Engineering plastics trading and consultancy specialist Man&Materials (Kapellen / Belgium) has acquired distribution rights in Europe, North and South America for polyphenylene ether (PPE or PPO) from Blue Star New Chemical Materials (Beijing / China), broadening its range of products and services in the electrical, electronic and automotive sectors.

The material is available both in industrial quality and as regrind material and is used primarily for applications in electrical engineering, electronics and vehicle construction. Man&Materials offers PPE in powder form and, for applications where dust may be a problem, as compacted agglomerate. It says the material conforms to RoHS regulation 2002/95/EC and its subsequent amendments relating to PCB and PCN content.

PPE compounds are noted for their heat resistance and reduced smoke density in the event of fire. The material has very low flammability even without the use of halogen additives, the company says. It also has high mechanical and physical load resistance, low water absorption, high strength, minimum creep at elevated temperatures and good hydrolysis resistance. Thanks to its electrical properties, PPE is suitable for water-carrying domestic appliance and machine housings, structural components in the electronics segment, and for wheel covers, radiator grilles and ventilation grates in the automotive industry.

Apart from PPE, Man&Materials also distributes PC, PA, PBT, ABS and blends as well as polyester-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). Its parent company Wascher and Partner (Kapellen / Belgium; www.wascherandpartner.com) was founded in 2000 and offers consulting services in the fields of plastics and speciality chemicals – particularly in mergers and acquisitions – and for coaching, management development, management changes and organisational efficiency.