EPPM 17.1

January/February 2015 Volume 17 | Issue 01

R VERWENDUNG:

Cover Story | Page 8

Visit us at our stand:

Hall South, stand 16139

Standard parts for tool and mould making

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Volume 17 Issue 1

IN THIS ISSUE Pg 6 INDUSTRY NEWS The New Year has begun with sliding oil prices bringing down the cost of virgin plastic materials, we spoke to CK Group about how this is affecting the plastic recycling industry.

Pg 8 COVER STORY: MEUSBURGER Meusburger will be attending NPE2015 for the second time in March. We find out what the Austrian tooling and mould-making giant has in store for the US’s biggest plastics event.

Pg 10 RECYCLING NEWS An overview of some of the top recycling news to hit the plastics sector in recent weeks.

Pg 12 RECYCLING FEATURE We sat down with TOMRA SORTING while at ArabPlast 2015 to get an overview of the trends and challenges facing the European plastics recycling sector.

Pg 14 PACKAGING NEWS A collection of some of the packaging news that made us sit up and listen in January, including an overview of what we can expect at the second annual MeetingPack in Valencia.

Pg 18 MATERIALS FEATURE: SOLAR FILM Solar film experts Solvay are at the forefront of photovoltaic panel technology.

EPPM explored the difficulties facing this industry and how Solvay is innovating PV.

Pg 20 THERMOFORMING SPOTLIGHT EPPM spent a little time with AMUT at ArabPlast, where we discussed the state of thermoforming on a European and global scale entering the New Year.

head office Carlton House, Sandpiper Way, Chester Business Park, Chester, CH4 9QE. Tel. +44 (0) 1244 680222 Fax. +44 (0) 1244 671074 Web: www.eppm.com C.E.O/publisher mark blezard C.O.O duncan wood

editorial editor rose brooke rose.brooke@rapidnews.com

production art robert wood production tracey roberts

advertising advertising manager Lisa Montgomery tel: +44 (0) 1244 680222

Pg 23 NPE PREVIEW Welcome to our nine-page NPE2015 Preview, which showcases what some of the biggest exhibitors have planned for the event, while we find out what NPE is like from show veteran Milliken’s perspective.

lisa@rapidnews.com

subscriptions subscriptions@rapidnews.com qualifying readers europe - free, ROW - £115 outside qualifying criteria

Pg 34 EUREKA SERIES As green as recycling may be, it has a dirty little secret: waste water. But scientists in Mexico are developing a waterless system for recycling plastics that could change the industry.

Pg 32 CLASSIFIEDS

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European Plastic Product Manufacturer is published by Rapid Plastics Media Ltd. Each issue is distributed in print and digital format to 17,845 buyers and specifiers in the European plastic processing industry. © February 2015.

While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained within European Plastic Product Manufacturer is accurate, the publisher accepts no liability for information published in error, or for views expressed.

All rights for European Plastic Product Manufacturer are reserved, and reproduction in part or whole without written permission is strictly prohibited.

Pg 16 PACKAGING FEATURE Starlinger spent some time with EPPM at ArabPlast, where we delved into the company’s favourite subject: re-usable plastic bags.

BPA Worldwide Membership ISSN No - 2052-3912

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From The Editor

Sunshine and plastics, hello Orlando!

Hello and welcome to the first edition of European Plastic Product Manufacturer for 2015 - especially if you are reading this magazine at NPE2015 in Florida, where we are official Media Partner together with our sister publication British Plastics & Rubber.

We’ve started the New Year with a few style changes - with more to come as the year progresses - so please let us know what you think or what you would like to see in the magazine. I would love to hear your comments.

Much of the content for this issue was gleaned from our time in equallysunny Dubai for ArabPlast, where the packaging and recycling industries loom large on the Middle Eastern landscape, but we explore how these market segments are faring in Europe, particularly as the EU’s work to strip down the amount of lightweight plastic bags we use is gaining momentum. We spoke to EPPM favourites Starlinger and AMUT, in addition to TOMRA Sorting on these matters.

Of course, the plastic recycling industry is still in a state of anxiety over falling oil prices. We spoke to CK Group about how the plastic recycling sector is going to survive this prolonged dip in commodities prices and whether everybody will emerge on the other side unscathed.

Finally, as we are celebrating being here in Florida for the biggest plastics event in the US, we have compiled an enormous NPE preview to give you a glimpse of what the show’s exhibitors have in store for the week-long event, including an Exhibitor’s Eye View piece from NPE veterans Milliken. But the first piece of NPE news you’ll flip to is likely to be our cover story from tooling and mould-making experts Meusburger, who have plenty up their sleeves for the 60,000 anticipated visitors set to bound through the doors at the Orange County Convention Center.

Have a nice day!

Rose Brooke, Editor

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Surviving the oil price slide Oil prices have been tumbling on the commodities market and plastics is bracing itself, but when virgin material could be more cost-effective than recycled, how will the recycled plastics industry survive?

Chris Collier, Commercial Director at CK Group, spoke to EPPM about how one of Europe's recycled plastics leaders will weather the storm.

Words | Rose Brooke

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he plastics industry was welcomed into the new year with rock bottom oil prices and the prospect of a difficult 2015.

One segment of the market that is most vulnerable to the tumbling price of virgin material is the recycled plastics industry, because why buy recycled when prime or virgin plastic could be more cost-efficient?

"Crude has been dropping heavily for the last six months and we're at a five-year low. Obviously that links directly to prime...

So there is a risk users of recycled could revert back to prime," Collier explained.

CK Group is one of Europe's largest buyers and sellers of recycled plastics and the business is not one to stick its head in the sand when a dip in oil prices spooks the commodities markets. EPPM quizzed Commercial Director Chris Collier on the impact falling oil prices will have on the recycled plastics industry as a whole, and how CK Group is protecting itself should matters worsen.

This is bad news for recyclers, but the industry has weathered such storms before. Nevertheless, Collier noted this crisis cannot be likened to the crash of 2008 - a natural comparison for many industry commentators.

Not like 2008

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"It isn't like 2008 when everybody thought the world was ending. For me the difference is this is directly related to oil. There's consumer confidence in terms of the economy and recessions in some countries and some markets, but the person on the street is still buying cars and white goods. There's no drop in those markets - it's entirely oil-related."

In Europe, many of CK Group's customers have been sitting on their hands waiting to see how low oil prices can go. Indeed, since the dip at new year, prices have adjusted and materials are still moving "if competitive", Collier added.

"Some will, some won't," Collier stated. "I think we are very much at the sharp end. We tend to see things faster and clearer than many others.

You get a lot of people who will

speculate in these times, who keep on buying, thinking it's a blip and without wishing ill on anybody - I think those people will have significant financial troubles [this year]."

All our end customers in the Far East say it’s going to go to $40. There’s an awful lot of money at risk…”

We started to scale our stock down in November.

If we hadn’t, I think we’d be in a far worse position.

"All our end customers in the Far East say it's going to go to $40. They have high stocks of materials they bought months ago because it takes that long to ship and clear customs, so there's an awful lot of money at risk because they were struggling to sell it - and when they do they're going to make a loss.

Care and cash Collier admitted it was difficult to measure how long CK Group and the rest of the recycled plastics industry would have to be in these emergency measures, but much rests on whether the price of oil slides as far as the magical $40 mark.

"My team in Hong Kong believe oil will go down to $40 a barrel. We hit $40 in early 2009, so what end customers are saying is they're holding the cash until it drops to $40. Until it gets to that psychological barrier or they see stability, they're going to sit on their hands and cash. Europe however is about end markets, orders, stock and correct pricing."

"They do it for survival. They've got to get through this patch and they need to use their cash wisely to do it.

Secondly, they're being opportunistic.

They're saying 'whatever cash I have, the market could potentially continue to fall', so they're keeping that so they can make a one-off, panic sell to make them a little money and get them out of trouble. Markets are stabilising now however, so buyers are back."

Attitude has shifted in the wake of the oil price crisis, explained Collier, as companies have been stocking or manufacturing plastics to end orders only, holding off from replenishing their stock until an order comes in.

This, Collier said, was "almost a vicious circle that served to potentially drive the price down a little further".

"For us, it's all about margin management and keeping in contact with suppliers and customers, but as with every recycler I've ever been involved in, when prices are down and demand is down, quality is king."

He continued: "Good quality materials remain in demand and have markets, it is always the materials 'on the edges' which are affected most."

Collier conceded that prudence is needed in times like these and even one of the largest regrind sellers in Europe has to exercise caution over how it is spending its money.

"We have significant stock, but we started to scale our stock down in November. If we hadn't, I think we'd be in a far worse position. It's as tough for us as it is for many others."

He added that adopting this mindset does not necessarily extend to the entire industry.

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COVER STORY Cover „EPPM“

Meusburger highlights best of tool and mould making at NPE2015

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January/Febr uary 2015 Volume 17 |

Issue 01

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Leader in the field of tool and mould making, Austria-based Meusburger is bringing the best of its diamond-like carboncoated products and its extended range of FW Change moulds to NPE2015 in Orlando, Florida.

Cover Story | Page

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3-Zeiler

One step ahea d of the competitors –

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fter celebrating its 50th year in 2014, Meusburger’s success continues to grow into the New Year, not least with its appearance at North America’s biggest plastics event NPE2015: The International Plastics Showcase.

Meusburger is a global leader in manufacturing highstandard parts, with more than 13,000 customers all over the world thanks to its half-a-century-long reputation for bringing quality and standardisation to the industry.

The company made its NPE debut three years ago and for its second bite at the cherry, Meusburger will be highlighting three of its products to the international marketplace; in particular its range of DLC coated guide pillars E 10025 and E 10125, DLC coated ejector pins with increased wear and corrosion resistance and excellent dry-running properties, and its extended range of FW Change moulds with four new sizes up to 296 x 346 mm.

Clients and conversations So why has Meusburger decided to once again make the journey to Orlando?

Production hall at Wolfurt, Austria

Andreas Vogel, Head of Sales of the company situated in Wolfurt, Austria, just south of the Bodensee shore said it is important for Meusburger to be seen at NPE, as it is one of the world’s leading plastics industry trade shows.

“We want to take the opportunity to have a personal conversation with our clients from North, Central and South America, also well-known visitors from the European region are expected to attend. Therefore, showing our new products and cultivating business contacts is very important to us,” he said.

“We focus on the global market and the USA play a key role there. As the leading European manufacturer in the field of high-precision standard parts we provide more than 75,000 items for tool and mould making. This makes us an important supplier for the plastics industry.”

But just because it is business does not mean Meusburger’s disciplined and experienced team is immune from the thrill of showcasing the best of its range in Orlando alongside the biggest names in the industry.

“Our team is really excited. We are already in the preparations for NPE and are looking forward to the trade fair,” Vogel said.

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Production hall at Wolfurt, Austria

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Meusburger product highlights at NPE DLC coated guide pillars Meusburger’s range of products has been extended with the DLC coated guide pillars E 10025 and E 10125. Their excellent dry-running properties and high corrosion resistance make them suitable for cleanrooms. A distinctive advantage of DLC coated guide pillars is minimised wear through excellent sliding properties ensuring high hardness (approximately 300 HV), a very low coefficient of friction (0.1 to 0.15) and, as a consequence, long life and high temperature resistance (up to 350°C). The E 10025 and E 10125 Guide pillars are manufactured to tight tolerances and therefore one-to-one interchangeable. The DLC coated guide pillars are available from stock at Meusburger.

Presented at NPE: DLC coated guide pillars >

DLC coated ejector pins with g6 tolerance Following customer requests, the leading manufacturer in the field of standard parts for tool and mould making has broadened its product range with DLC coated ejector pins. The DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating increases both wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the ejector pins, whereas their excellent dry-running properties make them suitable for use in cleanrooms. In addition, the g6 tolerance enables the pins’ easy and trouble-free installation in the mould. As usual, Meusburger’s extensive range of ejector pins is immediately available from stock.

< Presented at NPE: DLC coated ejector pins with g6 tolerance

Tried and trusted Meusburger change moulds - now available in four new sizes Meusburger is extending its range of FW Change moulds with four new sizes. With it, the tried and trusted Meusburger change moulds are now available in sizes up to 296 x 346 mm. This gives Meusburger customers even more options for the fast and costeffective making of prototypes and small series.

Time is saved by changing the inserts together with the ejector set while the mould remains on the injection moulding machine. The rugged design with closed mould frame ensures precise positioning of the mould inserts with repeatable accuracy. The new sizes are available with the customary high quality and immediately from stock.

The tried and trusted Meusburger change moulds - now measuring up to 296 x 346 mm. >

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RECYCLING NEWS

EREMA on course for US expansion

E

REMA is continuing to expand into the North American region, namely the US, in order to keep up with rising demand in post-consumer recycling. To date, EREMA's North American customers have had a trial centre covering 1,000 m sq of floor space and three recycling systems for trials at their disposal at the company's facility in Ipswich, Massachusetts. But, growing demand for EREMA's leading recycling systems - particularly in the post-consumer segment - has shaped the company’s plans to expand this space to 2,400 m sq with a new system.

This enlargement would mean that the North American market would have four demonstration systems to trial at the Massachusetts site.

The new system will be an INTAREMA 1108 TVEplus with Laserfilter which will be joining the three existing plants; an INTAREMA 1108 T and INTAREMA 1108 TVEplus – each with EREMA melt filter SW RTF, plus an INTAREMA 605 K. The expansion of the trial centre will commence in March 2015 and its completion is scheduled for late summer 2015.

Mike Horrocks, EREMA North America CEO, said: "Our North America base represents a major EREMA investment showing a strong commitment to North American customers. The facility is a valuable link to EREMA's global headquarters in Austria, allowing customers easy access to EREMA equipment, technical support and vast reservoir of knowledge derived from decades of plastics recycling throughout the world."

German investment group Aurelius acquires ECO Plastics

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ecycling specialist ECO Plastics has been acquired by Aurelius Group for an undisclosed amount. The Germanheadquartered investment company will become the full owner of the Continuumrecycling joint venture, which was established with CocaCola Enterprises (CCE) in 2012 and is based in Hemswell, UK. Aurelius has stated that it will supply its specialist operational improvement capabilities and financial support to the business’s current operations.

Managing Director of Aurelius Tristan Nagler said: “Aurelius is delighted to have acquired ECO Plastics. For customers, suppliers and partners it

will be business as usual and we are committed to working with the company to deliver longterm, sustainable growth.

“Aurelius has a strong track record in the industrial sector, providing both operational improvement as well as financial support to businesses. We are extremely excited about the future prospects of this business.”

ECO Plastics runs a plastics reprocessing facility that is capable of sorting some 150,000 tonnes of mixed bottles every year, including 40,000 tonnes of bottle-grade recycled PET pellets. The tonnes of bottles ECO Plastics collects for recycling represent around 35 per cent of all plastic bottles collected in the UK annually.

Keep America Beautiful campaign ‘central’ to NPE2015

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n eye-catching environmentally-conscious campaign is playing a central role in the ZeroWaste theme at NPE2015.

SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association will partner with Keep America Beautiful (KAB), a nonprofit organisation, to prominently display KAB’s ‘I Want to Be Recycled’ campaign throughout the International Plastics Showcase.

‘I Want to Be Recycled’ is the slogan that will appear on the show floor in areas set aside for collecting the plastic waste disposed of by show attendees.

In addition, it will be prominently displayed in the Zero-Waste Zone, a special sector of the show floor focused on the industry mandate to reduce, reuse and recycle plastics. Visitors to this zone will be able to view the ‘I Want to be Recycled’ video.

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‘I Want to Be Recycled’ is a public service advertising campaign sponsored by Keep America Beautiful and the Ad Council, a nonprofit organisation of volunteers from the advertising industry. The campaign promotes recycling as an everyday activity and directs audiences to the website www.iwanttoberecycled.org, where they can find practical information on recycling.

Kim Holmes, SPI’s Senior Director of Recycling and Diversion, stated: “The message of the Keep America Beautiful campaign, which has been very successful in reaching the general public, is right in tune with the emphasis on recycling that will be widespread at NPE2015.

“You can create the best-designed recycling programme in the world, but without public participation you still don’t have much of a programme.”

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Busted!

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RECYCLING FEATURE

A sense of things to come TOMRA Sorting - the global experts in sensor-based sorting for plastic recycling - is optimistic about the future. At ArabPlast, EPPM spent some time with Tasos Bereketidis to learn a little more about the Norway-based company and its forecast for Europe and beyond.

Words | Rose Brooke

S

ensor-based technology is revolutionising the plastics recycling industry and as this market continues to grow, the opportunities for these machinery manufacturers extend well outside of Europe.

EPPM caught up with TOMRA Sorting's Director for the Middle East and Africa Tasos Bereketidis at ArabPlast 2015 to discuss how sensor-based sorting technology has penetrated Europe's recycling sector and how it is percolating into the Middle East, in addition to what sets TOMRA apart from the rest of the competition.

Bereketidis began by explaining that TOMRA - a Norwegian multinational manufacturer - considers itself to be an "innovative solution provider".

"We are here to promote sustainable solutions in the region and provoke growth in these markets," he said.

"ArabPlast is a challenge for us. It's an invitation to prove that there's hope in the Middle East for some innovative ideas that have been implemented in Europe."

The European benchmark Bereketidis' journey with TOMRA in the Middle East began three years ago but there is still a long way to go before the region can compare itself to Europe in the recycling stakes. From a government level, a cultural level and in terms of mindset there is work to be done but it is clear the standard of Europe's plastics recycling industry is considered a benchmark.

"It takes time, but I think the more challenges you have, the more opportunities you have and I think that is why we have to be here to accept this challenge," Bereketidis said.

"I think the mentality here is so different from Europe. You don't have the incentives and the regulation, like you have in Europe.

But there are lots of customers based in the Middle East who are trying to make things better - indeed itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business-driven rather than being legislation-driven."

Bereketidis acknowledged that matters such as environmental legislation are not resolved overnight, but he believes legislation similar to the European Waste Framework Directive will be established in time, as there needs to be an incentive to deal with waste responsibly - in short, abide by the law or pay a penalty.

In that same vein, he touched on an unwillingness to consider the long-term effects of disposing of plastic in the Middle East incorrectly, such as uncontrolled dumping in the desert.

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"You have to tackle the problem at the root. That's why we're here and we'll continue to be here to try and lend our expertise."

The Middle East is not so very far away from Europe, particularly given the influx of European ex-pats who re-located to the flourishing cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the wake of the financial crisis. This population growth has led to an upsurge in the amount of household waste generated in the Middle East and it is in the municipal waste disposal segment that Bereketidis sees opportunities.

"Instead of disposing of everything in landfill - uncontrolled holes in the desert - I imagine a lot of opportunities for municipal solid waste sorting plants and less for upgrading plastics. There's a lot of space for waste energy projects to be implemented too and that will also take time."

Education and incentivising "In Germany there are incentives, or in the UK we have separate boxes [for recycling]. It's not like I feel obliged to put plastic in the right box, I'm of a mentality to do so. Of course, I am an environmental engineer so I do care about the environment, but my neighbour is doing the same thing," Bereketids remarked, adding that he has seen too many bids slip through the net due to a lack of knowledge.

"There's been a lot of tenders out, but I guess sometimes the fact that people do not have the expertise [in recycling compared to in Europe], that causes problems, so tenders have been cancelled.

I think raising awareness and educating people about waste management, recycling and technologies on both a business and consumer level is critical.

"If you go to European exhibitions like the K Show, people are coming up to us with questions about wavelength and other very specific questions. Here, it's still at a very embryonic stage.

[Visitors] say, 'TOMRA? What do you do?'"

He added, however, that this apparent blank canvas is not necessarily a bad thing, with visitors treating their time on the TOMRA booth at ArabPlast as a brainstorming exercise - an opportunity to discuss.

"Basically, our mission statement is that we believe in a social revolution, as it were. We're here to change things for the better. We're the first and the only one in the region to have a subsidiary here."

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The slippery issue

The three-pronged approach

But even Bereketidis' infectious optimism is not impervious to the current slump in oil prices disturbing the recycling industry.

Along with its cutting-edge technology, approaching each enquiry with care, adapting the equipment to ensure it meets customers' various needs, is part of the TOMRA philosophy, which appreciates the complexities of the plastics recycling arena.

"Oil prices are very low and virgin material and recyclable material are now almost the same [in price]. In Europe there's a lot of problems from a manufacturing and production point of view with reselling material and to my mind this instability will take around two years to correct itself. Unfortunately you have to cope with this. It's hard and in some instances countries like Turkey are imposing laws and regulations to ban the export of PET bottles," he revealed.

TOMRA's expertise in sensor-based sorting is the company's key to weathering the oil price storm blighting the plastics recycling industry, but the company is playing the long game, safe in the knowledge the machinery TOMRA specialises in has the capability to increase revenue yield on a customer-by-customer basis.

"Every time we'll try to meet a customer's specific needs for their application. That's the beauty of it. It’s not like every time it’s the same application or the same level of difficulty. Some customers need to take PVC out of PET, or contaminated material out of a specific polymer so before anything, before selling anything, we give the customer the chance to do the testing themselves at our global test centres to demonstrate the technology to them before they commit.

"With the customer, it's all about personal relationships. If you go cold-blooded then that's a no-go."

"We're here to prove that you can make a lot of money based on less loss of your good material, so we're here to do things better both in terms of quality and in terms of capacity. If there's problems in the market, if trends are a little bit negative then I would say if you are able to promote a better product then you will survive these difficult times."

With its three-pronged approach of education, research and development and customisation - all imbued with a healthy dose of optimism and intelligence - TOMRA Sorting's conviction that the Middle East can be as on top of its waste plastics as Europe both on a business and consumer level in two-to-five years seems convincing. "We are experts in sensor-based technology and it's different when you’re specialised," Bereketidis said.

Naturally, research and development is the kingpin in any recycling machinery operation and investigating new systems and technologies is a priority for TOMRA's makeup.

"I think indirectly, we give the message there is hope for recycling.

It's a journey, not a simple approach, and there are barriers. But we are here to help and to do things in the right way."

"We engage in a lot of research and development to provide the best quality materials we can. Everything is an evolution for us," Bereketidis said, acknowledging the fact TOMRA will be announcing fresh product launches in 2015.

We are experts in sensor-based technology ... it’s different when you’re specialised.

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PACKAGING NEWS

LCR Hallcrest's colourchange technology adopted

by Chocomel L CR Hallcrest has been working closely with leading Dutch agency Miles Promocean on their recent and ongoing colour changing stirrer promotion for well-known drinking chocolate brand, Chocomel, which is taking place in the Netherlands with the promotion extending into Belgium in the near future.

Chocomel is extremely popular as a warming winter drink and this new campaign with the branded colour changing stirrers is promoting Chocomel as a summer refreshment.

DSM makes blown film food packaging breakthrough

The Chocomel colour changing stirrers are being used as POS material in restaurants, as an awareness campaign to encourage restaurant staff to serve Chocomel chilled to consumers and to show consumers that the drink is refreshing when cold.

Chocomel is served to consumers in a stainless steel cup along with the stirrer which changes colour vividly from yellow to orange to indicate the drink is cold. The colour-changing stirrers include a thermometer relief within the design showing the drink’s optimal drinking temperature.

L’Oreal-Avery Dennison partnership’s green heart L’Oreal Americas has joined forces with Avery Dennison to identify and reduce the harm labelling does to the natural world.

The collaboration has already produced a comprehensive Avery Dennison Greenprint assessment showing how thinner label materials can reduce environmental impacts. Avery Dennison Greenprint - a screening lifecycle tool launched in 2010 is the first of its kind in the label industry.

DSM’s leadership in polyamide 6 (Akulon) and thermoplastic copolyester for thin film (Arnitel) for flexible food packaging is helping customers to provide better solutions to the world’s rapidly changing food packaging needs, meeting the demand for food safety and reduced food and packaging waste.

DSM recently made a breakthrough in polyamide blown film processing with Akulon XS. Thanks to its improved crystallisation properties, Akulon XS has an extended processing window, providing new opportunities in designing co-extruded multi-layer as well as monolayer film structures.

DSM has announced plans to build a new plant for high viscosity Akulon polyamide 6 grades for film and other extrusion applications in North America.

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David Wolbach, Assistant Vice-President for Packaging Hair at L’Oreal Americas, said: “We strongly believe in a sustainable supply chain and this is ingrained in our business practices.

However, to achieve the ultimate goal of reduced-impact materials, we cannot work alone.

It is essential that all facets of the value chain – material suppliers, printers, consumers and recyclers – collaborate together to establish a clear and transparent low-impact product stream globally.”

When L’Oreal announced its strategy to meet the sustainability challenges of the future via its scheme Sharing Beauty with All, the company committed to a number of sustainability targets, including the continued improvement of its packaging’s environmental profile. In doing so, L’Oreal is considering packaging in the most comprehensive way possible, including labels and their precise environmental impact.

According to L’Oreal, the Avery Dennison Greenprint method allows them to look at the impact of its label materials, including the raw material extraction, manufacturing and ultimately the label’s end-of-life. This approach is able to identify where the biggest environmental impacts lie and to devise strategies on how best to mitigate these impacts.

By switching from Avery Dennison’s Global Co-Ex film product to Global MDO, L’Oreal has reduced environmental impacts from seven per cent to 19 per cent across the categories of fossil material, water use, energy use, GHG emissions and solid waste.

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PACKAGING NEWS

MeetingPack 2015 presents packaging of the future Big brands and decision-makers in the plastic packaging industry will gather at the second MeetingPack forum in Valencia, which is set to be a melting pot of innovation, inspiration and collaboration for packaging in 2015.

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eaders in packaging from Europe and around the world are gathering once again for MeetingPack, where the planet's biggest manufacturers will introduce their innovations for the new year.

MeetingPack 2015 will return to Valencia for its second outing on February 25th and 26th, with more than 250 experts due to attend the AINIA and AIMPLAS-organised event.

The conference is the only one of its kind to bring together the entire food packaging value chain and prides itself on being "the most powerful European networking space" for the industry.

Representatives of the plastic packaging multinationals will bring to the table breakthroughs and developments in extending food shelflife, environmentally stable packaging solutions and efficient packaging systems. Large food companies including Unilever, Nestlé, Pescanova and Grupo Deoleo will be present with a mind to bringing their brand's packaging up to date.

MeetingPack 2015 will kick off the year's packaging innovations with many well-known plastics packaging companies confirmed to attend including BASF, Milliken, Kortec, EVAL and Sealpac-Emosa.

The new tin can?

Like making coffee for a baby

One advancement being showcased at the event is Kortec's multi-layer co-injection technology, which can produce transparent, cylindrical PP packaging that could substitute tin cans for long-life foods. Klear Can, as it is known, provides many benefits including stackability, transparency, freedom of design, lightness and the ability to be microwaved up to 130 degrees Celsius. The transparent can is a three-layer BPA-free package that can be coloured and in-mould labelled.

Nestlé is bringing its innovative capsules system to the table. Popular with coffee and other hot beverage systems, these capsules have been developed for baby milk for newborns up to toddlers of 36 months. These capsules keep their contents intact, preventing it from drying, moistening or oxidising, meeting consumer needs for quality, convenience and practicality.

Perfect packaging for pâté

Divided into eight thematic sessions and with a networking promotion-focused organisation, MeetingPack 2015 will once again provide an important forum for plastic packaging for the food sector, putting opportunities and challenges to the floor.

Packaging multinational Sealpac has confirmed it will be presenting EasyLid at MeetingPack. EasyLid is an exclusive packaging system that combines two functions in the one process; a hermetic and covered seal.

This package is especially useful for products that are not completely consumed once opened, including salads, snacks, pâté or confectionary, as it allows repeated opening and closing thanks to its durable yet lightweight lid.

Networking, strategising, collaborating

Day One will focus on an approach to new technologies and the latest developments in barrier packaging, innovations in active and intelligent packaging, films, multi-layer sheets and thermoformed trays. Day Two brings the latest innovations in packaging obtained by EBM, ISBM and injection technologies to the fore, as

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well as trends in packaging systems, test equipment advancements and reducing waste.

MeetingPack is a collaborative effort between AIMPLAS and AINIA, a strategic alliance between technological centres that generates great potential in terms of knowhow.

At this year's outing, MeetingPack is being consolidated as an international meeting point for the international plastic packaging value chain.

The event's main sponsor is Sealed Air, with silver sponsors Nippon Gohsei, IMD Vista, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical.

Mitsubishi Chemical and Schur. The event's sponsorship remains open and it still generating interest amongst household brands and big companies.

MeetingPack 2015 will be held on February 25th and 26th at the Chamber of Commerce (Cámara de Comercio) in the Parque Tecnológico de Valencia, Benjamín Franklin, 8. Paterna, Valencia, Spain. Please visit www.meetingpack. com for more details.

15

PACKAGING FEATURE

Starlinger and the changing face of the plastic bag Packaging and recycling are hard to separate for Starlinger, but is it business as usual for the company going into the new year? Or is the plastic processing giant facing new opportunities, challenges and trends?

Words | Rose Brooke

The Berndorf Bag

P

ackaging and recycling practically go hand-in-hand for Starlinger, who spent some time with EPPM at ArabPlast in January to discuss the changing trends in packaging and how the industry’s role in sustainability continues to grow on a global scale.

Regional Sales Director Franz Gass and Regional Sales Manager Harald Neumüller were on-hand to look in more depth at the packaging sector and how attitudes towards flexible packaging are shifting, particularly in the wake of the EU ruling that nation states slash their usage of plastic bags (bags of between 50 and 15 microns in width) to 90 per capita by 2019 and then to 40 per person by 2025. At present, the average European brings home around 176 plastic bags annually.

This is a mentality the Middle East is yet to adopt, according to Gass, who said the UAE does not yet consider recycling as a priority, but there are green shoots.

“We have a company [in the Middle East] in our recycling division that started up two or three years ago, which is now concentrating on making flexible bags from recycled material. This requires a very special extrusion setup and is ideal for producing flexible bags,” said Gass.

Sturdy, woven, recycled Europe is no longer the target market for this technology due to the price of labour. “Our product is labour-intensive and it is too costly for Europe. To set up one of these plants, you need a minimum of 200 workers and this is just not workable in Europe because labour costs are too high - so we are a 99 per cent export-orientated company, but we work with the whole world because we are the market leader for flexible packaging made from HTP and PT.” Starlinger’s sturdy woven bags could change the face of grocery shopping in the future, as Gass believes the rise and rise of the so-called bag-for-life is not only green, but a great opportunity for businesses to advertise and flex their creative muscle such as with the Starlinger-made Berndorf Bag in Austria.

“Packaging is a very important point for me,” said Gass. “People are throwing plastic bags from the supermarket away and they block irrigation systems and are not nice for the environment, that’s why we’ve created our recycling tradition. Our bags are woven and you can use them 20 times or more. But here in the UAE they’re still using their lightweight bags.”

He added that he would like to see more widespread adoption of legislation to cut down on the amount of disposable plastic packaging and carrier bags ending up as litter, not just because it would benefit the natural environment, but because for Starlinger it is a business opportunity.

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Starlinger’s PP*STAR bags

Neumüller praised British high street heavyweights Tesco and M&S for pushing the plastic bag recycling trend in the UK and explained how for the most part, it is in fact the brands and retailers that relay this message down to the consumer, as opposed to the government. Indeed, Starlinger is in contact with brands in the UAE to foster a similar approach in the Middle East.

“We have contacts with all the major players here and we’ve talked to all the supermarket chains. I don’t see anything happening this year or next year, though.”

“For me it’s a mid-to-long term thing but for instance, in Saudi Arabia I think there are 200 million people and so far they only have one PET recycling line, compared to Austria where there are 80 million people and we have three lines. So there is potential for the future but maybe not this year perhaps in three.”

“In Europe, they’re the most sensitive to recycling, but the UAE is leading the Middle East when it comes to ‘clean points’. We’ll see what the future brings,” added Gass.

People are throwing plastic bags from the supermarket away and they block irrigation systems and are not nice for the environment, that’s why we’ve created our recycling tradition.

Opportunity knocks Nevertheless, Starlinger has been investing seriously in research and development in recent years, spending €16 million (£12.25 million) in 2014 on research to create new products for a changing customer base.

quantec ® 85 G3-14 C

According to Gass, it is not purely for environmental reasons that the market is shifting from choosing a more robust bag over a lightweight, disposable carrier bag - it is a matter of cost. Lightweight plastic bags, he revealed, are too expensive to produce in Europe due to rising labour costs.

And the market cannot necessarily import plastic bags over from China, where regulation is less stringent than in the EU. “In America, they are banning bringing in bags from these companies because of some of the dyes that are used. You would not want your flour or your sugar inside those sorts of bags,” said Gass.

With this tidal shift from the poly bag norm in Europe to the return of the trusty shopping bag, Starlinger has a world of opportunity at its feet but Gass does not believe the company can rest on its laurels.

“It’s not easy, but the most important point for me is service and quality. We are the most expensive company in the world for packaging compared to our Asian competitors, but what our customers appreciate is that an expensive machine is cheaper than a cheap machine when it has to run continuously,” he explained.

“If you buy a Mercedes,” Gass analogised, “you expect a good service. If you don’t get this then you will not buy a Mercedes again. You’ll buy an Audi or a Sköda.”

Neumüller added that Starlinger has to play the long game given the lessthan-perfect economic conditions for producing and buying recycled PET, which is why Starlinger does not anticipate major investment in this sphere compared to over the past few years within Europe.

“We still see investment around the world, but in Europe it’s pretty much a saturated market for PET recycling and also, there’s a lot of machines already on the continent. In the GCC, it’s a different animal. There are just two lines running - one of them is a Starlinger - so there’s potential here.

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Buss AG Switzerland www.busscorp.com

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17

MATERIAL FEATURE

Solar film for the global market EPPM spoke in depth to Solvay's Marketing Manager for Films Philippe-Jacques Leng about the global solar film market and how Solvay is developing new technologies for PV front sheets.

Words | Rose Brooke

I

t is not often that a technology was better ten years ago than it was five years ago. This, unusually, is the case with solar film - or so we found out while speaking to Marketing Manager for Films at Solvay Specialty Polymers Philippe-Jacques Leng about how Solvay - which has one of the most extensive high-performance polymer portfolios for the solar power industry in the world - is squaring up to the solar film marketplace in 2015. Leng went into some detail concerning the journey Solvay has been on over the past decade as demand and competition in the photovoltaic panels segment have skewed the landscape.

For the benefit of the uninitiated, a photovoltaic panel comprises three components: the backsheet, a photovoltaic laminate that protects the PV module from UV rays and weather while acting as an electrical insulator; the encapsulant, a thermoplastic most commonly containing ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which is used to 'encapsulate' the PV cells; and then the front sheet, which is usually glass but is sometimes replaced with a specialist polymer shield.

Nowadays, due to price and environmental pressure, the backsheet uses one-to-two layers of film. Leng noted that competition is tough in this segment particularly as most players are trying to reduce the price and weight of their components.

"Six or seven years ago, most of the PV market was still in Europe.

But today 80 per cent of the PV module is produced in Asia and most of that is in China. You still find some players in Europe and the US, but there is an 80/20 split [between Asia and the US/ Europe]," said Leng.

"It's a complex market," he added, " because these price reduction trends have been very strong for three or four years. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been so strong that in some of the market you find products with quality issues. So on the one hand, there's demand for price reduction, but the lower you go in some cases the worse the quality and you end up developing a product that is not good enough to do what it has to do."

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Leng explained that because of the necessity to produce quality products, the price pressure has weakened in the last few years, but cost invariably is king.

Cost versus quality Photovoltaic panels ultimately have to survive for decades on the roof of a building, but every house in the world is subjected to different elements. In tropical climates they have to have heat and moisture resistance, while in the desert they have to have scratch resistance in case of sand storms.

This is where quality becomes even more important, according to Leng.

"This is the reason why the quality issue is becoming more important ... the market pays close attention to the materials it buys and they really expect producers to offer guarantees on quality. Ten years ago, the products were good, but over the past five years there's been a dip in quality but now the quality is returning."

But then, Leng explained, the fact quality dropped as a result of producers choosing cheap shortcuts meant weaknesses in the industry were exposed that may not otherwise have been.

So where is Solvay's biggest solar film market? Leng said in terms of global markets demand is dependant on where there is government support, with the main markets for installation being China, Japan and the US, with smaller markets in Europe and South America.

In terms of sector, he added, land-mounted power farms are the largest. Over two years ago, this segment accounted for nearly one-third of demand but since then demand in China, India and the US has grown and Leng now believes this figure to be nearly 40 per cent.

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Market share of industrial demand - which includes solar panels purchased by companies to have on the unused space on the roofs of their factories to maximise profitability per square metre - was about 50 per cent two-three years ago, but Leng believes this has since decreased.

Residential photovoltaic panels, purchased by homeowners to generate heat and light in their homes or to sell back to the grid, was at 20 per cent in 2012, but demand was predominantly from Europe and the US where there is little growth, so Leng does not believe the residential market would have such a significant share.

Finally, despite the hype surrounding the growth of solar vehicles, the automotive sector's market share remains negligible for the time being.

One-step solution One trend that has united every market segment is the ability to produce a the multi-layer photovoltaic solution in one step using a coating mechanism right after sheet extrusion. This started out as a predominantly European trend, allowing the continent to stay competitive, but it is now gaining momentum in Asia.

that can withstand vapour and corrosion to ensure the product lives beyond 20-25 years and Halar ECTFE is particularly wellsuited for the growing residential segment of PV panels.

"This is an area Solvay is very active in. Our global partner has combined their knowhow and equipment in this new field of activity that could offer more profitability to them."

There's demand for price reduction, but the lower you go in some cases the worse the quality and you end up developing a product that is not good enough to do what it has to do.

"European players are trying to be more innovative and take risks and make new developments, " said Leng.

Global marketplace

Solvay includes itself in this group of 'players' working hard to stay competitive by exploring its options, as well as actively researching and developing polyolefin alternatives to the predominant EVA used in producing solar panels. But Solvay is also exploring the front sheet together with Amcor Flexibles.

Even though it is a relatively niche requirement for now, Leng believes this front sheet solar panel film will soon become popular across the world, with the films being developed for the specific needs of the markets they are being sold to. This is why partnering with a company that has a global reach makes perfect sense, especially when there is so much worldwide potential.

"The market for the front sheet is very limited because across the market, generally people are very happy," he said, as glass remains a top choice for developers as it has good transparency, stiffness and resistance.

"Of course the market is big enough," said Leng, "but you need someone to have a market interest to justify developing something to make it the first on the market. So far, it seems to be working well."

"However, we have seen at least two players who want to switch from glass to film because they are looking for a lighter module to reduce the final weight of the final product and the heaviest part of the panel is the front sheet."

Despite acknowledging the difficulties of ensuring quality alongside financial competitiveness, Leng is optimistic about Solvay's position in the solar film sector.

Solvay's Halar ECTFE UV blocking technology - a partially fluorinated, melt-processable polymer that combines excellent mechanical properties with exceptional heat, chemical and fire resistance - is assisting in this revolution. Leng explained that the film offers longevity, good resistance and needs a moisture barrier

"We believe this is a highly sustainable market that requires specially designed materials to meet the PV industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highperformance needs, and with our broad product portfolio we are firmly positioned as a strategic supplier to our customers in this important segment."

Glass Encapsulant Crystalline Cells Encapsulant Back Sheet Junction Box Frame

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19

THERMOFORMING SPOTLIGHT

Closing the loop AMUTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Giovanni Cattaneo discusses how thermoforming machinery trends have shifted in post-crisis Europe and reveals the Italian companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategy for maintaining its lead.

Words | Rose Brooke

W

hen discussing thermoforming, it seems natural to turn to the experts at AMUT, who have 50 years' experience in the manufacturing technology and are respected worldwide as leaders in the field.

Luckily for EPPM, AMUT was easy to find on the first day of ArabPlast 2015 when visitors and the press were locked out of the main show floor while a VIP tour took place. AMUT was strategically positioned in the airport-like foyer, however, where we sat down with Sales Manager Giovanni Cattaneo and the rest of the team on-site in Dubai to talk thermoforming machinery trends in Europe.

"All at our fingertips" The thermoforming scene in Europe is yet to return to the 'norms' of pre-2008. Nevertheless, there are opportunities for AMUT as it adapts to shifting trends.

"In Europe, it's right to say that because of the crisis our sales of thermoforming machines are lower than in other parts of the world. What's happening due to the crisis here is that many companies decided to integrate [their technologies] into a single machine. So Europe for us is still a good market because we can help customers with adding on equipment," Cattaneo explained.

AMUT can upgrade existing manufacturing equipment with thermoforming modules and, according to Cattaneo, adding extrusion technology to an existing system can be done "in no time".

"We don't have to talk to a thermoforming machine manufacturer to expand an extrusion line - we have it all at our fingertips."

This is thanks to AMUT's accumulated and acquired intelligence and experience.

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It is quite complicated to put together extrusion and thermoforming, but for us it comes naturally and we are able to close the loop without any technical inconvenience.

"We've invested a lot, we've bought out a couple of thermoforming companies and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ended up with a group that is dedicated to thermoforming. We invest a lot in research and development and we are unique, [as we are able to provide] the full package of extrusion and thermoforming in-line. There is no other company in the world that can do all of this that is also a thermoforming machine manufacturer," Cattaneo explained.

"This is something that gives us a particular tool, it allows us to be very highly technical because normally it is quite complicated to put together extrusion and thermoforming, but for us it comes naturally and we are able to close the loop without any technical inconvenience."

Upgrading and enhancing

Three satellite-shows in the largest exhibition for plastics and rubber in Europe in 2015

Cattaneo remarked that not only does AMUT take responsibility for installing the line right to the end, but it has the added advantage of unbeatable knowledge of the technology in all its forms.

"I'm pretty sure AMUT is the company with the widest range of thermoforming machines. We go for small machines that are dedicated to markets where volumes are not as important, right up to machines that can deliver up to 2,000 cups per hour."

Upgrading machinery, as opposed to investing in an entirely new system, is a growing trend in post-crisis Europe and Cattaneo believes this is something AMUT will see more and more of further afield, namely the US, South America, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia. Indeed, AMUT is having a great deal of success in the Far East in particular with in-line thermoforming for large-volume production.

With a presence in the UAE at ArabPlast, growing business in North America and Asia and a well-established reputation in Europe, AMUT is not fazed by the still-resonating echoes of the global financial crisis. The business has established additional centres in Italy, Brazil, Vietnam and the US and there is a suggestion of a Middle Eastern facility on the horizon.

rubber

3D printing and related technologies

"We are having a lot of success," Cattaneo said, adding that customers understand the service that is implied with the AMUT badge. "We are the only company taking care of everything - the full project comes under the AMUT name."

innovative startup companies

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21

NPE2015

You make great things.

Together, we make great things happen.

Demand for household appliances is beginning to surge*.

Manufacturing products to meet the demands of a consumer more willing to spend and with an increasing eye for design is not just the latest trend; it is the future of the appliance industry. Discover the technology, processes, and people you need to capture your share of this $35 billion industry. *estimated 2020, market research firm, Navigant Research

Manufacture a more profitable future.

Register for free today at www.npeguestpass.org/EPPM4

NPE2015: THE INTERNATIONAL PLASTICS SHOWCASE March 23-27, 2015 Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Florida USA

www.npe.org

Prepare for the biggest NPE yet I

t's back. NPE is once again throwing wide its doors, letting in the Florida sunshine and 60,000 visitors, exhibitors and press to marvel at the launches, demonstrations and revelations on the largest show floor in the event's history.

All the biggest names in plastics are coming, but this year even the smaller, emerging enterprises are being given a fantastic platform with the Startup Garage, which promises developments in graphenes, bioplastics, recycling, 3D printing and more.

NPE will take on a distinctly green feel in 2015 with Keep America Beautiful's enduring 'I Want To Be Recycled' campaign peppering the event with its message of adopting a reuse and repurpose mentality amongst plastics professionals.

And delegates should come prepared to have their grey matter stretched and squeezed, as NPE2015 boasts the largest, most diverse offering of educational programmes in the show's history. Seminars, discussion groups, conferences, breakfasts and demonstrations across every aspect of the plastics industry are set to enlighten, engage and inspire the whole NPE visitor spectrum.

Read on to discover what some of the 600 exhibiting companies have in store in our ninepage preview.

An exhibitor's eye view: Milliken & Company at NPE2015

Milliken & Company is celebrating one-and-a-half centuries of achieving global success in the fields of chemicals and technology, and its ability to continue gaining momentum spills into the company's enthusiasm for NPE2015.

"NPE is one of the most important plastics exhibitions in the world for Milliken’s Plastics Additives business," said Melissa Copeland, Milliken's Global Product Line Manager. "It allows us to connect with all our customers across the value chain and to show our appreciation for their continued business over the last several years."

As they say in the States, this is not their first rodeo. Milliken is returning to NPE on the successes of previous appearances. The last time this event came around was in 2012, as the world was still reeling from the global economic crisis and Copeland anticipates an uptick in investment for this year's outing. To capitalise on this, Milliken's strategy for NPE2015 is to showcase the benefits of its advanced additive technologies in response to four key industry demands: clarity and aesthetics, productivity improvements, sustainability, and property optimisation.

"Specifically," said Copeland, "Milliken will feature its ultra-clear polypropylene with Millad NX 8000 clarifier for food packaging applications and promote its recently introduced Hyperform HPN 210 M nucleating agent for injection-moulded high-density polyethylene used in material handling applications.

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"The company will also discuss the expanding use of its Hyperform HPR-803i reinforcing agent by major automotive OEMs and tier suppliers due to increasing industry demand for lightweight interior and exterior parts. For PE, Milliken’s Hyperform HPN 20E nucleating agent will be on display highlighting its improved barrier performance and physical properties, as well as productivity gains."

Moreover, at the co-located ANTEC conference, Darin Dotson, Senior Scientist at Milliken, will be sharing the company’s cutting-edge, technological developments in polypropylene through his presentation 'Nucleation of Polypropylene: A New and Practical Approach to the Measurement of Stiffness (Modulus) Performance'.

Milliken's booth at NPE will be easy to spot, with interactive displays and a showcase of the company's innovative approach to plastics solutions, but Copeland was quick to add that the exhibit will offer visitors something "truly different" from any of Milliken's previous NPE booths.

As with any show of this size, there is plenty of reason to feel a certain amount of trepidation, but if Milliken's NPE team is daunted, they are not giving anything away.

Copeland remarked: "NPE always proves to be an exciting and rewarding event for Milliken’s Plastics Additives business. Our anticipation is high."

NPE2015 visitors can find Milliken on booth S12001

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NPE PREVIEW

AGC Chemicals Americas

Agr International

AGC Chemicals Americas Inc. will showcase its fluoropolymer solutions at NPE2015.

AGC engineers and technical sales team will be available to discuss applications for their wide range of fluoropolymerbased products at their new booth in the Hot Technologies Pavilion. AGC's technical solutions team will present a broad array of products featuring AFLAS fluoroelastomers and Fluon fluoropolymers.

Featured products on the AGC Chemicals Americas stand will include: Fluon Filled PTFE Compounds, Fluon Melt Processable Compounds, Fluon PTFE and PTFE, Fluon ETFE and Low Melt ETFE resins and AFLAS fluoroelastomers.

Agr International offers a number of products that are designed to aid bottle manufacturers achieve their most aggressive lightweighting goals while maintaining the highest quality.

Agr products are designed to help container producers, converters and fillers stay competitive while meeting the increased quality demands of today’s changing world. Agr will display its latest developments in this line of products as well as an array of quality management and process control for plastic containers at NPE. Products featured at this year’s event will include: the Pilot Profiler with Process Pilot, Pilot Vision and the OptiCheck system.

AGS

Arburg

AGS will be bringing plastics processors flexibility in three dimensions when it exhibits at NPE, showcasing its end of arm tool assembly systems.

The Schwope family are pioneers in the field of automation and launching the new gripping system PreciGrip is another milestone for AGS Automation Greifsysteme Schwope GmbH. This product line aims to provide customers with a system that is even more functional and can be assembled more precisely than the components from the AGS end of arm tool assembly kit. Marc Schwope, CEO at AGS, said: “The idea is to create user-friendly solutions in both conception and production of automation systems.”

ARBURG will be bringing high-end injection moulding technology to NPE, where visitors can experience a broad cross-section of cost-effective plastic parts production using hydraulic, hybrid and electric ALLROUNDERs. Moreover, the freeformer, which is designed for industrial additive manufacturing, will be on show in the US for the first time, offering manufacturers efficient production solutions for all requirements and unit volumes. Two freeformers will be presented at the exhibition producing, for example, a flexible bellows made from TPU using the ARBURG Plastic Freeforming process. In accompanying conferences, ARBURG will be holding several presentations on the topic of additive manufacturing.

battenfeld-cincinnati

Ceramicx

At NPE 2015, battenfeld-cincinnati USA will introduce new equipment and showcase its competence in large diameter pipe extrusion. battenfeldcincinnati has more than 100 years of experience in the extrusion sector. It provides not only extruders and pipe dies, but also modular downstream equipment for pipe, profile and sheet production including vacuum and cooling tanks, calibration tables, haul-offs, cutting tools and start-up aids for pipe extrusion. This means battenfeld-cincinnati can offer complete production systems from a single source and support for the complete life cycle from the initial idea to comprehensive aftersales services.

Ceramicx will bring energy-saving solutions for inline thermoformers to NPE, having just confirmed 40 per cent energy savings for one customer’s infrared heating system when compared to a conventional heating system on an identical thermoforming machine. Ceramicx and its US distributor Weco International will be adding to and developing these energy saving messages in Orlando, where the team will provide full production details on just how these savings are achieved.

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Chemineer

Conair

Chemineer will exhibit its Kenics product line - featuring the Kenics KMX-V Static Mixer and Kenics Heat Exchanger - at NPE2015. The Kenics KMX-V Static Mixers utilise cross-stream mixing and flow splitting to achieve very rapid blending. Each element is approximately one pipe diameter in length and consists of multiple intersecting blades, which generates fluid layers as the mixture flows downstream.

The Kenics Heat Exchangers are ideal for efficient, cost-effective handling of a wide range of heat transfer applications. Chemineer is part of the Process and Flow Technologies division of NOV. Chemineer’s mixing expertise includes high flow, low shear liquidliquid/solids blending, gas dispersion, high shear blending and viscous mixing.

Conair will unveil several brand-new products at NPE2015, including a ‘next generation’ material-handling proofing system that uses machine vision to help prevent material contamination due to operator error.

Dubbed Material Vision Proofing (MVP), the new vision system includes a motorised camera that automatically confirms that the connection between material sources and destinations has been made correctly and conveying can begin.

Converting Systems

DSM

Converting Systems - leader in the design, manufacturing and refurbishing of plastics machinery - is excited to announce the launch of its new Machine Rebuilding Loaner Program at NPE. This new programme improves the machine rebuilding process by providing a way for customers to refurbish their dated plastics equipment without disrupting the output of their production line. CSI rebuilds older machines to run faster and operate more safely and efficiently.

Customers can take advantage of these innovations without incurring the expense of purchasing brand new machinery.

DSM will demonstrate how its materials have been used in some of the latest application innovations to be introduced to market at NPE2015. Among its extensive showcase will be DSM’s portfolio for flexible food packaging solutions, high-pressure gas tanks in thermoplastic composites, as well as Stanyl and Stanyl ForTii for high-performance DDR4 memory connectors. Furthermore, DSM will be bringing its portfolio for high-temperature automotive engine components, including its Diablo high temperature resistant grades in its Stanyl polyamide 46 and Akulon polyamide 6 portfolios, which can withstand temperatures of up to 260°C.

Dukane

ENGEL

Dukane Corporation will be demonstrating all the latest technologies and solutions at NPE2015 to give plastic part manufacturers more flexibility, efficient process control and significant cost reduction. New member in the Servo family the iQ Series i220 Integrated Servo Driven Ultrasonic Welder with patented Melt-Match technology will be seen in action at Dukane’s booth. Integrated Servo is a self-contained unit with Dukane’s patented iQ Series Generator/Power Supply housed within the press.

This welding system addresses the need of an ‘out of box’ ‘plug and play’ Servo driven Ultrasonic Welder.

“It’s your choice to be a winner!” is ENGEL’s NPE2015 motto. Presenting eight innovative applications, the injection moulding machine manufacturer and system supplier will demonstrate how the specific requirements of five industrial branches—automotive, packaging, medical, teletronics and technical moulding—can be realised with efficient and economical injection moulding solutions. ENGEL shows that the key to increased competitiveness can be found in both customised, highly-integrated system solutions and flexible standard machines. The highlights at the ENGEL booth will include the first composite brake pedal manufactured in a one-shot process, the new high-performance ENGEL e-speed machine, the particularly dynamic ENGEL e pic pick-andplace robot, as well as innovative service tools for an even higher level of process security and machine availability.

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NPE PREVIEW

Equitech

EREMA

Equitech will present examples of its ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy capabilities at NPE. The international team of scientists and engineers will be on-hand to greet visitors and demonstrate the solutions Equitech provides using colourimetry, spectrophotometry and optics capabilities.

The experts will share application data specific to improved efficiency and value through early detection that prevents errors via process monitoring and continuous quality control. The instruments and various optical probes that will be on display provide solutions for a range of applications, covering both transparent and opaque materials.

NPE2015 provides EREMA’s North America subsidiary with the perfect platform to showcase its recycling prowess in the US. With a major expansion drive underway at its Massachusetts plant and a rise in post-consumer recycling demand, the market leader will be showcasing an INTAREMA 1108 TVEplus with Laserfilter, in addition to the enhanced, fully-automatic edge trim system INTAREMA 605 K for the in-house recycling market.

FARREL POMINI

Frigel

FARREL POMINI will be showcasing its extensive range of processing applications at NPE2015. The technology has proven performance processing polyolefin-based compounds with high levels of mineral fillers, additives and colour masterbatches, polymer-elastomer blends and applications requiring high intensity mixing while maintaining low processing temperature. FARREL POMINI will exhibit a CP1000, the midsized processor of the CP Series II Compact Processor line of equipment.

The Compact Processor is a highly productive compounder designed specifically for top quality dispersion of highly filled, highly pigmented materials and is able to process highly abrasive materials outperforming other processors.

Visitors to the Frigel booth at NPE2015 will get a close look at the world’s most efficient and sustainable plastics process cooling system – now more adaptable to meet plastics processors’ specific needs. Among the latest Frigel innovations on display will be the new 3PR Intelligent Control System, which provides processors with even easier and more precise control over their Frigel cooling systems. Featuring a unique 7”, full-colour touch screen interface, 3PR allows processors to achieve better closed-loop process cooling system accuracy with more data points at their fingertips.

Gneuss

Graham Engineering Corporation

Gneuss’ Processing Technology division will show the latest generation of its innovative Multi Rotation System extrusion technology at NPE2015.

A complete extrusion line with an MRS 160 extruder, a fully-automatic filtration system RSFgenius175 and an online viscometer will be on the show floor in Orlando. This is the biggest extruder Gneuss has ever brought to a show. After the show, this line will be delivered to a customer in Florida to process 3000 lbs/h of R-PET into a thermoforming sheet.

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Extrusion and blow moulding innovations that substantially reduce downtime, save energy and enhance automation will be on display at Graham Engineering Corporation’s NPE2015 exhibit. One highlight will be a demonstration of a new modular extruder design for medical processing that reduces job changeovers to a matter of minutes while preserving clean-room integrity. The company’s focus at NPE2015 is on innovations that enable custom extrusion solutions designed to meet or exceed the specific needs and requirements of a particular customer.

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Guill Tool

Husky

Guill Tool, a West Warwick, Rhode Island, designer and builder of extrusion tooling, will be showcasing its range of extrusion tooling at NPE2015.

Guill provides tooling for plastic, rubber, TPE and other material extrusions, with end products ranging from extremely thin-walled, multi-lumen medical tubing and catheter balloon tubings up to multi-layer wire and cable jacketing and 20-inch diameter pipe for industrial applications and agricultural drip lines. Guill also provides tooling for film, sheet and profile extrusions. The company designs, engineers, machines, assembles, tests and delivers all tooling to its worldwide customer base in all the consuming industries for extrusions.

Husky Injection Molding Systems’s NPE2015 showcase will include its latest technologies for the beverage packaging, medical and hot runner markets, demonstrating how it provides customers with the highest levels of quality, productivity and reliability. Husky will have a HyPET HPP5 system running at its booth – a fully integrated injection moulding system for PET preform manufacturing that provides enabling technologies for the highest levels of productivity and quality. In demonstrating its comprehensive range of solutions for beverage packaging, Husky will be highlighting its dedication to supporting customers through the lifecycle of their systems.

The system will be running SHOTSCOPE NX, Husky’s integrated process and production monitoring system that provides a real-time snapshot of information to help optimise overall factory efficiency.

Illig

JG&A Metrology Center

At NPE, ILLIG will present the current generation of its automatic forming machines of the RDKP series with a separate forming and punching station. The efficiency of this machine working from a roll stock is demonstrated by model IC-RDKP 72 and a sophisticated hinged food pack made of polyethylene terephthalate (APET) produced on this machine. The production line is additionally equipped with a hole punch press positioned between forming station and steel rule punch press. It is employed to apply frequently required venting openings to the packs. The line works at a speed of up to 50 cycles per minute with 6-up mould. IML decoration of thermoformed packs, as well as high-volume production of coffee capsules on thermoformers of the RDM-K series, are some other topics ILLIG will be presenting at NPE.

As interest in additive manufacturing grows, those involved in the sector are also looking into ways to integrate NDT inspection methods that will support additive manufacturing. One of the most viable inspection methods today is industrial CT scanning, capable of inspecting parts ranging from plastics to metals. Industrial CT scanning’s validity as an inspection method comes from its ability to acquire accurate and precise internal and external part geometries. Specific to additive manufacturing and plastics, industrial CT scanning can validate: wall thickness conditions, internal void structure, comparisons to the CAD model, comparisons to another part and first article inspection processes for PPAP & AS9102 requirements and more. Learn more at the JG&A Metrology Center stand at NPE.

Kautex

KraussMaffei

Kautex, an international leader in the manufacture of extrusion blow moulding machinery, will be taking on a much larger stand at NPE2015 than it had at NPE2012 and for the first time since 2006, the company will be showing one of its machines - a KBB60D machine demonstrating the production of 24 ml bottles for the hotel industry - in action, in what is sure to be one of the highlights of the fair. Italian company Meccanoplastica srl (represented

by Kautex’s US office) will also be exhibiting on the stand, as will INCLUDIS Inc.

At NPE2015, KraussMaffei is reinforcing its leading market position in North America as a system provider for premium quality injection moulding machines and innovative lightweight construction technologies from a single source. In Orlando, KraussMaffei will be targeting the automotive, household appliance, packaging and logistics industries and will present visitors with the US premiere of the GXH and GX 900 multi-component machines, as well as the FiberForm and MuCell processes for brilliant surface effects on thermoplastics, in addition to the stateside premier of the New Adaptive Process Control system for zero-defect production with injection moulding.

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27

NPE PREVIEW

KraussMaffei Berstorff

Lindner washTech

Now is an opportune time for KraussMaffei Berstorff to position itself as an extrusion systems leader in America, as the US market is enjoying a surge in demand for this technology.

KraussMaffei Berstorff is bringing an extensive range of products to NPE2015. On the company’s booth, visitors can see the latest C6 control system, the KM-3L RKW 74-250 IPC multi-layer pipe head, a QuickSwitch calibration basket for the in-line dimension change and the KME 60 XS single-screw extruder for manufacturing technical profiles.

Lindner Resource America LP will present Lindner washTech’s advanced cleaning technology at NPE2015. Lindner washTech develops and produces washing systems of a customer-focused, application-specific design delivering combination of throughput, effectiveness and longevity.

Listgrove

MB Conveyors

Listgrove Limited specialist provider of recruitment and HR services to the world’s plastics, packaging and chemical sectors - continues to expand.

Customers choose Listgrove because of the business’s appreciation that every recruitment exercise is different and requires a dedicated approach, its extensive candidate network across the globe, 40 years’ experience of recruiting across all functions with a high success rate, its ability to promote positions to the widest possible audience, including passive candidates, and its comprehensive recruitment process and project management approach. During NPE, Listgrove staff will be on hand to offer guidance and advice on a wide range of recruitment and human resource subjects, and to demonstrate how businesses can attract the very best talent available.

MB Conveyors will be making its inaugural NPE appearance this year and the Italian company is approaching the North and Central American markets with its high-quality, customdesigned auxiliary equipment for the plastics processing industry. At their booth. visitors will be able to examine a sample of the wide range of products offered by MB, with a special focus on those dedicated to the plastics industry, such as top-quality belt conveyors, sprue separators, and storage devices.

Meusburger

Milliken

Meusburger will be bringing its tooling and mouldmaking expertise to NPE where the company will be highlighting three of its products in particular. Meusburger’s range of products has been extended with the DLC coated guide pillars E 10025 and E 10125. Their excellent dry-running properties and high corrosion resistance makes them suitable for cleanrooms. Following customer requests, the leading manufacturer in the field of standard parts for tool and mouldmaking has broadened its product range with DLC coated ejector pins. The Diamond-Like-Carbon coating increases both wear and corrosion resistance and their excellent dry-running properties make them suitable for cleanrooms. Finally, Meusburger is extending its range of FW Change moulds with four new sizes. With it, the tried and trusted Meusburger change moulds are now available in sizes up to 296 x 346 mm.

Milliken’s technical expertise and performance-enhancing additive solutions for polyolefins will be among the highlights at NPE2015, where Milliken will showcase new benefits of its advanced additive technologies that respond to four key industry demands: clarity and aesthetics, productivity improvements, sustainability and property optimisation.

Among Milliken’s key performers at NPE are Ultra Clear PP, featuring the revolutionary, glass-like clarity thanks to Milliken’s Millad NX 8000 clarifying agent; the newly launched Hyperform HPN 210 M nucleating agent for injection-moulded high-density polyethylene; Milliken’s Hyperform HPN 20E nucleating agent with improved barrier performance and physical properties; and rising star Hyperform HPR-803i, a reinforcing agent for major automotive OEMs.

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NDC Technologies

Netstal

NDC Technologies, a leading global provider of precision measurement and control solutions, will introduce the highly anticipated Beta LaserMike AccuScan 6012 four-axis diameter and ovality gauge at NPE 2015. Built on the proven and widely deployed AccuScan series platform, the new AccuScan 6012 is the industry’s first four-axis gauge for measuring products of up to 12 mm. This advancement enables plastic tubing and other extruded product manufacturers to measure product diameter and ovality with higher accuracy than two- and three axis gauges for added quality assurance and bottom-line savings. The AccuScan 6012 gauge offers flexible communications capabilities, allowing for easy connection to PCs, PLCs, or processes with leading protocols.

Netstal will demonstrate the production of 44 oz stadium cups with IMLs on a hybrid ELION 3200 at NPE2015, showcasing its leading market position in the packaging sector. “Production systems that deliver maximum availability, the shortest cycle times and the best product quality are our forte,” says Nijaz Husidic, Head of Sales for Business Unit PAC. “Thanks to these factors, we will be able to safeguard our leading position in the thin-walled packaging sector in the future.”

Nordson

Plustech/ Sodick

Nordson is set to introduce its new high-rate plasticising unit at NPE2015, the Nordson Xaloy Quantum plasticising system. The system incorporates an innovative screw design and produces enhancedquality melt at rates that make it possible to achieve shorter cycles for the high-speed injection moulding of thin-walled packaging. The Nordson Xaloy Quantum plasticising system includes a barrier screw designed to increase the rate of plastication for unmelted material while minimising shear forces on polymer that is already in a molten state. Along with the innovative screw, Nordson supplies a custom-designed poppet-style nonreturn valve, whose free-flowing channels prevent polymer degradation and whose rapid shut-off ensures shot-to-shot consistency.

PSI-Polymer Systems PSI-Polymer Systems will feature numerous products at its booth at NPE2015, all of which help extruders and recyclers produce better quality products, more efficiently. One featured product at PSI’s booth is its Quick-Shift Die Changer, which utilises a quick-shift slide plate to exchange die heads on a single extruder. The innovative patent-applied for system is ideally suited for lines that must be purged during die changeovers, such as foam sheet operations or for batch operations, where reduced changeover times translate directly to increased output and cost savings for waste and labour reductions.

Plustech, the North American branch of Sodick’s IMM Division, will be introducing the new HC03VRE Micro Vertical Molding Machine at NPE2015.

Designed for the high-speed moulding of precision micro parts, the HC03VRE achieves a dry cycle time of only 0.9 seconds. Plustech will feature two additional demonstrations at NPE: Sodick’s GL100 100-tonne Horizontal Injection Molding Machine running a metal to plastic conversion automotive application and Sodick’s LP20EH3 Horizontal Micro Molding Machine running Celanese’s new LCP material.

Reduction Engineering Scheer Reduction Engineering Scheer, a worldwide supplier of pulverisers, pelletisers, and rotational moulding equipment, has announced a significant investment in new rotor grinding and measuring equipment in response to strong sales growth throughout the world. The investment will be among the topics of discussion at NPE2015.

There, Reduction Engineering will outline its investment plans and also announce the launch of several new products.

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29

NPE PREVIEW

RJG

Sepro

RJG is shining the spotlight on four innovations at NPE2015, in the form of the new Lynx DIN Rail Machine Modules, the new Tool Room Sensor Tester the Multichannel Strain Gage system and the eDART Data Manager (EDM). The new Lynx DIN Rail Modules’ features improve its installation and readability thanks to new LED technology, the new Tool Room Sensor Tester allows moulders to set up 30 sensors at once, saving them money on lost production time and trouble shooting time.

The Multichannel Strain Gage simplifies installation of strain gage cavity pressure sensors in high cavitation moulds, while the new EDM is currently at beta testing stage and due to be rolled out in June.

To emphasise its global slogan of ‘Your Free Choice in Robots’, Sepro America will bring a total of 20 robots to NPE2015. No fewer than 10 will be demonstrated in the Sepro booth and 10 more in the booths of injection-moulding machine manufacturers.

Together, they represent one of the industry’s most complete ranges of automation equipment for plastics injection moulding. Highlights on the stand include an entirely new line of robots in addition to: 5-axis 5X Line robots, 6X Visual 6-Axis robots, the Success range of Servo-driven robots, 5DA Dual-Arm Servo robots and S3 Servo-driven sprue pickers.

SIKORA

SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association

At NPE, SIKORA will be showcasing state-of-the-art measuring, control, inspection and sorting technology for continuous online quality control in the hose, tube and plastic industry.

A highlight on the SIKORA booth is the PURITY SCANNER, a system for online inspection and sorting of plastic pellets. The system detects contamination from 50 micrometres in pellets used for applications where 100 per cent purity is required. SIKORA will also present its successful LASER Series 2000, for classic diameter measurement in two or three planes, covering product diameters from 0.05 to 500 mm.

Struktol Company of America

Teknor Apex

Struktol Company of America, a leading global supplier of polymer additives, has developed unique process additives for reclaimed/recycled plastics and for polymer compounds that contain recycled content. The company will highlight the product expansion at NPE2015, which includes products that 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 per cent recycled material or materials with varying levels of post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content.

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In order to demonstrate how plastics - specifically PVC and vinyl - saves lives, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association and its affiliate, the Flexible Vinyl Alliance, will feature a special booth, showcasing how a portable medical isolation containment unit similar to those used to isolate patients and protect from the spread of infectious diseases including Ebola.

PPE or Personal Protective Equipment such as garments, masks and shoe covers will also be on display. The goal is to demonstrate that plastics used in the manufacture of medical products are safe and necessary for appropriate patient care. SPI - sponsors of and contributors to the booth - expect it to generate positive international media coverage for vinyl and other sectors of the plastics industry and their benefits to the public.

Teknor Apex’s versatile TPEs for consumer electronics applications will be launched at NPE2015. The compounds series are part of Teknor Apex’s Monprene family and have been developed for enhanced functionality, vivid colour, durability and their pleasing tactile properties.

The materials are particularly well-suited to devices that are used very frequently, including ear buds, computer mice and smart watches. Brian Mulvany, Senior Manager of Consumer, Industrial and Electrical Markets for the company’s Thermoplastic Elastomer Division, said: “Monprene compounds for consumer electronics derive from commercially proven TPEs in markets where Teknor Apex has longstanding expertise... we have developed property portfolios optimised for electronics applications that involve prolonged use in intimate human contact.”

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Trexel

TRIA

WM

Trexel’s booth at NPE2015 will showcase a variety of project part samples that benefit greatly from MuCell technology - such as running shoes, packaging and automotive.

Also at the show, Trexel will premier its newly developed T-100 Series. The Trexel T-100 Series SCF (Super Critical Fluid) Delivery System is a state-of-the-art gas delivery and dosing system based on Trexel’s patented technology and built to the most stringent industrial standards. The system is specifically designed for small shot size moulding applications of < 140gr. / 5 oz.

TRIA will be showcasing its silent, highperforming, reliable TF Series Grinders at NPE2015. Developed for the blow moulding industry, TRIA’s technology is dedicated to in-line thermoforming scrap recovery of just about any type of polymer. These grinders can handle a full range of production waste from skeletal scrap and full-sheets at start-up of up to 48-inches in width, to sheets with cups and lids of up to four inches in height - and more. This line includes six machines with varying feed opening lengths and rotor sizes. Thanks to their reduced footprint and a choice of sheet in-feed devices, TF Series grinders can be easily adapted to all thermoforming lines.

At NPE, WM will show the largest example of its Tilting Machine Series technology, the FT 900. The FT 900 punch and die thermoforming machine has a lower tilting platen (34.6” x 20.4”) and will run a 54 cavities mould cycle of 73.5 mm-diameter PP yogurt pots. The machine will run an Exxonmobile PP6262 grade that contributes to a fast set-up time and potential energy efficiency. Meanwhile, high melt flow rates, fast crystallisation rates and easy mould release offer opportunities for fast cycle times and high productivity, resulting in an excellent return on capital. After the show this machine will be displayed in WM’s Elkhorn facility, where WM’s US technical staff and sales teams are ready to take enquiries.

INTAREMA® The new system generation from EREMA.

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Reaching perfect pellet quality at the press of a button: the new INTAREMA® features the intelligent Smart Start operating concept, bringing together production efficiency and remarkably straightforward operation. This is all about usability. Including an ergonomic touchscreen, practical recipe management and automated standby mode.

NPE / Orlando / Florida / 23.-27.3.2015 West Hall Level 2 / W5673

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31

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Over 35 Years of Service

v Davis Standard sheet Co extrusion line.115mm extruder (2008), s/changer, melt pump, 2150mm die head, 2290mm stack, haul off cutter.

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2000mm wide Omipa Union coextrusion sheet line. 120mm and 90mm Omipa extruders, 2000mm wide Union 3 roll stack 500mm rolls, haul off guillotine. 2002.

1350mm Welex 3 Roll Stack. 300mm Dia Rolls. Silent Chain. Dc drive. 3 zone pump group. 2 roll haul off 1986.

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760mm (30”) wide Lyle 130FM48 SPD form trim thermoforming machine. Unwind, servo platens, servo plug, 30” x 48” tool. 132PV vertical trim press. 2006.

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33

EUREKA SERIES

Recycling plastics without water Currently, the process of turning waste plastic packaging into a reusable material involves a great deal of water, but one Mexican company believes it has cracked this ecological sticking point with its super-efficient recycling system.

Words | Rose Brooke

Traditionally, it takes vast amounts of water to recycle plastics, but a company from Mexico has developed a new technology that makes what is a green process even more eco-friendly because it doesn’t require the liberal sloshing of H2O. Ak Inovex’s recycling technology has the capability to process plastic materials commonly used in consumer products including ABS, polystyrene and Styrofoam by simply customising existing machinery.

The plastics recycling process breaks down waste plastics into pellets, which are washed thoroughly before being ground down, but according to Ak Inovex founder Marco Adame, this new system can process more than 90 per cent of any kind of plastic without wasting water or diminishing the quality of the recycled pellet.

Adame explained that traditionally-recycled plastics have the distinction of being hygroscopic, which means it retains moisture at a molecular level. The material has to be dehydrated in order for it to be crystallised, which means the material has to be subjected to 180-degree Celsius temperatures and then cooled in water. AK Inovex performs this process without any water, slashing energy usage by 50 per cent and reducing the space plastic processors need for recycling machinery because the system is much smaller, as it performs all the traditional processes without water, thus making the patent-pending system more profitable.

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In addition to being more efficient on every level, the advantage of AK Inovex’s technology is that it claims to be capable of processing any type of plastic and while current prototypes can process two tonnes of pellets, the team is working on upping this capacity to 10 tonnes.

“Ak Inovex has a pending patent registration of the three technologies that integrate the development, which are responsible for cooling the plastic through contact with special walls and form the plastic beads,” said Adame.

But the team is not stopping here. This year AK Inovex will be altering its business strategy by adding an ecological washing machine for plastics using a special biodetergent, which could help plastic processors reduce their overheads even more.

The company is working with the ALINSA Group, which is established in the field of manufacturing environmentally friendly cleaning products using biodegradable chemicals. The two organisations made contact as a result of their participation in the Cleantech Challenge, Mexico - a contest that promotes the development of green companies. After the competition, both businesses began sharing ideas and joined forces with the aim to integrate ecological washing systems using degradable plastic substances without affecting the environment.

Editor’s note: Original article published in Investigacion y Desarrollo.

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