PolyOne and Nanocor Form Strategic Alliance to Manufacture and Market Nanoclay-Based Nanocomposites

PolyOne, a global polymer solutions provider and Nanocor the largest supplier if nanoclays for the polymer industry have entered into a strategic alliance to manufacture and market nanocomposites. The nanocomposites will be based upon polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride and other related polymers.

Nanocor possesses technology that promotes the inclusion of nanometer sized clays in plastics which yield properties that were previously difficult to achieve. PolyOne will manufacture and market nanoclays and nanoclay composites based on this technology.

Nanoclays in polymers, or nanocomposites can be produced using many conventional polymer processing technologies such as injection moulding, blow moulding and extrusion. The addition of nanoclays to the polymer improves properties such as stiffness, fire resistance, gas barrier, heat stability and electrical dissipation. These properties are achieved at lower weights compared to the use of more traditional additives.

Initially, the alliance will focus on developing nanocomposites based on polyolefin and other related polymers such as EVA, TPE, EPDM and nitriles.

Nanocor owns a patent for polyolefin nanocomposites and has other pending relating to other formulations and processing technologies.

Posted January 9^th, 2003