Solvin Launches Vinyl Nanocomposite
03 December 2006
03 December 2006
Solvay’s vinyls joint venture in Europe, SolVin, is launching NanoVin, a nanocomposite combining polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and nanoparticles of clay.
NanoVin is designed for PVC paste applications, which require non-dripping and shear-thinning properties, such as bodywork in the automotive industry as well as thick coatings, such as artificial leather. According to Solvay, this specialty product displays exceptional properties in terms of plasticity, viscosity and flow.
NanoVin was developed at Solvay Research & Technology, the Group’s R&D campus in Neder-over-Heembeek (Belgium). The product is now entering into a pre-commercial phase, with a pilot production unit located in Jemeppe (Belgium).
“Research and innovation are feeding Solvay’s strategy of sustainable and profitable growth,” commented Michel Tchapian, Paste PVC Business Manager. “We succeeded in creating a smart material that opens up new commercial opportunities, thanks to our work on the combination of vinyl with nanoparticles of clay,” he said.
LANXESS will open a new applications development and technical services (AD & TS) laboratory for polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) in Latina, Italy. This will be capable of supporting market needs in a variety of coatings and adhesives applications in leather and textile finishing, plastic, glass and metal substrates coatings, as well as glass fibre sizing.
Applications for composites in the sports and leisure sector will be showcased by various exhibitors at Composites Europe in Stuttgart, Germany, on 6-8 November.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) selected a lightweight FiberSPAN fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge deck, manufactured by Composite Advantage, for the Rugg Bridge on Route 57.