Middle Eastern Plastic Product Manufacturer - Latest News

Tunnel Pipe Optimizes Flow Properties of Plastic Drainage Pipes

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

July 30, 2010

Due to changing weather conditions, UNICOR, a Germany-based corrugator specialist has claimed that there is an increased need for tunnel-shaped pipes in drainage systems. This is particularly apparent in countries where there is very little regular rainfall, but occasional heavy downpours.

Tunnel-shaped drainage pipes are mostly made from PVC since plastic provides high annular rigidity. The flat bottom of the pipe in contact with the soil makes for much better drainage than single walled pipes with fully circular corrugation.

To meet this demand for plastic tunnel-shaped pipes, UNICOR GmbH of Hassfurt in Lower Franconia has developed new machinery for producing corrugators. The newly developed perforating process allows these machines to produce tunnel pipes at a rate of up to 11 meters per minute. The company says this is twice as fast as previous production speeds.

Another benefit of the corrugators, which are named UC 250 and UC 315, is that at constantly high speeds the sockets can also be produced inline. This dispenses completely with the need for a separate production step involving additional time and cost.

New plants for these products are now being installed in areas throughout Southern Europe, UNICOR claims.

ABB Launches New Series of Energy-saving Drives in the Middle East

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

July 29, 2010

ABB, a Switzerland-based power and automation group has officially launched a new line of energy-efficient variable speed drives, called ACS 2000, designed to offer regional industrial customers energy savings, reduced maintenance costs and flexible operation.

ABB's new drive family member is an air-cooled general purpose AC drive designed for high reliability, easy installation and fast commissioning. It is perfect solution for fan, pump and compressor applications, as well as applications in cement, water, power generation and the oil and gas industries.

The drive is rated from 400 to 1,000 kVA in voltages up to 6.9 kV and is ideal for applications that do not require an engineered drive. The ACS 2000 is allegedly designed with innovative technology, and offers a host of benefits such as flexible line supply connections, lower harmonics, reduced energy consumption plus easy installation and commissioning.

ABB local business unit manager for drives and motors in the Gulf, Aki Maenpaa, said: "With the introduction of the ACS2000 drive we will be able to bring significant energy savings to industrial customers across the Middle East and Africa region. Moreover, customers will also be able to benefit from a lower total cost of ownership thanks to the drive's easy installation, maintenance and low energy consumption."

Regional Innovation Network for the Middle East Under Development

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

July 28, 2010

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is developing an online innovation network for the Middle East.

In the first phase of the project, KAUST will invite more than 400 scientists, entrepreneurs, students and business and university leaders to meet online to explore and evaluate new ideas on how to energize business innovation in the region. The project will utilize commercial crowd-sourcing software.

Terence McElwee, Director of Technology Transfer & Innovation joined the University in 2009 from the University of Georgia Research Foundation, where he was General Counsel. He is the co-author of "Licensing Intellectual Property in the Information Age."

KAUSTs regional network plan is described in detail on the Website of Beyond the First World, a non-profit project established in March 2010. Its mission is to contribute to international economic growth and development by improving the practice of technology transfer through online networking of practitioners, and publication of news and best practices.

Testing Instruments Reveal Ideal Packaging Conditions for Supply Chains in Extreme Sunlight

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

July 27, 2010

Atlas, a US-based specialist in material testing solutions offers a range of instruments for measuring the weathering of packaging for food and drinks.

Transparent packaging is commonly used for food and beverages because it is inexpensive and allows the consumer to visually see the contents of the item being marketed. In countries where sunlight is especially strong, this packaging needs to resist the harmful influences of the elements at all times.

In conditions of intense sunlight and heat, fading, yellowing and even the possibility of contaminants leeching through packaging material are all possible. To protect against the harmful effects of light, many companies add expensive light stabilizers, which typically means passing along that added expense to the consumer. The most important side effect in the food and drink industry however is the impact of UV rays. UV light causes a reduction in CO2 concentration, which in turn results in changes to flavour.

Atlas claims to offer solutions for manufacturers who wish to reduce their use of expensive stabilizers and test product before it leaves the plant. For the most realistic testing, Atlas recommends using one of several xenon arc weathering instruments. Atlas xenon and state-of the art filter technology can be used to simulate various lighting conditions for both indoor and outdoor applications. A wide range of temperatures can be selected giving technicians and researchers the tools they need to replicate relevant test scenarios.

New Power Facilities in Middle East Industrial Regions

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Switzerland-based power and automation technology group ABB has made major advancements in presence in the Middle East in recent months, with numerous expansions and contracts across several countries. Many of the new builds are power substations, which are designed to supply power to neighbouring industrial areas. The result of this will be that many manufacturing plants in the Middle East will eventually be supplied with power by ABB.

One of these substations, due to reach completion in 2012, will be in Fujairah, UAE. The station is intended to provide power to the planned developments at Sudah port and the Al Hayl industrial areas.

Oleg Aleinikov, head of ABB's substations business unit, said of the substation: "This installation will play a key role in meeting the growing demand for electricity and also enhance the reliability of the transmission grid."

This has been just one of many deals of its kind for ABB in the Middle East. In Qatar the company has recently won a contract for two new substations from the Ezdan real estate company. Though one will be used to supply power to a shopping mall, and the other to a residential area, the impact is important for the community. Aleinikov explains: "These substations will enable more power to reach consumers, helping to meet increasing electricity demand and support the growing economy of the region."

A fourth substation, this time in Saudi Arabia has been commissioned in close proximity of the King Abdullah financial district in the city of Riyadh. The substation will be close to the financial center and feed four smaller substations situated within the district. The project is expected to be completed in around 22 months.

The expansion of power supplies from ABB in the Middle East is not simply limited to substations, however. The company has recently won a contract worth $155 million from the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) for a turnkey project to design and build a new crude oil transit line and the associated ancillary systems.

The project includes the expansion of an existing manifold (a pipeline consolidation installation) at Point A, which is a location in the north of the country, and the installation of the new transit line. The 123 km, 30-inch-diameter transit line will run between oil fields in the north of the country and a storage facility in the south. It will be equipped with pipeline inspection gauges at 15 km intervals, a leak-detection system and metering stations.

The new installations are designed to transport up to 665 thousand barrels of oil per day from Point A to a tank farm in southern Kuwait. More than half of the oil will come from the newly established Jurassic field in northern Kuwait.

"ABB has the technologies, industry knowledge and experience to deliver this important project to our customers," said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB's Process Automation division. "By providing reliable solutions and infrastructure, we help our customers to optimize the productivity and efficiency of their operations."

New Borouge Innovation Centre to Open in Abu Dhabi

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Borouge, the joint venture of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Austrian plastics manufacturer Borealis has begun work on a new innovation centre in Abu Dhabi, to be completed in 2011. The centre will join the fleet of Borealis centres across Europe, working closely with them as well as local educational institutions such as the Petroleum Institute of Abu Dhabi.

With a total investment of $70 million, and over 50 international researchers and engineers working on various innovations in compounding and plastics solutions specifically to meet the needs of customers, particularly in the Middle East.

Rashed Saud Al Shamsi, chairman of Borouge's marketing company explains: "Putting customers' needs at the centre of our planning is reflected in this investment. Through ongoing research and development, we can react to the market needs much quicker and we can work more closely with our value chain partners identifying together product development opportunities."

Total Opens World's Largest Olefin Cracker in Qatar

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

US-based Total Petrochemicals opened a new olefin cracker facility earlier this year. With a production capacity of 1.3 million tons of ethylene per year, the new facility will be the largest of its kind in the world. Based in Ras Laffan, Qatar, it will feed the new Qatofin polyethylene plant, which was a joint venture between Total and Qatar Petroleum.

Fran�is Corn�is, vice chairman of the executive committee of Total said: ‘Total is further strengthening its partnership with the Qatari energy and petrochemical sector. These major projects are considerably enhancing our position in Petrochemicals, in particular in the growing markets in Asia and the Middle East.'

BASF Insulation is a Strong Investment for Producers in Warm Climates

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

German polyurethane manufacturer BASF claims that using polyurethane insulation in the cold chain process of food manufacturing and distribution is a highly effective way of saving energy, and, by extension, money. The findings are based on an eco-efficiency analysis conducted by polyurethane experts from Lemfoerde. The analysis shows that if all of the storage facilities, freezer chests and transport vehicles were to be insulated with polyurethane rigid foam with an optimized insulating thickness, then 16 times more energy could be saved than is needed for the production of the insulating material.

The cold chain is a lengthy process, taking a total of 75 days to complete. This involves freezing, deep-freezing, transporting, selling and storing the product ready for consumption. In this process, many deliveries are exposed to intensely warm weather, and so it is necessary to keep the produce below -20˚c every step of the way. Very often a great deal of energy and money is placed into this, and yet polyurethane rigid-foam insulation from BASF can slash costs for producers in the Middle East.

BASF has tailored the range of polyurethane foam to suit specific needs. The products include: Elastocool for refrigerators and freezers, Elastopir for refrigerated warehouses and cold-storage cells, and Elastopor for freezer chests, truck trailers and transportation boxes.

New Oystar Filling and Sealing Machine Delivered to Africa

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Food manufacturing company Unilever has recently installed a new SVL 20/30 forming, filling and sealing machine at its plant in Ghana. The machine is designed to form, fill and seal stickpacks for food produce, in this case, margarine. In the Middle East and African markets there is an increasing trend towards to-go food produce, as well as long-life packaging. The new machine will mean that Unilever are now better suited to meet these needs.

The machine produces 36,000 stickpacks per hour with a fill capacity of 20 grams. The machine features a 10-lane design and finishes the stickpacks with a three-sided seal and tear-off edge. The packages are 34 mm in width and approximately 150 mm in length and can be manufactured both as individual packages as well as in chain form. An SLR-S 10 / 34 CIP type rotary valve dosing device with an intermittent servo pendulum drive was installed for accurate dosing. Not only is it precisely matched to product requirements, but it also guarantees meticulous filling accuracy. A filling tube device with a servo-drive that ensures accurate adjustment of the space between the filling tube nozzle and the product filling level during operation is employed for optimum product distribution in the stickpack.

Energy-efficient Farrel Compounders Available in the Middle East

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

USA-based plastic processing equipment manufacturer Farrel Corporation has announced details of a new CP Series II compact processor. The machine is a highly productive compounder designed for extensive dispersion of highly filled, highly pigmented materials. The processor provides tremendous control over product quality, processing versatility and energy efficiency.

The agent for Farrel products in the Middle East is the Saudi Salwa Company for Investment and Projects Development. The company has been working in the petrochemicals industry since 2006, and now has a strong team of professionals on hand. Farrel Corporation is confident that the processor will have appeal in the Middle East, and with the Saudi Salwa Company on board, Farrel will be able to maintain good links with customers in the region.

The CP Series II compact processor line is adept at processing polyolefin-based compounds with high levels of mineral fillers, additives and colour masterbatches, polymer‐elastomer blends and applications requiring high intensity mixing at low processing temperatures.

In recent studies carried out in conjunction with Omya UK, the compounder was demonstrated to produce compounds with the Omyafilm 705 grade calcium carbonate at 80% and higher concentrations in LLDPE at mixer specific energy levels of 0.076 kWh/kg. The specific energy level required to achieve these result on the CP125 is significantly lower than what is normally needed to process the same compounds with a twin screw extruder. As a result, utilising a CP Series II for this type of process offers substantial energy savings.

Surge in Demand for Infrared and Heat-Reflective Colour Masterbatches in the Middle East

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

UK-based colour masterbatch supplier Colour Tone Masterbatch has reported that is has enjoyed increased order and enquiry levels from Middle Eastern countries for specialist colour masterbatches for use in polymers for building products and engineering projects.

Demand is particularly strong for infrared and heat-reflective colour masterbatches — which lower surface temperatures and "reduce heat on the street". Typical applications include outdoor roofline products (such as guttering and soffits on housing and conservatories), outdoor furniture, agricultural goods as well as automotive components.

Colour Tone's infrared colouring technology was originally developed for use in PVCu compounds for Northern European markets. However, today it is available for a wide range of other materials.

Heat-reflective masterbatches incorporating specialist pigment technology, which enables any colour to be used with improved temperature performance compared with conventional pigments. With this, manufacturers can benefit from increased thermal stability and dramatically increased service life. Furthermore, end users using cooler plastics will enjoy a better quality of life for everyone.

Zwick Offers Significant Improvements in Melt Index Measurement

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Zwick's new Aflow extrusion plastometer offers 24-hour operation. "With this instrument we have demonstrated that new developments leading to significant improvements are possible even for really classical methods such as MFR/MVR determination," states Florian Liebert, who as product manager oversaw development of the new plastometer. A glance at Aflow confirms that it does indeed represent a new direction in melt index measurement. Designed for 50 kg test loads, the instrument presents a compact appearance. Florian Liebert explains: "This is basically because the instrument uses state-of-the-art force control in place of the usual individual weights. We have been installing force and position-controlled drives in testing machines at Zwick for many years and they are also commonly employed in rheometer construction. It seemed logical to apply this proven technology to high-quality extrusion plastometers as well." The advantages of this technology are that it makes melt index determination significantly easier and more reliable. It offers the option of controlling the start position specified in the standards by means of superimposed force and speed control. At the start of measurement the instrument identifies the amount of polymer in the extrusion barrel and determines independently, on the basis of pre-set limit values, the load to be used in the pre-heating phase. This is a crucial advantage when polymers with unknown MFR are being tested, and also when operators have not adhered precisely to the specified charge quantity. Load application via electromechanical drive provides greatly improved load control during the test. Weight application in classical instruments almost always involves percussive loadings; these are greatly reduced with Aflow. Multi-stage tests in particular, i.e. tests with various test loads, are largely impact-free using this instrument. Residual material at the end of the test can easily be extruded using the maximum test load of 50 kg, saving testing time. The new Aflow is equipped with a pneumatic device for cleaning the extrusion barrel. This is a simple and fast two step process — the operator positions a cleaning pad and presses a button. Admittedly many polymers require the procedure to be repeated several times, but it is still considerably easier than manual cleaning. This device can also be used for pre-compacting the test material directly after charging. The advantage is that pre-compacting is performed in a uniform manner, reducing operator influence and giving more consistent results.

Motan and Colortronic Merge

Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

From July 1, 2010, UK-based materials handling companies Motan Limited and Colortronic (UK) Limited will merge all their resources and expertise under a new banner of Motan-Colortronic Limited. The new company will be located at Chesterfield, UK, on the existing Colortronic 2-acre site. The existing Motan site located in Abingdon, UK, will continue to operate as normal for the time-being.

The management team will be headed by Karl Miller as managing director and the transfer will be in stages to ensure existing customers are supported in the best possible manner.

Merging the two companies has long been a consideration and is being carried out within the framework of a long-term business strategy. The products they offer to the plastics compounding and plastics processing industries are complementary. By combining their portfolios a synergy will be created and will enhance the ability to create end-to-end solutions spanning multiple market segments, for example, injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion, compounding and other in-line processes.

International Chemical Engineering Students to Swap Shoes

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Institution of Chemical Engineers has teamed up with the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers to offer students the chance to experience the industry on a global scale.

The scheme, which was also run last year, will be jointly funded by both institutions, and will give four British students the chance to spend a week in India in September, learning from professionals about the international importance of the industry. Later, in November, four Indian students will spend a week in Britain, again learning from professionals about the global nature of chemical engineering.

The placements will include industry site visits, attending a national chemical engineering conference and cultural excursions.

IChemE director of international development, Neil Atkinson says that the exchange programme will support the students professionally: "Today's young chemical engineers need to understand the global nature of the process industries. Employers will want their new recruits to appreciate the challenges of working for diverse, multi-site companies and the eight students on this exchange programme will get a direct chance to experience this."

Construction starts on first LANXESS plant in Russia

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Germany-based specialty chemicals group LANXESS has begun work on its first production facility in Russia. The facility will produce rubber chemicals in Dzerzhinsk in the Nizhny Novgorod region for the markets in Russia and the CIS.

"We expect to see a rise in demand from the Russian car and tire industries for quality products and we will be able to cater to their needs in the future through our new plant and high-quality, innovative product portfolio. Our rubber additives and release agents enable us to help our customers enhance the quality of their rubber products and boost their position on the global market," explains Anno Borkowsky, Managing Director of Rhein Chemie GmbH. "The excellent location in close proximity to our customers and the good infrastructure in the Nizhny Novgorod region were crucial in choosing the site." Until now, Rhein Chemie has supplied Russian customers from facilities in Germany. Of course, the facility will provide a cost-effective, efficient resource for customers in the rubber industry across the Middle East.

K-Tron Announces Agents in Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and UAE

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Switzerland-based processing group K-Tron has released details of its sales agents in the Middle East.

In Egypt K-Tron is working with Swissal Engineering Construction & Trading, (www.swissal.com), a commercial agent in the Egyptian metallurgical and heavy industrial sectors. In Iran the company is working with Keyhanideh Co., (www.keyhanideh.ir), an agent for European companies in the petrochemical and marine industries. The agent for Pakistan is Excel Trade Intl. Pvt Ltd., (www.exceltradeintl.com), an agent for several global plastics and chemical groups. In Saudi Arabia K-Tron has teamed up with Zentech Jubail Zenith Tech. & Industrial Services Co., (www.zentech-co.com), a distributor for equipment manufacturers, plastics and petrochemicals specialists. And finally in UAE, K-Tron is working with Al Mazroui Engineering, (www.mazroui.com), who act as agents in a range of industries, from oil and gas to design and engineering.

One of K-Tron's new products is a new LSR controller, which consolidates several applications into one system allowing the LSR to control either a K-Tron Premier self contained loader or a single central receiver for pneumatically conveying a wide variety of bulk materials.

BASF Alters Plans to Grow Plastic Additives in The Middle East

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Germany-based BASF, manufacturer and supplier of plastic additives, has announced that it has decided to discontinue plans for a joint venture with Astra Polymer Compounding Co., Ltd. to produce customer specific antioxidant blends (CSB) in the Middle East Region. The joint venture plans were based on an agreement between Astra Polymer and the Plastic Additives business of former Ciba AG which has been acquired by BASF in 2009. The termination of the joint venture plans will have no impact on the existing tolling agreement between the companies to produce customer specific antioxidant blends for the region.

K 2010 Organisers Expect Strong Interest from Middle Eastern Visitors

Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The organisers of K 2010, Messe D�seldorf, have said that they expect a large number of visitors to come to the show from the Middle East.

According to Eva Rugenstein, the director of the press department at Messe D�seldorf, there were more than 7,200 visitors from the region to the last show in 2007 and even more are expected for 2010.

A breakdown of the total number of visitors from the Middle East in 2007 shows that the most popular sources of visitors were Iran and Turkey, with more than 2,000 visitors each. There were a further 1,500 from Saudi Arabia, 1,000 visitors from Egypt and about 700 from the United Arab Emirates.

Agricultural Film: Higher Flexibility for Large Dimensions

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Agricultural film extrusion lines are generally designed for three-layer production and, increasingly, also for five layers. Key applications are either thin mulching films (20-60 µm) or greenhouse films (150-250 µm), depending on the design of the production line. The most important difference between the various line concepts is the type of the haul-off unit used — reversing for thin films and stationary for thick films.

Because plastic film users are demanding more and more flexibility and efficiency, processing companies can take full advantage of their lines only if they are able to produce multi-web film of as wide layflat widths as possible. And this is why Reifenh�ser Kiefel is providing both their three- and five-layer agricultural film lines with reversing haul-off units in widths of 4,000 metres, capable of producing film of up to 13 metres circumference.

Today, the most different products can be produced on these lines, such as thin mulching films in thicknesses of up to 20 µm. However, the range also includes greenhouse film of up to 250 µm thickness, blown silage film and covering film.

In recent years, an additional application for these large production lines has developed. Container liners used to protect goods against impurities and humidity during transport are being produced to an increasing degree.

Borouge signs 3 major contracts valued at $2.6 billion for expansion in Abu Dhabi

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Abu Dhabi based polyolefin manufacturer Borouge has recently signed three Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts valued at approximately $2.6 billion for its Borouge 3 strategic expansion in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, in the UAE. Borouge, which is a joint-venture between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), one of the world's major oil companies, and Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, will now be able to quadruple production capacity to over 4.5 million tonnes per year by 2013, which will make it the largest integrated polyolefins site in the world.

The first contract was for the construction of two Borstar enhanced polyethylene and two Borstar enhanced polypropylene units; the second was for the construction of a 350,000 tonnes per year low-density polyethylene (LDPE) unit. Both were signed with the joint-venture consortium Maire Tecnimont of Italy and Samsung Engineering of South Korea, on a lump sum turnkey basis. The two contracts have been valued at $1,255 billion and $400 million respectively.

In addition a third contract was signed with Hyundai Engineering and Construction of South Korea, for the utilities and off-site facilities for the expansions, valued at $935 million.

Abdulaziz Alhajri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge) said of the deals: "Signing these contracts represents an important milestone in the fulfillment of Borouge's growth strategy in the Middle East and Asia. In addition to the pipe, automotive and advanced packaging markets that we serve today, our investment in low-density polyethylene production will spearhead our ability to manufacture innovative solutions for the global wire and cable market."

Present at the signing ceremony at the Sheikh Khalifa Energy Complex in Abu Dhabi were Roberto Bertocco, Managing Director of Tecnimont, Kiseok Park, CEO and President of Samsung Engineering, and Jung Kyum Kim, President and CEO of Hyundai Engineering and Construction.

Anthony Iliya Named as New CEO for UBS in the Middle East and North Africa

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Germany-based UBS Investment Bank has recently announced the appointment of a new CEO for the Middle East and North Africa, to be based in Dubai from August 1st. Coming from his previous position of Executive Vice-Chairman with Credit Suisse in Hong Kong, and with thirty years of experience in investment banking, Anthony Iliya will be a strong asset to the UBS team in the Middle East.

Anthony will be reporting to UBS group chairman Alex Wilmot-Sitwell, who says of the new appointment: ‘The Middle East and North Africa region is a key, strategic growth market for UBS and I am very pleased Tony will be joining our excellent team in the region. His wealth of expertise and his background will position us well to further deliver the full strengths and capabilities of the firm and maximise our growth and profitability in this important region.'

Radius Systems enters joint agreement with Senaat

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Market leading infrastructure plastic pipe systems manufacturer Radius Systems has struck a joint venture agreement with the highly respected Abu Dhabi-based Senaat Group. The Emirates Conversion Industry LLC (Senaat) partnership is one of the emerging investment companies in Abu Dhabi. It has investments in various sectors, including metals, marine, infrastructure and petrochemical downstream developments. The agreement will bring Radius Systems' manufacturing expertise to the United Arab Emirates and will lead to full-scale manufacturing in Abu Dhabi. It is part of a planned global expansion programme by UK based Radius Systems, which had a management buyout in 2008 from previous parent Uponor of Finland. Initially, Radius Systems will introduce high-performance plastic pipes and fittings systems for potable and non-potable water, gas and telecommunications to this key growth area. By providing products - and subsequently full production processes - Radius Systems will bring the benefits of world-class products and expertise to companies operating in the Gulf region. Senaat's investment objective is to develop industrial downstream projects. These will contribute significantly to the achievement of the Abu Dhabi government's Economic Vision 2030. Radius Systems CEO Stuart Godfrey, who confirmed the agreement had been ‘some time in the making', said: "We were looking for a professional partnership to expand our international operations. The fit with Senaat was perfect, with our respective backgrounds in oil and gas derivatives." Andre van Uffelt is CEO at Senaat, and he commented: "We are proud to have a partner like Radius Systems investing and delivering a commitment into our region. Based on the Economic Vision 2030 we aim to set up industries offering long-term, sustainable solutions for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. With Radius Systems we have a partner offering technology, processing and application expertise. Furthermore, with their product portfolio, we are in a position to enhance and improve piping systems for oil and gas applications. It is becoming increasingly important to offer high quality systems for sewage and drinking water."

Oystar Delivers Eleventh Packaging Line to Air-Conditioned Cow Sheds

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Germany-based provider of packaging machines Oystar has delivered its eleventh packaging line to Almari, the leading dairy produce manufacturer in Saudi Arabia. The line has an output of 30,000 cups per hour and is the world's fastest continuously working filling machine for yogurt and dessert pots.

The new machine will fill inoculated yogurt milk and transport it for sealing without spilling. In addition, recontamination through ambient air is prevented by sterile excess air pressure in the entire filling area up to the sealing station. The final product is a semi-solid yogurt—a typical product of the Arab peninsula, where stirred yogurt (fruit yogurt) is hardly manufactured at all.

Executives at Oystar have enjoying a strong relationship with Almeri for eight years. There is healthy demand for Oystar's machinery because sales of fresh food products, especially those made from cow's milk, are on the increase in the country. Indeed, some estimates show that the market for fresh dairy produce in Saudi Arabia is growing at approximately 4.5% a year.

Almari supplies appoximately 50% of fresh dairy produce in Saudi Arabia. The company owes a large part of its success to the fact it operates fully automated and air-conditioned stables and has modern hygienic production facilities—which helps encourage healthy happy cows to produce lots of fresh milk.

Iranian Film Producer Buys Colines Polycast Extrusion Line

Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

One of the biggest manufacturers of cast polypropylene (CPP) in Iran, Plastic Machine Alvan (PMA), has purchased a Polycast coextruded CPP film production line from Colines, an Italy-based manufacturer of film extruders. The line, which will produce widths up to 2,500 mm, consists of one 130 mm extruder, one 90 mm and one 65 mm extruder. The machines feature extrusion screws with a new profile and a high cooling capacity on the double chill-roll. The adjustment of the thickness and of the profile are completely automatic, as well as the management of recipes and work conditions for each single recipe.

The sale of the Polycast line was supervised by Colines's representative in Iran, Sadid Afzar, a consulting company which advises companies in the Iranian market for the production and printing of flexible packages. The line has been tested successfully in the presence of the customer.

Dubai International Airport Extension has been Sealed with a Salt-Water Kiss

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A recent extension to Terminal 3 at Dubai International, the world's fastest-growing airport in terms of customer throughput, has been sealed using 400,000 m2 of Elastoseal EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) sealing membrane supplied by advanced polymer technology group Trelleborg, based in Sweden.

The extension, which is expected to open in 2011, is a huge vault-like structure on top of a 750-metre-long and 250-metre-wide underground basement. The sealing membrane will be crucial in the construction of a tanking system in the basement. The tanking system is necessary to stop seawater entering the basement, thereby keeping it dry.

Without the tanking system, seawater is likely to enter the basement because the water table in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is very high. Munzer Akbik, managing director of UAE-based AMC Protection — the contractor selected to construct the tanking system — explained: "The water table in the United Arab Emirates is very high, since the loose sand particles of the desert make it easy for seawater to penetrate the ground, so saltwater is found just one or two metres down. This means that every basement structure must have good protection against water to prevent penetration and to ensure a longer life for the building."

Cabot opens new Masterbatch Facility in Dubai

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Cabot, a Boston-based corporation has recently announced the opening of its new masterbatch manufacturing facility in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai. The facility will largely produce the trademark PLASBLAK black masterbatch, which has become a signature product for Cabot since it first began producing masterbatches in 1961. Cabot is a leading supplier of black masterbatch, with years of experience in carbon black technology. This experience has meant that the new plant is equipped with the latest environmental and manufacturing technologies to ensure high-quality products.

Opening the facility in Dubai means that Cabot is now well placed to meet the growing demand for masterbatches in the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. The Middle East is now one of the largest producers of polyolefins and downstream compounds, currently producing approximately one-fifth of the world's polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Vice President and General Manager for the Performance Segment at Cabot, Sean Keohane, said: "Within the Middle East there is already a strong demand for polyethylene and polypropylene compounds for use in building infrastructure for water supply, electricity and telecommunications projects. These are key applications for black masterbatch. This new site offers significant quality and service advantages to Middle East producers who are global exporters of compounds."

Existing customers around the world look to Cabot for the PLASBLAK masterbatch for use in a variety of thermoplastic products, including cable jacketing, pipe and agricultural film, all of which require the strong weathering performance offered by the Cabot masterbatch. PLASBLAK is also used for injection moulding of consumer goods, which may require a high gloss or an intense black colouration. Other Cabot trademark masterbatches and additives include PLASWITE, PLASADD and PLASGREY, which are delivered to the customer in regular pellet form, completely dust-free, to prevent any contamination problems.

Cabot has incorporated laboratories, administration offices, and production and packaging facilities into the building, which means that much of the process can occur on-site, making it an efficient, cost-effective resource for producers in the Middle East. Senior Vice President of Global Sales at Jafza, Adil Al Zarouni has welcomed the plant, saying: "Cabot Corporation has demonstrated excellence as a global leader in performance materials and we hope the new facility will help the company to continue the pursuit of its vision and effectively reach out to more businesses and markets across GCC, the Middle East and Asia."

The facility can accommodate an output of 75,000 metric tons per year, with this being the intention for the future. Production at the plant is due to begin in August 2010, with an initial output of 25,000 metric tons per year. The facility is the fifth of its kind to be installed by Cabot, who already operate three plants in Europe, (Italy and Belgium), and one in Hong Kong.

Oystar Expands Facilities for Manufacturing in India

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Germany-based packaging machine specialist Oystar is to expand its facilities for its subsidiary group Hassia Packaging Pvt. Ltd., with completion of the move planned for 2011.

Hassia Packaging is located in Pune, India, and the new building will serve to double its capacity for management and production in India to a space of 4,033 square meters. "With this increase in capacity we will enhance our manufacturing expertise in India," explains Christian Korte, President of the business unit Dairy at Oystar. "In doing so we are also ensuring further successful growth on the Asian markets." The current facility holds seventy staff, with approximately thirty more joining them once the new site is completed.

Hassia Packaging provide the food and chemical industries with filling and sealing machines for preformed cups as well as plants with volumetric and load filling systems for filling products into pouches and bags, glass, cups and cans. The filling ranges are between 25 g and 50 kg.

Mandatory Biodegreadeable Plastics Standard in the UAE

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

At the end of 2008, the Emirates Authority for Standards and Metrology (ESMA) recommended that oxo-biodegradable (OBD) plastics were the best solution to the problem of plastic waste which gets out into the environment, and that a standard should be adopted. OBD plastic is a polyolefin plastic to which has been added very small amounts of metal salts. These salts catalyse the natural degradation process to speed it up so that the OBD plastic will degrade when subject to environmental conditions to produce to water, carbon dioxide and biomass.

A standard became mandatory in the UAE on January 1, 2010. It will be phased in between June 2010 and December 2013, starting with plastic bags, with an extension to other products including bread bags, frozen food bags, shrink wrap and plastic bottles over time.

The adoption of this standard is a significant step forward for the UAE and is an example to the region, where a number of other countries are considering similar measures. UAE-based Eco-Polymers has been at the forefront of the effort to build awareness of the plastic waste problem in the UAE. It is promoting the use of UK-based Symphony's d2w additve, which can be added to a polymer prior to extrusion to make the resulting plastic an OBD plastic, as the most economical and environmentally-friendly solution. It is doing this via a wide range of promotional and educational events.

Eco-Polymers are proud to be the exclusive distributors for d2w, the world's leading OBD brand, and have managed to secure about 80% of the UAE market. The d2w droplet logo can now be seen on shopping bags and other plastic items across the UAE, in leading supermarkets and department stores including, Abu Dhabi Co-op, ADNOC, Choithram and Sons, Etihad Airways, Jashanmal, Lulu Hypermarket and many others.

For the future, Eco-Polymers will continue to cooperate with the UAE ministry and ESMA to ensure that the production and use of OBD plastics are properly regulated. Eco-Polymers expects to see significant growth of the business across the Middle-East over the next three years, as the mandatory standard is progressively applied to all disposable plastic items.

ColorMatrix Investment Improves Ties With Gulf Plastics Processors

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

USA-based ColorMatrix, the world's largest supplier of liquid colorants, additives and dosing technologies, has invested in R&D and has worked closely with its customers to address a number of key issues.

The Middle East is a fast growing market for ColorMatrix. It has been working for a number of years supplying major packaging companies such as Elopack Obeikan, Gulf Packaging, Pepsi Cola, Savola and Tetrapack. Most sales in the Middle East come from the mineral water and carbonated soft drinks businesses, with mainly transparent colours and barrier additives.

The investment has led to a range of new products and technologies. Its latest generation of reheat technology has provided customers with faster, more controllable reheat which has minimal impact on clarity and haze, partly due to its inherent toning capability. As a result, its SmartHeat colours are providing customers with considerable savings in energy and carbon emissions, which is especially important in terms of environmental sustainability.

The potential for process energy savings continue with an advanced carrier system that allows process for ColorMatrix liquid colour and additive technologies at lower temperatures. CoolRun promises stable, efficient processing that can help to lower the converter's carbon footprint.

ColorMatrix are able to combine the aesthetic of its colours with functional performance additives without impacting the processing performance. These additives include light protection, oxygen scavenging, slip agents, AA reducers, clarifiers and nucleating agents.

ColorMatrix also helps converters and brand owners to accelerate the speed at which that they are able to get new products to market. The rapid online colour match, development and delivery system which is now available for PET as well as Polyolefin colours is gaining momentum.