DSM EXPANDS TPE-E CAPACITY

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DSM EXPANDS TPE-E CAPACITY
12 January 2004 - DSM Engineering Plastics

DSM Engineering Plastics expands Arnitel co-polyester capacity by 25% in response to growing global demand

Growing global demand for Arnitel TPE-E (thermoplastic elastomer ether ester block copolymer) has brought about a planned expansion of the Emmen, Netherlands, DSM Engineering Plastics plant. The expansion will add an additional 25% capacity by mid 2004 and is the second such increase in Arnitel production in the last five years.

Arnitel innovation and production is centred in Emmen, and from here product is shipped worldwide. The expansion will ensure continued rapid fulfilment of orders, which have been increasing fast every year. Demand in Europe, where Arnitel is a market leader, has shown a steady upturn. In the US and Asia Pacific, where Arnitel is finding rapid acceptance in a range of new applications, growth is proportionately much faster.

“DSM’s innovations in polymer development and compound formulation have historically been done in collaboration with our customers. They have shown their appreciation of the better performance and lower overall system costs possible with Arnitel by using more of it,” said Philippe Rey, DSM’s global business manager for Arnitel. “Right now, we have sufficient production capacity- we are investing in additional production to ensure continued availability in the foreseeable future.”

Arnitel is formulated for durability, fatigue resistance, flexibility, elasticity, permeability to water vapour, chemical and oil resistance, and thermal stability. It exhibits low-temperature ductility and high-temperature strength, combined with excellent moulded surface finish.

The Arnitel TPE-E family grades include E and P types, traditional polyether-ester formulations; and U grades, based on unique polyester-ester technology that extends the temperature range of the formulation.

Arnitel is engineered for a wide range of demanding applications, from automotive airbag covers and constant-velocity axle joint boots, to energy absorption assemblies and low-noise gears in consumer goods, to films and wraps for medical and textile needs.

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About: DSM Engineering Plastics
DSM Engineering Plastics is a business group forming part of DSM's Performance Materials cluster. DSM EP is a global supplier of Stanyl PA46 and Akulon 6 and 66 polyamides, Arnitel TPE-E, Arnite PBT and PET polyesters, Xantar polycarbonate, Yparex extrudable adhesive resins, and Stamylan UH Ultra High Molecular Weight PE. These materials are used in technical components for electrical appliances, electronic equipment and cars, in barrier packaging films as well as in many mechanical and extrusion applications. The business group had annual sales of EUR 566 million in 2003. With Stanyl, it is the global market leader in high heat polyamides.

Stanyl is a family of heat-resistant polyamides from DSM Engineering Plastics. Stanyl’s high crystallinity (70% versus 50% for conventional PA66) results in high heat distortion temperatures of 190C for unreinforced grades, up to 290C for reinforced. Stanyl grades are used in automotive clutch plates, charge air coolers, chain tensioners; electrical components including motor frames and end laminates, circuit breakers, controls and connectors; and home and power tool components, including heat shields and heat-resistant utensils.

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