The Urethane Blog

Asthma Study Results

Asthma Incidence Among Polyurethane Foam Manufacturing Workers

Proves to be Significantly Below General Adult Population’s

Report from Two Industry Studies Spans 24-Year Period

 

(Loudon, TENNESSEE) -- February 28, 2013  -- An industry report on surveys spanning 24 years of foam manufacturing plant health and safety records found incidences of occupational asthma to be lower among workers in flexible polyurethane foam plants than among the general adult population, suggesting that workers in surveyed plants were well-protected from chemical exposure by modern chemical exposure control technologies and training.

 

The report combines data from 1988-2007 and 2008-2011 surveys among manufacturing plants representing more than 90 percent of the country’s production of flexible polyurethane foam. The survey was sponsored by the Polyurethane Foam Association with data collected and analyzed by Washington, D.C.-based law firm, McIntyre & Lemon, PLLC. 

 

The survey was prompted by a lack of data on foam plant worker sensitivity and exposure to disocyanates, a raw material used in the production of flexible polyurethane foam.  The 2008 survey provided historical data on more than 1,300 workers in 23 manufacturing sites; the 2012 update polled 1,037 workers in 38 plants.

 

The combined results are featured in a paper entitled, A Survey of the Incidence of Occupational Asthma among Flexible Polyurethane Foam Slabstock Plants. The paper emphasizes that incidences of self-reported occupational asthma among workers were extremely rare:  approximately 1 percent of current production workers and a maximum of 2 percent of workers over the past 24 years.  The results suggested that a myriad of workplace controls, including aggressive ventilation systems, personal protection equipment (PPE), shut-off controls, stack engineering and scrubbers, workplace and personnel monitoring, and risk-management training, have proven to be adequate and effective in protecting those working around disocyanates in the surveyed plants.

 

“We are pleased to have up-to-date, definitive data from multiple plant locations and differing labor environments spanning nearly two-and-a-half decades,” said Bob Luedeka, PFA’s executive director.  “The results reflect the effectiveness of our industry’s safety measures and historical dedication to providing a clean-air environment for our workers.” 

 

Presented at a Polyurethane Foam Association Technical Program, copies of the presentation are available in the literature section (under technical proceedings) of the Polyurethane Foam Association website at www.pfa.org.

Adidas New Shoe Incorporates BASF TPU

Adidas launches 'revolutionary' bouncy shoe powered by energy capsules in India

Updated: 2013-02-28 13:36 Source: Indianexpress share:

Adidas has launched its new shoe, which has superior cushioning, optimal fit and temperature independence, in India.

 

The new technology in Energy Boost is based on an innovative development process created by the sports company's partner BASF - world's leading chemical company - solid granular material (TPU) is literally blown up and turned into thousands of small energy capsules that make up the footwear's distinctive midsole.

Tests conducted by the Adidas Innovation Team showed that the highly durable material found only in Energy Boost products provides the highest energy return in the running industry.

"BOOST is a revolutionary material which combines the usually conflicting performance benefits of soft and comfortable, on the one hand, and firm and responsive cushioning, on the other, for the most comfortable run ever," Bernd Wahler, Head of Innovation for Adidas, said.

"It almost makes the shoe come to life, and you will feel it from the first moment you put it on. BOOST sets a new standard not only for running shoes, but for the entire industry and all products going forward," he said.

The tests conducted on the shoe revealed that, when taken from +40 to -20 degrees Celsius, BOOST foam is three times more temperature-resistant than standard EVA material, thus providing a more consistent run.

The upper on the Energy Boost features Adidas Techfit technology with highly durable and elastic polyurethane, which provides optimal comfort and support to the entire foot while in motion.

A stretch, breathable mesh material offers the fit of a sock while engineered powerbands across the upper provide targeted support and stabilise the foot where needed when moving.

 

http://en.puworld.com/html/20130228/394662582.html

General Plastics Looking for Distribution in Latin America

General Plastics Announces Global Distribution Opportunities

PRWeb – 59 mins ago

Rapid growth spurs search for new distribution partners in Latin America.

Tacoma, WA (PRWEB) February 28, 2013

Intent on extending its global presence and better serving existing customers, General Plastics Manufacturing Company today announced that it is seeking new distribution partners to represent its products in Latin America. In particular, it is looking for distributors focused on marketing its high-density polyurethane LAST-A-FOAM® materials for specific markets:

 

•     Composite core – Aerospace and high-tech manufacturing

 

•     Core, tooling and modeling boards and blocks – Prototyping and design modeling

 

•     Machinable, high-temperature boards – Tooling and molds

 

•     Wood-alternative foams – Outdoor and 3-D signage, display manufacturing

 

•     Thermal column-bearing and floor reinforcement blocks – cold storage construction

Emphasis on product synergy and service excellence

Key criteria for prospective distribution partners include an outside sales force; a limited number of product lines that are complementary to high-density polyurethane foam; a proven sales track record; plus inventory and logistics capabilities. Distributors must also have good relationships with the customers who ultimately use the company’s products.

“We look for distribution partners who provide true service excellence, not simply warehouse ability,” said Brian Sweeney, Director of Sales for General Plastics. “As an extension of our company, we count on our valued distributors to know their markets, as well as the ins and outs of our products, so they can solve their customers’ challenges.”

Advantages of aligning with General Plastics

The company’s Latin American expansion plans provide distributors with the opportunity to represent a well-respected innovator in the plastics and composite core industries. Its high-quality, time-tested LAST-A-FOAM® products are renowned for outstanding performance, uniform consistency and certified conformance to specification. Standing behind its products is a 70-year-old company that invests in enduring relationships with its customers and distributor partners. Well-matched distributors also benefit from a chemistry-based company that is committed to continuous improvement and innovation.

“In addition to solid demand for our extensive portfolio of LAST-A-FOAM® products, our distributors can expect interest already building for General Plastics’ next-generation lightweight foams,” Sweeney added.

Qualified distributors interested in representing General Plastics in Central and South America should contact Brian Sweeney (email to: brian.sweeney(at)generalplastics(dot)com) to discuss available sales territories and capabilities.

http://news.yahoo.com/general-plastics-announces-global-distribution-opportunities-082453053.html

Explosion at BASF TDI Construction Site in Ludwigshafen

1 Injured in Explosion at BASF Site Thursday, February 28, 2013 An explosion at BASF’s plant construction site in Germany has injured one worker, the giant chemical manufacturer said on Tuesday (Feb. 26). No immediate reason was given for the explosion at BASF's Ludwigshafen toluene diisocyanate (TDI) plant, but early reports speculated that excavation work may have detonated a World War II-era explosive. An explosion was reported on Tuesday (Feb. 26) at BASF's plant construction site in Germany. Early speculation is that the accident was caused by excavation work. CEO Addresses Explosion During the 2012 annual results press conference, BASF SE CEO Kurt Bock briefly discussed the accident.  The scheduled press conference was webcast live and took place approximately 30 minutes after the explosion was reported on Tuesday. Just under an hour into the conference, Bock stopped to address the media about the situation at the TDI plant, saying (translated from German): "As you are all members of the press, and we just released a piece of information at 10 o'clock. At our TDI constuction site, a big complex, we had a detonation. "One worker was injured. He had to go to the hospital. It says he is not seriously injured. I hope this is correct. "We can only speculate what the reason for the detonation was. Excavating work was underway. You know that also in the past we found material from World War II here, but this is just speculation. We can not give you more detailed information. "I wanted to inform you directly. There are no environmentally harmful gases or anything like this. I hope the worker will recover soon. We will keep you posted." An email request to BASF's media relations in Ludwigshafen for further details did not receive an immediate response. One news outlet reported that members of the Rhineland-Palatinate bomb disposal team were said to be on site. Plant Construction   BASF announced on Jan. 17, 2012, that it would build the single-train, 300,000 metric tons per year production plant for TDI and expand other plants. The construction includes a new hydrogen chloride recycling plant, as well as expansion for the nitric acid, chlorine and synthesis gas plants. Expansion of the aromatics complex is also planned.  Total investment for the site will cost around €1 billion and create around 200 additional jobs, BASF said. Production at the plant is expected to start at the end of 2014, at which point BASF plans to close down its 80,000 metric tons per year TDI plant in Schwarzheide, Germany. Chemicals Project Awarded On Feb. 19, Fluor Corporation announced that it secured a contract for engineering, procurement and construction management services for BASF's TDI complex in Ludwigshafen. The value of the contract was not disclosed. Fluor, headquartered in Irving, TX, has been involved with the project since 2011 performing support services for pre-front-end and front-end engineering and design work. The company's Haarlem, the Netherlands, operations center will lead the project with support from the Gliwice, Poland, center. Fluor said more than 800 of its employees are contributing to the construction. http://www.paintsquare.com/news/?fuseaction=view&id=9227&nl_versionid=2834

Bayer Material Science Results

MaterialScience raises sales and earnings before special items

"Bayer MaterialScience also contributed to the very good full-year performance," said Dekkers. Sales of the high-tech materials business rose by 6.2 percent (Fx & portfolio adj. 3.0 percent) to EUR 11,503 million (2011: EUR 10,832 million). While volumes were flat in Europe, the subgroup posted good gains in the other regions. In addition, MaterialScience was able to slightly raise prices in all regions except Asia/Pacific.

Business with raw materials for foams (Polyurethanes) improved by 7.9 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.). Contributing to this increase were higher volumes and prices in all product groups and regions. By contrast, high-tech plastics (Polycarbonates) declined by 7.1 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.) due to lower selling prices that resulted primarily from new production capacities on the world market. However, volumes as a whole were level year on year. Sales in the Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties business unit moved forward by 3.5 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.) as a result of the higher volumes and prices achieved in nearly all regions.

EBITDA before special items of MaterialScience advanced by 6.8 percent to EUR 1,251 million (2011: EUR 1,171 million). This increase was mainly the result of higher volumes, savings achieved from efficiency improvement measures and positive currency effects. By contrast, earnings were diminished by higher raw material and energy costs.

Bayer very successful operationally in the fourth quarter of 2012

"Operationally, Bayer had a very successful fourth quarter overall," said CFO Werner Baumann. Between October and December, Group sales advanced by 7.3 percent (Fx and portfolio adj. 5.5 percent) to EUR 9,862 million (Q4 2011: EUR 9,191 million). All three subgroups contributed to this expansion, and especially CropScience. EBIT climbed by 16.9 percent to EUR 735 million (Q4 2011: EUR 629 million), while EBITDA before special items moved ahead by 18.4 percent to EUR 1,825 million (Q4 2011: EUR 1,541 million). Net income amounted to EUR 374 million (Q4 2011: EUR 397 million), and core earnings per share were EUR 1.00 (2011: EUR 0.97).

 

For 2013 MaterialScience is planning a slight increase in sales on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis to about EUR 12 billion. That subgroup intends to further improve EBITDA before special items. For the first quarter of 2013, MaterialScience anticipates a currency- and portfolio-adjusted sales increase compared to the preceding quarter. The subgroup expects EBITDA before special items to come in at the level of the preceding quarter.

In the MaterialScience business, Bayer anticipates that it will be able to achieve a volume-driven expansion in business beyond the growth rate of the global economy. The current high capacities on the world market are likely to be absorbed by rising global demand in the coming years. Bayer nonetheless intends to respond to the commoditization of the business through further efficiency measures that should contribute 1.5 percentage points to the EBITDA margin before special items by 2015.

Note to editors:

The tables below contain the key data for the Bayer Group and its subgroups for the full year and fourth quarter of 2012.

Also available on the internet at www.bayer.com/media are:
- the transcript and slides of Dr. Marijn Dekkers' and Werner Baumann's addresses (from approximately 10:00 a.m. CET)
- current Bayer photos and images from the news conference (minimal lag time).

The complete Annual Report 2012 is available on the internet at http://www.annualreport2012.bayer.com

Supplementary features at www.live.bayer.com:
- live broadcast of the news conference (from approximately 10:00 a.m. CET)
- recording of the news conference (from approximately 3:00 p.m. CET)

TV editors can download or order updated film footage about Bayer free of charge at www.tv-footage.bayer.com.

For more information go to www.bayer.com

http://www.4-traders.com/BAYER-AG-436063/news/Bayer-AG-Bayer-continuing-growth-momentum-16369856/

Huntsman Price Hikes

Huntsman to Increase MDI and MDI-based Systems Prices in Europe

Everberg, Belgium – The Polyurethanes division of Huntsman Corporation (HUN:NYSE) announced today a €150/tonne price increase for all its MDI products and MDI-based systems in the European region (Europe, Africa and Former Soviet Union) from April 1, 2013.

 

Nick Webster, Vice President, Europe for Polyurethanes, said: "This price increase is necessary to address the exposure we have been facing for some time from the escalation in raw materials prices, especially benzene.”

 

Huntsman to Increase MDI and MDI-based Systems Prices in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Indian Sub-Continent markets.

Everberg, Belgium – The Polyurethanes division of Huntsman Corporation (HUN:NYSE) announced today a $150/tonne price increase for all its MDI products and MDI-based systems in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Indian Sub-Continent markets from April 1, 2013.

 

Nick Webster, Vice President, Europe for Polyurethanes, said: "This price increase is necessary to address the exposure we have been facing for some time from the escalation in raw materials prices, especially benzene.”

Sinopec, SK To Build BDO Unit in China

Sinopec, SK to build BDO facility in SW China

Updated: 2013-02-27 15:56 Source: PUWORLD share:

Sinopec Sichuan Vinylon Works Group and the Republic of Korea's SK Chemicals Co., Ltd. signed a joint venture contract on Monday in Chongqing Municipality to build a butanediol (BDO) facility with an annual production volume of 200,000 tonnes.

The project, which includes production facilities for acetylene, formaldehyde and BDO, as well as other support projects, will cost 3.8 billion yuan (605 million U.S. dollars).

Located in the Changshou Economic-Technological Development Area, the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

Upon completion, it is expected to see an annual sales volume of 4 billion yuan and pay 1.4 billion yuan in taxes each year.

The BDO project is a milestone for Chongqing in becoming a global natural gas industrial base, Mayor of Chongqing Huang Qifan said at the signing ceremony.

The petrochemical industry, especially the natural gas chemical industry, is one of the six pillar industries in Chongqing. The industry's output value reached 200 billion yuan in 2012 and is expected to reach 500 billion yuan in 2015.

Sinopec is China's top oil refiner. SK is the third largest conglomerate in the Republic of Korea, with energy and communications as its two major businesses.

 

http://en.puworld.com/html/20130227/394662507.html

COIM Announces Price Increase on Polyesters

COIM USA INC. to increase prices on Isoexter, aromatic polyester polyols, effective
March 15, 2013.

West Deptford, N.J. – February 25, 2013 – Effective March 15, 2013, or as contracts will allow, COIM
USA will increase the prices of its Isoexter, aromatic polyester polyols, within the United States and
Canada up to 10% depending on grade.

This increase is in response to escalating raw materials prices.

Please contact your COIM USA Sales Manager for any additional information.

 

Mattress Sales Reportedly Up in January

Tempur-Pedic (TPX +7.2%) and Select Comfort (SCSS +2.2%) trade higher after KeyBanc says...

• Wednesday, February 27, 10:32 AM ET
  Tempur-Pedic (TPX+7.2%) and Select Comfort (SCSS+2.2%) trade higher after KeyBanc says mattress sales accelerated in January. The mattress sector is viewed as more susceptible than most to pressure on middle-income consumers.

http://seekingalpha.com/currents/post/855331?source=email_rt_mc_readmore

BASF Comments on Polyurethane During Analysts' Call

Sales in Plastics increased due to stronger volumes, higher prices and positive currency effects. EBIT before special items rose substantially due to a significant improvement in polyurethanes.

In Performance Polymers, sales increased due to slightly higher volumes, prices and currency effects. Demand for polyamide precursors remained weak, and margins continued to be under pressure.

Our Engineering Plastics business developed positively due to continuing strong demand from the automotive industry, particularly in North America and Asia. However, EBIT before special items declined considerably, primarily as a result of weaker margins for polyamide precursors.

Sales in polyurethanes grew strongly, driven by higher volumes and prices. Demand from the automotive industry was again on a high level, particularly in North America and Asia, while demand from the construction industry remained subdued. Compared to the very weak fourth quarter of 2011, the supply-demand balance for polyurethane basic products improved significantly, and we were able to raise prices. System houses and PU specialties contributed to a good performance. As a consequence, EBIT before special items rose sharply.

Timothy Jones - Deutsche Bank AG, Research Division

Sorry, Florian. Okay. Let me go for 2 questions then. First one, Dr. Bock about 18 months ago, maybe a bit less, you gave us 2015 targets for EBITDA. Now I know that things will change with accounting. But assuming no changes with accounting, do you think the group still has the potential to deliver what you targeted 18 months ago by 2015? That's my first question. And my second question is around polyurethanes. 2012 obviously showed recovery in polyurethanes at the margin level. And we are now at a level in TDI and MDI that you're happy with the performance of the business or should we see this as year 1 into a recovery and still expect further improvement in '13, '14 as well?

Kurt W. Bock - Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors

Yes, we don't really report or talk about individual products. So we saw a recovery in polyurethanes in 2012, that's correct, which was an uphill battle, frankly. It started about a year ago. And the price increases which we announced finally were accepted. Are we happy? Not yet. No, we are never happy. It's an ongoing task. And as you know, there's also new capacity coming onstream, including our investments in Chongqing for MDI and our TDI investment here in Europe. And it's certainly also our task to face those new capacities into the markets in an intelligent way, which also makes sure that margins and profitability are maintained. Our 2015 targets, actually, Hans will -- I think on the 22nd of March, he will talk about the specific effects of our change in accounting IFRS 10 and 11. To make a long story short, we get rid of the oil taxes. We have tried to get rid of those taxes for many, many years by negotiating with the Libyans, which was not possible finally anymore by talking with our auditors can we change our accounting, no, we cannot. Obviously, now we can based on new accounting rules, and we will then book Libya at equity, which means we get rid of all this noise and clutter, which we have in our numbers, which we always have to explain when you look at our overall earnings here. So that I think is good news. The one number which is not affected is EPS or net income because it's a clean figure. Essentially, there might be a very slight impact but essentially, it's a clean number. And your question is are our targets achievable? And, frankly, what did we say? We target for 2015 EUR 7.50 earnings per share. If you look at our current earnings, is this something we can achieve? Yes, I do think so. Yes, absolutely. There's no reason why that shouldn't be possible. There's always, as we all know, in our business, in our industry, a kind of a cyclical factor. A year ago, we were at a better point in this cycle, so to say, than today, obviously, with regard to many products. But overall, I don't know -- mainly we don't with one -- for one specific quarter or year, but overall I think the pattern is intact. And we will also then explain what the effects will be on the EBITDA numbers, which we also published in the targets report because those numbers are affected by the IFRS changes and that Hans will do then later on this year.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/1226841-basf-se-management-discusses-q4-2012-results-earnings-call-transcript?find=polyurethane&all=false