Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC has selected Ashland Distribution, Dublin, Ohio, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc., as the sole authorized distributor for Amodel® polyphthalamide (PPA) resins in North America. Effective May 1, Ashland will become the North American distributor for a core group of Amodel grades in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Puerto Rico. These 21 workhorse materials consist of glass-reinforced, glass/mineral-filled, toughened, flame-retardant, and structural grades for injection molding uses.
“This new partnership enables us to streamline the supply chain and take advantage of Ashland’s logistics capabilities,” said Tom Wood, Solvay’s senior vice president of crystalline polymers. “Our primary goal is to deliver consistent products and reliable service and support to our customers.”
Wood added that the agreement will allow Solvay to capitalize on its success in distribution in other global regions including Europe and Asia. At the same time, the company expects the new supply channel will help to boost growth for Amodel PPA resin in North America.
Ashland has a broad product portfolio which includes extensive knowledge in PPA and is well established in all key regions and markets, according to Wood. Due to its broad product mix, Ashland is already working with many of Solvay’s customers, thus permitting a smooth transition, according to Solvay. The distributor will provide all technical marketing, account management, application development, and customer service support.
“We welcome this new distribution arrangement, which expands our portfolio options for customers,” said Michael Gilbert, vice president of plastics for Ashland Distribution. “Our strategy to align our business with global industry leaders is further solidified by this agreement with Solvay.”
Solvay’s Amodel PPA portfolio consists of semi-crystalline grades which provide excellent mechanical properties, outstanding dimensional stability, exceptional elevated thermal performance, and good processing characteristics. These materials bridge the cost/performance gap between high-volume, moderate-performance engineering resins such as thermoplastic polyesters and aliphatic nylons, and low-volume, high-cost specialty thermoplastics such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Key market segments include automotive/transportation, industrial equipment, water handling, telecommunications, electrical/electronics, coatings, composites, food service, and consumer goods.
About Solvay Advanced Polymers
Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC produces more plastics with more performance than any other company in the world. This gives design engineers worldwide more ways to solve top design challenges in automotive, medical, electronics, aerospace and other demanding industries. Learn more at www.solvayadvancedpolymers.com.
SOLVAY is an international industrial Group active in Chemistry. It offers a broad range of products and solutions that contribute to improving quality of life. The Group is headquartered in Brussels and employs about 19,000 people in 50 countries. In 2009, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 8.5 billion. Solvay is listed on the NYSE Euronext stock exchange in Brussels (NYSE Euronext: SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR). Details are available at www.solvay.com.
About Ashland Distribution
Ashland Distribution is a leading plastics and chemicals distributor in North America. A commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), it distributes chemicals, plastics, and composite raw materials in North America, as well as plastics in Europe and China. Ashland Distribution also provides environmental services in North America, including hazardous and non-hazardous waste collection, recovery, recycling, and disposal services.
Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provides specialty chemical products, services and solutions for many of the world’s most essential industries. Serving customers in more than 100 countries, it operates through five commercial units: Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Ashland Distribution. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.
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