Access back issues of the Greater Richmond Catalyst newsletter.

July 2008, Vol. 6, No. 2

Soft Power
Paraweave is not like any floor covering you have ever seen: It feels soft like carpet, but it's durable like tile. And it may be the most environmentally friendly soft floor on the market today.

Wrapped up in Tyvek

Local plant makes most of North America's HomeWrap.

February 2007, Vol. 6, No. 1

Stronger than a Speeding BulletThere's plenty of life left in Honeywell's high- performing Spectra Shield II body armor. A fourth-generation fiber is lighter, stronger and suitable for a number of new military applications. 

The Art of Armor DevelopmentComposites are playing a bigger role in antiballistic systems designed to defuse a host of weapons, including improvised explosive devices.

October 2007, Vol. 5, No. 1

High and Mighty

The next killer app for DuPont's super-strong Kevlar polymer may be in outer space, as a

nanofiber for next-generation rockets and space shuttles.

Cranking Up Kevlar

With demand booming for Kevlar, DuPont is investing $500 million to boost production of the light-weight, high-strength fiber. The first expansion will take place in Richmond.

Spin Control

Using an electrospinning process, VCU researchers have developed a method to create stable, well-aligned nano-scale fibers.

November 2006, Vol. 4, No. 3

An Unalloyed Success

After 25 years of nearly unbroken growth, Alloy Polymers has reached a size where founder Subhash Pahuja can't run it all himself. A new COO should help keep the chemical compounder on the growth path.

Honeywell Finds a Solution to its Gas Needs

New Market Corp. -- The New Ethyl

Company finds competing in the fuel additives business is still a whale of a job.

DuPont Safety & Protection Group V.P Addresses Investors

April 2006, Vol. 4, No. 2

Bravura Performance

Through acquisitions and internal growth, Performance Fibers is on the fast track to becoming Richmond's next $1 billion company - and the region's largest independent specialty fibers manufacturer.

The Softer Side of Spectra

Honeywell's super-strong Spectra Fiber, renowned for its use in body armor, has been adapted to make prosthetic limbs more comfortable.

Taking a Crack at the Oil Shortage

Albemarle Corporation has launched a new family of petroleum catalysts that will make it easier to refine lower quality petroleum.

January 2006, Vol. 4, No. 1

Cluster Klatch

The Greater Richmond region has the makings of a world-class center for high-performance fibers. What it has lacked is a forum to build relationships and exchange ideas. That will change on Jan. 18.

Fibers firm weaves right mix

Sale to Sun Capital gives area-based outfit a key to fast growth

September 2005, Vol. 3, No. 3

Lube in the Groove

Afton Chemical has rolled out a promising high-performance lubricant that can keep heavy machinery moving faster and lifting heavier loads.

The "Godfather" of Kevlar

DuPont polymer chemist helped develop the fiber, and demand is soaring.

May 2005, Vol. 3, No. 2

M5 in Overdrive. With its purchase of Magellan Systems, DuPont will accelerate the roll-out of the fabulous M5® super fiber. Soldiers and public safety employees will be the first to benefit.

Love-Hate Relationship. Kenneth Wynne's new polymer attracts water one moment, repels it the next. This schizo coating could have potential as a micro-fluidic switching device.

March 2005, Vol. 3, No. 1

The Innovation Imperative. To satisfy demanding customers like Procter & Gamble, Tredegar Films is relocating its R&D operations to Richmond. The anticipated result: greater creativity in product development.  

November 2004, Vol. 2, No. 4

Capitalist Commune. DuPont operates one of the leanest manufacturing facilities of its globe-straddling empire in Richmond, Va. The secret: a high-performance work system that obliterates management-worker distinctions and treats everyone as equals.

August 2004,Vol. 2, No. 3

The Spectra Spectacle: Military and industrial demand for Spectra is, well, spectacular. There are so many applications for the high-performance fiber that Honeywell is running flat-out to keep up.

Bend Me, Shape Me, Any Way you Want Me: NanoSonic has introduced Metal Rubber, its first nano-tech product with broad commercial potential. Look for more awesome materials to come out of the Blacksburg lab.

May 2004,Vol. 2, No. 2

Smart Move: MGC Advanced Polymers joins the ranks of Richmond’s high-performance manufacturers. The region’s greatest advantage: A workforce knowledgeable in chemical processes.

Infineon Announces $1 Billion Expansion

January 2004, Vol. 2., No. 1

Still Going Strong: Invented more than 30 years ago, KEVLAR is the grandfather of the super fibers. But innovations at DuPont’s Spruance plant in Richmond keep the high-strength material looking forever young.

Polymers to Repair the Body

September 2003, Vol. 1, No. 1