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January 13, 2011 Ridgefield, CT-- Pinnacle Polymers, LLC market comment. We are looking at increases in feedstock prices for January and February 2011 that are unprecedented in magnitude and which will bring propylene prices within 10 cents of the all time highs reached in 2008. As we have indicated in the past, we are at risk of destroying American manufacturing demand for polypropylene in a permanent fashion. This is very troubling for us and our polypropylene customers, because high prices such as these make it very hard, if not impossible, to maintain sufficient margins. Our margins have already been declining for the last several years. We will support our customers as best we can in these inflationary circumstances with the best service in the industry and outstanding innovative products. Since last year, Pinnacle Polymers has been able to offer high performance impact copolymers and new clarified random copolymers. These new products help our customers achieve more efficient operations, with lower cycle times, while producing better looking products with higher impact strength. At this time, we are announcing some changes. First, Entec Polymers, LLC, a division of the Belgium based Ravago, S.A has acquired one of our distributors, Pure Polymers LLC. All Pure Polymers customers will continue to be served by Entec, which has retained all of Pure Polymers sales personnel. We are evaluating our distributor strategy in North America, but until further notice Entec will be our sole prime distributor for the United States and Canada. We invite all distributor customers to address any concerns or questions they have with Deneice Bercegeay. Secondly, Deneice Bercegeay has been promoted to General Manager of Pinnacle Polymers. Deneice has been working with Pinnacle since 2002, has done an excellent job, and will continue to serve customers and help us manage the company even better in her new position. Ray Buckwalter has been promoted to VP Sales. He will be reporting to Deneice, who will continue to report to Jerry Theys, CEO of Pinnacle Polymers. Jerry Theys, in addition to his Pinnacle responsibilities, has assumed full responsibilities for Polychim SA, Beaulieu International Group's other polypropylene business based in France as well as for Distriplast Flandre, also a part of the Beaulieu International Group since 2005. Together these businesses will be selling more than 1.4 Billion Lbs of Polypropylene annually.
Questions or comments can be directed: Pinnacle Polymers Achieves Peak Brightness and Improved Aesthetics in New Polypropylene Grades Featuring Milliken's Millad® NX8000 Clarifier GARYVILE, LA Sept 19, 2010 - Pinnacle Polymers™ LLC, a major polypropylene (PP) manufacturer based in Ridgefield, Conn., has reached new heights of aesthetics and quality by upgrading to Millad® NX8000 technology from Milliken Chemical, a division of Milliken & Company. Pinnacle's two new PP3™ random copolymer grades offer customers superior aesthetics at an affordable price point. Besides giving housewares and other products a dramatically brighter and cleaner look, Pinnacle 5135C3 and 5155C3 resins enable shorter cooling times and a broader processing window which can provide energy savings and cycle time reductions. "Milliken's Millad NX8000 technology makes a huge difference in the quality and processability of our new PP3 grades, including a four-fold improvement in yellowness index and the ability to mold at lower temperatures," said Ray Buckwalter, director of national accounts, Pinnacle Polymers. "Milliken's top-quality clarifier and value-added services, including testing and cycle time optimization, were instrumental in the development of these resins. We never even considered another supplier." He added, "Initial results have been gratifying. One customer that showed prototypes at the International Home + Housewares show in June started writing orders on the spot, and is now supplying a major retailer." Consumer Appeal Plus System Cost Reduction The industry-leading performance of Millad NX8000 helps Pinnacle's PP3 resins achieve a very low yellowness index rating of -15 compared to -2.5, which is typical of standard clarified PP. As a result, storage containers and other housewares merchandize better because they look brighter and fresher on store shelves. The materials, which are FDA approved for food contact, are also suitable for food packaging. Pinnacle random clarified resins offer better impact properties when compared to the industry standard. This has proven to be enormous benefit to processors who have been able to reduce weight, and decrease charge-backs and write offs associated with damaged goods. In addition, the Milliken clarifier helps deliver system cost savings through a combination of shorter cycle times - thanks to lower molding temperatures that cut cooling duration - and a wider processing window for greater flexibility in temperature selection. Cycle time reductions of up to 26 percent and productivity increases of up to 35 percent are possible. Lower molding temperatures can reduce energy consumption by up to 22 percent. Pinnacle's PP3 grades can be processed on existing molding equipment, with existing setups. "This collaboration with Pinnacle showcases the advantages for both polypropylene producers and molders from our Millad NX8000 clarifying technology," said Brian Burkhart, global market manager, Milliken Chemical. "Pinnacle has shown that improved aesthetic appeal in PP can be achieved while maintaining cost-effectiveness. The processability improvements provided by Millad NX8000, combined with exceptional aesthetics, deliver a true competitive edge."
About Pinnacle
About Milliken Chemical For more information about Milliken Chemical, please visit www.millikenchemical.com. Millad is a registered trademark of Milliken & Company. Garyville, LA June 15, 2010 for Immediate Release Pinnacle Polymers announces the introduction of improved random clarified polypropylene resins. These new PP3 resins offer both improved visual quality and cost-saving processing advantages for customers. "Our goal in developing these products was to offer our customers improved product and competitive advantage without increasing raw material cost," said Pinnacle CEO, Jerry Theys. "We understand the immense pressure the current economic climate and resin markets are having on processors so we understand there is a need to deliver value without raising prices." The new PP3 resins have appreciably better color than other clarified products; they are brighter with enhanced color quality. On the shelf, the aesthetic improvement of both individual and stacked parts is dramatic. Processors have demonstrated significant cost savings through reduced cycle times and lower processing temperatures. For more information, contact Ray Buckwalter, Pinnacle Sales at 908-635-4177 or Ray.Buckwalter@PinnaclePolymers.com July 17, 2009 Garyville, LA -- Pinnacle Polymers, LLC realigns North American distribution. Pinnacle Polymers, LLC has reevaluated North American distribution in response of a very volatile market. We are pleased to announce that we have renewed our distribution strategy by refining and optimizing our authorized distribution partners. We are confident that this change will insure the best value to customers in all markets affected. In Canada we have designated two authorized distributors, Pure Polymers, LLC, and Entec Polymers LLC. For the USA two authorized distributors have been selected, Pure Polymers, LLC and Entec Polymers LLC. In Mexico, Longhorn Polymers has been named as our only authorized distributor. Our authorized distributors may be reached but using the contact information below: For Pure Polymers: Mike Sweeney, President, 508-277-4885, msweeney@purepolymers.com For Entec Polymers: Joe Santucci, Product Director PP, (978) 660-8795, jsantucci@Entecresins.com For Longhorn Polymers: Wade Wendt, President, 281-537-8522, wwendt@longhornpolymers.com Pinnacle Polymers LLC produces approximately one billion pounds annually of high quality polypropylene resins including homopolymers, impact and ultra-high impact copolymers, and random copolymers with operations located in Garyville LA. For more information visit www.PinnaclePolymers.com. All inquiries should be directed to Isabella Von Roemeling at Pinnacle Polymers corporate offices (203) 438-8190 and isabella@pinnaclepolymers.com. July 10, 2009 Garyville, LA -- Pinnacle Polymers, LLC announces reevaluation of polypropylene distribution in North America. The North American polypropylene industry is in a state of rapid change. As these changes unfold Pinnacle management realizes the importance of insuring that our customers continue to receive the quality products and service that they have come to expect from us without interruption. "We want to make sure that all of our customers including those serviced directly and through distribution receive the highest quality products and service" said Jerry Theys, Pinnacle President and CEO. "Therefore, we are proactively evaluating options for distribution of branded products." "In this challenging business environment we feel it is necessary for us to take steps to protect our valued partners with respect to availability and quality of product" said Theys. Further announcements concerning distribution will follow. In the interim customers are encouraged to insist on Pinnacle issued certificates of analysis for all Pinnacle resins. Our primary concern during this transition and going forward is to insure the proper stewardship of our products and brand. Pinnacle Polymers LLC produces approximately one billion pounds annually of high quality polypropylene resins including homopolymers, impact and ultra-high impact copolymers, and random copolymers with operations located in Garyville LA. For more information visit www.PinnaclePolymers.com. All inquiries should be directed to Isabella Von Roemeling at Pinnacle Polymers corporate offices (203) 438-8190 and isabella@pinnaclepolymers.com. |
