BUSINESS
itiveness of metallocene catalysts in existing technologies/' says the company. Hoechst and Exxon have been collaborating on developing isotactic polypropylene since mid-1994. Initial products may compete in fibers or engineering resin markets. The companies expect to make an announcement about production trials before the end of the year, and commercial production is expected within the next two years. The added value in metallocene-based polypropylene is expected to be even higher than for polyethylenes, notes Exxon's McPike. Exxon's SCM process also can be used to produce polypropylenes. This year, Hoechst expanded another 1993 R&D agreement with Mitsui Petrochemical to include worldwide market evaluation of new polymers. The two companies will jointly produce cycloolefin copolymers (COC) using metallocene catalysts developed by Hoechst on a pilot scale. Mitsui is modifying a 7 millionlb-per-year facility in Iwakuni, Japan. Their first product will be an ethylenenorbornene copolymer called Topas. Cycloolefins such as cyclobutene or cyclopentene make very rigid polymer
chains with very high melting points. Metallocene catalysts can efficiently polymerize cycloolefins with linear olefins to yield amorphous thermoplastics with lower melting points, high transparency, better optical characteristics (because of the absence of double bonds or aromatic structures), and good heat stability and chemical resistance.They are expected to compete with polycarbonates in the optical, data storage, and medical device fields. Other new materials in the R&D stage, according to John J. Murphy of the Catalyst Group, include terpolymers and block and graft copolymers. "Metallocene technology is becoming an important tool that allows polyolefin producers to generate added value at a time when forecasted industry returns require attention," he says. Application development has become important, he adds, as evidenced by both patent filings and close cooperation between material suppliers and product fabricators. And next year is expected to be a significant year for the developers of metallocene systems as new production comes on-line. D
Composite plastics growth makes 'soft landing' Shipments of composite plastics have decelerated from the double-digit growth of 1994, but they are expected to reach a record total of 3.17 billion lb this year. According to figures compiled by the New York City-based Composites Institute (CI) of the Society of the Plastics Industry, all market segments except aerospace and military use will grow in 1995. Shipments of composite plastics—
polymer material reinforced by fibers or other materials—this year are projected to grow 4.3% from last year, after 11.6% growth in 1994. "We will have another solid record-breaking year," says Catherine A. Randazzo, CI executive director. "This rate of growth mirrors the 'soft landing' effect that the general economy is experiencing." Substitution for metals and wood has
Shipments of composites to increase 4.3% in 1995 % change 1994-953
Millions of lb
1993
1994
1995a
Transportation Construction Corrosion-resistant equipment Marine Electrical & electronics
822.1 530.0 352.0 319.3 274.9
945.6 596.9 376.3 363.5 299.3
987.0 626.3 393.5 374.4 312.5
15.0% 12.6 6.9 13.8 8.9
4.4% 4.9 4.6 3.0 4.4
165.7 147.5 25.4 89.3 2,726.2
174.8 160.7 24.2 101.8 3,043.1
181.6 166.3 24.1 108.7 3,174.4
5.5 8.9 -4.7 14.0 11.6%
3.9 3.5 -0.4 6.8 4.3%
Consumer products Appliances & business Aerospace & military Other TOTAL
1993-94
Note: Includes reinforced thermoset and thermoplastic resin composites, reinforcements, and fillers, a Based on estimates and projections for the remainder of the year. Source: Composites Institute, Society of the Plastics Industry
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SEPTEMBER 11,1995 C&EN
kept composite plastics use on an upward trend. Composite shipments to the construction industry are expected to increase 4.9% this year to reach 626 million lb, accounting for nearly 20% of the market. CI says the industry's efforts to expand into infrastructure, marine, offshore drilling, and electrical transmission uses will help drive future growth. Several projects sponsored by CI showcase these uses. Civil engineers have been reluctant to use innovative materials in place of traditional wood and metal, explains Randazzo. Last December, CI and nine other construction material industry associations developed recommendations on improving the use of modern materials and design in infrastructure projects. In August, the 10 associations chartered the High-Performance Construction Materials (CONMAT) Council to implement those recommendations. Accounting for 31% of the market, transportation is the leading use for composite plastics. Transportation use is projected to increase 4.4% from 1994, to 987 million lb in 1995. Increasing replacement of metal parts—exterior body panels of cars and trucks, particularly hoods—has accounted for the majority of composite growth in this sector. Improvements in the fortunes of the chemical industry and the pulp and paper industries, as well as demand for pollution control equipment, will contribute to a 4.6% increase this year to 394 million lb in the market for corrosionresistant equipment. The surge in demand for personal watercraft has expanded marine use to 12% of the composite market, or 374 million lb, in 1995. But growth in shipments will slow to 3.0% this year from 13.8% in 1994. Aircraft, aerospace, and military uses will slide 0.4% to 24.1 million lb on the heels of last year's 4.7% decline. Depending on the competing political pressures for higher defense spending and for budget reduction, Randazzo says sales to this segment could level off. The new Boeing 777 airplane, she says, has boosted sales. And electrical and electronic equipment uses are expected to grow to 313 million lb this year, up 4.4% from 1994. New market growth is anticipated from use as electrical transmission towers, utility poles, and for repair of deteriorated wood utility poles. Elisabeth Kirschner
