New PU catalyst from Johnson Matthey
Johnson Matthey Catalysts (GB-London; www.chemicals.matthey.com) has developed a new generation of organo-titanate catalysts for the production of foamed PU. The company reports that the catalysts allow greater flexibility in the processing parameters and give an end product with a stronger and finer structure, as well as an improved reproducibility.

UBE Engineering Plastics presents PA developments
UBE Engineering Plastics a subsidiary of Japan´s UBE group (www.ube-ind.co.jp), has presented a number of new developments. Products emerging from the R&D pipeline include the extreme heat- and water-resistant PA 12 elastomer “Ubesta XPA”, for injection moulding and extrusion, as a replacement for TPUs in soles of soccer shoes, for example. Especially for food applications the company has developed its terpolyamide “Terpalex” (PA 6/6.6/ 12). For automotive hoses the company has two new multi- layer systems in PA 12 and PA 9T as well as EFTE.

Polymer research develops superelastic materials
Roland Weidisch has won this year´s innovation prize from the Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung Dresden (IPF, D-01069 Dresden; www.ipfdd.de) for the development of superelastic materials based on multi-graft copolymers. The new material concept is based on the use of molecular architectures - molecular chains with recurring basic units and functional groups that are connected to these in a specifically defined molecular pattern. This is claimed to enable the development of elastic polymer materials with properties far superior to the best materials currently on the market.

Albis adds screw cleaner for self-coloured PS
Distributor and compounder Albis Plastic (D-20531 Hamburg; www.albis.com) has added the screw cleaner “Color Clean Fast IV PS” to its “Self Coloring” concept for PS. The cleaner is based on BASF´s styrenic polymer “Styrolux-CL”, which Albis will continue to market under its own name. Fast IV PS is specifically designed for quick colour changes, is diluted with standard PS for application, and is said to be suitable for hot-runner mould applications.

Mitsui Chemicals unveils high performance elastomer
Japan´s Mitsui Chemicals (MCI, Tokyo; www.mitsui-chem.co.jp/e) has unveiled a new metallocene-based high performance elastomer, “Tafmer XM”. The new material derives from the well-known Tafmer elastomers, but is produced with a metallocene rather than a Ziegler catalyst. Mitsui´s new product is designed especially for use in PP blends for packaging film. Among other advantages, it is claimed to improve handling in transport and storage. MCI has a total Tafmer capacity of around 30,000 t/y at facilities outside Tokyo.

Basell: PP random copolymer for film applications
PP random copolymer “Clyrell RC 1314” is the most recent development in this field to come from the European polyolefins giant, Basell (NL-2132 MS Hoofddorp; www.basell.com). The material was developed especially for food packaging applications, and is said to have excellent optical transparency, high strength and a low natural odour.