ExxonMobil has introduced Rethink Recycle with Vistamaxx polymers ― a proven, cost-effective solution that is said to allow increased recycled content utilisation for high-value applications ― at its K 2019 pavilion (FG10.1). Vistamaxx polymers act like a compatibiliser between polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) in recycled content streams, enabling it to improve the properties of recycled content containing products.

At K 2019, Covestro will be presenting the prototype for a new application of materials for additive manufacturing: 3D-printed orthopedic insoles for shoes. They are efficiently produced using an automated and completely digitalised process that generates almost no waste. The part in question is in the form of a 3D file that can be sent anywhere in the world. On site, a printer uses this data to produce the physical product – regardless of whether only a single individualised sole or millions of soles have to be produced.

Croda announced that its Polymer Additives business is now part of Croda Smart Materials, offering its customers extensive polymer expertise and multiple technology platforms. At K 2019, the company is celebrating half a century of experience in amide production and the opening of its GBP 27 million amide manufacturing facility at its site in the United Kingdom.

Evonik announced that it will be celebrating 40 years of PEBA at K 2019. The high point of this product anniversary will be the launch of a new generation of thermoplastic elastomers under the brand name Vestamid e²X.

Learn more about the new VDI guideline 2017 with focus on TPE, get insights of TPE in medical + healthcare markets, learn about Allod’s innovative materials with PTC effect, Uteksol/Albis’ high performance FR TPE, Kuraray’s new damping materials, and last but not least our extensive K 2019 preview.

Trinseo has announced plans for a TPE pilot facility in Hsinchu, Taiwan. The company explained that this facility emphasises its growth strategy for TPEs globally and will serve customers in the automotive, consumer electronics, footwear and medical markets. The pilot facility will be built at Trinseo’s existing manufacturing site in Hsinchu. Start of operation is scheduled for 2020.

For K 2019, Messe Düsseldorf, in cooperation with the elastomer specialists of DR. GUPTA VERLAGS GMBH have published again the official RUBBER & TPE POCKET GUIDE. It is a free of charge and neutral listing of suppliers of elastomer-specific products and services at K 2019.

During a working meeting between the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Keqiang, Sibur Holding and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) signed a framework cooperation agreement to produce SEBS. Under the agreement, both companies will establish a 50/50 joint venture (JV) in Russia to produce at least 20 ktpa of SEBS.

Together with seven other companies of the recently founded value balancing alliance e. V., based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, BASF intends to develop a standard to makes the value creation of companies for society measurable and comparable in environmental, human, social, and financial terms.

The sealing specialist A. Pellen Sealing Technology will present latest developments of its range of TPE, silicone, and PVC sealings at K 2019. The family-owned company will be exhibiting at the stand of kunststoffland.nrw, a special area dedicated to companies based in North Rhine Westfalia in Germany. The company has developed a new TPE seal, which is produced by extrusion and is intended for the packaging and drum lid industry.