Extrusion International 3-2017

16 Extrusion International 3/2017 INDUSTRY NEWS LANXESS: Capacity Expansion For Emerald Innovation 3000 Flame Retardant Specialty chemicals group LANXESS has announced the successful completion of a project which increases the capac- ity of its Emerald Innovation 3000 flame retardant produc- tion unit. The debottlenecking project increases the sustain- able output from 10,000 to 14,000 MT per year. Polystyrene insulating foammakers are switching from using HBCD (hexabromcyclododecan) flame retardants to more sustainable alternatives such as LANXESS Emerald Innova- tion 3000. “About 50 percent of global demand has already adopted the new technology,” says Anno Borkowsky, Head of LANXESS’s Additives business unit (ADD). The business with Emerald Innovation 3000 was taken over by LANXESS as part of the acquisition of US company Chemtura, which was successfully completed in April 2017. “With global commitment from foam producers to eliminate HBCD use by 2021, the polymeric brominated flame retar- dant supply base must be capable of supporting necessary customer conversion and certification activities over the next few years with sufficient supply and technical support,“ ex- plains John Davidson, EVP bromine solutions business with ADD. “LANXESS is committed to helping customers switch and to further increasing the reliable supply of the most sus- tainable technology for construction markets.” Emerald Innovation 3000 is manufactured at LANXESS’s El Dorado, Arkansas (USA) facilities. Recently announced was the opening of a new 11,000 square-foot pilot plant at the company’s South Plant facility which will support develop- ment of new and improved flame retardant products. www.lanxess.com US-Compatible Stretch Film Line is up and running in Record Time Last September, Sigma Plastics went into production with the first SML cast stretch film line for the US market. The 9-up line with a width of 180” (4.5m) was built to UL specifications and following modifications to meet state code requirements was installed by SML at Sigma’s Riverside facility in California. Adjusting the line design to meet Californian demands was a straightforward process owing to the fact that SML supplies machinery worldwide, including the USA, and utilising many standard components that are already UL-approved. More difficult and key to being awarded the order was gain- ing Sigma’s confidence that SML, a new supplier to the group, could complete the project on schedule and provide seamless training and support post-commissioning. To simplify planning for Sigma and provide SML with greater control over the schedule, the film line was offered with a turnkey package that ran from delivery and installation all the way through to full production. In combination with SML’s all- inclusive approach to line supply, which involves the shipping of all interconnecting components such as pipework and ca- bles along with the line, this resulted in both a minimal work- load for Sigma’s personnel and rapid assembly and start-up. From the shipping containers arriving on site to commence- ment of production took less than 12 weeks. www.sml.at With the line now in full operation, an SML field engineer based in Los Angeles, within an hour’s drive of the Riverside plant, is available for ongoing support. As well as offering technical and process back-up, he is also as- sisting Sigma’s maintenance personnel as part of SML’s com- mitment to help customers minimise operating costs. SML extrusion lines are a familiar sight at production plants around the globe and with its first cast stretch line now in op- eration in the USA, the company is looking to further expand its business in North America with the same combination of winning features.