Page 16 - Plastics News September 2020

Comexi opens new U.S. technology center Styrene leak reported at Sabic New York plant

omexi, a specialist in solutions for the printing and tyrene leak was reported at Sabic New York plant
Cconverting industry of flexible packaging, Searlier this month. According to reports a chemical
announced plans for a new Technology Center (CTec) at leaked from a rail car Tuesday September 1, 2020
the company's new US headquarters in Miami, Florida.
morning at the SABIC Innovative Chemicals facility in
With new customer sales and service offices already Selkirk, releasing a foul smell into the air, spurring
completed, the 15,000 square foot CTec facility, with a
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to send state resources to
large, centralized parts inventory, is scheduled for
assist on the scene and pushing town officials to
completion in November 2020. Comexi customers and
partners can get on-site, at CTec USA, expert training declare a state of emergency. The escaping gas
in flexo, laminating, slitting, equipment maintenance, prompted emergency workers to evacuate nearby
color management, and prepress processes. The homes and businesses. Firefighters poured water on
center will also allow customers to test and trial the tanker to keep the car cool and prevent further
materials using onsite machinery. Miami is the leaks once a valve was sealed. Officials said the
chemical that was leaking was styrene, a monomer
used in the manufacturing of plastics. The U.S.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration says
styrene may cause headache, fatigue, dizziness,

company's third Technology Center location
worldwide. “The Manel Xifra Boada Technological
Center, Comexi CTec, is fully integrated with our
facilities in Riudellots de la Selva. At present, we
believe it is time to move forward with the creation of
confusion, and drowsiness. Styrene is a known
our third technological center, in order to offer our
carcinogen, so there was lots of concern. DEC has set
training services, advice, and technical process
support to the printing and converting sectors of up nine air monitoring stations all around the SABIC
flexible packaging industry. Owing to CTec USA, Comexi plant. The leak lasted for about an hour but officials
will be able to provide a more effective response to the were unsure how much of the chemical escaped. No
needs of our American customers,” explains Albert injuries were reported, Police Commander Adam
López, the head of the Comexi CTec. When completed Hornick said. The plant manager for the SABIC's local
the CTec will have a fully operational SL2 solventless facility said the gas leaked for about an hour."SABIC
laminator, an S2 DT wide-web slitter, and an F2 MP stopped the venting and is now cooling the railcar with
hybrid flexographic press. The Comexi SL laminator is water to minimize the risk of further venting," Liz
designed for all types of solvent-free laminates, Vitaliano said. "We are monitoring the air quality of
making this machine a perfect sustainable solution.
the perimeter of the railyard and are working closely
According to Olof Buelens, Comexi VP and director of
with local and state response authorities to address
North American operations, “the new headquarters
the situation." "Styrene vapor has a prominent smell
and CTec in Miami is a significant investment by Comexi
and we apologize for the odor our communities are
to offer our customers in the Americas better and more
extensive services.” experiencing."

September 2020 16 Plastics News