Page 18 - ETP-April-May2020

NEWS INTERNATIONAL

Siemens opens its Additive Manufacturing Network

n response to the ongoing global providers with medically certified
Ihealth crisis caused by the out- printing capacities can register for
break of the COVID-19 virus, Sie- free access to the Siemens AM Net-
mens is making its Additive Manu- work. “Having worked on Additive
facturing (AM) Network along with Manufacturing for years, we offer
its 3D printers, available to the AM solutions along the entire value
global medical community to speed chain and can print 3D parts quickly
design and production of medical according to acute demands. To help
components. The AM Network con- fight COVID-19, we have opened
nects users, designers and 3D-print our AM Network for hospitals and
service providers to enable faster and other health institutions needing
less complicated production of spare spare medical parts to efficiently
parts for machines like ventilators. manage their design and printing re-
The Siemens AM network is avail- the printing process and associated quests”, said Klaus Helmrich, Mem-
able globally and covers the entire services. Doctors, hospitals and or- ber of the Managing Board of Sie-
value chain – from upload and simu- ganizations in need of medical de- mens AG and CEO Siemens Digital
lation to checking the design up to vices as well as designers and service Industries.

Covestro & Teknor Apex Mitsubishi Chemical acquires Gelest
enter agreement
itsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) has announced that its
aterials manufacturer Covestro and Msubsidiary Mitsubishi Chemical America, Inc. has entered into a
Mglobal plastics compounder Teknor definitive agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares
Apex intend to cooperate closely on com- of Gelest Intermediate Holdings, Inc., the parent of Gelest, Inc. Comple-
pounding thermoplastic polyurethane tion of the transaction is expected in 2020, pending customary regulatory
(TPU) and have signed a cooperation review and approval. Gelest is an American manufacturer, and supplier
agreement to this effect. TPU is an ex- of silicones, organosilanes, metal organics, and specialty monomers for
tremely versatile plastic, which Covestro advanced technology end markets including medical devices, life sciences,
has been producing in pure form for many microelectronics, and personal care. “We are excited to acquire Gelest as
years for use in various industry sectors. its business fits well within MCC’s long term strategy,” said Steve Yurich,
Through compounding, i.e. mixing with President of MCA. “Since becoming familiar with Gelest, we have rec-
other materials, the array of achievable ognized the tremendous capabilities in research and development and
properties can be increased considerably production that help create its outstanding position with key customers.
further. This is a particular strength of Furthermore, MCC’s operating resources and customer network will en-
Teknor Apex. hance the ability to bring Gelest’s technologies to market and accelerate
“We are happy to team-up with such the development of new customer solutions to drive advances in digital
a competent and complementary partner social infrastructure, vision care, and other life sciences applications. We
for processing TPU on a global scale,” says look forward to working alongside the team at Gelest to drive the contin-
Dr. Thorsten Dreier, the new global head ued growth of the company.”
The Economic Times POLYMERS | April-May 2020
of the TPU business at Covestro. “Togeth-
er with Teknor Apex, we want to develop Clariant to increase capacity
customized products to grow together with
our existing and new customers.” Coves- lariant is expanding production capacity for its isethionates deriva-
tro supports the marketing of the jointly Ctives - Hostapon SCI - mild surfactants to support the increasing shift
developed products by Teknor Apex with by personal care formulators and brands towards using mild surfactants to
its Desmoflex brand. “We are excited to differentiate applications. It also supports the growing consumer trend for
become Covestro’s preferred global com- hygiene products. The investment at facilities in Europe and the USA will
pounding partner. The combination of bring additional capacity on stream during Q1 2021. “As one of the lead-
Covestro’s expertise in TPU resin with ing company for specialty chemicals in personal care, Clariant continues
Teknor Apex’s custom formulation and to invest and support the latest trends in the sector. Mild surfactants are a
compounding capabilities provide a com- growing sector driven by consumers seeking new mildness claims, invalu-
pelling value driver for our combined cus- able in helping formulators to answer needs for mild cleansing hygiene,
tomers worldwide,” says Sachin Sakhalkar, sensitive skin solutions, solid formats and more natural ingredients,” com-
Vice President, TPE Division, at Teknor mented Christian Vang, Global Head of Business Unit Industrial & Con-
Apex. sumer Specialties.

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