Extrusion Group™, LLC

Patrick Keane Published 24 January 2012 – The battery module market for hybrid and electric vehicles is expected to grow from about $5bn in 2010 to $47bn in 2020, representing a compounded annual growth rate of (CAGR) of 25% over 10 years, according to ABI research.

The report said continued demand for cleaner, more efficient vehicles, led by governments dealing with goals to cut emissions, means that financial incentives will be around for a long time.

Urban areas are being targeted as prime regions for electric vehicle adoption, as the recharging infrastructure is also developing rapidly in these areas.

ABI Research principal analyst David Alexander said as well as the production vehicles that went on sale in 2011, announcements from all the major manufacturers make it clear that this segment will have much more competition in the next couple of years.

“Also, some existing hybrid vehicles will be fitted with larger batteries to improve their electric-only range,” Alexander said. (more…)

Aiming to provide information on the entire range of nonwoven bonding and converting technologies, the agenda for the inaugural Converting and Bonding (CAB) 2012 Conference includes sessions ranging from Machinery Technology to Market Applications as part of the three-day event, set for April 17-19, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, S.C.

The CAB Conference, which has its roots in the highly successful Needlepunch Conference organized by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, now encompasses all bonding technologies plus the addition of converting, The new conference will cover the entire range of nonwoven bonding technologies, including needlepunch, spunlace, chemical, spray, foam, powder, stitch, thermal, through-air and ultrasonic.

Highlights of CAB 2012

• The latest converting applications using ultrasonic, coating, laminating, , and laser technologies
• New market opportunities and applications in medical, military, alternative energy, automotive, geotextiles, building/construction, protective barriers and more
• New capabilities in converting
• Machinery technology – needle punch
• Bonding and Converting tutorials
• Innovations in thermal and other bonding technologies
• Latest trends and developments in sustainability, raw materials and governmental affairs (more…)

DuPont has long been associated with heat and flame resistant solutions with DuPont™ Nomex® and chemical protection with DuPont™ Tyvek®. Combining its expertise in both fields, DuPont has developed Proshield®
FR, a single-use, limited flame spread, chemical protective coverall, designed to be worn over a flame resistant garment, thus protecting the wearer from limited exposure to flames and chemicals as well as protecting the reusable
flame resistant garment itself.

DuPont™ ProShield® FR is a hooded protective coverall made from a flame-retardant SMS nonwoven fabric. It is typically used, depending on chemical toxicity and exposure levels, for protection against particles (type 5), limited
liquid splashes or sprays of non-flammable liquids (type 6) and in applications where personal protective equipment (PPE) offering limited heat and flame protection is required. Worn over a flame-resistant Index 2 or-3 protective  garment, Proshield® FR protects from light chemical spray (unpressurised) and aerosol, particulates, dirt and grime, and thus extends the life of the garment. DuPont™ Proshield® FR is made from a non-halogenated flame-retardant non-woven fabric, meaning it is free of substances that can cause health concerns for the wearer according to current
chemical and toxicological assessments. Proshield® FR also benefits from an antistatic treatment on both sides of the garment (the garment is compatible for explosive zones). (more…)

(RTTNews.com) – Cellulose-based specialty products maker Buckeye Technologies, Inc. (BKI) reported Tuesday a loss for the second quarter compared to a profit last year, hurt by significant impairment charges. Meanwhile, adjusted earnings per share grew, reflecting better margins and revenue growth amid higher selling prices and increased specialty wood fibers shipment volume, and topped analysts’ expectations, while quarterly revenues trailed their estimates.

“The key drivers of year over year improvements continue to be strong markets and selling prices, better capacity utilization at our Memphis specialty cotton fibers plant, and benefits from our cost improvement initiatives,” Chairman and CEO John Crowe said in a statement.

The Memphis, Tennessee-based fibers and non-woven materials maker reported a net loss of $5.36 million or $0.14 per share for the second quarter, compared to net income of $16.74 million or $0.42 per share in the prior-year quarter. (more…)

BRUSSELS, Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry, has named Mr. Miles Roberts, Group Chief Executive of DS Smith, as the 2012 European CEO of the Year.

Mr. Roberts was chosen as the RISI European CEO of the Year by a group of investment analysts and portfolio managers covering the European pulp and paper industry. The analysts responded to a survey organized by RISI and the criteria for nomination included leadership, vision and strategic accomplishment. Mr. Roberts was selected as the winner due to his significant achievements and overall leadership of DS Smith.

Specifically noted in his nomination by a number of analysts was the business strategy that will give a significant return to shareholders with one analyst commenting: “DS Smith is one of the few companies in the sector that has a good recent track record of generating value with returns greater than capital cost”, whilst another commented on the company’s “excellent integration of French producer Otor, as well as its exiting of non-core business areas, such as its recent sell off of Spicers, giving share holders a clear strategy for growth”.  (more…)

17 January 2012, Warwick, RI

Biomedical textiles developer and manufacturer Biomedical Structures (BMS), has launched Biofelt an absorbable nonwovens based scaffold for implant devices for use in orthopaedics, cardiology, general surgery and other in vivo applications.

Biofelt’s unique nonwoven structure is said to provide a fibrous matrix platform that enables natural tissue in-growth in surgical applications. Composed of felt created by a carding and needle punch process, Biofelt is said to provide greater surface area than most other biomedical textiles to bring a different set of benefits to implantables – most notably, the ability to encourage cellular in-growth through specific spacing, layer thickness, and material integrity allows for customized performance and controlled absorption profiles.

Produced from PGA (Polyglycolic Acid), PLLA (Poly L Lactic Acid) and copolymers such as PLGA (co-polylactic acid/glycolic acid), Biofelt can be used as a component of medical devices or surgical systems with the benefit of bio-absorbability. (more…)