Canadian Plastics October 2011

CanadianPlastics www.canplastics.com

OCTOBER 2011

AUTOMOTIVE

UPDATE Looking for the turnaround p.10 Surge bins step into the light p.14 The latest additives, fillers & colorants p.18

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SPECIAL MOLDMAKING SUPPLEMENT: • Our annual Benchmark Survey results • Shop profiles, straight stories

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contents

Canadian Plastics OCTOBER 2011 VOLUME 69 NUMBER 5

LOOKING BACK...

The November 1967 issue of Canadian Plastics told the tale of a $9,000 glass fibre-reinforced plastics corn silo constructed on the farm of one J.A. Kolf, of Wainfleet, Ont. Manufactured

by Waterloo, Ont.-based Pawson Reinforced Plastic Products, the 38-foot-high silo took seven days to erect, and was designed to be airtight, keeping the corn in an oxygen-free atmosphere that increased market value by leaving a higher moisture content in the grain.

But why plastics? Turns out that the natural acids in grain eat away at similar concrete silos, making repairs necessary every seven to eight years. By comparison, "the plastic unit is expected to last up to 35 years," our report noted.

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Number of the month:

$117 million*

* Amount to be invested by General Motors Co. at its assembly plant in Oshawa, Ont., to build the new Cadillac XTS luxury sedan. (See pg. 11)

in every issue 4 Editor’s View: The engine of manufacturing 5 Ideas & Innovations: Synthesizing plastic from beef by-products. Stop laughing.

6 News: • Par-Pak making Canadian, international expansions • Big process cooling system heading west • News briefs • People 9 Executive’s Corner: What to do (and not to do) when your business stalls 22 Technology Showcase 24 Plastics Data File 24 Advertising Index 28 Classified Ads 29 Design Ideas: Blowin’ in the wind 30 View from the Floor: Wanna take you higher

page 10

page 15

page 29

cover story

10 AUTOMOTIVE UPDATE: Looking for the recovery

After a strong start in the first quarter of 2011, the North American market for new cars has stalled, the victim of consumer unease. But sales are still up compared to last year, and are projected to hold steady in the longer term as pent-up demand is released and more fuel-efficient vehicles become available. All things considered, it seems like a good time to ask: Is this the start of the turnaround?

features

14 RAW MATERIALS HANDLING: Considering surge bins

Used as either stand-alone in-plant resin storage units or as integral parts of existing outdoor storage silos, surge bins can multi-task with the best of them, but usually take a backseat to higher profile processing technologies. If you don't yet have one in your processing plant, odds are you should. Inside, we offer a quick installation primer.

18 ADDITIVES, FILLERS & COLORANTS: The look and feel of things to come

From foaming agents to process aids to longer lasting colors, materials suppliers are unleashing a wealth of new technologies to help you add value to your plastic parts. Here's a look at some of what's available.

Moldmaking Supplement

special insert for our moldmaking and injection molding readers A (our apologies to everyone else), featuring the results of our 3rd annual Benchmark Survey, and a not-to-be-missed series of in-depth profiles of some Canadian mold shops that are doing it right. Yours to discover, opposite pg. 16.

Visit us at www.canplastics.com www.canplastics.com October 2011 Canadian Plastics 3

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editor’s view

The engine of manufacturing

H

ere’s a nice, non-controversial question: What’s going on with the economy?

Globally, the Great Recession might be over, but — like the monster in some Grade Z horror flick — the threat of a double-dip in the U.S. refuses to die. (If the double-dip happens, feel free to tear this editorial up and use it as a Kleenex, or maybe as a very small placemat, because we’ll all need all the freebies we can get.)

Anyway, assuming the recovery continues, what happens next? Well, I could quote from a gazillion recent economic reports, all of them from reputable banks and economic analysts, and all of them contradicting each other in important ways. In the end, three things seem clear.

One: Due to such factors as the U.S. credit downgrade, the financial difficulties facing several European countries, and continued political uncertainty in the Middle East, any growth in the manufacturing sector in 2012 is gonna be slow...as in approximately 2.6 per cent slow. Two: Slow as it might be, the recovery in Canada’s manufacturing production seems certain to outpace the overall economic recovery. And three: The automotive industry will be crucial to whatever recovery does occur.

Make no mistake; while some continue to tout the benefits of information technology and the service industries, the health of the Canadian manufacturing sector is critical to the country’s long-term economic prosperity — and the automotive industry is critical to the health of the

Canadian manufacturing sector. Probably no other industry directly generates as much retail business and overall employment.

As if to highlight the point, other manufacturing sectors that were supposed to offer parts suppliers easy exits from the automotive superhighway are hitting roadblocks.

Take Ontario’s green energy program.

Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals are abandoning plans to build huge wind-power turbine farms in the Great Lakes, in part because the European Union filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization, claiming that the huge subsidies Ontario is offering developers of wind turbine farms violate international trade rules. And as this portion of the green jobs revolution browns out, the hopes of many Canadian plastics processors and moldmakers to grab manufacturing contracts for turbine components are turning even darker.

Whether or not that particular dream is over for good, the auto industry is the real deal — the engine of manufacturing. The “Automotive Update” article in this issue debates the status of the long-anticipated turnaround, but a larger point doesn’t even merit debate: A healthy and competitive automotive industry creates good jobs, fosters innovation, helps drive growth, and creates demand for highly skilled workers.

If you’re counting, that’s a win-win-winwin situation.

Mark Stephen, editor

mstephen@canplastics.com

Publisher’s Message As you may or may not have heard, Plastics in Canada has now been merged with Canadian Plastics magazine.

The decision comes on the heels of Business Information Group, which owns Canadian Plastics magazine, purchasing 15 trade publications and digital brands from Rogers Publishing Limited in May 2011, including the Plastics in Canada e-newsletter. (It also included the Frasers online directory of manufacturers.)

Rogers ceased publishing Plastics in Canada in print in June 2010. As of September 1, subscribers to the Plastics in Canada e-newsletter are being served instead with the Canadian Plastics weekly e-newsletter.

Canadian Plastics, first published in August 1943, now continues as the only magazine serving Canada’s plastics industry. We’re 68 years young and still going strong. Over the past decade, we’ve added a web site, e-newsletter and news videos, so that we may serve our readers with both print and digital media. We welcome our new colleagues from Rogers, and are working with them to bring you expanded news coverage where our expertise overlaps.

By the way, September 15 marked my 30th anniversary with Canadian Plastics. I can’t think of a better career, serving good people in a dynamic industry.

Canadian Plastics magazine reports on and interprets develop­­ ments in plastics markets and technologies worldwide for plastics processors, moldmakers and end-users based in Canada.

www.canplastics.com EDITOR Mark Stephen 416-510-5110 Fax: 416-510-5134 E-mail: mstephen@canplastics.com TECHNICAL EDITOR Jim Anderton 416-510-5148 E-mail: janderton@canadianmetalworking.com ART DIRECTOR Andrea M. Smith PRODUCTION MANAGER Steve Hofmann 416-510-6757 E-mail: shofmann@bizinfogroup.ca PRINT PRODUCTION MANAGER Phyllis Wright SENIOR PUBLISHER Judith Nancekivell 416-510-5116 Fax: 416-510-5134 E-mail: jnancekivell@canplastics.com ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVE Brayden Ford 416-510-5124 Fax: 416-510-5134 E-mail: bford@canplastics.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Anita Madden 416-442-5600, ext. 3596 Fax: 416-510-6875 E-mail: amadden@bizinfogroup.ca HEAD OFFICE: 80 Valleybrook Drive, Toronto ON, M3B 3J5. 416-442-5600, Fax: 416-510-5134 CANADIAN PLASTICS is published 7 times a year by BIG Maga­ zines LP, a div. of Glacier BIG Holdings Company Ltd., a leading Canadian information company with interests in daily and community newspapers and business-to-business information services.

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4 Canadian Plastics October 2011 www.canplastics.com

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ideas & innovations

T

hey look a bit like brown poker chips on steroids, but the chocolate-colored discs created by University of Alberta researcher Dr. David Bressler and his lab actually represent an unlikely new source for bio-plastics.

Using the discarded parts of beef carcasses that were removed from the value-added production process after bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) rocked the sector in 2003, Bressler, an associate professor in the U of A’s Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, is collaborating with industry, government and other researchers to forge cattle proteins into heavy-duty plastics.

The project began when beef by-products such as blood and bone were regulated out of the rendering process after BSE was found in Canada, for fear the material contained deadly prions — infectious proteins that cause BSE (better known as mad cow disease). “Because of the new regulations, parts of the cow that were previously eaten were now being treated as a hazardous material, often with more being thrown out than was necesary,” Bressler said.

And even then, the waste doesn’t end. “Any landfill that receives the protein can never again be used for agricultural production, because the prions are very resistant to the environment,” Bressler added.

How do Bressler and his team — which includes Phillip Choi, a professor in the U of A’s Faculty of Engineering; and John Wolodko, a senior researcher at Alberta Innovates Technology Futures — synthesize the material from bovine by-product into bio-plastic? Hold onto your lunch. “Through thermal and caustic hydrolysis, which uses high temperature water to break down the proteins, we take chunks of protein filled with bone and hair and transform them into something that looks like molasses,” Bressler explained. “We then extract and crosslink the protein molecules to create a polymer network that forms a rigid structure.”

The new plastics from Bressler’s lab are currently being tested by Mississauga, Ont.-based auto parts maker The Woodbridge Group. “We’re at the point now where we’ve had various crosslinkers that are working well, and we’re getting more of a rigid structural-type plastic,” Bressler said. Current funding is focused on research to investigate whether the plastics can be mixed with renewable fibres such as hemp. If successful, the resulting bio-composite could be used in high-strength applications like building structural elements. (But don’t expect to see the beef protein-based bio-plastics turning up in certain sectors anytime soon. “The material is completely safe, but because of potentially negative consumer perceptions, we’re going to stay away from any food-packaging or medical applications,” Bressler said.)

The project — which is supported by the Alberta Prion Research Institute, PrioNet Canada, and the Alberta Live-

stock and Meat Agency — is still in the development stage, and much work remains to be done. “It took us a year just to characterize what we had after the hydrolysis,” Bressler said. “We expect to spend a few more years doing certification and testing before Dr. David Bressler and prototype plastic the material is ready for discs made from waste cattle proteins. commercial applications.”

But in the end, Bressler insists that crafting bio-plastics from beef protein waste is really just science as usual. “It sounds bizarre at first, but, as in any other chemistry process, we’re simply breaking material down into small building blocks and resynthesizing it,” he said. “The plastics industry is under pressure to increase the renewable content in its products, and this project offers them the opportunity to do that, while also sending value back to rural Alberta and the beef sector.” CPL

Photo Credit: The University of Alberta

Synthesizing plastic from beef by-products. Stop laughing.

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news

Par-Pak making Canadian, international expansions

R

Photo Credit: Par-Pak Ltd.

igid food packaging producer Par-Pak Ltd. is beefing up operations at its three manufacturing sites.

At its headquarters in Brampton, Ont., the firm has installed a new 40 million pound PET extrusion line, and also plans to add six high-speed thermoforming machines by year’s end.

Thermoforming on the Par-Pak shop floor.

According to Glen Armstrong, Par-Pak’s vice president of sales, the Brampton expansion will cost the company approximately $20 million and create about 40 new jobs. In Houston, Tex., Par-Pak will be moving from its current 60,000-square-foot plant to a newly-purchased 95,000-squarefoot facility nearby. And in Milton Keynes, England, the company has purchased a 54,000-square-foot warehouse.

The three expansions serve two purposes, Armstrong told Canadian Plastics: adding capacity to help Par-Pak grow its PET preform business, and making it easier for the company’s products to fit into the recycling stream. “The expansions in Houston and England are moves to give us more warehouse space; and since we’re seeing good growth in PET performs, the expansions in Brampton allow us to continue to grow that business,” Armstrong said. “Also, major retailers are movNexGen Mold Cleaner ing their thermoforms from oriented polystyrene into PET because it’s already the biggest recycled plastic in the form of bottles, and having a single, widely-used material makes recycling easier by simplifying the sorting process.” In June 2011, the so-called “Big Five” grocery chains in Canada — Wal-Mart Canada Corp., Loblaws, Safeway Canada, Metro, Authorized Distributor and Sobeys — announced plans to require their suppliers to shift to PET for clamshell thermoformed packaging.

Par-Pak’s plastic bakery, salad and deli containers are extruded from oriented polystyrene and thermoformed from PET. Founded in 1977, Par-Pak is a privately-owned firm that employs about 650 people worldwide.

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news Image Credit: Berg Chilling Systems Inc.

The cooling system during construction at Berg.

(Left) Graphic of the finished unit.

Big process cooling system heading west

B

erg Chilling Systems Inc. is on the cusp of delivering something big.

The Toronto-based process cooling equipment supplier is set to send its latest unit to a large principal resin manufacturer in Alberta. The project has been a sizeable one for the 39-year-old company from the word go. How sizeable? “The finished unit is approximately 13 feet wide and 16 feet high with the condensers on the top, and the ultimate length is 60 feet,” said company president Don Berggren.

Started in February, the cooling system actually consists of two 30-foot-long units, each of which is fitted with two 200 HP open-drive screw compressors. When operating, the glycol system will produce over 1,200 kW of cooling capacity at 35°F. It’s also explosion-proof, a requirement that Berg builds into several products every year. “The environment at the customer’s plant is hazardous; the atmosphere may contain volatiles that, if sparked, could ignite other reactions,” Berggren explained. “In this case, we built the unit to meet a Class 1 Division 2 environment using purged electrical panels. For this standard, we’re pressurizing the electrical panel with an inert gas so that, if there is an arc from a contactor or a relay, it’s going to arc in an inert environment. In addition, all the conduits are packed and sealed, so there’s no opportunity for volatiles to migrate through any of the conduits back into the panel.”

Once completed, the unit will be subjected to a final battery of tests before being knocked down, shipped west on four trucks, and reconnected on site. “The installation will consist of a simple ‘bolt-together’ reassembly on the concrete pad at site,” Berggren said. “Since the functional integrity of the chillers was confirmed on our test-stand prior to shipping, installation and commissioning time will be minimal.”

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news

Magna gets Ontario funding to develop electric vehicle technology

Calgary-based chemical supplier Nova Chemicals Corporation has entered into three agreements to help revamp its Corunna “cracker” in Ontario to utilize up to 100 per Nova Chemical’s cent natural gas liquids Carunna, Ont. site feedstocks.

The first deal is a transportation service agreement with Sunoco Pipeline for the delivery of ethane feedstock from the Marcellus Shale basin in New York state into the Sarnia, Ont. region; the second is for a long-term ethane supply from the Marcellus Shale with Caiman Energy; and the third agreement is for long-term ethane supply from the Marcellus Shale via natural gas company Range Resources Corporation.

In a move to advance “green” engineering in the automotive industry, Aurora, Ont.-based parts supplier Magna International Inc. and the Ontario government will invest more than $430 million to research and develop electric vehicle technology.

The provincial government’s contribution to the initiative will total $48 million, with the remainder of the funds coming from Magna.

According to Ontario government officials, the plan will create more than 700 jobs and maintain about 1,300 positions at Magna facilities in Brampton, Aurora, Concord, and St. Thomas, Ont. The planned job creation will occur by 2017, assuming all research projects are successful, the officials added.

Photo Credit: Nova Chemicals Corporation

Bio-chemical plant coming to Sarnia

Photo Credit: George Rundans

Nova announces ethane agreements for delivery to Canada cracker

Pioneers hit the links

The Canadian Plastics Pioneers held their 11th annual golf tournament on September 7 at Royal Woodbine Golf Club in Toronto. Members of the organization have at least 25 years involvement in the plastics industry. Seventeen CPP members CPP golf chairman Elvi turned out for the tournament, includMolinaro (left) and Ariff ing Ariff Wakani, who claimed the Wakani. prize for low net score (71).

A multi-million-dollar bio-industrial plant is slated to be built in Sarnia, Ont. Montreal-based renewable chemistry company BioAmber Inc. has announced plans to build a new bio-based succinic acid plant in the city. The plant will produce bio-based succinic acid, derived from corn and used to match or improve existing petrochemical products, plastic auto parts among them.

The announcement might just mark the beginning of a regional shift that will move the Sarnia area from petrochemical supplier to hybrid chemPEOPLE istry supplier. “The transformation of the petrochemical industry in Sarnia to a bio-hybrid — T he Toronto-based Canadian chemical cluster will create significant ecoPlastics Industry Association has nomic opportunities for the development of named Kent Jackson as director of new markets and new products that are better, membership development. cheaper and safer for our health and the envi—S usan Oderwald will step down Kent Jackson ronment,” said Ontario Minister of Economic as the executive director of the Development and Trade Sandra Pupatello.

Newtown, Conn.-based Society The plant is scheduled to open in 2013, and of Plastics Engineers at the end initial capacity will be 17,000 tons a year, with of 2011. A replacement hasn’t yet plans to double that by 2014. been named.

— Quality control instrument supplier BYK-Gardner USA, headquarNot that they’re special or anything, but the tered in Columbia, Md., has named injection molders and moldmakers among the Sam Cauchi Sam Cauchi as its new sales manCanadian Plastics readership received a supager for Canada. plement section in their copies of the October — Injection molding machine maker Absolute Haitian issue, containing results from our 3rd annual Corporation, of Wor­cester, Mass., has named Randy Moldmaking Benchmark Survey. If it’s not in Wendling as director of aftermarket operations. your issue and you’re curious, you can read — T he Thermoplastic Elastomer Division of Pawthe full supplement on our website, and view tucket, R.I.-based custom compounder Teknor Apex the survey results at Company has named Nick Sandland as marketing http://www.canplastics.com/ and sales director for the Americas. survey/moldarchives2011.asp

Susan Oderwald

Attention non-moldmakers!

Randy Wendling

Nick Sandland

8 Canadian Plastics October 2011 www.canplastics.com

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executive’s corner

What to do (and not to do) when your business stalls

By Mark Borkowski, Mercantile Mergers & Acquisitions Corporation

H

ere’s a question: Why do business bankruptcies happen at all, especially in established company situations?

I’ll let a 1997 Statistics Canada study called Failing Concerns: Business Bankruptcy in Canada provide the answer: “Almost half of the firms in Canada that go bankrupt do so primarily because of their own deficiencies rather than externallygenerated problems.” As for the other half, it maybe fair to say that at least half of them could have survived if they’d only reacted more appropriately to what was going on.

My colleague Tony Johnson, president of Toronto-based management and advisory services firm Compass North Inc., puts a little more flesh on these answers. First, he believes that, historically, business owners/operators in companies of all sizes have been too used to things going right; when things start heading south, they fail to recognize and react early enough to their business risks and negative developments. Second, he believes that, due to ego issues and/or misplaced concerns over expenses, struggling company owners/operators typically treat business turnarounds as a ‘Do-It-Yourself’ project, despite having little experience in dealing with such confusing and rapidly-changing circumstances.

Johnson compares the situation to the onset of a plane crash, wherein a business turns from being healthy (flying well) to being challenged (stalling) to being in decline (spinning out of control) to going bankrupt (CRASH!). With this analogy in mind, we can see how the trajectory turns fatally wrong; many business owners are too used to ‘flying’ when the weather is calm and clear, have no effective and practiced training in how to keep their ‘aircraft’ under control when ‘bad weather’ hits, and don’t get help from the right professionals when there is still ‘air-room’ to effect corrective action This last point is crucial, because it’s the one you can do something about. Think about it: Despite the fact that he/she has a lot invested in keeping it from cratering the ground, you wouldn’t want the airline CEO trying to get your plane out of its death spiral. But surveys tell us that the outsiders who business owners and operators most often turn to when stresses begin to build are their external accountants and their lawyers, in that order. You don’t have to be a genius to see that these aren’t the right first

people to be consulting at such a time — again, it’s like expecting the CEO to land the plane.

The smart move in a “life-of-thebusiness-in-the-balance” situation is to call a business-operations professional trained and experienced in turnaround and crisis management (i.e. a turnaround executive or consultant). And it’s a message that Johnson — a former corporate banker, venture capital company CEO, CFO of two public companies, and leader of five turnarounds with an 80 per cent success rate — is trying to drum into the owners of small-, medium-, and large-sized businesses. The D-I-Y approach, while understandable and even admirable, usually just guarantees the crash.

CPL Mark Borkowski is president of Mercantile Mergers & Acquisitions Corporation, a Toronto-based brokerage firm that specializes in the sale of privately owned, mid-market companies. He can be contacted at www.mercantilemergersacquisitions.com.

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automotive update

Whither the

turnaround After a strong start in the first quarter of 2011, the North American market for new cars has stalled, the victim of consumer unease. But sales are still up compared to last year, and are projected to hold steady in the longer term as pent-up demand is released and more fuel-efficient vehicles become available. All things considered, it seems like a good time to ask: Is this the start of the recovery?

By Mark Stephen, editor

N

o one wants to start popping champagne corks just yet, but many automakers, suppliers and analysts of the North American auto industry seem to have their glasses at the ready, believing that the worst of the downturn is over.

And to a point, the numbers back them up. According to the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, the number of motor vehicles assembled in America is up 10 per cent from last year through the first half of 2011. Even better, the agency’s outlook calls for growth in both new vehicle sales and assemblies through next year, albeit decelerating from the current 10 per cent range down to about seven per cent. This would result in annual sales growth of about 12.5 per cent in 2011.

Market analyst J.D. Power is also pessimisticallyoptimistic; last month the firm lowered this year’s U.S. forecast to 12.6 million light vehicle sales from a previous

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call of 12.9 million, and the 2012 forecast to 14.1 million from 14.7 million. Still, the new annual forecast for 2011 is nine per cent higher than in 2010.

Canadian auto parts suppliers, linked about as closely to the U.S. market as Siamese twin Chang was to his brother Eng, can hope realistically to share in a turnaround. They also have other reasons for celebrating, as one piece of local good news after another comes rolling along like proverbial cars off the assembly line: consider Toyota’s decision to assemble electric versions of its RAV4 sport utility vehicle in Woodstock, Ont., or Gen-

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automotive update

eral Motors Co.’s plan to invest $117 million to build its new Cadillac XTS luxury sedan in Oshawa, Ont. But after a strong start in the first quarter of this year, the market for new cars in Canada and the U.S. cooled over the following three months. And given the magnitude of the sinkhole into which the North American industry was sucked over the past few years, it seems fair to ask: Are we really climbing out? And if so, what will we find once we’re back on our feet?

GETTING BETTER (*) We all know how the industry fell in in the first place.

Recession, bankruptcies, and a buying public that stopped buying caused North American sales to fall to less than nine million units, slightly more than one-half of the 14 million sales that, to that point, had always denoted a bad year. Even with such sales figures in mind, it’s easy to forget how dramatic the auto industry’s fall from grace was. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Big Three sold 90 per cent of America’s cars. But by 2008, GM, once Uncle Sam’s largest company, marked its 100th anniversary with no guarantee there would be a 101st. It survived in part through a government restructuring program that earned it the unflattering sobriquet “Government Motors”; Chrysler, meanwhile, needed an infusion of US$82 billion of government funds to recover.

So now, with combined sales for GM, Chrysler and the Ford Motor Co. up 15 per cent so far in 2011 — and adding in the indicators mentioned above — do industry insiders really believe the turnaround is here? “If you had asked me this question even 10 weeks ago, I would’ve said ‘Yes’ without reservation,” said a representative from one Southern Ontario auto parts molder. “I still believe the recovery is underway, but, given some of the recent economic bad news from the U.S. — such as the credit downgrade, rising unemployment, and generally low consumer confidence — I now have to put an asterisk beside my answer.”

It’s a pretty popular asterisk. “Overall, I’m cautiously optimistic about the state of the North American automotive industry,” said Scott Paradise, vice president of market and sales with Aurora, Ont.-

based Magna International Inc. “But although we’ve experienced positive signs in both production and sales, there are still many factors currently going on, both locally and globally, that have the ability to significantly alter our business environment one way or another.”

KNOWNS AND UNKNOWNS Those factors aren’t hard to pinpoint. In any conversation about the auto industry, the elephant in the room is the North American consumer and his/her very shaky confidence in the economy.

Continuing high gas prices will probably scare many consumers in the short-term, acting as an impediment to auto sales, but might actually be a long-term blessing by motivating people to change their behaviors and purchase more efficient vehicles — once pentup demand induces them to open their wallets again, that is. And for plastics processors, it gets better: Trends suggest that the market for fuel-efficient vehicles will be sparked as soon as improvement begins to show in the overall economy, and new and lighter plastic parts are an obvious means of gaining that fuel efficiency.

“In the last 10 years, we’ve seen a transition of components from all-steel to plastic-metal hybrids to all-plastic, which has resulted in part integration and mass reduction,” said Tom Pilette, Magna International’s vice president, product and process development.

“Lightweight energy management used in front-end systems is a great example of this material transition, and a good indication of plastics use in the future. Modular roof systems are also a high potential area with the replacement of glass with polycarbonate.”

But this might just prove a mixed blessing. While the metalto-plastic shift is good news for the industry as a whole, it won’t necessarily make life any easier for Canadian parts suppliers.

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automotive update

anything the automakers do to lighten vehi“Although there’s less competition in CanContinuing high gas cle weight has a benefit for plastics, giving ada after the recession and our dollar buys more, it’s still going to be difficult prices will probably scare us openings for new product technology.

We’re optimistic that, overall, this direcgoing forward to compete against the many consumers in the tion will have a very positive effect on productivity delta that the U.S. auto our business.” parts sector retains,” said Brad Wright, short-term, acting as an vice president at Toronto-based Innoimpediment to auto sales, THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME tech Precision Inc. Want an unmixed blessing? Consider A key struggle for North American supbut might actually be a the proposed rise in the CAFE (fuel pliers has always been to stay competilong-term blessing by emission) standards for new cars, accordtive against overseas parts makers. That ing to which the average mileage ratings isn’t changing, as China, India, Brazil and motivating people to for all cars sold in the U.S. by 2025 is Eastern Europe are expected to remain a expected to be more than 50 miles per galchange their behaviors focus for new production for global compalon, almost double the current industry stannies. But at the same time, Volkswagen AG is and purchase more readying production from its new plant in dard. No asterisk necessary here — molders of plastic parts are unanimously enthusiastic. efficient vehicles. Chattanooga, Tenn.; Nissan is expanding pro“Even if the standards get softened between now duction in Smyrna, Tenn., for its Leaf electric and 2025, meeting any conceivable CAFE level will vehicle; and — as mentioned above — Toyota is require a fundamental shift in the way cars are built and investing here in Canada. So while the global battle is far the materials that are used; automakers are going to be forced from over, there are signs that the odds are beginning to tip in to take out more and more vehicle weight in addition to improvfavor of the domestics. “Geographically, we’re seeing more foring engine performance,” said the representative from the eign investment coming into North America, which is a positive Southern Ontario auto parts molder. “As a plastics processor, sign for the whole industry,” said Magna’s Scott Paradise.

Positive sign or not, the future isn’t guaranteed, and parts suppliers in the post-recession world are going to have to take careful steps to stay alive. For some Tier Two and Tier Three suppliers, this means nurturing close relationships with suppliers beyond those working for the rejuvenated Big Three.

“We have tooling relationships with Toyota suppliers and would like to leverage these into component production in the near-future,” said Rudy Koehler, president of Innotech Precision. “Toyota has manufacturing operations in Canada and a good reputation in dealing with their Tier One suppliers, making them an attractive end-customer.”

For OEMs and Tier One suppliers, meanwhile, putting money into research and capital equipment for new applications will be the prime directive going forward. “We see areas of opportunity in driver-assistance solutions such as 360-degree camera vision systems, lane departure warnings, intelligent headlamps, and — most significantly — autonomous driving systems,” said Magna’s Tom Pilette. “These all represent significant opportunities for suppliers like Magna that have the technical capabilities and manufacturing knowhow to capitalize on them.”

Succeed or fail — and whether or not the turnaround accelerates or sputters to a halt — suppliers of all tiers will no doubt face a new landscape in the post-recession automotive world. The promise of new markets definitely beacons, and — who knows? — it just might be a marginally gentler, kinder business climate too. “My hunch is that the industry will be a healthier one for the suppliers that have survived,” said Rudy Koehler. “It took them a long time, but the automakers and OEMs appear to have realized that beating the supply base up on price isn’t in their best interest.”

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raw materials handling

SURGE BINS:

Hiding in

plain sight Surge bins are a little like the grinder on your favourite hockey team: all guts and no glory. Used as either stand-alone in-plant resin storage units or as integral parts of existing outdoor storage silos, the sad fact is they usually take a backseat to higher profile processing technologies. But if you’re consuming enough resin to keep your material handling crew scrambling and don’t yet have one, you probably should. Here’s a quick installation primer.

By Mark Stephen, editor

I

n a lot of bulk materials handling industries, surge bins have a bad reputation. Simply put, they’re trouble. They overfill, shutting down the feed conveyor or causing trucks to queue up.

They’re expensive to construct. They’re too high off the ground, leading to expensive structures and conveyor gantries. They’re too high off the ground, leading to dangers during construction and maintenance. Et cetera.

In plastics processing, however, surge bins — sometimes called surge hoppers or day-bins — aren’t nearly so problematic.

Just the opposite, in fact: They often go almost unnoticed — just

another piece of the raw materials handling system, and, to top it off, a technology to which (the story goes) no new developments are made, ever.

Okay, so surge bins in the plastics industry aren’t the towering, 2,000-ton monoliths you see at the coal mines. But they do have some key functions: They offer convenient storage of a variety of blended or virgin materials, and can be used as standalone in-plant storage systems or as an integral part of existing outdoor storage silos.

As the manufacturing economy seems to recover, and your

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raw materials handling

(Left) Surge bins positioned under blenders. Blended material is held in the bins until required by injection molding machines.

Photo Credit: The Conair Group

resin consumption rate hopefully begins ticking upwards, it might be time to add a surge bin to your facility, if you don’t have one already. Not sure if it’s for you? Here are some thoughts to keep in mind.

“Surge bins are primarily recommended for larger processors, whether they use a lot of the same type of resin or a variety of materials,” said Todd Reed, president of National Bulk Equipment Inc. “Processors who consume resin in smaller batches, or consume specialty resins, tend to use Gaylords or small tote bins.”

Within that subset of larger-scale processors, the need for a surge bin is generally driven by a combination of factors, chief among them a plant’s material consumption rate. While there isn’t a carved-in-stone consumption ratio to measure against, here’s a good rule of thumb: “If there are multiple materials in use and the material handler is getting overwhelmed trying to keep up with Gaylord traffic, it’s probably time to consider a surge bin,” said Jim Zinski, vice president, system design, with Navatec Inc. A second factor relates to the conveying distance from a silo or other resin source to a convenient location for distribution to other systems that need the material. To modify the old adage, length matters. “If the processing machines are close enough to the silos or source points, the resin can often be piped in directly without resorting to a surge bin,” Zinski continued. “When the distance from the silo to the point of use becomes great enough to cause excessively inefficient conveying requirements, installing an intermediate surge bin can be less expensive than increasing the overall conveying system to handle that distance.”

And let’s not forget climate — potentially a big deal in such northern regions as Canada, where surge bins afford processors the advantage of storing relatively large amounts of resin in the ambient temperature of their processing facilities. But there’s a catch. “If the environment is fairly dry, materials can remain in a surge bin for a long time without a problem,” said Doug Brewster, custom service manager with The Conair Group. “Sensitive materials, however, will oxidize if they aren’t stored in a sealed environment. And while surge bins generally have lid assemblies, they usually aren’t sealed and aren’t meant to be air-tight.”

SIZING IT UP If you’ve decided to take the purchasing plunge, how do you determine what size surge bin you need? Turns out, that’s a little like asking how long a piece of string should be. The accepted answer is to install a surge bin that’s larger than necessary. “It’s much less expensive to buy a larger surge bin today than to add additional capacity later on when your resin processing needs increase,” said Todd Reed. “Obviously, there are limits, though: With an elevated surge bin, the ceiling height in the factory dictates the maximum height of the bin

Photo Credit: National Bulk Equipment Inc.

YEA OR NAY?

Surge bins from National Bulk Equipment hold up to 290 cubic feet of material.

with a vacuum loader mounted on top.”

Here’s a recommended size-selection formula: “If a processor is using 2,500 lbs. of resin per hour, allow for at least one to two hours of surge capacity in the bin, which will give you time to make repairs to a pump, a loader, or to clean out a silo distribution box before the processing machines run out of material,” said Doug Brewster. “And if a processor is filling Gaylord boxes occasionally, allow for an additional 1,000 lbs. over and above the surge capacity.”

A factor that makes the selection process a little easier: “Surge bins are an established product, and the technology hasn’t been changed very much over the years,” said Todd Reed. “Exceptions are that the industry is adding features such as low-, mid- and high-level sensors that measure levels to prevent the bins from alarming for lack of material; angel hair traps to prevent clogging; and agitators to promote material flow and prevent bridging of non-free-flowing material above the pick-up point.”

INSTALLATION INFORMATION If you’re worried about incorporating the surge bin into your existing raw materials handling system, don’t be. Just keep a few things in mind. “When adding a surge bin, it’s important to remember that you’re now double-handling the material, and therefore have to double the process requirement of the conveying system,” said Jim Zinski. “The best installation tip I can give is to have the equipment supplier review the capacity of the new arrangement beforehand.”

There’s a rough rule of thumb for capacity, too. “The vacuum Continued on page 17 www.canplastics.com October 2011 Canadian Plastics 15

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Photo Credit: Novatec Inc.

raw materials handling

feed system should size at twice the maximum processing rate of the machines pulling from it,” said Doug Brewster.

“For example, a group of molding machines using 3,000 lbs. per hour of material, with an occasional Gaylord box-filling requirement of one to two boxes a day, should have a conveying system sized at 6,000 lbs. per hour feedNovatec’s MSB series ing the surge bin.” modular surge bin The actual physical holds up to 70 cubic installation process varies in feet of material. difficulty according to — what else? — the size of the bin. “One-piece surge bins are simple to install — just stand them up and bolt them to the floor,” Brewster continued. “The larger two-piece bins require additional assembly work.” Installation will get even more complex if a processor decides to gang three or four bins together in a row.

“This often involves having an OSHA-approved safety guard rail and toe-board assembly with mounted ladder and safety cage for access to the top of the bin for viewing or maintenance,” Brewster said.

Aside from factoring in capacity needs — and the usual allimportant avoidance of SNAFUs — the goal of a proper surge bin installation should be to maximize ceiling height and minimize footprint. And speaking of SNAFUs and ceiling heights, make sure you have enough of the latter when bringing in the bin. “Plan the access route through the facility ahead of time, to make certain the surge bin can fit through doorways and passageways,” said Jim Zinski. “It sounds obvious, but it’s a mistake that happens all the time.”

In the end, adding even the smallest surge bin to your material handling system can be complex, requiring careful calculation of throughput, conveying distances, and equipment specifications. It’s best to anticipate Murphy’s Law, and take advantage of the knowledge and experience of your equipment supplier. With their help, the installation — including, yes, getting it through the doorways — can be a smooth one, and the new unit can start fulfilling its prime directive: handling resin while hiding in plain sight.

CPL RESOURCE LIST The Conair Group (Cranberry Township, Pa.); www.conairgroup.com; 800-654-6661 Dier International Plastics Inc. (Markham, Ont.); 905-474-9874 The Turner Group (B.C. and Alberta) (Seattle, Wash.); 206-769-3707 National Bulk Equipment Inc. (Holland, Mich.); www.nbe-inc.com; 616-399-2220 Lutek Plastic Equipment Inc. (Dorval, Que.); Shaw Equipment Technologies (Vancouver, B.C.); 800-528-8011 Novatec Inc./Maguire Canada (Vaughan, Ont.); www.maguirecanada.com; 866-441-8409

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additives, fillers & colorants

The

colors & textures

2012 of

From foaming agents to process aids to longer lasting colors, materials suppliers are unleashing a wealth of new technologies to add value to your plastic parts.

By Mark Stephen, editor

FOAMING & REINFORCING AGENTS

Clariant Masterbatches’ recently unveiled the latest generation of Hydrocerol CFAs, which, when used in combination with its CESA-extend chain extending additive masterbatches, results in higher melt strength, a finer and more regular cell structure — with cells as small as 20 to 100 micrometers in diameter, compared to the 400 micrometers typical of first-generation foams — and a significantly smoother surface. The bottom-line benefit? “A homogeneous and stable foam structure leads to higher production rates, while foaming reduces material usage and costs,” said Steve Goldstein, the company’s director of technology.

“Although actual results can vary, internal trials at Clariant showed a weight reduction of 10 per cent for a typical 20 gram HDPE bottle.”

A new Hyperform HPR high performance reinforcing agent from Milliken & Company is said to yield finished parts with higher stiffness and impact resistance but lower weight than talc-filled parts. “It also has improved feeding and handling characteristics for compounders and yields whiter compounds, so users can cut back on color masterbatch,” said Adam Watson, Milliken’s product line manager. Hyperform HPR-803i is intended mainly for use in PP compounds, automobile

interior applications in particular. But other uses are being discovered. “Molding trials with a steam iron base plate showed HPR-803i increased productivity compared to a talc-filled compound and yielded parts with lower warpage,” Watson said. “Customers have also done successful trials with foam materials, extruded sheet, and extrusion blow molding applications.”

PHOTOVOLTAICS Drawn from its portfolio of high performance polymers, UV-resistant Rynite PET resins from DuPont Performance Polymers are designed to offer a good balance of properties for the cost-effective manufacturing of photovoltaic module frames and components.

Two specific grades are currently available from DuPont for these applications: Rynite 935SUV is a 35 per cent glass fibre/mineral-reinforced, UV-stabilized grade of PET suitable for injection molding; Rynite 540SUV is a 40 per cent glass fibre-reinforced, UVstabilized grade of PET suitable for extrusion and injection molding. Both grades combine high stiffness with low warpage and have been specifically developed for long-term outdoor applications such as frames, where resistance not only to UV but also heat, wind and significant loads of snow are make-or-break properties.

18 Canadian Plastics October 2011 www.canplastics.com

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additives, fillers & colorants

PROCESS AIDS BASF is launching a new high performance hydroxypropyl carbamate acrylate (HPCA), a crosslinking acrylate monomer that can shorten the processing time for the manufacture of carbamate-based polymers. “HPCA enables crosslinkable carbamate units to be incorporated into the polymer in just one step, rather than the usual two-step procedure,” said Dr. Boris Breitscheidel, BASF’s business manager, specialty monomers. “HPCA has already proven itself in clearcoat systems for the automotive industry, and due to its special chemical structure with the free carbamate group it offers additional potential for a range of applications in the future.” Such as? “One area would be adhesives,” he continued. “These can be hardened either thermally or using UV light. Here the free carbamate group can have a positive impact on both adhesion and cohesion, making it possible to improve adhesive properties.”

Ampacet DeNestur is a new de-nesting additive masterbatch designed to impart an easy-glide, anti-static, no-stick characteristic for improving molder/thermoformer production output efficiencies and material cost savings by eliminating build-up from the mold and machine surfaces. According to Ampacet, no secondary top-coat application is necessary with the DeNestur material; the result is friction reduction of up to 70 per cent for PP, PE and PET resins; from 25 per cent to 50 per cent lower force required for mold release and de-nesting; reduction in scratch depth of up to 50 per cent; and improvement of 10 per cent to 25 per cent in packing density. The masterbatch formula can be used in conjunction with white and black masterbatch and custom color formulations, and as a stand-alone additive with PP, PE and PET,

FLAME RETARDANTS There’s a change coming to the flame retardant (FR) world in the form of an impending market withdrawal of decabrome, the workhorse of brominated FRs. “Formulators have choices; many brominated FRs remain commercial without any environmental concerns, plus there are phosphorus- and nitrogen-containing products and metal hydroxides,” said Victor Satov, business development manager, polymer additives with Canada Colors and Chemicals. “The polymer additives unit of Canada Colors has a complete line of these FRs.” Another Canada Colors development: “Since antimony derivatives have always been subject to volatile pricing, the market has been actively seeking

ways to reduce its dependence on antimony trioxide,” Satov continued. “Besides establishing cost-effective adjustment to the primary FR package, Canada Colors is now marketing a partial substitute that has only recently come onto the market, and which offers significant savings.”

New from Great Lakes Solutions, a Chemtura business, is a line of brominated polymeric FRs designed to replace commonly-used FRs for expanded PS foam and extruded PS foam insulation. Emerald 1000, 2000 and 3000 additives are intended to offer an easy switch with minimal adjustments while maintaining comparable fire safety performance at similar load levels to other high efficiency brominated FRs being used in these applications today. The Emerald 1000 additive is meant to be a drop-in replacement for decaBDE FRs in PS, PO, ABS and PET resins, with little to no reformulation or process change required.

Emerald 3000, a high molecular weight additive, was licensed to Great Lakes by Dow Global Technologies in March 2011.

PIGMENTS & COLORANTS

Here’s some good news for manufacturers of medical devices and packaging who choose newer plastic materials like Eastman Tritan co-polyester and Topas cyclic olefin copolymer (COC): you now have readily available color options that are pre-tested and compliant with key standards governing materials used in medical and pharmaceutical applications. Available under the new Clariant Masterbatches brand name Mevopur, both Topas COC and new grades of Tritan resins are being widely considered as substitutes for glass and PC in medical device and pharmaceutical packaging applications. “No dyes are used in the Mevopur additives, eliminating the risk of color migrating to the surface of molded products,” said Steve GoldPhoto Credit: Clariant Masterbatches stein. “Masterbatches and precolored compounds for Tritan co-polyester are available in both translucent and opaque formulations.”

The Shepherd Color Company recently introduced Orange 10P320, designed to bridge the color space between conventional titanates like the company’s Yellow 10P270 and lead-and chromebased pigments. Intended for plastic applications where low heat build-up and/or good durability are required, Orange 10P320 is said to be insoluble in virtually all solvents and resins, and won’t bleed or migrate.

“Orange 10P320 makes an excellent The improved CFA technology in Clariant’s new choice to blend with organic pigments to Hydrocerol masterbatches makes it possible to provide opacity without losing chroma achieve a highly uniform structure of cells as small as compared to adding titanium dioxas 20 to 100 micrometers in diameter. ide,” the company said. www.canplastics.com October 2011 Canadian Plastics 19

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BIOPOLYMERS & ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS Arkema Inc.’s new Plexiglas Rnew is a sustainable, bio-based acrylic resin intended for use in transparent disposable medical devices like diagnostics, lab ware, fluid suction, reservoir and fluid collection apparatus. Based on a blend with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) that incorporates high levels of carbon from

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renewable resources, Rnew is said to offer good optical transparency, featuring a light transmittance near 92 per cent for better fluids visualization; and good gamma sterilization resistance, with no significant discoloration after exposure to 40K grey gamma radiation. The resin offers increased toughness and impact resistance compared to traditional standard acrylic grades, and has superior shear-thinning properties, making it a good option for both thin-wall applications and complex multi-cavity molds.

New RENOL-compostable color masterbatches and CESA-compostable additive masterbatches from Clariant incorporate conventional (non-natural) additives and pigments in a biopolymer carrier resin, and are being offered for companies looking to expand their use of naturally-derived and compostable plastics like PLA and Novamont’s Mater-Bi biopolymers. “Until recently, companies developing products from biopolymers had to choose between accepting the limited range of expensive all-natural colors or compromising on environmental friendliness by using conventional pigments and functional ingredients,” said Steve Goldstein. “Our compostable masterbatches give them another choice; and while the RENOL and CESA materials may incorporate conventional colorants and additives, they’ve been formulated so that, post-use, nothing is left behind that doesn’t meet the standards for a compostable product.”

PolyOne Corporation’s new WithStand antimicrobial additive technology is designed to make it easy for processors to impart antimicrobial characteristics to Class I, II, and III medical devices, medical packaging, and other healthcare applications. “WithStand additives can be custom formulated with both organic and inorganic technologies that inhibit the growth of microbe strains, and the WithStand solutions program includes assistance with additive choice and dosage, process and specification development, and efficacy testing and claims

development to help simplify the regulatory maze that customers have to navigate,” said Larry Johnson, PolyOne’s global healthcare marketing director.

“Available as a stand-alone additive concentrate or a built-in component, WithStand technology performs across a variety of resin types ranging from high-end engineered thermoplastics to vinyl compounds and TPEs.” CPL

Photo Credit: thinkstockphotos.com

Speaking of orange, Steve Latour, a sales representative with Colorex Inc., identified it as one of the hot colors of 2011. “We’re seeing a trend for earth colors lately, such as burnt orange, forest green, and terracotta,” he said. “In addition to these, we’re making available pigment lines that satisfy packager demands for special effects, like pearlescent, metallic, fluorescent, or a matte finish — anything that adds value to the final product.

With many companies using just-in-time management, they expect demanding colors right away, and we specialize in small and medium quantities for them.”

Not just another goldfish, this is the Shepherd Color Company’s new Orange 10P320, designed to bridge the gap between conventional colors — and also put smiles on the faces of NDP supporters.

RESOURCE LIST Ampacet Canada Co. (Kitchener, Ont.); www.ampacet.com; 800-265-6711 Arkema Inc. (Oakville, Ont.); www.arkema-inc.com; 800-567-5726 BASF Canada (Toronto); www.plasticsportal.com; 800-267-2955 Bayer Inc. – Bayer MaterialScience LLP (Toronto); www.bayer.ca; 866-770-1102 CCC Plastics — Canada Colors and Chemicals Ltd. (Mississauga, Ont.); www.cccplastics.com; 800-361-3192 Colorex Inc. (Granby, Que.); www.colorex.qc.ca; 450-777-5565 Great Lakes Solutions (West Lafayette, Ind.); www.greatlakes.com; 800-428-7947 Clariant Masterbatches Division (Toronto); www.clariant.masterbatches.com; 800-265-3773 Clariant Canada Inc. Pigments & Additives Division (Markham, Ont.); www.pa.clariant.com; 888-666-6485 E.I. DuPont Company (Mississauga, Ont.); www.plastics.dupont.com; 800-387-2122 Milliken Chemical (Spartanburg, S.C.); www.millikenchemical.com; 864-503-6149 PolyOne Distribution Canada Ltd. (Mississauga, Ont.); www.polyone.com; 888-394-2662 Shepherd Color Company (Cincinnati, Ohio); www.shepherdcolor.com; 513-874-0714

20 Canadian Plastics October 2011 www.canplastics.com

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New 2011 Sept RESIN CONFAd

8/12/11

11:20 AM

Page 1

Resin supply, demand and pricing forecasts

ON TARGET! Since resin accounts for up to two-thirds of your manufacturing cost,

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BONUS: Plastics processors registered for the conference may attend, at no extra charge, a workshop on the afternoon of Oct. 5 on “How to Negotiate the Best Deal for Your Resin Purchases”.

Investment per person: $395 until Aug. 31; $495 after Aug. 31 Group registration: 50% discount for second and subsequent attendees from the same company.

Organized by Canadian Plastics magazine. Endorsed by the Canadian Plastics Industry Association A limited number of sponsorships and tabletop displays are still available.

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CPL Oct11 p21 Resin Conference AD.indd 21

21/09/11 9:29 AM

technology showcase

AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT

controller; NEMA-rated electrical enclosure with safety door disconnect switch; expansion/fill tank; UL 508A-labelled electrical sub-panel; and NFPA 79 electrical safety standards.

Mokon (Buffalo, N.Y.); www.mokon.com; 716-876-9951 En-Plas Inc. (Toronto); 416-286-3030

Mokon has expanded its line of HTF 350 series heat transfer fluid systems to offer customers a wide range of heating capacities for controlling process temperatures up to 350°F, with both heating and combined heating/cooling units with capacities ranging from 3 kW to 24 kW. The HTF 350 Series features a small footprint and design, ideal for process applications where space is limited and continuous temperature control is required. Mokon offers three system configurations, each available with five and 10 GPM flow rates: heating only provides up to 24 kW of heating capacity and will heat the process automatically upon demand; cooling only includes a heat exchanger that matches the amount of heat to be systematically removed from the process; finally, heating and cooling combines both for total temperature control of the process.

Standard features include a high-efficiency gear pump; insulated, energy-efficient heater manifold; microprocessor-based

Small, fully-integrating temperature controller

Expanded series of heat transfer oil systems

Wittmann’s new Tempro Plus D Micro temperature controller is designed for full integration with the company’s MicroPower injection molding machine, to widen the product range towards smaller injection molding machines and also be suitable for molds weighing up to 600 kg.

The Tempro Plus D Micro features low dimensions of 584 mm by 265 mm by 607 mm, allowing for direct installation in the inside bottom of the MicroPower machine to save floor space and reduce the overall footprint of the system.

The Tempro Plus D Micro in available in three different designs, for process temperatures of up to 100°C, 140°C and 160°C, the latter with a maintenance-free, magnetically-coupled pump. In each, the system pressure is first measured, and then controlled above the saturation pressure that’s subject to the water temperature. This approach guarantees the cavitation-free operation of the pump, contributing to a longer life cycle. The closed construction affords unlimited mold-discharging volume, because the mold water is delivered into the return line, not into the heat exchanger.

Wittmann Canada Inc. (Richmond Hill, Ont.); www.wittmann-canada.com; 866-466-8266

Seal for leak-free processing of low-viscosity materials PSI-Polymer Systems Inc. is introducing an all-new seal for their piston-type screen changers and divert valves, designed for leak-free processing of low-viscosity materials.

The unit handles hot-melt adhesives and cleaning solvents such as, but not limited to, acetone, toluene, hexane, and heptane. The new seal is capable of operating at temperatures up to 520°F. All PSI machinery and equipment is designed and manufactured in the U.S. to ISO-9002 standards.

PSI-Polymer Systems Inc. (Conover, N.C.); www.psi-polymersystems.com; 828-468-2600 Extrusion Systems Inc. (Markham, Ont.); 905-474-1896 22 Canadian Plastics October 2011 www.canplastics.com

CPL Oct11 p22-28 Tech ShowFINAL.indd 22

21/09/11 10:55 AM

Class is in session…

THe BasiCs oF PlasTiCs

A full-day workshop on the essentials of plastics processing.

An ideal introduction if you’re new to the industry or would like a refresher.

Instructor Paul Waller, President of PlasticsTouchpoint, has over 30 years plastics industry experience and is a member of SPE Ontario board of directors. He has taught plastics processing seminars to companies around the world. The workshop covers:

Plastics industry expert Paul Waller, P.Eng., MBA

Plastics industry overview • Injection Molding • Extrusion • Blow Molding • Rotational Molding • Composites • Fabrication & Decorating • Biopolymers • Recycling & Sustainability Wednesday, November 23 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning 203 Humber College Blvd (Hwy 27 & Finch Ave) Toronto, M9W 5L7

Cost: $199, including lunch and a course manual Organized by:

CanadianPlastics Check www.canplastics.com for detailed information and registration, or call 416-510-6867

CPL Oct11 p23 Basics ofPlastics AD.indd 23

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technology showcase

Digital ink jet program

CONVEYING EQUIPMENT

Almost six years in the making, the Digital Ink Jet system from Pad Print Machinery of Vermont is capable of printing eight colors on up to three differently-sized bottles at 16 inches per second, in a single pass.

Configurable to meet the customer’s specific applications and product handling requirements, the product has a programmable touchscreen control, inline conveyor system, vision sensing with product orientation, and an inline UV curing station.

Pad Print Machinery of Vermont (East Dorset, Vt.); www.padprintmachinery.com; 800-272-7764

The easy-to-use, entry-level FLX material handling control system from The Conair Group is now available in a new larger configuration to serve up to 64 loaders and 20 vacuum conveying pumps — a top-end capacity double that of the original FLX system.

The system includes such high-level functions as multi-source/ multi-destination loading, purge, ratio-loading, ratio-loading with purge, reverse conveying for regrind recovery, loader fill sensing, output sharing between FLX control panels, and Ethernet communication.

The PLC-based system has a 5.6-inch color touch-

plastics data file

Improved material handling system conveys more

Get free information from the companies that interest you most.

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Wittmann Innovations

Drum Tumblers

Innovations — Wittmann’s quarterly newsletter — offers plastics processors detailed insight into ways to improve their businesses with news and application stories covering Robots and Automation, IML, Injection Molding Machinery, Material Conveying, Drying and Blending, Granulation and Temperature Control. It is available in print and on-line.

Wittmann Canada Inc., 35 Leek Crescent Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4C2 Tel: 1-888-466-8266 www.wittmann-canada.com

IMS’ material mixing drum tumblers easily blend your material while saving time, labor and money. Now easily convertible from single to double tumblers to maximize efficiency while maintaining the high quality construction and components at affordable prices you have grown accustomed to from IMS. IMS Industrial Molding Supplies 10373 Stafford Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023-5296; Tel. 1-800-537-5375 www.imscompany.com/CPTumblers.htm

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AceTRONIC Automatisation S.A.B. Inc. Better Than Products Bohler Uddeholm Canadian Plastics Basics of Plastics Workshop Canadian Plastics CanPlastics TV videos Canadian Plastics Resin Outlook Conference Colorex Conair Lorenz Conveying Products Maag Niigon Technologies Ltd. PCS Company Piovan Canada Plastics Process Equipment, Inc. Slide Products SPE Ontario The Sheppard Color Company Vortex Valves Wittmann Canada Inc.

7 17 25 16 23 26 21 12 OBC 30 25 27 9 2 31 6 20 22 5 13

800-803-8871 450-652-9767 905-669-6184 800-665-8335 416-510-5116

416-510-5116 450-777-5565 724-584-5500 800-263-1942 704-716-9000 705-375-0770 800-521-0546 905-629-8822 800-362-0706 800-323-6433

513-874-0714 785-825-7177 888-466-8266

sales@acetronic.com info@sabgroupe.com bweitzman@betterthanproducts.com info@bucanada.ca jnancekivell@canplastics.com

jnancekivell@canplastics.com info@colorex.qc.ca

sales@lorenz.ca maagamericas@maag.com sales@niigon.com sales@pcs-company.com trodrigues@piovan.ca sales@ppe.com info@slideproducts.com

salesusa@sheppardcolor.com rbarragree@vortexvalves.com info@wittmann-canada.com

www.acetronic.com www.automatisationsab.com www.betterthanproducts.com www.bucanada.ca www.canplastics.com www.canplastics.com www.canplastics.com/conference/ www.colorex.qc.ca www.conairgroup.com www.lorenz.ca www.maag.com www.niigon.com www.pcs-company.com www.piovan.com www.ppe.com www.slideproducts.com http://speontario.com/ www.sheppardcolor.com www.vortexcanada.com www.wittmann-canada.com

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technology showcase screen operator interface on the central control box. The graphical display is easy to read, easy to use, and requires minimal, if any, operator training. Color-coded icons let operators know the status of connected equipment at a glance. Any interruptions to optimum processing are clearly signalled for fast resolution.

Alarms can be programmed as active (disabling the device being alarmed) or passive, allowing operation to continue until maintenance staff can identify the problem. Built-in “Help” screens simplify troubleshooting.

The Conair Group (Cranberry Township, Pa.); www.conairgroup.com; 800-654-6661 Dier International Plastics Inc. (Markham, Ont.); 905-474-9874 The Turner Group (B.C. and Alberta) (Seattle, Wash.); 206-769-3707

Square, inline traps remove angel hair

A series of angel hair traps from Lorenz Conveying Products are designed to quickly remove the angel hairs, streamers and snake skins that are alltoo-common when conveying plastic material.

Square angel hair traps mount at the base of the silo

Proven Extrusion Solutions Maag is a leading supplier of continuous and discontinuous screen changers, melt pumps, static mixers, pelletizers, and systems comprised of these and other components.

We have over 30 years’ application experience in the extrusion industry and our products are known for their world class technology.

You can reduce energy and resin costs, and improve product quality. Call us to learn more.

Maag Automatik, Charlotte, NC 704-716-9000 MaagAmericas@maag.com www.maag.com Americas Switzerland France Germany Italy China Singapore

or storage bin. Manufactured from aluminum, with a standard 16-inch square bolt pattern, they fit directly onto the Lorenz probe box and Lorenz maintenance gate or silo/hopper shut-off.

Inline angel hair traps mount in the material stream to collect the angel hair while allowing the pellets to pass through.

Inline traps come standard with a clear viewing cover for level indication.

Both models have easily-removable screens.

Lorenz Conveying Products (Cobourg, Ont.); www.lorenz.ca; 905-372-2240

Angled belt conveyors meet any need Shini Technologies Inc., under license from Italy-based Virginio Nastri, is now manufacturing their full range of angled belt conveyors, designed to meet any heavy-duty application.

Available in Canada through Hamilton Plastic Systems Ltd., each conveyor comes standard with a bonded PVC cleated belt, variable speed drive (up to 19 feet per minute), heavy-duty wheeled stand that adjusts both height and angle of

Mould & Die Cleaner A versatile product that removes resin residues, oil, grease and wax build-up.

Silicone Mould Release Formulated to help release moulded parts faster.

Non-Silicone Mould Release Formulated to help release moulded parts in applications where silicone-based Mould Release cannot be used.

Paintable Mould Release Formulated to help release moulded parts that need to be decorated after moulding.

Rust Inhibitor A true penetration oil that will seek and creep itself into every nook and cranny.

Demoisturizing Lube Provides long lasting protection to metal moulds against corrosion and rust Stainless Steel Cleaner Cleans, shines and protects stainless steel as well as chrome, laminated plastic, ceramic and enamel Food Grade Silicone For use in food and industrial plants to stop squeaks, prevent sticking and corrosion and protect rubber mouldings and weather stripping Chromex 500 Removes synthetic remains in the extruder and die tooling when working with thermoplastics

Distributors welcome.

Minimum order of 5 cases.

For more information or samples, please call Bernie Weitzman.

Better Than Products, PO Box # 89, Vaughan, Ontario L4K 1Y8 Canada Phone: 905-669-9855 Fax: 905-669-6184 www.betterthanproducts.com www.canplastics.com October 2011 Canadian Plastics 25

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the conveyor, four-inch side walls with drop area of six-inch side walls, lockable casters, and powder-coated paint finish.

Hamilton Plastic Systems Ltd. (Mississauga, Ont.); www.hamiltonplasticsystems.com; 800-590-5546

Emptying bins without downtime

Maguire Products, Inc. has eliminated downtime for changing from an empty bulk resin box to a full box through a dual control system for its Sweeper, a device that completely empties containers without wasting operator time or resorting to cumbersome box tilters.

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The Sweeper can be supplied in a size that accommodates European-style octobins, which hold 1,000 kg of resin. Maguire also now offers its original model, sized for Gaylord boxes that hold 450 kg to 680 kg (1,000 lbs. to 1,500 lbs.), in two versions that accommodate vacuum line hoses with 1.5 inch and 2.5 inch (38 mm and 64 mm) diameters, respectively.

The new system has a dual control that automatically switches from a Sweeper in an empty box to a second Sweeper in an adjacent full one; the Sweepers are interconnected by means of a diverter valve.

Once the switch takes place, the operator can replace the empty box without an interruption in the transfer of resin to the processing machine or dryer.

While the Sweeper normally operates only when the vacuum loading system is pulling material, the dual control can be set to delay the switch from one Sweeper to the alternate between loader cycles, allowing continued removal of resin until the Gaylord or octobin is empty. An automatic switch to the alternate Sweeper prevents a stoppage in the flow of resin to the loader. In the event that there is no material in the alternate box, the control system will alarm, alerting the operator.

Maguire Canada (Vaughan, Ont.); www.maguirecanada.com; 866-441-8409

INJECTION MOLDING

Documentation for automotive, medical parts production

These 5-minute information packed videos are produced by the editors of Canadian Plastics. To view them, go to our web site,

www.canplastics.com and look in the upper right corner of our home page.

SponSored by:

For injection molders looking to get into automotive parts and/or medical parts manufacturing, there’s a hurdle: these industries are regulated by standards, guidelines and laws governing the design, traceability and accurate documentation

of production lines and processes, as well as proof of conformity to regulations.

As a new service from Engel, Ever-Q documentation ensures that all machine parameters — from the barrel temperature to the clamping force, injection speed and holding pressure to repeatability of the cycle time — conform to the required specifications.

At a low price, an Engel technician will perform over 20 series of measurements using independent calibrated devices, log the results, and ensure that any deviations are within the acceptable tolerances.

Engel Canada Inc. (Guelph, Ont.); www.engelglobal.com/na; 519-836-0220

MOLD TECHNOLOGY

Machining centre saves time, money Makino’s new PS series vertical machining centres are designed to offer a reduction in cycle time, increased productivity, improved quality, and minimization of capital investment.

Featuring a field-proven design with key technologies from several of Makino’s most reliable production machines, the unit’s rigid construction, thermal stability and versatile spindle are wellsuited for a variety of applications, including automotive, aerospace, medical and other small-component manufacturing applications.

The PS series is available in two models: the PS65 and PS95. The smaller PS65 features X-, Y- and Z-axis travels of 26 inches, 20 inches and 18.1 inches, respectively; a 36.2-inch by 20-inch table; and a maximum workload of 1,323 lbs. The larger PS95 features X-, Y- and Z-axis travels of 36.2 inches, 20 inches and 18.1 inches, respectively; a 46-inch by 20-inch table; and a maximum workload of 1,763 lbs.

Designed for flexibility and high productivity, the PS series’ standard 14,000-

26 Canadian Plastics October 2011 www.canplastics.com

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rpm CAT40 spindle (HSK-A63 optional) offers a good blend of speed, torque and horsepower.

Makino USA Inc. (Mason, Ohio); www.makino.com; 800-552-3288 Single Source Technologies — Canada (Mississauga, Ont.); 905-565-6886 (St. Laurent, Que.); 514-333-5793

HOT RUNNERS Pre-wired unitized systems DME Company now offers two new pre-wired and pre-assembled hot runner solutions for both the Stellar and Galaxy lines, specifically designed for customers who want a pre-wired manifold system without plates.

Unitized hot runners are available for both open gate and valve gate systems.

All heating and sensing elements are prewired for reduced setup time and simplified installation.

Unitized Galaxy hot runner systems are available with standard Galaxy nozzle lengths and tips, and are designed for a wide range of applications, such as caps and closures, cosmetic packaging, cutlery, and small medical, electronic and automotive parts. Advantages include minimal gate vestige and good gate cosmetics, design flexibility through modular nozzles, and more parts per cycle through a compact form factor for close centre-to-centre dimensions.

DME Molding Supplies (Mississauga, Ont.); www.dme.net; 888-808-0706

MATERIALS

Improved appearance in automotive parts ExxonMobil Chemical Company has introduced Santoprene 121-XXM200 TPV high flow thermo­plastic vulcan­izate (TPV) grades for automotive parts requiring improved appearance and easier processing, such as glass-encapsulated weatherseals for quarter lights and side-fixed glass applications.

Santoprene 121XXM200 TPV grades exhibit a low dynamic viscosity, resulting in enhanced flow over a wide range of shear to produce molded seals with superior surface appearance and no flow marks.

Processability is improved as the injection pressure can be reduced by between 30 per cent and 40 percent, injection temperatures can be lowered by 10°C (50°F), and shorter cycle times are possible, depending on part size and wall thickness. This may lead to sustainability benefits through less glass breakage and lower energy consumption, along with the fact that TPVs are also fully recyclable. In addition, cost savings are possible due to simplified processing and reduced cycle times.

ExxonMobil Chemical Company (Houston, Tex.); www.exxonmobilchemical.com; 281-870-6050

Rigid vinyl compounds satisfy wide range of standards A new range of Apex rigid vinyl compounds from Teknor Apex Company are suitable for a wide variety of end uses and codes and standards requirements, including profile and sheet extrusion grades for interior and exterior applications, injection molding compounds, and formulations for

injection and extrusion blow molding.

The Apex compounds are available in natural, clear, and a wide range of custom color formulations.

Special formulations available include filled, flame retardant, low-smoke plenum, medical- and food-grade, gamma-stable, potable water, high gloss, matte finish, and a variety of standard-, medium-, and high-impact grades.

Teknor Apex Company (Pawtucket, R.I.); www.teknorapex.com; 800-556-3864

AUTOMATED CONTRACT INJECTION MOLDING

Lights out up to 200 tons

Phone: (705) 375-0770 Email: sales@niigon.com

www.niigon.com www.canplastics.com October 2011 Canadian Plastics 27

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TESTING EQUIPMENT

Oven temperature recorder handles curing process New from BYK-Gardner USA, the TemGard oven temperature recorder is designed to make documentation and analysis of temperature profiles easy by measuring and saving the object and air temperature during the curing process.

The Temp-Gard data logger comes in two configurations of six or 12 temperature probe connections. The data logger has an innovative design with a large color graph-

ics display, and USB memory stick connection for easy data transfer.

Standard features include USB memory stick interface that provides easy data transfer for in-the-field or in-plant locations; long battery life using two standard AA alkaline batteries; large color screen for numerical or graphical display of data; robust thermal barrier made of stainless steel with safe high-temperature insulation; high accuracy that guarantees long-term reliable results; and an easy-to-carry thermal barrier.

BYK-Gardner USA (Columbia, Md.); www.byk.com; 800-343-7721

classified ads MATERIALS

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

When purchasing your next Chilling System

CHECK US OUT! Plant wide chilling systems complete with pumping packages, filtration, system design incorporating existing equipment, installation and start-up.

Portable chillers air and water cooled with load sizing and chiller selection, double pumps, water by-pass valves and motorized valves for precise temperature control.

www.temperaturecorporation.com

877-513-8310

INJECTION MOLDER

To place your classified ad here, contact: Brayden Ford, Advertising Sales Representative 416-510-5124 or bford@canplastics.com 28 Canadian Plastics October 2011 www.canplastics.com

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design ideas • blowin’ in the wind

A quieter wind tunnel

Golf ball handles tricky winds It’s something that we duffers have been waiting our whole lives for: a golf ball core that adds distance, straightens shots and improves control.

Four years in the making, the new Nike 20XI golf ball is the result of a partnership between the sporting goods mega-giant and DuPont. The design replaces rubber cores with a highly engineered DuPont thermoplastic resin developed specifically for use in golf balls.

Based on DuPont’s HPF advanced ionomer technology, the new HPF resins are designed to combine the high resilience and low compression of thermoset polybutadiene rubbers while remaining thermoplastic, and to be injection moldable into any layer of the golf ball core.

“Injection moldable HPF high-performance resins are homogeneous, allowing for more consistency and targeted performance from each thermoplastic layer,” said William J. Harvey, president of DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers. “Also, since these materials are lighter than the typical thermoset polybutadiene rubber used in golf ball cores, weight can be more easily shifted around with multilayer core technology, further enhancing the performance window for a new generation of golf ball designs.”

Presently, two grades are available: HPF 1000 is targeted for high-performance mantles, and HPF 2000 is intended for multilayer core applications.

Editor’s note: Somebody order a few hundred for Tiger, quick!

E.I. DuPont Company (Mississauga, Ont.); www.plastics.dupont.com; 800-387-2122

Question: If an acoustic emission happens and no one hears it, does it still make a sound?

Answer: Thanks to Basotect melamine resin foam from BASF, they’ll always hear it — “They” being, in this case, researchers at the Institute of Aerodynamics and Gas Dynamics at the University of Stuttgart, Germany.

The researchers had hoped to use the Institute’s wind laminar tunnel to test components of aircraft wings or wind turbines. Approximately 45 metres in length, the wind tunnel sucks in air from the outside and speeds it up at the entry part of the wind tunnel, creating air streams against which a component’s aerodynamic performance could be measured. Problem was, the blower system generated noise that spread through the measurement section and interfered with the measuring.

The solution was to acoustically retrofit the tunnel, but this meant finding an insulation material that combined good sound absorption with strength and flexible processing capacities. The researches hit on their solution with the Basotect material, which was custommolded for this application by Germany-based WKT-Produktion. “Due to its open-cell, fine foam structure, Basotect melamine resin shows very good sound absorption in the medium and high frequency ranges,” BASF said. “Also, the flexible material can easily fit different shapes and is free of fibres when cut, allowing absorption panels of different thicknesses to fit snugly against the conical walls of the wind tunnel.”

BASF Canada (Mississauga, Ont.); www.basf.ca; 866-485-2273

Small wind turbines, big output The business of manufacturing and installing small wind turbines is recording double-digit growth rates in two areas in particular: developed countries, where they’re being used in the development of smart grids with decentralized energy generation; and developing countries and emerging markets, where they’re preferred in regions without electricity supplies and as a substitute for small power plants.

With an eye towards both markets, Spanish research and development company Kliux Energies-Geolica Innovations SL recently introduced a new wind turbine system with a twist: special rotors positioned vertically so they’re always facing the wind.

Not surprisingly, there’s a lot riding on the rotors in this application — they have to offer the right balance of strength and light weight. Convinced that it satisfied both requirements, Kliux Energies selected Baydur polyurethane, from Bayer MaterialScience, as the material for the blades.

Molded by Barcelona-based plastics processor Policam, the turbines are described by Kliux Energies as very efficient, generating electricity from wind speeds of just four metres per second. The energy produced can either be stored in batteries until it’s needed or fed directly into an existing grid. The system has a nominal output of four kW, which covers the average power consumption of a detached house.

Bayer Inc. — Div. Of Bayer AG (Toronto); www.bayer.ca; 800-622-2937 www.canplastics.com October 2011 Canadian Plastics 29

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view from the floor

Wanna take you higher

By Jim Anderton, technical editor

L

et’s conduct an experiment: The next time you’re out on your production floor, take a look up over your presses or extruders. What do you see? If your facility is like most, the answer is “air.” Lots of it.

Why so much nothingness? Because most manufacturing operations constructed in the last 40 years or so took advantage of cheap suburban industrial land and simply sprawled to accommodate lines.

But it wasn’t always thus. There was a time before widespread injection molding when factories were vertical, occupying multiple floors.

I recall touring a textile plant as a kid and marvelling at how semi-finished goods dropped down chutes from department to department until completed garments were shipped out on the bottom floor. The system used gravity as a free conveyor.

Now imagine a world in which the injection molding machine has been reinvented to be vertical. Vertical

For complete product information Call Toll Free: Canada 1-800-263-1942 U.S.A. 1-800-263-7782 or VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY!

www.lorenz.ca

machines exist in our own world, of course, but I mean really big L/D presses that stand maybe five meters high.

The floor footprint of a big vertical could be 25 per cent or less than a horizontal machine, and the mold opening could be accessed from four sides. Theoretically, you could also degate, assemble and/or pick from one side and load from another with easy access to the mold. Also, pulling a screw would be safer, since it would be suspended vertically, and screws could be handled with a trolley crane system and stored in an overhead “cassette” for quick changeover. Use a mezzanine at the upper level and you could move Gaylords of resin to the side of the press easily, without disturbing the flow of molded parts below.

The best part? The overhead space is already there for most of us, unused and threatening to get larger as warehousing/shipping departments rack in higher tiers to free up floor space. Rarely do you see a “high bay” in a modern plant; it’s almost as cheap to “super size” the whole structure and boost resale/re-leasing opportunities when you move.

Of course, the blown film community knows all about the big production/small area philosophy, because the nature of blown film — i.e. it’s hard to blow a symmetrical bubble sideways — means that they’re stuck with tall equipment.

But they’ve turned this into an asset; the next time you’re around one, check out the impressive throughput from a given amount of floor space.

And there are other advantages to going higher. A multitier production floor allows power distribution to be optimized vertically. Heavy current for all-electric or hybrid machines, for example, could be restricted to the upper level, with moderate load devices like robotics, conveyors and chillers placed on the “second floor” for lower installation and retrofit costs. Similarly, linear resin conveying distances could be minimized, along with shorter and more energy-efficient bulk line runs.

This system also segregates inputs like resin from outputs like molded parts, leaving the production engineer room to modify downstream ops for some serious speed.

The split-level approach also allows different climate control setups for each level. Need dust-free, humidity-controlledair for a finishing process? Instead of building a separate area, you can simply drop the product from hot and noisy upstairs to cleaner conditions below.

This could all be dismissed as wishful thinking but for one thing: it was done with great success for no less than half of the Industrial Revolution. The main reason you don’t see it in urban Canada anymore is because those multi-floor industrial buildings are very popular among the young and hip as loft spaces. It’s a sad sign of the times: We’ll live in vertical factories, but not make money in them.

CPL

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MOLECULAR SIEVE DESICCANT HIGHEST QUALITY – TWO TYPES – TWO SIZES GUARANTEED TO BE PURE – CLEAN – FRESH MOLECULAR SIEVE DESICCANT Desiccant dryer manufacturers recommend changing your FRESH DESICCANT HELPS desiccant tanks or beds periodically to assure optimum ACHIEVE LOWER DEW POINTS! performance of your desiccant drying units.

PPE supplies both types 13X and 4A molecular sieve desiccant in two bead sizes. Due to the various designs of desiccant plastic material dryers, you must replace your bed material with the same type and size that was supplied with your dryer.

Molecular sieve desiccant type 13X has a 12% higher moisture absorption capacity and a larger pore size than type 4A. The larger pores allow it to absorb moisture faster and also absorb larger molecules of moisture as well. Depending on the quantity and type of molecules present, these could react on the surface of the 13X during regeneration and not come off, thus reducing its capacity to function over time. Type 13X is more subject to contamination which in time renders it ineffective.

Because of type 4A’s smaller pore size, it is less subject to 4A 1/8” 4A 1/16” 13X 1/8” 13X 1/16” contamination. However, because of its lower absorption capacity and smaller pore openings, the rate at which it absorbs ALWAYS KEEP YOUR AIR INLET FILTERS CLEAN! moisture will be lower than with type 13X. Another factor to consider is the bead size. Small beads (8x12 mesh) have a faster rate of water absorption, but they are more dense and cause a higher pressure drop than the larger (4x8 mesh) beads. Always specify the correct type and size molecular sieve desiccant. If you don’t know which type of sieve your dryer was designed to use, contact your dryer manufacturer for their recommendation and then call PPE to place your order.

SOLD IN FACTORY-SEALED CONTAINERS TO STAY FRESH AND DRY!

Avoids excess moisture or contamination.

The best drying temperature range for desiccant bead regeneration is 400° to 600°F. Do not exceed 1000°F.

— DESICCANT — If the smaller diameter bead size passes through your dryer holding tank screen we suggest you consider installing a stainless steel screen of slightly smaller mesh size in your cannister bottom.

NEW LOWER PRICES!

TYPE 4A DESICCANT BEAD SIZE

MESH SIZE

1/8”

4x8

Size varies .098 to .177 dia.

1/16”

8 x 12

Size varies .059 to .098 dia.

TYPE 13X

CONTAINER SIZE 30 lbs.

110 lbs.

300 lbs.

30 lbs.

110 lbs.

300 lbs.

MESH SIZE

1/8”

4x8

Size varies .098 to .177 dia.

8 x 12

Size varies .059 to .098 dia.

PRICE PER CONTAINER 1 CONTAINER 2 OR MORE $87.50 ($2.92 lb.) $83.00 ($2.77 $299.00 ($2.72 lb.) $284.00 ($2.58 $760.00 ($2.53 lb.) $725.00 ($2.42 $87.50 ($2.92 lb.) $83.00 ($2.77 $299.00 ($2.72 lb.) $284.00 ($2.58 $760.00 ($2.53 lb.) $725.00 ($2.42

lb.) lb.) lb.) lb.) lb.) lb.)

MIX OR MATCH FOR QUANTITY PRICE BREAKS

DESICCANT

BEAD SIZE

1/16”

PPE PART NUMBER MS4A4-030 MS4A4-110 MS4A4-300 MS4A8-030 MS4A8-110 MS4A8-300

PPE PART NUMBER MS13X4-025 MS13X4-110 MS13X4-275 MS13X8-025 MS13X8-110 MS13X8-275

CONTAINER SIZE 25 lbs.

110 lbs.

275 lbs.

25 lbs.

110 lbs.

275 lbs.

PRICE PER CONTAINER 1 CONTAINER 2 OR MORE $82.50 ($3.30 lb.) $78.00 ($3.12 $336.00 ($3.05 lb.) $319.00 ($2.90 $785.00 ($2.85 lb.) $746.00 ($2.71 $82.50 ($3.30 lb.) $78.00 ($3.12 $336.00 ($3.05 lb.) $319.00 ($2.90 $785.00 ($2.85 lb.) $746.00 ($2.71

PLASTIC PROCESS EQUIPMENT,

INC.

lb.) lb.) lb.) lb.) lb.) lb.)

www.ppe.com • e-mail: sales@ppe.com

Toll Free: USA, Canada & Mexico 8303 CORPORATE PARK DRIVE, MACEDONIA (Cleveland), OHIO 44056, USA 216-367-7000 • Toll Free: 800-321-0562 • Fax: 216-367-7022 • Order Fax: 800-223-8305 800-362-0706

PPE

PPE W E S T

6385 Montessouri Street, Las Vegas, Nevada 89113 702-433-6385 • 800-258-8877 • Fax: 702-433-6388

Desiccant 1 PG AD 0911.P65

CPL Oct11 p31 PPE AD.indd 31

1

PPE SOUTH

11218 Challenger Avenue, Odessa, Florida 33556 727-834-8888 • 800-282-6783 • Fax: 727-834-8873 9/1/2011, 9:12 AM

21/09/11 10:05 AM

BLEND IT

COOL IT

CONVEY IT

FEED IT GRIND IT

DRY IT EXTRUDE IT

STORE IT

Whatever your process demands, Conair has a solution you can depend on. Engineered to perform.

Built for reliability. Backed by the best parts and service support in the industry. Share in our knowledge and experience. Call 800-654-6661 or visit www.conairgroup.com.

confidence

Now represented in Canada by: Dier International Plastics l 905.474.9874 and The Turner Group (British Columbia and Alberta) l 206.769.3707 200 West Kensinger Drive l Cranberry Township, PA 16066 l 724.584.5500 l www.conairgroup.com

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