AT NPE 2006, TEKNOR APEX WILL INTRODUCE ‘THE SINGAPORE CONNECTION’ FOR CUSTOMERS IN THE U.S. AND AROUND THE WORLD

Home > Singapore Polymer > What's New > What's New

Production of Engineering Thermoplastic Compounds by Singapore Polymer Corporation Expands Range of U.S.-Developed Products that Already Includes TPEs and Flexible Vinyl

PAWTUCKET, RI, U.S.A., February 27, 2006: At NPE 2006, Teknor Apex will officially announce that its subsidiary Singapore Polymer Corporation (SPC) has started up production of engineering thermoplastic compounds developed by sister subsidiary Chem Polymer (Booth 10150). SPC already produces the full line of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and vinyl compounds developed in the U.S. by Teknor Apex, and it has just completed a new laboratory for transfer of color technology from Teknor Color Company

“In addition to supplying Asia-based customers as it has for decades, SPC now plays a crucial role in the globalization of Teknor Apex by supplying U.S. customers that have requirements in China and other Asian countries,” said Bertram M. Lederer, senior vice president of Teknor Apex. “At the same time, SPC has become an important new resource for our customers operating in the U.S. and elsewhere, adding to our technical depth, supply versatility, and market expertise. From the point of view of our customers everywhere, the coordination between SPC and our other divisions is now seamless.”

Lederer cited these ways in which non-Asian customers of Teknor Apex take advantage of resources provided by SPC:

--IDENTICAL COMPOUND ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. “Our U.S. customers can outsource production to China and elsewhere in Asia and still use precisely the same compound formulations they use in the U.S.” Lederer said. “With all the complications that a western company undergoes in starting up a China operation, this supply consistency takes one variable off the table.”

--EXISTING CODES AND STANDARDS COMPLIANCE. Another complication eliminated in starting up Asian plants for export to western markets is testing compounds for compliance with western codes and standards for appliance, automotive, electrical, medical, and other applications, according to Lederer. “Teknor Apex compounds are already compliant with UL, NSF, automotive, and other critical specifications,” Lederer said. “In fact, for some Asian manufacturers of medical devices, potable-water tubing, and wire and cable, SPC is the only regional source of compounds that are pre-compliant.”

‘The Singapore Connection’ Will Be a Highlight of Teknor Apex Exhibit at NPE 2006

Although Teknor Apex acquired SPC in 2001, it was only two years ago that SPC completed relocating its entire operation to a new grassroots site in Singapore, one that includes a massive compounding plant and extensive laboratory and technical support capabilities. Since then, SPC has carried out a far-reaching technology transfer that enables it to manufacture identical formulations of virtually all of the TPE and vinyl compounds developed by Teknor Apex in the U.S. Once Teknor Apex acquired Chem Polymer at the start of 2005, the process of transferring technology from that business unit began as well.

Chem Polymer operates plants in the UK and the USA, is a leading supplier of ETP compounds in Europe and the Americas, and has a growing presence in Asia. Its range of engineering thermoplastics includes reinforced, filled, and specially modified compounds of nylon 6 and 66, acetal, PBT, and PET for automotive, appliance, electrical, electronic, and other applications.

Teknor Color Company produces color masterbatches for use in all thermoplastic processes and operates four plants in the U.S.A. “Our plan for colorants is to transfer technology to SPC as need arises, with special focus on supporting customers’ requirements for pre-colored compounds,” Lederer said. “The color specialists at SPC are equipped with an extensive new laboratory and work in close coordination with their counterparts in the U.S. All technical work is directly linked.”