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A S l A ’ S L E A D l N G m aga z l ne f o r t h e p las t l c s and r u b b e r l nd u s t r y
业 界 新闻 材 料 新闻: 疫情下的塑料
In this issue
Volume 35, No 253
publlshed slnce 1985
A S l A’ S L E A D l N G m aga z l ne f o r the plastlcs and rubber lndustry
Features 焦 點 內 容 13 材料新聞: 疫情下的塑料 16 Packaging Sector – The packaging industry has notched up brownie
points in the issue of recycling, with increasing use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic content in food packaging
20 Packaging Sector – Since sustainability has grown in importance in India, especially in the last few years, materials company ExxonMobil took up the challenge of replacing multi-layer plastics with a recyclable full PE laminated solution in a collaboration with Indian firms
22 Additives – With the emergence of new pathogenic/coronavirus strains, the use of antimicrobial polymer additives has come at an opportune time, and the market is growing in various applications
26 Thermoforming – With the Covid-19 pandemic, countries imposed
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Arthur Schavemaker Tel: +31 547 275005 Email: arthur@kenter.nl Associate Publisher/Executive Editor Tej Fernandez Tel: +60 3 4260 4575 Email: tej@plasticsandrubberasia.com Senior Editor Angelica Buan Email: gel@plasticsandrubberasia.com Chinese Editor Koh Bee Ling
travel lockdowns. Machinery makers like WM Thermoforming and GN Thermoforming Equipment had to resort to innovative ways of installing and commissioning machinery. Meanwhile, Kiefel has introduced its Natureformer machine for thermoforming cellulose-based packaging, the first plastics thermforming machine maker to do so
Permits
28 Chemical Sector – Joseph Chang, Global Editor, ICIS Chemical
ISSN 1360-1245
Business highlights the chemical industry’s road to recovery, against the back of the Covid-19 pandemic
2 Industry News 6 Materials News 10 業界新聞
The automotive sector is being urged to be more adaptable and innovative in the post-pandemic global economy Hit by the pandemic, the production and consumption of natural rubber has dropped, according to the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), and will make a slow recovery
A S l A ’ S L E A D l N G M A G A Z l N E F O R THE PLASTlCS AND RUBBER lNDUSTRY
On the Cover Antimicrobial plastic additives are the best protectors of plastic applications and will be ever so needed after the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns ease worldwide and there is more focus on staying safe
�界新 � 材料新� : 疫情下的塑料
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MAY / JUNE 2020
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Industry News
M&As/Investments/Tie-ups • Singapore-based investment management firm Circulate Capital’s Circulate Capital Ocean Fund (CCOF), the world’s first investment fund dedicated to the ocean plastic crisis in South and Southeast Asia, has made its first US$6 million investment in Lucro Plastecycle in India, and PT Tridi Oasis Group in Indonesia. • South Korean giant Lotte Chemical has invested around US$132 million to acquire a 4.46% stake in Japanese chemical company Showa Denko, undertaken in two phases between March and April. The move reflects the South Korean group’s intention to take over Japanese chemical companies with strong technologies for its future growth. • Oil firm BP has entered into an agreement with China Resources Chemical Innovative Materials Holdings Limited (CRC) and invested as a shareholder of CRC, which is a major producer of PET in China and a PTA customer of BP’s. The companies will look at strengthening
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their cooperation on PTA sourcing, work together along the polyester value chain and seek other collaborative opportunities. • Austrian chemical firm Borealis has completed the acquisition of Canada-based Nova Chemicals’ 50% interest in Novealis Holdings. Formed in 2018, Novealis is the joint venture between affiliates of Borealis and Nova, which subsequently formed a 50/50 joint venture with an affiliate of Total S.A. to launch Bayport Polymers (Baystar) in Houston, Texas, US. • Japan’s Ube Industries has acquired Premium Composite Technology North America (PCTNA), a subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho Corporation. PCTNA manufactures compounds in the US. In January, Ube and Toyota Tsusho entered into a share transfer agreement, under which Ube was to receive 100% of the shares in PCTNA, to be completed by 1 April.
• Speciality chemicals firm Nouryon is to acquire the merchant triethyl aluminum (TEAL) business of South African petrochemical firm Sasol, including its specialty fleet of returnable cylinders. TEAL is a metal alkyl essential in the production of plastics like PP and PE. • Mubadala Investment Company, the Abu Dhabibased investment company, and OMV, oil and gas company headquartered in Vienna, have signed an agreement that will give OMV a majority stake in Borealis. OMV, which currently owns a 36% stake in Borealis, will acquire an additional 39% from Mubadala for US$4.68 billion, the biggest acquisition in OMV’s history and the largest single transaction for Mubadala. Following completion, OMV will hold a 75% interest in Borealis and Mubadala will retain a 25% interest. • Tokyoheadquartered Mitsubishi
Chemical Corporation (MCC) has acquired Gelest Intermediate Holdings, the parent company of Gelest Inc and a portfolio company of New Mountain Capital. Gelest is a manufacturer, of silicones, organosilanes, metal-organics, and speciality monomers for medical devices, life sciences, microelectronics, and personal care markets. • Canadian recycler Pyrowave has closed a series B investment, which marks the first step towards bringing the modular recycling technology to market. The round led by French tyre maker Michelin and Sofinnova Partners, a European venture capital firm, also includes Ecofuel, a Quebec-based early stage cleantech venture capital fund. • German materials manufacturer Covestro and US compounder Teknor Apex are to cooperate on compounding thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), with the jointly developed products by Teknor Apex to be marketed as Desmoflex.
INDUSTRY NEWS • Chemical firm Nova Chemicals and biofuel maker Enerkem are to jointly develop technology for converting nonrecyclable and non-compostable municipal waste into ethylene, a key feedstock for the production of PE and other plastics. The two Canadian companies will work together to research advanced recycling technology. • Chemical firm Dow and Swedish stretch film manufacturer Doxa Plast are to commercialise Reborn, the new range of biobased stretch films that integrate Dow’s biobased LLDPE Elite 5230GC R Enhanced PE resin, which is produced
from renewable feedstock. The films are produced at Doxa’s factory in Sweden, which due to the short supply chain also contributes to reducing carbon footprint. • Australia’s Security Matters and German chemical firm BASF are to develop solutions for plastics traceability and circularity. Security Matters will contribute its technology to enable physical and digital tracking of closed loop recycling, authenticate sustainability claims and improve sorting of plastic waste. The partnership leverages BASF’s experience in plastic additives, regulatory
know-how, and understanding of the plastics value chain. • Switzerland-based Maag Group, a diversified solutions provider of Pump & Filtration Systems, Pelletising Systems, Pulverising Systems, and Recycling Systems, has appointed DKSH to distribute Maag’s equipment in Indonesia. Prior to this, in 1990, Maag has had a partnership footprint with DKSH in Japan, North Asia. • State-owned oil firm Saudi Aramco is seeking to lower the price of the acquisition of a 70% stake
in petrochemicals maker Sabic, following the collapse in oil prices due to Covid-19, and against the slash in spending by the government. Aramco is also looking at cutting down the size of the initial instalment payment for the purchase to Sabic’s owner, the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund. • French robots supplier Sepro Group has tied up with Labotek A/S, Denmark, to sell Sepro robots in India. It will develop the commercial presence of Sepro in India, while expanding Labotek’s portfolio of auxiliary equipment for plastics processing.
Industry News
New Plants/Capacity Expansions • US firm ExxonMobil has broken ground on its US$10 billion Chinese petrochemical complex in Huizhou, Guangdong Province. The complex is one of a few mega petrochemical projects in China that will be wholly owned by a foreign investor. It will be built in two phases with the first phase to have a 1.6 million-tonne/ year ethylene cracker as well as downstream PE and PP plants, scheduled to be completed by 2023 when construction on the second phase will begin. • BASF has licensed the production of its certified compostable aliphatic-aromatic co-polyester (PBAT) to China’s Red Avenue New Materials Group. The latter will build a 60,000tonne PBAT plant in Shanghai, using BASF`s process technology and in exchange for access to raw material from this plant BASF will sell it as ecoflex. Production will start in 2022.
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• US distributor of engineering thermoplastics Conventus Polymers has established a Chinese subsidiary, Shanghai Conventus Polymers New Materials, based in Shanghai, which will offer the company’s portfolio of products. • Nova Chemicals is slowing down expansion work its new AST2 PE facility and Corunna cracker expansion projects in Ontario. The expansion plans were to invest C$2 billion to expand capacity on Corunna by 50% and to build a 450,000tonne/year PE plant based on the company’s Advanced Sclairtech technology. Completion was expected by 2021. The Corunna cracker currently has 816,000 tonnes/year of ethylene capacity. • Chemical firm Ineos and Plastic Energy are to build a new plant to convert waste plastic into new raw material,
targeted for the end of 2023. The resulting material will be used in Ineos’s crackers to replace oil-based materials. First trials of the product from Plastic Energy’s process have been successfully converted into virgin polymer through the Ineos cracker at Köln, Germany. • Engineering firm TechnipFMC’s operating centre in Lyon, France, will be assisting French green chemistry firm Carbios to build a plant that demonstrates Carbios’ Enzymatic Recycling Process. The technology uses proprietary enzymes to recycle waste PET plastics into monomers ready for repolymerisation into PET with the same technical and physical properties as virgin PET. Construction will start later this year with first operations expected to begin in 2021.
• German recycling company APK, which offers the Newcycling recycling technology, has completed its new EUR1 million laboratory at its production site in Merseburg (Germany). Initially, the facility will focus on LDPE and polyamiderecyclates, which are to be used in packaging applications. • Advanced Global Investment Company (AGIC), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian PP producer Advanced Petrochemical, is to form a joint venture with South Korea’s SK Gas Petrochemical (SKGP), a subsidiary of SK Gas, to build a propane dehydrogenation (PDH)/PP complex in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Advanced Polyolefins joint venture will invest US$1.8 billion and will be owned by AGIC with 85% share and SKGP holding the
INDUSTRY NEWS remainder. The facility will have a nameplate capacity to manufacture 843,000 tonnes/year of propylene and 800,000 tonnes/ year of PP. • Despite the unfavourable situation due to Covid-19, Russian firm Sibur is going ahead with ramping up trial production of thermoplastic elastomers (SBS polymers) at its Voronezh site, Russia, in accordance with the project schedule. Thus, in 2020 the company’s portfolio will include five new SBS grades. It launched the investment project in 2018 to increase the production of TPEs by 50,000 tonnes/year. • German chemical firm Evonik has doubled capacity for its transparent, high-performance polyamide Trogamid CX at its plant in Marl, Germany. The planned expansion went on stream as scheduled in February 2020.
It did not state the capacity increase. • Japan’s Mitsui Chemicals is to establish a new plant within Osaka Works, Takaishi, Osaka Prefecture, to produce its APEL series of cyclic olefin copolymers, with an additional line. By establishing the new plant, Mitsui says production capacity for APEL will rise by 50%. Construction is slated to wrap up in March 2022. It already operates one line each at Iwakuni-Ohtake Works and Osaka Works, making a total of two lines currently. • With the carbon nanotube (CNT) market growing at 30% a year, South Korea’s LG Chem is to more than triple its capacity, from 500 tonnes/ year to 1,700 tonnes/year, at its production facility in Yeosu. It also plans to gradually increase sales to global IT
materials companies and car makers in North America, Europe and China and will also review plans for additional expansion in 2022. • Toray Industries is boosting production capacity for Torayfan oriented polypropylene (OPP) film for automotive capacitors by 60% at its Tsuchiura Plant in Ibaraki Prefecture by 2022. It intends to capitalise on the electric vehicles (EVs) market. • US custom compounder Polymax TPE has expanded output of its medicalgrade P-Series and A-Series thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) to meet increased demand from customers. Capacity was not disclosed. • Borealis will not go ahead with the US$6.8 billion integrated cracker and PE project in Kazakhstan, to
have a capacity of 1.25 million tonnes/year. The decision is due to economic uncertainties as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The project was a 50:50 joint venture with Kazakh stateowned United Chemical Company (UCC) and a joint agreement was signed in 2018. Borealis also has a 500,000tonne/year PP project with Kazakhstan’s Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund that is under construction. • In a bid to boost competitiveness, KHS Group, a manufacturer of filling and packaging systems for the beverage and liquid food industries, has invested EUR20 million in modernising its headquarters in Dortmund, Germany. In a bundle of measures underway since 2015 the company has built a 4,300-sq m production shop and fully renovated another. MAY / JUNE 2020
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Materials News
Plastics under the pandemic lens The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the best and the worst of plastics (and rubber) use. Meanwhile, stemming a post-pandemic onslaught of waste, recycling is by far the best solution offered by industry experts, says Angelica Buan in this report. Plastics: on the winning end in pandemic The Covid-19 pandemic has bolstered the use of plastics even more in the healthcare and retail space, and it is no denying the fact that plastic as a material has had its shining moment during this pandemic. According to a study by Dr David Fengwei Xie, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellow at the University of Warwick, UK, the pandemic has shown that plastic is indispensable, especially for health safety, with demand rising for medical devices and personal protective equipment (PPE), all of which are either made of or have significant components of plastic materials.
Waste generation to contend with Thus, a future of more plastic is likely, according to Xie. But increased use of plastics abets greater waste generation, and spawns the build-up of plastic pollution. Since 2018 when China started the ban on plastic waste imports, developed countries have been in a movement to reduce plastic wastes. Goals have been set to eliminate single-use plastic items such as bags, straws and cutlery. Besides, there have been discussions regarding the reduction of plastic wastes from laboratories and hospitals. However, under the influence of the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic starting in early 2020, the industry may now need to re-think the question: Is the future more plastic? And although the pandemic is temporary, the resulting pollution is “long-lasting”, Xie said. Two sides to plastics use: health or environment Now, the situation presents two sides: protecting health or the environment; a choice between the devil and the deep blue sea. Xie cites gloves as an example of PPEs that have witnessed staggering demand during this period. Relatedly, gloves, which are made of rubber, are essential
Dr David Fengwei Xie from the University of Warwick , poses the question, is the future more plastic in a recent study. He says that plastics are indispensable especially for health safety, with demand rising for medical devices and personal protective equipment
M e a n w h i l e , D m i t r y K o n o v, C h a i r m a n o f t h e Management Board of Russian petrochemicals company Sibur, says in an article published by the WeForum that how plastics have remained “the most reliable and affordable solution for personal protection, “considering its role in safety protection during the Covid-19”. He said that polymers have been perceived as a valuable material for the production of disposable plastic packaging and medical personal protective equipment during the pandemic.
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Rubber gloves, which are essential PPE for healthcare workers, are not on par in eco-friendliness
Materials News for health care workers, he said. Xie explained that while latex gloves are biodegradable because the polymer is extracted from rubber trees, but nitrile and vinyl gloves made from synthetic polymers are not biodegradable. In this respect, choosing latex gloves may have smaller environmental impediment than their synthetic non-biodegradable counterparts. But health issues like allergic reactions linked to using latex gloves also hinder their preferential use. “In this sense, if only latex gloves are used by health workers, fighting the disease is unlikely to cause much environmental pollution. However, there are many other health-related items that are made of synthetic polymers and thus are not so environmentally friendly,” says Xie.
Non-biodegradable synthetic polymers such as PVC and PP are used in producing pill casings, disposal syringes, catheters, and blood bags
Surgical masks are another example, whereby the most important material to make surgical masks is melt-blown PP, which can effectively shield microbes and droplets, Xie said. For the same reason, non-woven PP is also widely used to make protective clothing for medical staff. Likewise, syn thetic polymers such as PVC and PP, and which are not biodegradable, are used in medical applications such as pill casings, disposal syringes, catheters, and blood bags, according to Xie.
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Materials News
“Therefore, it would be not surprising to see that the Covid-19 pandemic is generating tonnes of medical waste,” he said. Social distancing increases use of plastic products Coronavirus containment protocols including quarantine, isolation and social/physical distancing are meant to flatten the infection curve. Incidentally, such measures promote the use of more disposable plastic items for hygiene; and particularly social/ physical distancing, which has seen increased use of disposable gloves. Disposable PE gloves are more commonly used by people going outside for shopping or other purposes where they need to avoid touching surfaces, pointed out Xie in his study. “PE is the same polymer used for plastic shopping bags worldwide, which has already caused tremendous environmental issues,” he added. “During the lockdown, many people are also ordering more food deliveries and takeaways, which means increasing amounts of disposable meal boxes are being used, which are commonly made of PP or PS,” he said, explaining how the “fear over the coronavirus” has spurred the use of more plastic than usual.
A study has concluded that the virus can be passed on from reusable bags. Thus, single-use plastic bags are safer bets during the pandemic
For this reason too, plastic bans have been pushed aside, particularly in England, some states in the US and South Australia, to allow for a more liberal use of plastics to reduce the coronavirus risk. In a similar note, a 2013 study by Dr Ryan Sinclair at Loma Linda University School of Public Health confirmed that reusable grocery bags, when not properly disinfected, can be carriers for bacteria and viruses, including norovirus and coronavirus. On the basis of this finding, the study suggested that although these reusable bags (including those promoted for use in supermarkets and retail shops) are not exempted from contamination, they are still “environmentally friendly” as they can be reused after washing thoroughly to reduce bacteria by nearly 100%. Meanwhile, in a more recent study published in 2018 in the Journal of Environmental Health, Sinclair and his team also found that reusable bags can transfer pathogens around at supermarkets. The study says pathogens are passed on from store employees and shoppers, especially at high contact points like checkout conveyors, food scanner and grocery carts. Thus, during this virus outbreak, single-use plastics are preferred over reusable ones. Containing pandemic-generated waste with recycling Aside from waste generated during the pandemic, the plastic waste problem has been a long standing c o n c e r n . To c o u n t e r t h i s , s e c t o r s h a v e t u r n e d t o recycling as the sum and substance of an efficient waste management. But with the recent drop in oil prices, virgin plastics could be cheaper and might further harm the viability of plastic recycling, says Xie. “With higher amounts of plastic used and reduced recycling capability in this trend, unfortunately, we are likely to see more plastic waste or more plastic pollution,” he adds. The global recycling rate has remained low at less than 10%, or about 6,300 million tonnes of waste, according to a study by the University of Georgia. This finding, released in 2018, has not been superseded with newer figures that would tell whether recycling rates have improved or not since then. Adding further to the lower recycling rate is the current pandemic. According to Xie’s findings, the lockdown measures have “hampered our ability to process recyclable waste properly”. It has also posed risks to waste recycling workers, he added. More waste, less recycling The Asian Development Bank (ADB), in a recent report, acknowledges the fact that the pandemic “is producing more household waste and increased amounts of dangerous medical waste”. In Hubei province, China, during the Covid-19 outbreak, infectious medical waste increased by 600% from 40 tonnes/day to 240 tonnes/day, overwhelming
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Materials News existing medical transport and disposal infrastructure around hospitals, the ADB reported. ADB’s report titled Managing Infectious Medical Waste during the Covid-19 Pandemic also gleaned that other countries will face similar challenges. It recommended for additional waste management systems to be put in place to help reduce the further spread of Covid-19 and the emergence of other diseases. The pandemic, the Manila-based financial agency said, has altered the ways on how waste is managed. If the waste management industry is unable to keep pace, Covid-19 could set back efforts to reduce and eliminate single-use plastics and recycling waste, it said. Looking for solutions to impede waste/pollution While, admittedly, plastic is indispensable, plastic pollution could be long lasting. So what can be done to minimise the negative impact of plastic on the environment? While reducing or even avoiding the use of unnecessary plastic could definitely help to reduce plastic waste, using disposable plastic items in many cases remains an important option particularly for hygiene and convenience purposes. However, using disposables does not necessarily m e a n m o r e p o l l u t i o n , s a y s X i e i n h i s s t u d y. Boomerang Alliance’s Plastic Free Places programme has provided a guide to cafes and restaurants of how to avoid single-use plastics and what compostable packaging alternatives are available. D i s p o s a b l e s can be made from biomass resources or of biodegradable or compostable plastics. “Biodegradable” plastics can decompose into small molecules with the action of living organisms in the natural environment (such as in soil). For “compostable” plastics to break down into simpler chemical compounds, composting facilities with controlled conditions (e.g., added nutrients and certain temperature) are required. Polylactide (PLA) is a compostable bioplastic made from the sugars from fermented starch (e.g., corn and cassava), sugarcane or sugar beet.
Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a biodegradable polymer produced by microorganisms (bacteria) from organic matters like sugar or lipids. There are many biomass resources such as cellulose, chitin/ chitosan, starch, lignin, and alginate, which can be used to make biodegradable materials, too. Xie says that other than developing biodegradable or compostable plastics, there is so much that needs to be done. “Plastic waste is much more complex than fighting Covid-19 and it needs governments, NGOs, i n d u s t r y, r e s e a r c h e r s , a n d t h e p u b l i c t o w o r k together to form synergistic approaches,” he says. Meanwhile, ADB says continuing efforts should be made to reduce single-use plastics and efforts taken in recycling, adding that it “is imperative to keep the waste and recycling facilities operational”. F u r t h e r t o t h i s , S i b u r ’s K o n o v o p i n e d t h a t unless technological advances introduce better alternatives, “a systems-level approach is needed from companies and governments on a global scale to address the issue of plastic and protect our environment”. Thus, Konov offers a solution that is to “encourage the production of polymers with improved recyclable qualities that would make it easier to reinsert used plastics back into our economy”. He said this can be achieved by companies and businesses that will pursue “a proactive role in decreasing pollution, while also highlighting critical benefits that industries could deliver to social comfort and safety.”
Disposables can be made from biomass resources or of biodegradable or compostable plastics
MAY / JUNE 2020
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新聞 并购／投资／合作
業 界
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• 新加坡投资管理公司 Circulate Capital 的 Circulate Capital Ocean Fund（CCOF）是全球 首个致力于南亚和东南亚海洋塑 料危机的投资基金，已在印度的 Lucro Plastecycle 和印尼的 PT T r i d i O a s i s G r o u p 进行了首 笔 600 万美元的投资。 • 韩国巨头 Lotte Chemical 已投 资约 1.32 亿美元，收购日本化 工公司 Showa Denko 的 4.46% 股份，该交易在 3 月和 4 月之间 分两个阶段进行有关行动反映了 该韩国集团有意接管拥有强大技 术的日本化学公司以推动其未来 增长。 • 石 油 公 司 B P 经 与 C h i n a Resources Chemical Innovative Materials Holdings Limited (CRC) 达成协议，并投 资成为 CRC 的股东，该公司是 中国 PET 的主要生产商，也是 BP 的 PTA 客户。两家公司将考 虑加强在 PTA 采购方面的合作， 在聚酯价值链上共同努力，并寻 求其他合作机会。 • 奥地利化工公司 Borealis 已经 完成对加拿大 Nova Chemicals 在 Novealis Holdings 的 50% 股权的收购。2018 年成立的 Novealis 是 Borealis 和 Nova 的 附属公司之间的合资企业，它随 后与 Total SA 的附属公司成立了 50/50 的合资企业，以在美国德 克萨斯州的休斯顿推出 Bayport Polymers（ Baystar）。 • 日本的 Ube Industries 已经收 购 Toyota Tsusho Corporation 的 子 公 司 ， C o m p o s i t e Technology North America (PCTNA)。PCTNA 在美国生产 化合物。1 月，Ube 和 Toyota Tsusho 签署了一项股份转让协 议，根据该协议，Ube 将获得 PCTNA 的 100% 的股份，该协 议将于 4 月 1 日完成。 • 特殊化学品公司 Nouryon 将收购 南非石化公司 Sasol 的商用三乙 基铝（TEAL）业务，包括其可 MAY / JUNE 2020
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回收钢瓶专用车队。TEAL 是烷 基金属，在生产 PP 和 PE 等塑料 时是不可或缺的。 位 于 阿 布 扎 比 的 投 资 公 司 Mubadala Investment Company 及总部设在维也纳 的石油和天然气公司 OMV 已 经签署协议，这将使 OMV 拥 有Borealis 的多数股权。目前 持有Borealis 的 36% 股份的 OMV，将斥资46.8亿美元向 Mubadala 收购额外的 39% 股 份，这是 OMV 历史上最大的一 笔收购，也是 Mubadala 最大的 一笔交易。完成收购后，OMV将 持有 Borealis 的 75% 股份，而 Mubadala 将保留 25％ 的股份。 总部位于东京的 Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) 收购了 Gelest Intermediate Holdings，后者 是 Gelest Inc 的母公司和 New Mountain Capital 的投资组合公司。 Gelest 是有机矽、有机矽烷、金 属有机物和特殊单体的制造商， 主要用于医疗设备、生命科学、 微电子和个人护理市场。 加拿大回收商 Pyrowave 已经 完成 B 系列投资，这标志着该 公司将模块化回收技术推向市场 的第一步。由法国轮胎制造商 Michelin 和欧洲风险投资公司 Sofinnova Partners 牵头的这轮 融资还包括位于魁北克的早期清 洁技术风险投资基金 Ecofuel。 德国材料制造商 Covestro 和美 国混料生产商 Teknor Apex 将合 作开发热塑性聚氨酯（TPU）， 这由 Teknor Apex 共同开发的产 品将以 Desmoflex 的形式销 售。 化学公司 Nova Chemicals 和生 物燃料生产商 Enerkem 将联合 开发一项技术，把不可回收和不 可堆肥的城市垃圾转化为乙烯， 乙烯是生产 PE 和其他塑料的关 键原料。这两家加拿大公司将共 同研究先进的回收技术。 化学公司 Dow 和瑞典拉伸膜制 造商 Doxa Plast 计划将 Reborn 进行商业化，这是一系列新的生
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物基拉伸膜，它整合了 Dow 的 生物基 LLDPE Elite 5230GC R 增强 PE 树脂，该树脂由可再生 原料制成。由于供应链短缺，这 些薄膜是在 Doxa 的瑞典工厂生 产，这也有助减少碳足迹。 澳洲的 Security Matters 和德国 的化学公司 BASF 将为塑料的可 追溯性和圆形性开发解决方案。 Security Matters 将贡献其技 术，以实现对闭环回收的物理和 数字跟进，验证可持续性要求并 改善塑料废物的分类。该合作伙 伴关系采用了 BASF 在塑料添加 剂、法规知识和对塑料价值链知 识的经验。 位于瑞士的 Maag Group 是泵 与过滤系统、制粒系统、粉碎系 统和回收系统的多元化解决方 案供应商，它已委任 DKSH 在 印尼分销 Maag 的设备。在此之 前，1990 年，Maag 与 DKSH 在日本，北亚建立了合作伙伴关 系。 由于 Covid-19 导致油价暴跌， 以及反对政府大幅度削减开支， 国有石油公司 Saudi Aramco 正在寻求降低收购石化制造 商 Sabic 的 70% 股份的价 格。Aramco 也计划减少支付 给 Sabic 的拥有者，即沙特 阿拉伯主权财富基金 Public Investment Fund 的首期投资付 款额。 法国的机器人供应商 Sepro Group 与丹麦的 Labotek A/S 联 手 在 印 度 销 售 S epr o 机 器 人 。 它将开发 Sepro 在印度的商业地 位，同时扩大 Labotek 的塑料加 工辅助设备产品组合。
新工厂／产能扩张 • 美国公司 ExxonMobil 在广东 省惠州的 100 亿美元中国石化 基地已经破土动工。该综合设 施是外国投资者在中国全资拥 有的几个大型石化项目之一。 该项目将分两个阶段进行建 设，第一阶段将建设年产 160 万吨乙烯的裂解装置，以及下
業界新聞
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游的 PE 和 PP 工厂，并计划于 2023 年在第二阶段开始建设时 完成。 BASF 已将其经认证的可堆肥 脂族-芳族共聚酯（PBAT） 的生产许可给了中国的 Red Avenue New Materials Group。后者将利用 BASF 的工 艺技术在上海建造一个 60,000 吨的 PBAT 工厂，作为换取从 该工厂获得原材料，BASF 将 以 ecoflex 的形式出售。它将于 2022 年开始生产。 美国工程热塑性塑料分销商 Conventus Polymers 在上海 成立了中国子公司，Shanghai Conventus Polymers New Materials，它将提供该公司的 产品组合。 Nova Chemicals 正在放缓其 位于安大略省的新 AST2 PE 工 厂扩建工作和 Corunna 裂解装 置的扩产项目。扩张计划是投 资 20 亿加元，将 Corunna 的 产能扩大 50%，并利用该公司 的 Advanced Sclairtech 技术 建设一座年产量 450,000 吨的 PE 工厂。预计将于 2021 年完 成。Corunna 裂解装置目前的 乙烯产能为 816,000 吨／年。 化学公司 Ineos 和 Plastic Energy 将在 2023 年年底建 立一座新工厂，将废塑料转 化为新原料。所得材料将用 于 Ineos 的裂解装置中，以 取代油基材料。采用 Plastic Energy 工艺生产的产品的第 一批试验已通过德国科隆的 Ineos 裂解装置成功转化为原 始聚合物。 Engineering firm TechnipFMC 在 法国里昂的营运中心将协助法 国的绿色化学公司 Carbios建 造一座工厂，以展示 Carbios 的酶回收过程。该技术使用专 有的酶将废弃的 PET 塑料循环 利用为单体，之后再聚合为具 有与原始 PET 相同技术和物 理性能的 PET。建造工程将于 今年晚些时候开始，预计将于 2021 年开始首次营运。
• 提供 Newcycling 回收技术的 德国回收公司 APK，在其位 于德国梅泽堡的生产基地完成 了新的 100 万欧元实验室的建 设。在初期，该工厂将专注用 于包装应用的 LDPE 和聚酰胺 回收物。 • 沙特阿拉伯 PP 生产商 Advanced Petrochemical 的子公司 Advanced Global Investment Company（AGIC）将与韩 国 SK Gas 的子公司，SK Gas Petrochemical (SKGP) 成 立一家合资企业，以在沙特阿 拉伯的朱拜勒建造一个丙烷 脱氢（PDH）/PP 综合中心。 Advanced Polyesters 合资企业 将投资 18 亿美元，由 AGIC 持有 85% 的股份，SKGP 则持有其余 股份。该工厂的额定产能为每年 生产 843,000 吨丙烯和 800,000 吨 PP。 • 尽管受到 Covid-19 不利形势 的影响，俄罗斯公司 Sibur 仍 按照项目进度在俄罗斯沃罗 涅日工厂加快热塑性弹性体 （SBS 聚合物）的试生产。因 此，到 2020 年，该公司的产 品组合将包括五个新的 SBS等 级。它于 2018 年启动此投资 项目，以将 TPE 的产量提高 50,000 吨／年。 • 德国化工公司 Evonik 在德国马 尔的工厂将其透明，高性能聚 酰胺 Trogamid CX 的产能提高 了一倍。有关扩建计划于 2020 年 2 月如期进行。该公司没有 说明增加的产能。 • 日本的 Mitsui Chemicals 将 在大阪府，高石市的大阪工厂 内建立新厂，以生产其 APEL 系列环烯烃共聚物，并增加一 条生产线。Mitsui 表示，通 过建立新工厂，APEL 的产能 将提高 50%。建设工程将于 2022 年 3 月结束。该公司在岩 国 — 大竹工厂和大阪工厂分别 营运一条生产线，目前共有两 条生产线。 • 随着碳纳米管（CNT）市场以 每年 30% 的速度增长，韩国的
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LG Chem 在其丽水的生产设 施的产能将从 500 吨／年增加 到 1,700 吨／年，增长三倍以 上。它同时计划逐步增加对北 美、欧洲和中国的全球IT材料 公司与汽车制造商的销售，并 将审查 2022 年进一步扩展的 计划。 Toray Industries 将在 2022 年之前，将其茨城县土浦工厂 的汽车电容器使用的 Torayfan 定向聚丙烯（OPP）薄膜的产 能提高 60%。该公司计划利用 电动汽车（EV）市场。 美 国 的 定 制 混 料 生 产 商 Polymax TPE 已经扩大其医疗 级 P 系列和 A 系列热塑性弹性 体（TPE）的产量，以满足客 户不断增长的需求。有关产能 未披露。 Borealis 将不会继续进行在哈 萨克斯坦，耗资 68 亿美元的 裂解装置和 PE 综合项目，该 项目的年产能为 125 万吨。 有关决定是由于 Covid-19 大 流行造成的经济不确定性。该 项目是与哈萨克斯坦国有的 United Chemical Company (UCC)进行的 50:50 合资企 业，它于 2018 年签署了一项 联合协议。Borealis 也与哈 萨克斯坦的 Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund 有一 个正在施工的50万吨／年的PP 项目。 为了提高竞争力，饮料和液 体食品行业的灌装与包装系 统制造商 KHS Group 已投资 2,000万欧元，为其位于德国 多特蒙德的总部进行现代化改 造。自2015 年以来，该公司 采取了一系列措施，建立了一 个 4,300 平方米的生产车间， 并对另一座车间进行了全面 翻新。
RJA 新闻 • 塑料、胶乳粘合剂和合成橡胶制 造商 Trinseo，正在考虑出售其 位于德国伯赫伦的苯乙烯单体资 MAY / JUNE 2020
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产，以及在德国施科保的聚丁二 烯橡胶（镍和钕 PBR）资产。这 些业务在 2019 年的合并 EBITDA 为负 1800 万美元。苯乙烯工厂的 产能为 300 吨，过去三年的产量 为 200 吨。施科保 PBR 生产线的 产能为 30 吨。Trinseo 表示将继 续在施科保开展其他业务，包括 聚苯乙烯、SSBR 和 ESBR。 日本的 Toyoda Gosei Co. 已投 资 Uhuru Corp，这是一家风险 投资公司，利用云计算和边缘设 备中的大量数据提供服务和解决 方案。它说，Uhuru 在物联网服 务和解决方案领域拥有良好的往 绩，并且在使用云计算项目方面 拥有丰富的经验。Toyoda Gosei 表示，通过与 Uhuru 的合作，其 目标是利用通过电子橡胶传感器 获得的各种数据来提高产品和服 务的价值。 Bridgestone Corporation 正在 从英国的 Fintyre Group 手中收 购德国轮胎零售、批发和翻新公 司Reiff Reifen & Autotechnik。 后者于 2017 年收购了 Reiff。但 是，德国 Fintyre 在 2 月申请破 产，现在该公司在这个国家控制 的许多轮胎分销公司正在出售。 财务条款并未披露。 Tokai Carbon 及其子公司 Tokai Cobex 将斥资1.83 亿美元收购 法国的 Carbon 和石墨生产商 Carbone Savoie International SAS。Carbon Savoie 的销售 收入中有 95% 来自出口，2018 年的销售收入为 1.18 亿欧 元。Tokai Carbon 的持股比例将 为70%，Tokai Cobex 的持股比 例为 30%。这家日本公司表示， 这符合该公司制定的中期增长计 划，即对现有的业务和辅助业务 进行策略性的投资。 由于冠状病毒大流行及其持续 带来的经济不确定性，德国技 术公司 Continental Corp. 今年 暂停了其动力总成部门 Vitesco Technologies 的分拆计划。它 说，“一旦市场环境明显改善 并且更加稳定，它将完成这一 步骤”。Continental 也补充 MAY / JUNE 2020
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说，其执行董事会将与 Vitesco Technologies 的管理层讨论并 决定直至目前为止的过渡时期。 Continental 表示，这样做是“确 保一旦市场条件发生变化，可 以在最短的导入时间和极大灵 活性的情况下实施计划中的分 拆行动”。 瑞典化学公司 Nynas 表示，根 据美国财政部外国资产控制办公 室（OFAC）的《委内瑞拉制裁 条例》，该公司不再受阻。由于 对 Nynas AB 的所有权进行企 业重组，委内瑞拉国有石油公司 PDVSA 的所有权份额和控制权 减少到 15%，有关制裁已解除。 这也意味着美国个人和公司不再 需要获得 OFAC 的授权才能与 Nynas 进行交易或活动。因此， 通用许可证 GL 13E 被删除。 合成橡胶制造商 Arlanxeo 已将 其公司总部从马斯特里赫特迁至 荷兰海牙，以与其母公司 Saudi Aramco建立更紧密的联系。 2016 年 4 月成立的 Arlanxeo，是德国化 学公司 Lanxess 和 Saudi Aramco 的合资企业。2018 年，国有石 油／天然气公司 Saudi Aramco 成 为 Arlanxeo 的唯一所有者。 由于 Covid-19 大流行引起的医 用手套需求增加，泰国橡胶管 理局（RAOT）很快将建立一座 医用手套工厂，其产能为18亿只 手套／年。该工厂将坐落在泰国 的洛坤府，估计耗资约 1540 万 美元。但是，国家机构尚未最终 确定合资企业中合伙人的持股比 例。它也正在进行一项可行性研 究，以在洛坤府建立橡胶谷作 为橡胶综合生产的枢纽，作为 其每年 1240 万美元研发计划 的一部分。 澳洲的轮胎回收公司Green Distillation Technologies（GDT） 已经获得美国为其世界上第一个轮 胎回收技术提供支持，该技术利用 报废（EOL）轮胎生产石油、碳和 钢铁，而全球市场对此有需求，并 且市场价格深具前景。GDT 与一 家美国轮胎回收公司的原始协议 是在全国美国提供 10 个轮胎回收
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设施，但现在已增加至 15 个，并 在获得政府批准后立即开始建造3 个工厂。GDT 表示，尽管成本约 为 1.5 亿美元，但该公司尚未就 在当地获取每个工厂的关键组件 的成本、选址等方面考虑“不同 的变数”。 正在与埃及的 Petrojet 领导一 个财团的意大利石油化工公司 Saipem，已经获得 Ethylene & Derivatives Co. (Ethydco) 分发 一项合同，该合同是在埃及第一 家聚丁二烯（PBR）工厂，预计 产能为 36,000 吨／年。Saipem 和 Petrojet 在埃及有着悠久的合 作伙伴关系，并将共同负责详细 的工程设计、设备和材料的采购 与供应、施工、预调试，调试、 启动以及性能测试。 到了 2020 年年底，俄罗斯石油 化工公司 Sibur 的 Krasnoyarsk 工厂 计 划 开 始 商 业 化 生 产 ， 年产能为 3,500 吨的合成丁 腈 橡 胶 （NBR）乳胶。该项目 旨在通过在俄罗斯本地化生 产来开发替代技术和诊断检 验 （包括医疗）手 套 的 进 口 原 料 基地。新生产基地的产能将可能 每年生产约 2.3 亿只检查手套。 美国化学学会（ACS）的橡胶专 业委员会已经委任新成立及位于 英国的 Rubber Heart 为其欧洲 的代表，作为提高国际会员人数 并参与其活动、培训和学习机会 的一项新策略。这将为建立伙伴 关系铺平道路，该伙伴关系将把 ACS 橡胶专业委员会所提供的利 益和机会传播给全球橡胶行业的 专业人士。 位于美国的国际标准组织 ASTM International 计划成立一个新的 橡胶小组委员会，专注于研究 天然橡胶和天然橡胶胶乳的替 代来源，并制定涵盖“农业增 长运作、加工、原料的胶体和 物理测试，以及由原料制成的 加工中和制成品”的标准。该 组织欢迎“聚合物专家”和监管 机构的成员加入新的小组委员 会 （D11.21），该小组是 ASTM 的 D11橡胶委员会的一部分。
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Packaging Sector
Packaging with benefits The packaging industry has notched up brownie points in the issue of recycling, with increasing use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic content in their outputs, according to Angelica Buan in this report.
Mondi has launched its EcoSolution, which offers recyclability benefits to food retailers such as Austria's Rewe's cheese brand packed with Mondi's patented solution
Less packaging is a new normal for brands As brands fight for consumer attention, manufacturers are riled up over making their products stand out on shelves. Whether it is good or bad, packaging gives the initial impression to consumers. That is why designs now vary to cater to aesthetics and usage preferences. But when it boils down to it, the fierce shelf competition results in a design overkill, and this may do more harm than good to the brand. According to an online survey conducted by Ipsos MORI and packaging firm Mondi, British consumers are more likely to switch to products with less packaging. More than 2,000 UK respondents aged 16-75 participated in the survey, which revealed that packaging can make or break brands. More than half of the surveyed individuals said that when shopping for food and everyday household items, they would switch to a different brand if it used less packaging. What this means is that sustainability in packaging has become a crucial determinant for purchasing decisions. Mondi commented that the survey results highlight the importance of incorporating sustainability in their packaging development and production. Mondi works with its customers to create EcoSolutions – an approach that creates bespoke packaging solutions that will ensure businesses can protect the product, promote the brand and deliver on their sustainable packaging commitments. Meanwhile, taking a cue on the importance of using materials sustainably, US flexible packaging maker ProAmpac has joined the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), a trade association representing companies responsible for more than 90% of the postconsumer plastic processing capacity in North America. Through APR, ProAmpac says it aims to advance its ProActive Sustainability platform towards a more circular economy. From waste to resource In an era of speed and convenience throwing away what no longer serves its purpose makes sense. However, this trend also gives rise to a culture of wastage.
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Packaging Sector According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), global plastic waste, which represented 12% of all municipal solid waste (MWS), racked up 242 million tonnes in 2016. At the time of the audit, East Asia and the Pacific had yielded 57 million tonnes. Together with Central Asia, Europe yielded 45 million tonnes. Against the back of this, the region launched the Plastic Waste programme in 2018, which aims to make all plastic packaging recyclable by 2030 and ensure that waste generated on ships is returned to land (EU 2018b). In India, plastic waste generation takes up nearly 7% of the MSW, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Thus, in 2015 it hatched a programme called Plastics for Change, which takes a shot at ethically sourced recycled plastics to reduce plastic pollution and poverty in the region through recycling.
India's Plastics for Change says it enables global brands and manufacturers to source high-quality plastic from responsible supply chains
hese and similar drives are benefitting the post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics market to increase the utilisation of materials derived from recycled waste. Projected to exceed US$10 billion by 2024, the growth of the PCR market, according to a Markets and Markets research, latches on the brisk demand for sustainable packaging. Asia: mining for PCR packaging materials We have heard it before: some countries in Asia are among the worst plastic polluters in the world, according to a 2017 report by Ocean Conservancy and McKinsey Center for Business and Environment. MAY / JUNE 2020
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Packaging Sector The resin is designed to be used as 100% of the core layer of collation shrink applications and will enable the development of film with 13-24 % recycled content. Dow, meanwhile, forged a similar venture with Swedish stretch film producer Doxa Plast for biobased stretch films. Called Reborn, this new range of stretch films by Doxa Plast, integrates Dow’s biobased linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), Elite 5230GC R Enhanced PE resin, which is produced from renewable feedstock. The feedstock comes from residues of paper production from sustainably managed forests in Finland.
A report found that some countries in Asia were among the worst plastic polluters in the world
Needless to say, the region is collectively targeting to increase recycling rates to reduce the amount of waste plastics in the environment. With infrastructure for recycling being built and improved, Asia, a ripe source for PCR plastic resins, is poised to corner the US$25.7 billion PCR market size by 2025, based on a report by Grand View Research. It said that the growing demand for recycled films from various end-use industries is anticipated to drive the growth. Industry majors, like chemical firm Dow, are meeting this demand for PCR films. The company has recently developed and commercialised a new formulated PCR plastic resin designed for collation shrink film applications in Asia-Pacific. The new resin is designed with 40% PCR content, which creates a film with performance comparable to those made with virgin resins. The product, XUS 60921.01, is made with recycled plastics collected domestically within China through Dow’s strategic recycling partners and is made at Dow’s external manufacturing site in Nanjing, China.
Dow's PE resin incorporates 40% PCR plastics
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Doxa Plast's biobased stretch films, Reborn, integrates Dow’s biobased LLDPE
Oceans’ plastics in food packaging The worst scenario has been predicted for the mounting ocean plastics, which is by 2050 there will be more plastics than fish in the seas if this problem is not tackled soon. With packaging, the dominant application for plastics, transforming ocean plastics into packaging materials is an appropriate, viable measure to address the above issue. Plastic packaging, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF) report in 2016, represents 26% of the total volume of plastic applications. This is owing to the materials’ affordability, light weight and high performance. Plastic packaging can also benefit the environment in that its low weight reduces fuel consumption in transportation, and its barrier properties keep food fresh longer, reducing food waste. Having said this, the material value of ocean plastics are being tapped for packaging applications. Food packaging with ocean plastics is not new but it is hoped that the adoption will increase over time. UK supermarket chain Lidl has starting offering a supermarket-first food packaging using ocean bound plastic collected from Southeast Asia. It announced that the new packaging will be rolled out across 13 fresh fish products, including white fish and salmon. The packaging, developed in
Packaging Sector ZincIn worked with Parx Materials, which specialises in the development and manufacturing of materials with sustainable anti-biofilm and antimicrobial properties, to integrate its antimicrobial technology in the new packaging. The packaging is also developed with the help of Norwegian Plastic Recycling (NORPEC)’s raw materials that are produced from end-of-life farm cages, feed bags and hoses from the aquaculture industry and ropes, plastic tanks and other plastic waste from the fishing industry.
UK's Lidl has launched its first supermarket packaging made with ocean plastics
partnership with Copernus, Sharpak and Bantam Materials, is made from 80% recycled content and a minimum of 30% of the weight of the tray is made of ocean-bound plastic. Alongside Copernus, Lidl has also launched this new initiative in conjunction with Bantam Materials, a supplier of ocean-bound plastic via its Prevented Ocean Plastic (POP) programme, and Sharpak, part of Groupe Guillin, a processor that makes Lidl’s new fish trays. According to Lidl, the initiative will initially prevent more than 60 tonnes/year of plastic from being introduced to the ocean, which is the equivalent of 2.5 million plastic water bottles. Lidl says it has also improved the recyclability of the packaging with the new recyclable tray, which will divert over 200 tonnes from landfills. This packaging will now be labelled with Widely Recyclable, in line with On Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) guidelines, meaning the majority of customers can recycle at kerbside. Likewise, this also forms part of Lidl’s commitment to Project STOP (Stop Ocean Plastic), which aims to design, implement and scale circular economy solutions to marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia. Along the same vein, Norwegian company ZincIn has also launched ocean waste plastic food trays. It combines the concept of reducing waste plastics and hygienic food packaging, which are much in demand in view of the heightened hygiene measures during the pandemic. Taking ropes and cages from the fishing industry and converting them into serving trays, Zincin also features a technology that keeps the trays constantly clean. This technology integrates in the plastic a trace element that normally is vital for a body's immune system. The way the element is defending a body against bacteria and viruses is now integrated into the plastic, making the surface of the plastic material resistant to germs and keeping the surface hygienic without the proliferation of germs, ZincIn explains.
ZincIn and Parx Materials have developed a sustainable antibiofilm with antimicrobial properties
Meanwhile, Riyadh-headquartered chemicals firm Sabic and UPM Raflatac, a signatory to the Ellen MacArthur New Plastic Economy initiative, have also developed and recently launched a PP label film manufactured from PCR plastic. Now available globally, this label material uses Sabic’s Trucircle solutions that utilise mechanically recycled and certified circular products from feedstock recycling of plastic waste streams and certified renewable products from biobased feedstock. The UPM Raflatac PP PCR products are made with a chemical recycling technology that uses a mass-balance approach to deliver virgin-like resin feedstock. The chemical recycling process also makes it possible to use recycled plastics in applications that could not utilise recycled materials before, such as food applications. With the same properties as standard PP films, these PP PCR films can be used in different label applications, including rigid food packaging. Customers and brand owners can achieve the same product performance and cut their footprint by decreasing the amount of virgin materials used at the same time, the partners said. MAY / JUNE 2020
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Packaging Sector
ExxonMobil collaborates on sustainability initiatives for India Sustainability has grown in importance in India, especially in the last few years. With the publishing of the Plastic Waste Management Rules (PWMR) by the Indian government that include phasing out the manufacture of non-recyclable or non-energy recoverable or multi-layer plastics (MLPs), materials company ExxonMobil took up the challenge of replacing MLPs with recyclable* full polyethylene (PE) laminated solution in a collaboration with Indian firms. PRA found out more about this collaboration below. PRA: How did the collaboration between ExxonMobil and Shrinath, Syntegon come about? What packaging requirement gap has the collaboration been able to fill? Ever since the Indian government published an amendment in the Plastic Waste Management Rules (PWMR) about phasing out non-recyclable multi-layer plastics (MLPs), there have been efforts made by the industry to develop alternatives that are recyclable, one of them being full PE laminate structures. However, when moving to full PE solutions, multiple hurdles were faced such as: • • • •
Significant drop in packaging line speed Unsatisfactory optics Distortion in seal area and seal integrity issues Change in sealing parameters
Realising these challenges, ExxonMobil took the lead in identifying the most appropriate value chain partners and synergistically combining their expertise in conversion capabilities (Shrinath), the latest packaging machine technology (Syntegon) and innovative formulations (ExxonMobil). The objective of this collaboration was to achieve full PE laminate solutions which can easily be used by brand owners for non-barrier applications such as salt, detergent and wheat flour packaging. The above challenges were overcome by creating a full PE laminate solution, including Exceed XP, Exceed, Enable performance PE polymers and Exact plastomers that delivered packaging speeds up to 65 packs/minute, good optics and eliminated any sealing issues.
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PRA: India will introduce measures to reduce plastics use in the country by 2022, but may exclude multilayer packaging. How will this situation boost PE laminated materials in packaging?
Syntegon’s FFS machine
Plastics help deliver the safe production, distribution and preservation of food and water. A recent study found that in the consumer goods sector, alternatives such as glass, aluminium and paper can have nearly four times the environmental impacts of plastics on a full lifecycle basis, because of production, transportation, and end of life environmental burdens associated with the additional weight of alternative materials required to provide the same function as plastics. 1 Of the plastic packaging options, flexible packaging is a very good choice for doing more with less. The flexible packaging industry is one of the fastest growing industries in India with a growth rate of 10%. This growth is attributed to the growing middle class and increasing consumption of packaged foods. 2 Various groups and organisations are actively pursuing initiatives to push waste management
Packaging Sector practices toward the top of the plastic waste management pyramid. An intermediate target is to find ways to reduce the use of landfills and incineration and move toward more recycling and reuse (as well as reduction) 3 . Further, major brand owners have made commitments to move to a certain percentage of recyclable plastic packaging within a certain timeframe. Therefore, even though the 2018 amendment of PWMR has given options for recyclability and energy recovery (states that “MLPs that are non-recyclable, nonenergy recoverable or with no alternative use have to be phased out”), recyclability has the greater potential. One of the ways to achieve this is through full PE laminate solutions. PRA: What do you think will be the impact of India’s product policy on plastic manufacturers and processors in India? Will the extended producer responsibility (EPR) impact collaborations with local producers? Full PE laminate solutions are recyclable in communities where programmes and facilities to collect and recycle plastic films exist. As per PWMR, Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR) refer to the establishment of waste collection systems by MLP producers and brand owners. ExxonMobil is taking action to address plastic waste by increasing plastic recyclability, supporting improvements in plastic waste recovery – for example, through our founding membership in the Alliance to End Plastic Waste – and prioritising the elimination of unnecessary waste from our operations to increase efficiency and minimise potential impacts to the environment. 4
PRA: India’s recycling activities are dominated by the informal sector, for example, the waste pickers. One of the challenges is the economic viability of lightweight plastic wastes, and this may affect collection rates. Is this aspect being considered in the collaboration? Economic viability may not be determined solely by weight. A great example is that of milk packets in India which are made of recyclable* 5 mono-material PE films. Recognised by the waste pickers as having value, they are collected significantly. These packets are then converted into granules and used for making irrigation pipes and tarpaulins. So, the economic viability of recycling and collection is boosted significantly by how recyclable the original packaging design is 6 . This collaboration successfully converted a PET/ PE structure (which today would be discarded, go into land fill or energy recovery) to a full PE structure, which provides a better option for recycling where programmes and facilities to collect and recycle plastic films exist. PRA: Is the PE laminated packaging produced from this collaboration biodegradable? The recyclable full PE laminate solution is not biodegradable. However, based on the samples provided to CIPET (Central Institute for Plastics Engineering & Technology) for testing, it was concluded that the sample is recyclable, where programmes and facilities to collect and recycle plastic films exist, and energy recoverable as per IS (Indian Standard) 14534:2016 definition.
ExxonMobil is offering recyclable full PE laminated packaging solutions
1 Source: Trucost study 2 Source: https://www. businesswire.com/news/ home/20190726005164/en/ Indian-Flexible-PackagingMarket-Growth-10-2023 3 Source: https://www.bcg. com/publications/2019/ plastic-waste-circularsolution.aspx 4 Source: ExxonMobil Sustainability Report 2018 5 *Recyclable in communities where programs and facilities to collect and recycle plastic film exist. 6 Source: https://timesofindia. indiatimes.com/city/ ahmedabad/amulpositive-to-governmentmove-to-recycleused-milk-pouches/ articleshow/69966763.cms MAY / JUNE 2020
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Additives
Antimicrobial additives: strength in numbers Essentially invisible to the naked eye, antimicrobial plastic additives are the best protectors of plastic applications and will be ever so needed after the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns ease worldwide, as the focus on staying safe becomes vital, says Angelica Buan in this article.
Keeping pathogens at bay with additives More than the emergence of new pathogenic/ coronavirus strains, the world has a bigger beast to tame, which is the growing resistance of the human body to antibiotics and medications. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), rising bacterial infections are increasingly resistant to the medicines that can treat them. The WHO’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) has aggregated data from more than 64,000 surveillance sites with more than 2 million patients enrolled from 66 countries across the world for this study. WHO says high rates of resistance among antimicrobials frequently used to treat common infections, such as urinary tract infections or some forms of diarrhoea, indicate that the world is running out of effective ways to tackle these diseases. The inappropriate use of antibiotics during the Covid-19 pandemic could also exacerbate resistance, according to WHO.
The growth of the antimicrobial additives market is driven by rising awareness about healthrelated issues due to infections, viral outbreaks and other lifethreatening ailments
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Additives With consumer awareness increasing on these emerging public health threats, it is no surprise that the market for antimicrobial polymer additives in various applications is growing. Over the next six years, the market size is likely to reach nearly US$4 billion, at a CAGR of 8% from 2019, according to a report by Acumen Research and Consulting. The growth is hinged on progressive awareness about health-related issues due to the rise in cases of infections, viral outbreaks and other lifethreatening ailments. Sectors such as healthcare and medical, as well as consumer goods, construction, transportation, and packaging are witnessing brisk demand for antimicrobial plastics owing to their high antimicrobial activity, material strength, durability, and transparency. They are also used in non-toxic plastic equipment, the report said. Creating a germ-free retail space A study by the University of Arizona, US, has bared the perils of shopping, that is, the close encounters with disease-causing germs as a result of using shopping carts. Based on its findings, fresh and raw food items may transfer bacteria such as E-coli or salmonella to carts; not to mention potentially contaminate the handles and cart parts by previous users who may have colds or flu. The latter was precisely why shoppers during the Covid-19 pandemic were told to sanitise their supermarket trolleys. While thorough sanitisation of carts, especially the handles, is recommended, additional protection from antibacterial plastics can help to further reduce exposure from these pathogens. Bact-Off, a self-care consumer packaging goods company, in partnership with Smart Plastic Technologies, a company engaged in the development of sustainable polymer additives, have introduced a snap-on plastic handle enabled with Smart Plastic's SPTek Gard antimicrobial additive. Given the current global health concerns, this product provides a solution to support shoppers seeking a clean and healthy in-store shopping experience, the company said.
Bactoff introduced a snap-on plastic handle for carts that is made with Smart Plastic's SPTek Gard antimicrobial additive
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Additives The SPTek Gard antimicrobial is added during the cart handle’s film production process, making it effective against Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), salmonella, listeria, E-coli, and dozens of other organisms. The cart handle offers an efficacy of up to 99.999% in antimicrobial protection, Bact-Off said. The additive technology enables bio-assimilation (complete biodegradation of plastic), antimicrobial and antifungal protection, shelf-life extension, odour elimination, gauge reduction, anti-counterfeit tracing and more, says Smart Plastic. Meanwhile, close-contact areas such as at the point-of-sale (POS) and check-out counters are zones for large concentration of germs. In the UK, POS and visual merchandising display specialist SDi Displays is providing several retail outlets with bespoke units containing UK additives company Addmaster’s in-built silver-based antimicrobial Biomaster technology. The latter provides an antimicrobial barrier to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, offering round-the-clock protection and lasting for the entire life cycle of the unit, the company said. The Biomaster technology can be easily incorporated into any plastic, textile, paper, paint or coating.
Deterring infections in healthcare settings Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are infections that develop within 48 hours (or after 30 days) while receiving treatment or upon admission to a hospital or a healthcare facility. According to a finding by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1.7 million hospitalised patients acquire HCAIs, yearly, during treatments for other health issues, while more than 98,000 patients, or one in every 17 patients die due to HAIs. Thus, it is crucial that HAIs are prevented, either by sanitisation and infection control measures or application of relevant technologies. Israel-headquartered speciality chemicals company Tosaf has developed a new antiviral/ antimicrobial additive for polyolefin nonwoven fabrics and films, to be used in the production of disposable, medical, protective applications. The company’s project, led by a three-person team in Tosaf’s R&D Division: R&D Manager, Yafit Moyal; Programme Manager, Dr Moira Nir; and Chief Innovation Scientist, Dr Evgeni Zelikman, was based out of the company’s Alon Tavor, Israeli plant, one of the company’s 15 production sites located throughout the world. Tosaf is one of 35 companies chosen by the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) and granted funds to develop solutions for the global fight against Covid-19. The company, which manufactures colour and additive masterbatches and compounds for the plastics industry, expects its new product to contribute to the global efforts in clamping down the spread of the Covid-19, especially since face masks have become mandatory in containment measures. However, wearing masks does not fully protect individuals from this highly contagious virus, it said. “Blocked viral particles that do not penetrate the mask’s barrier can remain on the mask’s surface and infect individuals upon contact and disposal,” Tosaf furthers. Most protective masks are made of SDi Displays is providing several retail outlets with bespoke units containing several layers and Tosaf recommends UK additives company Addmaster’s in-built silver-based antimicrobial that manufacturers apply the Biomaster technology additive when producing the outer layer of the mask for the most cost effective SDi has also manufactured 260,000 face guards and efficient result. This, it says, can help destroy for use by retail staff, along with more than viral particles that land on the outside surface 10,000 pharmacy and checkout protective screens. of the mask, eliminating danger to its user. And The company has also produced 1,500 in-store in cases where the mask user is already carrying hand sanitiser stations. These, according to the the virus, the applied additive can assist in killing company, offer hygiene solutions for businesses viral particles that reach the outer layer from that are making plans towards reopening upon the inside, protecting others who may come in easing of the lockdowns, and when hygiene will be contact or are in proximity. at the forefront of considerations.
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Additives Thus, hygiene and germprotection are the edge of AkzoNobel’s new enhanced powder coating. The Interpon D1000 and 2000 range of architectural powder coatings have the added antimicrobial functionality. With cleanliness now on everyone’s agenda, the extra functionality offered by the inclusion of BioCote antimicrobial technology means that building interiors can now be given increased protection against microbes such as bacteria and mould – which can cause issues such as bad odours, staining or material degradation, according to the Dutch Parx Materials developed a non-woven material for face masks using a paints and performance coatings technology that allows the surface of products to become more resistant company. against microbes and bacteria The enhanced Interpon D AM – the first product of its kind in the Meanwhile, offering a biobased antimicrobial company’s architectural segment – can be used on a solution, Parx Materials developed a non-woven variety of internal surfaces, such as window frames, material for face masks that has the protective ceiling tiles, metal office partitions, metal doors and advantage against pneumonia bacteria. Parx elevator doors. It follows last year’s launch of the recently obtained the confirmation from SGS, an company’s antimicrobial Interpon AM range, which inspection, verification, testing and certification is typically used on surfaces in hygiene conscious company, of the effectiveness of its materials environments such as hospitals, clinics, changing technology. rooms, schools and public transport. The Saniconcentrates technology is Daniela Vlad, Managing Director of AkzoNobel’s incorporated in a yarn and (melt blown) nonPowder Coatings business, calls it an “invisible woven material used to produce face masks protection”, which can help make living and working to ward off superbugs such as the Klebsiella together more hygienic, amid the growing consumer pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which concern for hygiene. are increasingly resistant to antibiotics, it said. Integrating BioCote antimicrobial technology The technology allows the surface of products into architectural powder coatings will create more to become more resistant against microbes and hygienic environments by reducing up to 99.99% of bacteria; and the surface to be more resistant microbes on protected surfaces, the company said, to bio-film adhesion. The company vouches adding that the antibacterial technology makes a its technology does not contain biocides and surface easier to keep hygienically clean. mimics the defence mechanism of the human skin, demonstrating an antimicrobial performance of 99.9% or higher measures according to ISO 22196 or JIS Z2801. Saniconcentrates are produced with the aid of a bodies own trace-element, like it is present in the top layer of the human skin. In skin, this trace-element is responsible for the defence mechanism against bacteria and viruses, Parx added. A suitable layer of protection for coatings Antibacterial additives in coatings and paint applications are showing robust growth, especially in the automotive, healthcare and construction sectors, according to Acumen Research and Consulting. These additives render long-lasting protection against microbe-causing stains and odours, as well as biodegradation, the report said.
AkzoNobel’s new enhanced powder coating, Interpon D1000 and 2000 range of architectural powder coatings have the added antimicrobial functionality MAY / JUNE 2020
25
Thermoforming
Machinery installations done remotely As the pandemic Covid-19 hit worldwide and countries imposed travel lockdowns, machinery makers had to resort to innovative ways of installing and commissioning machinery.
WM utilised remote commissioning in its installation of machinery
WM resorts to remote commissioning In 2019, Russian firm UPAX-UNITY purchased three thermoforming machines from Swiss machine maker WM Thermoforming Machines, to enlarge their existing fleet of over ten units by a well-known German supplier. The equipment by WM was delivered to the facility in Perm just before the world faced the outbreak of the pandemic, making it impossible for WM to send their technicians to Russia for the standard procedures of supervision, installation and commissioning. Wondering how to deal with this situation, WM came up with a solution. Since the machines supplied by WM are delivered fully assembled in a single frame, with all the electrical connections between electrical cabinet and machine components, UPAX-UNITY technicians were able to put the machines in place and connect all utilities (cooling water, power supply, pressed air) to the equipment just relying on the instruction manual. All activities for the placement and installation of the two-steel rule cutting machines, model FC 780 E and FC 780 HP, as well as for the tilting machine model Twist 700 MSv7 took around one week, about 1 ½ day for each machine. At this point the next step should have been the arrival of WM technicians for the startup, however due to the worsening of the situation with Covid-19 in EU, it was not possible to predict when this would happen. Hence, the customer needed to start-up the thermoforming machines, and also in this case the only solution was to do it without waiting for the physical presence of WM technicians. All of WM’s machines combine a PLC and control system from Austrian company B&R with WM’s software, and it was possible to establish an internet connection between WM’s service department in Stabio and the thermoforming machines in UPAX factory, for the commissioning of the machines, which took an hour or so each. “The big advantage of WM machinery is the presence of a selfadjustment setting when using a new mould for the first time,” said Mikhail Tsirkulev, UPAX Senior Project Leader. “Thanks to that, we were able to produce many different thermoformed articles within some days. Thanks to the user-friendly graphic design and easy to understand PLC pages, we didn’t face any difficulties when putting the machines in production,” Tsirkulev adds. “ WM says this was the first time in its history that a customer did the start-up of a machine without the physical presence of a WM technician, with remote commissioning. GN takes to whatsapp messaging Meanwhile, Canada’s GN Thermoforming Equipment of Chester, Nova Scotia, a manufacturer of servodriven, roll-fed thermoforming machines, came up with a novel way to install new equipment and train operators at customer sites. The company made extensive utilisation of the WhatsApp Messenger web platform to install new thermoforming machines for customers in Eastern Europe and the US. GN says it faced a critical challenge at the beginning of the pandemic when Georg Polymer, the largest Russian producer of rigid meat trays, needed its new GN760 machine installed quickly so it could meet growing demand for meat trays in Eastern Europe.
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GN resorted to use of whatsapp messaging to install its machinery
Thermoforming “We had to think out-of-the-box and come up with a solution because our customer desperately needed the new capacity,” said Paul Phillips, GN Sales and Marketing Manager. With the prospect of having to postpone the installation due to travel restrictions, one of GN’s qualified technicians remotely guided its Russian customer through the installation of the new GN760, an in-mould cut thermoforming machine. The installation in April, which normally would take three to four days onsite, took about a week to complete using the WhatsApp platform. GN says the installation was successful due to the customer’s broad mechanical experience with this type of machine and a high-speed internet connection, with the biggest challenge along the way being the language barrier. Georg Polymer faced some minor problems with wiring, but a video call to the technician resolved the issue. The machine is up and running, producing 240,000 meat trays/day. The company also has two other GN760s and three GN1914DM machines within its portfolio and produced more than 350 million meat trays last year. “It gives us great comfort and confidence knowing that we can accomplish this kind of installation remotely with a customer who has a high degree of mechanical ability,” said Phillips. Previously, GN says it had used its broad remote capabilities to perform various support tasks including troubleshooting. Phillips noted that face-to-face machine installations are preferable so the company can personally provide its know-how and superior level of customer service and support. Remote installation through a messaging platform required a high level of preparation including enhanced labelling of componentry and extensive diagrams and collateral support. Since April, two more machine installations have been successfully conducted using the WhatsApp platform - one in Central US and another for Pro-Form kft in Hungary. Both customers installed GN800s, adding to their existing GN machine line-up. If travel restrictions continue, Phillips said GN would continue to install remotely through the WhatsApp platform so its customers wouldn’t face production delays. As the Covid-19 crisis evolves, GN said it would adapt and adjust to its customers’ needs. “We will continue to review and examine our remote installations closely and optimise our solutions to ensure our customers get the support and training they require,” said Phillips. Fibre thermoforming from Kiefel In line with the current theme of recycling, German thermoforming machinery maker Kiefel says its systems can process recycled (eg rPET) or biobased materials (eg PLA). Now, the Freilassing-based company has introduced its Natureformer machine for thermoforming cellulosebased packaging for easier recyclability. The process of the new Natureformer machine is known as "Kiefel-FibreThermoforming" or KFT for short and the process is similar to Kiefel’s KMD steel rule machine.
The new Natureformer machine for processing paper
Erwin Wabnig, Head of Fibre Thermoforming says, “Paper products can hardly be distinguished from those made of plastic in terms of appearance. For example, applications include inlays for high-quality electronic devices that look classy and fulfil their protective function. The advantage is obvious: all of the packaging - the outer packaging and inlay - consists of a single material; paper fibre, meaning no material separation is necessary before recycling.” The raw paper pulp is processed in batches up to 1% fibre content. Flow simulations ensure that the fibres are evenly distributed over the basin volume. The metal mesh suction tool dips into the slurry, the vacuum sucks up liquid and leaves the fibres in the form of a filter cake in the tool. A spray bar cleans the edge of the tool and removes excess pulp. The suction tool then moves into a flexible counter tool of the pre-pressing station. Alexander Huber, Fibre Product Manager, says: "The flexible pre-pressing tool ensures very even fibre distribution across the entire tool geometry." After this step, the fibre content reaches approximately 40%. The suction tool then transfers the component to the hot press. Any remaining moisture is eliminated by temperatures up to 200°C in the upper and lower tools in combination with a clamping force of up to 600 kN. Huber explains: “Our technology allows us to achieve product heights up to 250 mm. We work with cavities which are direct heated by heating cartridges. The heating cartridges are integrated in the hot-press tool. This enables us to achieve optimal heat transfer, reduce energy consumption and achieve high product quality." The suction tool is mounted on the handling robot and transfers the component from station to station. Defined tool positions for maintenance, cleaning and tool change can be reached in this way, with the tool change completed within 15 minutes, thanks to the automated quick-change system. Kiefel adapts machine automation - stacking, sleeving, packing in boxes - to customer requirements. Quality control and inspection measures can be integrated into the machine via additional modules. A full scale pilot system is already running, producing sample cups with a cycle time of 15 seconds. Huber states, “We now have numerous systems in our order backlog. We will deliver the first to a customer in the middle of this year.” This makes Kiefel the first plastic thermoforming machine manufacturer to offer an automated system for fibre thermoforming. MAY / JUNE 2020
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Chemical Industry
Chemical industry faces volatile backdrop on road to recovery By Joseph Chang, Global Editor, ICIS Chemical Business
T
he coronavirus crisis may simply accelerate key macro trends already underway, creating a volatile backdrop for chemical companies to navigate on the road to recovery. Four key macro trends are shaping global discontentment: growing income inequality; the displacement of labour from automation, technology, immigration and free trade; wars displacing investment in infrastructure, healthcare and education; and increasing polarisation via social media, said Ian Bremmer, president of global political risk research and consulting firm Eurasia Group. For example, technology can take away the ability of brick and mortar stores to turn a profit, even more so during the coronavirus crisis. And the clash between the US and China is progressing more rapidly because of the coronavirus. In the US, the violent protests being sparked by the killing of George Floyd by police come amid a backdrop of a hyperaccelerated polarisation of political views, inequality, over 40 million unemployed Americans, and a major contraction in GDP, with the economic impact being experienced more by African Americans and other minorities, he pointed out. However, the impact of the widespread protests on the chemical industry is likely to be limited. “I don’t see a great deal of economic impact [from the protests] on the chemical industry,” said Peter Huntsman, CEO of Huntsman Corp, in an interview with ICIS amid the American Chemical Council (ACC) virtual annual meeting. The chemical industry has a unique opportunity to attract people from the high school level to the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines, where they can have better job opportunities. In the US, many of its facilities are on the Gulf Coast and coastal southeast, which have more diverse populations, he said. Some of the root causes of the civil unrest include people under quasi-house arrest from the coronavirus lockdowns, and many people in service sectors losing their jobs, often after finding employment for the first time, he noted. Add to that the degree of frustration around racial discrimination, and isolated cases of police brutality, and we’re in today’s situation, said the CEO. US-China relationship Should US President Trump’s approval ratings slip into the 30% range, there is a greater probability of Trump ramping up the rhetoric against China and using it as a cudgel in promoting the view that contender for presidential elections
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Joe Biden is soft on China. “I do think we will head towards a more confrontational relationship with China,” said Bremmer. A cold war between the US and China would be another shift away from globalisation, ultimately leading to less efficiency, less growth and more volatility, he said. While there will continue to be competition between the US and China, “long term, both are much stronger when working together than when squandering opportunities and working apart,” said Huntsman. However, he sees a “good probability” that the phase one US-China trade deal will be scrapped, or further progress delayed, as the impact of the coronavirus makes it difficult for China to meet its commitments in terms of substantially more imports from the US. Huntsman Corp’s supply chains are already largely localised, with about 95% of sales in China from products produced in China or southeast Asia, with the percentage in the low-90% range for sales in Europe. It serves the US market from US production with some exports, he pointed out. “We don’t have large plants that export a lot. By and large we are close to the customer,” said Huntsman. Societal shift/ACC overhaul The chemical industry will also have to deal with changes in societal expectations, where the public and consumers have set a higher bar for corporate responsibility. In this vein, the ACC plans to renew and refresh its flagship Responsible Care programme, focusing on health, safety and environment (HSE) in a rapidly changing political and social landscape. “Responsible Care is about continuous improvement - not just for ACC member companies, but to the program itself,” said Chris Jahn, CEO of the ACC, in the trade group’s virtual annual meeting, noting that the last review of the programme was done in 2010. In the past two years, there has been an increase in high profile accidents amid a changing regulatory and social landscape. Public expectations have set a higher bar, he noted. Mark Vergnano, CEO of Chemours and Chairman of the ACC Board of Directors, said the industry must have a forward-looking vision and do more than just commit to a renewed Responsible Care. There must be proven progress in HSE as a top priority. Details of the ACC’s renewed Responsible Care initiative have yet to be released, but it’s clear there will be a greater focus on sustainability and industry is acting in its best interests.
Injection Moulding Asia Automotive Sector
Navigating successfully in the post-pandemic market This is not a drill: the automotive sector is
stated that this situation spilled over into the second quarter with unfulfilled orders due to ongoing production lockdowns. Citing a latest report from Meticulous Research, the global economic trade impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the automotive industry in 2020 is pegged at US$5.7 billion or a 12%-15% drop in the market. Europe suffered a production shortfall of over 1.2 million units, due to lockdowns. New car registrations in five key European markets also tumbled. Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, and France dropped 11%, 9%, 6%, 3%, and 3%, respectively. In India, according to the Society of India Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), passenger vehicle sales declined 51% to 143,014 units in March 2020. Also, sales of commercial vehicles declined 88% to 13,027 units, while sales of two-wheelers fell 40% to 866,849 units. There is no doubt that the Covid-19 outbreak has seriously dented the automotive industry, with the US anticipated to witness a decline of 27% in sales in 2020. VynZ Research, in its report on the Covid-19 impact assessment of the automotive industry, echoed similar findings of major automotive makers, including Fiat, GM, Hyundai and Honda. It said these companies posted sharp declines in sales and production in the US. Even with the contingency plans and financial reliefs that are being rustled up by governments, production in the region may not resume soon, according to Meticulous Research. But it expects recovery to take place as the pandemic starts to run its course.
urged to be more adaptable and innovative in the post-pandemic global economy,
according to Angelica Buan in this article. Tough year for the sector Historically, the automotive industry, although not entirely immune to market volatilities, has always rebounded from setbacks. But it seems to have run out of luck. In a quandary even before the first cases of coronavirus were reported, the industry witnessed a major decline in revenue, akin to 2007 and the global financial crisis.
The global economic trade impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the automotive industry in 2020 has resulted in a 15% drop in the market, according to a market analysis
In 2019, vehicle demand and sales were affected by the economic slowdown in China, the US and Europe. Looking back, it seems like the warnings from experts of a looming automotive downturn was a prediction of a major upheaval to come. Then the coronavirus pandemic happened. In a matter of four months, the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the contraction of the market, with disrupted supply chains, reduced capacities, production suspension, and shrunken workforce. Stripped to its bare bones, the industry has also had to contend with delays in model launches, plant investments, and cash-strapped companies, especially during the first quarter of the year. A Frost & Sullivan report on the global automotive industry, covering 2020 to 2025, vis-Ă -vis the pandemic,
Sharp started producing face masks in February
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Injection Moulding Asia Automotive Sector Survival of the fittest: retooling manufacturing spaces The post-pandemic, “new normal” era could play out differently for different sectors and for the automotive industry it will not be a breezy drive. “The pandemic has exposed cracks and vulnerabilities across all areas – everything from supplies to justin-time production strategies, on-site operations and financial liquidity will need to be strengthened as the economy recovers and production starts back up again,” according to Nick Castellina, Senior Director of Industry Nick Castellina, Senior Director of Industry and Solution Strategy, and Solution Strategy Infor for the New Yorkheadquartered Infor. He infers that automotive players need to review and revise the automotive value chain for crisis-proof resiliency. In other words, adapting to the changes may be key to dodging further contractions. One strategy for automotive makers to ride out the pandemic disruptions is to “re-purpose their factories”, which Castellina explained is a way for companies to approach this (crisis) through innovative ways “to stay afloat”. Recently, a number of car makers have converted their manufacturing or assembly spaces, entirely or in part, into personal protective equipment (PPE) facilities to boost the supply of PPEs. Car companies like Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (ŠAVWIPL), Ford and Tesla Motors, General Motors, Seat, and others have produced a range of PPEs from face shields and masks to ventilators and respirators from their factories.
According to Castellina, a measure to redirect production and development facilities and capabilities of car makers to support the fight against the virus is a strategic move. “Many of these businesses who have pivoted their operations have done this so willingly. As a result of staying agile and being responsive to market demands, they have been able to keep production lines running and workforces employed in the current downturn.” He also noted how the world’s biggest players in the automotive space have already made this shift, including the likes of Kia Motors, Ferrari, and Toyota, to cite a few that have repurposed their production lines to manufacture PPEs, which has helped ease the strain on manufacturers of medical supplies. He also gave other examples: electrical products maker Dyson that has gone from manufacturing vacuums to ventilators, and Sharp from electronics to surgical masks as well as luxury house LVMH that has redirected its perfume and fragrance capacities to produce hand sanitisers instead. “In addition to providing an alternative way to protect both people and profits, (this strategy) also strengthens brand reputation and recall amongst consumers, and can be a valuable addition to a company’s corporate social responsibility efforts,” he added. Nevertheless, re-purposing is no easy feat, he said, and certain variables such as material sourcing, regulations, production cycles, and other considerations may pose challenges to the already complex process (of re-purposing). “The key to successful repurposing, thus, lies in identifying where there are similar materials and production processes, matching them with a need, then plotting the roadmap to production. A digitally-enabled supply chain that provides end-to-end visibility is key. Manufacturers who have not started this process are likely to find it daunting, but it is an effort worth undertaking,” Castellina noted.
Ford Motors produced a ventilator, which uses a design that operates on air pressure without the need for electricity
Energy security, opportunity for electric vehicles Essential services, such as healthcare, transport, utility services, and other economic activities rely heavily on stable access to energy during the pandemic. Energy services, according to a United Nations’ report on Covid-19 response, are a key to preventing disease and fighting pandemics – from powering healthcare facilities and supplying clean water for essential hygiene, to enabling communications and IT services that connect people while maintaining social distancing. In the post-pandemic state, adequate energy is required to sustain economic recovery. In transitioning to a post-pandemic economy, the energy sector must revisit its clean energy efforts, since energy is a main contributor to climate change, accounting for 60% of greenhouse gases. 2
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Injection Moulding Asia Medical Sector
Automotive Sector globally by 2040, and 31% of the whole car fleet. They will also make up 67% of all municipal buses on the road by that year, plus 47% of two-wheelers and 24% of light commercial vehicles. Having more EVs of all types on the road translates to about a 5.2% increase in global electricity demand by 2040, BNEF said. It also suggests that EVs will represent 3% of global car sales in 2020, rising to 7% in 2023, at some 5.4 million units. The report sees fully autonomous vehicles or ‘robotaxis’ beginning to play a much larger role in the late 2030s, helped by the growing deployment of advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS, and the build-out of sensor supply chains. For the electric mobility sector, technological advancement continues and sales and production show indications of recouping but without more stumbling blocks along the way. Colin McKerracher, Head of Advanced Transport for BNEF, said that the Covid-19 pandemic has raised difficult questions about car makers’ priorities and their ability to fund the transition. “The long-term trajectory has not changed, but the market will be bumpy for the next three years,” he forecast.
Increasing uptake of EVs and PHEVs worldwide can achieve a 50% reduction in CO2 by 2050
This awareness augurs for the long-term goals of the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The International Energy Agency (IEA) surmises the relevance of increasing uptake of EV and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) worldwide to achieve a 50% reduction in CO2 by 2050, against the 2005 levels. For transport, a 30% reduction of CO2 can be achieved through the introduction of new types of vehicles and fuels, according to the EV and PHEV technology roadmap report. This could also help EV sales to pick up after a series of declines, specifically during the economic and health crises, it said. However, the report titled “Long-Term Electric Vehicle Outlook” by research company BloombergNEF (BNEF) revealed that global EV sales could fall 18% to 1.7 million units this year, due to the coronavirus situation, interrupted by years of successive strong growth. Nonetheless, the long-term electrification of transport is projected to accelerate in the years ahead and could buffer the setbacks from the pandemic. According to the report, there are currently over 7 million passenger EVs, together with more than 500,000 e-buses, Colin McKerracher, Head of Advanced almost 400,000 electric Transport for BNEF delivery vans and trucks, and 184 million electric mopeds, scooters and motorcycles on the road globally. The majority of the e-buses and electric two-wheelers on the road today are in China. In the nearer term, the report indicated EVs would be accounting for 58% of new passenger car sales
Keeping innovations on the radar Despite speculations, a post-pandemic economy is a blind spot for the automotive sector. Hence, the importance of keeping operations flexible and resilient is highlighted by this pandemic, according to Infor’s Castellina. “Uncertainties will always plague the market — today it is a global pandemic, and tomorrow it could be a data breach, protests or natural calamities,” he said. Thus, he said that companies must ensure business continuity and operational resiliency against unprecedented events. “Ensuring agility across the organisation such that operations, processes and practices can quickly adjust to changing demands and market conditions,” he added. Is there a way out of the downturn trend from the pandemic? Definitely, but the road ahead will not be a smooth ride. Castellina places emphasis on innovation. “Steady innovation will lead us out of this,” he said. Adoption of key megatrends in the automotive sector, such as connected, autonomous, shared and electric driving, are likely to slow in the downturn, while innovation will continue to drive investment and growth, he said, adding that investing in technology will enable companies to manoeuvre their way into the post-pandemic world where agility, resiliency and adaptability could be winning virtues to thrive. “Companies that take the opportunity to invest in technology now will certainly reap the rewards when the economy rebounds,” he concludes. 3
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Rubber Journal Asia Industry News • Trinseo, a manufacturer of plastics, latex binders, and synthetic rubber, is looking at disposing its styrene monomer assets in Boehlen, Germany, and its polybutadiene rubber (nickel and neodymium-PBR) assets in Schkopau, Germany. The combined EBITDA of these operations in 2019 was a negative US$18 million. The styrene facility has capacity of 300 kilotonnes, and production over the past three years was 200 kilotonnes. The Schkopau PBR line has a capacity of 30 kilotonnes. Trinseo says it will continue its other operations in Schkopau, including polystyrene, SSBR, and ESBR. • Japan’s Toyoda Gosei Co. has invested in Uhuru Corp, a venture business that provides services and solutions using huge amounts of data in cloud computing and edge devices. Uhuru, it says, has solid track record in the field of IoT services and solutions with experience in projects using cloud computing. Through collaboration with Uhuru, Toyoda Gosei says it aims to enhance value in products and services using various types of data gained through e-Rubber sensors. • Bridgestone Corporation is acquiring German tyre retail, wholesale and retreading company Reiff Reifen & Autotechnik from UK-based Fintyre Group. The latter acquired Reiff in 2017. However, Fintyre in Germany filed for bankruptcy in February and a number of tyre distribution companies that it controls in the country are now for sale. Financial terms were not disclosed.
• Tokai Carbon and its subsidiary Tokai Cobex are to acquire Carbone Savoie International SAS, a French carbon and graphite manufacturer, for US$183 million. Carbon Savoie garners 95% of its sales revenue from exports and in 2018 had a sales revenue of EUR118 million. The shareholding will be 70% by Tokai Carbon and 30% by Tokai Cobex. The Japanese firm says this is in line with its midterm plan for growth by utilising strategic investment in existing and complementary businesses. • German technology firm Continental Corp. has put on hold spinning off its powertrain unit Vitesco Technologies this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting ongoing economic uncertainty. It says it will “complete this step as soon as the market environment has improved noticeably and is more stable”. Continental also adds that its Executive Board together with the management of Vitesco Technologies will discuss and decide about the transitional period up to this point in time. By doing so, Continental says it is “ensuring that the spinoff planned for later can be implemented with the shortest possible lead-in time and great flexibility once the market conditions change”. • Swedish chemical firm Nynas says it is no longer being blocked pursuant to the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations of the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Asset
Control (OFAC). As a result of a corporate restructuring of the ownership of Nynas AB, with a reduction in the ownership share and control by Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA to 15%, the sanctions have been lifted. This also means that US persons and companies no longer require an authorisation from OFAC to engage in transactions or activities with Nynas. As a consequence, general license GL 13E is removed. • Synthetic rubber maker Arlanxeo has moved its corporate headquarters from Maastricht to The Hague, Netherlands, to forge closer ties with its parent company, Saudi Aramco. Arlanxeo was established in April 2016 as a joint venture of German chemicals firm Lanxess and Saudi Aramco. In 2018, state-owned oil/gas firm Saudi Aramco became the sole owner of Arlanxeo. • The rising demand of medical gloves due to the Covid-19 pandemic will see the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) setting up a medical glove factory soon with a production capacity of 1.8 billion units/ year. It will be located in Thailand’s Nakhon Si Thammarat province and estimated to cost about US$15.4 million. However, the state agency has yet to finalise the proportion of shareholding of partners in the joint venture. It is also conducting a feasibility study to set up a Rubber Valley in Nakhon Si Thammarat as a hub of integrated rubber production, as part of its yearly US$12. 4 million R&D plan.
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Rubber Journal Asia Industry News • Green Distillation Technologies (GDT), an Australian tyre recycling company, has secured US backing for its world-first tyre recycling technology that produces oil, carbon and steel from end-of-life (EOL) tyres, in demand by world markets at promising market prices. GDT’s original agreement with a US tyre recycling company provided for ten tyre recycling facilities across the US, but will now be increased to 15 with construction of three plants to commence as soon as government approvals are obtained. GDT said that although the cost was around US$150 million, the company has yet to consider “different variables” in terms of the cost of obtaining key components for each of the plant locally, site selection and so on. • Italian petchem company Saipem, which is leading a consortium with Egypt-based Petrojet, has been awarded a contract by Ethylene & Derivatives Co. (Ethydco) for the first polybutadiene (PBR) facility in Egypt, with an expected production capacity of 36,000 tonnes/ year. Saipem and Petrojet have a long history of partnership in Egypt and will be jointly responsible for detailed engineering design, procurement and supply of equipment and materials, construction, pre-commissioning, commissioning up to start-up and performance testing. • By the end of 2020, Russian petchem company Sibur’s Krasnoyarsk site plans to start commercial production of synthetic nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) latex with a capacity of 3,500 tonnes/year.
The project aims to develop a feedstock base for import substitution of technical and diagnostic exam (including medical) gloves through localisation of production in Russia. The capacity of the new production site will make it possible to churn out some 230 million exam gloves/year. • In what is said to be an ambitious new strategy to boost international membership and participation in its events, training and learning opportunities, the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) has appointed newly formed UK-based Rubber Heart as its representative in Europe. It will pave the way for a partnership that will spread awareness of the benefits and opportunities offered by Rubber Division, ACS to professionals working in the global rubber industry. • ASTM International, an international standard organisation based in the US, plans to start a new rubber sub-committee to focus on alternative sources of natural rubber and natural rubber latex and develop standards covering “agricultural growth operations, processing, colloidal and physical testing of raw material, as well as in-process and finished goods made from raw material.” The organisation is welcoming “polymer experts” and members of regulatory bodies to join the new subcommittee (D11.21), which is part of ASTM’s D11Committee on Rubber. • In an ambitious project to transform the global rubber market, experts from the Conservation Finance Alliance (CFA), the Word
Wildlife Organisation (WWF), and Halcyon Agri Corp, among others, will design a Rubber Trust Fund (RTF) to offer efficient financial solutions to rubber farmers, who seek to improve their productivity and livelihoods sustainably, by developing and implementing tools to make the rubber chain more sustainable. The new RTF project is expected to engage the multi-stakeholder GPSNR to leverage its technical and financial reach throughout the rubber supply chain through a financial mechanism, designed to engage the entire sector in addressing supply chain risks and impacts with investments that may include the matching of bi-/multilateral developmental aid with mandatory or voluntary sustainability premiums collected through a GPSNRendorsed rubber e-trade platform. • Tyre major JK Tyre & Industries has started the operations of Western Tires Inc, its new unit based in Houston, Texas. The Indian tyre manufacturer now has its own marketing arm in the US to cover sales, service and network expansion across multiple segments of the market while the after-sales service will be backed by a team of technical experts from India and Mexico. The formation of Western Tires comes after the acquisition of its JK Tornel subsidiary in Mexico and enhancement of capacity at JK Tyre in India. The firm has also been exporting to the US for nearly two decades through an extensive network of local partners. Now, with Western Tires, JK Tyre says it can better focus on direct sales in the truck/bus radial, passenger car and light truck tyre segments.
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Rubber Journal Asia Rubber Market Analyses
Post-pandemic recovery for the Asian rubber market The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered declines in rubber prices and overall
gloomy sentiments in the rubber sector. While recouping of losses is in sight, it
will be an uphill climb, says Angelica Buan in this article.
Ruthless effect on rubber market The pandemic has spared no commodities. Rubber is among one of the casualties. In the first quarter of the year, from January-March, world production of natural rubber (NR) dropped 3.6%, year-on-year, according to the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), an intergovernmental organisation comprising 13 countries that account for 91% of the global NR output. Nevertheless, flexed by the surging demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) to manage Covid-19, consumption for gloves and other rubberbased healthcare products has partially offset the fall in demand for NR from the automotive/tyre manufacturing sector, especially in Malaysia and Thailand, the rubber group said.
Glove consumption has offset the downturn in the tyre sector
RB Premadasa, Secretary-General of ANRPC, noted in the report that Covid-19 has impacted the production, primary processing and local trading of NR in three ways. Firstly, a further slump in NR prices, caused by the alarming spread of the coronavirus, compelled a large number of farmers to abstain from maintaining rubber holdings and harvesting the trees. Secondly, the social distancing protocols, movement control measures, lockdowns and widespread closures implemented by
governments in rubberproducing countries have disrupted the harvesting, primary processing and transportation. Although some rubber-producing countries exempted the NR sector from the control measures, the production has still been affected by various other constraints that are associated with R. B. Premadasa, SecretaryGeneral of ANRPC the epidemic. Last but not the least, with the abrupt fall in the demand for NR, both from domestic end-users and overseas buyers, the factories producing block rubber and centrifuged latex reduced the purchase of cup lump and field latex, compelling farmers to reduce or stop harvesting. However, the sector could see a reprieve by July, the report said, finding that until then, the monthly trends in world production show an indication of world production continuing along the current trend of falling prices/demand. China: lockdown decreased demand; scaled down operations In China, the epidemic caused a major threat during the period from mid-January to mid-March. As this period coincided with the wintering off-season of production in the country and the long vacation for the Spring Festival, the output loss was negligible. Most of the plantations and holdings in China give complete lay-offs to tapping from January-March every year. Therefore, the total production during these three months comes to only around 1% of the annual production. Although the epidemic had no direct bearing on the production of NR in the country, the production sector was affected by unfavourable weather that prevailed from March-April this year. This hindered tapping in some of the regions, besides affecting the growth of rubber trees. The movement controls and supply-chain disruptions also affected tapping during April to a limited extent. China produced 4,500 tonnes of NR during the first quarter of 2020, against 9,000 tonnes during the same quarter a year ago. Obviously, the loss in production is too small in absolute terms. As per preliminary estimates, the country produced 25,100 tonnes in April this year compared to 39,300 tonnes in the same month a year ago.
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Rubber Journal Asia Rubber Market Analyses operations and reduce the workforce for at least a couple of months. While massive unemployment, lasting several months, can aggravate the debt load on households, paucity funds and poor demand can make many businesses bankrupt across the world unless supported by implementation of effective policies by the respective governments. Southeast Asia: pandemic heightens tapping woes The impact of the pandemic on NR production also varies between rubber producing countries in Asia, Jom Jacob, Senior Economist at ANRPC, told RJA in an email interview. Deducing from the report, he relayed that this impact depends on the seriousness of the spread, nature of control measures implemented, and socioeconomic profile of the farmers concerned. In Thailand, the largest rubber producer, the pandemic coincided with the wintering off-season of NR production. This has helped in keeping output loss at a minimum. However, the pandemic disrupted harvesting during April. According to preliminary estimates, production in April this year is down 20%, or by 95,000 tonnes, from the same month a year ago. The production in the country has also been affected by a set of indirect factors. The pandemic has resulted a 15-20% annualised fall in NR prices across the country, and thus, farmers lost interest in harvesting the trees. Jom Jacob, Senior Economist, Over in Indonesia, most of ANRPC the farmers either reduced or stopped tapping due to the pandemic-related fall in NR prices. Local trading activities have been affected due to poor domestic demand, domestic supply chain disruptions and uncertainty in NR prices. Compounding the situation is the new fungal leaf disease, which affected more than 500,000 ha of mature trees in the country, and which is expected to have a negative bearing on the yield from the trees. Vietnam has witnessed the same condition where the epidemic disrupted the tapping from March-April. Farmers either stopped or reduced tapping as they found harvesting of trees not economically viable following the sharp fall in rubber prices. The lack of raw rubber (cup-lump, field latex and sheet rubber) buyers also discouraged farmers from tapping. Local traders largely stopped operations due to poor demand, both from exporters and from domestic manufacturing factories, and to guard against the risk associated with the abnormal fluctuations in prices and market uncertainty. The control measures have also prevented local traders from continuing operations in pandemicstricken regions.
The pandemic affected tapping activities of Asian rubber producers
Furthermore, while the country started its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic by March, and its manufacturing activities resumed by the end of March, the rest of the world was self-contained via movement controls, lockdowns and widespread closures. Thus, the decreased demand from overseas markets deterred China’s export-dependent manufacturing sector, including automotive/tyre manufacturing, from returning to normal capacity, ANRPC stated.
The reduced demand from overseas markets has deterred China’s export-dependent manufacturing sector
China’s return to normalcy is also challenged by the poor domestic demand for manufactured rubber products because cash-strapped households and businesses are reluctant to spend. Due to poor demand for manufactured products and acute shortage of funds, businesses worldwide would also be under pressure to scale down their
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Rubber Journal Asia Rubber Market Analyses In Malaysia, the harvesting, trading and processing of rubber have been exempted from the Movement Control Order (MCO) since mid-March. However, harvesting and trading have been affected since dealers located in the “red zone” areas found it difficult to operate due to the movement restrictions. Meanwhile, a section of smallholders abstained from harvesting and a few traders stopped their operations; tapping also declined because of the wintering-off season from February-May and some farmers found harvesting not economical as NR prices fell further. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, tapping of rubber trees from March-April was disrupted due to government-enforced control measures. A section of local traders halted their operations due to supplychain disruptions, poor demand both from domestic manufacturers and exporters, and the risk associated with abnormal fall in prices. As a result, farmers faced difficulties in disposing of the cup lump and field latex.
government in mid-April gave the green light to resume tapping and permitted operation of latex facilities to cater to glove manufacturing, subject to observation of Covid-19 epidemic protocols, except in the regions classified as “red zones”. However, both tapping and production at the latex facilities has not normalised as yet due to unattractive prices, lack of buying interest from local traders, dislocation of migrant tappers, and other reasons ANRPC pegged the loss in India’s production arising from the lockdown at 50,000 tonnes to 730,000 tonnes, showing a 4% increase from the previous year. India was actually expecting a higher production from March-May this year on account of the good summer rains received in the major rubber growing regions. In view of the expected 35,000 ha of expansion of the country’s area under tapping this year, the loss in production during the first half could be partly offset by increased output expected in the second half. Slow, steady market rebound expected The rubber sector will eventually come out of the pandemic onslaught and is anticipated to witness an improvement, according to the ANRPC report. The market improvement will be propelled forward by five factors:
India: loss in production may be offset by increased output In India, the nationwide lockdown since March has hindered tapping. Nevertheless, harvesting continued in holdings located in interior villages of some of the rubber-growing states, as well as those being managed by the growers themselves. All operations in large rubber estates and the tapping undertaken by hired tappers in the smallholdings, as well as in the Collection Centres of field latex and the Group Processing Centres (GPC) have been barred. Furthermore, local trading and transporting of rubber was immobilised; while trading in NR was stopped at the primary, secondary and terminal levels of the market. In the southern state of Kerala, which accounts for about 80% of the country’s total production, its
a) Manufacturing and other economic activities are expected to further improve in China, and this can help a marginal recovery of rubber contracts in the Shanghai Futures Exchange b) A number of NR consuming regions/countries have lately succeeded in their efforts to reduce the spread of Covid-19 epidemic. Further improvements expected in the near future are likely to contribute to business confidence and positive market sentiment c) The economic recovery policies being launched by various governments d) Improvement in crude oil prices e) Increase in consumption from now onwards On the other hand, although the NR market is expected to recover marginally, returning to the preCovid-19 level may be hindered by constraints. These include the global economic slump, poor demand outlook for NR and low crude oil prices, expected to keep commodity indices low at least in the short-term. Although the epidemic situation is improving in a few countries, other countries are still struggling to manage it, according to ANRPC. Even if the epidemic is over and the lockdowns are lifted, it may still take several months or longer to repair the financial damages caused by the pandemic, unless suitable strong policies are carefully designed and effectively implemented by respective countries, ANRPC concluded.
Fewer buyers of cup-lump, field latex and sheet rubbers are farmers have been tapping less
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Events 2020
16-17 JUNE EIHA HEMP Conference Venue: Online Event Tel: +49 2233 48-1449 Email: dominik.vogt@nova-institut.de Internet: www.eiha-conference.org 2 - 4 JULY Complast Myanmar Venue: Yangon, Myanmar Tel: +91 (44) 2250 1986 87 Email: office@smartexpos.in Internet: www.complastexpo.in 25 - 27 AUGUST Rosmould | Roplast Venue: IEC "Crocus Expo", Moscow, Russia Tel: +7 495 649 8775 ext. 153 Fax: +7 495 649 8775 Email: alina.kudelina@russia.messefrankfurt.com Internet: www.rosmould.ru.messefrankfurt.com 2 - 5 SEPTEMBER INDOPLAS Venue: Jakarta International Expo Kemayoran, Indonesia Tel: (65) 6332 9645 Email: rita_biswas@mda.com.sg Internet: www.indoprintpackplas.com 9 - 11 SEPTEMBER ProPak Vietnam Venue: (SECC) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tel: +84 28 3622 2588 Fax:+84 28 3622 2527 Email: propakvietnam@informa.com Internet: www.propakvietnam.com 12 - 14 SEPTEMBER Plastic, Packaging & Print Asia Venue: Karachi Expo Centre, Pakistan Tel: (+92-21) 3486 0830 Email: info@plastpackasia.com.pk Internet: www.plastpackasia.com.pk 17 - 19 SEPTEMBER ProPak Myanmar Venue: Yangon, Myanmar Tel: +95 1 378 975 (Ext 104) Fax: +95 1 378 994 Email: nyeinnyein.aye@informa.com Internet: www.propakmyanmar.co
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