otherwise hard-to-remove fat could besolubilized from a test surface.” Thephysical and chemical insight alreadygained paves the way for futureresearch to explore how this uniquebehaviour might be exploited in otherways. This story has been adaptedfrom a news release issued by theUniversity of Warwick.

Original Source: Nanite News, 4 Jul 2012, (Website:http://www.nanitenews.com) © Web Doodle LLC2012

Other

Momentive Performance Materialsexpands global capacity forpolyurethane additives

Momentive Performance Materials Inccontinues to leverage its recentcapacity expansions in urethaneadditives to meet growing demand.Momentive has focused on makingstrategic investments in itsmanufacturing operations in China,India, Brazil, and Belgium to betterserve its customers outside NorthAmerica. Urethane additives, such assurfactants, catalysts, and processmodifiers, are critical components inpolyurethane foam production. “Ourglobal infrastructure for polyurethaneadditives has never been stronger,”said Tony Lanchak, Global BusinessDirector – UA, MomentivePerformance Materials. “We are wellpositioned to take on growingdemand around the world, as anindustry leader in the markets weserve. With R&D and manufacturingcapabilities in key regions and criticalimprovements in processes to makeeffective use of this new globalcapacity, we will continue to do whatwe do best – expanding our productoffering and working closely withcustomers to address theirspecialized needs.”

In addition to upgrading a state-of-the-art sales, inventory, operations,and planning system, Momentive hasmade several strategic investmentsfocused on broadening globalcapacity in its urethane additivesbusiness. In China, it has completedthe expansion that enables increasedurethane additive finished goodscapacity at its Nantong plant.Momentive is now also producing keyintermediates in Nantong, which willenable the use of local raw materials.

In India, urethane additive productionhas been phased in at a newlyexpanded facility for manufacturingand application development inChennai. In Brazil, an upgradedmanufacturing facility enablesproduction of urethane additivefinished goods, supported by a state-of-the-art application developmentcenter, to complement existingproduction facilities in Itatiba. InBelgium, added capacity andimproved processes at the Antwerpfacility have resulted in a 20%increase in production. Over the past50 years, Momentive’s urethaneadditives business has introduced asteady stream of new products thathave helped revolutionizepolyurethane foam production. Thesemarket firsts include the developmentof the first non-hydrolysable siliconesurfactant, the first flame retardant(FR) surfactant and the first highresilience silicone surfactant.Momentive’s Niax brand is one of themost enduring and respected brandsin the global polyurethane industry.

Original Source: Momentive Performance MaterialsInc, 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Albany, NY12211, USA, website: http://www.momentive.com (30 May 2012) © Momentive 2012

Bursting bubbles: how silicone foamcontrol products help improvemanufacturing efficiency

Perched on a cup of cappuccino or aglass of beer, foam can be pleasing.But in a manufacturing process, foamcan cause vessels to overflow,increasing maintenance costs andprocessing time, and reducingproduction efficiency. “Controllingfoam promotes smooth, efficientoperations, maximizes return oninvestment in processing equipmentand raw materials, and helps in theproduction of consistent, high-qualityproducts,” said Don Buchalski, globalproduct market manager for theXiameter brand from Dow Corning.There are two ways to control foam:destroy it with a defoamer, or preventit with an antifoam product. In eithercase, products such as Xiametersilicone foam control agentspenetrate a foam bubble wall,spreading the liquid-gas interface,and causing the bubble wall tobecome unstable and collapse. This

can reduce production costs andimprove overall efficiency in manyindustries – from food processing togeneral industrial manufacturing.Antifoam products should beformulated to have minimal impact –other than foam suppression.Generally, the smaller the amount ofantifoam required, the less impactthere will be on the product. This isone reason why silicone products arefrequently the first choice forcombating foam in industrialprocesses. They are efficient, long-lasting, and can be used asdefoamers and antifoams. Xiameterbrand silicone foam control agentsare available as fluids, compoundsand emulsions, and powders, and aresuitable for use in both aqueous andnon-aqueous systems. Check outXiameter AFE-1510 and AFE-1520Antifoams for food processingapplications (available globally) orXiameter AFE-1410 and AFE-1430Antifoams for general industrialmanufacturing (available globallyexcept for Europe, where XiameterAFE-0110 and AFE-0310 Antifoamsare available). Antifoam products areavailable to customers directly viawww.xiameter.com or through a localdistributor.

Original Source: Dow Corning Corp, PO Box 994,Midland, MI 48686 0994, USA, tel: +1 989 496 4400,fax: +1 989 496 6731, website:http://www.dowcorning.com (12 Jun 2012) © DowCorning Corporation 2012

Clariant launches breakthroughsustainable water repellenttechnology to outdoor market

Clariant opens up a new level ofperformance to the outdoor gear andequipment markets with the launch offluorine-free water repellent ArkophobFFR. The new agent is an exclusiveproposition for retailers and brands,bringing together two previouslyunattainable benefits – fluorine-freechemistry and long-lasting, high waterrepellence performance. ArkophobFFR is a breakthrough in userprotection that is gentler to theenvironment. Its performance isunmatched by equivalent fluorine-freeproducts available on the market. Thestate-of-the-art technology offers anefficient alternative to conventionalfluorocarbon-based repellency

4 SEPTEMBER 2012

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