Processes and apparatuses for producing polymer particles with a solid state polycondensation reactor and an underwater pelletization unit. The apparatuses use a pre-conditioning zone to adjust a temperature, crystallization in addition to dust, acetaldehyde and water content of the particles from a crystallization bin. Various inert gas streams can be provided from a purification unit to remove dust, acetaldehyde, water and adjust temperature and crystallinity of the particles, as also move the particles. The precondition zones have stages that allow for the particles to accurately achieve the desired SSP reactor inlet conditions.

The invention relates to an extrusion process for the production of expandable vinyl aromatic polymer granulate comprising mixing first and second additives with first and second polymer components, respectively, in dedicated mixers.

Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition pellets comprise: an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer; a boron compound; and a predetermined amount of at least one fisheye-suppressing component, wherein pellet surface portions of the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition pellets have a boron compound content of not higher than 1.7 ppm on a boron basis based on the weight of the pellets. The ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition pellets are capable of suppressing occurrence of fisheyes even if being used for formation of a single-layer ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer film.

The invention describes a method for manufacture of plasticized homopolymeric polyvinyl alcohol, the method including the steps of introducing a polyvinyl alcohol polymer or a blend thereof having a degree of hydrolysis in the range of 93 wt % to 98 wt % into a mixing reactor; adding a processing agent, a plasticizer and a reactive stabilizer to form a reaction mixture; wherein the plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of sugar alcohols, diols, triols, polyols and mixtures thereof; wherein the reactive stabilizer is selected from the group consisting of sodium stearate, potassium oleate, sodium benzoate, calcium stearate, stearic acid, dimethyl propionic acid, and mixtures thereof;-reacting the reaction mixture in a reaction zone to form plasticized polymer; and-allowing the plasticized polymer to pass from the reaction zone.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a thermoplastic polyurethane that comprises reacting an isocyanate composition at least comprising 4,4′-diisocyanatodicyclohexylmethane (H12MDI) with a polyol composition (PZ) in the presence of a catalyst composition at least comprising a bismuth-containing compound selected from bismuth (tricarboxylate) catalysts, where the carboxyl radicals independently of one another have 6 to 12 carbon atoms, to give a melt and producing pellets from the resulting melt. The present invention further relates to a thermoplastic polyurethane obtained or obtainable by the method of the invention, and also to the use for producing films, profiles, cable sheathing, and sheathing of LED strips.

A method for aligning a cutter plate in a pelletizer for polymer pellets using a remote alignment adjustment device having a mechanical distance measurement probe and a camera for taking photos or videos. The remote alignment adjustment device is attached to the drive shaft of the cutter plate and rotates with the shaft to correct the alignment in different positions of the die plate. Additionally, a process for preparing polyethylene pellets in a pelletizer using the method for aligning the cutter plate.

Expandable thermoplastic polyurethane comprising blowing agent, wherein the Shore hardness of the thermoplastic polyurethane is from A 44 to A 84.

The invention relates to a process for production of expanded thermoplastic elastomer, said process comprising the steps of: (e) adding monomers and/or oligomers used for producing the thermoplastic elastomer with or without further starting materials into a first stage of a polymer-processing machine, (f) mixing the monomers and/or oligomers and also the optionally added further starting materials and reacting the monomers and/or oligomers to give a polymer melt in the first stage of the polymer-processing machine, (g) passing the polymer melt into a second stage of a polymer-processing machine and adding a physical blowing agent with or without further starting materials to obtain a polymer melt comprising a blowing agent, (h) molding the polymer melt comprising a blowing agent into an expanded thermoplastic elastomer.

A process for producing expanded thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads can include the use of an inorganic blowing agent.

Expandable thermoplastic polyurethane comprising blowing agent, wherein the Shore hardness of the thermoplastic polyurethane is from A 44 to A 84.