Plastic news feb 2015 issue by AIPMA Office

SAY YES TO PLASTICS Volume No. 87

PRN: - MCN/200/2015-2017

Issue No. 02

Pages 72

February 2015

Rs. 75.00

Hall No. 6M and Stall No: C 40/41

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CONTENTS

Plastics News MCN/200/2015-2017 Volume 87

February 2015 No. 2

Hon. Editor Mr. Ajay Desai

Arabplast 2015 IMTEX 2015 AIPMA AT PLASTINDIA 2015

Editorial Co-ordination: Padmesh Prabhune, Dhruv Communications, Mumbai, Tel No: 022 2868 5198 / 5049 Fax No : 022-28685495 email: dhruvpr@vsnl.net Published by Ms. Umaa Gupta on behalf of the owners, The All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association Plot No. A-52, Road No. 1, M.I.D.C., Andheri (E), Mumbai-400 093. Tel: 67778899 • Fax : 00-22-2821 6390 E-mail : office@aipma.net • Website : http://www.aipma.net Printed by her at : Dhote Offset Technokrafts Pvt. Ltd., Goregaon (E), Mumbai-400 063. Rs. 1,000/Rs. 75/-

Views/Reports/Extracts etc. published in Plastics News are those of the authors and not necessarily of the Editor. Furthermore except for copies of formal AIPMA communications no other matter in this journal should be interpreted as views of The All India Plastics Mfgrs. Association. Office Bearers Mr. Rituraj Gupta Mr. R. K. Aggarwal Mr. Meela Jayadev Mr. Sanju Desai Mr. Ashok Agarwal Mr. Haren Sanghavi Mr. Manoj R. Shah Mr. Jagat Killawala

15...... AIPMA At Work

Members Mr. A. E. Ladhaboy Dr. Y. B. Vasudeo Ms. Poorvi Desai

Annual Subscription Single issue

IS H T N

Chairman - Editorial Board Mr. Rituraj Gupta

. . . E SSU

President Vice President (North Zone) Vice President (South Zone) Vice President (West Zone) Vice President (East Zone) Hon. Secretary Hon. Jt. Secretary Hon. Treasurer

AIPMA - Press Conference Celebration of AIPMA 70th Jubilee function held at Ahmedabad on Sunday, 8th February during Plastindia 2015 a Grand Success

25...... Company News 28...... Features Plastindia makes it bigger Petrochem-Plastics to become the agent of social change The Plasticon Awards Highlights of PlastIndia 2015 Innovative breathable active map technology for fresh produces NPE 2015 to feature more than 400 exhibits China's plastic industry makes significant shift

52...... International News 54...... Business News 58...... Product News 61...... Technology 65...... In the News

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NEEJTECH

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THE PRESIDENT SAYS

All well that ends well he PlastIndia2015 has just concluded and AIPMA

successful implementation

was part of it. The exhibition witnessed over

of various programs of the

2,00,000 visitors and generated business enquiries

central government and

worth Rs 2,500 crores. For AIPMA it was a good trade

want to contribute for this

show as well.

as our corporate social

AIPMA celebrated its 70th year Jubilee celebration

responsibility.

with a focus on development and overall growth

Also with the fiscal Budget

of the Indian Plastic industry at Ahmedabad. The

likely to be announced later

function was attended by nearly 1500 individuals from

this month, AIPMA has forwarded few Proposals to

the industry. The evening was a special one with the

the Minister of DCPC & MSME, which it is confident

Who’s who of the Plastic Industry making it.

of being implemented. This shall provide the badly

The All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA) has figured out plans to promote use of

needed impetus to the manufacturing sector, thereby creating the urgent need of skilled workforce.

plastic in a big way in order to help in attaining

AIPMA is driving various programs which include

various goals set up by the Government of India for

cluster development, easy financing, job fairs for

socio-economic change.

employment, manpower training, entrepreneurship

Most of the government initiatives such as ‘Swachcha Bharat’, ‘More Crop per Drop of Water’, ‘Housing

development, business trade fairs, to fulfill the expectations of Indian Plastic industry.

for All’, Developing ‘Smart Cities’, would not be

I am of the opinion that we need to take a sectoral

possible to implement without using plastics. AIPMA

approach i.e to impart training to workforce needed

is focusing not only on generating employment but

in Plastic Processing sector, thereby preparing the

also on entrepreneurship and skill development.

New Generation workforce equipped with latest

India has a Population of above 125 crores and out of this around 60% is in the age group of 15-64 years. We need to take advantage of this by increasing the

technology. Team AIPMA is already aware of this huge challenge and is gearing up to establish a modern Skill development and a Design center at it AIPMA House.

skilled workforce in the country, which is currently

All this will happen and we are sure that Indian Plastic

only 5% as compared to 96% in South Korea,80% in

Industry will excel in days to come.

Japan & 70% in Germany. With the thrust of our PM Narendra Modi on ‘Make in

Rituraj Gupta

India’ and a separate Ministry for Skill Development,

president@aipma.net

both Government and Industry endorses the focus on Skill development. We are very much concerned about

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FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN

Let’s Go Green he trade show PlastIndia 2015 as the officials say

Along with PlastIndia 2015,

was quite well, considering the change. And the

Plasticon Awards were declared

amount of business it generated is for everyone to

as well to felicitate excellence

see. With the visitor crossing 2,00,000 mark followed

and innovation in the field

by inquiries worth Rs 2,500 crores PlastIndia did

of Plastics .The awards were

make its mark. At the trade show there were many

presented across 25 different

product launches. We are covering a gist of section

categories. The Plasticon Life

of the products that we thought would be helpful to

Time Achievement Awards were bestowed upon Mr. M.

our reader who could not make it to PlastIndia 2015

P. Taparia and Mr. Hasmukh Shah for their contribution

at Gandhinagar.

towards the Plastics Industry. We congratulate them

The pavilion for Agriculture (Plasticulture Pavilion)

for their achievements.

and Recycling had some good innovations. One could

While on the home front we are doing well there

look for some serious business in these pavilions

are some interesting happenings world over. China

as well. Considering the Agrarian economy like

has reported slower growth with its gross domestic

ours, I think use of Plastics in Agriculture would

product growth at 7.4%, the lowest since 1990. This

definitely bring about a change in the Industry with

is not only in China but is across the globe with a

the consumer (in this case farmers) to receive the

sluggish growth in Europe, US and instability in Russia.

benefits.

In this case India becomes one of the preferred

There is a huge scope for Plastics in Agriculture.

destinations for investments.

A variety of plastics materials and end products

To conclude I could say this is the right time for the

are deployed in plasticulture applications - for

plastics Industry to pull up their socks.

water conservation, irrigation efficiency, crop and environment protection, as well as end product storage and transportation. Plastics can be used in drip irrigation, aquaculture greenhouse, poultry house, solar dehydration and mulching. While

And one thing is sure, for l think there is a huge potential for Plasticulture that remains to be tapped. As such we are planning to carry a series of informative articles on Plasticulture and our readers are free to contribute.

discussing the utility value of Plastics with one of the experts at Plastindia, we learnt that use of drip irrigation can save 50-70% of water and there have

Hope fully together we are able to make the ‘Green’ India for real.

been instances of increased yields of sugarcane and

Hon. Editor

tomato crops by 8.5 and 13.4%, respectively over

Ajay Desai

surface irrigation.

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AIPMA AT WORK

Arabplast 2015

he 12th edition of Arabplast – 2015 International trade fair on Plastics & Rubber Industry was held from 10-13 January, 2015 at Dubai, UAE, and AIPMA represented Indian domain. The trade show was organised by M/s Alfajer Information and Services, and its overseas associate was Messe Dusseldorf GmbH. Plastics Raw material exports by the Gulf counties to the world, the companies from UAE, Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participated in the exhibition in the main pavilion.

The Exhibition Size and participation At the Arabplast 2015 we had over 1000 exhibitors from 45 countries and regions.The trade show witnessed over 26,000 total business visitors. The trade show had 18 Country pavilions exhibiting new technologies, innovations in various disciplines from the plastics, rubber and petrochemical industry. Arabplast 2015 has over the years made a significant place in the MENA region and is the driving factor for the rubber, plastics and petrochemical industry.

PlexCouncil (The Plastic Export Promotion Council) was led by India Pavilion which was located in Hall No.1, 2, & 3 with 88 participants from India covering an area of 1600 sqm. The organizers also provided Information Booths, VIP Lounges and paid Internet facility. There were free Entry passes given by the organizers.

Visit of Plastivision in Arabplast-2015 Mr. Rituraj Gupta, President AIPMA, Mr. Harish Dharmasi, Chairman PVA – 2016, Mr. Bharat Vyas, and Ms. Sanjeevani Kothare visited the Arabplast-2015 Exhibition and attended various Agents meetings arranged by the COO PVI 2017. The AIPMA team also met Mr. Satish Khanna, from Alfajar information & services, organizer of Arabplast and invited him to visit Plastivision India 2017 Exhibition in India. They also met quite a few exhibitors who showed interest in Plastivision India and Plastivision Arabia. The 13th Edition of Arabplast-2017 is to be scheduled from 7-10 January, 2017 at Dubai, UAE.

Mr. Rituraj Gupta – President AIPMA, Mr. Harish Dharamsi – Chairman Plastivision Arabia 2016, Mr. Bharat Vyas – COO, Plastivision India 2017 and Ms. Sanjeevani Kothare – Manager, Exhibitions during the inauguration of Arabplast 2015

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AIPMA AT WORK

IMTEX 2015

he Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA) inaugurated the 17th edition of South East Asia’s largest Exhibition IMTEX 2015 and the concurrent Tooltech 2015. The seven days exhibition was held from 22nd – 28th January 2015, at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) in Bangalore.

showcasing machine tool accessories, metrology and CADICAM cutting tools, tooling systems and current trends in the tooling industry. Tooltech manifests recent innovations in technology, design and product development to achieve competitiveness and excellence in the machine tool industry. It highlights recent innovations in technology, design & product development with the aim to bring cost competitiveness in all metal working operations. 17th‘in the series Tooltech 2015 unveil the explicit range of cutting tools from the stable of the world's leading brands. The exhibition witnessed 1022 exhibitors displaying over 1000 ‘live’ machines from 24 countries at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). The machine tool expo was spread over five halls in an area of 48,000 sq. mts.. The exhibition had around 89,000 visitors most of them being from the industry.

Inauguration of the Exhibition by the hands of Shri G. M. Siddeshwara, Minister of State for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises

The exhibition was inaugurated on 22 January 2015 by Shri G. M. Siddeshwara, Minister of State for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Shri R. V. Deshpande, Minister for Higher Education and Tourism in Karnataka, Ms. K. Ratnaprabha, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Commerce & Industries Department, Karnataka, Mr. Debasish Mallick, Deputy Managing Director, EXIM Bank of India, Mr. Tarun Das, Former Chief Mentor, Confederation of Indian Industry & Founding Trustee, Ananta Aspen Centre and Mr. Ajay Shankar, Former Member Secretary, National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council. Mr. Jamshyd N. Godrej, Chairman Exhibitions, IMTMA, Mr. L. Krishnan, President, IMTMA and Mr. P. G. Jadeja, Vice President, IMTMA were also present. Mr. Kailash Murarka – Chairman Plastivision India 2017, Mr. Anil Kanuga – Managing Committee Member, Mr. Bharat Vyas - COO Plastivision India and Mrs. Sanjeevani Kothare – Marketing Executive Plastivision India visited the exhibition. Tooltech is a premier event concurrent to IMTEX 2015

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IMTEX 2015 was a very good platform to locate new technologies and quality suppliers. On an average 15,000 visitors chose to attend this important industry event every single day of the seven days exhibition comprising of decision makers and senior executives from manufacturing industries like aerospace, railways, defence, capital goods, automobiles, and auto components. The exhibition also saw over 20 trade delegations from public sector undertakings and 40 industry delegations from a wide spectrum of manufacturing industries.

Mr. Kailash Murarka – Chairman Plastivision India 2017, Mr. Anil Kanuga – Chairman Managing Committee Member and an exhibitor at AIPMA Stall

AIPMA AT WORK

AIPMA AT PLASTINDIA 2015

IPMA participated at the recently held Plastindia 2015 Exhibition from 5th – 10th February, 2015 at Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad. AIPMA’s stall was measuring 44 sqm and was at the extreme end of Hall 15. The stall was very discreetly decorated with special dedicated space alloted to follow up our exhibitions like the PVI-2017, PVA-2016 and various other activities of AIPMA. This also ensured we could pitch for registering new membership and also subscrition for the Associations's Magazine and Newsletters. The stall has in built separate cabin for the President. As it should have been the President’s Cabin was one of the busiest places of networking. AIPMA stall was inaugurated by Mr. Rituraj Gupta, President AIPMA in

presence of members of Managing committee. After performing Ganpati Puja in his cabin, President unveiled AIPMA Members and Product Directory-2015 along with Chairman Mr. Chandrakant Turakhia and in presence of dignitaries members of Managing Committee, Past Presidents and Foreign Guest visitors. The hospitality service was provided to each and every guest who visited AIPMA stall for all six days. Team PVI-2017 Team PVA-2016 had fixed agenda of marketing under guidance of respective Chairman converting into meaningful MOUs in favour of the event. The Regional Managers Mr. Naresh Kumar Sah, Mr. A. Ramarethinam and Mr. Tapas Ray were manning AIPMA counter.

Inauguration of AIPMA Stall & unveiling of AIPMA Members Products Directory at Plastindia 2015.

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AIPMA AT WORK

AIPMA - Press Conference

IPMA had organised a Press Conference at Hotel Courtyard Marriot, Satellite Road, Ahmedabad on 8th February, 2015 at 11.30 am to announce AIPMA’s support in achieving the national goal set up by the Prime Minister and the future road map to implement various initiatives like Make in India, ‘Swachcha Bharat’, ‘More Crop per Drop of Water’, ‘Housing for All’, developing ‘Smart Cities ’ Irrigation, Agriculture and recycling etc The Press conference was attended over 35 journalists.

Mr. Rituraj Gupta – President, Mr. Arvind Mehta – Chairman AIPMA Governing Council, Mr. Raju Desai – National Advisory Board Chairman – PVI 2017 addressing the Press Conference.

President – Mr. Rituraj Gupta, was the spokes person of the Association, Mr. Raju Desai- National Advisory Board Chairman – PVI-2017, Mr Arvind Mehta Chairman AIPMA Governing Council addressed the Press collectively as well as individually. Following Press Release was circulated in Hindi and Gujarati as well

AIPMA to Aid Governments’ vision for overall development Ahmedabad, February 8, 2015 :The All India Plastics Manufacturer’s Association (AIPMA), the apex body and the largest industry association of the plastic industry in India is celebrating its 70th year of success with a focus on development and overall growth of the Indian Plastic industry. The All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA) has figured out plans to promote use of plastic in a big w ay in order to help in attaining various goals set up by the Government of India for socio-economic change. Most of the government initiatives such as ‘Swachcha Bharat’, ‘More Crop per Drop of Water’, ‘Housing for All’, developing ‘Smart Cities’, would not be possible to implement without using plastics. AIPMA is focusing not only on generating employment but also on entrepreneurship and skill development. Mr. Rituraj Gupta, President, AIPMA, says, “We are very much concerned about successful implementation of various programs of the central government and want to contribute for this as our corporate social responsibility. Success of various programs such as Clean India Mission, Make in India, Housing for All and Skill Development highly relies upon utilization of plastic.” Plastic is one of the best alternate materials available, and at times is termed as magic material for it requires minimum energy to be transformed in whichever way one wants it. Be it toothbrush, cell phone, laptops, electrical gadgets and many more. Plastic has greater application value. It plays vital role in most of the sectors be it

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agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, affordable housing etc. Now-a-days one can’t imagine a day without plastics. AIPMA is driving various programs which include cluster development, easy financing, job fairs for employment, manpower training, entrepreneurship development, business trade fairs, to fulfill the expectations of Indian plastic industry. As we know Plastic being a low-cost and low-weight substance, composite material made of plastic has played a vital role in the growth of the country. The case in the point is India’s recent Mars Mission. At a cost of just $74 million, India's space agency put the satellite into orbit for a fraction (as compared $671million) of what other nations have spent. Plastic holds equal significance when it comes to social as well as economic development of the country. Speaking about the general perception about plastics, Gupta said, “We need to understand that littering is a man made problem. The fact is Plastic is a material that can be recycled for any number of times with varying end-uses and manufacturing of any product through it consumes less power. This way, plastic is more environment-friendly.” AIPMA maintains that the negative mindset towards the use of plastic is a big deterrent and needs to be changed. In view of this, AIPMA has concentrated all of its efforts to highlight this fact among all sections of the society. Following the central Governments major thrust on skill development, AIPMA

AIPMA AT WORK

is concentrating more on development of entrepreneur skill to serve this purpose. Since churning out entrepreneurs in big numbers will not only lead to fulfillment of Make in India mission significantly, but also spur the demand for skilled manpower. “AIPMA will be organizing a number of workshops, seminars and conferences across the country to infuse entrepreneurship skill in the next generation in days to come,” Gupta added. To promote the Plastic manufacturing AIPMA is developing Plastic Parks across the country. Arvind Mehta says, “As most of the units engaged in the segment are MSMEs, they need certain kind of support to grow up to the potential. For example, a plastic park set up by associates of AIPMA at Kozikode in Kerala about five year ago has helped many units to grow exponentially. These units have jointly developed backward integration system and also have collaborated in production. In view of this, AIPMA plans similar plastic parks in five states namely, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka & Gujarat.”

India has agrarian economy and Plastics can contribute immensely in Agriculture. Gujarat, which leads the country on industrial front, has also achieved double digit growth rate in farming for a period more than a decade and that too against the national average of about 3%. Use of micro irrigation systems is a major factor, which helped the state in this achievement. These irrigation systems involve use of plastic to a greater extent Plastics in agriculture should be promoted. Similarly plastics have huge scope in other areas such as Hospitality, Housekeeping, Automobiles, Healthcare, Electronics, Defense, Aerospace Engineering, Infrastructure, Constructions and so on and so forth. For further information, please contact: Mr. Rituraj Gupta President - AIPMA M: +91-9820321382

Clipings in the newspaper

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AIPMA AT WORK

Celebration of AIPMA 70th Jubilee function held at Ahmedabad on Sunday, 8th February during Plastindia 2015 a Grand Success By Arvind Mehta

uch awaited event, with reservation in mind of all Plastic Industry of India, about success of Plastindia 2015 from 5th to 10th February at Gandhinagar is over. It was quite successful & I have no reservation in telling that AIPMA played a very pivotal role in its success for the benefit of Indian Plastic industry & its image in plastic world.

Immediately 70 years Celebration Function Committee started working in right earnest with delegation of work. Kailashbhai as Co Chairman, President & OB, Raja Shah as Souvenir Co-ordinator (a gigantic work) & Ajaybhai as Co-ordinator film. President Rituraj ji did booking of the Ahmedabad Hall, Food, etc with the ground support by Vajubhai.

AIPMA team planned many activities to do during the exhibition and did it very successfully. During every Plastindia Exhibition one day we plan gala nights in different names say AIPMA Day, Plastivision launch etc., this time it was named AIPMA 70th Jubilee Function celebration and its service to the Plastic Industry, 1945 to 2015. Our Prime objective was to highlight AIPMA as a number one association of India, working for industry, its progress to its members & outside world. Managing Committee, which met on 6th November 2014 deliberated in detail & decided to celebrate it during PI 2015 show in Gandhinagar. Undersigned was given the responsibility with Budget. Definitely it was a challenge as we thought we should not only spend totally whatever MC has approved but we should collect funds from industry as sponsors of the event & advertisers in souvenir, thus getting their involvement. Here we were successful. We were able to collect nearly 75% amount versus amount spent.

We started cracking, First Plastindia came as Gold Sponsors. Then Kailashbhai went to Delhi, got IOCl, GAIL, HMEL & KLJ i.e. nearly 30% of the total amount collected. Our Secretariat fully geared and did the perusal work. Raja Shah must have spent nearly more than 100 working hours to line up souvenir of 70 years AIPMA which has come out extremely well in short time as he had to include names of Sponsors Advertisers till fag end. He gave his best despite having undergone cataract operation. Ajaybhai, though busy with Plasticon Awards, as Chairman made the 70 years film with input from Harishbhai & others in the script. It has come out very well. Stage management with minute to minute programme was given to professional in the field, Elite plus plus. AIPMA Secretariat supported to the best including

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AIPMA AT WORK

Zonal offices. In this 70 years celebration function during exhibition Plastindia 2015, we adopted a strategy to promote our exhibition activities also to entire plastic fraternity assembled. We sent two e mail blasts to all AIPMA members, all association heads and their office bearers, Exhibitors of PVI, PVA, Plastindia national & international approx. 6500 nos. Hard copies of invitation were sent to all & our strategy worked. Around 1500 invitees attended, consisting of who's who of industry, potential exhibitors of India & abroad. Kailashbhai, Riturajji, suggested name of Johny Lever during regular committee meet, which was accepted to make our function memorable & it happened. Everybody was glued to chair & enjoyed his comedy. Side by side the food counters were opened and excellent food was served in time to more than 1250 guests.

The mementos to all the Past Presidents were given by Shri Saurabhbhai Patel, the Chief Guest. He released the 70 years Souvenir book also.

To invite dignitaries & get their confirmation was also a task. Shri Saurabhbhai Patel Finance Minister of Gujarat accepted our invite as he considers AIPMA in very high regard. Our Joint Secretary Manoj Shah met him & got his nod. Secretary DCPC & JS both attended PI 2015 for two days, our function was on fourth day. At our request JS Shri Avinash Joshi flew back again from Delhi along with Director DCPC Pronoy Sharma. President Plastindia Shri Subhash Kadakia, one amongst us accepted & was there as Guest of Honour. Welcome address was done by President Shri Rituraj Gupta followed by film presentation of Plastivision Arabia 2016 by Chairman Shri Harish Dharamsi, presentation on PVI and its Film was done by NAB Chairman Shri Rajubhai Desai and NEC Chairman Shri Kailashbhai Murarka. Then there was a speech by myself as Chairman 70th Jubilee Celebration Committee followed by Film of 70 years journey of AIPMA. Chief Guest of the function Shri Saurabhbhai Patel – Finance Minister of Gujarat, Guest of Houour Shri Avinash Joshi – Joint Sec DCPC and Guest of Honour Shri Subhash Kadakia – President Plastindia Foundation gave excellent speeches, which were very well received. By that time house was nearly full. This raised the status of our function to a new high.

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AIPMA AT WORK

association members of India were present till the end of the programme. Our Past Presidents, who are not members of our current Managing Committee, were present viz. Shri Nirmal Thakkar, Anil Goradia, Baldev Boolani, Kirit Mehta, Kekin Thakkar. Plus Past Presidents who are members of the current Managing Committee were honoured by Shri Saurabhbhai. On the Sunday, same day, i.e. 8th February morning there was Press Conference addressed by President Rituraj ji, myself as Chairman Governing Council and Rajubhai Desai, Chairman Advisory Board – PVI. It lasted for more than one hour and attended by 40 Press reporters which included the Press media as well as electronic media. The outcome of the Press Conference was seen on the second day. The 70 years function news alongwith Dahej and PVI was published in more than 25 newspapers. Friends, our function was one of the best functions held during Plastindia. One & all including our Chief Guest Shri Saurabhbhai, two three days after the function appreciated success of AIPMA, Success of team work ultimately. Congratulations to you all MCM members who contributed in best possible manner, who made 70th Jubilee Function a fine success. Our 20 Past Presidents graced the occasion. Though individual photographs for most are there, we missed group photograph & Rajabhai for souvenir release, though his name was announced. We heartily regret. Amongst the dignitaries present J R Shah, P R Singhvi, Kamal Nanavati, GAIL ED Mr. K K Gupta, K L Jain, IOCl, HMEL, RIL teams, Messe Düsseldorf Director, Mr. Wienkemp, Mr Dubelt & team, Pilatus Taiwan team of May Chen as well as many other exhibitors. Executives of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce, our partner in Plastivision Arabia, CIPET, GSPMA, PLEXCONCIL, OPPI President, IPI, TAPMA, Kerala, Saurashtra & many

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PLASTIC TECHNOLOGIES

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COMPANY NEWS

Gail converts LPG unit to supply feedstock for BCPL's petrochem plant in Assam

Limited (ONGC) and naphtha from NRL has been arranged for feed stock.

Gail is the majority stakeholder in the project. BCPL is in the process of commissioning the petrochemical plant and to make it operational and viable, supply of natural gas from OIL, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation

To make the project viable, gas available in and around Lakwa region is also being considered for making available as feedstock to BCPL. Since gas available at Lakwa was to be processed for producing C2+ feed, economics were worked out for transporting natural gas vis-avis C2+ feed through pipeline from Lakwa to BCPL at Lepetkata with respect to the capital cost and it was found that transportation of C2+ feed is economical. C2+ is the hydrocarbon needed for production of polyethylene. Hence, it was decided in the larger interest of the project to convert the existing LPG plant to C2+ recovery unit for BCPL. More facilities in term of gas sweetening unit, DM water plant, boiler, enhanced nitrogen plant, air plant are being set up in the existing premises at

AIL India Limited plans to convert its LPG recovery plant at Lakwa, Assam to supply feedstock for the petrochemical unit of Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL) being set up at Lepetkata near Dibrugarh. According to reports towards accomplishment of the Assam Accord, the Government of India had entrusted Gail the responsibility of setting up the petrochemical plant which is coming up near Dibrugarh at a cost of Rs 8920 crores. The project is being executed by BCPL which is a joint venture company of Gail, Oil India Limited (OIL), Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) and the Government of Assam.

Braskem might call off Comperj cracker

razil-based petrochemical and polymers company Braskem seems keen to drop plans to build the Comperj petrochemical complex in Rio de Janeiro state and is instead exploring a doubling of capacity at its existing gas-based cracker there to over 1 mln tpa, as per reports. Capacity at the cracker complex, located at Duque de Caxias in Rio de Janeiro state, is around 540,000 tpa of ethylene and polyethylene (PE). However, the cracker is running at less

than full capacity because of a lack of ethane/propane Braskem’s planned massive Comperj petrochemical project at Itaborai in Rio de Janeiro state, which would include a world scale gas cracker, had been on hold for years, as Braskem was unable to reach a supply deal on ethane/propane feedstock with state-operated oil and gas company Petrobras. Timing of the expansion project is uncertain, as Braskem has yet to agree on feedstock.

Lakwa to convert the LPG plant into C2+ recovery unit. It is also clarified that as Lakwa plant will continue to operate with change in product, requirement of majority of contract workers will still exist and contractors will be persuaded to continue with the workers as and when any change in contract takes place.

Indian Oil launches a high productivity HDPE grade for injection moulding

ndian Oil has launched a high productivity HDPE grade, Propel HDPE 080M60, for injection moulding applications. The new high productivity polyethylene grade in injection moulding sector is being introduced for the first time by a polymer resin manufacturer in the world, thereby bringing cutting edge competitive advantage to end customers. It offers significant improvement in product performance in injection moulding applications such as material handling crates, caps and closures, household articles and thin walled products, resulting in increased productivity, energy saving, enhanced product aesthetics and excellent dimensional stability.

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COMPANY NEWS

PTI and Toyo Seikan expand representation deal to Europe

S-based Plastic Technologies (PTI), a PET packaging development company, has announced that it has expanded its representation agreement with Tokyo, Japan-based packaging company Toyo Seikan. The deal will see PTI become the exclusive agent in Europe for the sales and licensing of Toyo Seikan’s Fi-Cell foamed PET bottle processing technology for packaging applications. PTI already exclusively represents Fi-Cell technology in the US. FiCell foamed PET bottle technology produces lightweight containers with good barrier attributes says the company. Monolayer bottles feature a smooth inner and outer wall surface. PTI highlights the bottles are good for carbonated beverage applications that require a smooth inner wall

for an accurate fill. PTI’s president Scott Steele said, “Over the past six months, our representatives in Europe have explored brand-owner interest in Fi-Cell technology in those regions. We are already working with companies in those areas to develop commercially-viable bottles. This new announcement is a natural extension of the relationship that was already in place”. Toshio Sue, deputy head of technical headquarters, Toyo Seikan said: “PTI’s European office has extensive experience in working with brand owners on the continent, as well as supporting the needs of multinational companies. Due to our compatible areas of interest and ongoing working relationship, it was logical to expand the geographic boundaries of the relationship".

Satellite group completes 30 years of their existence

atellite group have completed 30 years serving the plastic processing industry. With a Humble beginning in the plastic processing machinery industry in 1984, offering advanced technology from ltaly, they have slowly and steadily increased their presence with leading plastic processors having one or more of their machines. To complement the individual machines, they are also offering complete turnkey projects for recycling, brush making, extrusion lines for microproducts as well as extrusion lines for pipes and profiles

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which include rigid PVS pipes, profiles and corrugated pipes. They have three flourishing joint ventures in india and four production facilities in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The SATELLITE Group is proud to announce that one of their joint ventures with GMS plastic machinery is a proud recipient of the ‘Plasticon’ awards for lnnovation in Plastic Recycling Machinery. We salute our colleagues and our joint venture partners for their tireless support during the research and development of this machine in india. We have

Styron changes company name to Trinseo

tyron, the global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, has rebranded as Trinseo. The firm said the new branding comes from the word “intrinsic,” meaning something is essential and belonging by its nature. The company will maintain the gold arrow icon in its new logo, along with its current colour palette and tagline of “Materials. Powering Ideas.” Trinseo had approximately $5.3bn (£3.5bn) in revenue in 2013, with 19 manufacturing sites around the world, and around 2,100 employees. Trinseo chief executive and president Chris Pappas said: “The name Trinseo captures our commitment to deliver materials that provide intrinsic value to our customers’ products.“Customers approach us for help with complex material challenges, and we collaborate and innovate with them to design new applications and products together. Our new name of Trinseo better reflects our breadth as a growing company with broad global reach and a diverse portfolio of materials and technologies.” opened new opportunities wherein the Indian entrepreneurs are now able to offer Indian technology to suit European markets.

COMPANY NEWS

Reifenhäuser Kiefel Extrusion is now Reifenhäuser Blown Film

eifenhäuser Kiefel Extrusion, the leading manufacturer of blown film extrusion lines has changed its name to Reifenhäuser Blown Film. This is Effective January 1st, 2015. According to the company Since 2009, the company belongs to the Troisdorf/North Rhine-Westphaliabased Reifenhäuser Group that underlines again the full integration of the company acquired in 2009 in the Group by changing its name. At the same time, the change in name marks the strategic expansion of the Business Unit Blown Film that clearly enhances the Worms site, safeguards jobs and supports further growth. Reifenhäuser is investing over 2 million euro in the Worms site to further expand the

in-house manufacture of know-how components. New machining centers and a new 3D measuring machine were bought and installed in new buildings. “These investments enable us to further optimize the material flow, expand capacities, and sustainably ensure the quality for demands in the future“, says Bernd Reifenhäuser, CEO of the Reifenhäuser Group. “The changes not only mean a further step forward for the Worms site, but for the complete Reifenhäuser Group: We are advancing the strengths of the Group in a purposeful way, and are networking even more closely to position our products and services on the global marketplaces in the most targeted manner.“

CEO of Reifenhäuser Blown Film is Dr. Fritz Dorner. Already on 01.10.2014, he had assumed this position from Bernd Reifenhäuser who will now concentrate again on his role as CEO of Reifenhäuser Group. Graduated plastics engineer Dorner (51) holds a diploma in business administration and a doctorate at the faculty for mechanical enginering of RWTH Aachen university. In the past, he held various leading positions in the field of international machine construction. With his comprehensive experience he will consistently continue to pursue the course of growth of Reifenhäuser Blown Film. He can start this task with a full order book.

BASF commences operations at polymer dispersion plant in Malaysia

ASF has begun operations at its first production plant for polymer dispersions in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia, thus further strengthening its production footprint in Asia Pacific. This production plant is built at the existing BASF production site, located in the Pasir Gudang Industrial Park of the Johor Free Trade Zone. The new plant will focus on the production of a variety of acrylic base polymer dispersions for decorative coatings, construction and adhesive industries, serving the entire Asia Pacific region, especially for South East Asia. Commercial production started at the beginning of 2015. The plant is BASF’s third polymer dispersions

plant in ASEAN, complementing the existing dispersions plants in Jakarta and Merak, Indonesia. This wholly-owned BASF production plant will benefit from close proximity to raw materials such as the acrylic

monomer complex at BASF Petronas Chemicals in Gebeng, Kuantan. Local production in Malaysia will enable BASF to better respond to the fastchanging market situation in Asia Pacific.

Restart of operations underway at Haldia Petrochemicals plant

fter a prolonged closure, the Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL) plant is in the process of restarting operations with the trial run to begin in the near future. According to report The captive power plant has been commissioned

as a pre-start up activity. The main plant start-up is likely to happen soon however, the stabilisation of the power plant would take some days, after which steps would be initiated for operating the mother plant, closed since July 2014.

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Plastindia makes it bigger

he 9th edition of the trade show Plastindia 2015 despite all the apprehension began on a better note with more turnouts than expected. Plastindia 2015 was held during 5- 10 february,2015 at the internationally acclaimed Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre, spread over a sprawling 125,000 sq. mts. at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The six day trade show had around 1600 Exhibitors, from 32 countries across the globe, witnessing around 2,00,000 visitors. According to estimates the exhibition generated business inquiries worth more than Rs 2,500 crore as compared to Rs 1,800 crore at the previous edition of Plastindia held in Delhi three years ago.

The organisers were confident about the success of the exhibition and said they would try to maintain double digit growth over the next decade. Inaugurating the Plastindia 2015

Mr. Subhash Kadakia, President, Plastindia Foundation thanked the Hon’able Chief minister of Gujarat, Smt. Anandiben Patel; Mr Saurabh Patel, Minister for Energy and Petrochemicals, Government of Gujarat ; Mr Surjit Kumar Chaudhary, Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India; Mr. Nikhil Meswani, Executive Director, Reliance industries Ltd., Mr. Peter Steinbeck, W&H, Germany and other dignitaries for taking the time to inaugurate the exhibition.

Mr. Kadakia said, “Plastindia is committed to the National progress of the plastics industry. One of our most important initiatives is the international plastics exhibition and conference that enables those in the Indian plastic industry to showcase their strengths and products. This event held every three years is unique in being organised by the industry, for the industry. It has attained a tremendous response’. He conveyed that the 9th edition of the exhibition addresses issues like innovation and technology up gradation in the Indian Plastics industry. Mr. J.R. Shah, Chairman NEC stressed on the Innovation pavilion that offers an insight into the innovative application in the industry as well as the research and development work undertaken. Speaking at the Inauguration Surjit Ku m a r C h a u d h a r y, S e c r e t a r y, Department of Chemicals and

Petrochemicals, Government of India, said that Plastics is one of the thrust area and we are keen to work on it. He discussed about the various

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issues that the ministry plans for the development of the Plastics Industry. He also assured of all the help that could be available. Candidly he also admitted that at times it takes a long time for decision. Speaking on volatility of raw materials prices Chaudhary, also urged the industry for the collective approach. He said, “I feel the industry should be actively involved and negotiate with the leading competitors and feed stock should be made easily available. The ministry is working towards ensuring the same.” Mr Saurabh Patel, Minister for Energy and petrochemicals, Government of Gujarat, elaborated how the ultramodern and well-planned venue was prepared for the event in the shortest possible time of 11 months. “I am confident that this edition of Plastindia will be the best of its kind.” he said. He also stressed on the policies initiated by the Government of Gujarat to boost the Plastics sector, especially with regards to machinery and the raw materials made in Gujarat which are used within the state. The benefits and rebates for machinery ordered during this exhibition would also promote Gujarat as a preferred exhibition destination, thus benefitting the local industry, he added. Hon’ able Chief Minister of Gujarat, Smt. Anandiben Patel said she is proud that Gujarat

is the Host State for Plastindia 2015 and the fact that such a trade show is being held outside Delhi for the first time. Speaking about the plastics Industry, Anandiben stressed that Plastic plays an important part and is a part of our day-to-day modern life. She also mentioned about the employment potential offered by the plastics industry across the country. The sector has vast potential, and much focus is needed for developing

the human resource in this sector. Reiterating PM’s call of ‘No defect No affect’, Anandiben said, “Gujarat is committed to skill development and capacity building. We are developing international university at Vapi along with PlastIndia foundation in the state of Gujarat. The state Government plans to dedicate around 40 acres of land for Plastics Industry.” She also stressed upon the PublicPrivate partnership for the overall development . She maintained that plastics is a key sector in Gujarat and has attracted sizeable number of letters of intent during the 2015 edition of the vibrant Gujarat Summit as well. With the 9th edition doing absolutely good, the next edition of PlastIndia is also to be held at Gandhinagar in 2018.

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Petrochem-Plastics to become the agent of social change

etrochem and Plastics Industry is to become the agent of social change in India according to Surjit K. Chaudhary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India, Speaking at the inaugural session of the 9th international conference at Plastindia 2015, Chaudhary said, “The petrochemicals sector is on the threshold of growing rapidly in India. Though the plastics industry in India has a lion’s share of 15 per cent in the manufacturing sector, the industry is yet to reach to its actual potential and is set to be unleashed.” Talking about the need to bring in behavioral change along with Plastics consumption Chaudhary said that the plastic industry can be the agent of change in our country for the better, especially in generating employment, improving poverty driven agriculture and sanitation. He said that the per capita consumption in india is as low as 9 kg as compared to world’s average consumption of 40 kg.

“We do not have skilled manpower for the industry. Every year around 40,000 people come out of the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology and all of them are absorbed. Many of them get opportunities abroad as well. There is a huge requirement of skilled manpower than what we are generating and the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers is committed to address this issue” Stressing on creating employment and capital through value chain if the petrochemical sector, he communicated that the sector is on the threshold of growing rapidly in India.. Describing about the utility value of Plastics he focused on the need of using plastics in agriculture. He said that a large quantity of water is being wasted because of flood irrigation and the need-of-the-hour is to promote micro irrigation, which will only be possible by the petrochemical sector. In context of the ‘Clean

Surjit K. Chaudhary, Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India.

India’ initiative of the Government of India, Shri Surjit K.Chaudhary said that rag pickers and people involved in scavenging and sanitation related work should be trained to convert waste plastic into income generating tools. Thus, the petrochemical sector will become the agent of change in eradicating poverty and help achieve the cleanliness drive.

The Plasticon Awards

lasticon Aw a r d s w e r e awarded on the evening of 5 February 2015 at YMCA grounds to felicitate excellence and innovation in the field of Plastics. The awards were presented across 25 different categories. The awards were

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sponsored by leading players in the industry. The Plasticon Awards committee was headed by Mr Ajay Desai, Chairman, Dr Prakash Trivedi, Advisor and the members included Mr Ramesh Parasuraman, Dr D. D. Kale, Mr Ashok Jain, Mr Hemant Minocha, Mr Hiten Bheda, Mr Sanjay Shah, Mr Rahul Jain, Mr V. B. Lall . The Awards were in Gold and Silver trophy. Life Time Achievement Awards were bestowed upon Mr M. P Taparia and Mr

Hasmukh Shah for their contribution towards the Plastics Industry. Recipients of The Plasticon Awards in various categories are : I. Innovative Awards (National) Innovative Finished Product / Process Gold – Cosmo Films: For developing direct thermal; printable film

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Silver- Natroyal Industries Pvt Ltd: For developing heat reflective, scratch r e s i s t a n c e t w o wheeler seat cover. Innovative Plastics Processing Machinery / Ancillary Gold – Ferromatik Milacron India Pvt Ltd.: For developing all Eectric injection Molding machine –low consumption & better cycle time. Silver – Rajo Engineers Limited: F o r d e v e l o p i n g w o r l d ’s smallest three layer blown film lab line. I n n o v a t i o n i n Re c y c l i n g Technology Gold – GMS Plastic Machinery Pvt. Ltd: For developing compact and fully automatic recycle machines Silver – Doll Plast Inc: For developing all in one recycling machine Innovation in conservation of Energy, Material & Ecology (Green Initiative) Gold – U Flex: For developing a 7 micron Biaxially oriented polyester film Silver – Neu Ecotech : For developing world’s first insitu composting and plant growing pot. Innovative Dies & Moulds

Gold – Vasantha Tools crafts Pvt Ltd.: For developing the first Rotary Technique Mould in India Innovative Plastics Product Design Gold – INDU Thermoformers Pvt Ltd.: For developing innovative Dustbin that is multipart thermoformed refuse container with Lined lid and changeable Thermoformed heads Silver – Time Techno Plast : For developing LPG composite cylinders. Innovative Raw Materials Gold – Xmold Polymers Pvt Ltd: For developing mineral filled recycled PP compound for Automotive structural components. Silver – Neu Ecotech : For developing world’s first insitu composting and plant

growing pot. Innovative use of Plastics in Infrastructure Gold – Maharashtra Maha Polyplast: For developing portable mobile toilet using Roto moulding Silver – Bayer Material Science Pvt. Ltd. : For construction of low cost houses, using agro waste boards based on polyurethane and recycled paper honeycomb. Use of Plastics In Health Care / Personal Care Gold – Pluss Polymers .: For developing and utilization of smart polymers in neonate cooler Silver – Welset Plast Extrusion Pvt. Ltd: For developing PVC compounds with higher ability to process for extrusion of m e d i c a l disposables and blood bags. II. Innovative Awards (International)

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FEATURES Innovative Finished Product / Process Gold – Dow Chemical : For developing flexible alternative to rigid containers Silver- Lifestraw SA: For developing water filter using advanced hollow Fibre technology Innovative Plastics Processing Machinery / Ancillary Gold – Brueckner Maschinenbau GmbH.: For developing the more innovative biaxial stretching lines Silver – Krah AG: For developing revolutionary technology in manufacturing large diameter HDPE pipes. III. Awards for Excellence Awards for Excellence in contribution to Agriculture Gold – Jyoti Plastic Works Pvt Ltd.: For developing Agri Tool handles in Plastic Silver – Bayer Material Science Pvt. Ltd. : For usage of Plastics (PC) for Green House Solar Dryer . Awards for Excellence in Creative Packaging Gold – Safepack Industries Ltd.: For developing both sides Aluminium Foil, lamionated spun bond as core layer f o r insulation.

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Silver – ALPLA : For developing innovative Biinjection Moulding cap with tamper evident ring. IV. Entrepreneur Awards Best Entrepreneurship Gold – Skypack India Pvt Ltd.: Silver – Automat Irrigation Pvt. Ltd. Best performing Enterprise (turnover Rs 25 crores and above) Gold – Plastiblends India Ltd. Silver – Prayag Polytech Pvt. Ltd. Fastest growing Enterprise (Plastic Processing Machinery/ Ancillary )

Silver – Knack Packaging Pvt. Ltd. Fastest growing Enterprise - Processing (Engineering Polymers ) Gold – Ester Industries.ltd. Silver – Automat Irrigation Pvt. Ltd. Outstanding Exports G o l d – C h e m i c a l Pr o c e s s Equipment Pvt.ltd. Silver – Prayag Polytech Pvt. Ltd. V. Best Educational Institution contributing to Plastics Gold – Kamaraj College of Engineering & Technology Silver – CIPET Gurgaon

Gold – Feromatik Milacrom India Pvt .Ltd

VI. B e s t P e r f o r m i n g S t u d e n t (Polymer Sciences, technology & Engineering)

Fastest growing Enterprise Processing (commodity Plastic )

Gold – Mr Badal Panchal, MIT Technology Aurangabad

Gold – Scorpion Conatiner Pvt. ltd.

Silver – Syed Javed Ahmad Rizvi, Allahabad University

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Highlights of PlastIndia 2015 PlastIndia 2015 witnessed major players at various halls displaying the products including the existing one and showcasing the new product launch as well. We are publishing the gist of the products for our readers who could not make it to the show.

Bruckner’s High Speed, High Productivity, solutions At Plastindia 2015, the German company Bruckner Maschinenbau and Bruckner servtec presented the latest solution that help film producers optimize their performance. Bruckner Maschinenbau displayed its Latest BOPET line developments that improve the film quality, handling and efficiency of the line and stability during operations at high speeds. BOPET lines offer high speed, high productivity, high profit Brückner’slatest BOPET lines are operated at speeds above 500 m/ min. Brückner showed developments that could improve the film quality, the handling and the efficiency of the line. For example the recently introduced, advanced pinning system and the highly reliable chain track system in the transverse direction orienter(TDO), providing unparalleled stability during operations at highspeeds. Other highlights include: High production speeds at low pinning speeds due to unmatched high MD stretch ratios above 4:1, Advanced twin screw extrusion system for improved melt quality and also eliminating energy-consuming crystallisation and drying of the resin,

hence reducing also the total energy consumption Direct return of the edge trim, reducing expensive recycling steps and the energy consumption, Advanced direct drive technologies for excellent film tension settings which results in superior film surfaces, flatness and excellent optical qualities Air circulation in the TDO via filters and catalysts for reduced energy consumption and cleaner air, Safe and ergonomic handling of the completely integrated line – starting from resin handling and including the winder. BOPA films for food packaging as well as for applications in the medical sector are of increasing interest for the Indian markets as they offer plenty of advantages due to their good barrier properties towards gases, flavors and odors. Brückner presents BOPA line layouts with line widths above 5m and stretching technologiesfor superb production efficiency and a high yield, offering various benefits for the production of modern first-class BOPA films. Visitors will get latest information about lines for the manufacture of high-quality BOPP films which can achieve unreached working speeds above 500 m/min. Therefore Brückner has developed an even more efficient water removal in the area of the chill roll, a new longitudinal stretching unit (MDO) with adjustable nip rolls, an innovative platform with a new chain track system in the transverse direction orienterand the newly designed high-speed winding unit. For the production of added value

specialty films Brückner presented its latest solutions that could help film producers to diversify and enlarge their portfolio: Inline coating (ILC) technology for BOPET and BOPP, Production lines for high-barrier BOPP films in 5, 7 or 9 layers, Lines for the efficient production of high quality capacitor films, down to thicknesses below 3 µm, Simultaneous LISIM technology to achieve very specific, adjustable film properties , In-line and off-line technologies for trendy shrink sleeves with high-value appearance based on PET-G, OPS, PP or PVC, Dedicated line layouts for the growth market of photovoltaic applications such as UVresistant solar back sheet, Advanced battery separator film production lines with the patented EVAPORE process for efficiency, high output and consistent quality for 3C and EV applications serving the fast growing electrical vehicle and appliance markets. All line developments include brandnew energy saving measures in both, thermal and electrical respect. One of the highlights will be the “Intelligent Line Management” (ILM) including an energy monitor for measuring and analysing the energy consumption of the film production process based on the international standard ISO 50001.

Atlas and Titan Slitter Rewinders Atlas converting Equipment Ltd. is showcased their latest developments in the Atlas CW series CW5400 and Titan SR9 series slitter rewinders

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Atlas and Titan slitter rewinders provide solutions for a wide range of flexible materials including plastic films, flexible packaging, lables, laminates and paper. In addition to the Atlas CW3600 and CW1040 series slitter rewinders, the company has also recently introduced the CW5400 series available in widths from 3.6 to 5.4 metres. The complete CW series of more compact film slitting solution now covers machine widths from 2.5 m to 10.4 m at speeds of to 1,500 m/min. Major benefits of the new Atlas CW series technology platform include higher efficiency, increased productivity and reliability, higher quality rewind reels , reduced noise levels and more effective, operator – friendly control systems. The Atlas CW series has been designed to cope with the increasing speed of film production lines with faster acceleration and deceleration cycles. Compared to a conventional primary film slitter running at 1,500 m/min producing rewind lengths of 8,000m the Atlas CW series has a faster rewind cycle, but at only 1,200m/min. The latest Atlas technology features wireless rewind arm positioning automatic knife positioning and direct drive web path rollers ensuring optimum web tension for films as thin as 6 micron and up to 125 micron. Electrical cabinets are fully integrated into the machines to reduce the space required for installation with’ under floor’ service channels no longer required. The company claims to have sold more than 60 of the new Atlas CW series film slitters . The new generation Titan SR9 Series secondary slitter rewinders

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provide unsurpassed levels of slitting productivity, design modularity and rewind reel quality in machine widths of 1650 mm and 2250 mm for high volume production printers and converters. New features include reduced power consumption, faster set up time and improved sustainability showing respect for the environment. A unique linear Tracking slitter section (LTS) ensures a short and constant web length between the knives and rewind shafts to deliver the highest rewind reels. The Titan ER610 compact duplex slitter is available in two widths of 1350 mm and 1650 mm with running speeds up to 450 m/min (option for 550 m/min) and has been particularly successful bringing the total number now in operation worldwide to more than 150 machines.

Mamata’s organizes Live Demo of Three Layer Co – Extrusion Blown Film Lines Mamata had organized a live demonstration of its Vegaflex (Advantage) and Max flex the three layer co – extrusion blown film lines. Vegaflex (Advantage) line is a basic 1750mm three layer blown film line with peak output of 280 kg/ hr. This line offers excellent film output at low power consumption. Apart from standard basic elements in line as extruders, spiral die, air cooling ring bubble cage, oscillating haul – off, tower structure etc, this line is also equipped with single component gravimetric system and fully automatic roll change over winders. Max flex is a fully loaded line of 2625

mm width and peak performance/ output of 500 kg/hr is another end of the technological spectrum. This state – of – the – art blown film line is with internal bubble cooling system (IBC), auto gauge controls, multi component gravimetric system and width control.

Borouge launches Plastic Solutions, also presents its solutions for Pipes Borouge introduces four innovative plastic solutions for advanced packaging and household applications. These new innovations represent Borouge’s commitment towards innovation, quality and customer needs. BD265MO – A new innovation focusing on safety and efficiency. It is a high impact block copolymer developed specifically for heavy-duty applications. Apart from offering high impact resistance and no break properties at room temperature, BD265MO is also FDA-approved for food and child contact applications, making child travel systems, high chairs and large plastic toys as well as heavy-duty pails, crates, pallets, luggages and deep freeze applications. Its superior property balance allows for cycle time reductions of up to 20 per cent and considerable energy savings without compromising impact performance of the end product. RJ766MO – High flow, excellent organoleptic,with good aesthetics. The latest addition to the Borouge high-flow random polypropylene family combines transparency and very high flow with excellent organoleptic performance,ideal for transparent packaging and houseware applications.BNT and very high flow ensures that it cab be processed with

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faster cycle time.This reduces the c a r b o n footprint, productivity,l o w e r s energy use and production costs. BorPure MB5568 and MB5569 – Lightweight innovation for caps and closures.These are two advanced grades of the BorPure high density polyethylene (HDPE)family, purpose designed for caps and closures for carbonated soft drinks, juices,tea and bottled water.Built on the Borstar multimodal polyethylene (PE) platform,BorPure MB5568 and MB5569 will enable the beverage industry to fulfil ltheir ambition of going even more lightweight much more quickly. Borouge also presented its new Aquility HE3408 grade pioneers a new level of durability and speed of processing for drip irrigation pipes. BorSafe tm ME3441 and orange BorSafe HE3492- LS-H reflects the importance of crack resistance in gas applications and RA140E ensures enhanced productivity, processability and ease of installation for domestic and industrial hot and cold water applications.

Goettfert showcase Mi2 Goettfert displayed its melt index measurement machines Mi2 at the Plastindia. Goettfert’s team explained the step by step guide of the evolution of its Flexible, compatible and systematic melt index measurement machines from the simplest starter model mi2.1 up to the top end well equipped half – automated mi2.3. While the mi2.1 comes as a manually operated unit for quick goods incoming inspection, the mi2. 2 is availalble with automatic test load lifting for comfortable measuring and the mi2.3is with a

simple multi – weight selection. Beside the numerous well known options for the optimal customizing of the mi2.2 and mi2.3, the new elaborated feature, ‘ Defined starting position’ can be selected additionally. This adjustment simplifies the already easy way of determining measurements by a pre – defined position between 45 and 100 mm in front of the die, where the test load is kept back during the melting time. The advantages are obvious. Measurements are manually adjustable; they always start at the same position that results always in same testing condition. This procedure increases the reproducibility and reduces the influence of the operator, an essential option when it is required to improve accuracy and quality.

to be regenerated. These dryers also have fewer rotating/moving parts and offer the following advantages. It has Consistent dew point therefore no Spikes. It consumes 33 per cent less energy compare to twin tower dryer. It is Quick start and as such dew point is achieved in five minutes. It has Lower regeneration temperature. Drying hopper are designed for mass flow and uniform heat / air distribution. Fewer rotating parts, hence less maintenance, maximum uptime.

Dow showcase packaging Technology- PacXpert

NU – Vu Conair’s Dehumidifying wheel Dryer NU – Vu Conair showcased its Dehumidifying wheel Dryer. The product is suitable for PET/Nylon/ Polycabonate/PMMA/ABS and all other engineering plastics. In the Nu – Vu Conair Pvt. Ltd. dehumidifying wheel dryer, the molecular sieves film is crystallised on a glass fibre substrate forming a rotating wheel. The structure is like a honeycomb. Thousands of small air channels allow process and regeneration air to flow past the desiccant. While most of the wheel is used to dry the process air, the rest undergoes high temperature regeneration and cooling . As this is a continuously rotating wheel, these dryers are able to achieve consistent low dew point without any spike. Also, these dryers require low regeneration temperature as there are no binders used and only molecular sieves need

Dow showcased its award-winning flexible innovation, PacXpert tm packaging Technology. Themed, Think Solution, Think Dow’ , Dow’s Packaging and Specialty plastics business is showcased its broad range of innovative solutions for food and speciality packaging, adhesives, industrial and consumer packaging, agricultural films and hygiene application. PacXpert packaging Technology is Dow’s latest and technologically advanced packaging solution that introduces a new dimension to storage with its distinctive flexibility and extensive functionality. The packaging material technology facilitates the conversion of large plastics containers into portable packages, providing endless

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possibilities for differentiated applications over a wide array of solid and fluid products in the industrial, businesses and residential sectors. PacXpert tm packaging technology offers several advantages along the entire supply chain, including sustainability and reduced environmental footprint, improved packing density for shipping, logistics and werehouse efficiency and enhanced comfort design for the user. Dow’s solution tailor – made for key market segments in india include, Food and Speciality packaging , Adhesives, Logistics packaging , Agricultural solutions , Hygiene.

Lohia showcases Valvomatic 35

Lohia showcased its Valvomatic 35 an innovative solution for the plastics woven industry. The innovation from Lohia Corporation Limited is for complete automated operation machine involving cutting, bottom folding and stitching, valve forming and subsequently, top folding and stitching. It is now possible to achieve almost the same output levels with less than half the manpower and much smaller production area . Also the cost of production and wastage gets considerably reduced. The bags made from Valvomatic are increasingly being supplied to almost all the reputed major cement companies. Further

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orders are under execution to replace manual production of the bags adding efficiency and cost competitiveness in the industry, another world – class innovation from Lohia Corp Limited.

RTUL Ultrasonic Welding Machines Roop Telsonic Ultrasonix Limited (RTUL) showcased its state – of – the – art ultrasonic plastic equipment for welding needs. Advantages of the machine include clean weld seams, fast processing times, low energy consumption and reduced production cost and time. Additional features include five advanced welding modes, quality check window function, precise time setting, auto – tuning, modular design and a touch screen microprocessor based controller system. It is used in a wide range of industries like automotive, consumer goods, medical, packaging, toys and almost every sector involved in the use of plastics.

Theysohn Extrusiontechnik shows PVC co-extrusion Theysohn- the specialist for PVC extrusion and compounding presented co-extrusion what it called as the new way to produce PVC profiles and pipes while reducing costs. PVC coextrusion is available in solid as well as foam applications in single layer and single, double and quadruple strand production. The company offers three mounthing solutions includind retrokit for existing extrusion lines .

STEER Unveils the Omega Platform Technology STEER Engineering Pvt. Ltd., developed

a process to produce Continuous Medium Glass Fibre Thermoplastics (CMGFT) on its flagship Omega platform that deploys its patented Fractional Lobe deployment. The platform leverages the specialized functionalities of SPE (Steer Special Elements, such as RFV (for intake); FKB (for melting of polypropylene); and OSE wave element (for wetting of glass fibre). The ADC conducted several tests to achieve dramatic results in terms of fibre length and orientation. The compounding of the CMGFT composite was achieved with a high-flight depth, high free volume, STEER Omega 40 co-rotating twinscrew extruder. Scientific choices of screw elements along with production process, and the control of process parameters, distinctly influenced the final fibre orientation and length. The CMGFT is best for applications where PP short glass and PA short glass reinforced materials are used. For example CMGFT PP with 30% glass is better than PP 40% short glass filled grade in terms of cost and lightness.(Glass roving is cheaper than chopped glass). Against GFPA,CMGFT is a cost effective alternative that can be used for most of the ‘under the bonnet’parts like radiator end caps,fan and shroud,and air in-take manifolds in automotive applications.

SIMOWOOD – The First Extruded Sheet Made OF RESYSTA Simowood is the first large-scale sheet made of Resysta, an innovative, natural-fibre-reinforced hybrid material based on rice husks and a specific thermoplastic. The extruded sheets are processed to look and

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feel like wood. Simowood is highly resistant to external influences such as sun, rain ,snow and salt water and is an alternative to tropical timber .It also contributes to the protection of valuable natural resources. Simowood is particularly suited to areas of application that rely on durable, sustainable and weatherproof materials with a woodlike appearance.

Gharda show cases GAZOLE – PBI Blends Gharda Chemicals showcased its GAZOLE – PBI 5000 series grades of neat polymers. GAZOLE – PBI 5000 series grades of neat polymers are sintered materials which offers heat resistance upto 400 deg C in fully sintered form and retain mechanical strength at these temperatures. It has a very high surface hardness and low creep.Inherently flame proof nature,very high LOI and fibre forming properties,makes it suitable for protective apparels. It is a self lubricating polymer and can replace MoS2 / graphite in applications and has low-sloughing behavior too.It can be added as a polymeric additive to other engineering polymers like PEK,PEEK,LCP to improve their friction and wear performances substantially. Gharda Chemicals has been a pioneer in manufacturing the world’s highest heat resistant polymer PBI (2,5 Polybenzimidazole) using a single monomer and patented process. The product is sold the world over under the trade name GAZOLI. Gharda has also developed a proprietary blend of PEK with PBI under GAZOLE 6000 series, which offers outstanding wear

resistance at elevated temperatures upto 300 deg C.Here, Gharda’s PBI is blended with Gharda’s PEK polymer to manufacture injection moulded grades which can outplace sintered carbon, polyimides (Vespel and Torlon) and metals in most of the applications. The advantage of these blends is the thermo plasticity along with heat resistance and strength,unique combinations that are absend in aforesaid materials. These blends of PEK / PBI also have very high level of dimensional stability at elevated temperatures and have very low warpage.Typical applications for these blends are in submersible pump thrust pads, air compressor pistons, dry bearing housings and semiconductor wafer transport system parts.

Borghi showcases brush filling machines Borghi Brush Machinery Pvt. Ltd. is a joint venture between Borghi, Italy and satellite plastic industries, India to produce state – of – the – art brush filling machines. The company showcased its Alpha 113 and Alpha 114 brush filling machines. While Alpha 113 is a three axis model and the Alpha 114 is a four axis model. Generally, the brush filling industry consists of Household brushes and industrial brushes. Both of these segments have different brushes for different application. The ideal machine depends on the product mix that the customer would like to cater to The Alpha 113 is a three axis model and the Alpha 114 is a four axis model. Both of the machines are ideal for making both, household and industrial brushes. The company also offers other options to make double

jockey on a four axis machine in one step as well.

STAUBLI showcases flexible solution for optimise productivity STAUBLI is a specialist in Quick Mould Change solutions used to minimize unproductive mould changing time and improve operational efficiency. STAUBLI showcased its latest mould connection, clamping technology and robots for plastics companies. The use of quick release connectors in place of foxed connection for all circuits (cooling water, hydraulics, nitrogen, electronics etc.) often brings the single most significant reduction in mould change times. From simple and cost effective, full flow quick disconnect couplings for water cooling applications to completely valved quick connection solution for oil heating or temperature control circuits, STAUBLI provides the appropriate quick release coupling for any application. STAUBLI multi – coupling plates are designed to match the specific requirements of each application, taking into account the type of fluids used in each circuit as well as the pressure, temperature and flow rate required; Couplings can be either single or double shut- off or unvalved. Electrical connections can also be included on the plates to correspond to the voltage and amperage required. S TA U B L I o f f e r t h r e e d i f f e r e n t technologies – mechanical , hydraulic and magnetic mould clamping each one with their own benefits and several different design approaches in each technology..

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FEATURES

STAUBLI also showcased its automation range designed for the plastics processing industry applications. They are used for unloading parts, full machining of injection moulded parts, in – mould decoration, in – mould labeling and other applications.

Advanced Industrial Micro Systems showcase World’s Lightest printer U2 The world’s lightest industrial hand held non-contact ink jet printer model IJP – Elfin IH, is a 4 – in – 1 compact design, zero maintenance, 300 dpi high resolution, battery powered SIX line ( character height 1 to 12.7 mm) printer, it can be used on porous / non – porous products to print batch numbers, expiry dates, time, serial numbers (AGMARK), logos, scannable variable barcodes etc. on labels, cartons, pouches, drums, containers and more. It is fully programmable using the five inch full colour touch screen LCD with stand – alone operation (no PC required) where it can print six lines of data in all computer fonts (local languages) at a very low price.

ENGEL’S tie – bar – less Injection Moulding Machines ENGEL demonstrated how to achieve premium product quality and the

lowest possible unit costs with tie – bar – less injection moulding machine that helps Compact production cells, fast mould changes and flexible technology integration. The tie – bar – less machine concept enables full utilisation of the mould mounting platens and maximum space for moulds. This means that large moulds fit on comparatively small machines, thus reducing the footprint of the production cell : this in turn reduces the cost of investment, at the same time helping to achieve saving in on – going operations. The machine used for this purpose tie – bar – less ENGEL victory 740/160 tech injection moulding machine with a clamping force of 160 tonnes. The 2 – cavity mould uses hydraulic collapsible cores. To be injection – mould different fitting geometries, it is equipped with replaceable cores which are frequently installed and removed in series production. The ENGEL victory machine is equipped with ENGEL’s energy – saving servo – hydraulic ecodrive, which can reduce the energy needs of hydraulic injection moulding machines by up to 70% compared to standard machine without servohydraulics. The key to this is avoiding energy loss. While the machine is idle, during cooling phases for example, the motor is also stationary and does not use any energy. This means that degree of energy efficiency depends on the application. ENGEL also exhibited its viper linear robot that impresses in operations with its extremely accuracy and excellent dynamics. The integration of the robot control unit in the

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CC300 control unit on the ENGEL victory injection moulding machine helps ENGEL to leverage additional efficiency potentials. Thanks to the tie – bar - less design, the robot arm can reach from the side directly into the mould area. This removes the need for painstakingly avoiding interfering edges and means that injection moulding processes can also be automated in factories with lower roofs. The linear robot’s move instruction are integrated in the machine control units’s graphical user interface so that staff no longer needs to familiarise itself with two different operating philosophies.

Battenfeld – Cincinnati showcases large pipe production solutions Battenfeld – Cincinnati showcased its large diameter pipe production solutions for diameters up to 1,600 mm (PVC) and up to 2,500 mm (PO) . Battenfeld - Cincinnati’s internal pipe cooling technology helps to reduce line length (or alternatively increase output), while ensuring excellent end product quality and a significant reduction in sagging that saves material. Battenfeld – Cincinnati also showcased its newest single and twin screw extruder technologies for window profile as well as WPC/NFC extrusion and its wide range of co – extrusion solutionis a global extrusion systems manufacturer offering energy – efficient, complete extrusion lines for pipe, profile, sheets and WPC extrusion.

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Kabra’s twinEX34D Extruder

This series is available in 4 different models with output range of 500 kg/hr to 1700 kg/hr. the quality of output, sturdier and space saving design with lower energy costs are some of the key features which makes TwinEX a must have choice for processors.

Innovative Solutions from polyone Kabra Extrusion Technik has been playing an active role in manufacturing and supplying extrusion lines for plastic pipes. Twin EX 34D is one such product from kabra’s wide range of solutions for extrusion lines for PVC pipes. The TwinEX 34D is manufactured with the proven Battenfeld – Cincinnati technology from Germany. Its longer L/D ratio (34:1) gives higher flexibility through gentle and homogeneous plasticization. Its sturdier, maintenance – free design with intra – cool screw cooling system and self regulating, energy efficient tempering mechanism lowers the energy consumption and reduces maintenance and energy costs. It has its AC motors mounted underneath the gear box to save on space and it s provided with complete barrel insulation with air power cooling and special fins for even temperature distribution in the barrel. It runs on 4 – shaft drive technology for high torque transmission and can be synchronized depending on horizontal and vertical metering requirements. (Horizontal metering unit – for dry blends, regrinds or granulates; Vertical metering unit – for low and/ or high filler content).

Polyone showcased its various polymer solution at the Plastindia. The latest being the new ColourMatrix collection of liquid color concentrates infuses PET containers with shimmer and frost effects, iridescent color movements and surfaces that enhance brand presence and shelf impact. The colourmatrix range of high – performance light and barrier additives are ideal for packaging food, beverages and personal care products to extend shelf – life with consistent container clarity. Also the GLS thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) allow customers to enhance applications through ease of opening and reclosing, and better grip and sensory experience for consumers. The engineered materials’ portfolio is aleader in helping manufacturers replace metal and reduce weight, without losing functionality.

Nucleating Agent from ADEKA Adeka corporation, a japan based multinational plastic additive manufacturer is promoted their high performance Nucleating Agent, ADK STAB NA – 27 for the Indian market. Adeka has been a pioneer in Nucleating Agents for polypropylene. Adeka’s ADK STAB NA – 11 has been widely used in automotive polypropylene compounds. Recently,

Adeka introduced its next generation Nucleating Agent called ADK STAB NA – 27 in india. This is a much improved product and gives performance which is even higher than ADK STAB NA – 11. ADK STAB NA – 27 gives high performance in PP homo-polymers and impact copolymers. Big improvements in flexural modulus and heat distortion temperatures can be optained at low loading of NA – 27. These can allow car makers to do light weighting of PP parts by two methods. One is reducing amount of talc and thus specific gravity of PP compound. The second is reducing thickness of part. In addition ti the remarkable improvements in properties of polypropylene, ADK STAB NA – 27 delivers improved productivity in injection moulding and extrusion fabrication processes with high crystallization temperature and low crystallisation half time.

SABIC’s Sustainable Solution Sabic showcased its broad portfolio of sustainable solutions Solutions on display include were Grades of LEXAN resin, NORYL resin, XENOY resin and LEXANTMXHT resin that help make automobiles lighter and more fuel efficient. Sabic’s all thermoplastic tailgate concept were presented at the stand. Also the KONDUIT compound grades for cost efficient hybrid heat sinks that support the rise of LED lighting were on display. Sabic also showcased its innovative injection moulded polycarbonate seating dystem that delivers cost – efficiently while improving safety and durability alongwith its versatile LEXAN sheet portfolio for the building and construction industries.

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Innovative breathable active map technology for fresh produces

he India has an annual production of 140 million tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables, its production base is quite strong but at the same time wastage of agricultural produce is massive. The utilization of fruits and vegetables processing is estimated to be around 2.2% of the total production. Industry also faces constraints like non-availability of adequate critical infrastructural facilities like cold chain and packing. If the industry can adopt better / improved packing techniques at farm level itself, the physiological/evaporative losses due to transportation and maintaining the freshness of products can add value to the farm produce. Post harvested fruit and vegetables undergo the inner processes like Respiration, Ethylene synthesis, Ripening, Deterioration, Microbial growth, Transpiration and loss of moisture in the product. Some of the most important factors that affect shelf life of fresh horticultural products are ripening and/or senescence, decay, and cut surface browning. The ratio of CO2 produced

to O2 consumed, known as the respiratory quotient (RQ). Atmosphere modification in MAP requires actively respiring plant tissue and a barrier through which gas exchange is restricted. The term “breathable” film means the film pervious to water vapour and gases, but impermeable to liquid water. These breathable packs for MAP have been developed through an indigenous

special process. These breathable interactive packaging films have selective permeability to O2 and CO2 within a package depending on the respiration properties of the produce and molecular diffusion of water vapor (antifog activity). Substantial control over the transmission of respiratory gases such as O2 and CO2 ensures onset of anaerobiosis. It facilitates

a p p e a l i n g appearance of fruits and vegetables. The pack with incorporation of antimicrobial a g e n t s , t h e i r Ramakrishna A, i m m o b i l i z a t i o n Scientist, DFRLo r m o d i f i c a t i o n DRDO, Mysuru of inside surface of pack with permitted flavouring agents provides value addition to the product, improves safety and enhances sales. Also, pulsed electronic beam irradiation processing reveals that this pack can be processed upto 100kGy, beyond this the films may lose its physic-mechanical properties between 30% to 40%.This eco-friendly modified packaging material keeps the produce safe, provides resistant to microbial contamination for commercialization at retail outlets resulting in extended shelf-life without a secondary pack. The packages are reusable, recyclable and reduce unnecessary product / package wastes.

NPE 2015 to feature more than 400 exhibits

PE The International Plastics Trade show a triennial exposition organised by SPI is to make it big for sure NPE2015 which is scheduled for Monday through Friday, March 23-27, 2015, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida claims to be the largest plastics industry event in 2015, including a world-scale trade show and multiple

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educational programs. According to the organisers NPE 2015 will feature more than 400 exhibits with machinery in full-scale operation. The trade show portion will include 2,000 exhibitors on over one million sq.ft. (93,000 sq.m) of space. NPE2015 will host over 60,000 industry

professionals from 120 countries. According to the organizers Through the Support of a Surging Plastics Industry, NPE2015 Already Surpasses the Largest Previous NPE in Exhibit Space, and More Will Be Added by Opening Day NPE2015 has surpassed the previous NPE record for exhibit space, as was announced by SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association,

FEATURES

which produces the triennial NPE. Based on the number of exhibitors thus far, booths will fill more than 1,041,000 net sq.ft. (106,000 sq.m) of exhibit space, the amount used at NPE2000, the largest NPE on the books until now. And with more companies anticipated, SPI expects an additional 10,000 sq. ft. (930 sq.m) to be occupied before the show floor opens on March 23, 2015. Exhibiting companies cite the success of the previous NPE in 2012 and the ongoing surge of the plastics industry as reasons for their strong investment in NPE2015. For equipment companies this has resulted in larger booths in which to display and operate more machines. One such company, Milacron Inc., will have 24,600 sq.ft (2,285 sq. m) of space, constituting the largest booth in NPE history. Overall, more than 600 companies will have equipment at their booths and over 400 will be operating systems. Often their exhibits will feature multiple machines—some of them completely integrated manufacturing cells—running simultaneously. “With so many exhibitors operating equipment, the show floor will be a dynamic panorama of manufacturing in action,” said Gene Sanders, SPI’s senior vice president of trade shows and conferences. “Visitors will encounter a host of opportunities to see demonstrations of the latest technologies and materials up close and to interact with equipment and product experts. It will offer buyers the rare opportunity to test before they invest.” In a recent SPI survey of equipment

companies with the 50 largest booths, some respondents provided glimpses of what buyers can expect to see at their exhibit: Absolute HAITIAN will have a 25% larger booth and more machines on display than at NPE2012, said Glenn Frohring, president. Four injection molding machines will be in operation, including a high-speed all-electric unit for cap and closure production.Branson Ultrasonic will have at least 21 fully-operating materials assembly stations for a cross section of end markets, incorporating vibration, ultrasonic, laser, infrared, and spin welders. Engel will have one more molding cell than at NPE2012 and operate eight in all, showing solutions for automotive, medical, packaging, teletronics, and technical molding applications. One of the systems on exhibit will be for molding a geometrically optimized, stressresistant brake pedal based on a new process developed in partnership with ZF-Friedrichshafen. Using a vertical insert molding machine with a multiaxis industrial robot and infrared oven, a continuous-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic semi-finished product (known as thermoplastic fabric) will be heated, preformed in a mold and immediately overmolded with polyamide. The system produces ready-to-fit components; no cutting is necessary. KraussMaffei brand will include a process combining injection molding and thermoforming of composite sheets. At the booth, the company will produce glass-reinforced nylon airbag housings in cycle times of 45 seconds.

Showcasing the Netstal brand will be a molding line producing 44-oz stadium cups and another producing 16-oz containers with cycles of 5.5 seconds on a 4 + 4 cavity mold. Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will demonstrate nine machines, including one with which the company will attempt to beat the world speed record for production of water bottle caps. The machine will be running a 96-cavity hot runner mold. UBE Machinery will show more equipment at NPE2015 due to the “great attendance and excellent response to NPE2012,” said David Bernardi, senior sales and marketing manager. Shown in operation, drycycling the clamp in 4 seconds, will be a 1,000-ton, fully servo hydraulic molding machine, equipped with a SmartHeat barrel from Nordson Xaloy, that offers 70% savings in electricity. Wittmann Battenfeld will show fully integrated, turnkey injection molding cells. Also new will be a smartphone app that enables molders to monitor the status of all of their production cells and robots. “Most NPE2012 attendees remember Wittmann Battenfeld for out ‘Basketballer Robots,’ as still seen on our You Tube channel,” added Mr. Preusse. Yushin America will have about 30% more space than in 2012 and double the number of injection molding machine, said Ronald Bryant, equipment sales manager. “Attendees have requested more running cells versus static displays, so we have increased the overall number of robots operated by partner OEMs throughout the West Hall.”

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China's plastic industry makes significant shift

hina has registered sluggish growth with its GDP at 7.4% which is an all time low in 24 years. Yes, the world's second largest economy reported its 2014 gross domestic product growth at 7.4%, the lowest since 1990. The plastics industry exhibits similar trends, referred to by many as the "new normal."China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released 2014 annual data on Jan 20. The numbers show that the rubber and plastic products sector expanded its "added value" by 8.6% for the full year (8% for the month of December.)

quoted saying it foresees more difficult times. The company, employing 700 people, reported a 5% decline in 2014 sales. That's after winning an important new client.

The number is slightly higher than the overall industrial sector, whose "added value" increased 8.3%.The NBS numbers do not include companies with annual sales of less than CNY 20m (€2.8m). Since the plastics industry consists of a sizable base of small- and micro-sized companies, the NBS numbers don't necessarily reflect the entire picture. The NBS numbers also include both rubber and plastics products. According to Beijing-based China Plastics Processing Industry Association (CPPIA), during the first 11 months of 2014, China made 60.5 million tonnes of processed plastic products, up 7.45% year-on-year. Main business revenue grew 9.6% to CNY 1.8 trillion (€250bn). Profit rose 8.4% to CNY 100.9bn (€13.9bn). Export of processed plastic products climbed 6.5% to $54.7bn (€47.1bn).

China’s plastic industry is in the midst of a “profound adjustment” from large-scale and high-speed growth to growth focused on quality, efficiency and environmental concerns, says the executive vice president of the China Plastics Processing Industry Association.

The CPPIA numbers also only cover companies with annual sales equal to or above CNY 20m (€2.8m). In an Associated Press story, a plastic packaging company in Tianjin was

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Chinese leaders and state-run media have frequently used the phrase "new normal," urging business to adapt to the slower but more sustainable growth model. CPPIA Vice President Cao Jian said the plastics industry enters a "new normal" stage and will focus on quality and efficiency, instead of scale.

“The future development of this industry will be dependent on scientific and technical innovation and improvement,” says Cao Jian. A long-term transition strategy was set forth at the Central Economic Working Conference held last month in Beijing, which set targets for the nation’s next five-year plan (20162020). As part of the transition, in 2015 the CPPIA will hold seminars on: Energy conservation and emissions reduction, with a special focus on the electricity consumption of single and twin-screw extruders. Solving life-cycle environmental problems in the production and recycling of

artificial leather, laminated plastic film and volatile organic chemicals for color printing film. Making PVC production more environmental friendly, especially through replacing lead salt with calcium-zinc stabilisers. Cao expects China’s plastics industry to grow 6 to 8% in 2015. From January through November 2014, China produced 66.7 million metric tons of processed plastic products, up 7.45% on the same period in 2013. During the same time period, Chinese plastics revenues were up 9.64% to CNY1.84trn (£198bn). Plastic exports grew 6.52% to £36bn. Profits climbed 8.44% to $101 billion yuan (£108m). Cao’s responses echoed his forthright embrace of environmental concerns in an exclusive interview with Plastics News last month in Guangzhou. Cao is of the view that “Companies must replace current additives with more eco-friendly additives.” Cao lauded the “Green Fence,” a broad sweep of environmental and customs rules designed to make the recycling industry cleaner. He specifically cited the Green Fence’s role in reducing the toxics in imported scrap plastic and forcing recyclers to clean up their waste water. Cao added that the cost of retrofitting legacy equipment to make production more environmentally friendly puts older companies in a tough position and acknowledged the reform being put in place under President Xi Jinping. “The government is helping businesses,” he said.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

OPA opposes bag levy in England

imbledon-based OxoBiodegradable Plastics Association (OPA), have said that Single use plastic carrier bags made from biodegradable material should be exempted from the government’s proposed 5p-a-bag levy in England. In a statement the Wimbledon-based Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics Association (OPA), which claims more than 1,000 member companies worldwide, said the government was right to grant such an exemption and that the only point to be settled was what type of biodegradable plastics qualified. British Plastics Federation (BPF) and others called on ministers to shelve any ideas about exempting plastic carrier bags made using biodegradable material from the charge, which is due to be introduced in England in October. Accusing the BPF and some environmental waste bodies of “scaremongering” the OPA said such organisations “know, or ought to know, that the characteristics of

the different types of biodegradable plastic are not the same. Some are compatible with recycling and some are not”. The OPA said there was no doubt that bio-based plastics marketed as ‘compostable’ were not compatible with recycling, and should not therefore qualify for the exemption. The association pressed its claim for its members’ products, saying: “The only type of plastic carrier bag which will biodegrade in the open environment if littered, but can also be recycled into new carrier bags – and can therefore qualify for the exemption – is known as ‘oxo-biodegradable’”. The OPA said scientific evidence had been “produced to [sic] the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that oxo-biodegradable plastic can be recycled without the need for segregation, but the recyclers have produced only scare stories with no scientific basis”. It also claimed that Defra had found no evidence

BPF launches education and skills committee

he British Plastics Federation’s (BPF) new skills committee will assess the industry’s available training schemes as part of its first raft of projects. The committee held its first meeting on 27 January at BPF House in London. It was attended by a cross-section of plastics firms as well as training providers and universities who supply into the plastics Industry. At the meeting Philip Watkins, managing director of Gabriel-Chemie and immediate past president of the

BPF, was unanimously elected as chairman. Watkins said: “The first challenges are to address the current needs of the industry by clarifying exactly what training schemes are available and by giving a much higher profile to the Science Industry Partnership’s and the Trailblazer Apprenticeship Standards.” In addition the committee plans to carry out a detailed consultation across the federation’s 480 membership firms to clarify skills requirements.

that biodegradability encouraged littering. “The fact is that there will always be people who dispose irresponsibly of their waste, and that type of person does not care whether it is biodegradable or not,” the OPA added.

LCR Hallcrest creates colour changing stirrer

K-based LCR Hallcrest which specialises in the development and manufacturing of labels, inks and raw materials that change colour, has been working with Dutch agency, Miles Promocean, on its recent and on-going colour changing stirrer promotion for drinking chocolate brand Chocomel. The campaign is taking place nationwide within the Netherlands and is soon to be followed by another campaign in Belgium. The Chocomel colour changing stirrers are being used in restaurants, as an awareness campaign to encourage restaurant staff to serve Chocomel chilled (40C) to consumers and to show consumers that the drink is refreshing when drunk cold. Gilly Beaumont, marketing manager of LCR Hallcrest said: “This is a great campaign as it’s very visual and the colour change communicates and reinforces its message perfectly to its target audience which in this case is both the seller and the purchaser.”

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

EEF releases energy savings scheme guidance

free new guide has been published by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, to help Britain’s manufacturers with ESOS,the Government’s flagship Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme. Under the compulsory scheme, large companies - 250+ employees or annual turnover over £50m and balance sheet over £43m - will have to carry out a detailed energy audit by 5 December. EEF expects around a third of manufacturers will need to comply. The guide called Understanding the Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme - a Guide for Manufacturers , provides an overview of the scheme, explaining what it is, who qualifies, what is required and by when. However, the guide isn’t just about compliance. It

also explains how manufacturers can go above and beyond ESOS requirements to achieve even greater cost-savings and competitive advantage. According to the Department of Energy & Climate Change, big businesses are potentially wasting around £2.8 billion a year on electricity they don’t need. By implementing recommendations made as part of their ESOS audit, they could slash consumption by 0.7%, saving over £250 million a year on bills. EEF head of climate and environment policy Gareth Stace said: “With the deadline for ESOS compliance hitting at the end of the year it’s vital that companies get up-to-speed as quickly as possible.

EFSA approves bisphenol A

he European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded there is no health risk to consumers of any age group from current exposure levels to bisphenol A (BPA) after it completed a comprehensive evaluation of data. “Exposure from the diet or from a combination of sources (diet, dust, cosmetics and thermal paper) is considerably under the safe level (the “tolerable daily intake” or TDI),” said EFSA in a statement.“Although new data and refined methodologies have led EFSA’s experts to considerably reduce the safe level of BPA from 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (µg/kg of bw/day) to 4 µg/kg of bw/day, the highest estimates

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for dietary exposure and for exposure from a combination of sources (called “aggregated exposure” in EFSA’s opinion) are three to five times lower than the new TDI,” said EFSA. BPA, a chemical used in the production of polycarbonate, can coatings and till receipt coatings, was re-evaluated by EFSA to include a large number of research studies published since its last evaluation in 2006. “With significantly more and better data we have updated and more accurately estimated dietary exposure to BPA for all population groups,” said Dr Trine Husøy, a member of EFSA’s expert panel dealing with food contact materials and chair of the BPA working

China's growth hits 24-year low

he world's second largest economy reported its 2014 gross domestic product growth at 7.4%, the lowest since 1990. The plastics industry exhibits similar trends, referred to by many as the "new normal."China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released 2014 annual data. The numbers show that the rubber and plastic products sector expanded its "added value" by 8.6% for the full year (8% for the month of December.) The number is slightly higher than the overall industrial sector, whose "added value" increased 8.3%.The NBS numbers do not include companies with annual sales of less than CNY 20m (€2.8m). China Plastics Processing Industry Association (CPPIA) Vice President Cao Jian said the plastics industry enters a "new normal" stage and will focus on quality and efficiency, instead of scale. group. “As a result, we now know that dietary exposure is four to fifteen times lower than previously estimated by EFSA, depending on the age group.” EFSA said it will reconsider the temporary TDI when the results of long-term research by the US National Toxicology Program are available for evaluation in two to three years. It said this research is expected to address many of the remaining uncertainties about BPA’s toxic effects.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Drought threatens Brazil's petrochem industry

razil's petrochemical industry is on alert for the risk of production interruptions because a severe drought is threatening power supplies, according to market sources in Platts. Earlier in the month Brazil endured a major blackout that affected 11 states plus the country's federal district. The blackout, which lasted about one hour, resulted from high energy consumption due at least in part to the extreme heat, said Brazil's national energy operator, the ONS. "In case of a new major energy shortage, this can hurt large plastic converter factories," a Brazil-based polymer importer said. Another Brazilian polymer buyer said he believed if more major outages happen "some players will need to invest, as an

option, into another type of power source, which will be more expensive, in order to keep their operations in a emergency situation." No operational disruptions was reported during last week's power outage by Brazil's largest petrochemical producer Braskem, with major operations in Alagoas, Bahia, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo states. In August 2013, a major power outage affected Braskem's production. Water shortages have been reported in Sao Paulo state as the Cantareira and Alto Tiete hydroelectric reservoirs have reached critically low levels due to the lack of rain. Brazil last week was forced to import electricity from Argentina for the first time since 2010 to deal with the outage.

European plastics industry continued to grow in 2014

uropean plastics production rose by 1.5% in 2014, according to trade body PlasticsEurope. The group presented its most recent economic data for the plastics industry at a recent round table in Brussels, showing the overall trends for 2014 and 2015 across the continent. The European plastics producers benefited from the recovery of its customers industries such as automotive sector, electrical appliances and construction; gaining momentum in the second half of 2014. Positive growth is expected to continue with a 1% rise in 2015.

PlasticsEurope executive director Karl-H Foerster said: “The plastics industry is a key contributor to the reindustrialization of Europe due to its knock-on effect on other key areas of the economy. “Access to competitive energy and raw materials, support for innovation and training, investment in innovation as well as a consistent and complementary regulation will create the right conditions for our industry to continue to make a meaningful contribution to European economy and society at large.”

Sibur's polymers project may get €3bn state boost

major Siberian polymers project, ZapSibNeftekhim, planned by the Russian petrochemicals group Sibur, could be in line for a big injection of state funding through the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). According to reports the equity investment fund, set up by the government in 2011 as a catalyst for direct investment into Russia, may spend $3.5bn (€3.09bn) from the National Wealth Fund and raise hundreds of millions of dollars from other investors to back Sibur’s scheme for a 2 million tpa polyolefins complex.

Fire at Plastics factory in Bangladesh

t least a dozen people are believed to have died after a fire at a plastics factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh earlier this month. According to Reuters the blaze occurred at APCCO Bangladesh’s building at Nasim Plastic House. The fire reportedly started at about 5:45 pm on 31 January, with officials investigating reports of a broken gas cylinder as the cause. About 70 people were reportedly working in the five-storey building at the time.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Government to provide Rs. 60,000 crore for petrochem industry

nion Chemical and Fertilizers Minister Ananth Kumar, has assured that the government is ready to provide the investment for the upcoming petrochem sector. He added that the government will act as a facilitator and not as a regulator for the petrochemicals sector. The petrochemical sector needs an investment of over Rs. 60,000 crore in the near future. Speaking at The Petrochemical Conclave organised by Indian Oil Corporation, Kumar reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clarion Make in India call, and said that the government is ready to address basic issues concerning the sector and downstream industries

like environment, infrastructure and incentives. Kumar stressed on the need for capacity building in the petrochemical sector. He suggested that there could be another vertical in several institutes for training the personnel in the petrochemicals which will provide formal and structural skill development. He also called upon the refining companies to be anchor units and take part in the development of downstream industries and infrastructure. He said that this would help in better coordination and cooperation and the Government would be more than happy to act as a catalyst.

Arkema gets nod for its £1.3bn Bostik deal

he European Commission has approved France-based chemical company Arkema’s acquisition of French oil and gas giant Total’s adhesives and sealants business Bostik.In a statement the Commission said it had concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns “because it leads only to limited vertical links between the parties and the inputs concerned are not crucial for the downstream production of adhesives and sealants”. The Commission went on to highlight that a number of strong players will also remain active in the market after the merger. Arkema offered to acquire Bostik in September 2014,

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valuing the business at €1.74bn (£1.3bn).Arkema chief executive Thierry Le Hénaff said in a statement at the time of the offer: “The complementarities between the two companies, the quality of Bostik’s management, the common roots within the Total group, and the brands and technologies are all factors that will sustain value creation for our shareholders and ensure successful execution of the project.” “For Arkema, this new exciting challenge complements the ambitious plan currently in progress to establish acrylics and thiochemicals in Asia through the [joint venture with] Jurong Chemical

MRPL increases stake in ONGC Mangalore Petrochemicals

a n g a l o r e Re f i n e r y a n d Petrochemicals Limited has increased its stake in ONGC Mangalore Petrochemicals Limited to 46% from 3%. In a BSE filing, MRPL said that its board approved the acquisition of major stake in OMPL by purchasing fully paidup equity shares from individual shareholders. Till recently, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation was holding 46% and MRPL 3% in OMPL. The balance 51% was yet to be allotted. OMPL is jointly promoted by ONGC and MRPL for manufacturing 0.9 mln tpa of paraxylene and 0.3 mln tons of benzene from the aromatic streams of MRPL. [in China] and the Kerteh [Malaysia] project, restore the profitability of fluorogases, carry through its €100m (£75m) savings plan announced recently, and realise the strong growth prospects in the attractive oil and gas segment,” Le Hénaff added. Bostik reported sales of around €1.53bn (£1.14bn) in 2013 and employs 4,900. Arkema, which saw sales of €6.1bn (£4.6bn) in 2013, has operations in more than 40 countries, employing around 14,000 people.

BUSINESS NEWS

BASF exits bio-acrylic acid partnership with Novozymes and Cargill

hemical giant BASF has decided to exit the R&D collaboration with Novozymes and Cargill it entered into in August 2012 to develop a biobased process for producing 3-hydroxypropionic (3-HP) and acrylic acid from renewable raw materials. Germany-based BASF is the world´s largest producer of oil-based acrylic acid and has substantial capabilities in its production and downstream

processing. The company originally joined the collaboration in order to develop a product able to meet market and society needs more sustainably.Novozymes and Cargill have collaborated on the project since 2008 and will continue their work to commercialize biobased 3-HP and derivatives. Meanwhile, they have initiated efforts to find a new commercialization partner.

Esterform buys Constar UK

onstar UK, the Leeds-based blow moulder, has been bought by Esterform Packaging for an undisclosed sum. According to reports Esterform, which claims to be the largest independent converter of PET in the UK, said the deal would double its PET preform and container capacity to in excess of three billion units a year. Speaking about his company’s move for the business,

Esterform’s founder Mark Tyne said: “The two companies manufacture very similar products with a good deal of duplicate tooling, so it makes perfect sense to merge Constar into the Esterform group.” The Constar UK deal comes hot on the heels of Esterform’s recent announcement to plough £8m (€10.6m) -worth of investment into state-of-the-art manufacturing technology.

DuPont’s profit down 25 percent

S based Materials giant DuPont released full-year financial results for 2014, while its sales for the year fell 3% to $34.7bn (€30.5bn), the annual profit tumbled 25% to just over $3.6bn (€3.2bn). Full-year sales for 2014 in DuPont’s Performance Materials unit including nylon and other specialty resins, as well as nylon film — fell 2% to just over $6.1bn (€5.4bn), even as its operating profit grew 1% to almost

$1.3bn (€1.15bn). Officials said that increase was due in part to increased demand from the automotive market. Also according to reports DuPont will use almost all of the proceeds from an upcoming spinoff — one that includes its fluoropolymer and titanium dioxide businesses to fund a massive $4bn (€3.5bn) stock buyback. The spinoff of DuPont’s Performance Chemicals unit — including Teflonbrand fluoropolymer and the firm’s

PolyOne's 2014 profits down 17%

orth American compounding leader PolyOne saw modest growth and its overall profit declined. ull-year sales grew 2% to more than $3.8bn (£2.5bn), while adjusted earnings per share grew almost 40% to $1.80 (£1.19), the highest level in the firm’s 15-year history. Profits, however, tumbled almost 70% to $78m (£51.6m), although this was compared to a 2013 profit figure that was boosted by gains on sales of businesses. PolyOne’s profits from continuing operations saw a smaller decline of 17% in 2014. Annual operating income grew at all five of the firm’s business units. PolyOne’s performance products and solutions unit, including PVC compounds, led the way in 2014 with sales growth of almost 6%. The firm’s distribution unit saw sales growth of almost 4%, while designed structures and solutions, including plastic sheet, registered an annual sales increase of more than 3%.Annual sales for PolyOne’s global colour, additives and inks unit essentially were flat. Global specialty engineered materials sales fell almost 3% in 2014.

titanium dioxide business into a separate public company is expected to be completed by mid-2015. The new firm will operate as Chemours.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Spain's Cepsa set to sell off PET/PTA operations

panish PET roducer Cepsa is to dispose of its PET polymer and purified terephthalic acid (PTA) operations. The Madrid-based oil and chemicals group Cepsa is in negotiation with a potential buyer of two PET and PTA production plants, one in southern Spain and the other in Canada. According to media reports the bidder is the acquisitive Thailand group Indorama, the world’s biggest polyester chain manufacturer. Cepsa Quimica operates the Guadarranque facility near Gibraltar at San Roque, Spain with capacities of 480,000 tpa of PTA, 175,000 tpa

PET and 220,000 tpa of purified isophthalic acid (PIA). Its Canadian unit is a 550,000 tpa PTA plant in Montreal, Quebec. The Spanish group is reported to be planning greater internationalisation of its overall chemicals business. Moreover, Indorama group subsidiary Indorama Ventures (IVL) has been building up its PET operations in southern Europe since last year with two recent acquisitions in Turkey. In the second quarter of last year, IVL bought La Seda’s local 130,000 tpa Artenius Turkpet PET plant in Adana.

Naylor Industries buys Raglan Plastics

ngland based Naylor Industries, have acquired Raglan Plastics, a supplier to one of its businesses. Raglan processes and supplies PVC raw materials into Naylor’s Amco Plastics business – which in turn is part of Naylor’s Specialist Plastics division. The deal will enable Naylor to bolster its supply chain and develop a business to supply third parties with a range of materials in pelletised and pulverised form.

Italy's Novamont signs deal for bioplastics

taly-based materials company Novamont has announced that its 50/50 joint venture with Versalis, Novamont and Matrìca, has signed a deal with Coldiretti and Consorzi Agrari d’Italia, for the creation of innovative agro-industrial chains to create short-chain biolubricants and bioplastics.

Novamont technology is utilised at these plants to turn agricultural raw materials and plant waste into a range of chemical products (biochemicals,

The agreement focuses on the spread among Coldiretti farmers of cardoon, a low-input crop which does not require irrigation and can grow on arid lands unsuitable for traditional crops. It generates protein flour (used for animal feedstock) and other raw materials for the production of low environmental impact products, creating a strong synergy with the Matrìca biorefinery in Porto Torres, Sardinia.

S additives producer Chemtura has appointed Biesterfeld Polychem as exclusive distributor of its Great Lakes Solutions portfolio of flame retardants in Italy. "We are very pleased with the expansion of our longstanding, pan-European cooperation with Chemtura. Great Lakes Solutions flame retardants are an important extension of our polymer additive portfolio in Italy,"

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bio-intermediaries, monomers for the production of bioplastics, bases for biolubricants and bioadditivies for rubber).

Biesterfeld to distribute Chemtura FR additives in Italy

said Michael Pilz, marketing manager CASE, at Biesterfeld Spezialchemie, the German parent of Milan-based Biesterfeld Polychem. Chemtura's flame retardants portfolio includes bromine-based and p hosphorusbased flame retardants, antimony and smoke suppressants for industries including electronics & electrical, construction and transportation.

BUSINESS NEWS

Record year for US packaging deals

ast year was a record level of merger and acquisition activity in the US packaging sector, including plastic packaging, according to Mesirow Financial. The financial analyst firm found that overall deal volume hit $29.9bn (£19.9bn) last year, up from $21.7bn (£14.4bn) in 2013. Total volume in 2012 was $18.4bn (£12.2bn).Last year’s

total also eclipsed a previous postrecession deal volume high of $28.4bn (£18.9bn) in 2011, the Chicago-based firm reported. The average multiple for packaging transactions was 7.4 times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation in 2014. That multiple was 6.8 just the year before and 7.0 in 2012.

Shell to invest US$11 bln in petrochem project in Iraq

production capacity will be 1.8 mln tpa of petrochemical products.

The complex, known as Nibras, is expected to come online within five to six years and will make Iraq the largest petrochemical producer in the Middle East. The estimated

The company said "Shell has been working with the Iraqi ministries of industry and minerals and jointly with the ministries of oil and transport to develop a joint investment model for a world-scale petrochemical cracker and derivative complex in the south of Iraq.”

oyal Dutch Shell has signed a deal with the Iraqi government for US$11 bln to build a petrochemical plant in the country’s southern oil hub of Basra.

Kuraray to invest US$67.48 mln to increase EVAL copolymer production

apanese chemical company Kuraray Co Ltd plans to increase ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) production capacity of EVAL Europe NV from 24,000 tpa to 35,000 tpa, at an investment of Yen 8 billion (approx US$67.48 mln). The wholly owned Kuraray subsidiary located in Antwerp, Belgium, expects to complete the expansion by the end of 2016. On completion of this expansion, Kuraray’s global EVAL

production capacity will increase from 81,000 tpa to 92,000 tpa. Previously, the increase in EVAL demand has been centered primarily in industrialised nations, such as Japan and the US as well as those in Europe. However, according to the company the demand is now rising in emerging nations too. Due to its superior gas barrier properties, EVOH demand is steadily expanding, particularly for food

Sika likely to acquire Axson

pecialty chemicals maker Sika has entered into exclusive negotiations with Axson SAS management and shareholders to acquire its epoxy and polyurethane polymer formulator business Axson Technologies. Based in Saint-Ouen, France, Axson Technologies serves markets including design, prototyping and tooling, structural adhesives, composite materials and encapsulation products for the automotive, marine, renewable energy, sports & leisure and construction markets. The transaction is subject to conditions including antitrust approvals in certain jurisdictions as well as consultations with employee representatives.The development comes some months after Axson acquired TrentesauxBrochier’s polyurethane portfolio, creating the company Axson Merylithe. packaging applications that offer better food preservation and for automotive plastic fuel tanks that effectively prevent hydrocarbon emissions. Besides, EVAL applications have expanded to include stain proof wallpaper, under-floor heating and vacuum insulation panels for refrigerators.

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PRODUCT NEWS

Struktol developes Unique process additives for recycled plastics / Polymers

truktol has devloped A unique process additives for reclaimed/ recycled plastics and for polymer compounds that contain recycled content. These products are useful in a variety of different resin systems from polyolefins to engineered plastics, offering greater processing efficiency and enhanced performance. They are targeted for compounds containing 100% recycled material or materials with varying levels of postconsumer or post-industrial recycled content. For engineering plastics, Struktol offers two new products that combine a compatibilizer with lubricants to create a combination product that aids in the incorporation of fillers (mineral or glass) with improved mixing and flow properties as well as mold release. These products result in better processing, improved surface quality, and in some cases, better physical properties. Among the new products, STRUKTOL® TR 229 is for use in both polycarbonate (PC) and PC/acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene (ABS) blends as well as nylon 6 and 6,6 compounds. It can be used in FDA-approved applications and is also ideal for use in recycled applications. Struktol also introduced STRUKTOL® TR 219 for use in nylon 6 and 6,6 compounds. It has also been found to be effective in polyester (PET and PBT) compounds, especially recycled or recyclatecontaining applications or in cases where the polyester compound is contaminated with other plastics.

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Struktol also announced additions to its line of additive products for recycled polypropylene. STRUKTOL® RP 11 is a unique lubricant package that provides an unmatched combination of viscosity reduction and mold release characteristics for recycled PP resins and compounds. Loading levels as low as 0.2% result in increased melt flow and allow for significant improvements in mold filling and release. Processors using RP 11 will benefit from its versatility; allowing greater use of regrind or recycled content material without sacrificing certain properties or performance. In addition, STRUKTOL® RP 06 provides similar viscosity modification and mold release combined with low odor and volatiles that are ideal in automotive applications. STRUKTOL® RP 37 is designed to provide unmatched viscosity modification and lubrication in recycled PP compounds and resins that contain high levels of polyethylene contaminants.

STRUKTOL® RP 17, a combination lubricant and odor neutralizing mask, was originally designed for reducing/ eliminating compounding and endproduct odors in wood-filled plastic compounds. The product has been modified for use in a variety of polymer resins and compounds that require the multi-functionality of lubrication, mold release, and odor reduction. RP 17 can be used in recycled applications as well as automotive interior compounds where neutral odor may be a requirement. In addition to this product, Struktol is doing custom product design around odor and volatile reduction in a variety of resin types. STRUKTOL® TR 052 is a compatibilizer and blending aid that is extremely beneficial for incorporation of regrind/recycled product in a wide range of polymers. Processors can realize improved physical properties and overall improved processability of compounds requiring some level of recycled content.

PRODUCT NEWS

Teknor develops Apex SCR™ rigid PVC for medical components

eknor Apex Company has developed new Apex SCR™ rigid PVC compounds,a breakthrough in PVC technology that now makes it possible for rigid PVC to replace polycarbonate (PC) in clear medical components such as connectors and check valves, obtaining comparable strength and excellent clarity while reducing or eliminating the stress cracking that often occurs in PC at the interface with flexible PVC components such as tubing. Data from extensive testing by the company indicate that after prolonged contact with flexible PVC under conditions designed to induce stress cracking, at the same time, the new compounds provided the excellent physical properties: toughness, rigidity, and clarity. Apex SCR rigid PVC compounds meet biocompatibility

standards like ISO 10993-1 and USP Class VI, can be sterilized by EtO, and heat methods, have good heat stability, and are easy to process. They offer a cost savings compared with resins that may be over-engineered for the application. Teknor Apex recommends the new materials for Y-connectors, cannulae, check valves, male and female Luer fittings, suction Yankauers, filter housings, drip chambers and caps, and specimen containers. Stress cracking, or crazing, occurs when amorphous polymers like PC or conventional rigid PVC come into contact with the plasticizers used to make PVC flexible. PC in particular is even more susceptible to stress cracking under these conditions than standard PVC, and it is possible for PC components

Plustech’s Micro Vertical Injection Molding Machine

micro vertical injection molding machine designed for the highspeed molding of precision micro has been developed by Plustech, Inc., the North American branch of Sodick’s IMM Division. The new HC03VRE Micro Vertical Molding Machine achieves a dry cycle time of only 0.9 seconds. Short cycle times are made possible using a mold clamping system that closes and clamps in a single motion coupled with a belt-driven table rotation. The electrically driven hybrid direct-pressure mold clamping system uses four tie-bars to ensure excellent alignment and high rigidity so that clamping force is applied

uniformly. It also features Sodick’s V-LINE® System which separates the plasticization and injection processes. This two-stageplunger system enables consistent measurement and injection, ideal for miniature / micro precision components. With a compact footprint of only 1625mm x 1178mm (63.9” x 46.4”), the HC03VRE has a 460mm (18.1”) table and a clamping force of 3.3 tons. At NPE 2015, Sodick will be featuring a live demo of the HC03VRE (8mm plunger / 14mm screw): a direct gated two-cavity micro-bobbin application (part weight of 0.09 gram) with a cycle time of only 1.9 seconds.

to become so riddled with cracks that the ultimate result is catastrophic part failure. Until now the device industry has attempted to slow or stop stress cracking by focusing on the plasticizer formulation used in the flexible component, but this method has had limited success.“Stress cracking is a problem that the medical device industry has had to deal with for decades,” said Peter Galland, Industry Manager of the Vinyl Division of Teknor Apex. “Apex SCR compounds provide a cost-effective way for the industry to address this problem without having to compromise end-use performance.”

Nova develops new HDPE film with improved barrier

ova Chemicals Corp. has developed a new HDPE film, Surpass HPs667-AB, with improved barrier. The new high density polyethylene film resin has 50 percent better moisture and oxygen barrier properties over conventional technology. Surpass HPs667-AB is suited to cast film, extrusion coating, extrusion lamination and some barrier molding applications. It features high stiffness and can allow downgauging of layers and laminations. Its use can improve sustainability and food shelf life. The new grade is an extension of Nova’s 167-AB high barrier blown film resin.

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PRODUCT NEWS

Nordson Xaloy's introduces new unit to reduce cycle times

ordson Xaloy, the screw and barrel maker owned by Nordson Corp., introduced the Quantum plasticizing unit with a new screw design. The unit reduces screw recovery time by 10-15 percent — cutting cycle times when injection molding high-speed, thin-wall packaging. The barrier screw is designed to increase the rate of plastication for unmelted material, while minimizing shear forces on polymer that is already in a molten state. A barrier screw has a middle section that separates solids from molten polymer,

to maximize the heat and shear forces applied to the solids. “In the screw for the Quantum system, we strive for a mass balance throughout the length of the screw, accommodating the differential between the bulk density of the pellets being fed into the system and the density of the molten polymer,” said Tony Genova, engineering supervisor for screw manufacturing. Nordson also supplies a custom designed, poppet-style non-return valve with free-flowing channels that prevent degradation of the polymer.

Clariant launches three colour solutions at PlastIndia 2015

lariant has launched three new colour solution for packaging, artificial leather and footwear industries at the PlastIndia 2015 exhibition. These three new products PV Fast Orange HGR, PolyFast Pigment Dispersions and PolyRich Pigment Dispersion - are tailor-made solutions for India’s trending industries that cater to the aspirational middle class population, claimed the company. Dr Uwe Dahlmann, head – India, MEA and SEAP, BU pigments, Clariant International, added, “The launch of these products will support our hyper growth in the domestic Indian market where we continue to see double digit figures. PV Fast Orange HGR is a unique product which is transparent, thus it can replace dyes

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with high fastness. PolyFast Pigment Dispersion, which is launched for the growing PVC leather cloth/synthetic leather industry, is easily dispersible, thus ensuring high speed production of finished goods. Po l y R i c h Pi g m e n t D i s p e r s i o n , available in pre-dispersed flake form, is developed for EVA coloration applications, meant for the footwear industry. Sambit Roy, regional director – marketing and sales (pigments), Clariant in India said “The footwear industry in India in recent times has become part of the fashion industry, thereby increasing the demand for vibrant colors. These dispersions, being easily miscible with each other thus offer a wide range of shades to the brand owners."

Rajiv Plastics, launches Colourful Innovations at PlastIndia

ajiv Plastics Limited an ISO 9001:2008 certified company and the leader in manufacturing resin specific masterbatches for engineering Plastics, recently launched the following colour / additive masterbatches. • C o l o u r s : G l i t t e r, p e a r l , fluorescent, metallic, wood and swirl effects for over 32 different base resins. • Freshness Plus and Agri Fresh masterbatches for enhanced shelf – life of fruits and vegetables. • Ph o t o - o x o b i o d e g r a d a b l e masterbatches and VCI (anticorrosive) masterbatches for blown film. • Anti-rodent masterbatches for the pipes, wire and cable industry. • Anti-Microbial masterbatches for all polymers. Established in 1978, Rajiv Plastics Limited is one of Asia’s leading masterbatch manufacturers with the capability of manufacturing colour and additive masterbatches for over 32 different polymers.The company has two manufacturing locations and serves over 1200 customers in over 55 different countries.Approximately 45 per cent of their business is exports.

TECHNOLOGY

Biopolymer acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, allowing better acceptance

group of researchers, led by Professor Bikramjit Basu of the Materials Research Centre and BioEngineering Programme, and Professor Giridhar Madras of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have developed a biodegradable polymer that acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and allows better acceptance of biomedical implants in the human body, as per newindianexpress.com. The novel biodegradable Salicylic Acid-based Polyester (SAP) is designed to slowly deliver salicylic acid (a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug-NSAID) for a prolonged period of time. The study was published in the journal ‘Biomacromolecules’ recently. Implantable devices facilitate drug delivery at specific regions of the body where they are required. This

local delivery provides an advantage of using lower doses of drug and thereby reducing the potential side effects. “Other salicylic acid-releasing polymers belong to a class of poly (anhydride) esters and are linear or have salicylic acid conjugated to a linear chain. Anhydride linkages in these polymers are very labile and therefore unstable,” said primary author and PhD student Yashoda Chandorkar of Materials Research Centre.“The SAP synthesised by us is cross-linked. Ester linkages are known to be stable compared to anhydride linkages. This difference in the chemical structure is the main reason for the sustained release that is possible over a prolonged period of time with our polymer,” Chandorkar said. Implantation of SAP in mice reduced

the Foreign Body Response (FPR) and formation of an undesirable coating around it. This coating/fibrous capsule prevents effective communication between the implant and body. “Commonly used biodegradable polymers such as poly (lactic acidco-glycolic acid-PLGA) have noxious degradation products, which are undesirable for an ideal system,” Chandorkar said. A comparison following implantation in mice for 2, 4, and 16 weeks, showed that fibrous capsule surrounding the PLGA implant was denser. However, the SAP implant was surrounded by normal tissue-like structure. Moreover, 96 per cent of PLGA versus 8 per cent SAP degraded by 16 weeks. This slow degradation results in sustained release of salicylic acid, she said.

Panorama roof incorporates infrared absorption function

heat-absorbing panorama roof made of shatterproof polycarbonate (PC) plastic brings more light into the interior and creates a sense of greater spaciousness in the smart fortwo, while at the same time reducing heat buildup in the cabin and thereby contributing to better fuel economy via reduced air-conditioner load. Tier 1 parts maker Webasto (Stockdorf, Germany) is manufacturing the fixed panorama roof for the third generation of the smart fortwo. The 1.2-square meter transparent roof panel is made

of Makrolon PC from Bayer Material Science (Leverkusen, Germany). Visually, it is an extension of the front windshield. The technological highlight of the roof system according to Webasto is its ability to absorb solar energy and thus prevent the interior from heating up too much by absorbing IR radiation. This is made possible by infrared absorbers integrated in the PC - more specifically, into the resin pellets that the panels are molded from. Makrolon grade AG2677 in the temperature-stable, heat-absorbing

color 771079 is being used on the new smart for the first time. The PC material is reportedly extremely impact resistant, weatherproof, and lightweight. A roof made of polycarbonate can be up to 50 percent lighter than a glass equivalent. The plastic panel on the new smart fortwo weighs only 9.8 kilograms. Due to the low weight, not only is the fuel consumption of the small city car reduced. The roof also has a positive influence on the driving dynamics, as it shifts the vehicle's center of gravity further down. The roof is

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TECHNOLOGY

manufactured using two-component injection-compression molding. The second component is a black-colored polycarbonate ABS blend; Bayblend T95 MF. It enables the integration of additional functions such as screw bosses on the bottom side of the roof. Attached to them is the infinitely adjustable fabric roller blind used to control the brightness of the interior.

A coating layer makes the panorama roof resistant to scratching and weathering influences. The roof system is the world's largest injection-molded, transparently coated car roof with an infrared absorber. Webasto manufactures the polycarbonate roofs in its own lightweight competence center in Schierling near Regensburg, Germany.

Bayer MaterialScience supported Webasto in the development of the roof with a complete service package for automotive glazing, consisting of simulation calculations for the mold filling and thermal expansion, material development and selection, testing technology and analytics, as well as process technology, among other contributions.

Self-stretching polymer material that change shape

ll though most materials slightly expand when heated, there is a new class of rubber-like material that not only self-stretches upon cooling; it reverts back to its original shape when heated, all without physical manipulation.

was attached. To carry out their strategy, the researchers introduced permanent stress inside the material. They began with polymer strands that were loosely connected by bonds called crosslinks that create a network of molecules.

The findings were recently published in the journal ACS Macro Letters. The material is like a shape-memory polymer because it can be switched between two different shapes. "However, unlike other shape-memory polymers, the material does not need to be programmed each cycle -- it repeatedly switches shapes, with no external forces, simply upon cooling and heating," said Mitchell Anthamatten, an associate professor of chemical engineering. Anthamatten and his team built on the success of a recently developed polymer that can also stretch when cooled.

The material was stretched with a load attached to give it the desired shape. At that point, they added more crosslinks and cooled the polymer, causing crystallization to occur along a preferred direction. Anthamatten's team showed that internal crystallization forces are strong enough to stretch the material along one direction.

The other polymers need to have small loads -- or weights -- attached in order to direct the shape to be taken. That is not the case with the Rochester polymer, because Anthamatten's team "tricked it into thinking" a load

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Once cooled below about 50 Â°C, polymer chain segments pack into highly ordered micro-layers called lamellae. This reorganization occurs within a network of polymer chains, causing the material's length to increase by over 15 percent."The stress we built into the network takes the place of the load and enables the material to 'remember' the shape it will assume when it's later cooled without a load," said Anthamatten. Conventional shape-memory polymers

need to be reprogrammed after each cycle, but that's not the case with the material developed by Anthamatten and his team. After multiple cycles of cooling and heating, they found that the material assumed its programmed shape and returned to its initial state with no noticeable deviation. Anthamatten envisions the material being applied to a number of areas in which reversible shape-changes are needed during operations, including biotechnology, artificial muscles, and robotics. "The next step is to optimize the shape of the polymer material and the energy released during the process," said Anthamatten. "That will be done by adjusting the type and density of crosslinks that tie the individual chains together." The research team included two of Anthamatten's students -- Yuan Meng and Jisu Jiang. The work was supported internally by the University of Rochester's Pump Primer Seed Grant Program, which exists to support proof-of-concept studies.

TECHNOLOGY

Long fibre PPs propagate low emissions

S compounder RTP Company has expanded its very long fibre-reinforced PP (PP VLF) portfolio to include a range of low emission products. These PP VLF products satisfy Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) mandates to reduce the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) levels found in thermoplastic materials specified for use in automotive interior applications, says RTP. International legislation and automotive OEMs have identified the need to reduce odour, fogging, and total VOCs to improve air quality and the safety of vehicle interiors. The low emission PP VLF compounds are designed for structural use and provide strength, stiffness, and dimensional accuracy, with reinforcement levels of 20-50 weight%. They have been tested and authenticated by approved outside

laboratories according to German Automotive Industry (VDA) test methods for odour, fogging, and total VOC emissions. According to RTP, results from VDA test methods show that the PP VLF products meet or exceed the OEM requirements in all three categories. Low emission requirements started in Europe and are quickly being adopted by OEMs around the world. “The global trend is to reduce Volatile Organic Compounds to meet increasingly tough OEM environmental standards,” explains Dave Pahl, RTP Company Automotive Market Manager. “Our challenge was to sort through the complexity of varying OEM specifications, test methods, and classifications to develop VLF compounds that meet the industry’s toughest emission requirements. RTP Company is now positioned to support our customers worldwide with low emission PP VLF solutions.”

The compounds are used in automotive interior applications such as instrument panels, door module carriers, overhead and center consoles, seating, load floors, pedal boxes, spare tyre covers and storage bins. “Some OEMs require only that ‘open air’ applications meet VOC standards, while others include covered or enclosed applications, as well,” explains Pahl. “Regardless of the OEM definitions, classifications or requirements, Tier suppliers can leverage RTP Company’s global footprint and application development expertise for low emission, structural interior solutions.” RTP says it has strategically positioned its VLF processing capability in the Americas, Europe and Asia, near key automotive centres to support customers locally with automotivespecified compounds and short lead times.

Unique fused graphics for Polyethylene & Polypropylene injection molded products

unique new graphics solution for decorating polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) plastic products called Polyfuze has been unveiled by iMIG Systems. This innovative, multi-colored technology is unlike any other decorating method available on the market today. Polyfuze is NOT an inmold label, hot stamp, heat transfer, pad print or screen print. The

Polyfuze graphic is unique because it is composed of pigmented plastic instead of traditional ink, which degrades over time and fades under weathering. Traditional ink also can be removed with chemicals, while Polyfuze withstands all wear testing and is 100% permanent. The Polyfuze graphic is applied using traditional hot stamp machinery and literally fuses or welds into a

PE/PP plastic product, becoming a permanent part of the product itself. As Polyfuze is polymer based, it can be recycled with PE/PP plastic products. T h e Po l y f u z e g r a p h i c c a n b e manufactured to meet the following compliances: FDA, ASTM, CPSIA, RoHS and REACH.

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IN THE NEWS

LG Hausys pulls out of Russian PVC profiles market

G Hausys, the building and decorative materials offshoot of South Korean giant LG Corporation, is pulling out of PVC window profile manufacture in Russia. LG Hausys Rus halted production at its two plants at Elektrostal near Moscow and the south western Siberian city of Novokuznetsk at the start of this year. Both facilities are to be sold off as a business or a property complex, according to the company. It blamed the pull out, which includes stopping importing profiles, on the low profitability of the business in Russia, according to its deputy director Denis Sapozhnikov, quoted in the Russian business daily Vedomosti. With a shrinking share of the domestic profiles market, estimated last year at barely 1.5%, the Russian

subsidiary recorded a net loss in 2013 of €608,200 on revenue of just over €30m. LG Hausys Rus has been squeezed by the major profile PVC window suppliers including Rehau, Profine and Veka with a reported 44% share in what is becoming a saturated market. Estimated at 400,000 tpa, the domestic market shrank 10% last year and is expected to halve by 2020. The group planned to expand its overall capacity in Russia to 50,000 tpa by 2013 but is understood to have decided not to proceed with the project. Importing profiles, raw material and components from S.Korea has also become unprofitable due to the sharp change in the foreign currency rate of the rouble against the Korean won.

Associations across US and Europe back EFSA's BPA safety study

ollowing the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluding there is no health risk to consumers of any age group from current exposure levels to Bisphenol A (BPA), associations around the world have come forward to support its findings. Europe’s plastics industry dismissed a French government report into alternatives to BPA in December. BPA has now been banned in all food packaging across the country, France had banned the use of BPA in products such as feeding bottles for babies four years ago. PlasticsEurope’s PC/

BPA group has stated that following the EFSA’s conclusions the French restriction on BPA is disproportionate and should be withdrawn. “The fact that any realistic exposure to BPA is well below even the conservative safety threshold established by EFSA shows that blanket restrictions being applied at national level, in particular in France, are unjustified and should be withdrawn,” says Jasmin Bird of the PC/BPA-group. The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has said it fully supports the findings of the EFSA review and its conclusions

Andhra Pradesh to sign MoU with Kuwait for petrochem refinery

he Andhra Pradesh Government will sign a MoU for a major refinery and petrochemical complex with the Kuwait-based Al Qebla Al Watya (part of Al Kharafi Group). The MoU envisages development of a petrochemical complex and a refinery on the East Coast for ensuring energy security and development of downstream and ancillary industries. Al Qebla Al Watya has significant experience in oil and gas sector, including refineries and petrochemical complexes. Both have agreed to initiate steps to fast track the project. Andhra Pradesh would extend support for facilitating this project.

which provide an authoritative approval of the continued safe use of products produced using BPA. In the US, industry experts have applauded the expansive nature of the European study and noted that the results back up last year’s definitive position of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that BPA is safe across the board. “EFSA’s overall conclusion is similar to recent statements from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the safety of BPA,” Said Steven Hentges, of the American Chemistry Council’s s Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group."

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IN THE NEWS

Global exports of plastics and rubber machinery to India dropped 25%

ifficulties in India's manufacturing sector are continuing to hit German plastics and rubber machinery exports, with sales to India down 15% in the first 10 months of last year, after dropping 25% in 2013. According to reports from Germany's plastics and rubber machinery trade group, VDMA, exports from Germany's plastics and rubber machinery sector, the second-largest in the world after China's, dropped to €56.2m in the January to October period, down 15.3% compared to the same period

in 2013. This comes on top of a 25.9% drop in 2013, when German plastics machinery exports fell to €87.1m, from €117.7m in 2012.

The fourth and fifth-largest exporters of plastics machinery, Taiwan and Italy, saw their shipments to India drop 19% and 39%, respectively.

Chinese plastics and rubber machinery, for example, saw shipments to India drop 14.4% in 2013, to €124.9m, from €145.8m in 2012, VDMA said. China is the largest exporter of plastics and rubber machinery to India, followed by Germany. The Japanese, the thirdlargest exporters to India, saw their machinery exports tumble 38.5% in 2013, to €49.9m, from €81.1m in 2012.

Overall, global exports of plastics and rubber machinery to India dropped 25% in 2013, to €483.4m, from €645.1m in 2012. The only country in the top 10 exporters that did not see a drop in 2013 was South Korea, which saw a nominal rise of 0.9%, to just over €26m. Analysts have noted sluggishness in India's manufacturing sector.

Iran commissions first waste-to-energy plant

ran has started operations of its first waste-to-energy plant. According to reports the plant is expected to generate 3 megawatts (MW) of electricity per day from 200 tonnes of garbage. The power plant named Aradkouh Waste Process and Disposal Complex, located south of Tehran, was built in cooperation with China, and took three years for completion, added the Tehran Times report, which cited

the IRNA news agency. “Iran plans to double its renewable energy output to reach 400MW before the end of March, says, Homayoun Haeri, the managing director of the Iran Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Management Company (Tavanir).”. Iran’s power generation capacity, which currently stands at 68.38 gigawatts, has grown by 7 per cent annually over the past 10 years.

Taiwan –Japan petrochem in China

apan based KH Neochem has p a r t n e r e d w i t h Ta i w a n e s e petroleum firm CPC and Mega International Commercial Bank is to form a joint venture (JV) to build a petrochemical manufacturing complex in Taiwan, China. According to reports the joint venture would be named as Taiwan-Japan Oxo Chemical Industries and the plant will be located at the Kaohsiung Lin Hai Industrial Park. The

Plastics News • February 2015 • 66

project will be carried out with an investment of US$434 mln, in which CPC and KH Neochem will each hold a 47% stake and Mega International will own the balance 6% stake. Operations for the complex are planned to commence in 2019. The facillity will produce 180,000t of isononyl alcohol and 21,000t of butene trimer, which are key raw materials used to produce plastics, lubricants, and adhesives.

Indian Oil to invest Rs 7812 crore for expansion

ndian Oil is to invest Rs 7,812 crore in upgrading Koyali refinery in Gujarat to produce Euro-IV complaint fuel, It would also invest Rs.1,327 crore on Barauni refinery in Bihar The board approved an investment of Rs.1,843 crore in upgrading the 13.7 mln tons Koyali refinery in Gujarat to produce Euro-IV complaint petrol and diesel. Another, Rs.1,327 crore will be spent on similar fuel quality upgradation project at Barauni refinery in Bihar. The Board approved setting up of ethylene glycol project along with associated facilities at Paradip (in Odisha) at an estimated project cost of Rs.3,752 crore. The project would help in consolidating the glycol business of IOC by producing low cost mon-ethylene glycol based on refinery gas.

ADVERTISER'S INDEX

R R Plast .................................................................................................................................cover Madhu Machines & Systems........................................................................................... Front Inside Cover Anupam Heaters and Controls .............................................................................. ............................. 3 Polymechplast ............................................................................................................................... 4 Kabra Extrusiontechnik Ltd.................................................................................................................6 Ferromatik Milacron .........................................................................................................................7 Neejtech India ..................................................................................................................................8 Reliance Polymers...........................................................................................................................10 Millturn CNC India Pvt. Ltd................................................................................................................12 C&G Extrusion Machines....................................................................................................................13 Bry Air ........................................................................................................................................14 PlastiVision Arabia 2016 ...................................................................................................................23 Plastic Technologies ........................................................................................................................24 Toshiba Machines ...........................................................................................................................43 Indplas'15 ....................................................................................................................................44 E3 Plastech ..................................................................................................................................45 Vodafone .....................................................................................................................................46 Plastic Park ..................................................................................................................................47 Mold Masters ................................................................................................................................48 Forwell Precision Machinery Co., Ltd. ..................................................................................................49 Yann Bang Electrical Machinery Co., Ltd. ..............................................................................................49 Chuan Lih Fa Machinery Works Co., Ltd. ...............................................................................................50 Jon Wai Machinery Works Co., Ltd. ......................................................................................................50 Kalapi Bangles...............................................................................................................................58 Carbon India.................................................................................................................................64 Vijaydeep Moulds & Accessories Pvt. Ltd. . ...........................................................................................68 Zambello Riduttori Group . ............................................................................................Inside back cover Rajoo Engineers . ................................................................................................................Back cover

67 • February 2015 •

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