Last checked at 14 Aug 2012 07:00
14 August 2012
Zotefoams plc
("Zotefoams" or "the Company")
MuCell Extrusion LLC Obtains an Exclusive License for Styron's
Extruded Styrenic Foam Sheet Patent Portfolio, including Polystyrene, ABS and SAN
MuCell Extrusion LLC and Styron (Berwyn, Pennsylvania) have concluded an agreement for MuCell Extrusion LLC to acquire access to Styron's patent portfolio for extrusion of Styrenic resins. This agreement gives MuCell Extrusion and its customers exclusive rights to the Styron patents related to Sheet technology for a wide variety of applications.
This agreement creates a significant strategic alliance between two companies with leading experience in the successful development and application of physical blowing agents to produce superior foamed products.
The combination of Styron's CO2RE™ technology and MuCell's expertise around technology and hardware is expected to help customers improve their competitive advantage in a shorter timeframe. Sheet for thermoforming, FFS, roll stock, paneling and high volume packaging will all see significant cost reductions by applying this technology.
"CO2RE™ is a patented plastic foaming technology that produces polystyrene sheets with a foamed core layer using physical blowing agents," said John Case, Styrenics Global Marketing Manager, Styron. "The technology provides a good opportunity for the packaging market, where for example dairy and food service industries can improve their sustainability by reducing the density and weight of their product packaging. It also provides benefits in reduced energy and reduced raw material usage, as well as lower packaging waste disposable tax in the EU."
"MuCell provides expertise in Process and Equipment development, and Styron offers formulation expertise in resins. We believe this combination will bring significant benefits to our customers," said Mark Lindenfelzer, President of MuCell. "The combination of our own patents and intellectual property, and Styron's patents now gives our customers the opportunity to apply the most advanced foaming technology in their products," he said.
About MuCell Technology
MuCell technology is based on the direct injection of atmospheric gas (N2 or CO2) in its supercritical state. MuCell has applied this technology to most plastic materials and processes. Rigid sheet, low-density flexible sheet, Blown film, Cast film, pipe/tubing/profile, and blow molding manufacturing processes are all current applications using MuCell technology. MuCell's innovative and accessible technology brings significant material weight-savings and cost reduction opportunities, without compromising physical product performance.
Earlier this year, Dow Chemical and MuCell reached an agreement for MuCell to acquire exclusive rights to Dow's patent portfolio for flat sheet resin technology, and more recently Dow's patents for Foam Film technology.
The corporate headquarters of MuCell Extrusion LLC are located at 212 West Cummings Park, Woburn, MA 01810. MuCell Extrusion is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zotefoams plc, UK (ZTF on LSE). For more information, please visit www.mucellextrusion.com.
About Styron
Styron is a leading global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, dedicated to collaborating with customers to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions. Styron's technology is used by customers in industries such as home appliances, automotive, building & construction, carpet, consumer electronics, consumer goods, electrical & lighting, medical, packaging, paper & paperboard, rubber goods and tires. Styron had approximately $6 billion in revenue in 2011, with 20 manufacturing sites around the world, and 2100 employees. More information can be found at www.styron.com.
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For Styron editorial information please contact:
Donna St. Germain, Styron
Tel. +1 610 240 3307
stgermain@styron.com
For information on MuCell Extrusion LLC and Zotefoams plc contact:
Zotefoams plc
Clifford Hurst or David Stirling
+44 20 8664 1600
FTI Consulting
John Dineen / Victoria Foster Mitchell
+44 20 7831 3113