Abstract
The objective of this article is to investigate and identify drivers to compete in the industry of plastics through the application of the methodology of Competitive Intelligence. This article provides a practical case of the Competitive Intelligence Methodology applied to the Thermoplastics Elastomers Industry, specifically within the Styrenic Block Copolymers category. The output of the research is a solution for a Mexican Company to support their decision-making process.
Highlights
Thermoplastics Elastomers (TE) are a class of polymers with rubber-elastic behavior and a processing system typical of thermoplastics
From this perspective Competitive Intelligence (CI) is a valuable methodology that helps companies to generate those ideas that are important for the company, searching and analyzing key pieces of information from the competitive environment of the organization
The scientific method was applied during this research as part of a master thesis entitled “Application of Competitive Intelligence Methodology: Case of Thermoplastic Elastomers” written by Luis Salinas
Summary
Thermoplastics Elastomers (TE) are a class of polymers with rubber-elastic behavior and a processing system typical of thermoplastics. TE has the property of being reprocessed when heated above the melting temperature. The capacity of being reused is an advantage regarding the limitation of recycling thermoset rubbers, and with little waste when processing. TE provides significant benefits to reduce pollution impact in the environment, and it has an important role in the economic aspect. Styrenic Block Copolymers (SBC) are high performance Thermoplastics Elastomers designed to improve a wide range of products and applications. The SBC consist of at least three blocks, two of them are hard polystyrene blocks and one a middle block soft (polybutadiene or polyisoprene); they may or not be hydrogenated. The SBC consist of at least three blocks, two of them are hard polystyrene blocks and one a middle block soft (polybutadiene or polyisoprene); they may or not be hydrogenated. (Nandini Consultancy Center, 2011)
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