43 minute read
Reusable to-go mugs for a sustainable lifestyle
Reusable
to-go mugs for a sustainable lifestyle
Medium-viscosity injection-moulding and extrusion grade
BOTTLE manufacturer Yiwu Midi Technology, Zhejiang, has selected Ultrason P 3010 from BASF to produce reusable to-go mugs for the market launch of its new business segment.
Because of its durability, hightemperature resistance and design versatility the BASF polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) offers a unique combination of lifestyle attributes and sustainability for high-quality to-go cups that are lightweight, shatter-proof and fashionable:
At the same time, the BASF thermoplastic polymer contributes to less packaging waste as the mugs can be reused many times and thus support a circular economy: Ultrason P 3010 is a medium-viscosity injection-moulding and extrusion grade with temperatureindependent properties spanning a wide temperature range from -30 to +180°C. It is also food contact compliant in the US, the EU and China. “
The slightly honey-coloured tint of Ultrason and its good processability make the mugs to stand apart from those available in the market today. The mugs by Yiwu Midi Technology have two air vents, an additional straw opening and a hand grip ring made of silicone, making them practical in use and elegant in appearance at the same time. Ultrason P 3010 can be easily manufactured in combination with other materials like silicone.
Polyphenylsulfone Ultrason P 3010 offers durability, high-temperature resistance and design versatility for multiple cycle usage
www.ultrason.basf.com
Reducing the carbon footprint of footwear production
APRIL / MAY 2022
58
COVESTRO, textile technology company Huafeng and green fibre technology company Cyclone from China have jointly developed a solution to produce high-quality running and sports shoes in a much more sustainable way than before: recycled fabric made from Cyclone recycled polyester (rPET) yarns is used as the shoe upper and selectively coated using Huafeng’s HAPTIC technology.
In the process, Huafeng uses a polyurethane dispersion from Covestro’s INSQIN portfolio, half of whose carbon content comes from bio-based raw materials. The greenhouse gas emissions for each pair of shoes produced in this way are around 230 grams of CO2 equivalent less than a pair using conventional fossil-based PU dispersions and virgin PET fabric.
Impranil eco DLS, as a partially biobased binder, is part of the INSQIN range of waterborne textile coating resins. Its use contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions with around 60 grams of CO2 equivalents per pair of shoes. The value comes from internal calculations verified by independent external experts. It is obvious that the difference in the CO2 footprint becomes even greater when solvent-based PU textile coatings are used for comparison. The use of fabric based on recycled PET yarns mitigates greenhouse gas emissions by about 170 grams of CO2 equivalent per pair of shoes.
Covestro, Huafeng and Cyclone have developed a material solution to produce high-quality running and athletic shoes much more sustainably than before
www.covestro.com
Eco-designed SIM card made from recycled refrigerators
TWO French giants have joined forces to develop eco-designed SIM cards. Made from recycled polystyrene from used refrigerators, they will help to reduce the environmental impact of a market using 20 000 tons of plastic per year.
Admittedly, SIM cards are very small. Although they weigh only 4 grams each, 4.5 billion of these cards were produced worldwide in 2020.
Thales, the world’s leading manufacturer of SIM cards, set out to find an alternative solution in order to replace the plastic used until now with a recycled material. To this end, it joined forces with Veolia, the world leader in optimised resource management. After three years of R&D, the eco-SIM was created.
The plastic from which it is made is derived from end-of-life household electrical appliance waste, more specifically the polystyrene padding that lines the inside of used refrigerators.
Using this new recycled material, Thales’ engineers and Veolia’s experts developed a new SIM card manufacturing process that meets industrial requirements and international standards.
Manufacturing these 100% recycled eco-SIM cards will save nearly 5 000 tons of virgin plastic each year and help Thales achieve its goal of reducing carbon emissions by about 15 000 tons per year. At the end of its life, the recycled plastic from the SIM cards can itself be processed to produce new plastic parts.
The little card already seems to be a big hit, as Thales will supply Vodafone, one of the world’s leading mobile phone operators, with eco-SIMs. Vodafone plans to initially sell the eco-SIM in ten countries in Europe and Africa. Millions of subscribers will thus be able to benefit from this eco-responsible innovation made from our old fridges.
www.thalesgroup.com www.veolia.com
APRIL / MAY 2022 59
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K show’s home becomes temporary dwelling for Ukrainian
APRIL / MAY 2022
60 Plastics industry offers help too
IN October at K 2022, Hall 6 at Messe Düsseldorf in Germany will be filled with global chemical companies and resin makers. Right now, it’s housing refugees from Ukraine.
According to PlasticsNewsKickstart. com, Messe Düsseldorf received a request to make its largest hall available to accomodate Ukrainians. The hall covers nearly 24 084m2 and has its own changing rooms and 40 shower stalls.
Messe Düsseldorf worked with the German Red Cross and Düsseldorf Fire Department to set up 1 000 cots on 7 March and used 2 500 metres of partition walls to separate the hall into smaller rooms. The cots were already filled as of 8 March.
“We were very happy to accommodate the request,” Wolfram N. Diener, president and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, said in the release. “On the day of construction, a large number of colleagues spontaneously lent a hand to make the accommodation possible as quickly as possible, because we are moved by the fate of the people and because we are deeply moved by the plight of the refugees. Receiving and accommodating them is a matter of course for us.”
Catering is being provided by Stockheim, the regular catering partner for the messe. There is also free WiFi to help the refugees keep in touch with family and friends and follow reports from Ukraine.
Providing money and apartments
Meanwhile, Austrian machinery maker Engel Group has donated €100 000 to aid organisations and is providing apartments for its Ukrainian employees in the Czech Republic so they can house family and friends.
Reifenhäuser brings record output rates above 600kg/h for heavy-duty bag applications into series production
REIFENHÄUSER Blown Film has launched a new highperformance cooling system for its EVO FFS blown film line. It was specially developed for heavy-duty bag applications and achieves record output rates of more than 600kg/h. Thanks to high-precision flow-optimized components, the new Ultra Cool 2.0 FFS delivers higher throughput while maintaining optimum film properties.
The production of form-fill-seal (FFS) bags for heavy goods is a fiercely competitive market where output rate determines commercial success. At 600kg/h, Reifenhäuser exceeds
The Reifenhäuser Ultra Cool 2.0 FFS cooling system achieves output rates of over 600 kg/h thanks to high-precision, flow-optimised components
refugees
The donated funds were transferred to three groups: Doctors Without Borders, Neighbours in Need and the Red Cross. In addition, workers at Engel operations in Germany raised €25 000 for the Ukrainian Parish in Hannover within 24 hours, with money still coming in. The parish’s network is ensuring that the money will reach the intended recipients immediately and directly.
Russia may seize Western factories
Companies suspending operations in Russia – such as Solvay, Rehau an d Dow Inc – may be facing complications for any plans to return to smooth operations once the crisis is over. Reuters reports that a senior member of Russia’s ruling party has proposed nationalizing foreign-owned factories that shut down in the country in hopes of adding pressure on Russia to halt the invasion.
Reifenhäuser brings record output rates above 600kg/h for heavy-duty bag applications into series production
customary top values by about 50 to 100kg, so setting a new benchmark. EVO Ultra Cool 2.0 FFS is suitable for all common formulations and applications (consumer goods, industry, agriculture, etc.) offering at the same time operator friendliness and high line availability.
When it comes to mechanical film properties and thickness tolerances, they have achieved the best results in all product tests. This greatly simplifies processes to convert the film on printing and filling machines. Long service life, easier machine startup and reliable quality also make for high competitiveness and operating comfort. In order to participate in the growing market for sustainable products, the line safely processes recyclate and recyclable raw materials.
Teknor Apex Monprene serves the pet toy market
FOR decades the Monprene® TPE product line has been the premier material choice for regulated consumer products. The latest series is now specifically designed for use in the manufacture of pet products. Monprene® CP-16500 series of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are durable and sustainable alternatives to thermoset rubber for dog toys, with a broad range of performance and aesthetic characteristics. This series includes clear, translucent and opaque grades with low, medium and high gloss. All grades exhibit excellent colourability and are easily mouldable. This extensive portfolio includes specialty grades that offer improved durability with superior resistance to puncture and tear-ideal for the demanding applications of dog chew toys. www.teknorapex.com
ALPLA Group significantly expands its PET recycling capacity in Germany
THE ALPLA Group has become one of the largest PET recycling companies in Germany. With the acquisition of the recycling company Texplast from the FROMM Group and all of its shares in the joint venture PET Recycling Team Wolfen, the international company will increase its annual processing volume in Germany to 75 000 tons of PET bottles.
Following the acquisition of BTB Recycling in October 2021, ALPLA increased its processing volumes in Germany to a total of around 75 000 tons of PET input. This includes 55 000 tons by Texplast and PET Recycling Team Wolfen and 20 000 tons by BTB.
BASF closes Ludwigshafen plant after 40 years
A new BASF production plant for the intermediate 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) at the Ludwigshafen Verbund site started regular operations in the fourth quarter of 2021. After a trial run of several months, it replaces the previous plant at the Ludwigshafen site, which is being closed after more than 40 years of operation.
The new plant is fully integrated into BASF’s production Verbund and, with more than 10 000 tons of 2-ME per year, has the same production capacity as the previous plant. 2-ME has proven its value in the production of plastics, crop protection products, oilfield chemicals (Basocorr® ME) and coatings. www.intermediates.basf.com\
Bold Unity!
Milliken’s ColourDirection 2023
APRIL / MAY 2022
62 A collection of connected tones
MILLIKEN & Company’s latest ColourDirection, Bold Unity, is the work of thought-leaders and trend-watchers in the worlds of textiles, packaging, fashion, design, and marketing and a specially convened Milliken panel, analysing what’s trending today and what is next.
The Milliken ColourDirection 2023 Bold Unity combines a palette of boldness with pastel alter-egos, creating tones and contrasts that work together as a team. • Extravagant Orange, is vibrant and a sign that shouts for positive action and new hope. • Radiant Rose’s bold strength shines through the colour palette, bringing together a softer harmony of warmth and comfort. • Lavender Embrace is the go-to colour for effortless comfort, texture, and richness. • Unity Blue – the flagship colour of the
Bold Unity range – is an unforgettable link to the oceans of possibilities within us. • Coral Moments, adds a welcome note
of freshness and light and is the spirit of playfulness for the consumer mind. • Team Green is a statement that is both bright and rich, representing the fertile and vibrant world around us. • Sharply Citrus, in contrast with the softer colours, adds a call for attention urgency.
The colourants include:
• Liquitint™ customised polymeric colourants that combine dynamic colours with excellent processability for multiple applications including home and laundry care. These water-soluble and nonstaining colourants are compatible with the most challenging active ingredients, including additives and higher perfume levels. • ClearTint™ colour concentrates for
NX® UltraClear™ polypropylene (PP) add vivid, transparent colour and are compliant with safety requirements for food packaging. • Reactint® polymeric colourants for polyurethane (PU) add appealing colour to products without affecting the physical
properties of the material. • KeyPlast® colourants are a spectrum of bright, high performance shades for a multitude of polymer and resin systems including ABS, PET in transparent, food-contact applications, and other transparent amorphous polymers such as polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC) and acrylic (PMMA). • KeyPlast RESIST™ are high performance colourants, designed especially for colouring engineering polymers such as polyamides (PA), polybutylene terephthalates (PBT), polypthalamides (PPA), polysulfones (PSU), and other high-heat glass filled and flame retardant resins and alloys.
These colourants perform well in hightemperature processing and application conditions typically associated with high-performance polymers.
www.chemical.milliken.com
Compounds for a gentle, comfortable shave
COMPALEN Slip Strip conditioning compounds are ready-to-process for the manufacturing of the lube strips that enable wet shaving particularly gentle and comfortable. Carrier resins are polystyrene (PS) or thermoplastic are polystyrene (PS) or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) for elastomers (TPE) for injection moulding or injection moulding or extrusion. extrusion. When it When it comes to comes to compounding compounding Compalen Slip Compalen Slip Strip, Grafe Strip, Grafe can draw on can draw on its long and wideits long and wideranging experience ranging experience of thermoplastic additivation to combine the base material with freely selectable colouring pigments and functional fillers, which are purely physically incorporated without coupling agents. Supplied as freeflowing pellets, all compounds are suitable for direct co-extrusion or 2-component injection moulding together with compatible thermoplastics such as PS or ABS that provide mechanical stability.
Due to the high filler contents, a certain proportion of the additive formulation remains on the surface of the resultant lube strips, which means that on contact with water, these components can dissolve, swell and so show the expected effect. The soaps, fats and oils present in these components provide a pleasant lubricating effect that protects the skin from irritation. Further conditioning and fragrance components can also be incorporated and combined with the desired on-trend colour. The range of potential combinations is virtually unlimited.
Grafe develops and produces individually tailored, ready-toprocess Compalen Slip Strip conditioning compounds for the manufacturing of wet razor lube strips
www.grafe.com
Covestro and Ceres Holographics are expanding their collaboration to make transparent displays with volume holographic optical elements fit for application readiness e.g. in the automotive industry.
Innovative windshield displays
LOOKING out of the car onto the road and seeing the speed and navigation instructions displayed on the windshield as if on a screen: this is made possible by a new generation of transparent displays. The technology offers a particularly wide range of design freedom and excellent imaging. In addition, the necessary projection system requires less installation space in the dashboard. In the innovative displays, a volume holographic film is integrated into the windshield or side window.
Covestro and Ceres Holographics, Scotland, are now expanding their collaboration to make transparent displays with volume holographic optical elements fit for application readiness in the automotive industry in particular. The opening of Ceres Holographics’ new digital mastering and replication facility in Livingston is another important step for both companies to build and scale this technology.
The technical collaboration will focus on optimizing Covestro’s Bayfol® HX film and Ceres’ HoloFlekt® mastering and replication equipment with respect to the system geometry of various vehicle classes, imaging performance, as well as integration requirements. “By expanding our relationship with our long-time partner Ceres, we are significantly advancing forward-looking display solutions. The interest and exchange with OEMs shows us that a new generation of displays for mobility applications are important,” says Moritz Winterstein, Head of Growth Ventures Specialty Films at Covestro.
Ceres’ holography system and design capabilities enable the development of vehicle-specific master designs, which can then be produced in replicas as large-format HoloFlekt® films and integrated into glass. The system efficiently directs the projector light into the user’s eye-box and maintains the high transparency of the screen. “Bayfol® HX films from Covestro are key to our ability to provide high-volume transparent films with light-guiding optical functions for volume holographic display solutions,” said Andy Travers, chief executive officer of Ceres.
Transparent displays with volume holographic elements are attractive not only for automotive applications, but also, for example, for applications in buses, trains, industrial vehicles, and aircraft, as well as in architectural glazing.
Exxon o il ma es first commercial sale of certified circular polymers
EXXONMOBIL has completed its first commercial sale of certified circular polymers, using its Exxtend™ technology for advanced recycling of plastic waste. The purchaser is Berry Global, a leading provider of innovative packaging and engineered products, which will use the circular polymers to manufacture containers for high-performance food-grade packaging on a mass balance approach.
The initial sale of certified circular polymers is based on plastic waste processed at ExxonMobil’s advanced recycling facility at its integrated site in Baytown, Texas. The facility began operations in 2021 and has already processed more than 4 million pounds of plastic waste.
elanese to uy uPont s nylon mo ility usiness in ill deal
IN a major deal in the plastics supply chain, Celanese Corp is acquiring a majority of DuPont Co’s Mobility & Materials unit for $11 billion in cash.
The businesses being acquired have annual sales of about $3.5 billion. DuPont said the deal is expected to close by the end of 2022. DuPont has been a longtime supplier of nylon to the auto industry.
The deal includes a major nylon resin business, but doesn’t include DuPont’s auto adhesives business and certain other plastics lines.
Dallas-based Celanese ranks as the world’s largest acetal maker. Acetal is a type of plastic used in precision parts used by automakers and other industres.
The ompound ompany ac uires Exxelor polymers
THE Compound Company, a leading developer and manufacturer of compounds, has acquired the production site, product portfolio and customer base for Exxelor™ polymer resins from ESSO Deutschland GmbH , ExxonMobil in Cologne, Germany. The acquisition will increase the global production capacity of The Compound Company to about 70 kilotons per year and significantly expand the group’s reach into new markets.
o estro expands its P compounding operations in ndia
COVESTRO recently started up two polycarbonate compounding production lines at its Greater Noida plant near New Delhi in India. The new plants are intended to meet the growing demand for compounded plastics, particularly for the automotive and electrical and electronics industries. In Greater Noida, Covestro has addressed capacity bottlenecks several times in the past, so that in 2017 the site was able to meet about 50% of domestic demand for compounded PC, while the other half was supplied from the Map Ta Phut site in Thailand.
Both multi-layer film systems with paint film surfaces and structured, back-lighting capable or open-pored systems such as wood, and also functionalised films with capacitive electronics, can be processed off the roll
Engel at PLASTIMAGEN 2022 in Mexico City
FLEXIBILITY and efficiency were the focus in the development of the reelto-reel IMD application which ENGEL presented at its stand at Plastimagen in Mexico City from 8-11 March in collaboration with system partners Leonhard Kurz (Germany), Schöfer (Austria) and Isosport Verbundbauteile (Austria).
To manufacture complex, threedimensional sample parts, the duo 1060/350 injection moulding machine with an integrated viper 20 robot uses two process technologies at the same time: foilmelt and foammelt. Foilmelt stands for flexibility more than anything else here. Different decorative foils are thermoformed, back-injected and punched from reel-to-reel in the mould in quick succession in a one-step process.
Foammelt structural foam moulding – the MuCell physical foam injection process was used here – stands for the highest possible material and energy efficiency. In foamed parts, a porous core is embedded in a compact cover layer. This sandwich design reduces the use of material and correspondingly the weight of the parts. At the same time, the gas load reduces the viscosity of the molten plastics, which offers the ability to use smaller injection moulding machines in many applications as less clamp force is required.
The wide range of applications for the production-mature process combination is remarkable. It is suitable for visible components in the vehicle interior, in electronic devices, and for household appliances, among other things. Both multi-layer film systems with paint film surfaces and structured, back-lighting capable or openpored systems such as wood, and also functionalised films with capacitive electronics, can be processed off the roll. To change the decor, the surface structure and the functionality, only the roll has to be changed, not the mould. Besides PP, ABS, PC or PC/ABS and recycled materials can be used for back injection.
ENGEL is represented in South Africa by GreenTech Machinery (Pty) Ltd
www.greentechmachinery.co.za
A duo 1060/350 injection moulding machine was used at Plastimagen 2022 to manufacture decorated sample parts in a combined foilmelt and foammelt process
New Ultrathin Coating process for film & nonwoven composites at ICE Europe
REIFENHAUSER Cast Sheet Coating, specialists for cast film, sheet extrusion and extrusion coating lines, showcased a completely new production process for cost-effective film/ nonwoven composites with an exceptionally low grammage at ICE (International Converting Exhibition) Europe at Messe München (Munich trade fair centre) from 15-17 March.
Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating has developed a trend-setting production process termed Ultrathin Coating, in particular for the sector of medical protective clothing. The process will permit customers to produce particularly lightweight film/ nonwoven composites with greater cost efficiency and, as a result, more competitively.
The patent-pending process has several advantages: It cuts film grammage by 66%; material consumption in the overall composite is reduced by 28%; and it slashes costs by up to 34% compared to conventional semi-finished products. Significant cost savings are achieved in various ways, for example, by replacing hotmelt adhesives, which reduces line maintenance to a great extent at the same time.
LAMICOR-CL Laminator: The core of the Ultrathin Coating extrusion coating line.
www.reifenhauser.com/en/company/reifenhauser-group/cast-sheet-coating
2022
MeetingPack 2022: 20-21 April Valencia, Spain. www.meetingpack.com
JEC World 2022: 3-5 May Paris-Nord, Villepinte, France www.jec-world.events
GreenPlast 2022: 3-6 May Milan, Italy. www.greenplast.org
Coatings for Africa: 4-6 May Sandton Convention Centre, Jhb www.coatingsforafrica.com
16th World Pultrusion Conference: 5-6 May Paris, France. www.pultruders.com
7th PLA World Congress: 24-25 May Munich, Germany. www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
Injection Molding & Design Expo: 25-26 May Detroit, Michigan, USA www.ami.ltd/Injection-Molding-Expo
MEFPU Expo: 7-9 June Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai www.mefpu.com
Pre-K Trade Media Event: 13-14 June Ansfelden and Schwertberg, Austria nvanheesewijk@emg-marcom.com
Wire & Tube 2022: 20-24 June Düsseldorf, Germany. www.wire-tradefair.com
Manufacturing Indaba: 21-22 June Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg www.manufacturingindaba.co.za
Trenchless Asia 2022: 27-28 July Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. www.trenchlessasia.com
Feiplar Composites & Feipur: 16-18 August São Paulo, Brazil. www.feiplar.com
SAPPMA Pipe XIII Conference: 6-7 September Emperors Palace, Kempton Park www.sappma.co.za
ISWA World Congress: 21-23 September Sands Expo & Con Centre, Singapore www.iswa2022.org
Wire China 2022: 26-29 September Shanghai, China. www.wirechina.net
K 2022: 19-26 October Düsseldorf, Germany www.messe-duesseldorf.de
APRIL / MAY 2022 65
BRIEFS
Coatings for Africa in Sandton
With a rich history of success, through its association with the Oil and Colour Chemists’ Association (OCCA) and South African Paint Manufacturing Association (SAPMA), Coatings For Africa from 4-6 May at the Sandton Convention Centre is the largest dedicated coatings event in Africa for raw material and service suppliers, equipment and paint manufacturers. For three days, the trade exhibition along with the Coatings For Africa Conference, facilitates serious business and networking opportunities for the coatings community.
The event creates the perfect environment for manufacturers, raw materials suppliers, distributors, buyers and technical specialists like formulators from the coatings industry to meet face-to-face and do business. That’s not all, the event offers the opportunity to gather insight on the latest processes, exchange ideas with industry leaders and build a strong network in the African continent. www.coatingsforafrica.com
16th World Pultrusion Conference
EVERY two years the EPTA (European Pultrusion Technology Association) presents the current developments and innovations in the market of pultruded fibre reinforced materials in Europe and worldwide. The event will be held in Paris from 5-6 May. About 25 international speakers from all over the world will present at the conference to participants across the whole value chain in the pultrusion industry. If the organiser cancels the event, e.g. due to the Corona situation, the participation fee will be refunded. www.pultruders.com
7th PLA World Congress
The 7th PLA World Congress, will be hosted in Munich, Germany, form 24-25 May in a hybrid format, i.e. online participation is possible.
Experts from all involved fields will share their knowledge and contribute to a comprehensive overview of today‘s opportunities and challenges and discuss the possibilities, limitations and future prospects of PLA for all kinds of applications. www.bioplasticsmagazine.com
Arburg: The QR code printed on the cups is used to read out the materials data stored in the R-Cycle database and facilitate precision sorting Sustainability in practice
Allrounder produces cups from bio-based PP with QR code
THE Greenplast trade fair will be held in Milan for the first time from 3-6 May. The event will focus on the topics of sustainability, recycling and energy efficiency in the plastics and rubber industry. Arburg will be demonstrating its expertise in circular economy and resource conservation with a turnkey system producing cups from bio-based polypropylene (PP) with a lasered R-Cycle code for single-sort recycling.
During the trade fair, Arburg will be showing an electric Allrounder 470 A with a Multilift robotic system. In addition, the machine is equipped with assistance packages that help with set-up, production start-up, process optimisation, programming freedom, monitoring and service, making the Allrounder a true ‘smart machine’.
The fully-automated machine produces plastic cups made from bio-based PP in a single-cavity hot runner injection mould. Following the injection moulding process, a QR code is lasered onto the cups in line with the R-Cycle initiative. This digital product passport enables the cups to be precisely sorted and recycled after use. The pivotal element of R-Cycle is a database that contains all the information about the materials used. Arburg will use this application example to show how it is possible to obtain high-quality recyclate from post-consumer plastic products and close the cycle of recyclable materials.
Focus on LSR injection moulding, digitalisation, additive manufacturing
PLASTEC West, the largest annual plastics event in North America, took place from 12-14 April, covering five themes: plastics processing, automation, prototyping, packaging and medical technology. Arburg was there showcasing its entire processing spectrum.
At the booth, an electric 470A Allrounder integrated into a fully automated production cell produced a collapsible cup. The process used LSR, whose exceptional durability is ideal for creating cups that are able to fold up. The production cycle starts with a vertical Multilift V robotic system that moves into the mould area from above and removes the finished part as a first step.
The insert – a thermoplastic ring – is then placed on the mould core for the next cycle and the cup is set down on a conveyor belt that is resistant to high temperatures. The cup weighs 84 grams and the cycle time is 45 seconds.
Arburg is represented in SA by Hestico (Pty) Ltd
www.hestico.co.za
To manufacture a collapsible cup, the LSR component is injected onto a thermoplastic ring (black)
At Plastec West 2022, Arburg showcased an electric 470A Allrounder with a vertical Multilift V robotic system.
APRIL / MAY 2022
67
Register now!
7th PLA World Congress
24 + 25 MAY 2022 MUNICH › GERMANY
www.kznindustrial.co.za
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BRIEFS
UTECH Middle East/Africa foam & polyurethane Expo
rescheduled to 7-9 June at the Dubai Arab Emirates. Group organises some of the global polyurethane industry’s largest trade businesses in Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, www.mefpu.com
Wire & Tube 2022 event delayed to June
Messe Düsseldorf postpones Wire and Tube in consultation with the partners and associations involved to 20-24 June. The currently very dynamic infection patterns and rapidly spreading Omicron variant have resulted in adjustments in the Düsseldorf trade fair calender that require re-scheduling the Wire and Tube originally planned for 9-13 May. www.wire-tradefair.com
The Manufacturing event for Africans, by Africans
THE Manufacturing Indaba, from 21-22 June Centre, Johannesburg, is the leading Africa. The event has shown impressive growth year on year and has proved its value in catalyzing business connections and helping manufacturers to innovate and grow their potential. conference and exhibition to learn from industry leaders, manufacturing sector experts and international speakers. Meet potential buyers through business matchmaking programme and buyers lounge. www.manufacturingindaba.co.za
Covestro polycarbonate plastics enable the development of modern medical devices, for example, the demonstrator for a drug delivery device and diagnostic devices e.g. for diabetes seen here.
www.covestro.com
Life-enhancing healthcare solutions
MATERIAL advancements are creating new, exciting opportunities for healthcare OEMs, engineers and designers. Covestro offers a variety of products designed for highperformance medical devices.
At MD&M West Conference and Exposition from 12-14 April in Anaheim, California, Covestro showcased its materials for healthcare applications, including Makrolon® RE for Healthcare. Makrolon RE polycarbonate grades have a low carbon footprint thanks to the use of renewable electricity for their manufacture, as well as raw materials produced from massbalanced bio-waste and residues.
Covestro’s portfolio of materials for diverse healthcare uses includes: •
Makrolon® and Makroblend® deliver
strength and durability for drug delivery devices, dental applications, advanced injection devices, medical device housings, and more. • adhesives: Baymedix® polyurethane adhesive and foam components provide excellent breathability and low trauma removal to wound care products, in addition to excellent absorption. • ® offer breathable applications for wound dressing and prevention, as well as wearable patches. Texin® and strength for applications such as medical tubing and dental applications, all while remaining resistant to cleaning agents and bacteria.
MeetingPack 2022 focus on innovation for more sustainable barrier packaging
ENVIRONMENTAL sustainability and functionality are two trends that define the food packaging of the future. The meeting organized by AINIA and 20-21 April to discuss the challenges and opportunities posed by the circular economy to barrier food packaging.
With a complete, two-day programme of seven thematic speakers, who will highlight industry innovations in the development stage. discuss the environmental sustainability of food packaging and the need to ensure these products have the high level of barrier functionality the market demands.
Tie-bar-less machines reduce handling times at JEC World 2022
JEC World 2022 from 3-5 May in Paris, France, showcases the entire value chain of the composites industry. One important step in this chain is the shaping of thermoplastic fibre-composite preforms. The ENGEL organomelt process takes this one step further. Organic sheets and unidirectional tapes are not just shaped, but also functionalised in one integrated step by overmoulding the preforms using injection moulding. This will be demonstrated live at the ENGEL Stand in Hall 5.
The main component of the production cell, which is producing demonstration components made of continuous fibre-reinforced polyamide (PA), is a tie-bar-less ENGEL victory 200/50 injection moulding machine equipped with an ENGEL viper 12 linear robot for handling preforms and finished parts, and a double-sided, vertical ENGEL IR oven.
The composite blanks are heated in the IR oven, placed in the mould, formed in the mould, and overmoulded with PA. Heating the prepregs is one of the process steps that drive the cycle time and quality in the processing of fibre reinforced preforms with a thermoplastic matrix. The thickness defines the heat-up and cool-down time. Heating the material quickly without damaging it is important, as are short paths for transporting the heated preforms to the mould (hot handling).
The production cell at JEC makes extensive use of the great efficiency potential of ENGEL’s tie-bar-less technology for the organomelt process. The victory machine’s biggest advantage in this application is its very fast hot handling. Barrier-free access to the mould area makes it possible to position the IR oven even closer to the mould than is possible for injection moulding machines with tiebars. And the robot can take the shortest path from the oven to the mould. In this way, even very thin preforms can be processed.
Tapes make it possible to reinforce individual areas in the part in order to adapt them even more specifically to the load. The door module, produced in the ENGEL organomelt process, is more rigid in its window frame area than on the inside of the door
• Official Distributor in Southern Africa for BASF Official Distributor in Southern Africa for on TPU Elastollan® Thermoplastic PolyurethaneBASF on TPU Elastollan® Thermoplastic Official Distributor in Southern Africa for Elastron Polyurethane • on TPE, TPV Elastron® SEBS and EPDM/PP Official Distributor in Southern Africa for Official Distributor in Southern Africa for CGFSE on FSE® Fluoroelastomers and Elastron on TPE, TPV Elastron® SEBS and EPDM/PP • Perfluoroelastomers Official Distributor in Southern Africa for • • • • Distributor for Weifang on Weipren® CPE Suppliers of EPS, Various Grades Engineering Polymers Polyolefins Reworked and Repaletised Materials Official distributor for Politem on PA6, PA66 CGFSE on FSE® Fluoroelastomers and Perfluoroelastomers Engineering Polymers Polyolefins Reworked and Repaletised Materials Official distributor for Politem on PA6, PA66 unfilled and filled compounds unfilled and filled compoundsContact Carlo
Cell: 084 506 7660 Tel: 011 760 1089 orders@dhpolymers.co.za
KITE 2022
provides much- A busy stand at KITE – the MECAD team keenly connected with industry players at KITE to help them identify product, training, support, or consultation needed return to needs and find the right solution for each company, big or small. The MECAD Group offers extensive engineering software solutions, from CAD design, to manufacturing automation, simulation, shopfloor control, and analysis. one-on-one industry-supplier interaction
HELD from 16-18 February at the Durban Exhibition Centre, the KwaZuluNatal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE) 2022 was the first trade show of its kind in South Africa to open its doors after an industry trade show hiatus of almost two years.
“The excitement was tangible as the 80 exhibitors awaited the arrival of the thousands of visitors and was equally evident in the long queue that had formed to register on day 1 of the Expo. This clearly underlined that an event which allows visitors and suppliers to interact on a more personal level was sorely overdue and we are thrilled to have initiated the reopening of trade shows in a controlled manner, with all Covid-19 safety regulations in place,” says Gary Corin, MD of Specialised Exhibitions.
In addition to a diverse array of industrial technology products and services, visitors were able to expand their knowledge base at the free-toattend SAIMechE (The South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering) Seminar Theatre sessions and the well-attended, paid-for LEEASA (Lifting Equipment Engineering Association of
Harvey Roofing team manning their stand are from L-R Albie Jordaan (GM Sales & Marketing), Bill Bowman (Concept Inventor), Marius de Klerk (Sales manager) and Frikkie Erasmus (BU Executive).
South Africa) conference.
“We are thrilled with the success of KITE 2022 and we are already well into the throes of preparing for KITE 2023, which will take place at the Durban Exhibition Centre from 19-21 July 2023. A number of current exhibitors have already signed up for the next Expo so we encourage suppliers of industrial technology products and services to reserve their exhibition stands as soon as possible,” says Hefer.
www.kznindustrial.co.za
New at K 2022: the Start-Up Zone www.k-online.com
START-ups are young, creative, flexible and particularly stand out with their innovative solutions. So what better fit for K2022, The world’s No. 1 trade fair for plastics & rubber, than to offer a dedicated presentation area to newcomers specialised in the development of innovative products and solutions revolving around plastics and rubber? And this is precisely what K2022 will be doing with their Start-Up Zone in Hall 8b of the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre at K from
19-26 October.
At present, young companies can still apply for participation in the Start-Up Zone, using the unique opportunity of presenting themselves and their developments and making international business contacts with a high-calibre expert audience from all over the world at this the most important trade fair for the plastics and rubber industries.
Basic requirements for participation in the Start-Up Zone include: Company no more than 10 years old; headcount below 100; and annual turnover below Euro 10 million.
Already registered for the Start-Up Zone are Plastship from Germany, a European marketplace for recycled plastics to promote the circular economy online and offline; Healix from the Netherlands – the company collects nets, ropes and other plastic waste based on synthetic fibres to recycle them into high quality circular polymers for the global production supply chain; Hage 3D from Austria that produces large format industrial 3D printers; and the developers of Enlyze from Germany that offer companies a software solution to perform quality control already during the manufacturing of a product.
otor t ne ers or ton n e t on With the InnoPET BloFill ACF-L stretch blow moulder/filler o der ta e o ers block KHS provides a system solution for sensitive beverages in PET bottles that is especially low on space do e s de orona treater ard y sed de R70 000 Future-proof line and ne arre s and s re s rat o t n ones dea or ater a s ea packaging systems ne arre s rat o ea ne s re t at Anuga FoodTec rat o sed s re n ood ond t on
InnoPET BloFill ACF-L block system for aseptic filling
FROM 26-29 April the KHS Group will present its entire portfolio of modern filling technology and environmentally-friendly packaging systems at Anuga FoodTec in Cologne, Germany. With its efficient InnoPET BloFill ACF-L block system the systems provider is looking to the future of aseptic filling. A further focus will be on the new standard interfaces for communication between KHS machines and customer IT systems. The turnkey supplier also continues to devote itself to saving on resources and protecting the environment with its holistic packaging systems.
For the filling of sensitive beverages in a hygienic environment the turnkey supplier provides an extensive portfolio of environmentally-friendly systems for various container designs and materials. With the InnoPET BloFill ACF-L stretch blow moulder/filler block, the Dortmund engineering company presents a further development for sensitive beverages in PET bottles that is especially low on space.
The new system scores with a multitude of innovations, one being its new switching valve. This controls the volume of the inflow to the actual filling valve and thus permits a total of four different filling speeds. Bottle volumes both large and small with varying viscosities can be perfectly processed on this machinery – with extremely low foaming an added bonus. The filling process is stored in the product recipes; there is no need for manual conversion. This makes for a reproducible filling quality and improves filling accuracy. The result is a stable output of beverages with different properties, in turn boosting efficiency and the flexibility required to fill a wide assortment of products.
www.khs.com/en/ APRIL / MAY 2022
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Injection moulding OCT / NOV 2019 MALTA machines, and household moulds For details contact info@thengaplastics.co.za
70 RECYCLING High-quality recycled HDPE, LDPE, PP
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If you have any redundant equipment you would like to sell please email a list with photos and I will try and sell on behalf of you.
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rod ts and not sed to rod e t e or na Cycliq (Pty) Ltd at: intended items. Graham 082 551 2086 –
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APRIL / MAY 2022
72 Nike has eliminated the need for laces or other fasteners by building the shoe around a patent-pending bi-stable hinge
Nike reveals within the sole. Combined with a large rubber band – called a midsole tensioner by Nike – this hinge allows the shoe to be secure in both an open position for the foot to enter and a closed position for when the trainers are in use hands-free GO FlyEase trainer
Trainers are designed to be intuitive to put on and take off
SPORTSWEAR brand Nike has released the laceless Nike GO FlyEase trainers, which can be put on and taken off without using your hands to replace shoes with laces.
The latest trainer released in the FlyEase range, the Nike GO FlyEase is made of two sections connected by a hinge that allows users to put them on and take them off without tying shoelaces or using another fastening.
“Shoes for a long time have been a bit antiquated in the way that we undo the laces and then lace them up, this is a more modern, more elegant way to get in and out of your shoes and an easier way – you don’t even think about it,” explained Nike design lead and American Paralympic triathlete, Sarah Reinersten.
“There are no laces, and there’s no need to use hands when you have no laces,” she explains. “So there’s no laces or adjustable containment needed. It has a beautiful new, clog-like shape that’s very easy to slip into.”
Nike has eliminated the need for laces or other fasteners by building the shoe around a patent-pending bi-stable hinge within the sole. Combined with a large rubber band – called a midsole tensioner by Nike – this hinge allows the shoe to be secure in both an open position for the foot to enter and a closed position for when the trainers are in use.
“The bi-stable hinge means that it will keep stable when it’s in that open or ready position,” said Reinersten. “So when it’s on your floor, it’s super stable, but once you get into the set position, and you step down, it will stay in this position, it’s not going to pop back up. So it’s stable when it’s closed, and then it’s stable when it’s open,” she added.
Although they are mechanically complicated, the trainers are designed to be intuitive to put on and take off, with the process being similar to the way many people already slide into shoes and then kick them off.
The emphasised kickstand heel was designed to help users mimic this action.
Nike has designed the shoe to be used as an everyday shoe, but also believes that it can be used by a lot of people who find it difficult to put their shoes on. The Nike GO FlyEase is the latest trainer in the FlyEase range, which was launched five years ago and includes the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 FlyEase, which was launched in 2019. While previous editions still required a hand to open, this is the first shoe that is entirely hands-free.
Nike has also created a pair of laceless basketball trainers that tighten at the touch of a button or swipe of a smartphone. Sports brand Puma also created a pair of trainers that can be tightened at the swipe of a finger.
Manufacturing of new barrels and screws Bimetallic - Nitrided – Through harden
Refurbishment of Barrels, Screws, Granulators, Blow Film and T-Dies
uppliers of recycling pipe profi le fi lm reduction industry
