Asahi Kasei Plastics North America Inc. (Fowlerville, MI) has licensed Germany's Polyplast Compound Werk GmbH (PCW; Eilenberg) to manufacture and distribute its Thermylene brand of specialty chemically coupled glass-reinforced polypropylene (PP), throughout Europe from its three divisions in Eilenburg, Straelen, and Bingen am Rhein, Germany.

PCW has more than 50 years of compounding experience, ISO 9001 certification and an established line of specialty compounded products including Decelith and Ongrolit (PVC), Saxene (PP), and Saxomer (TPE), according to PCW.

PCW is part of the Polyplast Müller Group of companies also including Polyplast Müller GmbH in Europe and Colortech operations in Canada and the U.S., which provide masterbatch products and services. PCW's Eilenburg operation covers 700,000-sq-ft with a production capacity of 105 million lb and 100 employees. In 2008, the company completed an expansion, adding new technologies, equipment and R&D capabilities.

NPE plans steer towards automotive

Thermylene will play a prominent role for Asahi Kasei Plastics (booth 34013) at NPE2012, with the company to highlight several materials and compounds geared towards the automotive market.  The company's Thermylene P9 short-glass-fiber polypropylene (PP) will be on display. The company says it offers a high-temperature resistant alternative for nylon, with potential application in air intake manifolds and other under-hood components. Thermylene P8 glass-reinforced grades have advanced coupling technology and are put forward as an alternative to long glass fiber PP, with potential use in door modules, motor housings, sunroof frames, shifter bases, and more. Leona LG - PA66 and PA 66/6I with long glass fibers can be used for applications requiring superior fatigue and creep resistance, modulus greater than 20GPa, and good surface finish. Tenac Z-Series are low-formaldehyde-emission acetal grades that are said to exceed even the most stringent of global OEM standards for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.