Page 161 - CW E-Magazine (19-3-2024)

News from Abroad

EXPANDED PORTFOLIO
BASF renames two dispersions plants in China

to better reflect diverse offerings

BASF has announced that it is sonal care and the rapidly growing
changing the name of two dispersions lithium-ion battery industry in China.
plants in China, BASF Paper Chemi- “By aligning the names of the plants
cals Huizhou and BASF Paper Chemi- with our focus on specialty materials,
cals Jiangsu, to BASF Specialty Mate- we aim to provide our customers and
rial Huizhou and BASF Specialty Mate- potential customers with a clearer
rial Jiangsu, respectively, to better understanding of the nature of our busi-
reflect their diverse product offerings ness,” said Mr. Andreas Fechtenkoetter,
for various industries. Senior Vice President, Dispersions Asia
Pacific, BASF.
BASF said the decision was
prompted by inquiries from some cus- BASF currently operates three dis-
tomers regarding the previous names. care, and more. Therefore, the original persions production plants in China
Mr. Jeff Liu, Business Director, Disper- names did not fully represent the full that primarily support customers from
sions Greater China, BASF, explained, scope of our capabilities.” different Chinese regions in industries
“Besides supplying paper coatings, such as construction, paints, paper,
these two production plants also supply BASF’s dispersions business unit adhesives, and consumer goods. The
a wide range of water-based polymer is a key supplier of dispersions to a plants in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu commenced
dispersions to various industries, in- diverse range of sectors, including operations in 2002, while the plant in
cluding construction, paints, personal construction, paints, adhesives, per- Huizhou, Guangdong started up in 2012.

CLOSING THE LOOP
SK Chemicals, Hyosung Advanced Materials, and

Hankook Tire develop chemically recycled PET tyre

SK Chemicals, South Korean conglo- Advanced Materials developed the
merate SK Group’s chemical unit, high-strength recycled PET-based tyre
along with Hyosung Advanced Mate- cords using this as a raw material. The
rials and Hankook Tire & Technology developed tyre cords were applied to
have developed and commercialised Hankook Tire’s premium electric vehicle
South Korea’s first tyre using chemically tyre brand, ‘iON’. The ‘iON’ tyre, with
recycled PET. a 45% sustainable material content, has
recently passed the stringent reliability
The electric vehicle-exclusive tyre verification by a European automotive
“iON” is made with circular recycled manufacturer, securing final approval
PET (polyester) fibre tyre cords. for use and being mounted as tyres for
Before the commercialisation phase, new vehicles.
there were instances where chemical
recycling technology was applied to Tyre cords are fibre reinforcement
concept tyres or prototypes, but the materials that help maintain the shape
release of a tyre product to the market The three firms developed the tyre of the tyre and withstand the load and
using chemically recycled PET-based over a period of about two years. SK impact applied during driving, enhancing
tyre cords through to commercialisation Chemicals supplied the circular recyc- the tyre’s durability, driving performance,
is a first in South Korea. led PET “Skypet CR”, and Hyosung and ride comfort.

Chemical Weekly March 19, 2024 161

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised