GE PLASTICS
Further polycarbonate applications / GMT plant of Azdel: 20,000 t/y capacity
In "Plastics Information Europe" No 14 details about the news of GE Plastics (HQ: PO Box 17, NL-4600 AC Bergen op Zoom) shown at the coming "K '95" exhibition were published. Concerning one of GEP's main engagements – "The Decade of Polycarbonate" –, further information is now available: GE Plastics also expects important growth in both coated and uncoated PC sheet for security and vandal-resistant glazing and is launching a new hard-coated PC sheet which is thermoformable. The GE Eurogard subsidiary uses unique flow coating technology at its plant at Geldrop/The Netherlands and has a line producing Lexan Margard sheet. Turnover of the company was HFl 9m in 1994, since when a fully-automated headlamp coating line has been installed, the most efficient of its type in Europe, with capacity to coat 3m lenses/year. The plant has also gained ISO 9001 certification.
Development of hard coatings by GE Silicones is now having increasing influence on plastics growth. Latest technology introduces UV curing of the coating, avoiding the 90 C "threshold" imposed by thermal curing and opening up much wider possibilities for hard-coated products: acrylic caravan glazing, polystyrene and ABS kitchen appliances, and even polyethylene cosmetics packaging.
A big future is also promised for Caril, the polystyrene/PPO expanded structural material developed jointly by Shell and GE Plastics. Offering good mouldability, strength and stiffness and interesting energy management properties, the expandable bead costs around DM 7-9/kg and the process offers tooling costs 50-60% lower than injection moulding. It is being used in automobile bumper beams and sun vizors, and is tipped for applications in dashboards. At "K' 95", GEP will show an all-Caril dashboard – which, it stresses, is more than just a design concept.
Last-not-least, commissioning of the new plant for Azdel (50:50 jv of PPG Industries and GEP) glass mat reinforced thermoplastics sheet at Bergen op Zoom – which, at 20,000 t/y, will double the present European capacity for GMT – is due at the beginning of 1996. Many applications are already commercial, especially in automobile engine covers and seat-pans, while a major use is as flat sheet flooring for freight containers.
Development of hard coatings by GE Silicones is now having increasing influence on plastics growth. Latest technology introduces UV curing of the coating, avoiding the 90 C "threshold" imposed by thermal curing and opening up much wider possibilities for hard-coated products: acrylic caravan glazing, polystyrene and ABS kitchen appliances, and even polyethylene cosmetics packaging.
A big future is also promised for Caril, the polystyrene/PPO expanded structural material developed jointly by Shell and GE Plastics. Offering good mouldability, strength and stiffness and interesting energy management properties, the expandable bead costs around DM 7-9/kg and the process offers tooling costs 50-60% lower than injection moulding. It is being used in automobile bumper beams and sun vizors, and is tipped for applications in dashboards. At "K' 95", GEP will show an all-Caril dashboard – which, it stresses, is more than just a design concept.
Last-not-least, commissioning of the new plant for Azdel (50:50 jv of PPG Industries and GEP) glass mat reinforced thermoplastics sheet at Bergen op Zoom – which, at 20,000 t/y, will double the present European capacity for GMT – is due at the beginning of 1996. Many applications are already commercial, especially in automobile engine covers and seat-pans, while a major use is as flat sheet flooring for freight containers.
15.09.1995 Plasteurope.com [20560]
Published on 15.09.1995