Targor GmbH (Rheinstr. 46, D-55116 Mainz), the polypropylene joint venture between BASF and Hoechst, plans to separate distribution of standard and speciality PP, while at the same time simplifying brand names. On 1 July, distribution partner Albis Plastic GmbH (PO Box 261162, D-20501 Hamburg) began supplying standard PP to customers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark. K.D. Feddersen & Co (Gotenstr. 11A, D-20097 Hamburg) now supplies specialities and high molecular grades to customers in Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark, and Pluess-Staufer AG (Baslerstr. 42, CH-4665 Oftringen) distributes speciality PP grades to customers in Austria and Switzerland. Targor said the split will make distribution more international.

Targor's entire PP portfolio is now being marketed under three uniform brand names, "Novolen", "Hostacom" and "Metocene". All homopolymers, block copolymers and random copolymers for injection moulding and extrusion applications are being sold as "Novolen", PP specialities as "Hostacom" and the new polymers produced with metallocene catalysts as "Metocene". Targor's total PP capacity, based at six locations, totals 1.5m t/y. The joint venture claims to have a 23% share of the European market.

READER SERVICE: Targor brochures: PP compounds (English): PIE-No. 42733 – Company portrait: "Targor Polypropylene Technology" (German): PIE-No. 41292.