AMPACET ANNOUNCES WORLDWIDE EXPANSIONS
Ampacet Corp. chose NPE to unveil an array of global expansions and acquisitions, including a new plant in China, expansions in Canada and Thailand and acquisitions in Italy, England and Brazil.

AMPACET IS OPENING ITS FIRST COLOR CENTER IN ASIA
Ampacet Asia will further improve its products offering by installing a color facility consisting of a Color Service Center and a Color Operation in ESIE - Rayong, Thailand.

AMPACET ASIA IS EXPANDING ITS DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
Ampacet Asia is moving closer to its customers under the approach "Worldwide Network, Continent Operations, and Local Service". The company has just opened a new office in Shanghai, China.

Plastic Mulch Film Technology
Ampacet with its global presence is very involved with plasticulture around the world. We supply products for silage balewrap in Europe, degradable and UV stable films in Asia, and mulch and high tunnels in North & Central America.

Polystyrene Products
Ampacet expands its product line with three (3) new polystyrene black masterbatches for FDA, General purpose and conductive applications.

Scented Masterbatches
How often have you entered a newly wired computer room, only to be confronted with the powerful odor of synthetic material? After renovating new rooms or offices, it can sometimes take months before the smell of plastic subsides. Ampacet can remedy that dilemma with a variety of cost-effective fragrant formulations.

Ampacet Offers a Myriad of Flame Retardants
The ability to make polymers cost effectively fire retardant has been a technological challenge since early development of plastics. Today, due to their rapidly expanding use in construction products, cars and electronics, more work than ever is being done on a variety of flame retardant systems for resins such as polyethylene and ploypropylene.

Introducing Ampacet’s new series of black masterbatches for use in food contact applications by molders, film producers and sheet manufacturers. -Bulletin
This new series of “FDA” black masterbatches are offered in a variety of carrier resins including
polystyrene, polypropylene and polyethylene and have been specially designed for applications
requiring black colorant  such as  cups, cutlery, food  trays and bowls, appliances, caps and
closures, toys and  medical devices,  to mention a few. 

Assessing the Stable Process Time
of Formulations Employing Torque Rheometry -Bulletin
Over the years, torque rheometry has proven itself a valuable tool for studying multi-component thermoplastic systems to assess processing behavior. Torque rheometry measures the viscosity-related torque generated by the resistance of a material to the shearing action of the plasticating process. Typical analyses include the study of processing behavior, influence of additives, thermal sensitivity, shear sensitivity, compounding behavior, and others. Torque rheometry is therefore an excellent tool in helping determine the most process-stable formulation (resin, color concentrate, and additives) for your process. It is often also used successfully in trouble-shooting unwanted degradation and gel formation problems. Let's examine in some depth how this technique works, and how it can be used for your production needs

Employing Azodicarbonamide as a Nucleating Agent
in Thermoplastic Foams -Bulletin
Everyone is well aware of the use of exothermic foaming agents to reduce the density of plastic parts and lower cost by using less resin. Exothermic foaming agents are also used to eliminate splay marks in injection-molded parts and to improve transmission and electrical properties in wire and cable insulation. However, did you know that even those who utilize physical blowing methods often use exothermic foam concentrates, such as azodicarbonamide, (ADC) as nucleating agents?

Reduce, Recycle and Reuse;
Ampacet’s focus on the Environment...  Winter 2001
Ampacet Corporation’s commitment to protecting the environment is demonstrated by its waste reduction policies and practices that comply with applicable international regulations. The current focus at our manufacturing sites is our landfill disposal practices

New Brochure Touts Benefits of
Purge & Shutdown Compounds   Winter 2001
Ampacet Continues to promote the benefits of its advanced formula Ampurge 400 and Ampurge 401 purge and shutdown compounds.

Sales Office In Australia  Winter 2001
Ampacet Corporation announces the recent opening of Ampacet Australia Pty. Ltd., a new entity focused to locally service the Australian and New Zealand market

New Additive Protects Translucent Bottle
Contents from UV Damage   Winter 2001
Ampacet Corporation has introduced a new UV-filter masterbatch to protect the contents of blow-molded HDPE bottles. The new additive is based on Ciba Specialty Chemical’s proprietary ShelfplusTM UV filter technology.

Ampacet’s Foams Reduce Cost of Profile Extrusion   Winter 2001
The principle is simple.  Reduce the weight of your product, and you’ll lower the final cost of your plastic product.

The Use of Calcium Carbonate In Molded Containers  -Bulletin
Many producers of blow molded articles have wondered what the effect would be of adding calcium carbonate (CaCO3) to their product. When resin prices are high, the addition of minerals like calcium carbonate can reduce their overall cost. It has also been reported that the addition of calcium carbonate can improve cycle time. However, what are the trade-offs to using this mineral? How is container performance affected through the addition of relatively high levels of calcium carbonate?

What are Conductive Carbon Blacks?
And how might I use them in my products?   -Bulletin
One of the more innovative uses for carbon black pigments in the plastics industry is in the electronics field.  Products in this industry are called electrically conductive compounds.  Since few plastic resins are inherently conductive, it is necessary to add special fillers to the plastic matrix to give them the desired conductive characteristics

Can Ampacet Help You Solve Problems With Gels?   -Bulletin
Ampacet’s world-class analytical services can help plastics converters identify the type of gels found in their product and the location of the gel in a coex design.  Ampacet offers a variety of products that can be used to significantly reduce most gel problems.  However, it is important to note that the proper identification of the gel source is critical in a decision process involving any kind of counteraction.  If the wrong counteraction is applied, the gel problem can intensify.  The source of gels is generally from one of the following areas:

New Bitter Masterbatch Puckers Pesky Pests   Spring 2001
Each year, rodents and other pests cause millions of dollars in damage by gnawing and chewing on plastic wiring, fiber optics, pipe, containers, outdoor furniture and other products.  In addition to the replacement and labor costs, companies incur many millions more in service interruptions.

Ampacet a World Leader in “Plasticulture”   Spring 2001
Ampacet Corporation started 5 years ago getting actual field experience on performances of various mulches. This program was initiated with Penn State University in conjunction with their Center for Plasticulture. 

How Foam MB Enhances Blown and Cast Film Appearance
Spring 2001
Chemical Blowing Agents (CBA) have been used for many years to enhance the appearance of cast polypropylene films. Both endothermic (Carbonate/Acid) and exothermic (azodicarbonamide) foam masterbatches are used to manufacture appealing decorative ribbons.

Genetically Modified Organisms
raise questions in the plastics industry   Spring 2001
“Bigger, faster and better”, “Necessity is the mother of invention”, “Need drives demand” and “More for less” are common phrases in this era of better business strategies and high technology.  The use of gene technology is a growing concern of the general public.

Ampacet’s Delta Plant Earns ISO 9002Certification   Spring 2001
Ampacet Canada Company’s Delta plant, located in British Columbia, has received ISO 9002registration, making them the first plastics manufacturer to receive certification in the west coast region of Canada 

Responding to Growing Global Needs   Fall 2000
Due to the rapid growth of the plastics industry and in conjunction with the fast growth of Ampacet worldwide, the company has undertaken an initiative to upgrade its information systems through the implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

Ampacet Now has Access to World Class
Processing and Testing Equipment   Fall 2000
Ampacet now has full access to a wide variety of processing and testing equipment. 

Ampacet’s New Colors for Communications Conduit   Fall 2000
According to the Society of the Plastics Industry, one of the high growth areas for high density polyethylene (HDPE) is pipe I profile extrusion which grew in 1997 by 22% and now consumes well over 1 billion pounds of resin annually. 

Ampacet Introduces its New Line of Fluorescent Concentrates for Film Solving Opacity Problems of Fluorescent Pigments  Fall 2000
To some in the field it may seem "retro" but fluorescent pigments are coming back into fashion. 

DeRidder Plant Wins Governor’s Prestigious Lantern Award
Fall 2000
The Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry selected Ampacet Corporation to receive the 2000 Lantern Award for district five. 

Environmental Notes   Fall 2000
5 Plants Honored for Safety Award by SPI.

Commitment to Manufacturing Continues   Spring 2000
During the past several months we have announced a number of changes that have impacted significantly on Ampacet’s capacity and global service ability.

New Technical Service Phone System Launched at Ampacet
Spring 2000
A new ACD (automatic call distribution) phone system was launched in March which enables prompt handling of incoming calls requiring technical assistance. This system automatically distributes incoming calls equally between engineers located in Cincinnati, Ohio and Terre Haute, Indiana.

Ampacet Opens Its New Masterbatch Plant in Thailand    Spring 2000
Ampacet’s new Thailand facility has officially opened. The 30 million pound, 65,000 sq. ft. plant is located in Rayong Province, about two hours southeast of Bangkok and convenient to local materials suppliers as well as the port of Laemchabang.

Ampacet South America Reaching Broad MERCOSUR Market
Spring 2000
Though the general U.S. public may not be aware of the expansive growth of the South American marketplace, Ampacet’s experience stands as a prime example of growth with strong partners. Coupling Ampacet’s already well-established relationships with industry leaders, as well as with the 400 percent growth in the economies of MERCOSUR countries from 1990 to 1997, the future looks bright for the development of Ampacet South America, S.A.

Capacity Expansion at Delta Plant Prepares
Ampacet Canada for ISO 9002   Spring 2000
Ampacet Canada has expanded the capacity at its Delta, British Columbia, facility. The facility has commissioned a new continuous compounding line for highly loaded masterbatches with annual capacity of approximately 10 million pounds. This added capacity has increased the facilities product range of highly loaded specialty additives.

Ampacet Takes Pipe Concentrates to Higher Level   Spring 2000
Ampacet has created the first of a new generation of black masterbatches for pressure pipe. Over many decades, the standard formulation for pressure pipe has been a 35% loading of N-550 carbon black in low density or linear low-density polyethylene. According to Dr. Victor Mimeault, Vice President, Technical at Ampacet, "this dates back to a time when the industry’s ability to achieve adequate dispersion of small  particle carbon blacks in higher loadings was limited. Today, however, suppliers of resin, carbon black and compounding equipment have become more sophisticated in their approach to polymer extrusion. By working closely with our own supply partners, we were able to bring the newest materials and compounding methods together to develop a well dispersed 45% formulation. This is truly the first significant step forward for our pipe customers in many years."

Practical Planning    by Robert DeFalco, President and COO   Fall 1999

Ampacet - A Practically Perfect Antistat Compound   Fall 1999

Ampacet Acquires Repexim S.A.
A Concentrates & compounds Business from G&Z   Fall 1999
Ampacet Corporation announced the acquisition by Ampacet de Argentina, S.A. of Repexim S.A., a compounds and concentrates business owned by Garovaglio and Zorraquin (G&Z) of Buenos Aires. The transaction included a manufacturing facility located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Ampacet Now Offers Equistar’s Line of Foam Concentrates
Fall 1999
Ampacet’s recent purchase of Equistar’s Concentrates & Compounding Division importantly includes acquisition of the firm’s line of foam concentrates....

AmpFlow™ Process Aids New Folder Details Benefits   Fall 1999
Process aids are essential additives for many types of polymer extrusion (film, coating and profile), as well as blow molding and injection molding. More often than not, they are employed as problem solvers or to correst surface defects such as “sharkskin” or to prevent extruder die build-up.

Ampacet Beefs Up its Line of Compounds for Membranes and Agricultural Film   Fall 1999
Over the years, Ampacet has developed numerous effective compounds for use in roofing membranes and AG-film. However, access to Equistar technology now enables Ampacet to substantially broaden its position in the geotextiles business.