At a press conference at the end of June, European Manager, James Morelli, referred to the official opening of the Rudolstadt works as a milestone in the company history of AlliedSignal Plastics in Europe (European HQ: AlliedSignal Europe NV, Haasrode Research Park, B-3001 Heverlee). Production capacity at AlliedSignal Polymer GmbH Rudolstadt (Breitscheidstr. 103, D-07407 Rudolstadt) has been considerably increased since the company was acquired in 1995, with investment of DEM 200m and the installation of five twin-screw extruders. AlliedSignal's first compounding plant in Europe produces "Capron" (PA 6) and "Nypel" (PA 6 recyclate) and also high-viscosity polymers for food packaging. The production unit is supplemented by an application development centre. Morelli also announced plans for further expansion. Sales from European business have doubled, in line with the target, and a further increase of 70% is planned for 1999.

In a bid to achieve this, the product range is being extended by new materials. Following the market introduction of "Capron UltraTough", a PA with impact strength down to a temperature of -40°C, in 1997, "Capron XFI", Capron HET and a completely new "Capron" product based on depolymerised post-consumer waste are to be launched this year. The two latter materials will be officially presented at K '98 (22 to 29 October in Düsseldorf).

Product manager, Robert Ruelle, explained the properties of the new materials. "Capron XFI" is a high-strength and particularly easy-flowing PA for the specific requirements of high-impact, thin-walled components. This makes it particularly suitable for housings on telecommunications equipment and power tools and also for electrical components and lawnmower hoods. "Capron HET" combines comprehensive resistance to chemicals with a high heat resistance, impact strength and tensile strength. This makes it a choice material for under-the-bonnet automotive components, such as engine covers, valve housings and fuel filters. The "Petra" series (PET recyclates) has also been extended. The 7000 series offers heat resistance up to 200°C and is compatible with the temperatures of the standard painting lines used in the inline painting of metal and plastic parts.

READER SERVICE: Press conference speeches (German) of Morelli and Ruelle: PIE-No. 42814 – Detailed press information (German) on the opening of the Rudolstadt works as well as on the new materials: PIE-No. 42815 – Brochures on AlliedSignal Plastics: Company portrait (German): PIE-No. 42835 – Product overview (multilingual): PIE-No. 42836 – "Injection Moulding Processing Guide": PIE-No. 42838.