Jun 26 2006
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (MCI) announced that it has entered into a joint research agreement with The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) to further the development of catalyst systems for the production of olefin block copolymers (OBC).
OBC - Development of catalyst systems for OBC, having outstanding features such as flexibility and rubber elasticity at wide range of temperature.
Features - Two types of polyolefin blocks are formed in one polymer chain alternately due to the catalyst system consisting of two kinds of catalysts.
OBC is a new structured polymer, having superior flexibility and rubber elasticity at wide range of temperatures, from minus 60 to over 100 degrees Celsius. It is expected to have extensive applications in areas of automotive, construction materials, groceries and home appliance.
Nobutaka Kuwabara, managing director and Functional Polymeric Materials Business Group President of MCI, said, “It is very significant to utilize our MCI single-site catalysis technology to carry out the further development of OBC. Moreover, we also hope MCI and Dow will provide new solutions to our customers’ needs through the development of OBC.”
Mr. Kurt Swogger, vice president of R&D for the performance plastics and chemicals portfolio of Dow said, “This agreement supports Dow’s commitment to developing and expanding the platform of olefin block copolymers. We look forward to collaborating with MCI to expand the potential of this class of products and create exciting new opportunities for Dow and MCI customers.”
MCI and Dow will make use of their specialized catalysis technologies and take a proactive approach toward the development and creation of this new class of functional polymer.
http://www.mitsui-chem.co.jp