JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #84 - October 2013 - 4

point of view: global player

Polynt strengthens its
global position in UP resins

Maurizio Leonardi
Head of Resins Division,

Polynt S.p.A.

JEC Composites Magazine:
Could you briefly introduce your
company?

Maurizio Leonardi: The
Polynt group has been working
in the field of chemical intermediates for the production of
special polymers since the 60's.
Today, it is playing a primary role
in the production of organic specialties such as maleic anhydride
and its derivatives, phthalic and
trimellitic anhydrides, as well
as general-purpose and special
plasticizers. Moreover, Polynt has
been one of the main players in
the composite materials market
for several decades thanks to
the production of unsaturated
polyester resins (UPR), special
anhydrides for the cure of epoxy
resins, and SMC/BMC moulding compounds. Due to its

unique integration model, chemical and marketing competencies accrued over the years and
strong synergies among different
business segments, the group
now holds a leading position in
the market.
JCM: What are the main markets
for your resins?

M.L. : Polynt covers all the
applications of unsaturated polyester resins. The construction,
industrial, transport and marine
sectors are its main traditional
markets, but great attention is
also devoted to special applications. The current product
portfolio ranges from special button-grade resins for the fashion
industry to high-performance
vinylesters for carbon-fibre composites used in the wind energy
and automotive industries.
JCM: In your opinion, what are

About Polynt
Polynt is one of the leading European producers of specific chemical intermediates for polymers such as dibasic

4 jec composites magazine / No84 October 2013

interview

With the recent affiliation of PCCR in the USA, the Italian group
Polynt continues to increase its size and strengthen its global position with 13 factories worldwide: eight in Europe, one in China and
four in the USA. This specialist in unsaturated polyester resins,
anhydrides for epoxy resins and SMC/BMC compounds has a clear
strategy as explained by Maurizio Leonardi, Head of Polynt S.p.A.'s
Resins Division.

The group now
holds a leading
position in the
market

the most promising markets for
the near future?

M.L. : The construction, industrial and transportation markets
will continue to drive this
sector thanks to the continuous

demand for weight savings and
improved mechanical properties, chemical resistance, fire
resistance and outdoor durability. The furniture industry,
driven by continuous design
evolutions and the growing use
of sustainable materials, should
benefit from UPR versatility.
Recent resin developments for
"solid-surface" applications are
a good example. In the field of
renewable energy, domestic-scale
wind turbines are an emerging
application (see fig.2). This is
currently a niche market but
design and efficiency improvements will boost this segment.
JCM: The Polynt group currently
operates nine productions plants
(eight in Europe and one in China).
Could Polynt further expand to
other regions of the world?

M.L. : UP resins find applica-

tions in major market segments

acids (fumaric and malic), anhydrides (maleic, phthalic and
trimellitic) and their derivatives (e.g., plasticizers), unsaturated polyester resins, compounds and composites. As
chemical intermediates, these products are in the centre of
the production chain that begins with oil refining through
manufacturing and up to the sale and market distribution

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #84 - October 2013

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