Category: Lubrizol

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The Lubrizol Corporation has announced its Engineered Polymers business has selected MSA Marketing Services of America, as a new distributor for the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) portfolio of the company’s business throughout the Andean Countries.

MSA distributes engineering plastics with significant territory coverage for all Andean Countries and will focus efforts on Lubrizol’s Engineered Polymers’ portfolio on elastomers applications. They have warehouses and office facilities strategically located in Bogota, Colombia.

The agreement, which took effect July 1, 2018, includes the following key product lines which are well-suited for today’s innovative and demanding applications:

Estane(R) TPU: products are utilized in film and sheet, extrusion, blow molding, injection molding, over molding, calendaring and solution coating processes.

Isoplast(R) ETP: are hard and high flexural modulus polyurethane engineering resins with excellent chemical resistance and barrier properties.

Pearlbond(TM) TPU: Hot Melt Adhesives (HMA) and Reactive Hot Melts (HMPUR), typically used in automotive interior parts, bookbinding, furniture, textile and footwear.

Other products that will also be distributed by MSA are: Pearlthane(TM) TPU, Pearlthane(TM) ECO* TPU and Carbo-Rite(TM) Conductive Compounds.

Rogerio Colucci, Lubrizol engineered polymers business manager for Latin America comments, “It is exciting to work with MSA, as they have excellent in-depth knowledge of the engineering plastics markets in the Andean Countries. When combined with Lubrizol’s innovative and durable TPU solutions for specialized wire and cable, consumer, industrial, automotive and footwear applications, this will further enhance our ability to work closely with customers, helping them solve valuable problems and drive innovation and growth in the Andean Countries.”

George Lanza, president of MSA Group, comments, “With the new dynamics and demands of the high-tech resins market and considering the competitive value of taking advantage of the availability of advanced products that increase quality in a cost-effective manner, we are proud and fortunate to represent the products and the professional ethics of a large company such as Lubrizol. With this alliance we close the circle regarding our mission to continue helping our clients grow while maintaining the importance of understanding and appreciating the need to stay at the technological forefront in favor of a solid and sustainable growth.”

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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The U.S. Department of the Interior reports that Americans throw away at least 300 million pairs of shoes each year. Unfortunately, the traditional rubber sole is not easily recyclable and need 30-40 years to breakdown in a landfill.

Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol may have solved that problem with an innovative new material.

The company has debuted its new polymer-based material solutions for the footwear market, Estane TRX TPU and BounCell-X.

First displayed at Chinaplas 2018, the plastics and rubber trade fair in Shanghai,Estane TRX TPU is billed as an innovative rubber replacement for outdoor, athletic and work shoe outsoles. Outsoles made from Estane TRX TPU provide outstanding benefits for both consumers and footwear designers. Among its its features:

Automation
• Reduced labor costs via thermoplastic injection molding
• Automated production possibilities versus traditional rubber outsole molding

Sustainability
• Recycling* possibilities at outsole manufacturing and post with TPU (not available with thermoset rubbers)

Applications
• Exceptional slip resistance with wet ground conditions
• Excellent wear resistance against heat friction on the shoe outsole at room/high temperatures
• Transparent outsole allows color freedom for novel design
• Thinner TPU outsole improves flexible feeling and improves weight reduction

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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The Lubrizol Corporation has made Lipotec the umbrella brand for Active Ingredients within Lubrizol Skin Essentials, effective April 2018.

Lipotec was acquired by Lubrizol in 2012 and integrated with Functional Ingredients to create the Lubrizol Skin Essentials division.

The creation of Skin Essentials was Lubrizol’s first step to bring a complete advanced skin care offering to the market. Since then the team has leveraged its skin care science knowledge by focusing on ingredients and formulation concepts that deliver a beautiful and healthy skin experience to the market.

According to the company, Lubrizol Skin Essentials mission is “to become a partner to our clients and help accelerate their creativity with innovative concepts, strong technical and regulatory support, as well as flexibility in supply and delivery.”

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Your landfill got indigestion? How about your landfill’s stationary engine? No?

Well, anyways, Fuels & Lubes (F&L) Asia awarded Lubrizol’s SG9L60 stationary gas additive the “Product Development of the Year” award.

The award was presented at a ceremony during F&L Week for innovations in the fuels and lubricants industry that improve processes, efficiency and ecological use.

“We are honored to be recognized for our product development efforts. Bringing Lubrizol® SG9L60 to the stationary gas market provided our customers with a less expensive and more effective lubricant solution to a challenging issue they have experienced for decades,” says Al Haas, Lubrizol global product manager, Stationary Gas.

Lubrizol® SG9L60 additive technology is formulated specifically for controlling silica deposits that develop from high levels of siloxanes in landfill and digester gases. Deposits can lead to high oil consumption, pre-ignition, detonations and excess wear in modern, lean-burn stationary gas engines.

Haas continues, “Lubrizol is committed to working with our OEM and industry contacts in the landfill market to understand their needs and deliver dedicated, application-specific lubricant solutions like Lubrizol® SG9L60, which provides engine durability benefits and overall maintenance cost savings.

Supported by a market knowledgeable team with 90 years of experience in the stationary gas business, Lubrizol continues to be committed to and invest in this growth market to deliver proven performance to our stationary gas partners.”

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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The Lubrizol Corporation has announced an update to its ambitious global expansion program supporting the company’s Engineered Polymers thermoplastics polyurethane (TPU) business and growing global demand for its Estane TPU, Pearlthane TPU, Pearlbond TPU and other product lines.

Lubrizol’s combined investment of nearly $80 million will add capacity in key plants in North America, Europe and Asia.

“Ongoing investments in Engineered Polymers are an integral part of Lubrizol’s global growth strategy and strengthen our position in every region of the world. We see a robust market poised for growth with a rebounding global economy, infrastructure and technology investments, and increasing demand for higher performing, more sustainable materials. We are well prepared to meet the needs of this dynamic market,” states Arnau Pano, Vice President and General Manager, Lubrizol Engineered Materials.

In North America, the company is adding new state-of-the-art production capabilities, expanded raw material storage, warehouse space and improved site logistics. With the latest investment, new capacity is expected to come onstream later this year.

In Songjiang, China, the company held a ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this month to inaugurate a new compounding line and new extrusion lines. 2018 marks the fourth major expansion in Songjiang since the plant first produced TPU in the early 2000s.

Recognizing the vast potential of the Chinese market, Lubrizol was the first foreign company to invest in local TPU production. Further investment is planned in Asia in 2019.

In Europe, the company is extending production capabilities for elastomers, aliphatics and adhesives. These expansions build on the acquisition of Merquinsa in 2011, and improvements to R&D laboratories in 2016. A next major European expansion is planned for 2019.

Jian-Wei Dong, General Manager, Lubrizol Engineered Polymers, adds, “Lubrizol has been recognized as a market leader since its invention of TPU for commercial use. These staged investments demonstrate our long-term commitment to innovation and growth and strengthen our ability to serve customers worldwide. The added capabilities ensure that we deliver world class quality and more sustainable manufacturing practices. Our resources are aligned to quickly identify and respond to market trends, fast-track innovation and applications development, and help our customers be more successful in the markets they serve.”

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol Corporation has selected Simko S.A. as the new distributor for the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) portfolio of the company’s Engineered Polymers business throughout Argentina.

Simko S.A. distributes engineering plastics, synthetic rubbers, rubber chemicals and industrial equipment for rubber and plastic industries in Argentina. They have warehouse and office facilities strategically located in San Martin near the Buenos Aires highway network.

The agreement, which took effect on October 15, 2017, but was just announced on January 3, 2018, includes the following key product lines which are well-suited for today’s innovative and demanding applications:

– Estane(R) TPU: Estane TPU products are utilized in film and sheet, extrusion, blow molding, injection molding, over molding, calendaring and solution coating processes.

– Isoplast(R) ETP: Isoplast ETP products are hard and high flexural modulus polyurethane engineering resins with excellent chemical resistance and barrier properties.

– Pearlbond(TM) TPU: The Pearlbond TPU portfolio includes products for Hot Melt Adhesives (HMA) and Reactive Hot Melts (HMPUR), typically used in automotive interior parts, bookbinding, furniture, textile and footwear.

– Pearlstick(TM) TPU: Pearlstick TPU products are designed for use in the manufacture of solvent-based adhesives.

Other products that will also be distributed by Simko S.A are: Pearlcoat(TM) TPU, Pearlthane(TM) TPU, Pearlthane(TM) ECO* TPU and Carbo-Rite(TM) Conductive Compounds and Sheet Products.

Rogerio Colucci, Lubrizol Engineered Polymers business manager for Latin America comments, “It is exciting to work with Simko S.A. as they have excellent in-depth knowledge of the engineering plastics and rubber markets in Argentina. When combined with Lubrizol’s innovative and durable TPU solutions for specialized wire and cable, adhesives, consumer and industrial applications, this will further enhance our ability to work closely with customers, helping them solve valuable problems and drive innovation and growth in Argentina.”

Eduardo Simko, CEO of Simko S.A., comments “We are proud of having been selected as Lubrizol’s new distributor. We are impressed by the wide portfolio of products and the quality of the products, as well as Lubrizol’s commitment to market development.”

© 2018 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded the University of Pittsburgh Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering and Ohio specialty chemicals provider Lubrizol Corporation a collaborative grant for research into clean energy chemical manufacturing. The DOE grant, along with contributions from Pitt and Lubrizol, will total $7.5 million over a four-year period.

“The project will focus on applying advanced chemical engineering research to industrial-scale chemical manufacturing,” said Steven Little, William Kepler Whiteford Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at Pitt. “The Pitt-Lubrizol partnership aligns well with University efforts to work with businesses to translate research into industry practices and impact the region’s economy in a positive way.”

The grant is part of the DOE’s Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment (RAPID) initiative, a partnership between the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and the DOE. Both Pitt and Lubrizol are among the 45 members of the $70 million AIChE/RAPID Initiative for improving energy efficiency and industrial productivity through process intensification and modular manufacturing–two design approaches for chemical manufacturing at industry-relevant scales.

“At Lubrizol, we are working with thousands of tons of chemicals per year,” said Cliff Kowall, Lubrizol technical fellow and corporate engineer. “The end objective is to provide the design basis to allow Lubrizol to deploy these innovative processes with sharp reductions in waste generation, utility, and energy costs, capital cost, and footprint accompanied by an improvement in quality consistency.”

Kowall was integral in establishing the initial partnership between Pitt and Lubrizol, which began in 2014 with a $1.2 million Strategic Alliance agreement. The partnership brought about opportunities for students to learn about engineering needs in an industrial environment, while at the same time benefiting Lubrizol through research projects tailored to its business operations. Last month, Pitt and Lubrizol renewed the partnership, worth roughly $1 million invested over a three-year period.

“The University of Pittsburgh was by far the best fit for us to establish a relationship with a university, largely due to the enthusiasm of the Pitt Chemical Engineering leadership team,” said Kowall. “Lubrizol made a long-term commitment initially, and now we’ve extended it for three more years with the expectation of it lasting indefinitely.”

The partnership helped Pitt’s Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department develop the course “Introduction to Chemical Product Design” (ChE 0214). Open to students in their sophomore year, the course teaches how to design products specific to a customer’s needs. In a traditional paradigm, engineering students don’t work on design projects until their senior years.

“This alliance has led to new educational programs that are first-of-their-kind in the country, exposing our students to unique opportunities to learn design principles and leading to multiple awards and even a spin-out company for our students,” said Dr. Little.

The follow-up course, “Taking Products to Market: The Next Step in Chemical Product Design” (ChE 0314), focuses on entrepreneurship and the skills necessary to successfully turn their ideas into products or companies.

“About half of the initial $1.2 million agreement went into the development of these courses and the resources to ensure our students’ success,” said Dr. Little. “Collaborating with Lubrizol directly, plus a jumpstart on product design, really gives our students a competitive advantage after graduation.”

Another feature of the partnership was the creation of the ‘University of Pittsburgh Physical Property Internship,’ which is a nine-month internship targeted at chemical engineering students who graduate in December and are intending to go to graduate school in the fall.

“This helps Lubrizol as well as the student who might have trouble finding something worthwhile to do in that rather awkward time. Three of the first four recipients became full-time employees,” said Kowall. “We have put emphasis on recruiting co-op students from Pitt. We work with the faculty to identify high potential candidates. Retention has been excellent in keeping co-op students as full-time employees.”

© 2017 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee

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Lubrizol’s Particle Sciences division has signed an agreement to manufacture PixarBio’s NR14 product for clinical trials.

In 2018, PixarBio will be able to apply to the US FDA for fast track approval through the CDER Breakthrough Therapy designation.

“Although the agreement covers our 14 day treatment, we also have a 7 and 3 day product in our pipeline that are not part of this agreement. We worked for over 3 years with PSI to put this agreement in place and look forward to a long term collaboration. I am confident that with the FDA’s fast track approval we can receive FDA clearance to market NR14 in late 2019,” said CEO Frank Reynolds.

According to PixarBio, NeuroRelease™ is a morphine replacement, and non-addictive pain platform for post-surgical pain. First product FDA approval for the platform will be for a 14-day post-surgical pain treatment and it is expected in late 2019.

The platform can be formulated for acute and chronic pain treatments.

© 2017 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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The Lubrizol Corporation has opened a state-of-the-art drumming facility and warehouse at its Painesville Township, Ohio manufacturing facility, both of which are part of the company’s previously announced phased investment at the site.

The total $70 million investment better positions the company to meet the changing demands of customers and ensures the integrity and quality of its products while reinforcing personal and environmental safety.

Construction on the 180,000 square feet combined buildings began in April 2015. With a focus on enhancing safety and business processes, the new buildings will be instrumental in reducing risk and achieving the company’s business objectives of improving effectiveness, efficiency and consistency.

“Historically, the Painesville Township site has been of great importance to our business, operating for more than 60 of the company’s nearly 90 years,” said Tom Curtis, incoming president of Lubrizol Additives. “This latest investment reinforces our commitment to the community by further ensuring the site as a key source in Lubrizol Additives’ global supply chain.”

With more than half of all Lubrizol Additives products worldwide containing at least one component manufactured at the Painesville Township site, adding new manufacturing capacity and updated automated packaging capabilities was a necessity. Furthermore, these efforts are important to ensure product integrity and to improve the overall safety and efficiency of handling product drums and totes.

“With our new drum filling facility, we will be able to improve safety by minimizing the manual packaging of drums, reducing packaging time for a single batch by more than 50% and minimizing the number of times a drum is handled by more than 70%,” commented Craig Hupp, Lubrizol Painesville Township plant manager. “And, with 100% indoor storage provided by our new warehouse, we will improve the quality and appearance of packaged products delivered to our customers. All of these improvements will be a tremendous value to our overall organization.”

© 2017 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.