4 September 2014
ABOUT CPCHEM, CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL
Details
What is PPS?
Poly(p-phenylene sulfide) (PPS)
is a polymer made up of
alternating sulfur atoms and phenylene rings
in a para substitution pattern.
The highly stable chemical bonds of its molecular structure
impart a remarkable degree of molecular stability toward
both thermal degradation and chemical reactivity.
The molecular structure also readily packs
into a very thermally stable crystalline lattice,
hence PPS is a semi-crystalline polymer
with a high crystalline melting point of about 285°C (545°F).
Because of its molecular structure, PPS also tends to
char during combustion,
making the material inherently flame retardant.
PPS has not been found to dissolve in any solvent
at temperatures below about 200°C (392°F).
When blended with glass fibers and other fillers,
PPS produces engineering plastics
having a unique combination of properties including:
- A remarkable combination of both long-term and
short-term thermal stability - Exceptionally high modulus and creep resistance
- Outstanding resistance to
a wide variety of aggressive chemical environments - Precision molding to tight tolerances
with high reproducibility - Inherent non-flammability without
flame retardant additives - Dielectric and insulating properties stable
over a wide range of conditions
The Group will buy from Chevron Phillips Chemical
* two Ryton® PPS resin manufacturing units
in Borger, Texas,
* its pilot plant along with
* R&D laboratories in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and
* a compounding plant in Kallo-Beveren, Belgium.
Chevron Philips Chemical’s compounding unit
in La Porte, Texas, will provide temporary tolling
services to Solvay.
Synergies in
* purchasing,
* commercial and
* manufacturing excellence initiatives
will further bolster performance.
Chevron Phillips Chemical recently developed
a highly innovative PPS production technology,
which has not yet achieved its full potential.
Solvay will invest and use
its engineering know-how and operational excellence process
to raise this new technology capacity over the next three years,
leveraging the talent and quality of PPS employees
who will join the Group.
This acquisition is part of
Solvay's strategic development into
* a more specialized solutions provider,
* delivering higher growth, and
* greater returns
* while reducing cyclicality.
Completion of the transaction is due
in the fourth quarter of 2014 and
subject to customary closing conditions.
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