solvay_live243_p02a04 somEdito

Dossier SolvayInnovationTrophy2006
105134
50
HIGH CLARITY POLYSULFONES
THAT’S JUST HOW IT IS…
BUT DOES IT HAVE
TO STAY THAT WAY…
The UDEL ® Polysulfone is a transparent,
high-performance material, which is used
as an alternative solution for polycarbonate
in a large number of applications.
However, one hiccup has always prevented
its widespread deployment : its characteristic
yellow colouring. However, clients such as
Johnson & Johnson were demanding a
moulded injection solution to be used within
the framework of the production of optic
lenses. The innovation resided in the fact
that a pluridisciplinary team approached the
problem from a new angle, by asking the
revolutionary question, does a polysulfone
have to be yellow? After three years of
intense work carried out jointly by the R&D
department and the plant, the team
managed to reduce the colouring factor from
a degree of 60-80 to a degree of 20 and was
able to develop a colourless polysuflone
known as “water-white”, a true technological
breakthrough. This discovery has made it
possible to increase the range by half a
dozen new high clarity products, giving
Solvay a significant competitive advantage
on this market and making it possible to
meet the expectations of the clientele who
had been unsatisfied until then. For two
years, the new technology has proven its
stability and the sales of polysulfones have
followed suit, ensuring the vitality and
growth of this activity which is strategic
for the SBU.
> Jamal el-Hibri; Atul Bhatnagar; Edward Buckwald;
Ron Lupardus; Thomas Schwab; Skip Slatton; Jeff
Straw.
> SBU SPECIALTY POLYMERS
105037
Performance improvement
IMPROVED PERCARBONATE TANKER LOADING FACILITY
ON WARRINGTON SITE USING A WEBCAM SYSTEM
A TANKER INSPECTION
WITHIN VIEW
OF THE CAMERA
Traditionally, Warrington site (UK) has used a
dedicated tanker fleet for the bulk transport
of percarbonate (PCS). Tankers would return
empty to the plant from the UK customer,
resulting in poor utilisation of the vehicles.
A new transporter proposed a new business
model involving the use of the tanker to carry
plastic granules on the return journey, with a
cleaning phase prior to reloading with PCS.
Contamination of the PCS, either with material
from a previous load or with water from the
cleaning process could lead to product
decomposition, either during transport or on the
customer’s premises. In order to control the
cleanliness of the tanker prior to loading a
tanker inspection must be carried out to ensure
that the tanker is clean and dry. This inspection is
documented in order to be able to demonstrate
to the client that the safety procedures which
help guarantee product stability have been
followed. A camera system has been installed,
as part of a new PCS loading bay system in
Warrington, to oversee the tanker inspection.
The recording of the inspection is kept for
30 days. Other changes were introduced to
simplify, improve and facilitate the PCS loading
operation including the introduction of a single
PCS loading point on site (simpler maintenance
and control), electronically controlled barriers
to prevent the tanker being moved during
inspection and electric winches for the loading
spout to reduce the risk of driver injuries.
> Wayne Allen; Mark Carters; Bob Minson;
Brian Wilkinson; Brian Woodward.
> SBU DETERGENT