TecnA Plastics & Rubber - Marzo 2024

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BD Plast filtering systems 76

High-performance electric machine for medical technology

TecnA Plastics & Rubber

March 2024

Issue 10 - Year VI

Publisher Fabiana Da Cortà Fumei

Editorial Staff & Design: redazione@tecnaplastics.com

Sabrina Fattoretto

Claudia Bosco

Elena Abbondanza

Vanessa Tarantino

Advertising & Marketing

Anita Pozzi anita.pozzi@edftrend.com

Franco Giordano franco.giordano@edftrend.com

Printing L’Artegrafica Srl

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Global strategy unfolding

Binova regeneration and compounding lines with corotating twin-screw extruders

Management & Editorial Office

Editrice EDF Trend srl Corso del Popolo, 42 31100 Treviso – Italy

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Targi Kielce’s Plastpol 2024. New technologies, new contacts and new supply chains

The world of advanced plastics processing technologies, innovative injection moulding and extrusion machines, and modern polymer materials will be at Targi Kielce’s for a four-day show in May 2024

The world of advanced plastics processing technologies, innovative injection moulding and extrusion machines, and modern polymer materials; this and much more will be at Targi Kielce’s (Poland) for a four-day show in May 2024. Plastpol welcomes the most important industry companies from Europe and Asia; they all come to Kielce to present their latest offers. The organisers say that the expo space availability is now limited.

“According to all indicators, the International Fair of Plastics and

Rubber Processing PLASTPOL will again reassure its position of Central and Eastern Europe’s largest event for plastics processing industry. For the 28th time, Targi Kielce brings together key companies d from 21 to 24 May 2024. The majority of our exhibitors with whom we have been cooperating for years have confirmed their presence. There are also many first-time exhibitors; they appreciate the power of the Plastpol in Poland. Companies from many European and Asian countries, including those from India, China, the Republic of Korea, and Turkey join the expo. National expo stands are held by Germany, the

Czech Republic and Portugal - says Kamil Perz, director of the Plastpol project at Targi Kielce. – We already know that exhibitors will occupy the entire space of our exhibition and congress centre; we are open for the last registrations. There are not many spots available to choose from.

Remember that the last Kielce plastics processing expo in May 2023 hosted 600 companies from 29 countries and their extensive offer. About half of the exhibitors are foreign companies representing Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Spain, the Netherlands, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland, Sweden, Slovakia, Taiwan, Ukraine, UK, Hungary, Latvia and China.

- Plastpol has been designed for business and dialogue. The international character of the show is conducive to new supply chains, enhances contract negotiation, and boosts networking and contacts establishment. Leads become contracts”, emphasises Kamil Perz.

Innovative injection moulding machines and granulates at Targi Kielce Machines and equipment are the foundation of the modern processing industry. Innovations in injection moulding machines used for polyethylene and polypropylene granule processing open new opportunities for manufacturers increase work efficiency and products quality. The latest models of injection moulding machines and extruders which offer even greater precision, energy savings and integration with intelligent management systems; this and much more at the Plastpol expo - these groundbreaking solutions not only revolutionise the industry, but also contribute to the pursuit of sustainable development.

Industry conferences and the Omniplast competition - an indispensable part of Plastpol

The new technologies exhibition is accompanied by conferences. – Meetings with experts and lectures offered by industry specialists are appreciated by our exhibitors and visitors. Such sessions serve their purpose - discussion, setting course of actions and new goals - emphasises Agnieszka Dąbrowska, deputy director of the Plastpol project at Targi Kielce.

Omniplast competition for experts in the plastics and rubber processing industry is an essential element of the show - OMNIPLAST aims to disseminate and popularise knowledge of plastic processing and the related processing technologies. Representatives of companies exhibiting at the Plastpol can take part in the contest; the winners are in for really attractive prizes. www.plastpol.com

www.linkedin.com/showcase/plastpolfair

This year’s expo is held from 21 to 24 May 2024. All information and registration for exhibitors available at: https://www.targikielce.pl/plastpol

FIMIC: A growth with value

FIMIC remembers that principles and values are not just ideals, but rather the guiding stars that illuminate the path toward a brighter, more prosperous future

Many leaders believe once they are aligned on the vision and priorities are set, their job is done – but it’s just beginning. They must create a culture where the vision and priorities can take root.

It is widely known that in the realm of business, principles and values serve as guiding lights that illuminate the path toward success. They form the ethical backbone of organizations, shaping their culture, decision-making processes, and overall reputation. While profitability and growth are essential goals, they must be pursued within the framework of integrity, respect, and responsibility.

But in a rapidly evolving business landscape, where the achievement of goals seems a run against the others it is easy for companies to forget that embracing change while staying true to their core values allows them to be better equipped to thrive and succeed.

FIMIC’s aim has always been to build strong unique principles and values that contribute to sustained

prosperity and a positive impact on their team and their customers. Principles and values that go beyond a simple work ethic, are fundamental beliefs and standards that guide the actions to build a positive culture for its team members where they can thrive and have meaningful relationships with its customers.

With its team in constant growth, as it navigates the complexities of the modern world, this 2024 FIMIC remembers that principles and values are not just ideals to aspire to; they are the guiding stars that illuminate the path toward a brighter, more prosperous future and shares proudly with the plastics recycling industry its core beliefs.

Guided by its principles and values, Fimic makes choices every day that define it and its actions. Inspired by this our world is moulded and what we do today shapes our future, in other words; the actions Fimic chooses to take today will determine what its future will look like. In its new video, FIMIC shares its core values with its own team as a protagonist. The opening statement “what you choose to believe in dictates who you are” sets the invite to make a honest assessment of what’s holding us back and make the necessary changes to our business and ourselves. Not just talking about surface change. This is a deep, meaningful, lasting, transformative change that impacts the entire organization and everyone in it. So, what are the principles and values in which Fimic believes?

What you choose to believe in dictates who you are Fimic believes in people Fimic grows relationships, not transactions Fimic chooses to be a team, not a business Fimic believes in passion

Fimic follow its own emotions, not statistics

Fimic is driven by purpose not profit

Fimic believes in authenticity

Fimic chooses to be different, not like everybody else

Fimic chooses to develop new products not existing ones

Fimic believes in strategy

Fimic always moves forward

Fimic chooses to write its own rules

Fimic believes in its blueprint

Fimic chooses to support recycling, not a board

Fimic forgets about the competition; they are on a different path than it is What you choose to believe in, dictates who

In a rapidly changing challenging business-orientated world, it is important to remember that it’s never too early to instill the values of living from passion. Staying true is not only a fundamental principle of ethical business practices but is a reflection of the kind of work you are putting in behind the scenes. Therefore, it is necessary to stop once in a while and ask ourselves some questions; where is our integrity behind the scenes? Where are our values behind the scenes?

The endgame is about consistently following a guideline. So if all we want is success but we don’t want a story, a process, we are not interested in giving something back to our team to our customers or we are not interested in evolving into a better version of ourselves, then we have already missed the success. And so once we get this everything changes, when our goals line up with our purpose everything changes.

Turnkey solutions realised by Sytrama for many different types of applications

Sytrama plants are the optimal solution to produce different types of products in an efficient way not only in the plastic industry, which still remains its core business

Sytrama has been a well-known brand in manufacturing and engineering robots and automations in the plastic injection field for over 40 years.

Sytrama plants are the optimal solution to produce in an efficient way different types of products, and not only in the plastic industry which remains its core business.

The extensive use of processed parts to realize technical goods has increasingly led Sytrama to produce cartesian robots for a variety of uses. In fact, Sytrama is able to produce cartesian robots not only for IMM in plastic moulding field but also for other types of applications.

One of these is the application of cartesian robots on CNC machines. Sytrama has gained experience in this world and thus, it has been able to meet the needs of its customers

by providing a reliable and efficient product also in this industry. The typical application is using Sytrama robots to take the finished parts from the CNC and then place them into boxes. Everything is secured thanks to the use of safety guarding that makes all the automated cell safe.

Another example of the use of Sytrama cartesian robot is for palletizing the metallic broomsticks. In this case the robot is supplied with a couple of support columns for the correct positioning at the end of production line. A special gripper is used for picking up one layer of products at a time and then place into a metallic tray.

Packaging field is an important field of use of Sytrama robots, too. More and more, Sytrama offers customized solution dedicated to the various products and pallet formats.

Inside the automations that Sytrama performs, the cartesian robots are used also for a lot of operations like cutting, assembly, flaming, spraying and testing. In this sense, Sytrama can design a customized version of own cartesian robots to satisfy the needs of the customers in the best way. This is one of the key points that places Sytrama company in good position on the market.

In addition to these customized solutions, it is worth highlightig the great technical service and training provided by Sytrama to many different types of customers world widely. It offered them a great technical service through its skilled partners, and it also teaches the operators of the company on all technical features of the cartesian robot. Sytrama teaches them how to react on errors, alarms and train the operators on some tips to let work robots in the best efficient way.

In addition to the standard remote assistance (complying with Industry 4.0 requirements), Sytrama has also implemented the AR that grants benefits such as:

• Ability to understand problems in real time;

• Fast troubleshooting via remote connection and with the use of smartphones, tablets and smart glasses;

• Quick and clear instructions transmitted in the field to in-house technicians or subcontractors (via video, chat, images and documents);

• Instant translation of the instructions provided by the Sytrama technicians;

• Professional working mode: travel, transport and intervention costs are considerably reduced;

• Reduced errors and improved quality to solve issues;

• Less repeated visits onsite and higher customer satisfaction;

• Process optimization and innovation in management methods.

Finally, Sytrama has planned an open house that will take place on the 18th and the 19th of April together with its partner NEGRI BOSSI. This event will focus on innovation and customer-driven solutions in injection moulding processing and Sytrama’s commitment to a sustainable future, too. Sytrama along with its expert team will grant to all its partners and customers the chance to learn first-hand how Sytrama’s diverse innovations can drive the success of their own businesses.

PLAS MEC keeps the leadership in the technology of plastic powders mixing

PLAS MEC manufactures and delivers all over the world thousands of equipment and accessories for the mixing of plastic materials and today boasts undisputed leadership

PLAS MEC is still maintaining the Italian leadership worldwide in the manufacturing of mixing equipment and complete systems for plastics powders processing.

Since 1967, PLAS MEC, a 100% Italian family-owned company, has manufactured and delivered all over the world thousands of equipment and accessories for the mixing of plastic materials (PVC, PE, PP, ABS), technical and special polymers (TPE, PA, PC, PU, PET, PTFE and others), powder coatings resins, woodplastics composites, masterbatch, additives, pigments, thermoplastic rubber etc., which has lead it to be considered as one of the leaders in this field.

Here are the aspects where PLAS MEC is more focused today and for the next future to improve more and more and supply a high level quality product: safety, efficiency, reliability, research, development, increase of industrial tests in its R&D department, flexibility in designing, high-tech solutions “tailored” to the customer, main production within the company

PLAS MEC manufacturing range comprises mainly the following:

• COMBIMIX HC - the combination of the high speed mixer type “TRM” and the high efficiency cooler type “HEC” is the ideal solution for any technical mixing requirement in the field of PVC or WPC dry blend production.

A very high output can be achieved thanks to the optimized design of the high speed mixer type “TRM” and the latest technologies of thermofluidynamic engineering of the high-efficiency cooler type “HEC”. COMBIMIX HC versions span from 200/800 to 2500/8500 liters capacity. A high productivity and reliability of this flagship combination of equipment can be achieved thanks to a large number of accessories related to the type of production and the needs of the customers.

(Pic. 1)

1

• Container Mixer TRR - the ideal alternative conventional turbomixer for masterbatch, pigments, technopolimers, powder coatings 2

preparation, when production conditions require a high degree of versatility and a wide range of different recipes to be mixed with the same machine. The container mixer can be built as high power for the application where high intensity mixing is required and there is a need of significant temperature increase of the mixture. Several improvements have been introduced in the last years to get a better performance and better easy use. (Pic. 2)

The range of production is completed by all the accessories to load, transport, weight and store the powders. A complete automation to control the process gives the customer a complete solution and a fully controlled mixing system thanks also to the full remote access to the plant, for diagnostic, support and assistance.

All the equipment can be designed and built to be compliant with the ATEX directives, following the requirement of the customers.

Pipes are in the DNA

The heart of FB Balzanelli’s mission is constant technological research and continuous improvement, possible thanks to the over 100 automatic coilers produced and installed every year around the world

In the 1980s, the founder of FB Balzanelli

Mr. Vincenzo Balzanelli was a leader in the production of electrical conduits. Dissatisfied with the lack of automatic coilers available in the market at that time, he felt the urge to design and build his own automatic coilers. They had to be really fast, reliable, and guarantee high-quality packing.

Since 1994 when he built his first automatic coiler, a process of development and growth has been underway at the company’s production facility in Fano (Italy), which has made FB Balzanelli a leader in the automatic and semi-automatic coilers market.

Operating in the automatic coiler sector since then, FB Balzanelli is synonymous with state-of-the-art technology and high-quality automatic coilers for pipes. More and more large and technological pipe manufacturers

choose FB Balzanelli because they are sure they will find the best solution for their production lines meeting a serious and durable solution for the next years.

The heart of the company’s mission is constant technological research and continuous improvement: which are possible thanks to the over 100 automatic coilers produced and installed every year around the world. FB Balzanelli is able to satisfy new customers’ needs and be prepared for a continuously evolving market with innovative solutions. The company has always been the most innovative in its proposals for the automatic coiler market, such as side-byside reels, the fully pneumatic strapping unit, or the special haul-off to reduce the pipe ovalization.

Alongside its know-how, it offers excellent customer care service that listens to its customer’s production needs. FB Balzanelli was the first company in the sector 15 years ago to introduce an online catalog for spare parts and remote connection to respond as quickly as possible to any customer request. With FB Balzanelli customers are sure to always find the best solution in terms of both processing efficiency and rapid payback on their investment in the range of coilers offered. Today, the company is able to offer the largest range of automatic coilers in the market, automatic palletizing systems, and is able to follow its customers during the entire production project with the best and most appropriate automatic coiler and full automatic coil handling solution.

You can find more info at www.fb-balzanelli.it

FAP: Anticipating future trends in foam industry

FAP demonstrates that combining high quality with environmental responsibility is possible and takes pride in contributing to a greener world where sustainability is not just a demand but a reality

Italian company FAP is at the forefront of manufacturing extrusion machinery for polyethylene & polypropylene foam, from conception to creation. Redefining the future of the foam industry, FAP demonstrates that it’s possible to combine high quality with environmental responsibility. FAP takes pride in contributing to a greener world where sustainability is not just a demand but a reality.

Efficiency

One of the serious challenges that industries face today, including polymer foam production, is a serious shortage of personnel, both engineering and process professionals, as well as operators and technicians on production. Today, it is crucial to design not only reliable equipment that meets all safety standards, but also to pay great attention to automation

systems, to create a user-friendly interface, to implement control and process correction systems, to provide customer support at all stages of the project. This is the “efficiency” by FAP and its 4 divisions, which are aimed at increasing the efficiency of production and technological processes, reducing customer losses and opening for the new opportunities in the foam markets.

FAP. Extruders, downstream equipment and converting machines for foam & bubble film. Since 1987 development and assembly of universal extruders, automatic winders, laminating lines. VELA by FAP. Machines for cutting formats & producing bags (foam and bubble film). Spanish brand VELA’s technology has been part of FAP since 2022.

FAP Automation. Mechatronic solutions of the highest level: automatic machine, industrial robotic

islands and collaborative robots in partnership with industry leaders; electrical boards, spare parts.

Italian Foam Centre an absolutely new way to support foam producers in challenging innovative production targets sharing knowledge and innovation with the investors. IFC has an innovative foam twin-screw counterrotating extruder with a production capacity of 40 Kg/h to create, test, approve new solutions capable of anticipating the ever-changing foam market demand. Competitive advantage

When a decision is made to invest in foam production, it is important to understand what market challenges are being addressed and whether the end product will be competitive.

The final decision when selecting the foam extruder is one of the key factors in the success of the project. Stability of the production process at the most optimal production cost can be achieved only if the most important technological processes of polymer extrusion, such as:

• Uniform melt homogenization and gas dispersion into the melt; qualitative mixing;

• Stability of formation of homogeneous gas structural elements;

• Control of polymer expansion and many other technological factors.

All this critically affects the quality of foamed materials, production cost and the final value. FAP is proud that,

thanks to its vast knowledge and engineering expertise the counterrotating twin-screw extrusion technology with developed foam extrusion dies for thin and thick foams has enabled its customers worldwide to produce materials with high physical-mechanical properties, even at ultra-low densities, when the market demands it.

New opportunities

Low processing costs and the use of up to 100% recycled materials in the production are among the most important factors in the use of non-crosslinked physically PE/ PP foam in production of noise insulation of interfloor ceilings, of thermal insulation in high ambient temperatures, of thermal insulation for windows aluminum profiles, of foam food trays, of heat and sound insulation for automotive and aviation industries, etc.

In November 2023, IFC, together with a partner, carried out a series of tests to obtain a new product from partially cross-linked physically foamed polyethylene using carbon dioxide (CO2) as a blowing agent. This foam, using a special grafted LDPE with a cross-linked catalyst, allows to use it at temperatures up to 95-100 C° allowing to partially replace traditional chemically cross-linked foamed PE, opening up completely new markets, and making a contribution to “closed loop” economy.

FAP develops by actively analyzing and adapting to changes and developments in the foam markets, supporting the successful diversification of its customers, who not only produce a versatile product, but also discover new perspectives and production opportunities in alternative niches. www.fapitaly.com

MIX new laboratory for the best final result

MIX has recently enhanced its internal Testing Facility with brand new machineries and now trials can be carried out at temperature as high as +200°C, and pressure to +5bar or vacuum

Since 1990 MIX s.r.l. has been designing and manufacturing mixing systems and industrial components for bulk solids handling. During these years, MIX has had the opportunity to come in touch with many different products, learning that each process is unique and deserves a custom manufactured mixer to fulfill its purpose. Thanks to this continuously growing experience, MIX is able to design and manufacture batch and continuous mixers, dryers, reactors, granulators, sterilizers, heaters, coolers and blenders suitable for the most complicated industrial processes. MIX firmly believes in the importance of research, development and innovation.

Recently, MIX has enhanced its internal Testing Facility with brand new machineries and is now able to execute trials with harder parameters as temperature up to +200°C and pressure up to +5bar or vacuum.

Powders, granules, fibers, pastes can be tested in the new laboratory, even in classified hazardous atmosphere (ATEX).

The handling of chemical reactions, the measurement of moisture content of the products and the increase or decrease of pressure and temperature in the mixer is now fully automated. MIX laboratory allows the control of all parameters, during every step of the process. As usual, MIX guarantees the confidentiality of the processed information and that the results obtained during the trials in the testing facility are scalable and repeatable with industrial mixers; Thanks to the new laboratory it is now much easier to determine the characteristics of each raw material and, therefore, identify the most suitable mixing techniques for obtaining the desired final result.

PRS Europe 2024 to set a new record

Over 450 exhibitors in 4 Halls at the world’s largest event dedicated to plastics recycling

The Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRS Europe), the global exhibition and conference dedicated to plastics recycling in Europe and beyond returns to the RAI Amsterdam, The Netherlands on 19-20 June 2024. The event will take place across four halls at the RAI (Halls 9-12) for the first time, featuring a record 450 exhibiting companies and organisations.

“PRS Europe 2024 is set to be bigger and better event than ever and we expect a record number visitors to join us from around the world at the RAI, Amsterdam this summer,” says Matt Barber, Global Events Director at Crain Communications. “We have a great mix of long-established and first-time exhibitors, with over one hundred companies exhibiting at PRS Europe for the first time this year.”

“PRS Europe is an unmissable event for the industry in Europe, attracting each actor of the plastics recycling value chain,” says Ton Emans, Plastics Recyclers Europe President. “It is the perfect platform to explore cutting-edge technical innovations, track commercial developments, and stay up to date with the legislative landscape for plastics circularity.”

Conference sessions held across two theatres will cover the latest political, legislative, market and technological developments in plastics recycling. Key topics will include the future of plastic recycling in Europe, market analysis and forecasts, and in-depth analysis of the EU legislative landscape. The programme will also include sessions on: strategies for enhancing and harmonising collection and sorting, verification of recyclability and measures to achieve recycled content targets. In parallel, panel discussions will examine ways to boost the transparent

use of plastic, advance plastics recycling globally and explore the complementarity of mechanical and chemical recycling. Dedicated materials focus sessions will tackle the challenges, issues and opportunities in the recycling of PET, polyolefin films, PVC, HDPE, PP and ELV & WEEE.

The winners the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe 2024 will be announced at the event on 20 June. The seven award categories are Automotive, Electrical or Electronic Product; Building & Construction Product; Household & Leisure Product, Plastic Packaging Product, Product Technology Innovation, Recycling Machinery Innovation and Plastics Recycling Ambassador. Drawn from across the whole plastics value chain in Europe, all the finalists will be showcased in the exhibition. All of the shortlisted products and projects are made in Europe and every product contains a minimum of 50% recycled plastics. Organised jointly by Crain Communications and Plastics Recyclers Europe, the free-to-attend Plastics Recycling Show Europe is designed specifically for plastics recycling professionals. It brings together key players from the plastics and recycling sectors to showcase innovative technology, share best practices, network and do business. A broad cross-section of the industry is represented at the event including plastics recycling machinery and equipment suppliers, plastic material suppliers and compounders, pre-processors, mechanical and chemical plastics recyclers, waste management specialists and industry associations. In 2023 PRS Europe attracted a record number of more than 8,500 visitors from across Europe and more than 80 different countries internationally.

Poly to Poly is PRS Europe 2024’s platinum event sponsor, EREMA is gold sponsor and Avient, Axens, BASF. Chemical Market Analytics, Dow, Eastman Chemical, Kraton Polymers, Milliken, Neste, SK Functional Polymer and Trinseo are silver sponsors. PRS Europe’s international event supporters include ADUPI, the Indonesian Plastics Recycling Association, Indonesian Plastic Recyclers, The Alliance to End Plastic Waste and the British Plastics Federation.

To register to visit PRS Europe 2024 visit: https://www. prseventeurope.com/

Engin Plast personalized and smart solutions

Long experience in the sector has allowed Engin Plast to keep alive the focus on its mission: To create innovative and personalized solutions capable of guaranteeing a tangible and lasting benefit over time

Since 1975, based in Ferrara, Engin Plast has been operating in the sector of dosage, supervision, recovery and transport of plastic and non-plastic materials. The long experience in the sector has allowed Engin Plast to keep alive the focus on its mission: To create innovative and personalized solutions capable of guaranteeing a tangible and lasting benefit over time. From design to production, this is what Engin Plast puts into practice every day in its factory to guarantee its customers high quality and reliable products over time, reducing machine downtime problems and costs. The combination of the quality of Engin Plast products and constant innovative research brings undoubted advantages such as technologically advanced solutions and low energy consumption: these are the objectives pursued for years by Engin Plast.

The range of equipment offered by Engin Plast is intended for all application sectors of the plastics market: extrusion, blow moulding, injection, moulding, on-line and offline recovery.

Custom–made configuration

The collaboration with the customer begins already in the design phase; there is no one solution that is the same as another, because the peculiarities and needs of the customers are different and respected in the development of the project. Everything is thought and designed as in a “tailoring”, tailor-made projects.

As proof of what has been said above, here is a project recently carried out by Engin Plast (see photo) for an Italian company which needed to recover ABS/ PVC profiles (with granulator) that did not comply with the standard production, with lengths that could reach 7 metres, without cutting them, limiting the overall dimensions

Integrated granulator/conveyor belt system with mobile articulation

of the system especially in height and eliminating the need for the operator.

Engin Plast has expertly skillfully combined, technological solutions with high customization capacity, starting from the client’s specifications. The proposed project made it possible to comply the initial customer requests with additional implementations that grew during the development phase, thanks to the multidisciplinary team that Engin

Plast made available in all phases of design and custom solutions.

“Plug and play” system

Specifically, Engin Plast have created an integrated granulator/ conveyor belt system with mobile articulation fully automated which does not require the supervision of an operator during the grinding phases, capable of processing bands of profiles with lengths of 7 mt.

Special measures have been studied and applied to the grinding

chamber which, combined with the conveyor belt loading system, ensure high performance and low energy consumption. The innovative cutting concept and the de-dusting system allow producing high quality ground material without residual dust. Thanks to the pre-assembly and testing made in Engin Plast factory, the customer became operational quickly after transferring the plant to its production site following the “plug and play” easy operation. The control of the granulation plant is implemented with the use of a touch screen panel, with an intuitive operator interface. Process parameters can be collected and analysed both locally and remotely. A very interesting parameter to analyse here is the measurement of the electrical consumption (represented on a graph) which allows evaluations of the power absorbed by the granulator during the grinding phase.

Responding to market needs

Regulations and directives impose an increasingly consistent use of recycled material and this makes it imperative to customize the systems/ machines with a high technological standard in order to meet the needs of companies. The positive feedback obtained so far on the market demonstrates that Engin Plast has been able to respond to the current needs of customers to achieve greater production efficiency by combining cost optimization.

Detail loading system of the profiles

Details electrical cabinet and machine

ArabPlast

ArabPlast 2023 unfolded its grandeur

2023: A transformative showcase of innovation and sustainability in the plastics and petrochemical industry

ArabPlast, the premier trade fair for the plastics, recycling, petrochemical, packaging & rubber industry, unfolded its grandeur on the 13th of December 2023. The three-day spectacle not only celebrated the latest advancements, and innovations, but also delved into sustainable solutions, positioning itself as a pivotal player in shaping the future of the global plastics, petrochemical and allied industries. The inauguration ceremony on the 13th was graced by the esteemed presence of His Highness Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Member of the Ruling Family & Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated, further emphasizing ArabPlast’s unparalleled significance. The promise of an exceptional experience for industry professionals, enthusiasts, and stakeholders was not a mere declaration; it became a tangible reality. As the curtains were drawn on the 15th of December 2023, the resounding success of ArabPlast firmly endorsed

its unrivaled position in the Middle East’s industrial landscape and extended its influence beyond regional boundaries. A defining feature of ArabPlast 2023 was the participation of more than 750 exhibitors, representing 35 countries across the globe. This impressive gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries created a dynamic environment under a single roof. The exhibition served as a stage for unveiling groundbreaking notions, presenting the latest products, showcasing advanced technologies, and exchanging invaluable knowhow. The diverse and global representation emphasized the interconnectedness of the plastics and petrochemical sectors, fostering collaboration and cross-border exchange of ideas that are vital for the industry’s evolution.

In addition to the comprehensive displays, ArabPlast 2023 featured machine displays that captivated the audience. Cutting-edge machinery was showcased, providing attendees with a firsthand look at the latest innovations in plastic processing. Furthermore, onthe-spot machine sales added an element of practicality to the event, allowing industry professionals to acquire state-of-the-art equipment right on the exhibition floor.

The event also witnessed the unveiling of groundbreaking patented technology in plastic processing. This innovative technology represents a significant milestone in the global plastic industry, tick marking the first time introduction of such advancements. The introduction of patented technologies not only serves as a testament to the industry’s commitment to innovation but also underscores ArabPlast’s role as a platform for pioneering advancements that have the potential to reshape the entire landscape of plastic processing.

The show experienced an unprecedented surge in global visitor footfall, confirming to the event’s global appeal and significance. Exhibitors were kept busy throughout

the event, engaging with industry peers, potential partners, and business trade visitors. The media, too, played a pivotal role in amplifying the event’s impact, with continuous coverage and buzz surrounding ArabPlast 2023. Once again, the show has proven to be a catalyst for industrial progress, creating a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

Aligning with the global transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious economy, ArabPlast positioned itself at the forefront. Exhibitors showcased eco-friendly solutions, sustainable practices, and innovations aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the plastics and petrochemical industry. The commitment of these industries in the Middle East and beyond to sustainability was evident in the initiatives and products unveiled during the event, solidifying ArabPlast’s role as a driving force in fostering environmental responsibility.

ArabPlast 2023 served as a focal point of ideas, technologies, and sustainable practices, providing a roadmap for the future of the plastics and allied industry. The event’s success has established its resilience, adaptability, and innovation inherent in these sectors, even in the face of global challenges.

As we reflect on ArabPlast 2023, it is evident that the event not only met but exceeded expectations. It showcased the industry’s ability to evolve, embrace sustainability, but also highlighted its potential for fostering global collaboration.

The connections made, the innovations unveiled, and the commitments to a more sustainable future will undoubtedly vibrate throughout the industry for years to come, leaving a mark on its trajectory.

In conclusion, ArabPlast 2023 has set a new standard for trade fairs in the plastics and petrochemical industry. It not only reflected the current state of the industry but has provided a compelling glimpse into its promising future. The organizers, exhibitors, visitors, and stakeholders have collectively contributed to making ArabPlast 2023 an unparalleled success and as we eagerly look forward, the impact of this event will undoubtedly continue to shape the plastics and petrochemical industry globally. www.arabplast.info

Caldara Plast: A new perspective for a greener future

The future belongs to companies that care about the environment

Under the guidance of brothers, Massimiliano, Attilio and Alessandro, Caldara Plast is increasingly distinguishing itself on the market as an industrial recycling company capable of providing a 360-degree service: from recovery of waste material, scraps, offcuts etc. to the supply of regenerated compounds, including the line of “Caldara 2nd Life” certified products. On the recovery side, the company offers suppliers the possibility to give a new life to production waste. On the compound side, the company offers customers regenerated compounds, such as industrial-grade granules and modified raw materials, all produced according to their needs. Caldara Plast is a valuable partner for customers that want to develop new formulations, thanks to the specific skills of the company’s specialised technicians able to meet all their needs.

Caldara Plast products

The thermoplastic granules are intended for the automotive, furniture, household appliance and electrical industries both in Italy (70%) and internationally (30%). During the last few months, supplies to the international market grew despite the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The main compounds produced by the company are sinLAC ABS, sinBLEND PC/ABS, sinCARB PC, sinSTYR PS, sinMID PA6 E PA66, sinTRON PPS, sinPOM POM,

sinGLASS PMMA, sinKRYL SAN, sinTER PBT, sinPET PET. The great market demand for regenerated products and the desire to make them more and more recognisable, has led Caldara Plast to certify the quality of its materials. Thus, in 2020 the company obtained the “PSV - Plastica Seconda Vita” (Plastic Second Life) mark issued by the IPPR (Institute for the Promotion of Recycled Plastics) for a series of products. These certifications guarantee the customer complete traceability of all components of the finished product and ensure that

they contain a minimum percentage of recycled plastic, as well as meet strict environmental and social parameters in the production chain. Large production capacity, speed and availability are the most suitable terms to describe this Lombardybased production company, whose investments in the coming months will concern the production and business organisation, as well as communication and technology.

Caldara Plast production process

The company’s core business has always been the recovery of industrial processing waste, mainly from processes such as moulding, thermoforming, extrusion and blow-moulding of different types of plastics. These materials are then ground through mills at the Erba site, which is duly authorized for the recovery, transport and storage of the inputs used, which by law are considered waste. Caldara Plast directly organizes the entire cycle, from the collection of waste with the help of its own fleet of vehicles, providing companies with special tanks, roll-off skips and presses to collect the material. The material destined for recovery, once ground, is stored in the warehouses and can consequently be sold as such or sent to the Alzate Brianza site, which specializes in extrusion for the production of customized thermoplastic granules.

In the Compound Division, the ground material is thus processed and, depending on the customer’s specific requirements, it can be re-granulated without additions, or it can be additivated (with flame retardants, also halogenfree, glass fibre, carbon fibre, glass spheres, anti-static, laserable, UV, antibacterial, conductive additives, aramid fibre) and/or pigmented and then extruded with special single and twin-screw dies. All together, Caldara Plast boasts no less than

15 extrusion lines with relative mixers to homogenize production batches. Processing takes place on a continuous cycle, consequently managing to extrude, at full capacity, over 100 tonnes per day of material for a total of approximately 22,000 tonnes per year.

The division’s laboratory houses specialized technicians who constantly check the quality of the product, both incoming and outgoing, directly on site, thus personally guaranteeing high quality standards and keeping them constant over time.

Well aware of the fact that respect for the environment and the incentive to use recycled plastic are driving the markets well beyond forecasts, Caldara Plast is structuring itself in an increasingly efficient manner to respond to the consequent constantly evolving market dynamics, in line with the company mission, which is to reduce the share of non-recoverable plastic waste to a minimum and to promote the culture of using regenerated material, considerably reducing the use of virgin raw materials, where technically feasible.

Caldara Plast is increasingly convinced that the use of regenerated plastic material must increasingly be the first choice of companies that care about the environment.

The trend of recent years is to “measure” the impact that each company has on the environment and Caldara, with the support of external evaluators, has also begun to analyse its consumption of water, energy, natural gas, fuel etc. and understand your impact on the entire production cycle: from the procurement of raw materials to the manufacturing cycle up to the delivery of the material to customers. The boundary of this analysis was defined and the data from recent

years was compared. The aim is to find points for improvement and efficiency and check in subsequent years whether the established objectives have been achieved. An incentive to always do better. The document constructed by referring to the internationally recognized technical standards in the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) field is called LCP - Life Cycle Perspective and has allowed the company to see first-hand how much the granules produced with post-industrial or post-recycled material consumption have a decidedly lower impact than virgin raw materials. The analysis was also confirmed for 2024.

It is the choices of companies that underline their green vocation.

Caldara Plast customers know that, for the same price, they are choosing a regenerated compound that will help them to be more sustainable too.

Caldara guarantees its customers compliance with all legal authorizations for waste collection and storage, as well as with all relevant European and international regulations (RoHS, REACH, etc.). The company is also ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certified.

Caldara Plast wants to let stakeholders know that plastic is a versatile material, recyclable and reusable countless times in the production process, thus reducing the environmental impact. The world production of plastics in increasingly and the recycling of plastics allows a reduction of up to 90% of CO2 emissions compared to its production. Caldara Plast’s mission is to give a second life to waste, which today can no longer be considered a second choice but the first choice of companies that care about the environment. For an increasingly greener future. Because the future belongs to companies that care about the environmentwww.caldara.it – info@caldara.it

ACHEMA 2024: Shaping the future of the process industries

From 10 to 14 June 2024, ACHEMA will once again be the place to go for the entire range of technologies and services for the process industries. With six innovation themes and the Special Show Hydrogen, the world’s leading trade show for process technology will focus on the key challenges facing the industry in 2024

The process industries are a driver of innovation and growth in the global economy – and simultaneously undergoing a transformation themselves. The “green” transformation is by far the most challenging project in the history of the process industry, with hydrogen potentially becoming a game changer. In many places, digitalisation is seen as the key to innovation across the industry – from plant engineering to the laboratory sector. In addition, fluctuations in supply chains and geopolitical divisions are driving the need for flexible and regional plant projects.

That is why ACHEMA 2024 will present concrete solutions with five Innovation Themes, the associated Innovation Stages and the Special Show Hydrogen.

“The ACHEMA Innovation Stages are located in the immediate vicinity of the exhibition and directly in the halls, according to the respective topics covered,” says Dr Björn Mathes, CEO of DECHEMA AusstellungsGmbH, explaining the concept.

“Each Innovation Stage will feature

keynotes, expert panel discussions and case study presentations from both users and solution providers.”

Process Innovation: Making plants future-proof Innovations in process technology are at the heart of ACHEMA. Process technology today is at a crossroads: While new investments in “green technologies” are growing at an unprecedented pace, it is becoming increasingly complex to maintain operations and keep existing plants in the market. This is where the Process Innovation Stage comes in, with topics such as electrification, making chemical processes more flexible and efficient, and contributions on smart technology, equipment, analytics and operations.

Pharma Innovation: Experience the latest in pharmaceutical technology Pharma technology is the fastestgrowing community at ACHEMA, and the pharmaceutical industry has never been more exciting. As new research and production methods are developed and new sites are established around the world, existing processes must meet increasingly stringent requirements

and standards. In addition to numerous other Pharma Innovation topics, biopharmaceutical production will be a particular focus of discussion in 2024. The Pharma Innovation Stage in Hall 4.1 will focus on biopharmaceutical production in addition to many other topics related to pharmaceutical production and packaging – also the focus of the Pharma Highlight Session on Monday, 10 June 2024 from 13:00 to 14:00: Under the title “Next generation pharma manufacturing – current advances in cell and gene Therapy”, the focus will be on the centralised and decentralised production of cell therapeutics and the current challenges of translational research and the marketing of therapies.

Green Innovation: On the path to sustainable transformation

Production-integrated environmental protection, efficient industrial water management and the integration of molecular and industrial biotechnology have already become hallmarks of ACHEMA. But Green Innovation by now also means solving the challenge of carbonneutral production in the process industry, as well as addressing issues around the circular economy, ESG and sustainable investment. As the biggest transformation challenge the chemical industry has ever faced, carbon-neutral production requires a technological leap forward in apparatus and plant engineering. In the highlight session “Beyond fossil fuels – exploring alternative carbon sources for a sustainable chemical industry” on Thursday, 13 June 2024 from 13:00 to 14:00, experts from science and industry will discuss how fossil-free production can become a reality.

Lab Innovation: Where value creation begins

The laboratory is the birthplace of world-changing innovations and the traditional guardian of product quality. Success in the lab is determined more than ever by the technologies used there and the interfaces with engineering and production. In addition to lab design, planning, construction and management, advanced bioanalytics and pharmaceutical applications will be examined in depth. At ACHEMA 2024, the Lab Innovation Stage will be coupled with an Action Area dedicated to the digitalised, miniaturised and automated laboratory of the future.

Digital Innovation: Advancing the digital transformation Digitalisation and the resulting innovations such as advanced analytics or Industry 4.0 technologies continue to be a perennial topic. The complexity of the issues is increasing rather than decreasing: IT vs. OT, connectivity vs. security or smart vs. smart enough – the challenge for operators is to find exactly the right configuration for their business. With this in mind, the Digital Innovation Stage will cover numerous topics around key enablers of innovation today.

Hydrogen Innovation and Special Show Hydrogen

Hyperscaling hydrogen production and infrastructure is one of the key enablers for a clean energy transition and achieving climate goals. Only ACHEMA offers so many solutions for producing, handling, transporting and storing hydrogen. The Hydrogen Innovation Stage covers all aspects relevant to the process industry: rapid scaling of production and infrastructure, power-to-X, industrial applications and sector coupling and many more.

The special show hydrogen presents the previous milestones and future challenges of the hydrogen

economy. Experience the latest technologies and innovations for global and regional hydrogen projects in one place and gain insights into pre-competitive collaboration to solve hydrogen challenges.

“ACHEMA is the showcase for process technology worldwide. It is precisely in the field of hydrogen that the central role of the ACHEMA community becomes evident, with its many technologically mature innovations paving the way to the hydrogen economy,” says Björn Mathes. “With its technological diversity, ACHEMA will once again be the central hub in the global innovation network in 2024 and thus the basis for setting the course for the future in the process industries and far beyond.”

About ACHEMA

ACHEMA is the world forum for chemical engineering, process engineering and biotechnology. The world’s leading show for the process industries takes place every three years in Frankfurt. The spectrum ranges from laboratory equipment, pumps and analytical devices to packaging machinery, boilers and stirrers to safety technology, materials and software, thus covering all the needs of the chemical, pharmaceutical and food production industries. The accompanying congress, featuring scientific lectures and numerous guest and partner events, complements the wide range of exhibition themes. The next ACHEMA will take place from 10 to 14 June 2024 in Frankfurt am Main. www.achema.de/en

FILTEC: Italian excellence in the field of filtration and granulation of plastics

A journey through 30 years of research, environmental sustainability, craftsmanship and innovation

Astar in the industry of filtration and granulation of plastics, based in Badia Polesine (Italy), in the hearth of Veneto Region: Filtec. With over 30 years of experience, this company has established itself on the market as a lighthouse of innovation and quality. Over the years Filtec has been responding to the management, production and consumption optimization challenges that have affected the industrial sector. Founded in 1993 by the Baracco family, driven by an already consolidated experience in the field of special automation for thermoplastics, just two years after

opening Filtec introduced the first Water Ring pelletizer in the market and started to produce the first prototype of Underwater Pelletizer. These products are still present in the company catalogue which have undergone evolutions and transformations over the years to keep up with the times. Together with the granulation systems, the products range offers single/double plate screen changers, water filtration and cooling systems, vented vibrating screens, centrifuges

In 2022, the restyling of the logo and the renewed website show the visionary spirit of Filtec, made up of increasingly high-performance challenges and technologies.

Today, within its over 5,000 m2 of factories, the watchword is craftsmanship. An all-Italian craftsmanship that not only makes the Made in Italy its strong point, but which uses on-site production to guarantee customers total control over the quality of its systems and a customer service close always available.

Filtec is more than just a manufacturer of machinery: it is a trusted partner, a supplier of tailormade solutions, a collaborator who is committed to guaranteeing reliable and constant performance over time. In addition to the very high quality of systems and materials, the company stands out on the market for a customer service that goes beyond expectations, actively contributing to maintaining efficient and long-lasting systems. With its tireless commitment to ensuring excellent technical and commercial assistance, at Filtec each system is designed to guarantee high performance, together with the advanced management software and integrated CRM which allow for impeccable organization in sales and purchases

With more than 700 customers all over the world, over 400 suppliers and more than 1,600 global installations, Filtec is a true emblem of Made in Italy whose gaze, like that of any

self-respecting leader, goes beyond mere production of machinery and extends to the environmental theme. For years, in fact, Filtec has been an official partner of “Are you R”, a European project that aims to raise awareness among the world population about plastics recycling The decision to establish this strong collaboration is a clear manifestation of a profound commitment towards the circular economy, recycling, and sustainability

In more details, the “Are you R” project aims to increase collective awareness on the relevance of recycling plastic materials. By telling daily stories about reusing and recycling, this path has now become the point of reference for thousands of people who exchange opinions every day with a single common denominator: the desire to be an active part in the process of environmental sustainability through recycling. From this perspective, Filtec’s participation in this initiative reflects its commitment to seeking sustainable solutions for the good of the planet, joining a broader community with its same goal.

Looking ahead in time and moving on to annual events, the company is preparing for 2024 with enthusiasm, participating in several leading trade fairs in the sector around the world. It starts on 19 and 20 June in Amsterdam with PRS Europe 2024, continuing from 10 to 12 September in Dubai with PRS Middle East & Africa

On the PRS events (Plastics Recycling Shows) organized around the world, Filtec will have the opportunity to compete with the largest players in the field of plastics recycling, presenting its products and exporting its know-how first to Europe and then to Asia. On 11 and 12 September it will be the turn of the Compounding World Expo Europe in Brussels, while for the last event of the year the company is ready to fly to Friedrichshafen, Germany, for the 2024 edition of Fakuma, the leading global trade event for industrial plastics processing, with over 1,600 participating exhibitors.

At these events, Filtec will bring its virtual showroom as last year. Thanks to this new platform, customers and visitors are offered an engaging experience that allows them to explore the products, discover their characteristics and understand the potential of the systems simply with a monitor and a couple of clicks. A real virtual visit to the entire range of products, with the aim of allowing customers to examine materials and components in detail to be able to make informed and personalized choices. In short, give customers a realistic vision of Filtec’s entire offering; showing the company’s desire to equip itself with innovative technologies to support sales. In conclusion, thanks to tireless work aimed at continuous improvement, Filtec today represents a national excellence with deep roots in Italian craftsmanship What holds the group together is the vocation for environmental sustainability, demonstrated by the partnership with “Are you R” but also by a work ethic that reserves the utmost respect for these issues. Participation in international fairs, attention to recycling, the very high quality of the offer and continuous research activities summarize Filtec’s nature as a global leader in its sector.

Filtec will exhibit at:

PRS ME&A is the epicentre of innovation

Plastics Recycling Show Middle East & Africa returns to Dubai

10-12 September 2024

The Plastics Recycling Show Middle East & Africa (PRS ME&A) returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 10 to 12 September 2024. The three-day exhibition and conference enjoyed a very successful launch in 2023 and is the only event in the region specifically dedicated to plastics recycling.

“The Middle East and Africa have seen rapid growth in recycling in recent years. And Dubai is at the epicentre,” said Taher Patrawala, Managing Director of Media Fusion. “We brought the PRS brand to the region last year with the vision of advancing the industry. The interest garnered in our first event has shown us just how vast the industry is in this region and how the plastics recycling industry will impact sustainability as a whole.”

“PRS Middle East & Africa brings together a wide range of international exhibitors, more than 60 leading speakers and thousands of visitors from across the region,” added Matt Barber. “We are looking forward to an even bigger event this year.”

The Plastics Recycling Show Middle East & Africa is designed for plastics recycling professionals. It brings together key players from the plastics and recycling sectors to showcase innovative technology, share best practice, network and do business. A broad crosssection of the industry is represented at the event including plastics recycling machinery and equipment suppliers, plastic material suppliers and compounders, pre-processors, plastics recyclers, recycling and waste management specialists, regional government and industry associations.

The latest trends in the plastics recycling sector will be explored in depth in the conference, which provides a holistic view of the whole plastic recycling value chain, drawing together legislators, major brands, recyclers and the plastics recycling and manufacturing industry. International experts will address key themes including the circular economy, regulations, challenges, opportunities, innovations, technologies and trends, and share insights and experiences from across the sector promoting the sustainable use of plastics. A large number of companies and organisations operating across the region have already signed up to exhibit at the this year’s event including: Alliance Recycling, Bandera, CMG Granulators, Doha Plastic, East Harbor Trading Co, EREMA, FAM Recycling, FIMIC, Go Green, Gulf Bioplastics, Krones, Packem Umasree , Pashupati Group, Pellenc ST, Polystar Machinery, Rowad Plastic, Saydas Plastik, Sharmeen Polymers, Starlinger., Tomra Sorting, Vecoplan and XL Recycling.

PRS Middle East & Africa is organised by Crain Communications and Media Fusion and is supported by Plastics Recyclers Europe. The annual three-day event first took place in September 2023 and attracted over 100 exhibitors and more than 4,300 visitors. 61% of visitors were from Africa & Asia, 36% were from the Middle East and 3% from Rest of World. The event’s conference attracted over 60 speakers from leading brands, government and regulatory bodies, and companies involved in all aspects of the recycling of plastics. For more information on exhibiting and visiting The Plastics Recycling Show Middle East & Africa, visit: https://prseventmea.com

Gamma Meccanica: Smart solutions for plastics recycling

With Gamma Meccanica’s classic Tandem technology it is possible to recycle the most “difficult” plastic waste: Heavily printed, wet and highly contaminated

Since 1987, Gamma Meccanica has been designing and manufacturing plants and machines to recycle a wide range of plastic materials.

The consolidated experience and deep competence combined with a high level of technical solutions enable the company to meet the growing needs of international markets and to offer customized solutions for each customer. Whether it is industrial or postconsumer waste, GM lines can recycle both transforming the material into perfect granules for new uses.

Main types of GM plastic recycling lines

• Compact lines for the recycling and compounding of low bulk density materials with high residual moisture.

• Tandem Lines for the recycling of heavily printed, highly contaminated materials, with high residual moisture.

• Conventional Lines with various dosing systems for the recycling of plastics that have been pre-sized or ground prior to processing.

Gamma Meccanica lines are characterized by high level of automation, maximum quality of the recycled product (granules) and improved energy savings.

Tandem PLUS technology

The new series of GM Tandem lines born to give more “added” value to waste materials is the result of constant evolution of technology.

With Gamma Meccanica’s classic Tandem technology it is possible to recycle the most “difficult” plastic waste: heavily printed, wet and highly contaminated. The ultimate Tandem PLUS line improves characteristics during the upcycling process, so it is ideal for the production of compounds from recycled materials for special applications. There are numerous advantages for customers with the possibility to obtain maximum quality of the recycled product (granules).

The regeneration and “upcycling” process can begin with a gravimetric dosing station to feed the materials in a more precise and accurate way to the COMPAC system which has the function of shredding and densifying the waste material to be recycled. From the COMPAC the material is pushed with constant flow from the feeding screw into the extruder. Connected to the first extruder is a self-cleaning screen changer installed to remove the contaminants present in the melted polymer. There is a melt pump to dose the material from the primary extruder to the secondary twin-screw. The high-performance vacuum system is installed for removal of up to 10 times more gas and humidity in the melted material compared to other systems. At this point, the polymer is “enriched” with master, carbonate and various additives inside the twin-screw extruder which allows the production of compounds directly from plastic waste. The upcycling process ends with the cutting of the melted material inside the TDA pelletizing system.

An example of the latest Tandem Plus line is a GM160 delivered to a one of the Italian customers. The complete system has an average production capacity of 1800 kg/h of LDPE-HDPE-PP-Compound.

The first part of the line consists of COMPAC feeding system and a single-screw extruder GM 160/28D. The self-cleaning screen changer is connected to the first extruder to remove the contaminants present in the melted polymer. At the exit of the screen changer, the melt is “degassed” by the highperformance vacuum chamber to

avoid defects in the granules such as “air bubbles”. At this point, the polymer is “enriched” with master, carbonate and various additives inside the twin-screw extruder. The fillers and additives are fed using a gravimetric dosing system. At the end of the twin-screw extruder is installed our TDA 6.0 water ring pelletizer.

Thanks to Gamma Meccanica’s Tandem PLUS lines recyclers or processors can recover this material with a 100% yield, without the additional drying and antioxidant process. The line can be used entirely, especially in cases of very “difficult” materials. The functioning of two extruders arranged in succession ensures a uniform granule composition. The process does not stress the material which, as confirmed by laboratory tests, does not degrade, nor requires the use of additives. This composition grants a great flexibility, an excellent quality of the granule and energy saving.

SMI solutions for high-capacity containers

Producing and filling PET containers with a large capacity of up to 10 L, all with a single machine, is increasingly the optimal solution for producers of mineral water and table oil, and SMI offers them the best innovative solutions

Producing and filling PET containers with a large capacity of up to 10 L, all with a single machine, is increasingly the optimal solution for producers of mineral water and table oil. This compact and flexible solution offers numerous advantages in terms of reducing production costs, since the system does not require the presence of a rinser. In addition, the ECOBLOC® ERGON system, does not need conveyor belts between the blow moulding machine and the filler and the relative accumulation, thus guaranteeing a controlled and flexible production process. All this translates into greater efficiency, for the management of the entire wet part of the bottling line by a single operator on an extremely compact surface, while improving the sustainability of production, thanks to reduced energy consumption.

(foto 1 - ECOBLOC K HEVS)

Eco-sustainable containers for large productions

From the point of view of size, “highcapacity” containers, such as 5, 8 and 10-litre bottles, are arousing growing interest from companies in the beverage sector, that are attentive to “green” and energyefficient solutions for their plants. The use of large bottles, allows to bottle a certain volume of product in a smaller number of containers, thus reducing the logistic, handling and disposal costs of the entire supply chain.

SMI has decades of experience, both in the construction of machines for the production of large capacity containers, and in the design of bottles that meet the functional and aesthetic needs of customers.

Thanks to an advanced CAD centre for 3D design, SMI invests in innovative solutions to produce rPET bottles of all sizes and shapes, 100% recyclable, resistant, light and energetically “virtuous”.

In China, the company Huihuang United Food chose the integrated system ECOBLOC® ERGON by SMI

The consumption of bottled water is constantly growing in every part of the world. In China, for instance, in the first quarter of 2023 alone, the sales of bottled water increased by 10.9%. In this scenario, the main companies in the beverage industry, such as Huihuang United Food, keep investing in increasingly modern and efficient plants, such as the integrated blowing-filling-capping system

ECOBLOC® ERGON by SMI, recently installed in Tianjin for bottling C’estbon brand products in 4.5 L PET containers. The history of Huihuang United (Tianjin) Food starts in 2011, when the company was founded as a subsidiary of Macau Huiyang International Investment Co., a company belonging to the industrial giant Zhuhai Zhongu for bottling beverages of different brands, such as Coca-Cola and C’estbon.

SMI solutions for Huihuang United Food

The cooperation between Huihuang United Food Co. (Tianjin) and SMI started 12 years ago with the purchase of some shrink wrappers for packing bottles under the brand Coca-Cola. The installation of the first 6-cavity stretch-blow moulder for the production of 4.5 and 6 L PET containers under the brand C’estbon dates back to 2015. Thanks to the last investment that led to the purchase of the ECOBLOC® ERGON system, the first supplied by SMI in China, the company was able to increase the production of 4.5 and 6 L formats, which are in high demand by the market, and to further increase the quality and technological profile of the adopted solutions.

ECOBLOC® ERGON 6-16-4 HC HEVF stretch-blowing/filling/capping system

Containers worked: 4.5 and 6L PET containers of C’estbon natural water.

Main advantages

• Compact solution for stretch-blow moulding, filling and capping large capacity PET bottles

• Does not require a rinsing machine and air belts between blower and filler

• Precise and fast filling and capping process, thanks to the electronic control system of operations, motorised stretch rods and the use

of high-efficiency valves controlled by flow meters

• Reduced energy consumption

• Energy-efficient IR preform heating lamps

• Two-stage air recovery system, which reduces energy costs for highpressure compressed air production

• Filling valves that manage two speeds in order to fill homogeneously, efficiently and without product spilling from the container. The duration of the filling cycles (slow or fast) can be managed in a simple and intuitive way through the recipes in the human-machine interface (HMI Posyc®)

• Reduced maintenance and management costs of the plant.

Eeasy-cap cap elevator /sorter

• Function: gravitational cap sorter, which takes the caps from a hopper and turns them correctly until they reach the bottling line.

• Main advantages:

• very compact structure, made of AISI 304 steel, suitable for any layout solution

• Smooth and linear operation, that will only carry the caps that are in the correct position

• System suitable for different types of plastic caps

• User-friendly operator interface, which allows easy and efficient use of the machine by the operator.

Solutions for “tethered caps”

The anchored caps, which remain attached to the bottle after being opened, will become an everyday object for European consumers from 2024, when the EU Directive 2019/904 comes into force. This new European Union measure establishes the minimum percentage of recycled material that must be present in plastic bottles used for bottling beverages (25% from 2025 and 30% from 2030); moreover, it states that the so-called “tethered caps” on PET and rPET bottles must remain attached to the container, so that they can be recycled together with the bottle, avoiding dispersion in the environment.

Aware of the challenges that this new legislation poses to food and beverage manufacturers, SMI have studied a series of innovative solutions to produce rPET containers compliant with Directive 2019/904, supporting customers in choosing the type of bottle and tethered cap that best meets their specific needs.

Nova5eT, setting new standards

The new range of all electric Nova5eT presses offers many innovative features to help achieve the best possible result during moulding

The “PrePack” function is certainly one of the most important and represents a notable step forward in automatic process control. This function is used to inject with the certainty that the non-return valve is perfectly closed: in this way the screw behaves like a plunger offering absolute repeatability from cycle to cycle, even with strokes equal to a third or half of the screw diameter.

The press is thus extremely precise even when printing with small quantities of injected material and in

technical moulding, without having to use ultra-small injection units, which would make the press less versatile in the event of a change in processing.

The Prepack works based on measuring the pressures of the material inside the cylinder and detecting the resistance it opposes; the Tact V checks the parameters and automatically carries out a special procedure by acting directly on the screw and thus monitoring the positioning of the non-return valve, ensuring that it is actually closed. This new series of presses offers the possibility of setting the injection filling phase and the transition to maintenance according to different configurations and modes. The switching can be set by height (screw position), by time, by pressure or by interfacing with an external or cavity sensor.

In addition to these settings, we can also carry out a further “fine tuning” of the moment in which the transition between the filling phase and the maintenance phase occurs (V/P changeover reaction control)Specifically, we can have an automatic “time” control that

acts on the deceleration and acceleration ramps between the filling and post-pressure phase or an automatic “speed” control where a “target speed” is identified with which the screw carries out this transition very quickly (in case of rapid cycles or thin thicknesses). Finally, we can set this phase in a personalized way by manually selecting the time and speed settings and control parameters and thus optimizing the quality of production according to the sensitivity of the process technician.

MIP function

The Nova5et also features the MIP (processing inside mould) function which acts on the movement of the extractor when the mould is closed. By selecting the MIP function, we can cut the sprue when the mould is still closed or we can obtain an application similar to the compression injection but managed by the positioning of the extractor.

Pre-pack

• Volumes and constant compact melt density

• table response of the screw valve

• Auto homogeneous adaptation of production & regrind material

Quality, sturdiness and reliability

Bruno Folcieri machines are highly renowned worldwide for their technology and distinguishing features, such as quality, design, construction, and high reliability

Founded in 1946, the Bruno Folcieri company today occupies an important position in the international panorama of manufacturers of plastic granulation machines. A 78-years long history that has seen the succession of three generations of the Folcieri family and which today commits Esmeralda together with her father Ezio Zoppi to lead the company. The company operates 65-70% outside national borders. In Europe it is present in a widespread manner and the overseas gaze is focused on America, where there is a strong interest because it is an emerging market in terms of recycling. South America is an equally interesting commercial outlet, where there are important realities. Bruno Folcieri also reaches Asia, a rapidly expanding market. The growth path is unstoppable and marked by important milestones that have seen the Italian company become one of the reference companies in the plastics sector, establishing itself as an important

industrial reality in the development, design and construction of systems for the grinding of plastic waste deriving for post-industrial and postconsumer use.

The Bruno Folcieri’s market offer consists of three main ranges:

TOP, HF and EASY POWER, whose model 2,000, represents the flagship of Bruno Folcieri production. It is the largest machine in the range, weighing 32 tons, and offers important performance. The weight denotes its significant structural strength and the ability to withstand production efforts. While the internal casing coating in interchangeable manganese steel plates is effective in resisting the abrasiveness of certain materials and contaminants.

Products TOP and TOP WET granulators with a high production capacity suitable for particularly intensive applications, such as the grinding of heavy lumps, hard fibers, extremely thin films or simply large quantities of material. The great versatility in grinding operations allows for the management of a very wide range of plastic materials in terms of type and configuration. The machines in this series stand out due to their highly sturdy and heavyduty construction, whose main feature is the rotor made from a solid forged monoblock without welding. Another unique feature is the interchangeability of many of the components which are subject to wear over time, such as the rotor blade holders and the cutting chamber protection plates. These machines are also available in the WET water version.

hopper and special conformation of the cutting chamber allow for easy access to the heart of the machine, for maintenance purposes. These machines are also available in the WET water version.

HF

One-step grinding system specific for pipes and profiles of large diameter and high thickness without the need for pre-shredding. It is possible to continuously grind smooth and corrugated pipes in HDPE, PP and RIGID PVC up to a maximum length of 6m. These are highly robust granulators with rotor diameter from 830 up to 1930mm. The system consists of a loading box with hydraulic closing for loading the tubes which automatically pours them directly into the loading hopper of the mill. In this, a material pusher acts by advancing the tube towards the grinding chamber.

EASY POWER and EASY POWER WET

The EASY POWER is the largest capacity granulator built for the most rigorous conditions. It is suitable for tough, abrasive or contaminated materials that can cause high wear. The major feature is the heavy steel construction and the rotor, made from a solid block of hardened steel forged without any welding, as proof of extreme solidity, strength and resistance. Most machine components are interchangeable, such as the rotor blade holders, blade locking wedges and wearresistant steel protection plates of the cutting chamber, which ensures maximum machine efficiency and duration over time. In addition, the complete opening of the feed

The advancement is controlled according to the load ensuring optimal use of the machine. The entire grinding process is extremely safe because it is completely automated and does not require operator intervention.

All machines can be integrated into 4.0 industrial processes.

Bruno Folcieri is actively involved in the scenario of Industry 4.0 with systems that make machines “intelligent communicating entities” even remotely. In integration with the IT and ITC world. The remote assistance service allows interventions on the configuration of the control system, through a company tpc/ip network connection and an internet connection.

BD Plast filtering systems

Thirty-six years of innovation, development of ideas, and proposals for innovative solutions have characterized BD Plast’s approach to the market

Filtration systems are a crucial component of extrusion, remanufacturing, and recycling lines of polymeric materials. The finalproduct quality and the process’s efficiency depend on them.

BD Plast supplies a complete range of products to extrusion plant manufacturers and plastics transformers all over the world composed by manual screen changers, static filters, hydraulic screen changers, extrusion components (adapters, elbows, pipes, static mixers, diverter valves, strand dies), continuous flow screen changers, continuous flow self-cleaning screen changers, accessories (hydraulic power units, undercarriage supports, elastomers, hydraulic die changers).

Thanks to these screen changers’ versions, BD Plast’s technology can supply specific solutions capable of processing any kind of polymer while maximizing production and reducing at minimum material waste.

The strategy that has allowed BD Plast to grow and develop over the years, becoming from a small national company to a strategic partner of important manufacturers of extrusion plants in Europe, Canada, and the United States, is to engineer and produce all the machines and their components internally, to keep every aspect of the production process under control, thus offering the market unique and customized solutions, capable of responding to

even the most demanding requests.

It was 1986 when a family business opened its doors in Bondeno, in the province of Ferrara, immediately engaged in the production and sale of screen changers for plastic extrusion lines, consolidating its position in Italy over time through downstream technology, with the awareness of being able to compete by the flexibility of its systems and the ability to customize products.

Thirty-six years of innovation, development of ideas, and proposals for innovative solutions have characterized BD Plast’s approach to the market, with a propensity for renewal not only as regards the supply of systems but also for strategic choices aimed at responding to various changes in the production context.

The Emilian company now employs fifty highly qualified employees, capable of contributing to the growth of the company through the design and construction of new lines of machines and products such as adapters, elbows, and pipes, consolidating important international partnerships over time

and enhancing the service, intended as a real added value for maximum customer satisfaction BD Plast can provide complete platforms that are grouped with screen changers of any type integrated with volumetric or gear pumps, complex solutions in which the company can supply all the downstream, excluding the extrusion heads.

Many requests from the market also concern continuous flow screen changer, capable of perfect continuity of the melt flow, according to a high technology developed to minimize waste in the production cycle.

“Ours is a reality which does not work through upheavals, but follows a logic of continuous improvement and, in this sense, we are also working on traditional plants to make them economically better and safer. We have a complete line of reliable and high-quality screen changers, guaranteed by the internal mastery of the entire process, from machine design to assembly at the customer premises - said Dante Boicelli, CEO of BD Plast - We manufacture 1400 systems per year, and this commits us a lot also from the point of view of our Technical Office, which is focused on making products of different sizes and deeply customized.”

BD Plast has reached the third generation of management and still employs the founding entrepreneurial family. Clarissa Frazzoli, the wife of Dante Boicelli, has always led the administrative area with the utmost attention and, since 1988, has started the IT development process of the company, bringing it nowadays to the daily use of software and IT technologies best positioned in the Magic Quadrant for the various areas, Cybersecurity among the priorities.

The son Dino Boicelli, after a degree and a master’s degree in business administration, attended Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan and oversees the company’s marketing management.

Through the most recent IT platforms and CADCAM integrated design systems, the engineers of the company exploit all the experience and professionalism gained in the sector to offer the

market the best technologies, allowing BD Plast to act as an extrusion partner, looking at the entire extrusion process, to grasp its problems and needs, to experiment with new responses modeled on different systems and to react in real-time, guaranteeing speed at every level of intervention, from the economic offer to the sharing of the project, up to after-sales assistance. Customer service, both in the purchase and after-sales phase, has always been one strength of BD Plast. This sensitivity has developed thanks to constant and punctual attention that has been implemented over the years at all levels: technical assistance, availability of spare parts and components, speed of deliveries, and prompt intervention. All these ingredients make it possible to keep the equipment efficiency and to avoid production stops.

The self-cleaning continuous flow screen changer, CleanChanger©, is currently at the top of BD Plast’s range of products. The main strength of this product is carrying out the selfcleaning cycle at particularly low back pressure. Added to this is the fact that this is continuous flow equipment in which, unlike what happens with other types of screen changers, the replacement of the filtering elements takes place without stopping the extrusion line, thus avoiding waste of time and waste of materials typical of the stopping and restarting phases of the line. In addition, on CleanChanger© the replacement of the screens takes place with the automatic ejection of the breaker plates, allowing easy replacement of the filtering elements and further timesaving. The selfcleaning capacity at low back pressure, the automatic ejection of the breaker plates, and the reduced purge times are the key elements that allow up to 400 selfcleaning cycles to be reached before having to change the screens.

Currently, over thirty CleanChanger© are operating at plastics transformers and on extrusion plants assembled by the most important Italian and European manufacturers. Some players who purchased CleanChanger© subsequently implemented a second model, a sign of high satisfaction that BD Plast product gives to the customers.

Binova regeneration and compounding lines with co-rotating twin-screw extruders

Binova offers its customers something unique, with reduced material handling within the production plant, and proven reduced energy consumption compared to plants on the market today

The technology of Binova’s plants, whose protagonist is the corotating twin-screw extruder, is capable of processing post-consumer polyolefin material in the form of ground sheet from a washing plant without the use of a cutter compactor.

The material is heated and melted totally under vacuum; thanks to this process, the creation of “frost” is inhibited, guaranteeing a high-

quality end product. The plant is capable of compounding film production waste with high residual moisture, together with special granule blends. The presence of a high vacuum degassing system distributed over almost the entire length of the extruder cylinder also allows the granulation of highly printed films.

Mixing of raw materials takes place directly in the machine; from this process a perfectly homogeneous

material is obtained, and consequently the quality of the final product increases.

The plant will be supplied complete with an intermediate material transport and storage station.

The production of this technology is totally made in Italy, with special attention paid to the quality of all components.

The competitiveness of a single step

Being able to do this type of processing in a single pass makes

the line very competitive; Binova offers its customers something unique, with reduced material handling within the production plant, and proven reduced energy consumption compared to plants on the market today:

for LDPE-based polyolefin materials, consumption will be no more than 0.26/0.27 kW/kg while for polypropylene or polystyrene-based materials, such as PP, PS or HIPS, consumption is guaranteed to be around 0.22/0.23 kW/ kg (excluding process water cooling).

In a nutshell, Binova manages to achieve 30 percent energy savings with its co-rotating twin-screw (which has a higher degree of optimization than a traditional single-screw line),

Software and remote control

The line is equipped with software that controls all production, even at high work rates. The system has an automatic OP control panel with Internet connection, which can also be managed remotely. In this way, the technician or production manager can check the status of the line process data, even remotely. Remote control can also be used to perform troubleshooting or fine-tuning in real time.

New trade shows

This year, Binova will be exhibiting at the NPE show in Orlando, USA, May 6-10, 2024 and looks forward to seeing you at its booth.

Storage efficiency and constant material flow thanks to AIRFLASH ® air cannons

AIRFLASH, the compressed air-cannons by Barra Project International are all made in Italy solution to solve the management problems for stored bulk solid material

AIRFLASH – The compressed air-cannons by Barra Project International Srl are the all made in Italy solution to solve the management problems for stored bulk solid material.

AIRFLASH compressed air-cannons generate timed shock waves able to:

• Unblock blockages and break bridges that prevent the regular flow of ensiled material (bridging phenomenon)

• Eliminate material compactions and encrustations that reduce the storage capacity of structures (ratholing phenomenon)

• Carry out a cleaning action on the internal walls of the storage structure.

What makes AIRFLASH unique?

AIRFLASH is characterized by a rich and wide range of products (cannons from 0.5Lt to 150LT and beyond thanks to the PPI Pick-Power-Impulser systems), with technological solutions and dedicated accessories that allow both to expand the area covered by the action of the single air-cannon and to contain the consumption of compressed air. Working pressure from 2bar to max 10bar.

AIRFLASH cannons have an integrable modular structure that allows:

• To use the same cannon in different operating conditions by varying the accessories following Barra Project philosophy of making re-use without product waste

• To optimize the management of spare parts

• To limit the risk of product obsolescence: each

AIRFLASH cannon currently in use can integrate new technological innovations without having to be replaced.

Thanks to the shot silencing measures, AIRFLASH can also be applied near residential areas.

AIRFLASH is useful because

• It fluidifies and periodically moves the stored product

• It eliminates dead zones thus avoiding stagnation of material and limiting the risk of aging and deterioration of organic and/or degradable products

• It implements a cleaning action that allows to reduce the risk of contamination between products of different nature that pass in succession

• Protects the safety of maintenance employees/operators: AIRFLASH has a preventive action on the formation of blockages and therefore reduces, up to eliminating, the need for dangerous extraordinary maintenance interventions for the manual release of blockages (these interventions are often highly risky for the personnel who has, in particular cases, to descent into the storage facilities). Here we are!

Barra Project International Srl was born from the experience gained in over 50 years of work in the world of bulk solid materials management. Thanks to an agile and dynamic structure, Barra Project is able to provide targeted solutions and a high level of customization. The seriousness and reliability, the high quality of the product entirely made in Italy and the great attention to design, the willingness to experiment and the attention to the after-sales service constitute the foundations of the company philosophy. Don’t miss the opportunity to touch Barra Project products with your hand! Visit Barra Project International at SOLIDS Parma Italy 5-6 June 2024 Hall 8 Stand D51

UN260C-BTP ReactPro multi-component machine

New exploration in one-step moulding of polyurethane and plastic

In recent years, there has been an upsurge of lightweight by replacing metal parts with plastic. Automobile manufacturers attempt to find new processes and technologies to improve the appearance of automotive trims. Simple moulding process used in the past can no longer meet the new requirements in colour, tactility, intelligentization and other aspects.

As a new type of ‘intelligent’ material, Polyurethane (PUR) has some better properties, such as good flexibility, high wear-resistance and well self-repairing performance. Furthermore, it is superior in free colour matching, bright colours, and friendly to ‘smart inserts’. Therefore, it has been widely used to the injection moulding products with decorative skins, high-quality paint or functional coatings.

To quickly react to new market trend and better satisfy customer demand, YIZUMI and Chengdu Dongri Machine Company jointly research and develop the integrated ReactPro Solution to achieve onestep injection moulding of the polyurethane and plastic. That is to produce high quality thermoplastic parts and polyurethane surface on the same machine, showing better appearance, comfortable tactility, and superior functionality.

The YIZUMI UN260C-BTP ReactPro Multi-component injection moulding

machines integrate the PUR reaction injection moulding equipment with vertical rotary table mould technology, which can offer rapid and precise moulding, and efficiently produce different kinds of decorative products with 3D depth of field effects or different patterns. The machine can not only save material cost and ensure product performance but also allow PUR covering on the surface of irregularshaped plastic parts, therefore leading to more sophisticated visual and tactility. Through the PUR filling

moulding process, this machine can achieve PUR moulding thickness of 0.1- 50mm, with wider application.

PUR thin-layer parts are mostly used for decorative parts such as centre consoles and operator panels, which can achieve different visual effects, including gloss, matt or 3D depth of field. Moreover, they have the characteristics of scratch resistance, aging resistance, fingerprint resistance, and self-repairing. While PUR thick-layer parts can be used for car armrests and other trims, featuring strong aging resistance and weather resistance, and as well as rich visual effects.

Compared with the traditional process, this solution integrates the injection moulding machine and the polyurethane reaction moulding

equipment to achieve a one-step moulding, which greatly improves the production efficiency, reduces the cycle time and the production cost, also avoids pollution, making it more energy-saving and environmentally friendly. From the customers’ perspective, UN260C-BTP ReactPro is a cost-effective and valuable solution, which will be used in a wide field of applications, e.g. automobile, 3C products (Communication, Computer and Consumer products) and household appliances etc. Value advantage

• The integration of injection moulding machine and polyurethane reaction moulding equipment can achieve one-step moulding of two materials (plastic + PUR) with short cycle time, high efficiency and low cost.

• Applied with rotary table mould technology to achieve fast and accurate moulding is a new exploration of ReactPro one-step moulding mould.

• This machine can achieve PUR moulding thickness of 0.1- 50mm, with wider application.

• It allows multiple product effects, such as 3D depth, different patterns, scratch resistance, and self-repairing, agile, intelligent and efficient.

• It can allow IML/IMD/IME/INS processing with the support of automatic system, to conduct film mounting under the PUR thin-layer, ensuring that products not only have beautiful appearance but also more functions.

• The injection moulding machine control system can not only offer editing functions to meet special mould and process requirements, but also provide various integrated solutions of special process control software.

• PUR reaction molding system

a. Support zero-downtime operation to maintain the stable system

b. Flow Range≥3g/s

c. Machine Capability Evaluation Index CMK>2.3

d. No bubbles on the product surface to achieve Class A surfaces

• The communication control system of integrated PUR reaction moulding equipment can achieve unified adjustment of process parameter, with well-designed and user-friendly control panel.

Extrusion technologies for medical tubing production

Tecno System, leading company in extrusion technologies for thermoplastic materials, guarantees the smartest solution thanks to its extensive experience

Tecno System is one of the leading companies in Italy in extrusion technologies for thermoplastic materials, manufacturing customized systems such as extrusion lines complete with moulds and integrated on-line/offline solutions especially designed to meet any customer needs.

The company offers an elevated level of experience, consolidated know-how and a professional high skilled team supported by R&D department that offers a continuous development and improvement to give the smartest solutions. The company also provides a strong after-sale service.

A crucial business for the company is represented today by the manufacturing of complete

extrusion lines for medical tubes and medical pipes (single or multilayer and radiopaco) utilised in the pharmaceutical and hospital industries. Thanks to constant efforts in quality control and severe standards about internal and external processes, in facts, our plants result totally conform to national and international regulation about the matter.

These extrusion lines are characterized by single-screw extruders equipped with special screws especially designed for medical-grade raw material; as a matter of fact, our medical extrusion lines comply with strict laws on products and processes

in the medical tubing sector. These fully customizable lines can produce single to multi-layer and radiopaque tubes in many different medical materials (SOFT PVC, TPU, FEP, etc.) and are equipped with the most efficient dimensional and retroactive control systems to achieve the most accurate reports on the dimensions and diameters of tubes. The lines for smoothbore medical pipes are suitable with rigid or semi-rigid spiral also combing different polymers such as PVC, EVA, or special polyolefins, and they are fully customizable.

The basic medical extrusion line is usually equipped with a extruders model TM 60-25 with 15” Touch Panel and a medical extrusion head model HD 2-12. About downstream, there are a vacuum/cooling unit model R 50/5,5, a belt haul-off unit model TT800, and an appropriate diameter gauge system (ODAC 14 x/y/j) that ensure the accuracy of the entire tube before being rolled up by a semi-automatic double winding station model TS2600 equipped with an electronic ultrasonic dancer. Obviously, there are alternative configurations available for the customer, for example, relying on the extruder series TM 75-25 or rolls haul-off unit, as well as the possibility to choose from several options like frosty kits, wall thickness monitoring systems, and many others.

In this regard, it must be specified that Tecno System extrusion lines are perfectly suitable also for spiral smoothbore medical tubes with rigid or semi-rigid spirals and for combining different polymers. These lines are powered by two extruders (TM45-25 and TM60-25 series) with a 15” digital touchscreen and a 1.2316 steel medical extrusion die-head ensures high quality standards for this type of thermoplastic tubing extrusion, while a spindle trolley CM 50 series can be easily handled by operators to move and set up dies with diameters ranging from 12 to 50 mm.

A perfect internal calibration through the spindle, in the downstream units, is guaranteed by calibrating systems located in a special stainless steel water tank with a closed-loop water circuit to prevent any type of contamination. Water can be maintained and constantly cooled by a dedicated chiller that can be installed as an option on the line side, and a dedicated tube drying system allows the automatic drying of the pipes from the water in excess after the cooling processes. All lines are totally customizable by customers in the best tailored way to meet their needs. Potential options about the line configuration are, for example, the possibility to implement double hopper loaders, different screws for different thermoplastic materials as well as maximum levels

of customization for what concerns the unloading bench. Another very interesting plug-in appreciated by current clients is represented by the so-called GF-Connect system for remote assistance which allows to save time and costs.

In addition, it must be said that every Tecno System’s extrusion line can be suited to the 4.0 Industry standards with an appropriate OPCUA communication protocol to increase exponentially the potential opportunities through digitization of the processes: real-time information, remote control of the line and hyperconnectivity between machines themselves are some

examples among the practical implications of this innovative approach.

By opting for Tecno System’s solutions, the customer will be supported in each stage to simplify as much as possible the investment project. Every product, indeed, is completely designed, manufactured and tested within the historic production plant located in Consandolo (FE – Italy), enabling the company to directly supervise every single phase in the supply chain and ensuring, so, the best qualitative standards for the final product and the possibility for the customer to rely on a unique referent for any type of issue.

The perfect mix

Tovo Gomma is characterized for its complete range of solutions available, ability to design and fine-tune products for specific applications, production flexibility and efficiency in all process phases

Tovo Gomma SpA, characterized by a solid and stable corporate structure with a family character, has been operating in the elastomers sector since 1973 and is specialized in the project and production of rubber compounds, vulcanized sheets and foam for the most varied industrial sectors, from automotive to food, from petrochemicals to construction, in Europe and in the world.

In 2021, Tovo Gomma introduced a new separated business unit dedicated to silicone polymerbased compounds, intended for subsequent processing. These compounds are produced on ad hoc mixing plants and processed with the possible addition of additives and mineral fillers.

Tovo Gomma produced black and coloured compounds based on the following elastomers: NBR, SBR, EPM / EPDM, CR, NR, IR, IIR, B / CIIR, BR, CSM and HNBR; vulcanized sheets, black and colored, produced not only with the here above mentioned elastomers but also with FKM and VMQ; foam products, based on EPDM, CR, PE and PVC, supplied in sheets, rolls and profiles (with or without self-adhesive).

The mixing plants are completely controlled by PLC, the dosages take place automatically on dedicated plants and the materials are managed to guarantee their traceability. The mixing and dosing lines of the small ingredients are duplicated and redundant, in order to ensure production continuity in all circumstances.

For the production of sheets Tovo Gomma has systems for continuous vulcanization and machines for compression moulding.

Tovo Gomma is able to supply filtered compounds in continuous strips. Each compound is checked according to a specific control plan, weighed and adequately stored in warehouse waiting to be shipped, when necessary, also in a special air-conditioned room.

The strengths that characterize Tovo Gomma are the completeness of the range of solutions available, the ability to design and fine-tune products for specific applications, production flexibility and efficiency in all process phases.

Tovo Gomma staff, led by a qualified and experienced managerial structure, has a technological laboratory with the most recent and complete equipment for the development and quality control of compounds and sheets according to the most varied customers’ requirements and for the study and introduction of new raw materials.

The Lean Manufacturing program supports to involve all personnel in improving processes and eliminating waste, to the advantage of costeffectiveness for the customer and punctuality and reliability of deliveries.

Tovo Gomma bases its actions on the centrality of the human being, the enhancement of work in safety as a tool for personal growth and progress of the society, the development of the principles of individual responsibility and competence and sustainable development for the protection of the environment. Therefore, the company also has a priority objective to create a workplace without accidents, injuries and professional illnesses, which respects the environment and the territory in which the factories are located. To this end, it has extended its quality management system certified since 1995, creating an integrated quality, safety and environmental management system, compliant with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 14001:2015 standards certified by Bureau Veritas since 2021.

Industrial machines, the future is now!

Magic MP has astonished once again with its fully electric accumulation machine that offers utmost precision and low consumption

Magic has presented during the Open House in November the revolutionary fully electric accumulating machine with patented head and clamping.

Even the field of industrial machines have been revolutionized, the innovative ideas of Magic will give its clients enormous benefits in terms of profit and process.

Principal benefits:

• Reduction of consumption equal to -53%,

• Maximum precision of the movements. Consequent efficiency equal to 99% with a perfect repeatability of the working cycles, potential reduction of the working cycle and potential reduction of the weight of the articles to be produced,

• Reduction of the maintenance costs equal to -52%,

• Machine completely oil free,

• Very silent machine since it is free of hydraulic pumps.

Magic MP S.p.A. is an Italian company founded in 1959, specialized in the conception and construction of extrusion blow moulding machines (EBM) and injection, stretch e blow moulding machines (ISBM) of plastic materials.

Thanks to its constant orientation to innovation MAGIC has become an excellence of the Made in Italy and a worldwide reference point for all the operators of this field.

MAGIC has been the first company in the world to conceive fully electric machines, revolutionizing the field of plastic and tracing a new technological greener and more sustainable road.

Industrial Machine, model MEA T40 presented during the Open House in November 2023

The clients recognize in the MAGIC machines patented technological benefits, which turn into real process improvements and consequent profit increases. Investments and efforts to give to their actual and future clients a unique and solid contact point in the production of bottles: machines, moulds and packaging solutions. Everything is internally developped and produced and commercialized with the best value for money on the market.

These investments confirm the continuity of principles, values and skills that has been distinguishing Magic Group for more than 60 years. With his words reported below the President of the Magic Group, Mr. Ferruccio Giacobbe, devotes the moon’s landing of his company on the planet of industrial machines and he does it always in an innovative and futuristic way.

“Innovation is and always will be the engine that fuel growth and development of Magic. Up to date no one in the world has ever built a completely electrified

accumulator head of big size, Magic, which always looks ahead and, driven by this philosophy, has understood that even in the field of industrial machines the complete electrification will become a determining and indispensable factor. We did it in the past with the continuous extrusion technology for machine up to 60 Tons for the production, per example, in 6+6 cavities for 5 litres containers; we do it today also with the industrial machines for containers up to 280 litres. Soon we will do in fact a second Open Day to show the world the new transfer machine with all electric technology of 80100 Tons for containers up to 280 litres. This machine will have an incredible saving for our clients in terms of energy consumption equal to almost 180.000 Euro per year. We are led to think that electrification is all about the necessity of the energetic economy. But this is one of the aspects, even though very important. The electric motor means also more precision and repeatability in the execution of the

movements, that impacts on the efficiency of the machine, in lighter articles and shortest working cycles and with less wastes. It will be easy for our clients to understand how advantageous and innovative is to produce with a machine which consume 50-60% less, that thanks to its stability allows shortest working cycles and allows to produce lighter articles and even more with reduced maintenance costs of 50%.”

We are sure that orientation to ’Green”, to be effectively implemented, must bring to our clients even advantages in terms of profit. In fact, in 25 years and 1800 electric machines sold as well as having “saved” almost 3 billions of Kg in CO2, our clients have saved more than 500 million euro in electric energy. To these many various millions must be added for the economy in maintenance costs. We want our clients, with our patented technology, win the complex challenge of the market; we aspire to become their partner, grow with them and become their reference point in the field.”

Industrial Machine, model MET T80 double station for containers up to 280 litres

SOLIDS Parma: cutting-edge technology and trends

SOLIDS, a unique opportunity for professionals and buyers to experience the most innovative solutions and get in touch with cuttingedge technologies and new trends in the industry

Following the success of the first edition, which was attended by 1273 trade visitors and 119 exhibitors, SOLIDS - the Italian event that brings together manufacturers of machinery for the processing, transformation, analysis, transport and storage of powdered and granular materials and bulk solids - will return to Parma on 5 and 6 June 2024. A unique opportunity for professionals and buyers to experience the most innovative solutions and get in touch with cutting-edge technologies and new trends in the industry.

SOLIDS encompasses numerous product categories: food, agriculture, rubber and plastics, chemical-pharmaceutical, glass, metal processing and recycling, guaranteeing transversal relations and synergies of great interest.

“Our visitors are predominantly Italian and come from the geographic hubs where the presence of relevant companies in powder and

solids processing is strongest, such as Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, Veneto and Tuscany,” says Anna Lena Sandmann, Head of Cluster SOLIDS Dortmund and SOLIDS Parma. “Of these, most hold decision-making positions or are involved in purchasing and supply decisions: business unit managers, engineers, CEOs, sales managers, technical directors, researchers and more. The quality of the trade fair visitors is crucial for the exhibiting companies, and we intend to use every means available to gain an ever-wider audience.

News and figures from the recycling sector

The first new feature of the 2024 edition is the presence of a Recycling Area that will showcase the latest solutions for recycling materials. Bulk solids and recycling technologies have a common denominator: the management of granulates, powders and bulk solids, and specifically the recovery, disposal, and valorization of production waste.

The responsible and economical use of resources is becoming more important than ever, given the increasing scarcity of raw materials and environmental pollution. The return of recyclable raw materials into the economic cycle is increasingly becoming the focus of industrial activity. The combination of the SOLIDS exhibition with recycling technologies offers numerous synergies for both exhibitors and visitors.

In particular, the sector of machines for sorting and separating waste into different fractions is growing rapidly due to the increase in separate waste collection. This process is crucial for recycling, as it enables more materials to be recovered. At the same time, the waste treatment machinery sector is growing, thanks to the introduction of new technologies that enable more efficient and sustainable processing. The main manufacturers of recycling machines in Italy are companies that operate globally and constantly invest in R&D to develop cuttingedge technologies and products that meet the needs of the market.

The conference programme

At SOLIDS Parma there will be no lack of a high-level conference section, which has already gained great prominence during the 2023 edition. The topics covered in workshops and conferences will touch on topical and pressing issues for the industry. The Department of Granular Solids Mechanics of the University of Padua will hold a conference entitled ‘Powder Flowability and Flowability’, where the impact of flowability on the outcome of processing will be discussed. ATEX Italia will be back to talk about ‘ATEX Directives: Grounding Systems: Dust Transport’, addressing the topic of installations in ‘Ex’ areas.

In addition, the second edition of Search & Tech will take place, addressing two key topics: post-consumer plastic recycling and the treatment of recycled granules (by RePlanet Magazine), and ‘SuperIntelligence! Machine Learning, Digital Twin, Data Management, Sorting and Automation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’ (by Tecnoedizioni Group).

“We are very happy to return to Italy, and in particular to Fiere di Parma, for the second Italian edition of SOLIDS” - says Ginevra Colombo-Ercole, Head of Event of SOLIDS Parma - “I believe that one of the reasons for the success of SOLIDS is its transversal format, which brings together all the sectors of the process industry, and smart, which allows us to create business opportunities, interactions, and effective networks in two days. For the second edition we expect a growing trend, given the high potential of the sector in Italy, and we count on

reaching a minimum of 150 exhibitors. After the 2023 event, we have better understood market demands and are activating new communication channels to also attract niche industries such as nutraceuticals, and booming ones such as recycling, to enrich the event with new contributions. The collaboration with trade associations, media partners, industry experts, and of course with our exhibitors, will lead us to further expand our range of action and promotion to bring more and more visitors to the fair.

Come and discover material processing solutions at SOLIDS Parma!

• Dosing, weighing and measuring equipment

• Mixing and homogenising technology

• Dryers and drying equipment

• Grinding and crushing

• Transport and handling

• Storage and distribution

• Packaging and packaging services

• Safety and environment

• Recycling and Recovery Technologies

• Components

SOLIDS Parma

5-6 June 2024

www.solids-parma.it Register now! Request your free entrance ticket here: https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/3esfjf4mruniv/ start?actioncode=1401

High-performance electric machine for medical technology

▪ Manufacturing process: Monitoring and digitalisation

▪ Additive manufacturing: La Premiere for the new 3D Print Innovatiq TiQ5 Pro

▪ ARBURG at Mecspe Lab – Innovation Space

ARBURG will be exhibiting at Mecspe in Bologna from 6th to 8th March 2024. ARBURG will be presenting itself as a technology and complete system partner for the efficient production of plastic parts. At stand C36 in hall 36, the focus will be on an application for the medical industry.

The medical sector requires very high quality and security standards, which need special attention along the entire production and material supply chain. Monitoring and digitalisation continue to be two indispensable prerequisites for the production of safe and high-quality articles. ARBURG has a great deal of experience in the development of technologies for the medical technology sector, and this is demonstrated by the fullelectric ALLROUNDER 520 A 1500 400 machine, which is perfect for use in clean rooms and meets the most stringent requirements of ISO Class 7,

ensuring the production of parts with high precision.

The electric machine on exhibition in the ‘Ultimate’ power version is designed for fast and complex processes. A 4-cavity mould from

KEBO AG is used to produce a 9-sec syringe body in polypropylene ‘BormedTMRF825MO’ of Borealis. The particularly innovative material is able to achieve rapid crystallisation, resulting in a fast cycle time, high transparency, high gloss and a good stiffness-impact balance. The highlight of the machine are the precise servo motors of sister company AMKmotion GmbH + Co KG driven by threaded planetary roller actuators that guarantee precise and reproducible mould positioning. The toggle-type clamping unit, high-performance servo-electric drives and energy recovery during braking form the

basis for the high energy efficiency of all ALLROUNDER electric machines. Enclosed, liquid-cooled drives and spindle systems operate at low noise levels, avoid dust pollution and air turbulence.

Controlled production process

In intensive moulding processes, there are many variables to manage, and even a small deviation from set values can lead to non-conformity. For this medical technology application, the machine, equipped with the GESTICA control unit, is fitted with practical apps and digital functions to meet traceability and part quality requirements while maintaining high productivity. Practice-based operator help packages and other customised Industry 4.0 components actively support this. GESTICA control unit is user-friendly and allows direct integration of robot systems and peripheral units, ensuring fast and reliable processes. Software and machine technology interact perfectly by monitoring and adjusting the production process, maintaining stable processes resulting in zerodefect quality production.

Real-time monitoring

Knowing the process conditions in real time means efficient production or, in case of problems, immediately recognizing the anomaly and responding in time to avoid producing waste or, worse, damaging plant and equipment. This is a digital approach where connectivity and data drive processes in order to achieve the best possible result. The application on exhibition will be connected to Arburg’s MES, the ALS computer system with which production data can be collected and analysed in real time, significantly increasing production efficiency and transparency. The system documents all relevant information in a permanent and traceable form with reference values and statistics in an up-to-date way. It actively informs you and keeps you up-todate even on the road, with reports and reference values concerning the machines, as well as information on orders, shifts and quality.

Premiere for the new 3D Print Innovatiq TiQ5 Pro - the best in additive manufacturing versatility

The TiQ 5 Pro is a machine for 3D production of XL components. It is versatile thanks to its open material platform. It is a complete system with vacuum pressure bed and active heating chamber, which guarantees reliability even with long print jobs, with hard or soft materials and with fibre-reinforced or hightemperature plastics. Equipped with the GestiQ-Pro CNC system, it

offers an intuitive user interface and advanced features that simplify the process. The CoreLine printhead improves accuracy and reduces collision risks. The dual extruder, capable of up to 400 °C, expands the range of materials that can be processed, offering greater flexibility. The vacuum printing table, on the other hand, ensures superior stability and adhesion, improving the quality of the finished product. The machine is equipped with a 500x400x450 mm build chamber. The SmartStart function, with its automatic levelling and nozzle calibration system, finally optimises the start of each print job, making the TiQ5 Pro ideal for a variety of industrial applications, from rapid prototyping to the production of complex components.

ARBURG is present at MECSPE LABInnovation Space Wherever there is innovation and new challenges, ARBURG is always present. This year, Arburg has accepted the challenge and enthusiastically joined the demonstration initiative MECSPE LAB - Innovation Space where, together with other partners involved in the project, it works with a look to the future and sustainability.

In the MECSPE LAB exhibition area - Innovation Space at the Service Centre - the new machine of the hybrid series, launched last year in the centenary year of the founding of the Hehl family company, the ALLROUNDER 470H 1000 290 Comfort will be equipped with a mould produced using the metal additive manufacturing process. The moulded product will be a polymeric GPS component to save lives in the event of avalanches.

The new, sophisticated hybrid machine technology impresses in terms of energy savings, resource savings, production efficiency, userfriendliness and reliability. Depending on the application, with the

‘Comfort’, ‘Premium’ and ‘Ultimate’ performance variants, purchase and operating costs are reduced by up to 50 per cent and CO2 emissions are up to 12,000 kg lower. The Arburg servo-hydraulic system (ASH), already proven in the hydraulic and electric Allrounders, has also been integrated into the Allrounder 470 H Comfort and Premium models.

Thanks to the ASH, the speedcontrolled, water-cooled servomotor continuously adapts the drive system to the actual power requirement. This saves up to 50% energy, especially in processes with long cooling times. In addition, the noise level of the machine is also significantly reduced. Other factors contributing to optimised energy consumption and shorter cycle times include the new oil management concept, which requires around 35% less oil. With different injection units and numerous options, the new Hidrive series can be adapted exactly to the customer’s needs, and the combination of the electric clamping unit with a hydraulic injection unit makes it particularly interesting for those moulders who are looking for a less energy-consuming alternative to hydraulic machines, but still want to benefit from their proven advantages.

Global strategy unfolding

2024 marks a significant juncture for Sirmax Group, and unfolds against a backdrop of notable investments and achievements, accompanied by new challenge 2

024 marks a significant juncture for Sirmax Group, a company headquartered in Cittadella (Padua) specializing in the production of thermoplastic granules for different application sectors. It unfolds against a backdrop of notable investments and achievements, accompanied by new challenges.

In late 2023, the Group announced a major investment in India, a country witnessing substantial growth in the domestic market and demand for plastic products. Sirmax will build a new plant, the Group’s 14th globally and third in India, where it has been present since 2017 through Autotech-Sirmax, the joint venture with India’s Tipco Group. The new plant will be built in Hosur, in the south, and will join the two existing facilities in Palwal and Valsad, respectively in the west and north of the country.

The compounds produced will cater to the e-mobility, appliances, and electrical/electronic components sectors, contributing to the growth of the Asian giant. Construction has already commenced after acquiring the land from the Indian state government of Tamil Nadu and will be completed by 2026. Production will then begin within three years, as stipulated by agreement. This is an ambitious challenge, considering that this is a greenfield plant – i.e., it will be built from scratch – with a production capacity of 20,000 tons per year. In addition to the construction of the new plant, the project includes the expansion of the existing Palwal plant, located near India’s largest automotive district, to increase its production capacity by 15,000 tons per year. To accomplish this, 7,000 square meters of space will be added, incorporating four new production lines with state-of-theart extruders for high speed and higher output, new warehouses with automated material handling systems, and laboratory equipment. The total investment is around $10 million and is considered strategic as it aims to meet the growing demand for thermoplastic compounds in the region. Sirmax’s goal is to increase its production capacity in India to over 60,000 tons per year.

The operation is part of the broader strategy of reinforcing foreign subsidiaries, which touches two other important markets for the Cittadella-based group. Firstly, Brazil, where Sirmax this year has produced around 12,000 tons, exhausting its production capacity. An investment has been made for

an additional third line that will allow the plant to reach 20,000 tons – a size that Sirmax considers substantial in the context of the Brazilian polypropylene compound market, which is worth around 250,000 tons. In the United States, Sirmax has an industrial compendium that spans 350,000 square meters and hosts a polypropylene and a polyolefin mechanical recycling factory, both of which are to be tripled within ten years. Additionally, within the next five years, Sirmax plans to construct an engineering polymers factory – a product line currently manufactured in Europe and India but not yet in the United States, where it is imported from European plants. Amidst these expansions, Sirmax is also thinking about business development, exploring potential acquisitions or joint ventures. “There are opportunities in the market,” says Sirmax President and CEO Massimo Pavin, “that the company is already assessing, and I do not exclude that over the next five years we may also proceed with growth supported by external lines.”

As far as Europe is concerned, the situation on the old continent is different because there is a general decline in demand in the plastics market, which is not experiencing an entirely prosperous time. However, despite the slowdown, some sectors seem to promise significant development opportunities. Especially noteworthy is the automotive sector, which proved highly favourable for Sirmax in 2023, driven in part by some transformative shifts. These include the need to reduce car weight by replacing metal components with plastic, as well as the adoption of new materials featuring a higher proportion of recycled plastic. Sirmax has made substantial strategic investments in this crucial process, which is integral to achieving a more sustainable supply chain. The company allocated funds, totalling 9 million euros, to the Aurora project, which is financially supported by Next Generation EU funds. This initiative involves collaborative efforts with Padua University, Belgium’s Ghent University, and La

Sapienza University in Rome. For the industrialization phase, Sirmax is utilizing post-consumer recycling and compounding plants located in Europe.

Specifically, the Aurora project aims to upcycle and transform polypropylene from urban waste collection into a new generation of high-performance compounds through the development of an advanced production system. The project involves the production of a highly innovative circular polypropylene compound that is not on the market today and will be used to mould panels for car interiors. The material created will be longer-lasting, chemically stable, and will feature reduced emissions comparable with panels made from virgin polypropylene. Algorithms and sensor technology implemented in the injection moulding process will increase production chain efficiency by 30% while also minimizing waste.

The Aurora project is scheduled to span 36 months, utilizing Sirmax’s laboratories and research centres. The focus will be on specific areas, including the sorting of urban plastic

waste, washing (deodorization, deinking) granulation, compounding with additives and fillers, and the injection moulding of final components. Through this project, Sirmax aims to address a gap in the current state of the art. Currently, the recycling process for polypropylene lacks the capability for upcycling, preventing its use in high value-added applications like automotive interiors. With the envisioned innovations and an allmechanical recycling process, Sirmax aspires to produce new compounds containing at least 50% recycled polypropylene (today’s formulations fall as low as 30%) from flexible films sourced from urban waste collection. The resulting highperformance compound can then be used in the injection moulding of components for automotive interiors. This will provide outstanding environmental performance when compared to 100% virgin raw materials.

Another focal point for the current year will be advancements in injection moulding technology. Smart Mold, a spin-off in which

Sirmax holds a 50% stake, has developed GAPP (Gas-Assisted Push Pull), a process technology which is instrumental in significantly mitigating the impact of weld lines in injection moulding. In many applications, the ability to increase recycled plastic content is hindered by the weakening of weld lines, and GAPP technology can play a key role in enabling greater use of recycled plastic in glass fiberreinforced compounds. Specifically, GAPP promotes the interpenetration of weld line flow fronts in a way that changes the shape of the interface, promotes inter-diffusion between flow fronts, and realigns the reinforcing fibers.

The 2023-2025 business plan that Sirmax presented in June is highly complex, but the company is already looking further into the future, adopting a vision consistent with what is happening right now.

“The market trend is to be ‘glocal’”, continues President Pavin. “That means remaining global while thoroughly regionalizing supply chains. Moreover, the last few years have seen a rapid evolution marked by aggregations, mergers, and alliances. All these factors have changed the rules of the game, and we now find ourselves in a league with fewer players – a profoundly different position compared to the past. In order to continue playing in this league, Sirmax could not avoid following this trend.” The adopted strategy is geared towards reinforcing growth, with the clear objective of doubling turnover within a five-year period.

ISI Plast, the leading plastic packaging and plastics moulding company

ISI Plast’s deep interest in ecosustainable development is evidenced by the significant investments made and aiming at continuous evolution and improvement

ISI Plast S.p.A. is Italy’s leading manufacturer of plastic containers for multiple uses, with more than 100 million pieces sold each year. It is organized by divisions: ISIPLAST for industrial packaging, ISI FOOD for food packaging, CO.N.ES. for special containers for use in hospital disposal, and ISI TRAP for ecological trap systems against various pests.

ISI Plast is a company that for more than 60 years has been representing a reality of excellence in the plastics sector thanks to its production of plastic packaging; Born in 1958 from a small family-run business, this company has grown into a solid industrial group consisting of a staff of hundreds of figures involved, and the goal it has always set itself is the attention to social and environmental sustainability. As evidence of the deep interest in eco-sustainable development,

ISI Plast has made significant investments to embark on a green path aimed at continuous evolution and improvement.

The latest company division to be born is Smoc-chino, the pocket ashtray for the collection of cigarette

butts; a contribution not only to urban but also to the environment taking into account that one cigarette butt pollutes the surrounding soil for up to 10 years.

ISI Plast launched the green project of Smoc-chino®, the pocket ashtray made of recycled plastic material, with which it has made a concrete commitment to the organization of ecological days aimed at increasing awareness among all citizens involved, meeting with great success and enthusiasm.

ISI Plast stands as a leading company nationally and internationally, ranging with versatility from packaging for the food, industrial, and healthcare sectors, thanks to the use of selected and sustainable raw materials while always maintaining cutting-edge design and following the trends of the moment in the sector.

ISI Plast’s mission aims to lead the company toward continuous improvement of its performance and to define and communicate to all the staff the goals to be pursued by striving for an increasingly complete integration between the three systems: Quality, Safety and Environment.

The purpose of this policy is to satisfy the needs and requirements of customers better and better with the utmost professionalism, to be more competitive than the competition by guaranteeing a product and service that is qualitatively of a high level and constant over time, to have an economic return by optimizing internal processes and related performances and considering the hygiene and cleanliness of work departments and product care as quality requirements and guaranteeing the greatest customer satisfaction; identifying, regulating, controlling and reducing the environmental impacts of its activities and products

and protecting occupational health and safety for all people working into ISI Plast company.

The company is home to the ISIKitchenLab research laboratory, a space dedicated to research and technological development in the field of the most suitable materials for packaging. The vision of a space called ISI-KitchenLab centralizes the research of the entire ISI Plast group. It proposes an exclusive program on innovative technologies aimed at multiple sectors. From construction to healthcare, from industrial and civil use to food and green... inclusive, environmentally sustainable, recyclable. Founded in early 2020, it represents a reference for the entire research, development, and quality control group that results in constant technological improvement of products in line with the company’s principles.

The company’s latest addition is the ISI-Academy division, inaugurated in 2023, in which coaching and professional training courses are held, from safety basics to more technical notions aimed at operators to ensure growth and have uniformity of training and background within the company, which underscores the value of the company’s know-how that ISI Plast also wants to pass on to the younger generation through meetings with local students and work awareness days.

Extrusion blow moulding machines revolutionizing the food industry

Plastiblow boasts extensive experience and meets customers’ requirements thanks to a comprehensive machine range and custom solutions

IIn the ever-evolving landscape of the food industry, advancements in technology play a crucial role in enhancing efficiency and quality. Among the various manufacturing processes, extrusion blow moulding machines has emerged as key player, especially in the production of bottles for popular condiments like ketchup and mayonnaise, as well as in the dairy sector for yogurt containers.

Ketchup and mayonnaise bottles

The use of extrusion blow moulding machines has revolutionized the production of ketchup and mayonnaise bottles. These machines allow for the creation of bottles with precise shapes, sizes, and thicknesses. The lightweight nature of the bottles reduces transportation

costs and environmental impact. Additionally, the versatility of extrusion blow moulding enables the incorporation of innovative designs and features, such as easy-tosqueeze shapes and portion control dispensers, catering to consumer preferences and convenience. Moreover, coextrusion technology allows for the creation of bottles with distinct layers, each serving a specific purpose. For example, an inner layer with barrier properties prevents the permeation of oxygen, preserving the quality of the condiments. Meanwhile, an outer layer provides structural integrity and can be customized for branding and aesthetic appeal. Plastiblow has an extensive experience in supplying a diverse range of machines within this industry. Among the most interesting Plastiblow models offered for this production:

• PB22ED-1200 with eight head Coex

6 Layer, for production of ketchup and sauce bottles in 8+8 cavities at 125mm CD

• PB6ED with Quad head Coex 6 Layer, for production of flavoured milk bottles in 4+4 cavities

In the dairy sector, extrusion blow moulding machines are instrumental in the production of containers for drinkable yogurt. The ability to create custom shapes and sizes ensures that

these containers meet the specific requirements of dairy products. The machines facilitate the production of lightweight and tamper-evident containers, maintaining the freshness and quality of the yogurt. Moreover, the production process allows for the inclusion of ergonomic features, such as easy-grip surfaces and resealable lids, enhancing the consumer experience.

Depending on the size and format of the bottles, Plastiblow machines feature usually up to 24 cavities for oriented production, or up to 40 cavities with the bottom-to-bottom or neck-to-neck arrangements, according to the production requirement.

Among the most interesting models offered for high productivity we can consider those defined as “long stroke” models. This expression describes extrusion blow moulding machines that can host moulds with a high number of cavities with outputs that achieve several million pieces per year, once obtained only with rotary machines.

In most cases yogurt bottles have wide neck finishing with an annular surface for the thermo-welding of a protective peelable foil. For the best finish on these necks Plastiblow designed a specific wide mouth cutter, that allows the complete finishing of the bottle in the machine, with important advantages for the layout and space saving in the plant. Plastiblow full electric machines proved to be ideal for the production of yogurt bottles in clean rooms or controlled atmospheres, mainly because of the complete absence of hydraulic oil that avoids any risk of contamination of both products and the environment.

For example, for the production of yogurt bottles up to 500 ml, Plastiblow has just successfully tested and delivered two turnkey systems mod. PB15ED-800 ml with 8+8 cavities, dome cutting system and leak tester.

Other applications for the drink packaging industry, such as flavoured milks or vitaminized beverages, require barrier containers with

multilayer configurations or special sealed-neck bottles to protect the bottle interior from contaminations. Working side by side with several customers, Plastiblow has also gained good experience in supplying many coextrusion machines with different multilayer configurations, thus being able to support customers also for this kind of applications.

A 3-layer configuration is used on milk bottles, with a black coloured layer in the middle, for light barrier on:

• UHT bottles for long shelf life

• Fresh milk bottles, to block out refrigerator light on store shelves, to maintain the taste unaltered and keep nutrient content from degrading. Advantages of extrusion blow moulding in food packaging:

1. Cost efficiency: Extrusion blow moulding processes is cost-effective, allowing manufacturers to produce large quantities of standardized containers at a relatively low cost per unit.

2. Design flexibility: This process offers unparalleled design flexibility, enabling the creation of intricate shapes and customized packaging solutions that meet the unique requirements of different food products.

3. Lightweight and durable: The resulting containers are lightweight yet durable, reducing material usage and transportation costs while maintaining the integrity of the packaged food items.

4. Environmental sustainability: The lightweight nature of the containers contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions during transportation and promoting the use of recyclable materials.

5. Efficient production: Extrusion blow moulding machines operate efficiently, ensuring high-speed production and quick turnaround times, essential factors for meeting market demands.

The integration of extrusion/ coextrusion blow moulding machines in the food industry has transformed the way food products are packaged. From ketchup and mayonnaise bottles to drinkable yogurt containers, these machines offer cost-effective, flexible, and environmentally friendly solutions. As consumer preferences and industry standards evolve, the utilization of extrusion blow moulding technologies will likely continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of food packaging. Manufacturers embracing these innovations are poised to enhance their production processes, meet consumer demands, and contribute to a more sustainable and efficient food industry.

Detail of Mod. PB15ED-800 – 8+8 cavities for the production of yougurt bottles.

Dairy industry and drinkable yogurt containers

Coex system supplied for 6 layer – Barrier Food

Quality, innovation, reliability

Combining experience and innovation to offer high quality, reliable and state-of-the-art solutions, Baracco stands out as a sound partner in the plastics industry

Baracco’s pelletising systems for plastics are characterised by production efficiency, ease of use and ease of cleaning. The latest addition is the BPW200. Service and customer care complete the company’s offer.

Baracco Srl, a leading company in the plastics sector, combines experience and innovation to offer high quality, reliable and stateof-the-art solutions. Founded by Alberto Baracco, a manager and entrepreneur with solid experience in the sector, the company has established itself thanks to his indepth knowledge of plastics and his dedication to technological progress.

Between 1983 and 1993, Alberto Baracco developed his skills working in the field, in a company that designed and manufactured pelletising machines. Subsequently, from 1993 to 2017, he co-founded one of the leading companies in the industry, with responsibility for the technical division for the design and development of dies and parts. Specialising in the design, production, promotion and sale of machines, spare parts and accessories for the granulation of plastics, Baracco is distinguished by its range of innovative and high-performance products. The company offers customised solutions to meet customers’ needs, both in Italy and worldwide.

Baracco systems

Baracco pelletising systems are characterised by a combination of advanced functionality and ease of use. Another distinctive feature of

Baracco systems is the use of stateof-the-art electrical controls based on touch screen technology. All necessary controls are integrated in a modular panel on the system frame, providing an intuitive and easy-to-use interface.

The advantages of BPW systems

Baracco’s BPW systems boast numerous advantages. They are designed to be easy to clean, simplifying maintenance operations. They are also lightweight and portable, allowing greater flexibility in use. In addition, the systems are designed to be cost-effective, requiring few and inexpensive spare parts.

Baracco is committed to offering high quality products and services. The combination of state-of-theart technology, a qualified team, and attention to detail ensures that customers receive reliable, highperformance solutions.

The company provides a complete service, from Underwater Pelletising Systems, WaterRing, and Air Pelletising Systems; supporting customers at every stage, from initial consultation to installation and ongoing maintenance.

With an established reputation in the plastics industry, Baracco is positioned as a reliable partner for companies looking for innovative and quality solutions. Thanks to its experience and expertise, it is able to meet customers’ needs effectively and efficiently while maintaining a focus on quality and constant innovation.

PLASTEX 2024 transcends borders as a catalyst for transformation

Over 500 companies from 50 countries to present innovations for the resilient and responsible management of plastics and rubber products

PLASTEX 2024, the 19th edition of the largest plastics and rubber exhibition in the Middle East and North Africa, opened its doors at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre, in Fifth settlement. It is held under the patronage of Dr. Moustafa Madbouly, the Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the period between 9-12 January. In addition, Engineer Ahmed Samir, the Minister of Trade and Industry, and Dr. Yasmin Fouad, the Minister of Environment have inaugurated PLASTEX 2024 on behalf of the Prime Minister as it marks a new era for the dynamic plastics and rubber industry.

Endorsed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Chamber of Chemical Industries, the Division of Plastics Industries, and the Chemical & Fertilizers Exports Council, PLASTEX 2024 transcends borders as a catalyst for transformation, shaping the next decade through innovation, collaboration, and a shared vision for sustainability.

Following a tour of the PLASTEX 2024 exhibition, Engineer Ahmed Samir, the Minister of Trade and Industry, remarked, “As the first

significant event for plastics and rubber for the Middle East and North Africa, PLASTEX has exceeded our expectations in showcasing the latest industry advancements to contribute in fostering the development of the Egyptian industry and improving the quality of products according to global standards. The aim is to establish Egypt as a central industrial hub in the Middle East and Africa, owing to its potential, distinctive features, and various vital components that enable operational and industrial excellence.’’

Egypt stands as a lucrative and strategic market, evident in the level of international participation witnessed in Cairo today. The level of international participation is testament to important global collaboration essential to driving the future of plastics and rubber for Egypt and the region”, he continued. Dr. Yasmin Fouad, the Minister of Environment, commended the enthusiasm and interest of Egyptian manufacturers who participated in the exhibition for applying environmental standards. She appreciated the participation of several companies in recycling solutions and the production of

eco-friendly products. Furthermore, she appealed to all Egyptian manufacturers to abide by these standards, particularly those aimed at exporting. She also urged manufacturers to focus on the use of renewable sources of energy, while keeping in mind the circular economy systems, resource conservation, and climate protection.

The 2024 edition expands on PLASTEX’s longstanding commitment to forging valuable partnerships in the plastics and rubber industry, serving as a trusted ally for over 30 years. As the premier destination and gateway for global brands, PLASTEX 2024 unlocks the next generation of cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices, contributing to building a prosperous ecosystem for the future.

“We are thrilled to be back in Cairo for PLASTEX 2024, and to enable distributors, suppliers, and buyers with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in futureforward innovations and trends. It’s a platform where we not only strengthen existing partnerships but also forge new ones. PLASTEX serves as an important destination, uniting the plastics and rubber network and unlocking the potential for development that benefits all industries served by the plastics and rubber products and solutions market, both in Egypt and the wider region. We extend our gratitude to our partners and sponsors and look forward to driving industry progress towards a more resilient and responsible circular economy.” expressed Salman Abou Hamzeh, Senior Vice President – Energy for dmg events.

One of the most important events scheduled to take place during Plastex 2024 is simultaneous holding of Egypt International Plastic & Rubber Products Exhibition (Egyplast), as a sub-event. The main purpose of the exhibition is to be a meeting point between buyers of plastic semi-finished & end products from Egypt, Middle East & Africa from one hand, and Egyptian suppliers (manufactures and/or exporters) of these products & technologies on the other hand.

PLASTEX 2024, in collaboration with Egyplast, convenes a global audience of 30,000 attendees as a platform for essential business matchmaking, networking, and harnessing new opportunities. With over 500 exhibitors playing key contributing roles from more than 50 countries, the exhibition unfolds at the expansive EIEC in Cairo, spanning an impressive 20,000 square meters. International attendees experience unrestricted access to a diverse array of materials, equipment, and technologies spanning over

10+ product categories, catering to a multitude of industries. The showcase boasts 60+ high-tech heavy machinery exhibits and cutting-edge technologies, offering a comprehensive exploration of the latest advancements in the field. Exciting advancements are on the horizon for Egypt’s industrial landscape, with recent government

incentives projected to propel industrial production from EGP 4.3 trillion in 2024 to an estimated EGP 5.74 trillion by 2026. This surge creates remarkable opportunities for solutions providers to expand regionally. Egypt, a strategic global destination, continues to position itself as a plastics industry hub in the MENA region, represents untapped potential for the entire value chain of the rubber and plastics industries. The exhibition and the international pavilions will feature countryspecific products from distinguished nations, bringing global expertise and perspectives on sustainability, innovations, and the modern evolution of plastics and rubber products with country pavilions from Germany, India, Turkey, Taiwan and China, as well as new participation from Korea and Kuwait.

As part of the global exhibition, groundbreaking live demonstrations and exhibits will spotlight innovative techniques in both recycling e-waste, unveiling the significant potential for plastic recycling in Egypt amid its industrial growth and recognized

innovations in packaging, steering the industry towards sustainable practices aligned with global goals including methods that contribute to a more environmentally conscious approach to waste management.

As the momentum builds and international community address progress here in Cairo, PLASTEX serves as the nexus where global suppliers and regional manufacturers converge to explore, discuss, and collaborate on the ever-evolving market dynamics as a platform where industry leaders unite to foster operational excellence, drive sustainable developments, and engage in meaningful dialogue about the next generation of technology, materials, equipment, and end-to-end solutions. The

stage is set to collectively explore the multi-faceted demands of the industry supply and demand chain, paving the way towards a resilient circular economy and an ecofriendly future.

Enriching minds as a value-added experience for 2024, PLASTEX proudly introduces an exclusive seminar and training program spanning all four show days led by industry experts from prestigious companies like SIDPEC, INDEVCO Flexible Packaging Division, Electroplast, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and more.

A cornerstone of the 2024 edition, the educational agenda is designed to be an indispensable resource on sustainable industrial development,

fostering knowledge sharing and critical skill development to elevate the technical expertise within the region’s plastics and rubber industry. Comprehensive training sessions set new standards by equipping industry professionals with the latest insights, strategies, and best practices to upgrade skillsets and harness new opportunities, propelling progress and innovation so attendees not only stay abreast of industry advancements but actively contribute to shaping its future.

Engage with PLASTEX 2024 as we embark on a journey towards a sustainable and technologically advanced future. PLASTEX 2024 promises to be an unparalleled opportunity to connect, collaborate, and chart the course for the next era of the plastics and rubber industry in the Middle East and North Africa. Held under the Patronage of His Excellency Dr. Moustafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt and supported by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Chamber of Chemical Industries, the Division of Plastics Industries, and the Chemical & Fertilizers Exports Council, PLASTEX is the Middle East and North Africa’s most influential meeting place where leading plastics and rubber companies convene in-person to engage and identify the vast opportunities in the ever-growing MENA markets.

www.plastexegypt.com

exhibitions 2024

MECSPE (Bologna, Italy) 6-8 March www.mecspe.com

TIRE TECHNOLOGY EXPO (Hannover, Germany) 19-21 March www.tiretechnology-expo.com

COSMOPROF (Bologna, Italy) 21-23 March www.cosmoprof.com

CHINAPLAS (Shanghai, China) 23-26 April www.chinaplasonline.com

SAUDI PLASTICS (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) 6-9 May www.saudipp.com

NPE (Orlando, USA) 6-10 May www.npe.org

PLASTIC EXPO (Osaka, Japan) 8-10 May www.plas.jp/en-gb.html

PLASTPOL (Targi Kielce, Poland) 21-24 May 2024 www.targikielce.pl/en/plastpol

DRUPA (Düsseldorf, Germany) 28 May-7 June www.drupa.de

ARGENPLAS (Buenos Aires, Argentina) 4-7 June www.argenplas.com.ar

SOLIDS (Parma, Italy) 5-6 June www.solids-parma.de/it

ACHEMA (Frankfurt, Germany) 10-14 June www.achema.de

ROSPLAST & ROSMOULD (Moscow, Russia) 18-20 June www.rosmould.ru

PRSE (Rai - Amsterdam, The Netherlands) 19-20 June www.prseventeurope.com

INTERPLAST (Joinville, Brazil) 13-16 August www.interplast.com.br/en

EXPOPLAST (S. Miguel, Peru) 21-24 Aug www.expoplastperu.com

PRS ME&A (Dubai, UAE) 10-12 September www.prseventmea.com

PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD EXPO (Brussels, Belgium) 11-12 September eu.plasticsrecyclingworldexpo.com

FACHPACK (Nurnberg, Garmany) 24-26 September www.fachpack.de

RUBBER TEC CHINA (Shanghai, China) 19-21 September https://en.rubbertech-expo.com/

PLASTEX (Brno, Czech Republic) 8-11 October www.bvv.cz/en/plastex

FAKUMA (Friedrichshafen, Germany) 15-19 October www.fakuma-messe.de

PLASTIC EXPO (Tokyo, Japan) 29-31 October www.material-expo.jp

PLASTICS & RUBBER INDONESIA (Jakarta, Indonesia) 20-23 November www.plasticsandrubberindonesia.com

PRS INDIA (Mumbai, India) 4-6 December www.prseventindia.com

2025

WARSAW PLAST EXPO (Warsaw, Poland) 4-6 February www.warsawplastexpo.com

PLASTICO BRAZIL (Sao Paulo, Brazil) 24-28 March 2025 www.plasticobrasil.com.br/en/home.html

IPACK-IMA (Milan-Rho, Italy) 25-30 May www.ipackima.com

GREENPLAST (Milan-Rho, Italy) 27-30 May www.greenplast.org

K (Düsseldorf, Germany) 8-15 October www.k-online.com

3U VISION SRL www.3uvision.com

ACHEMA www.achema.de

ARABPLAST www.arabplast.info

ARBURG SRL www.arburg.com

BARACCO SRL www.baracco.biz

BARRA PROJECT INTERNATIONAL SRL www.barraproject.com

BD PLAST FILTERING SYSTEMS SRL www.bdplast.com

BINOVA SRL www.binovapm.it

BRUNO FOLCIERI SRL www.brunofolcieri.it

CALDARA PLAST SRL www.caldara.it

COSMOPACK www.cosmoprof.com

ENGIN PLAST SRL www.enginplast.com

FAP SRL www.fapitaly.com

FB BALZANELLI SPA www.fb-balzanelli.it

FILTEC SRL www.filtec.it

FIMIC SRL www.fimic.it

GAMMA MECCANICA SPA www.gamma-meccanica.it

ISI PLAST SPA www.isiplast.com

MAGIC MP SPA www.magicmp.it

MIX SRL www.mixsrl.it

NEGRI BOSSI SPA www.negribossi.com

OR.P. STAMPI SRL www.orpstampi.com

PLAS MEC SRL www.plasmec.it

PLASTEX www.plastexegypt.com

PLASTICS & RUBBER INDONESIA www.plasticandrubberindonesia.com 70

PLASTIBLOW SRL www.plastiblow.it

PLASTPOL www.targikielce.pl/plastpol

PPI SRL www.ppisrl.com

PRESMA SPA www.presma.it

PROPAK WEST AFRICA www.propakwestafrica.com

PRS EUROPE www.prseventeurope.com

PRS ME&A www.prseventmea.com

ROBOLINE SRL www.sytrama.com

SIRMAX SPA www.sirmax.com

SMI SPA www.smigroup.it

SOLIDS www.solids-parma.de

TECNO SYSTEM SRL www.tecnosystemfe.it

TOVO GOMMA SPA www.tovogomma.com

50-52

5, 32-33

22-24

37-39

61-63

26

40

44-45

67-69