Publications

Citation

(2010), "Publications", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 39 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2010.12939eac.005

Publications

Article Type: Conferences, training and publications From: Pigment & Resin Technology, Volume 39, Issue 5

Ceresana Announces New Study on EPS: Ascent of a Climate Protector

Building insulation provides an effective way to save a good deal of money and also protect the environment. A total of 23 million homes are in need of insulation improvement in Germany alone: if their heat insulation was updated to the newest standards, heating oil consumption could be cut by 83 billion liters, and CO₂ output would fall by 250 million tons per year. The savings potential is even greater in countries with warmer climates, since air conditioning systems require a considerable amount of energy. This provides a good outlook for manufacturers of EPS, the most important insulation material. Ceresana, the market research institute, is releasing a new study covering expandable polystyrene.

Building with EPS

Roughly two-thirds of EPS demand is accounted for by blocks and panels in the construction industry, the largest application area. The construction industry’s importance will continue to grow: many governments, particularly in Europe, are promoting measures to increase energy efficiency. Therefore, Ceresana Research expects to see continued growth in EPS consumption starting in 2010, despite declining building sectors in many locations. After worldwide EPS revenue had increased at an average rate of 7.3 percent per year between 2000 and 2008, it fell to approximately €4.3 billion in 2009. “Due to substantial price decreases, revenue fell by up to a third in some world regions”, says Oliver Kutsch, owner of Ceresana Research. “However, prices are already starting to rise again. We expect market value will reach the level from 2008 again in 2012.”

Universal Foam

Aside from heat insulation, used for example in boilers and entire tanker ships, EPS is primarily applied where shock absorbance and sound insulation is required. The small foam pellets can be found in products, such as protective helmets for cyclists, electronics packaging and sound baffles. Since the material is harmless, it is also used for disposable cups and other food containers. EPS is very buoyant because it consists of up to 98 percent air, and is used for lightweight cores in surfboards, life jackets, and life-savers. Simple and almost arbitrarily moldable EPS is utilized in the production of architectural models, as well as theater backdrops and decorations. Lesser known technical applications of EPS include, for example, void formers for iron or aluminum parts in motors.

Upsurge in the East

EPS production is particularly dynamic in Eastern Europe and the Asian Pacific. Ceresana Research expects to see growth there until 2016, in the amount of 7.1 and 5.9 percent per year, respectively. China alone, which is already the world’s largest EPS manufacturer, should see capacities increase by more than 750,000 tons, while East European countries should see a growth of just less than 350,000 tons. In contrast, EPS production in Japan and South Korea will most likely fall.

Concise overview

“Market Study – Expandable Polystyrene” presents the most important information regarding the various EPS grades, their advantages, application possibilities, as well as legal situations and certifications, innovations and trends and recycling on 690 pp. The market report contains 63 profiles of current and future manufacturers, with information on product ranges, capacities, ownership structure and corporate integration. Individual EPS markets are analyzed in detail for 64 countries, with information on prices, imports and exports – including prognoses until 2016. The study is available in English or German from Ceresana Research: www.ceresana.com/en/market-studies/plastics/expandable-polystyrene/

About Ceresana Research

Ceresana Research is one of the world’s leading industrial market research institutions. Companies, institutions and organizations from more than 40 countries already benefited from our global market data and well-founded prognoses. Our core competencies include: chemicals + plastics + additives + commodities + materials + industrial components + packaging + construction materials.

Visit us at: www.ceresana.com

Additional information:

Ceresana Research, Blarerstr. 56, 78462 Konstanz, Germany, Tel.: 49 7531 94293 0, Fax: 49 7531 94292 27, Press contact: Martin Ebner, M.A., e-mail: m.ebner@ceresana.com

ChemTec Publishing announces Handbook of Material Biodegradation, Biodeterioration, and Biostabilization

This book (www.chemtec.org/proddetail.php?prod=978-1-895198-44-7) is about protection of materials and products against colonization and subsequent degradation of their properties. The book contains nine chapters each devoted to essential aspects related to biodegradation and biostabilization.

The introductory chapter gives historical note on chronological developments in the field, presents classification of biocidal products and defines essential terms which are frequently used in the subject of the book.

Microorganisms involved in biodegradation and biodeterioration of materials are presented within the framework of their classification, based on the most recent developments and agreements. Information on 13 groups of bacteria seven groups of fungi, and four groups of protozoa are discussed in Chapter 2, which also contains discussion of major mechanisms of biodegradation and biodeterioration, including biofilm formation and its effect on biostabilization of materials.

Chapter 3 is devoted to industrial biocides. It begins with discussion of mechanisms of biostabilization followed by discussion of types of biostabilizers. In this discussion, biocides are divided into 19 groups and properties of stabilizers for each group are given in the tabular form. Only stabilizers permitted for use in European Union and the USA are included in the discussion. The selection is based on the current in 2010 lists of approved substances.

Chapter 4 contains information on biodegradation, biodeterioration and biostabilization of industrial products. For each group of products, relevant microorganisms, essential product components, mechanisms of biodegradation and biodeterioration, results of biodeterioration, biostabilization, and used formulations are given. Of industrial products, 22 groups are included in evaluation. Also, 24 groups of polymers are discussed here in separate sections.

Chapter 5 contains information on standard and other frequently used analytical methods in the field of the book. Chapter 6 contains evaluation of health and safety aspects of biocide application. Chapter 7 contains the most current information on environmental fate of biostabilizers, including their concentrations, toxicity and the rates of decay. Discussion is based on the most current data (current decade) to give real picture of current situation.

Chapter 8 contains information on regulations developed in European Union, by world organizations, and in the USA to give a comprehensive background of legislative measures. The last chapter is on protection of workers who use biocides in their work.

This comprehensive source of fundamental information and data is based on thousands of papers, patents and information from biocide manufacturers. The above contents and the most-up-to-date information make this book essential for almost all the fields of applied chemistry.

Very drastic changes in biocides which can be used according to regulations make most of the very informative books published in past misleading because regulations eliminated many products, which they discuss. This book only looks to future applications, giving ideas on how to protect materials in today’s environment.

About the authors

Michalina Falkiewicz-Dulik has a MSc degree in experimental physics and thirty years of experience in leather products manufacture with special reference to research, development, and technology implementation on industrial scale. She coauthored two books: Microbiology of materials (Technical University of Łódz´ Press) and Light industry - management and organization of production, materials science, technology and design, (Kazimierz Pułaski Technical University of Radom Press). She has published 24 scientific papers, three know-how manuals, 87 articles and reports in: Medical Mycology, Advances in Dermatology and Allergology, Przegled Skórzany, Przegled Włókienniczy WOS, Ochrona Przed Korozje. She has been awarded four prizes by Polish Federation of Engineering Associations NOT for technologies of manufacturing synthetic materials and one prize by National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management for the project “Recycling Technology – Technology Recycling”. She is also forensic expert in the area of leather and leather goods, raw materials, plastic and rubber, and leather processing and footwear as well as an auditor of Quality Management System according to ISO 9001.

Katarzyna Janda is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture in West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin. She has been teaching in the area of preservation, storage, processing and evaluation of commodity plant materials. Janda conducts research on enzymatic activity and effects of fungi, especially those colonizing plant materials, on storage stability of various materials. She has published 47 research papers and co-authored a book entitled Microbiology of Materials published by the Technical University of Lodz Press, with contribution on biodeterioration of petroleum products.

George Wypych has a PhD in chemical engineering. His professional expertise includes both university teaching (full professor) and research & development. He has published 15 books: PVC Plastisols (University Press); Polyvinylchloride Degradation (Elsevier); Polyvinylchloride Stabilization (Elsevier); Polymer Modified Textile Materials (Wiley & Sons); Handbook of Material Weathering, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Editions, (ChemTec Publishing); Handbook of Fillers, 1st and 2nd Editions (ChemTec Publishing); Recycling of PVC (ChemTec Publishing); Weathering of Plastics. Testing to Mirror Real Life Performance (Plastics Design Library), Handbook of Solvents, Handbook of Plasticizers, Handbook of Antistatics, Handbook of Antiblocking, Release, and Slip Additives, PVC Degradation & Stabilization, The PVC Formulary, Handbook of Biodegradation, Biodeterioration, and Biostabilization (all by ChemTec Publishing), 47 scientific papers, and he has obtained 16 patents. He specializes in polymer additives, polymer processing and formulation, material durability and the development of sealants and coatings. He is included in the Dictionary of International Biography, Who’s Who in Plastics and Polymers, Who’s Who in Engineering, and was selected International Man of the Year 1996-1997 in recognition for his services to education.

Contact: Anna Fox, ChemTec Publishing, 38 Earswick Dr, Toronto, ON M1E 1C6, Canada, Tel.: (416) 265-2603, Fax: (416) 265-1399, web site: www.chemtec.org, e-mail: orderdesk@chemtec.org