Polymer Industry News

A New Direction

The newly upgraded ControlNet system from Motan Colortronic represents a major step forward in versatility and integration of controls in the areas of storage, drying, blending and conveying of plastic materials.

“By using common communication standards, the cost effective modular controls are expandable and allow for a degree of freedom and flexibility” states Karl Miller of Motan Colortronic Limited.

UPM Celebrate 35 Years at NPE

UPM claim to be the longest serving supplier of ancillary equipment to the worlds plastic industry having participated in the NPE show for the past 35 years with the emphasis this year of exhibiting Dynacon Belt Conveyors on booth 1873 with Dynamic Conveyor highlighting the modular conveyor system that lengthens; shortens; adapts and changes as your need requires.

UPM have a global agreement with Global Closure Systems (GCS) which incorporates Zeller Plastik; Massmould and UCP who have taken delivery of their 700th Dynacon Belt Conveyor in the UK based on the versatility available from using standard bolt together injection moulded filled polycarbonate components to allow any shape to be produced in any configuration plus zero maintenance as the belt is guided in channels either side eliminating the need to track or tension.

SAFERUBBER PROJECT REACHES MID-POINT IN ITS SEARCH FOR ALTERNATIVES TO THIOUREA-BASED RUBBER ACCELERATORS

Thiourea based accelerators, of which ETU is the most common, are used for more than 80 years in the vulcanization of polychloroprene rubber as they facilitate the rubber cure system by speeding up the creation of molecular cross links, decreasing process duration and increasing physical properties.

However ETU is classed toxic to reproduction, and thereby a CMR within Europe. Therefore its use could be forbidden or drastically reduced at some time in the future under the REACH regulations.

Quadrant introduces Proteus® LSG HS PP Sterilizable Polypropylene for Medical Applications

Material allows the medical industry to more easily operate within the costs savings imperative Medical parts fabricated from Quadrant’s Proteus® LSG HS PP heat-stabilized polypropylene withstand repeated steam and autoclave sterilization cycles.

This is possible because the material has a deflection temperature (HDT) of over 149°C (> 300 °F) under 0,455 MPa load (66 psi). The material is highly resistant to cleaning agents, disinfectants and various solvents, making it a suitable material for surgical trays, caddies and instrument components used in various life science applications. Such parts are often difficult to produce by injection moulding, owing to their complexity and the need to use high viscosity resin.

Roquette and Rhodia Acetow sign joint development agreement for the elaboration of new plant-based polymers

Roquette and Rhodia Acetow have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to develop new plant-based polymers.

The JDA will enable both companies to leverage synergies bringing together respective competencies in the field of plant-based polymer chemistry.

Asia's No. 1 Plastics & Rubber Trade Fair Expecting to Set New Record of 100,000 visitors

Pre-registered Visitors Enjoy Special Admission Arrangement

CHINAPLAS 2012 is approaching to its final countdown, a series of promotional activities have been carried out in full swing by the organizer. With its great influence in the plastics and rubber industries, together with the flourishing development of the application industries and also the green policy promotion of the 12th Five-year Plan, CHINAPLAS 2012 has become the focal point of the global industries. It is expected that the number of visitors this year will hit 100,000, refreshing another new height in addition to the records of exhibition scale and the number of exhibitors.

High performance reinforcing additive from Milliken helps Mecaplast make lighter car parts

French automotive plastics component producer Mecaplast says it can make significant weight reductions in injection moulded TPO parts by partially replacing talc filler with Hyperform® HPR-803i high performance reinforcing agent from Milliken.

As proof, Mecaplast has used a TPO compound containing a mix of talc and Hyperform HPR-803i (total additive content around 10% by weight) to mould prototype B-pillar covers that it normally supplies in a conventional 20% talc-filled TPO (elastomer-modified polypropylene). The prototype parts weighed
524 g, seven percent less than the commercial parts. The compound has a density of 0.98 g/cm3, which compares with 1.04 g/cm3 for a 20% talc-filled TPO with similar mechanical properties.

Songwon takes its place at VDI 2012 as a global leader in the world of polymer additives and as a valued automotive industry contributor

At the international VDI Conference “Plastics In Automotive Engineering” in Mannheim, Germany (March 21 – 22), Songwon Industrial Co. Ltd., the global number two supplier of polymer additives, will demonstrate it is moving onto the next level to focus more intensively on specific industry segments to meet tough application needs. Songwon’s High Heat OPS (One Pack Systems) range offers customers a complete toolbox for designing tailor-made solutions to meet the requirements of longer service life and/or durability under harsh conditions. OPS products combine several additives into an integrated dust free, pellet form. In 2011, Songwon acquired Additives Technology Greiz (ATG), one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of One Pack Systems products for the polymer industry. Songwon can be found at booth 24B.

Venting the extrusion mould

Extrusion mould specialist fhw-moulds GmbH of Bottrop/Germany presents a special solution for removing air from extrusion moulds and proves its innovative strength. This brand new, optimized product is perfectly adapted to blow moulders’ requirements for improved cycle times.

As the mould closes around the parison and is inflated and pressed to the cavity wall by air blown into it, air is trapped between the parison and the two mould halves. This trapped air must be removed. In order to expedite this venting process, conventional moulds are often equipped with vents at the parting line for expelling any trapped air, sometimes with the help of vacuum. The downside of this method is the fact that air can only be removed locally and the introduction of a vacuum leaves small marks on the finished part.

Trexel Promotes New Process Solutions at NPE 2012

Trexel is expanding its product portfolio to bring new process solutions to the plastics marketplace, and will demonstrate the Rapid Heat Cycle Molding process (Variotherm process) utilized in conjunction with the MuCell® process in a moulding demonstration at the booth.

A tackle box will be moulded that not only demonstrates the design freedom and weight reduction potential offered by the  MuCell® process, but also will demonstrate how users can take advantage of the  RHCM/MuCell combination to achieve outstanding part surface appearance never available before now. The Trexel exhibit is located at Booth 1303.

Solvay Marks 25th Anniversary as Global Supplier of Ixef® Polyarylamide (PARA) Resin

Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC, is celebrating its 25th anniversary as the global supplier of Ixef® polyarylamide (PARA) resins.

Since its development in 1986, Ixef PARA has provided a unique combination of strength and aesthetics, making it ideal for complex parts that require both overall strength and a smooth surface. To commemorate this milestone, Solvay has commissioned a 25th anniversary edition of a commercialized archery bow to demonstrate Ixef PARA’s unique and valuable performance attributes in structural applications.

Glueless production of disposable syringes

In association with the companies Engel of A-4311 Schwertberg and Transcoject of D-24539 Neumünster, ZAHORANSKY will display a fully automated system for the glueless production of disposable syringes at the upcoming Medtec event in Stuttgart.

To achieve absolute success, ZAHORANSKY developed a highly efficient needle feeding system (NFS) capable of separating as many as 400 needles per minute. Once separated, a custom servo driven linear robot places singulated needles into an injection mould (Optionally, needles are first aligned prior to being placed into the mould). Once in the mould, needles are then sheathed with a high-grade technical polymer, usually COC (cyclo-olefin-copolymer).

DSM Engineering Plastics global HQ has moved to Asia

DSM Engineering Plastics makes a strategic move to quicker anticipate customer needs around the globe.

DSM Engineering Plastics announces that its global headquarters have moved to Singapore. The Company, which has development, sales and manufacturing facilities located in The Netherlands, USA, Japan, China, Taiwan, India, Belgium and Russia has moved a number of its key functions to Asia in order to underline its commitment to the Asian market which is expected to represent the major share of the company’s growth in the coming years.

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