Additional machines have been installed and staffing levels increased for the production of colour and additive masterbatches at the Gabriel-Chemie Group’s European sites. Production capacity at the main site in Gumpoldskirchen, Austria, has been increased by 2,000 tons p.a. with six new extruders.

The Polyurethanes division of Huntsman has launched three new grades of Irogran thermoplastic polyurethane specifically designed to meet with the European Union's Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations EC2023/2006.

TPE-S compounds of Kraiburg TPE have been chosen by BMW for the production of the windshield gaskets for the new BMW 7 series and the BMW 3 series convertible. The Bavarian carmaker is also using compounds supplied by the Bavarian TPE specialist for other exterior applications, and has optimised manufacturing by doing so. Recognition was not long in coming.

Kraton Polymers LLC, a producer of engineered polymers, announced a general price increase in North and South America of USD 220.00 per metric tonne (USD 0.10 per lb.), across all markets and end uses, for its SBS, SEBS, OE SBS, and OE SEBS polymers and compounds.

Kraton Polymers LLC has announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009.

Effective 1 July 2009 Hamburg based distributor Biesterfeld Plastic has extended the cooperation for Santoprene TPV as well as Vistamaxx from ExxonMobil Chemical to Turkey and Middle-East/Africa. The existing agreement between ExxonMobil Chemical and its former local distributor will expire at the end of 2009.

The German manufacturer of hose and connecting systems, Masterflex AG with headquarters in Gelsenkirchen, has recently launched the new Master-TPA hose line.

A new series of clear, non-blooming TPE from Elastocon TPE Technologies, Inc. is claimed to eliminate oil bloom onto wood and other surfaces or materials by being completely oil-free.

Kraton Polymers LLC announced its commercialisation of Kraton G1645, a polymer that creates new opportunities to replace PVC in medical applications.

A unique approach to integrating a sealing and baffle function in GM’s 6T40 and 6T45 transversely mounted six-speed automatic transmissions helps condense packaging space and enable better clutch and transmission durability.