NOTIFICATION: The Technology Channels will soon be discontinued.
Click here to download complimentary copies of Fastmarkets RISI’s pulp and paper newsletters.

Chemicals

Expansion of ALTANA’s ECKART division with innovative solutions for metal-based 3D printing
Acquisition of the business of the internationally leading TLS Technik GmbH & Co. Spezialpulver KG with high-performance metal powders for 3D printing
Acquisition of the British specialist AMT for alloy development in 3D printing and its patented special alloy A20X for lightweight components

The specialty chemicals group ALTANA is acquiring the business of TLS Technik GmbH & Co. Spezialpulver KG, an internationally leading manufacturer of metal powders for 3D printing, and thus strategically expanding its ECKART division. “By acquiring the TLS business, we are expanding our portfolio in 3D printing for industrial additive manufacturing and positioning ourselves in a technology market of the future,” says Martin Babilas, CEO of ALTANA AG. “With this step we are continuing to implement ALTANA's strategy of generating value-creating growth through targeted acquisitions, even in difficult economic times.”

TLS, which is based in Bitterfeld, Germany, and has 25 years of experience, is regarded as one of the world's leading specialists in the production of high-quality metal powders for industrial 3D printing.

“TLS’ expertise in the production of metal powders and alloys for metallic 3D printing complements ECKART’s strengths as a specialist in the atomization of metals,” says Dr. Wolfgang Schütt, head of ALTANA's ECKART Division. “We are also strengthening ourselves in a targeted manner for functional applications.” For example, ECKART offers solutions for corrosion protection, products for the manufacture of aerated concrete, and fuels for space travel. In the course of the acquisition, ECKART will take over the production facility in Bitterfeld and around 40 employees. The transaction is subject to the approval of the antitrust authorities and to other customary closing conditions, and is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2020.

In addition, ALTANA announced the acquisition of the British company Aluminium Materials Technologies Ltd. (AMT). Besides others, the company developed the patented special alloy A20X for 3D printing, setting new standards in strength and weight. The technologically highly innovative special alloy enables the manufacturing of significantly lighter components with outstanding mechanical properties.

“AMT and its A20X alloy complement TLS’ capabilities, enabling us to offer users even more high-performance materials in the future, including in the aerospace industry, a key market for metallic 3D printing,” says Dr. Schütt.

3D printing permits decentralized, industrial production. The technology is revolutionizing the industrial value chain by making global supply chains more time and cost efficient. With the economic challenges posed by Covid-19, the importance of 3D printing will continue to grow.

In the future, ECKART will work with TLS and AMT experts to optimize and develop metal powders for 3D printing, thus opening up new areas of application. In doing so, ECKART is building on its core competencies: decades of expertise in materials production, efficient research and development, and access to international markets.

About ECKART:

The ECKART Group, a company of ALTANA AG, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of effect pigments. With around 1,750 employees worldwide, the group of companies develops, produces, and distributes metallic effect and pearlescent pigments in powder, paste, and pellet form as well as concentrates, dispersions, and printing inks. ECKART products are used in the paint and printing industry, the plastics and aerated concrete sectors, and in cosmetic products. ECKART has a presence in over 70 countries.

About ALTANA:

ALTANA is a global leader in true specialty chemicals. The Group offers innovative, environmentally compatible solutions for coating manufacturers, paint and plastics processors, the printing and packaging industries, the cosmetics sector and the electrical and electronics industry. The product range includes additives, special coatings and adhesives, effect pigments, sealants and compounds, impregnating resins and varnishes, and testing and measuring instruments. ALTANA's four divisions, BYK, ECKART, ELANTAS, and ACTEGA, all occupy a leading position in their target markets with respect to quality, product solution expertise, innovation and service.

Headquartered in Wesel, Germany, the ALTANA Group has 47 production facilities and 65 service and research laboratories worldwide. Throughout the Group more than 6,500 people work to ensure the worldwide success of ALTANA. In 2019, ALTANA achieved sales of more than €2.2 billion. About 7 percent of sales is invested in research and development every year. Its high earning power and high growth rate make ALTANA one of the most innovative, fastest growing, and profitable chemical companies in the world.

ALTANA acquires business of TLS Technik Spezialpulver to expand its portfolio in industrial 3D printing

Posted in: Chemicals 09/14/2020 - 11:01

Expansion of ALTANA’s ECKART division with innovative solutions for metal-based 3D printing
Acquisition of the business of the internationally leading TLS Technik GmbH & Co. Spezialpulver KG with high-performance metal powders for 3D printing
Acquisition of the British specialist AMT for alloy development in 3D printing and its patented special alloy A20X for lightweight components

The specialty chemicals group ALTANA is acquiring the business of TLS Technik GmbH & Co. Spezialpulver KG, an internationally leading manufacturer of metal powders for 3D printing, and thus strategically expanding its ECKART division. “By acquiring the TLS business, we are expanding our portfolio in 3D printing for industrial additive manufacturing and positioning ourselves in a technology market of the future,” says Martin Babilas, CEO of ALTANA AG. “With this step we are continuing to implement ALTANA's strategy of generating value-creating growth through targeted acquisitions, even in difficult economic times.”

TLS, which is based in Bitterfeld, Germany, and has 25 years of experience, is regarded as one of the world's leading specialists in the production of high-quality metal powders for industrial 3D printing.

“TLS’ expertise in the production of metal powders and alloys for metallic 3D printing complements ECKART’s strengths as a specialist in the atomization of metals,” says Dr. Wolfgang Schütt, head of ALTANA's ECKART Division. “We are also strengthening ourselves in a targeted manner for functional applications.” For example, ECKART offers solutions for corrosion protection, products for the manufacture of aerated concrete, and fuels for space travel. In the course of the acquisition, ECKART will take over the production facility in Bitterfeld and around 40 employees. The transaction is subject to the approval of the antitrust authorities and to other customary closing conditions, and is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2020.

In addition, ALTANA announced the acquisition of the British company Aluminium Materials Technologies Ltd. (AMT). Besides others, the company developed the patented special alloy A20X for 3D printing, setting new standards in strength and weight. The technologically highly innovative special alloy enables the manufacturing of significantly lighter components with outstanding mechanical properties.

“AMT and its A20X alloy complement TLS’ capabilities, enabling us to offer users even more high-performance materials in the future, including in the aerospace industry, a key market for metallic 3D printing,” says Dr. Schütt.

3D printing permits decentralized, industrial production. The technology is revolutionizing the industrial value chain by making global supply chains more time and cost efficient. With the economic challenges posed by Covid-19, the importance of 3D printing will continue to grow.

In the future, ECKART will work with TLS and AMT experts to optimize and develop metal powders for 3D printing, thus opening up new areas of application. In doing so, ECKART is building on its core competencies: decades of expertise in materials production, efficient research and development, and access to international markets.

About ECKART:

The ECKART Group, a company of ALTANA AG, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of effect pigments. With around 1,750 employees worldwide, the group of companies develops, produces, and distributes metallic effect and pearlescent pigments in powder, paste, and pellet form as well as concentrates, dispersions, and printing inks. ECKART products are used in the paint and printing industry, the plastics and aerated concrete sectors, and in cosmetic products. ECKART has a presence in over 70 countries.

About ALTANA:

ALTANA is a global leader in true specialty chemicals. The Group offers innovative, environmentally compatible solutions for coating manufacturers, paint and plastics processors, the printing and packaging industries, the cosmetics sector and the electrical and electronics industry. The product range includes additives, special coatings and adhesives, effect pigments, sealants and compounds, impregnating resins and varnishes, and testing and measuring instruments. ALTANA's four divisions, BYK, ECKART, ELANTAS, and ACTEGA, all occupy a leading position in their target markets with respect to quality, product solution expertise, innovation and service.

Headquartered in Wesel, Germany, the ALTANA Group has 47 production facilities and 65 service and research laboratories worldwide. Throughout the Group more than 6,500 people work to ensure the worldwide success of ALTANA. In 2019, ALTANA achieved sales of more than €2.2 billion. About 7 percent of sales is invested in research and development every year. Its high earning power and high growth rate make ALTANA one of the most innovative, fastest growing, and profitable chemical companies in the world.

MUNSTER, Germany, Sept. 14, 2020 (Press Release) -The former Aldi Süd Central Purchasing Director is taking over as Chief Sales Officer at the green tech company Creapaper. Her focus will be on expanding the sustainable and functional grass paper product portfolio.

Thull takes a key role for the next development steps at Creapaper. The company famous for supplying sustainable grass fibre as a raw material has in recent months been working increasingly hard on promoting sales of its own grass paper products. “I am used to thinking in portfolios and see grass paper as having huge potential in major segments such as tissue, service packaging and single-use products – and therefore for making those segments more sustainable”, says Thull.

Thull was at Aldi Süd until 2017, where she became Central Purchasing Director for Germany in 2011 and sat on the board of management from 2003. At Creapaper, Thull is now seeking to drive forward strategic product ranges and a set product portfolio for national and international key accounts.

Willi Mannheims from the venture capital investor eCAPITAL believes Thull is the perfect choice for CSO. “We are very pleased that Jeannette Thull is now supporting Creapaper with her extensive retail experience in the relevant target segments. With its strategic range of products, Creapaper can now reach out more effectively to the retail product sector to scale CO2-saving grass paper solutions internationally.”

Creapaper already markets grass paper products as an ecological alternative to chemical wood pulp products and plastic products affected by an EU ban.

Germany's Creapaper appoints Jeannette Thull as its new CSO and managing director

Posted in: Chemicals 09/14/2020 - 09:22

MUNSTER, Germany, Sept. 14, 2020 (Press Release) -The former Aldi Süd Central Purchasing Director is taking over as Chief Sales Officer at the green tech company Creapaper. Her focus will be on expanding the sustainable and functional grass paper product portfolio.

Thull takes a key role for the next development steps at Creapaper. The company famous for supplying sustainable grass fibre as a raw material has in recent months been working increasingly hard on promoting sales of its own grass paper products. “I am used to thinking in portfolios and see grass paper as having huge potential in major segments such as tissue, service packaging and single-use products – and therefore for making those segments more sustainable”, says Thull.

Thull was at Aldi Süd until 2017, where she became Central Purchasing Director for Germany in 2011 and sat on the board of management from 2003. At Creapaper, Thull is now seeking to drive forward strategic product ranges and a set product portfolio for national and international key accounts.

Willi Mannheims from the venture capital investor eCAPITAL believes Thull is the perfect choice for CSO. “We are very pleased that Jeannette Thull is now supporting Creapaper with her extensive retail experience in the relevant target segments. With its strategic range of products, Creapaper can now reach out more effectively to the retail product sector to scale CO2-saving grass paper solutions internationally.”

Creapaper already markets grass paper products as an ecological alternative to chemical wood pulp products and plastic products affected by an EU ban.

WILMINGTON, DE, Sept. 9, 2020 (Press Release) -Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries, was recently featured on the globally syndicated television docuseries “EARTH with John Holden.”

The episode, which aired September 6, 2020 on Fox Business Network, included Solenis executives who discussed several of the company’s advanced technologies to help customers achieve their sustainability goals. The segment is available to watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYEsJHmAJjw&feature=youtu.be.

Hosted by Emmy award winner and former NBC News correspondent John Holden, EARTH takes its audience around the globe, providing an in-depth look at innovative solutions, ideas and technologies designed to promote the health of the planet and its inhabitants.

The Solenis episode focuses on the importance of natural resources and describes how the company is helping industrial customers, such as paper mills and packaging producers, achieve greater sustainability by conserving water, energy and raw materials.

Some examples highlighted in the segment include:

Solenis working with water-intensive industries by providing materials that help protect equipment and allow water to be recycled and reused
Partnering with companies to help reduce paper waste with technologies to repulp and add strength for creating new packaging material
Developing technologies to replace plastic-lined cups with material that’s recyclable and compostable

“We’re committed to helping companies meet their sustainability goals, whether it’s saving water or producing more environmentally friendly products,” said John Panichella, CEO at Solenis. “It’s rewarding to know that what we do for our customers every day is having a positive impact on the environment and we’re pleased with the opportunity to share our story in this well-respected TV program.”

About Solenis

Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries, including the pulp, paper, oil and gas, petroleum refining, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power and municipal markets. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of process, functional and water treatment chemistries as well as state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets and minimize environmental impact. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 39 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of approximately 5,200 professionals in 120 countries across five continents.

Solenis features on “EARTH with John Holden” Global TV program

Posted in: Chemicals 09/09/2020 - 11:20

WILMINGTON, DE, Sept. 9, 2020 (Press Release) -Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries, was recently featured on the globally syndicated television docuseries “EARTH with John Holden.”

The episode, which aired September 6, 2020 on Fox Business Network, included Solenis executives who discussed several of the company’s advanced technologies to help customers achieve their sustainability goals. The segment is available to watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYEsJHmAJjw&feature=youtu.be.

Hosted by Emmy award winner and former NBC News correspondent John Holden, EARTH takes its audience around the globe, providing an in-depth look at innovative solutions, ideas and technologies designed to promote the health of the planet and its inhabitants.

The Solenis episode focuses on the importance of natural resources and describes how the company is helping industrial customers, such as paper mills and packaging producers, achieve greater sustainability by conserving water, energy and raw materials.

Some examples highlighted in the segment include:

Solenis working with water-intensive industries by providing materials that help protect equipment and allow water to be recycled and reused
Partnering with companies to help reduce paper waste with technologies to repulp and add strength for creating new packaging material
Developing technologies to replace plastic-lined cups with material that’s recyclable and compostable

“We’re committed to helping companies meet their sustainability goals, whether it’s saving water or producing more environmentally friendly products,” said John Panichella, CEO at Solenis. “It’s rewarding to know that what we do for our customers every day is having a positive impact on the environment and we’re pleased with the opportunity to share our story in this well-respected TV program.”

About Solenis

Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries, including the pulp, paper, oil and gas, petroleum refining, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power and municipal markets. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of process, functional and water treatment chemistries as well as state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets and minimize environmental impact. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 39 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of approximately 5,200 professionals in 120 countries across five continents.

WILMINGTON, DE, Sept. 2, 2020 (Press Release) -The unfolding of the past several months has led to more unpredictability than any of us could have imagined. Stay-at-home orders, social distancing guidelines and consumer panic buying have created major irregularities in tissue and towel market dynamics and consumption patterns. These challenges also present a great opportunity to help tissue and towel producers adapt and respond to these sudden changes.

Pushing for Productivity

As consumers around the world actively stockpiled supplies and household staple items, tissue makers were pushed to maximize production. In some countries, bath tissue sales increased by more than 50% during the early months of the pandemic. Though machine utilization rates spiked to nearly 100%, there were still difficulties meeting demand. For Solenis, being part of a larger effort to help customers increase output through higher production efficiency was an opportunity to transform our expertise and capabilities into tangible benefits for our customers and, ultimately, for consumers who rely on their products every day. Our teams partnered with tissue makers across the globe to help optimize wet-end process and coating stability to improve productivity and paper quality. These efforts have helped multiple customers achieve record machine speeds to meet the unexpected surge in demand.

Beyond great chemistry and applications, many of our customers have also leveraged the Solenis OPTIX™ Applied Intelligence adaptive analytics platform to optimize their papermaking processes and meet quality targets. We have documented successes in reducing off-spec tissue production by helping customers significantly improve wet tensile target adherence and reduce variability.

Managing Fiber Supply Challenges

Tissue made from recovered fiber accounts for approximately 30% of global production. Over the past few months, the recovered paper market has experienced extreme volatility. An unprecedented surge in tissue and packaging board demand, combined with reductions in office wastepaper and old corrugated cardboard availability, has tightened supply.

This has forced some tissue makers to switch from higher quality office waste to lower quality alternatives, which can result in lower strength and increased wet-end contamination. We have collaborated with a number of these tissue manufacturers, helping them evaluate and modify their dry-strength and contaminant control solutions to overcome these challenges.

An increasing number of tissue makers are also producing tissue made from non-wood alternative fiber, such as bamboo, which is not related to the pandemic per se, but it is exacerbating some of the other challenges affecting the industry. Non-wood tissue accounts for approximately 10% of global tissue production. Though more common right now in the Asia Pacific market, non-wood tissue will continue to expand across the other regions. In fact, several recently launched direct-to-consumer tissue brands are selling 100% bamboo tissue outside of Asia.

This type of tissue is seen as a more environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative. However, non-wood pulps typically contain higher levels of contaminants, such as silica and fines, which create Yankee coating challenges related to hardness, dusting and abrasiveness. Solenis has partnered with tissue makers to address challenges related to improving softness/hand feel, machine runnability and extending doctor blade life.

Preparing for New Paper Towel Opportunities

In the wake of the global pandemic, there is a renewed emphasis on hand hygiene that has resulted in more hand washing and hand drying occasions. Many establishments are also replacing hot and jet air dryers with paper towel dispensers in public restrooms. In addition, experts recommend cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces at least once a day to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission via surface contact. All of these trends are driving an increase in paper towel usage and pushing manufacturers to enhance their product requirements.

Solenis is well-positioned to help tissue makers produce more — and higher quality — paper towels. Our extended network of field professionals and application experts collaborate directly with paper producers to customize solutions to their unique needs. At the same time, our global manufacturing footprint allows us to deliver a variety of wet- and dry-strength products efficiently and cost-effectively to any mill, anywhere in the world. Our additives have enabled towel producers in all regions to enhance product quality in the areas of wet strength (for improved durability when used with disinfectants/cleaners), absorbency and scrubbability (to ensure the towel can clean a wider surface area).

The New “Normal”

Post-COVID-19, the world will likely operate very differently. Suppliers must evolve as much as the customers they serve, which is why Solenis is actively working to enhance, extend and redefine our capabilities to align with the changing world. We have an exciting pipeline of new activities planned for the next 12 months and look forward to helping producers navigate through these tumultuous times.

About the Author:

Richard Cho has held the position of global marketing director for Solenis Tissue & Towel since 2016. In this role, he is responsible for developing the global strategy, driving the innovation pipeline and leading digital communication for this vertical market. Prior to Solenis, Richard was the director of global marketing for Industrial Specialties at Ashland. Earlier in his career, Richard held brand management positions at Diageo and Campbell Soup Company. He holds a Master of Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

About Solenis

Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries, including the pulp, paper, oil and gas, petroleum refining, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power and municipal markets. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of process, functional and water treatment chemistries as well as state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets and minimize environmental impact. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 39 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of approximately 5,200 professionals in 120 countries across five continents.

Solenis executive statement: handling tumultuous times in tissue and towel market

Posted in: Chemicals 09/02/2020 - 10:14

WILMINGTON, DE, Sept. 2, 2020 (Press Release) -The unfolding of the past several months has led to more unpredictability than any of us could have imagined. Stay-at-home orders, social distancing guidelines and consumer panic buying have created major irregularities in tissue and towel market dynamics and consumption patterns. These challenges also present a great opportunity to help tissue and towel producers adapt and respond to these sudden changes.

Pushing for Productivity

As consumers around the world actively stockpiled supplies and household staple items, tissue makers were pushed to maximize production. In some countries, bath tissue sales increased by more than 50% during the early months of the pandemic. Though machine utilization rates spiked to nearly 100%, there were still difficulties meeting demand. For Solenis, being part of a larger effort to help customers increase output through higher production efficiency was an opportunity to transform our expertise and capabilities into tangible benefits for our customers and, ultimately, for consumers who rely on their products every day. Our teams partnered with tissue makers across the globe to help optimize wet-end process and coating stability to improve productivity and paper quality. These efforts have helped multiple customers achieve record machine speeds to meet the unexpected surge in demand.

Beyond great chemistry and applications, many of our customers have also leveraged the Solenis OPTIX™ Applied Intelligence adaptive analytics platform to optimize their papermaking processes and meet quality targets. We have documented successes in reducing off-spec tissue production by helping customers significantly improve wet tensile target adherence and reduce variability.

Managing Fiber Supply Challenges

Tissue made from recovered fiber accounts for approximately 30% of global production. Over the past few months, the recovered paper market has experienced extreme volatility. An unprecedented surge in tissue and packaging board demand, combined with reductions in office wastepaper and old corrugated cardboard availability, has tightened supply.

This has forced some tissue makers to switch from higher quality office waste to lower quality alternatives, which can result in lower strength and increased wet-end contamination. We have collaborated with a number of these tissue manufacturers, helping them evaluate and modify their dry-strength and contaminant control solutions to overcome these challenges.

An increasing number of tissue makers are also producing tissue made from non-wood alternative fiber, such as bamboo, which is not related to the pandemic per se, but it is exacerbating some of the other challenges affecting the industry. Non-wood tissue accounts for approximately 10% of global tissue production. Though more common right now in the Asia Pacific market, non-wood tissue will continue to expand across the other regions. In fact, several recently launched direct-to-consumer tissue brands are selling 100% bamboo tissue outside of Asia.

This type of tissue is seen as a more environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative. However, non-wood pulps typically contain higher levels of contaminants, such as silica and fines, which create Yankee coating challenges related to hardness, dusting and abrasiveness. Solenis has partnered with tissue makers to address challenges related to improving softness/hand feel, machine runnability and extending doctor blade life.

Preparing for New Paper Towel Opportunities

In the wake of the global pandemic, there is a renewed emphasis on hand hygiene that has resulted in more hand washing and hand drying occasions. Many establishments are also replacing hot and jet air dryers with paper towel dispensers in public restrooms. In addition, experts recommend cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces at least once a day to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission via surface contact. All of these trends are driving an increase in paper towel usage and pushing manufacturers to enhance their product requirements.

Solenis is well-positioned to help tissue makers produce more — and higher quality — paper towels. Our extended network of field professionals and application experts collaborate directly with paper producers to customize solutions to their unique needs. At the same time, our global manufacturing footprint allows us to deliver a variety of wet- and dry-strength products efficiently and cost-effectively to any mill, anywhere in the world. Our additives have enabled towel producers in all regions to enhance product quality in the areas of wet strength (for improved durability when used with disinfectants/cleaners), absorbency and scrubbability (to ensure the towel can clean a wider surface area).

The New “Normal”

Post-COVID-19, the world will likely operate very differently. Suppliers must evolve as much as the customers they serve, which is why Solenis is actively working to enhance, extend and redefine our capabilities to align with the changing world. We have an exciting pipeline of new activities planned for the next 12 months and look forward to helping producers navigate through these tumultuous times.

About the Author:

Richard Cho has held the position of global marketing director for Solenis Tissue & Towel since 2016. In this role, he is responsible for developing the global strategy, driving the innovation pipeline and leading digital communication for this vertical market. Prior to Solenis, Richard was the director of global marketing for Industrial Specialties at Ashland. Earlier in his career, Richard held brand management positions at Diageo and Campbell Soup Company. He holds a Master of Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

About Solenis

Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries, including the pulp, paper, oil and gas, petroleum refining, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power and municipal markets. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of process, functional and water treatment chemistries as well as state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets and minimize environmental impact. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 39 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of approximately 5,200 professionals in 120 countries across five continents.

HELSINKI, Aug. 25, 2020 (Press Release) -Ahlstrom-Munksjö announces the launch of TrustShield Biological, a personal protective apparel medical fabric designed to shield against hazardous pathogens.

The TrustShield product portfolio offers a range of medical fabrics designed to provide superior protection in the operating room, clinical and laboratory environments. TrustShield fabrics are laser resistant, protect against chemical permeation, and are highly absorbent. They can be easily converted into medical grade gowns or drapes.

TrustShield Biological is designed for personal protective apparel applications requiring biological protection to prevent penetration of blood and other hazardous fluids that can spread and cause infections. TrustShield Biological is a bi-laminate (two layer) fabric that consists of a polypropylenebased nonwoven layer designed for comfort, and polyethylene film layer for protection against biohazards.

“It is important to focus on how we can advance product functionality in our smart fiber-based solutions. This holds true especially for our medical business and the protective fabrics we produce to keep front line workers safe. TrustShield Biological further underscores our mission to deliver high performing medical fabrics that fully protect health care workers and patients globally,” commented Lionel Bonte, Vice President, Medical, Ahlstrom-Munksjö.

For decades the medical business has been making fabrics used to construct surgical gowns, drapes, pleated face masks, protective apparel and sterile barrier systems. These high performing medical fabrics are used around the world to protect health care workers and patients against viruses, bacteria and fluids. TrustShield Biological joins Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s high protection portfolio, which includes ViroSēl and PureArmor®, Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s next generation breathable viral barrier (BVB) fabrics. These innovative fabrics offer both protection and comfort, something that is difficult to achieve together.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö in brief

Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a global leader in fiber-based materials, supplying innovative and sustainable solutions to its customers. Our mission is to expand the role of fiber-based solutions for sustainable everyday life. Our offering include filter materials, release liners, food and beverage processing materials, decor papers, abrasive and tape backings, electrotechnical paper, glass fiber materials, medical fiber materials and solutions for diagnostics as well as a range of specialty papers for industrial and consumer end-uses. Our annual net sales is about EUR 3 billion and we employ some 8,000 people. The Ahlstrom-Munksjö share is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and Stockholm.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö enhances its high protection medical fabric portfolio with launch of TrustShield Biological

Posted in: Chemicals 08/25/2020 - 04:50

HELSINKI, Aug. 25, 2020 (Press Release) -Ahlstrom-Munksjö announces the launch of TrustShield Biological, a personal protective apparel medical fabric designed to shield against hazardous pathogens.

The TrustShield product portfolio offers a range of medical fabrics designed to provide superior protection in the operating room, clinical and laboratory environments. TrustShield fabrics are laser resistant, protect against chemical permeation, and are highly absorbent. They can be easily converted into medical grade gowns or drapes.

TrustShield Biological is designed for personal protective apparel applications requiring biological protection to prevent penetration of blood and other hazardous fluids that can spread and cause infections. TrustShield Biological is a bi-laminate (two layer) fabric that consists of a polypropylenebased nonwoven layer designed for comfort, and polyethylene film layer for protection against biohazards.

“It is important to focus on how we can advance product functionality in our smart fiber-based solutions. This holds true especially for our medical business and the protective fabrics we produce to keep front line workers safe. TrustShield Biological further underscores our mission to deliver high performing medical fabrics that fully protect health care workers and patients globally,” commented Lionel Bonte, Vice President, Medical, Ahlstrom-Munksjö.

For decades the medical business has been making fabrics used to construct surgical gowns, drapes, pleated face masks, protective apparel and sterile barrier systems. These high performing medical fabrics are used around the world to protect health care workers and patients against viruses, bacteria and fluids. TrustShield Biological joins Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s high protection portfolio, which includes ViroSēl and PureArmor®, Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s next generation breathable viral barrier (BVB) fabrics. These innovative fabrics offer both protection and comfort, something that is difficult to achieve together.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö in brief

Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a global leader in fiber-based materials, supplying innovative and sustainable solutions to its customers. Our mission is to expand the role of fiber-based solutions for sustainable everyday life. Our offering include filter materials, release liners, food and beverage processing materials, decor papers, abrasive and tape backings, electrotechnical paper, glass fiber materials, medical fiber materials and solutions for diagnostics as well as a range of specialty papers for industrial and consumer end-uses. Our annual net sales is about EUR 3 billion and we employ some 8,000 people. The Ahlstrom-Munksjö share is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and Stockholm.

WILMINGTON, DE, Aug. 19, 2020 (Press Release) -Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, is working with a North American tissue maker to deliver continuous process improvement with autonomous chemistry control through its secure OPTIX™ Applied Intelligence artificial intelligence (AI) platform.

Developed with ProcessMiner™, a leading AI platform, Solenis’ adaptive analytics system accurately learns complex variable relationships in pulp and paper manufacturing processes and yields a digital measure of product quality. Autonomous manufacturing using AI with machine learning allows for improved product quality, optimized use of raw materials and reduced water and energy consumption.

Deployed at St. Croix Tissue in Baileyville, Maine, OPTIX recently enabled the mill to accomplish something that was previously impossible. Using a closed-loop controller in conjunction with OPTIX quality parameter predictions, the mill was able to control its strength chemistry autonomously to ensure optimal chemical feed and adhere to target parameters.

“OPTIX has shown that it can reasonably predict different lab-tested parameters,” said Devin Rose, technical manager at St. Croix Tissue. “We’ve used this prediction in a closed-loop controller and successfully reduced variation in the final product. As a result, we’re excited about the value of this program.”

Launched by Solenis in early 2019, the novel OPTIX platform is operational in nine paper mills throughout North America and Europe, with additional deployments in progress. AI-powered predictive analytics of key quality parameters allows for on-the-fly process improvement, real-time process insights and continuous chemical control leading to improved target adherence, improved product quality and substantial cost savings.

COVID-19 is accelerating the need for autonomous manufacturing as operators seek to improve operational efficiency without making significant cap-ex investments and limiting human interaction. As a result, there has been mounting interest in the OPTIX platform, which enables the application of autonomous control to extend well beyond strength chemistry.

“Solenis continues to deliver innovative solutions that solve the complex problems that exist in the pulp and paper industry,” said Andreas Türk, president, Eurasia, Solenis. “Our partnership with ProcessMiner enables us to uniquely deliver the cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning technology required for real-time, predictive analytics and autonomous manufacturing. Our latest OPTIX offering, autonomous chemistry optimization, is another example of Solenis delivering the value our customers need to stay competitive.”

“Solenis has been the ideal partner for driving autonomous manufacturing in the pulp and paper industry, leveraging the technology we’ve developed,” said Karim Pourak, cofounder and CEO, ProcessMiner. “The deep domain expertise the Solenis team brings, coupled with our industry-leading data science team, has been a winning combination. We expect rapid adoption and mill expansion of the OPTIX platform in this industry as a result of our recent autonomous control success at St. Croix Tissue. With a shrinking workforce in manufacturing, AI is an investment that manufacturers need to consider in keeping up with demand and product quality service levels.”

For more details on OPTIX Applied Intelligence, please visit solenis.com/OPTIX.

About Solenis

Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries, including the pulp, paper, oil and gas, petroleum refining, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power and municipal markets. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of process, functional and water treatment chemistries as well as state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets and minimize environmental impact. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 39 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of approximately 5,200 professionals in 120 countries across five continents. For additional information about Solenis, please visit www.solenis.com.

About ProcessMiner

The ProcessMiner™ platform predicts problems in real-time using AI within the manufacturing process. The platform is being rapidly adopted by the tissue and packaging industries, inclusive of manufacturers in the pulp, paper and plastics industries, and pilot projects are underway with water treatment and energy sectors of manufacturing. Visit www.processminer.com.

Solenis enables St. Croix Tissue in Maine to achieve ‘unprecedented’ autonomous chemistry control with AI platform

Posted in: Chemicals 08/19/2020 - 20:11