Solvay Advanced Polymers’ AvaSpire® modified PEEK (polyetheretherketone) will replace standard PEEK in compressor valve plates at a northern Wyoming gas processing plant. The material switch follows a 14-month test and evaluation during which AvaSpire valve plates earned high marks in terms of performance with no problems or failures, according to Compression Leasing Services, a Casper, Wyo., packager and servicer of air and natural gas compressors. As a result, Compression Leasing has decided to move forward and replace standard PEEK valve plates with AvaSpire modified PEEK in this demanding application.

Compression Leasing installed 32 valve plates made of 30% glass-filled AvaSpire AV-621 GF30 as a replacement for standard PEEK. The AvaSpire plates exhibited greater durability and longevity than those made of a comparable standard PEEK with no failures, according to Compression Leasing. In comparison, Compression Leasing replaced several failed standard PEEK valve plates during this 14-month period, according to Jeff Longwell, Compression Leasing field mechanic.

Valve plates made of AvaSpire AV-621 GF30 are less brittle and offer higher tensile elongation at break than standard PEEK plates. AvaSpire AV-621 GF30 has a notched Izod of 2.5 ft-lb/in compared to 1.6 ft-lb/in for comparable PEEK grades. It also provides greater modulus and easily tolerates pressures between 300 psi and 1100 psi at temperatures ranging from 150°C to 190°C.

AvaSpire valve plates are produced by Plastic Processing Solutions Inc., a Denver, Colo. aftermarket supplier of valve plates for natural gas compressors. Measuring 3.5-inch in diameter and 6-mm thick, the injection molded AvaSpire plates offer similar processability to standard PEEK and run on standard processing equipment, according to Robert Johnston, president of Plastic Processing Solutions.

About Plastic Processing Solutions, Inc.
Located in Denver, Colo., Plastic Processing Solutions, Inc. is an aftermarket manufacturer of thermoplastic valve plates, valve rings, and valve buttons for the natural gas compressor industry. For more information, call (303) 478-3588.

About Compression Leasing Services (CLS)
Compression Leasing Services, headquartered in Casper, Wyo., is a leading provider of air and natural gas compressor fabrication, sales, service, and support. The company offers air compression equipment for a range of applications on a rental, sale, or lease basis. CLS packages and maintains natural gas compressors for customers in the Rocky Mountain region. For more information, call (307) 265-3242 or visit www.compressionleasing.com.

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.

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solvayap.press@solvay.com