Arkema (Colombes / France; www.arkema.com) presented a new technology at “Achema 2009” (www.achema.de) in Frankfurt / Germany that allows its “Kynar” PVDF closed-cell foams to be extruded into pipes, chemical piping and stock shapes such as rods. The company says that parts made from the foam retain many of the properties of the PVDF resin and are up to 30% lighter than those made from conventional Kynar. In addition to lowering production costs, the technology offers improved flexibility and ease in cutting, and retains barrier properties and chemical and temperature resistance in harsh environments. Commercial applications for Kynar foam were previously limited to foamed jacketing for plenum-rated wire and cable.