SPE Central Europe has announced a new sponsor: Solvay Speciality Polymers will support an award category at the 20th Automotive Award 2021. According to SPE Central Europe, Solvay contributes with innovative and competitive solutions to meet today's and tomorrow's requirements in a wide range of areas, while at the same time conserving the resources of our planet. The Automotive Award of SPE Central Europe is awarded to innovative vehicle parts and components made of plastic.

SaarGummi Group and the Japanese weatherstrip supplier Tokai Kogyo Co Ltd. have signed a wide-reaching technical agreement. The companies have been in contact since the beginning of 2018. In addition to a strategic partnership, the focus of the cooperation is above all the exchange of technology between the Japanese and German company.

In close collaboration with Kraiburg TPE, the French medical components specialist Nextis has developed an articulated cover designed to protect the USB port on respiratory devices against dust and splash water entry. The part is molded in a proven Thermolast compound that delivers a good balance of high mechanical properties and aesthetics, ease of injection molding, and reliable resistance against professional cleaners.

Alphagary has appointed Andy Claytor as Global Business Manager TPE. Andy Claytor will bring over 20 plus years of business development and executive sales experience to the fulcrum of Alphagary’s TPE operation. He comes to Alphagary from a seven-year spell as Vice President, Business Development, North Region with Hexpol Compounding. He also acted as Regional Sales Director for the organization. Prior to his last role, Andy was Director, Key Accounts & OEM Development for Teknor Apex, from 2001 to 2012.

The TPE industry association TPE Forum will held its next plenary meeting on the 1 December 2020 as online event via Microsoft Teams. Everybody who is involved in the TPE supply chain is invited to join the meeting, starting 10:00 am. The meeting will end at approx. 03:00 pm.

Evonik announced that construction work on its largest investment to date – at more than EUR 400 million – is progressing well. The first plant at the site in Marl, Germany, was completed on schedule in mid-October 2020 and is currently being commissioned. Further plants will follow by Q1 2021, with full completion expected in H1 2021.

IMCD N.V., a distributor of speciality chemicals and ingredients, announced the opening of its new US headquarters in Westlake, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. IMCD said that the company debuts its new location to accommodate its expanding business, invest in its people and future growth, plus complement its global digitalisation initiatives to better serve its markets across the USA.

The Pinneberg-based German company Tramaco GmbH announced the launch of new expandable microspheres. According to the manufacturer, some materials, e.g. TPE/TPU, cannot be processed by chemical or physical foaming due to their low melt strength. In these cases the new product can offer an adequate solution.

The Chinese sports and fitness brand Keep has launched the treadmill K2, which is made with BASF’s Infinergy expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (E-TPU) in the running deck. With the material’s superior elastic, shock-absorbing and high-rebound properties, the running deck is said to deliver an unmatched experience for indoor runners.

Nouryon has launched a new version of its Expancel expandable microspheres targeted at speciality thin coatings applications. Expandable microspheres work as a filler and blowing agent to make products lighter and reduce overall costs.