Additives for Polymers May 1993

of acetone and butyl esters and other butanol derivatives which are used as plasticizers.

Lactic acid, another emerging corn-derived chemical, will be used for the production of polylactic acid for degradable plastics. According to the analysts, 55 million pounds of lactic acid derived from corn are expected to be used in the production of degradable plastics in 1996.

The complete 156-page study #459 Starch and other corn chemicals is available at $2500.00 from: The Freedonia Group Inc, 206oo Chagrin Boulevard, 10th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44122, USA. Tel: 921-6800. Fax: + I-21 6-921-5459.

+I-216-

Patent analysis on flame retardant chemicals

According to a recently-released Business Communications Company Inc patent analysis, ‘Flame Retardant Chemicals and Compositions, ’ from 1982 through October 1992, 841 patents related to flame-retardant chemicals were identified. The 15 most active organizations (those issued 12 or more patents) accounted for 35 per cent of the patents included in the analysis. This figure is particularly significant given the total number of assignees involved in supercritical fluid patent issuances. The rising level of patent activity following 1988, reflects expanding investment by industry participants. In 1990 there was a significant increase in R&D expenditures. Numerous large companies conduct important research in this area. Some of the well-known patent assignees include General Electric, Dow Chemical, Ciba-Geigy Corporation and Borg-Warner Chemical, to name a few. Many Japanese companies are actively involved in flame retardant chemical research as well.

This report, RTAP-OSR, ‘Flame retardant chemicals and compositions’ was published in February 1993, Price $1250.00 and is

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available from: Business Communications Company Inc, 25 Van Zant Street, Norwalk, CT 06855, USA. Tel: + l-203-853-4266. Fax: + l-203-853-0348.

The US market for paint and coatings raw materials

This is the title of a four-part series of reports by Frost & Sullivan, which focus on the major categories in the coatings sector (1) Resins, (2) Solvents, (3) Pigments, and (4) Additives.

The Frost & Sullivan report on pigments forecasts sales in this category of raw materials growing overall from $1.12 billion in 1992 to nearly $1.4 billion in 1997. The report on additives forecasts sales growth from $455 million in 1992 to $546 million in 1997. Rheology modifiers and dispersants will show particularly high growth rates due to special needs in high-solids formulations and the need for more UV stabilizers in coatings with increased percentages or organic pigments.

The four self-contained reports are: A2592 - Resins, A2593 - Solvents, A2594 - Pigments, A2595 - Additives, and are priced as follows: Any 1 report $1,200 Any 2 reports $1,950 Any 3 reports f2,500 All 4 reports f2,900 and are available from: Customer Service, Frost & Sullivan, 106 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038, USA. Tel: +I-212-233- 1080. In Europe, contact Customer Service, Frost & Sullivan Ltd, Sullivan House, 4 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SWIW ODH, UK. Tel: + 44- 71- 730-3438.

PRODUCTS

Precoloured ABS

Monsanto is able to supply Lustran Elite ABS for unpainted automotive interior

O1993 Elsevier Science Publishers Ltd