattresses, foundations, pillows and other products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide through third party retailers, its own stores, and online. The Company’s brand portfolio includes many highly recognized brands in the industry, including Tempur®, Tempur-Pedic®, Sealy® featuring Posturepedic® Technology, and Stearns & Foster®. World headquarters for Tempur Sealy International is in Lexington, KY. For more information, visit http://www.tempursealy.com or call 800-805-3635.

https://seekingalpha.com/pr/17476376-tempur-pedic-creates-worlds-first-mattress-stays-eight-degrees-cooler-night

April 10, 2019

Retail’s Future

‘Retail apocalypse’ now: Analysts say 75,000 more U.S. stores could be doomed.

Abha Bhattarai, The Washington Post

Published 6:35 am CDT, Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Photo: Julio Cortez, Associated Press

Image 1 of 24

FILE – In this Jan. 24, 2018, file photo, a person walks near the entrance to a Toys R Us store, in Wayne, N.J. An investment firm projects more retail store closures are likely as consumers shift to online … more

Widespread closures have roiled the retail industry, but many more stores are likely to shut down in coming years to keep up with a shift to online shopping, according to a report by investment firm UBS.

An estimated 75,000 stores that sell clothing, electronics and furniture will close by 2026, when online shopping is expected to make up 25% of retail sales, according to UBS. Roughly 16% of overall sales are made online.

Analysts said the closures would affect a broad variety of retailers, affecting an estimated 21,000 apparel stores, 10,000 consumer electronics stores and 8,000 home furnishing stores.

Already this year, retailers have announced plans to close thousands of stores as they keep up with changing consumer habits. Payless ShoeSource, which filed for Chapter 8 bankruptcy protection in February, is closing all 2,100 of its U.S. stores, while Gymboree is shuttering its 800 locations. Sears, which has closed 1,300 Kmart and Sears stores since 2013, is scrapping an additional 80 locations. A number of other retailers, including Gap, have hinted that store closures are on the horizon.

The main reason for the shift, analysts say, is simple: Americans are increasingly shopping online. The average U.S. household spent $5,200 online last year, up nearly 50 percent from five years earlier.

“This is a healthy cleansing for the retail industry,” said John D. Morris, senior brand apparel analyst for financial services firm D.A. Davidson. “We’re in the middle of a multiyear retail purge. Companies are finding that when it comes to stores, less is more.”

Overall, retailers have closed more than 15,000 stores since 2017, according to UBS. Among them: Radio Shack (which closed 1,470 stores), Toys R Us (735 stores), and Mattress Firm and GNC (700 stores each).

“Retailers have been hanging on too long to their bricks-and-mortar stores,” Morris said.

After a decade of steady retail closures – enough to coin the term “retail apocalypse” – analysts said in-store sales ticked up in 2018, in part because of tax cuts for some Americans. But those gains are likely to be reversed this year, said UBS analysts Jay Sole and Michael Lasser.

“This pace of store productivity improvement is unlikely to be sustained in 2019 as the boost from fiscal stimulus fades,” they wrote in a note to clients on Tuesday. “This will likely lead to an acceleration in physical store closures in the upcoming year.”

Even so, some internet-only companies such as furniture retailer Wayfair and mattress brand Casper are beginning to open physical stores. But analysts said these outposts – often smaller and more sparse than traditional stores – function more as showrooms for items customers can order online than a one-stop shop with swaths of inventory.

“The trend is toward more streamlined stores: Less chaos, less inventory, less choice,” Morris said. “If a customer wants something in a different color or size, they can find that online.”

Big-box retailers such Target and Ikea are also shrinking their store sizes to appeal to time-strapped shoppers in urban areas. Sears said last week that it will open a handful of “Sears Home & Life” shops that are about one-tenth the size of its traditional department stores.

https://www.lmtonline.com/business/article/Retail-apocalypse-now-Analysts-say-75-000-more-13755644.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Desktop)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral