Royal DSM (Heerlen, the Netherlands; www.dsm.com) and specialty chemicals producer Zhejiang NHU Special Materials Co. (NHU) have officially inaugurated their joint venture (JV) company for polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) compounds, DSM NHU Engineering Plastics (Zhejiang) Co Ltd. The JV, which was first announced in May 2015, has been established in Zhejiang province, close to NHU’s linear PPS polymer plant in Shangyu, for manufacturing of the high performance compounds.
DSM has a 60% share in DSM NHU Engineering Plastics (Zhejiang) Co Ltd., with NHU holding the remaining 40%. The PPS polymer plant operated by NHU uses proven technology to provide high-quality base polymer for the compounds. The joint venture will take over NHU’s existing compounding capacity. DSM for its part brings its long-standing expertise in application development and materials science, as well as access to its global customer network.
DSM NHU Engineering Plastics (Zhejiang) Co Ltd. is initially offering two standard commercial grades. These are Xytron G4010T, containing 40% glass fiber reinforcement, and Xytron M6510A, which contains 65% glass fiber and mineral filler. Recently, DSM added to its portfolio a 30% glass reinforced grade and a 40% glass reinforced low chlorine grade (especially important for electronic applications) which are currently being evaluated by customers. Grades under development include types with enhanced wear resistance and low friction, with high flow/low flash, and with increased impact strength.