Supplier News … (December 01, 2000)

A.S. Paterson Company, Toronto, has been appointed the exclusive distributor of Pationic polymer additives in Canada. The additives are manufactured by the Patco Additives Division of American Ingredients Company. A.S. Paterson has distributed Patco Defoamer Additives for over 20 years.

M.A. Hanna Resin Distribution has become PolyOne Distribution as part of the merger of Geon Company and M.A. Hanna Company. PolyOne Distribution supplies a wide array of plastic resins through 15 full-service facilities across the U.S. and Canada. Orders can still be placed using existing M.A. Hanna phone numbers and product codes, according to a released statement.

People …

Michael Willome has been appointed president and general manager of Clariant (Canada) Inc. Willome joins the Canadian operation from Clariant in Turkey, where he served as vice president, finance and administration, and deputy general for Turkey, Egypt, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Bob Shaw has joined The Lavergne Group as senior saleperson based in Ontario. Shaw’s experience in the plastics industry includes stints as an account manager for both GE Plastics and Borg Warner. Shaw will focus on expanding the company’s client base in the provinces outside Quebec, as well as in the U.S. and internationally.

Amcor PET Packaging, a division of Amcor Twinpak North America, has announced the promotion of several people in its organization. Kirby Losch has been appointed director, strategic planning and market development. Losch will be responsible for developing new markets and product applications. Nina Goodrich has been named general manager, Amcor PET Technologies. Goodrich will be responsible for identifying and developing technologies for future packaging applications. Brian Walsh has been promoted to the position of vice-president, sales and marketing. Walsh will oversee Canadian and Brazilian sales and marketing efforts. David Andison is now vice-president, operations. Andison will be responsible for the operation of the company’s plants in North America and Brazil.

Calendar …

International Consumer Electronics Show, Jan. 6 – 9, Las Vegas, NV (www.CESweb.org)

E-Business for Plastics, Jan. 24 – 26, New Orleans, LA. Contact: 888/362-7400

SAE World Congress, March 5 – 8, Detroit, MI. Contact: 724/772-4027.

Moldmaking 2001, April 3 – 5, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Chicago, IL.

Plast-Ex 2000 & Mold Source, April 30 to May 3, 2001, International Centre, Toronto. Contact Tom Sockett at 905/678-7405, ext. 283.

Emerging Technologies for the New Millenium Conference, Sept. 20 and 21, sponsored by SPE Quebec and the Industrial Materials Institute of the NRC. Contact Jeanette Desmarais, 514/273-8294.

Huntsman gets new identity

Huntsman Packaging is now called Pliant Corporation. The new name is meant to suggest not only the company’s film product line, but a company that is flexible and innovative in the marketplace, according to Richard P. Durham, chairman and CEO. Pliant Corporation is a producer of plastic films for flexible packaging, food, personal care, medical, agricultural and industrial applications. It has annual sales of approximately $800 million and 24 manufacturing and R&D facilities worldwide, including one manufacturing plant in Toronto.

German firm buys Ontario sealing product manufacturer

ElringKlinger AG, a supplier of gasket systems and other products for the automotive industry, has purchased Versatech Sealing Systems based in Leamington, Ont. Versatech is a designer and manufacturer of sealing systems, including cover systems, sealing assemblies and gaskets utilized in under-the-hood automotive applications.

Goodbye Montell, hello Basell

Montell USA Inc. and Montell Canada Inc. have been combined with two other polyolefin companies, Elenac and Targor, in a new company that is jointly (50/50) owned by BASF Corp. and Shell. The joint venture has spawned a new company which will operate under the name of Basell USA Inc. and Basell Canada Inc. Both Elenac and Targor are European-based polyolefin businesses owned respectively by BASF/Shell and BASF. The Montell name shall apparently be retired.