MacPlas International at K 2019

Copertina 3-Laborplast HR.pdf

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Published by Promaplast Srl - Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/3 - 20090 Assago (Milano, Italia) - ISSN 0394-3453 - Poste Italiane SpA - Spedizione in abbonamento postale - 70% LOM/MI/2363

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE PLASTICS AND RUBBER INDUSTRY

ITALIAN MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS - BETWEEN UNCERTAINTIES AND EXPECTATIONS www.macplas.it HOW CARBON DIOXIDE COULD MAKE PLASTIC PRODUCTION SUSTAINABLE NEW INJECTION MACHINES - SPEED AND PRECISION FROM BIO-BASED TO POST-CONSUMER www.laborplast.net

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Experience and Innovation for Your ideas

R&D Center Mold Making Injection Molding Finishing & Assembling

Injection Molding,

Molding R&D center - Moldmakers

www.omsbesser.com info@omsbesser.com

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ZAMBELLO

group

Advanced technology for extruders

25

years

in designing and manufacturing high quality gearboxes for corotating and counter-rotating

twin screw extruders

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a Family Company since 1957, made in Italy

Headquarters

Zambello riduttori srl 20020 Magnago, MI - Italy info@zambello.it 003_Zambello_ADV.indd 3

Zambello riduttori 2 srl www.zambello.com

45026 Lendinara, RO - Italy info@zambello2.it

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ULTRA PLAST THE PURGING COMPOUND.

Ultra System S.A.

Rue de l’Ancienne Pointe 30 - 1920 Martigny - Switzerland Tel +41 27 7226271 email: info@ultrasystem.ch www.ultrasystem.ch

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CONTENTS

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MARKETING 10 13

EDITOR’S LETTER BY RICCARDO AMPOLLINI ITALIAN MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS - BETWEEN UNCERTAINTIES AND EXPECTATIONS

16 18 18 20

GLOBAL CABLES GROWTH STEADY AMID DIVERGENT TRENDS

23

PACKAGING PRODUCERS ARE MAJOR CONSUMERS

PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT 23

HOW CARBON DIOXIDE COULD MAKE PLASTIC PRODUCTION SUSTAINABLE

27 30

66

PLASTICS REGENERATION OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN THE INCREASED

68 72 74 74 75 76 78 78 79 80

ACCELERATING THE TRANSITION TOWARDS CIRCULAR ECONOMY

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MACHINERY AND ANCILLARY EQUIPMENT 33 39

SEAMLESS EXTRUSION, RECYCLING AND THERMOFORMING HIGHER PERFORMANCES AND PRODUCTIVITY FROM THE PIPE EXTRUSION LINES

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SEEDING FOR INNOVATION, DIGITALISATION AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

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RECYCLING OF EDGE TRIMS AT HIGH SPEED

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A “COMMON GROWTH PATH” FOR THE LAST 58 YEARS SPEED AND PRECISION NEW SOLUTIONS TO THE POINT DIGITALISATION AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY: TWO VIEWS TECHNOLOGIES AND PROCESSES FOR THE MACHINING THE NOVA RANGE ENLARGES WITH THE S600T MODEL ADVANCED ROTOMOULDING A REVOLUTION IN PLASTIC BOARD ROTARY MACHINE FOR FOAM WINE CORKS UNIVERSAL SOLUTIONS FOR EXTENSIVE PROCESS NEEDS MORE CHALLENGES, MORE TECHNOLOGY PROCESSING THE MOST CONTAMINATED BALES OF PET BOTTLES PROCESSING HIGHLY-FILLED COMPOUNDS AND THE STORY GOES ON INNOVATON, SUSTAINABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY IN THE FUTURE OF THERMOPLASTICS WASTE

USE OF RECYCLED PLASTICS

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138

OF PLASTICS AND COMPOSITE MATERIALS

A NEW APP FOR THE PLASTICS AND RUBBER INDUSTRY MEDICAL MARKET FOR LSR WILL OUTPACE

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OF ONE WORLD

ITALIAN EXHIBITORS AT K 2019

ALL OTHER APPLICATIONS

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51 54 59 63

13

82 83 83 84 86 86 87 89 92 97 101

A TANDEM LINE FOR ADVANCED MATERIAL REGENERATION VERY FAST DECORATION OF CAPS LINES FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEMS AND MUCH MORE A WORLD OF COLOURS BETWEEN TRADITION AND INNOVATION TAKING CARE OF DELICATE MATERIALS THREE LINES ON DISPLAY AT K KEY TOPICS: INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY AT K TO WIN THE CHALLENGE CASE HISTORY OF A WORK CELL AMONGST GREATEST CLASSICS AND NEW ENTRIES MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

Copertina 3-Laborplast HR.pdf

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COVER STORY

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NEW HOT RUNNER SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE

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THE INJECTION MOULDING PROCESS

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THE INNOVATION IN RUBBER PROCESSING FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY

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ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL HIGH PERFORMANCE CORRUGATOR THE POWER OF CONCRETENESS

BRINGING INNOVATION IN RUBBER PROCESSING THE CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF THE S SERIES

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SAFETY AND FLEXIBILITY IN MIXING REFRIGERATION WITH LOW-GWP ECO-FRIENDLY GASES LOWER ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND EASE OF USE HIGH-SPEED CONTAINER MIXERS SAVE TIME WITH THE DIGITAL TWIN THE EVOLUTION OF PIPE CUTTING THE FILTRATION SYSTEM THAT CONVINCED EVERYBODY IMMEDIATELY

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INJECTION MOULDING 4.0 HIGH-END BIMETALLIC BARRELS AND SCREWS TURNKEY PACKAGE FOR CONTINUOUS FLOW MOULD MAKING WITH VALUES CUTTING AND BELLING MACHINES FOR PIPES FOCUSING ON REMOTE CONTROL AND AUGMENTED REALITY ALL UNDER CONTROL AUTOMATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE INNOVATION, PRACTICALITY AND DESIGN “MADE IN ITALY” TELESCOPIC EJECTORS AND ADJUSTING PLATES

MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS 138 140 142 142

FROM BIO-BASED TO POST-CONSUMER GREENER? YES, WE CAN! TPE FOR SOFT-TOUCH OVERMOULDING IMPROVING AESTHETICS OF POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED PET

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AN ALTERNATIVE TO HALOGENATED PRODUCTS SAVING THE PLANET DOES NOT MEAN ERADICATING PLASTIC

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TAILOR-MADE AND CERTIFIED MATERIALS INCREASING CIRCULARITY OF MATERIALS VIA A NEW PP GRADE

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TRADE FAIRS AND CONFERENCES 146 146 148 148

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THE MAGAZINE FOR THE PLASTICS AND RUBBER INDUSTRY

www.macplas.it

ITALIAN MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS - BETWEEN UNCERTAINTIES AND EXPECTATIONS HOW CARBON DIOXIDE COULD MAKE PLASTIC PRODUCTION SUSTAINABLE NEW INJECTION MACHINES - SPEED AND PRECISION FROM BIO-BASED TO POST-CONSUMER www.laborplast.net

A WIDE RANGE OF TESTS, ABOVE ALL FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

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Published by Promaplast Srl - Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/3 - 20090 Assago (Milano, Italia) - ISSN 0394-3453 - Poste Italiane SpA - Spedizione in abbonamento postale - 70% LOM/MI/2363

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL

EURASIA’S LEADING PLASTICS INDUSTRY FAIR EXHIBITIONS & TRADE FAIRS PLASTICS ARE VALUABLE ALSO AS WASTE

Think green… from compounds to finished products In a global marketplace where there is a growing focus on environmental issues, the concept of recovery and recycling of materials plays a central role in the management of future strategies across all industries.

In the field of plastics, in particular, this awareness is acquiring the dimensions of an absolute necessity. In fact, public opinion is calling for the plastics industry to explore every option with regard to the utilisation of recycled raw materials, thus breathing new life into materials currently treated as waste.

Laborplast has operated for more than 60 years in the field of rigid regenerated PVC, a raw material that features excellent mechanical properties and weather resistance, and withstands the proliferation of bacteria and mildew/mould. Moreover, PVC loses virtually none of its technical characteristics in time and can therefore potentially be recycled indefinitely.

The production of recycled PVC compounds (for the extrusion of pipes and profiles and injection moulding) and the extrusion of regenerated PVC film cores represent Laborplast’s main business, so much so that its managers and employees can proudly say that the principle of the circular economy or, as they like to call it, “industrial ecology”, is embedded in the DNA of the company.

In addition to these products, in 2018 Laborplast also began to make technical semi-finished products in PVC (full and hollow rods), PP and PE (hollow rods).

Thanks to its consistently reliable suppliers, a technical department boasting unrivalled formulation skills, highly efficient processing conditions on 10 production lines, and an in-house laboratory that has the ability to analyse every production batch, Laborplast products are guaranteed to maintain the highest quality and durability standards.

And to top it off, the sales department pays utmost attention to meeting customers’ needs and the logistics unit processes incoming orders speedily and efficiently.

Faced with the challenges arising from the ongoing ecological revolution, Laborplast is an experienced and trustworthy partner who applies the principle of industrial ecology tangibly and operationally in all of its everyday manufacturing and business activities.

www.laborplast.net

MEETINGS & CONGRESSES

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL

ADVERTISERS’ LIST Supplement of MacPlas August/September 2019 Editor in chief Riccardo Ampollini Editorial staff Luca Mei, Girolamo Dagostino, Stefania Arioli Sales office Roberta Pagan Editorial assistant Giampiero Zazzaro Editorial committee Dario Previero, Gabriele Caccia, Massimo Margaglione Contributors to this issue Amaplast, AMI, Ceresana, EUPC, Euromap, Freedonia, Angelo Grassi, Messe Düsseldorf, Plasteurasia, PlasticsEurope, PRE, VDMA Published by Promaplast Srl Centro Direzionale Milanofiori - Palazzo F/3 20090 Assago (Milano, Italy) Tel.: +39 02 82283735 Fax: +39 02 57512490 e-mail: macplas@macplas.it www.macplas.it Registration at the Court of Milan n. 68, 13/02/1976 Registration at the National Press Office n. 4620, 24/05/1994 Managing director Mario Maggiani Administration Alessandro Cerizza Layout and prepress Nicoletta Albiero Printed by C.N.S. Postal delivery: IFS Italy ISSUE PRICE: 8 euro if not sent with mother magazine The managing direction of the magazine declines any responsibility for possible unreliability of editorial articles and notes coming from various sources ASSOCIATED TO: UNIONE STAMPA PERIODICA ITALIANA ASSOCIAZIONE NAZIONALE EDITORIA DI SETTORE

29 AMPACET ​www.ampacet.com

22​ AMUT​ www.amutgroup.com 116 ​ATECO​ www.atecosrl.com 11​ ARBURG​ www.arburg.com 20​ BARUFFALDI​ www.baruffaldi.eu

107​ BD PLAST ​www.bdplast.com

53​ BIESSE ​www.biesse.com 104 ​BFM​ www.bfm.it 119​ BINOVA​ www.binovapm.it

9​ BMB​ www.bmb-spa.com 149​ CHINAPLAS​ www.chinaplasonline.com 31​ CIMBRIA​ www.seasort.com

85 ​ CM PRODUZIONE ​www.cmevolutionplast.com

12 ​ CMS ​www.cms.it

95 ​ COLINES​ www.colines.it

37 ​ COLOR TECH​ www.colortech.biz

34 ​ COMERIO ERCOLE​ www.comercole.it 87​ DELIA​ www.deliasrl.it 91​ EREMA c/o PROCHEMA ​www.erema.com - www.prochema.it 113 ​ERHARDT + LEIMER​ www.erhardt-leimer.it Back Cover EXACT ​www.exact.it 36​ FILIPPINI & PAGANINI​ www.saldoflex.com 30 ​FIMIC​ www.fimic.it 123​ FLOWISE​ www.flowise.it

109 ​ FRANCESCHETTI ELASTOMERI ​www.f-franceschetti.it 42 ​FRIUL FILIERE ​www.friulfiliere.it 25 ​GAMMA MECCANICA​ www.gamma-meccanica.it 81​ GAVO MECCANICA ​www.gavomeccanica.com

38​ GEFIT​ www.gefit.com

79​ GRAFE​ www.grafe.com 103 ​HELIOS ITALQUARTZ ​www.heliosquartz.com 75​ HERRMANN ULTRASCHALLTECHNIK ​www.herrmannultraschall.com 5 ​IMG​ / HAITIAN www.imgmacchine.it 32 ​INGLASS ​www.inglass.it 65 ​IPM ​www.ipm-italy.it 58 ​ITIB MACHINERY ​www.itib-machinery.com

Cover LABORPLAST ​www.laborplast.net 150 ​MACPLAS​ www.macplas.it 88​ MARIS ​www.mariscorp.com 67 ​MAST ​www.mastsrl.it

115​ ME.RO ​www.mero.it 69-70 ​ MOBERT www.mobert.it 15 ​MORETTO​ www.moretto.com

112​ MOSS ​www.moss.it 19​ MOTOMECCANICA ​www.motomeccanica.it

45​ NEGRI BOSSI​ www.negribossi.com 77 ​NOVA FRIGO​ www.novafrigo.it 2 ​OMSBESSER ​www.omsbesser.com Flyer, 62 ​PEDROTTI​ www.pedrotti.it

21​ PEGASO INDUSTRIES ​www.pegasoindustries.com 151 ​PIOVAN ​www.piovan.com

73​ PLAS MEC​ www.plasmec.it 147​ PLAST 2021​​ www.plastonline.org 135 ​PLAST EURASIA​ www.tuyap.com.tr

46​ PLASTIBLOW​ www.plastiblow.it 120-121 PLASTLAB www.plastlab.it

129 ​ PLASTORE ​www.plastore.it 100 ​POLIVINIL ROTOMACHINERY ​www.rotomachinerygroup.com

41​ PRESMA ​www.presma.it 137 ​PROFILE DIES​ www.profiledies.it 49​ PROMIXON​ www.promixon.com 131 ​REPSOL​ www.repsol.com 48​ ROBOLINE SYTRAMA ​www.sytrama.com 35​ SALDOFLEX​ www.saldoflex.com 145​ SAMUEXPO 2020​ www.samuexpo.com 96​ SARA ​www.sarasrl.eu 50 ​SIPOL​ www.sipol.com 71​ SISE​ www.sise-plastics.com 26 ​SOREMA (DIVISION OF PREVIERO N.) ​www.sorema.it - www.previero.it 57​​ STAR AUTOMATION EUROPE ​www.star-europe.com 141 ​SUPERIOR MACHINERY ​www.superior-machinery.com 125​ TECNO SYSTEM ​www.tecnosystemfe.it

99​ TECNOMATIC​ www.tecnomaticsrl.net

4​ ULTRA SYSTEM​ www.ultrasystem.ch 61​ VANETTI​ www.vanettimaster.com 83 ​VISMEC ​www.vismec.com

102​ WM THERMOFORMING MACHINES ​www.wm-thermoforming.com 3​ ZAMBELLO​​​​​ www.zambello.it

INSTITUTIONAL SPONSORS AMAPLAST ITA LIA N PL ASTIC S A N D RU B B ER PRO CESSING M ACHIN ERY A N D M O U L DS M A N U FACT U R ERS’ ASSO CIATIO N

ASSORIMAP ASSO CIATIO N O F ITA LIA N PL ASTIC S R ECYCLING A N D R ECL A IMING C O M PA NIES

SPE ITALIA SO CIE T Y O F PL ASTIC S ENG IN EERS

AIPE I TA LI A N AS SO CI AT IO N O F E X PA N D ED PO LYST Y R EN E

CIPAD C O U NCIL O F IN T ER N ATIO N A L PL ASTIC S ASSO CIATIO NS DIR ECTO RS

UNIONPLAST ASSO CIATIO N O F ITA LIA N PL ASTIC S PRO CESSING C O M PA NIES

IIP ITA LIA N PL ASTIC S INSTIT U T E

UNIPLAST ITA LIA N STA N DA R DISATIO N BO DY FO R PL ASTIC S

ASSOGOMMA ITA LIA N RU B B ER, CA B L ES, WIR ES A N D SIMIL A R M A N U FACT U R ERS’ ASSO CIATIO N

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MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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EDITOR’S LETTER

“

RICCARDO AMPOLLINI

QUALITY AND IDENTITY WILL SAVE PRINTED MAGAZINES About ten years ago, executives from the major publishing house where I worked predicted the “death” of specialist paper publications over the coming two or three years at most and, in addition to the dissemination of information over the web, the economic crisis at the end of 2008 appeared to back them up.

They therefore immediately took defensive measures, laying staff off temporarily or permanently, and selling magazines individually or en mass, depending on the size of other publishers interested in buying them.

Ten years later, that Italian publishing house no longer exists but most of its magazines are still standing (for the automotive, mechanical, chemical and plastics industries) and some of them are generating notable revenues for the companies who had the foresight to buy them. Like the magazine you are currently reading, MacPlas, which hit record figures in 2018, generating revenues that had not been seen for 10-15 years.

I would also like to add that after having shut down all the printed publications for our sector between 2009 and 2011, even publishers in the United States have finally decided to reopen some of them, if nothing else to provide something to read at the NPE fair in Orlando (which appears to have been the initial “spark” that got things moving again).

And so how do we explain this counter trend in specialist magazines, when the print runs of newspapers and periodicals have been declining year after year?

I have an opinion on this, and it appears to be similar to what other Italian and international editorial experts are saying, though their considerations tend to pertain to the press generally, while the technical press follows very similar rules to the “free press”.

Like Simon Kuper (Financial Times), I would trace a net line of separation between the “certified” information provided by elite publications and the mess of news circulating on the internet, often circulated also by low level publications. His theory is simple: elite publications do it because they focus on quality and readers are happy to dip into their wallets to buy them, because in the era of fake news they find not only high quality in those publications, but also a piece of their identity. His theory appears to be confirmed, for example, by the French newspaper “Le Monde”, or by “Der Spiegel” in Germany, which continues to sell about 800 thousand copies a week, about 20% lower than in the past, while the German market has, on the other hand, shrunk in half.

Lastly, after an exceptional initial boom in readers, the recent high numbers of people cancelling from newsletter and informational emails lists suggests that they are tired of reading news on their computers or mobile devices, and they are returning to that old favourite, printed paper.

Naturally, to safeguard quality information, we need to focus on training journalists. But this, in the plastics industry, where we already have a shortage of young people opting for technical-scientific studies and where companies are having trouble finding specialist labour, is an entirely different matter... one which we will willingly return to in the future.

Happy reading!

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”

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

FUTURE

CUSTOMER PORTAL

DIGITALISED BUILDER TIME MACHINE

arburgXworld NEW WORLD

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

NETWORKING

PIONEER

Get ready! For a new world of digital connectivity in your company. We will pick you up – and take you there. On our Road to Digitalisation. To our new customer portal.

Immerse yourself: in arburgXworld. “Wir sind da.” K 2019, stand 13A13.

www.arburg.it

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TECHNOLOGY

Shaping your future.

THE MOST ADVANCED CNC & THERMOFORMING MACHINES BEYOND THE HORIZONS OF PLASTIC PROCESSING INDUSTRY

HALL 3 BOOTH B55

C.M.S. SPA • via A. Locatelli, 123 24019 Zogno (BG) Tel. +39 0345 64111 info@cms.it • cms.it

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PLAST 2018

MARKETING

ITALIAN MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS

BETWEEN UNCERTAINTIES AND EXPECTATIONS DOUBTS AND HOPES FOR ITALIAN MANUFACTURERS OF PLASTICS AND RUBBER PROCESSING MACHINERY

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nce again, the mid-year figures show a drop in Italy’s imports and exports of plastic and rubber machinery, though the reduction is less marked than for previous months. In fact, in comparison with the first six months of 2018, imports for the period January-June 2019 showed a drop of about 17% (with respect to the figure of -20% in March), while exports slowed down by about 5% (-8% in March). As a result, the positive balance of trade showed improvement, though minimal. This in summary is the situation revealed by the Amaplast Studies Center in its analysis of the foreign trade statistics published by Istat (Italian national institute of statistics).

An important factor shown by the statistics is the contraction in trade with Italy’s principal and historic business partner, namely Germany: the supply of Italian-built plant to German processing companies suffered a 26% slump, and the purchase of German technology by Italian companies fell by a third. In actual fact, this comes as no surprise, as it is an accurate reflection of Germany’s economic slowdown, and in particular that of its industrial sector.

Moreover, exports by German competitors also shrank. Even before the publication of official

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

mid-year statistics, the respective trade association had revised the figures for 2018 and forecasts for 2019, announcing that it expected a 10% reduction in turnover, caused primarily by the crisis in the automotive sector and the difficulties linked to plastic’s public image. Italian companies are having to come to terms with the same situation.

IMPORT AND EXPORT Overall, over the first six months of 2019, Italian processing companies imported less machinery from their major European suppliers - Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland - to the benefit of Asian suppliers, above all China, and Japan, though to a lesser degree in terms of total value.

As mentioned above, exports revealed a re-

The Amaplast’s president, Dario Previero

13

MARKETING

duction in overall value, but an improvement for some specific export categories, with respect to previous months. For example, exports of flexographic printing machines and extruders returned to growth, and the drop in the exports of machinery for foamed products was less marked.

From a geographical point of view, considering market macro-areas, the statistics provided by Istat revealed that Europe, which remains by far the largest export market, showed a drop in market share, as a result of an approximately 9% shrink in overall value. The latter was caused principally by reduced sales in markets outside the EU, more specifically with a dramatic reduction for Turkey (-37%) though with a slight improvement for Russia (+2%).

The Nafta area remains the second-largest export market, though with results less encouraging (+1%) with respect to last year, reflecting the decrease in exports to Mexico (-12%) and Canada (-39%), while sales to the United States continued to grow (+15%). Overall, exports to South America have decreased (-6%), even though the most important markets are showing signs of recovery: +5% for Brazil, +18% for Argentina and +12% for Colombia.

Exports to the Asian market show a return to stronger growth (+10% overall). Considering just the most important markets in terms of overall value, there was good progress for the Far East area as a result of increased exports to China (+39%), Thailand (+55%) and Indonesia (+110%), while India showed a slight reduction (-1%). On the other hand, the flow towards the Middle East revealed a slight weakening (-1%), reflecting the collapse in exports to Iran (-83%, with sales approaching zero) and slowing trade with the United Arab Emirates (-12%), factors that were too large to be compensated by the increase in exports to Saudi Arabia (+15%) and Israel (+94%), and the exceptional growth in sales to Qatar (+244%).

There was an overall decrease in exports towards the African continent, reflecting lower

The Innovation Alliance 2018 (Plast, Ipack-Ima, Meat-Tech, Print4All, Intralogistica Italia) has proved to be a winning choice: the more than 150,000 operators who participated were treated to an exhaustive range of plastics and rubber technology without precedent. Next edition will be in Milan (Italy), from May 4 to 7, 2021

demand both from Mediterranean Africa (-26% on average) and from sub-Saharan countries (-13%). The more distant destinations of Oceania (+27%) showed an improvement, with increased sales - though relatively small in overall value - to the most important export markets, Australia and New Zealand.

AMAPLAST PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS AND PARTICIPATION AT K 2019 In a context of instability, negatively affected by the all-too-familiar climate of political and economic turbulence, the views that Amaplast collected after the summer break from companies operating in this sector revealed a less than optimistic outlook. Overall, there is concern for the tendency towards a postponement or reduction in orders by customers.

“Current market conditions are not encouraging”, declared Dario Previero, president of Amaplast, “but the companies in the sector have great hopes for the next important event for the sector: the K trade fair, to be held in Düsseldorf from October 16 to 23, where there will be many Italian exporters”.

“The event’s international standing”, continued

The pop artist LadyBe exhibits her artworks in the Amaplast’s booth A56, in hall 16, at K 2019

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Dario Previero, “will enable companies to meet consolidated clients and potential new customers from all over the world in order to present the latest technological innovations that they have developed (state-of-the-art equipment in terms of performance, energy consumption and above all sustainability). That could be of fundamental importance in attaining the objectives of the framework being developed in light of the move towards the circular economy”.

Italy is the second largest exhibiting nation at the K show, just behind the host country, with almost 400 companies of which about 330 are machinery and plant manufacturers.

Amaplast, which has implemented a powerful campaign in support of Italian exhibitors, is present at K with an institutional booth (A56, in hall 16) providing information on its industrial sector, distributing the magazine MacPlas and providing advance information on next show Plast (Milan, May 4-7, 2021), for which organizational and promotional activities will move into top gear after the show in Germany.

In addition, Lady Be, an international pop artist who makes artworks using just recycled plastic objects, is present at the association’s booth from October 16 to 19. She exhibits her works and presents a live performance with a piece dedicated especially to the event. The objective is to increase visitors’ awareness of the importance of recycling and environmental sustainability.

After the K show, Amaplast will be taking part at other specialist trade fairs worldwide in order to promote Italian companies working in the sector: • Expo Plast (Sibiu, Romania, November 12-15); •P lastics & Rubber Indonesia (Jakarta, November 20-23); •P last Eurasia (Istanbul, December 4-7). www.amaplast.org MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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MARKETING

IN BOLD TYPE: AMAPLAST’S MEMBERS COMPANY NAME HALL / STAND 3V SIGMA 8A / H27 ABATE BASILIO & C. 1 / C65 ACMA SERVICE 10 / E03 ADLER 11 / B23 AFFILOR 9 / A71 AGIPLAST 7.0 / B25 AGRIPAK 17 / C82 AIGLE MACCHINE 4 / C04 AIRPROTECH 4 / E15 ALESSIOHITECH 13 / D75 ALFA STAMPI 1 / A07 ALFATECH 16 / E68 ALMA PACKING AND PACKAGING MACHINERY 3 / A05 ALPHAMAC 14 / C17 AMAPLAST 16 / A56 AMIK ITALIA 7.1 / C17 AMOTEK SALES & SERVICE 3 / A33 16 / A05 AMUT GROUP 3 / B92 AMUT-COMI 3 / C71 AMUTEC 9 / B60 AQUATECH ARCA 1 / C60 AREA 13 / C12 ARIOSTEA MHS 10 / B75 ARZUFFI 4 / A01 ASA-RT 10 / H73 ASCO POMPE 10 / A01 ATF AUTOMATIONS 3 / E50 AUSERPOLIMERI 7.1 / C19 14 / C36 AUTOMA BY MAGIC 17 / C21 BARUFFALDI PLASTIC TECHNOLOGY BATTAGGION 9 / D05 BATTAGLIO 11 / C10 BAUER COMPRESSORI 13 / A30 16 / B70 BAUSANO & FIGLI 9 / D74 BD PLAST FILTERING SYSTEMS BECCARIA 11 / B19 BELOTTI 3 / F36 17 / C05 BFM 16 / B13 BG PLAST IMPIANTI BIEFFEBI 4 / A22 3 / B17 BIESSE BIMEC 3 / B06 10 / G08 BINOVA 11 / H39 BLAUWER BM INDUSTRIA BERGAMASCA MOBILI 8B / F70 13 / A33 BMB BMTEK BY KIMATIC 3 / F57 BMZ MOULDS 1 / C60 BOCA 3 / G58 BONFANTI 3 / A49 BRIXIA PLAST 13 / C36 BROFIND 4 / C59 BRUNO FOLCIERI 9 / C38 C2 12 / A07 CACCIA GROUP - AES 11 / G78 CAIOLA FILIERE 7.1 / D08 CAMIS 10 / H26 12 / C20 CAMPETELLA ROBOTIC CENTER CANNON FG / 11.2 1 / A30 CANTONI CASON 3 / C97 3 / C54 CATTORINI COSTRUZIONI MECCANICHE CAVALLERI 3 / F90 CCN CLAREN CUTTING SERVICE 14 / C36 CDM ENGINEERING - OMP PREALPINA 17 / C11 CEFLA 4 / E31 11 / F73 CEMAS ELETTRA CERUTTI PACKAGING EQUIPMENT 4 / C30 CHEMORBIS 7.2 / E09 CIMBRIA 10 / H20 CLAX ITALIA 6 / E21 CM EVOLUTION PLAST 10 / B62 CM MANZONI - EVERCOMPOUNDS 7A / C18 CMC CONVERTING MACHINERY CEVENINI 3 / G54 9 / E22 CMG SPA 17 / A55 CMG SRL 3 / B55 CMS 9 / D24 COFIT INTERNATIONAL COIM 5 / C20 16 / A39 COLINES COLMEC 16 / E59 COLOR SERVICE 10 / J25 16 / D42 COMAC COMEC ITALIA 4 / B60 COMEL 13 / A88 16 / F21 COMERIO ERCOLE 3 / E40 - 14 / A04 COMI 11 / E65 CONTREX COSTRUZIONI MECCANICHE LUIGI BANDERA 17 / C06-C07 COVRE MANIFATTURE 5 / F42 CREI 11 / C59 10 / A42 CRIZAF CT SYSTEMS 10 / H78 DAL MASCHIO 10 / E78 DARPLAST EXTRUSION 7.2 / E13 DDL 13 / D90

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DECOSYSTEM DELIA DIMONTONATE FLOCCATI DIOMA DONAU CARBON TECHNOLOGIES DOTECO DPS ECO-PLAST EDILTECO EIGENMANN & VERONELLI ELACHEM ELASTOTECH ELAV ELBA ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS ELESA ELIO CAVAGNA ENGIN PLAST EPAFLEX POLYURETHANES EPISTOLIO EPROTECH EPTAINKS ERGOMEC ERIMAKI ERMANNO BALZI ESAMETAL ESISTAMPI EURO COMMERCIALE EURO STAMPI EUROCHILLER EUROFOAM EUROMAC EUROPLAST EUROTECH EXTRUSION MACHINERY EUROVITI EVERKEM EXACT FILM GRANULATORS EXPERT F.LLI MARIS F.LLI VIRGINIO FAINPLAST FAP FARCON FASTOSI FB BALZANELLI FERRARINI & BENELLI

4 / A51 12 / A05 7.1 / D30 1 / C60 4 / C26 10 / J73 15 / A34 7.2 / F09 13 / D63 7.1 / C19 7.1 / D10 8B / E62 16 / A39 3 / D36 10 / J03 8A / B19 3 / F71 11 / A57 7.1 / D10 11 / F10 1 / E61 4C63-03 10 / B48 11 / B21 1 / A04 11 / B13 1 / A96 8B / E68 1 / C84 10 / A80 6 / D58 3 / F70 1 / C86 14 / B25 11 / F62 8B / F65 9 / E54 4 / B16 16 / B59 11 / F57 6 / E28 16 / D68 16 / D78 15 / A10 16 / A60 10 / H26

FILTEC FIMIC FINPROJECT FLUORSEALS FOR REC FOREVER PLAST FPSERVICES FRANCESCO FRANCESCHETTI ELASTOMERI FRANPLAST FRIGEL FIRENZE FRIGOSYSTEM FRILVAM FRIMEC FRIUL FILIERE FRIULAIR FUTURA STAMPI G3 GALDABINI GAMA INTERNATIONAL GAMMA MECCANICA GAMMACRIL GAP GAUSS MAGNETI GAVO MECCANICA GEAF GEFIT GEFRAN GEVACRIL GHILARDI STAMPI GIANECO GIBITRE INSTRUMENTS GIMA (IMA GROUP) GIMAC DI MACCAGNAN GIORGIO GIMATIC GIPLAST SYSTEMS GITRE GIUGNI GIURGOLA STAMPI GNATA FILIPPO OFFICINA COSTRUZIONI MECCANICHE GOVONI SIMO BIANCA IMPIANTI (GSBI) GP DI PIAZZON GRAFIKONTROL GRUNIVERPAL GUIDOLIN GIROTTO HELIOS ITALQUARTZ HENNECKE-OMS

9 / E41 9 / E28 7.0 / B08 7.0 / A03 9 / E16 8B / A31 11 / A07 5 / D17 8A / C16 11 / A60 10 / A78 7.1 / A43 10 / G52 16 / D72 10 / H76 1 / E73 9 / D66 11 / C14 10 / H26 9 / C41 5 / F42 17 / A76 11 / H36 4 / A45 11 / H42 13 / A64 10 / F20 5 / E04 1 / C60 7.2 / E10 10 / A81 15 / B61 16 / A76 10 / E55 7.0 / B10 13 / A62 4 / B24 1 / C60 4 / A04 11 / F63 11 / F66 4 / B27 11 / B74 3 / C12 11 / E60 13 / B63

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

ITALIAN EXHIBITORS AT K 2019

HEROFLON HRSFLOW (INGLASS) IBLU ICMA SAN GIORGIO IHR IMAC TECNOLOGIE IMANPACK PACKAGING AND ECO SOLUTIONS IMG IMI FABI IMPIANTI OMS (OMS GROUP) IMS TECHNOLOGIES - DIVISION ROTOMAC INCOS STAMPI INDUSTRIAL FRIGO INTERPOLIMERI IPM IR GROUP IST - ITALIA SISTEMI TECNOLOGICI ITALCOPPIE SENSORI ITALTECH - WINTAL MACHINES ITALTECHNOLOGY MOULDS ITALWORK ROLLS ITIB MACHINERY INTERNATIONAL ITS - ITAL TRADE SERVICES ITW (INSTRON DIVISION) KOENIG & BAUER FLEXOTECNICA KOLZER KOREMPLAST KROMABATCH LABORPLAST LAMFI EQUIPMENT LANFRANCHI LASERPIN LAWER LIANA LORANDI SILOS LTE MC PLAST DI MELCHIORI LUCIANO & C. MACA ENGINEERING MACCHI MACDUE MACOILER INTERNATIONAL MACPLAS (TECHNICAL MAGAZINE FOR THE PLASTICS AND RUBBER INDUSTRY) MAGIC MP MAGMA MACCHINE MAICOPRESSE

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

7.0 / B30 1 / D05 7.2 / A27 16 / B05 1 / E14 3 / G43 3 / G49 15 / A57 7.2 / F08 13 / B65 3 / B73 1 / C21 10 / B21 6 / D43 16 / D58 12 / B40 4 / B01 10 / G34 10 / G79 15 / A21 3 / E24 15 / D37 11 / A71 10 / J18 4 / B11 4 / A12 7.2 / C14 8B / E27 7.2 / E13 1 / D09 14 / B58 3 / A07 10 / E08 7.1 / B31 10 / B58 7A / C18 16 / B79 1 / A28 17 / C20 3 / F46 15 / A14 16 / A56 14 / C33 13 / B78 15 / A21

MAIN TECH MAKLAUS MARANGON DANILO & C. MARTIGNONI ELETTROTECNICA MARTINENGHI MASCHIO N.S. MASS INTERNATIONAL MAST MASTERWATT MATEX MB CONVEYORS MECATECNO MECCANOPLASTICA MERO MESGO M-HUB MICROTEC MILANO LAME MINADEK MOBERT MONDIALSTAMPI MONTELLO MORETTO MOSS MOVENGINEERING MOVING MP3 MVV NEGRI BOSSI NEW OMAP NO.EL. NORDMECCANICA NOVA FRIGO ENGINEERING NOVAMONT NOVOTEX ITALIANA NUOVA IDROPRESS OFFICINA MECCANICA CARLASSARA OFFICINE DRAG OLMAS OMA OMEGA 8 OMG SRL OMG SPA OMIPA OMISA OMMP-MOULDS OMS DEI F.LLI MAINA OMSO OMV MACHINERY ORP STAMPI PAF GROUP PASQUATO PEBO PEGASO INDUSTRIES PENTA PERMTECH PHT PETRELLI HEATING TECHNOLOGIES PIOVAN GROUP PLAS MEC PLASMAC PLAST 2021 - MILAN, MAY 4-7, 2021 PLASTIBLOW PLASTIC METAL PLASTIC SORT PLASTIC SYSTEMS PLASTICA ALFA PLASTORE POLIVINIL ROTOMACHINERY (ROTOMACHINERY GROUP) POLYLAYERTECH POVELATO PRESMA PREVEN MECCANICA PREVIERO N. PRODICON INTERNATIONAL PROFILE DIES PROMASS PROMECO PROMIXON PROTEK QS GROUP RADICI NOVACIPS RAMBALDI & CO. IT RE CONTROLLI INDUSTRIALI REAGENS REGLASS HT REG-MAC REPI RES RG CHEM RIALTI RIPRESS RITMO ROBOR RODOLFO COMERIO ROMAGNANI STAMPI

11 / H22 3 / B36 1 / A63 11 / C22 4 / A57 13 / D47 11 / D60 11 / B79 13 / B15 4 / E34 9 / C12 3 / A87 14 / B18 10 / J62 7.2 / C27 1 / D22 8B / F63 9 / E12 7.2 / C20 3 / E16 1 / C31 5 / D41 11 / H57 - 11 / E65 4 / B50 9 / E65 13 / A62 8A / C31 10 / A01 15 / B22 9 / B74 10 / J73 4 / B42 10 / B42 6 / A58 5 / C20 13 / D24 16 / D60 1 / C71 15 / A56 3 / A24 10 / D25 3 / D06 11 / E41 17 / A42 11 / E58 1 / E36 1 / C85 4 / B44 4 / C56 1 / A31 11 / D08 3 / A53 8B / C55 11 / H39 9 / B60 10 / D50 10 / H05 9 / B60 9 / A60 10 / C01 16 / A56 14 / B56 15 / A23 10 / B31 11 / H39 7.0 / A29 7.2 / D35 9 / C22 7.2 / A13 11 / H65 15 / C57 14 / C30 9 / D41 14 / A68 16 / E72 13 / C37 9 / D56 10 / H02 3 / G82 3 / C53 6 / B10 13 / A44 4 / D35 6 / D55 4 / C28 9 / D52 6 / B24 17 / A07 8A / D39 7.1 / A05 15 / A03 11 / E40 11 / E59 16 / B54 1 / C60

ROSSI STAMP 1 / C64 ROSSINI 4 / B52 ROTO MOULDS 13 / D14 RP INJECTION 13 / C77 SABO 66 / B07 13 / A63 SACMI IMOLA SAGITTA 3 / A35 3 / F54 SALDOFLEX 14 / B23 SARA SASPOL TECHNOLOGY 13 / A86 SB ENTERPRISE 14 / A05 3 / B54 SCAE EUROPE SCS - SOCIETÀ COSTRUZIONE STAMPI 1 / A51 SEI LASER 4 / B22 SELECTRA 4 / C55 SER 8B / F63 3 / B76 SGS ITALIA 16 / F18 SICA 12 / A33 SIMA SIMATEC TECHNOLOGIES FOR PLASTICS INDUSTRIES 11 / G41 SIMEC GROUP 4 / A41 SIMEX 1 / A90 SIMO 17 / A30 SIMOPARMA PACKAGING ITALIA 14 / B58 1 / E81 SIMPLAS 13 / B11 SIPA SIRE 8B / C74 SIRMAX 8B / F63 SIROPACK ITALIA 3 / G61 SITRA MASTERBATCH 7.0 / A11 SMI 14 / B69 SOLVAY 6 / C61 SONIC ITALIA 11 / C72 9 / D55 SOREMA DIVISION OF PREVIERO N. SOTEMAPACK 13 / C89 SPECCHIDEA 5 / E45 14 / B04 ST SOFFIAGGIO TECNICA 11 / G74 STAR AUTOMATION EUROPE STEBO 11 / H08 STOCCHIERO 1 / A15 10 / A62 SYNCRO 15 / B22 SYTRAMA ROBOLINE 3 / G65 T2 TABO DI TABACCHI ONESTO 17 / A07 TAPEMATIC 4 / B51 TARO PLAST 8B / H48 TEC MAC 13 / A90 TECMES 10 / H37 TECNO SERVICE 13 / C36 15 / C62 TECNO SYSTEM 13 / C13 TECNODINAMICA TECNOFER ECOIMPIANTI 9 / C76 TECNOFILM 7.2 / G21 11 / A59 TECNOMAGNETE 12 / B34 - 16 / D05 TECNOMATIC 17 / A18 TECNOVA 16 / D71 TECOM COSTRUZIONI MECCANICHE 17 / A30 TEKNOMAST TELEROBOT 15 / B61 TEMAC 3 / G12 TEN-FLUID 7.0 / C26 3 / A15 TERMOSTAMPI TESSITURA TELE METALLICHE ROSSI OLIVIERO & C. 10 / B45 TGS STAMPI 1 / C80 1 / C50 THERMOPLAY TORRI GUARNIZIONI INDUSTRIALI 7.2 / B23 TOVO GOMMA 7.0 / C30 TPV COMPOUND 8A / K20 9 / E05 TRIA ULTRABATCH 7.2 / G10 13 / C07 ULTRA SYSTEM UNIFORM 1 / C60 14 / B16 UNILOY ITALY 16 / B60 UNION OFFICINE MECCANICHE UNITECH 3 / G60 UTECO CONVERTING 4 / B30 UTPVISION 11 / A70 VALTORTA BATTAGGION GROUP 9 / D05 VAMP-TECH 8A / B50 VETRACO 4 / B28 VELOMAT 12 / B40 VEMA 11 / A70 VERSALIS 6 / A44 VIAPPIANI PRINTING 7.2 / D31 3 / B33 VIARA VIBIPLAST 7.1 / A40 VILLANI GIOVANNI 13 / A58 VIPLAS 11 / C57 VISMEC 11 / F32 WPS DI ZANLUCCHI ANTONELLA & C. 7.2 / F06 ZRE 10 / G47 ZAMEC 17 / A19 ZOCCHI GIOVANNI 17 / A15 ZOPPAS INDUSTRIES HEATING ELEMENT TECHNOLOGIES - IRCA 13 / A38

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MARKETING

NEWS Polymers for cable coating and insulation

Global polymeric material usage in the insulation and jacketing of cables is forecast solid if not spectacular growth over the medium term, although a multiplicity of trends are at work driving quite different prospects by geography, material and cable end-use. This is the key finding of the new report published by AMI Consulting, “Polymeric materials in the Global Cable Industry 2019”.

Evolving regulations, greater concerns and differing interpretations over cable safety, the development of telecommunication networks and investment in renewable energy are just some of the factors driving change. All the while in the background, globalisation, economic and political developments also continue to influence the market.

The report identifies the tonnage of polymeric materials used in cable extrusion by geography, compound and end-use application and provides growth forecasts for the medium term. Global growth of in excess of 4% per annum is expected to 2023. It also identifies the top 10 extruders by region in terms of polymeric material consumption, in addition to the top 5 in key countries.

Across geographies, differing prospects for cable manufacturers are being fundamentally driven by differences in construction, infrastructure and transportation sector investment. While for many countries investment is broad-based, certain countries are highly reliant on the success of specific industries. For example, the fortunes of Chilean and Peruvian extruders are strongly tied to the success of their mining sectors.

China, as the world’s largest producer of cable, is also the largest market for compound demand. Asia and Australasia accounted for 59% of global polymeric demand 2018, compared with 17% in Europe and 12% in North America. China is however expected to lose market share over the forecast horizon at the expense of faster growing markets such as India and certain South East Asian markets.

m-hub at K 2019

A new App for the plastics and rubber industry m-hub is the ultimate community for meeting new partners and engaging with any stakeholder of the manufacturing industry linked to the plastics and rubber supply chain

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Figure 1 - Global usage of polymeric materials by region (2018)

Source: AMI, 2019

Global cables growth steady amid divergent trends

As for the demand for different polymeric materials, evolving legislation is particularly influencing growth forecasts by material within Europe and certain Asian countries. The most important material trend is ongoing substitution of PVC compounds, primarily for XLPE, PE and LSF0H/HFFR compounds, with each compound’s share of overall tonnage differing across regions. The evolution towards non-halogenated cables to answer concerns raised by the toxicity of fumes in the event of a fire is particularly driving demand for HFFR compounds, though again, growth rates and uptake varies by region.

Application exposure is also influential for material trends. For instance, there is a growing need for extra high voltage (EHV) cables and submarines cables to carry electricity ashore from offshore wind farms or from remote photovoltaic installations to centres of consumption. This is necessitating greater use of XLPE compounds for insulation, but it is clear that renewables investment is not expanding uniformly across regions. The advance of fibre optic cable networks is also altering traditional demand patterns.

Overall, there are evidently a plethora of trends affecting the cable industry’s consumption of polymeric materials. AMI Consulting’s report gives a clear exposition of what the upshot is for material demand at present and expectations going forward. www.ami.international

The Italian company m-hub is glad to announce the official launch at K 2019 (hall 01, booth D22) of the m-hub mobile App, a digital platform and the meeting place for the plastics and rubber manufacturing industry. A community to deepen the knowledge and strengthen the business, worldwide.

Born from the needs experienced through the years by people working in this field, m-hub is a mobile application aiming to break down any barrier between players and within a single organization, facilitating the retrieval of business and technical information.

The m-hub platform aims to create the biggest worldwide network in the plastic manufacturing supply chain and to

become the reference place for business and technical data management.

It will provide access to an innovative showcase of companies, technologies and services, offering visibility to all players in the plastics and rubber industry.

Moreover, users will be able to digitalize the specifications of injection moulding machines and to perform advanced searches for companies and machines thanks to powerful filters.

At the moment the new App is available on Google PlayStore and Apple AppStore, but it will soon be available also on Chinese Android stores (Tencent and others) and in different languages, not only English, German and Chinese. www.m-hub.com

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

Plast A/4 2019.qxp_Layout 1 18/09/19 11:36 Pagina 1

® S.r.l.

R I D U T T O R I D I V E L O C I TÀ RIDUTTORI PER ESTRUSORI MESCOLATORI CALANDRE PER GOMMA EXTRUDER DRIVES RUBBER MIXING DRIVES CALENDER DRIVES

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04/10/19 16:06

MARKETING

NEWS Liquid silicone rubber

With the new study “Liquid Silicone Rubber”, The Freedonia Group weighs in on LSR, a multifunctional 460 million dollar market, that is on pace to increase 8.3% annually through 2023, propelled in part by an expanding range of products and applications. In particular, the Freedonia study anticipates sales increases in the following LSR product categories: • high-transparency grades, which are increasingly specified for new high-power LED lighting technologies used in such applications as automotive headlights, and street and stadium lighting; • other specialty grades, including self-lubricating, self-adhesive, and non-post-cure types that can improve processing efficiency by eliminating additional fabrication steps (such as post-curing or the application of coatings or binders).

Growth in these categories (and the LSR market overall) should be

20 018_021_Marketing_NEWS.indd 20

quite strong going for- Figure 1 - US liquid silicone rubber market outlook (2018-2023) ward, as processors adopt LSR manufacturing capabilities and more complex moulding techniques (including micro moulding and 2-component moulding); and fabricators come to understand the performance advantages of using LSR. Speaking of performance advantages, the benefits of LSR - instill trailed the automotive industry cluding enhanced purity and bio- high-precision moulds. compatibility when compared to For medical device fabrica- as the leading market for LSR use. high consistency rubber silicone tors, LSR also offers benefits like However, the Freedonia study ex- is giving it a boost in the fast shorter cure times, lower flash, pects that to change, estimating growing medical market. Rising lower curing temperatures, and that medical end uses will eclipse applications in this sector include: improved consistency and pre- automotive applications as the implantable devices; wearables dictability between lots. Further- largest LSR market by 2023, and that can track blood pressure or more, it is a material well suited to additionally outstrip smaller marheart rate; new, smaller medical automation, which can help to limit kets such as consumer and baby devices that favour more intricate contamination in cleanroom man- care, electrical and electronic, and industrial and other. designs and micro parts, as LSR ufacturing applications. is particularly suitable for forming As of 2018, the medical market www.freedoniagroup.com

Source: The Freedonia Group

Medical market for LSR will outpace all other applications

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

04/10/19 15:44

Global market for polypropylene

Packaging producers are major consumers

“Polypropylene can be processed using various techniques and is used for the most diverse applications ranging from packaging to household appliances, clothing, and vehicles�, explained Oliver Kutsch, CEO of Ceresana, the market research company which analyzed the PP global market for the fifth time

After polyethylene, polypropylene is the world’s most widely produced standard plastic. The latest report by Ceresana expects revenues for this type of plastic to grow by, on average, 4.9% per year until 2026.

The most important sales market for polypropylene in 2018 was flexible packaging: A total of 16.4 million tons were processed in films, bags, and sacks. Another 15.5 million tons of polypropylene were used for the production of rigid packaging, such as containers and lids for food and beverages, chemicals as well as industrial and household products.

Demand in the application areas consumer goods and fibres followed.

Injection moulding is an important processing technology in the plastics industry and of special importance for polypropylene in particular.

The comparatively fast process is used for the production of large volumes of identical goods ranging from disposable products to highly complex precision components. The types of moulded parts made are almost limitless. In 2018, almost 23.6 million tons of PP were processed by injection moulding.

Polypropylene is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymer. Besides uniform homopolymers, there are various copolymers such as random and block copolymers. These plastic types have mainly similar characteristics, different properties, however, help with the choice of the best material for specific applications and a desired budget. Compared to homopolymers, polypropylene copolymers will presumably account for notably higher growth rates at 3.6% per year until 2026. www.ceresana.com MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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04/10/19 15:45

PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT

A CHAT WITH LEIGH TAYLOR, ECONIC TECHNOLOGIES

HOW CARBON DIOXIDE COULD MAKE PLASTIC PRODUCTION SUSTAINABLE AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW WITH THE HEAD OF SALES & LICENSING OF ECONIC TECHNOLOGIES, THAT GIVES A DEEPER INSIGHT INTO THE INCREDIBLE CATALYST TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED BY THIS INNOVATIVE BRITISH COMPANY FOR THE PRODUCTION OF POLYOLS FROM WASTE CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE ATMOSPHERE SOMETHING FEW OTHER CHEMICAL COMPANIES WORLDWIDE ARE DOING

BY RICCARDO AMPOLLINI

D

uring the last Identiplast show in London - the event organised by PlasticsEurope to present the latest technologies as well as the current market and regulatory trends in the plastics recovery and recycling field - the editorial staff of MacPlas seized the opportunity to interview Leigh Taylor, head of sales & licensing at Econic Technologies. Competing with only a handful of international chemical giants, Econic Technologies has developed a unique process, that allows captured carbon dioxide to be used to produce polyols, the basis of polyurethane. Taylor outlined the goals and the background story of this pioneering British company.

WHICH IS THE EXACT BUSINESS OF ECONIC TECHNOLOGIES? “Econic Technologies is a leading cleantech company, and carbon capture pioneer, MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

seeking to transform CO2 from a harmful emission into a valuable raw material.

Our catalysts, which allow manufacturers to create polyurethane plastic out of captured carbon, are moving from the laboratory to the factory floor. It’s a really exciting time”.

WHICH KIND OF CATALYSTS? “At Econic, we are focused on the polyurethane industry and have developed catalysts that are involved in the production of polyether polyols, which is a building block of the polyurethane chain.

Put simply, we have developed a technology that can incorporate carbon dioxide into the polyol chain, in place of oil-based feedstock.

Polyether polyol, which is what we principally help produce, is the largest polyol type used in the polyurethane business.

In fact, about 80% of the market is poly-

ether polyol, which goes into all manner of products, including rigid foams, flex foams and the coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers section of the market; a huge a range of consumer applications. It is a very diverse market.

Our technology allows us to substitute the oil-based feedstock with carbon dioxide. In this instance, we are replacing either propylene oxide (PO) or ethylene oxide (EO) which are both oil-based epoxide feedstocks and, in their production, energy intensive emitters of carbon.

What we can do is substitute up to 50% of the raw material, that is EO or PO, with carbon dioxide in the polymer chain. This offers a number of benefits: first of all, we are using captured carbon dioxide as a valuable feedstock in place of oil.

Secondly, by reducing the need for epoxide feedstocks, we are further reducing

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PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT

both the processability of the polyurethane, and the end-use performance. So, you have the ability to selectively enhance the performance of the end product. As an example, you can have a very low-viscosity, easy-flowing polyol which maybe contains 20% CO2 and gives flame retardant properties in foams or a very high CO2 content, longer chain polyol that is very tough and resistant for elastomer applications”.

carbon emissions; and thirdly, we are using the carbon to create a range of widely-used products with enhanced performance characteristics. We’re tapping into the endless potential of carbon to create long lifetime products, be it housing insulation, foam for mattresses or car parts”.

YES, PU IS EVERYWHERE, AS IT IS A VERY FLEXIBLE PLASTIC IN TERMS OF APPLICATIONS...

“Very much so. By not using fossil fuels we are preventing the creation of CO2. So, from an environmental perspective, we have a very sustainable production route. In fact, we estimate that if 30% of the market adopted the technology by 2026, this would mean 3.5M tonnes fewer CO2 emissions a year, equivalent to taking over 2M cars off the road every year.

From an economic perspective, CO2 can possibly cost up to one hundred dollars a ton, while propylene oxide can cost significantly more – even up to two thousand dollars a ton. So, to be able to substitute a very costly raw material with a very cheap, abundant alternative obviously has very strong economic value”.

CAN YOU CATCH CO2 FROM THE ENVIRONMENT? FROM THE AIR? “It can be captured from the air; it can be captured from power station flue gas; it can be captured from other industrial processes that produce CO2 as a by-product. One of the aspects of Econic’s technology is that it is very robust. We don’t need a high purity of CO2, so all of these capture mechanisms are a potential source. We are not fussy; we’ll take it from anywhere!”

SO, FROM 20%...

TO WHICH PERCENTAGE OF CO2?

The customer demonstration facility - the short path evaporator for the molecular distillation

IS THIS THE SAME BASIS OF THE COVESTRO TECHNOLOGY? “There are similarities, but the difference with our technology is that, first of all, our technology works at low pressure, so it can be retrofitted to existing facilities, whereas the Covestro (Bayer Group) and Aramco technologies all work at higher pressures. In practical terms, this means that you most likely need to build a whole new unit, whereas our technology can be retrofitted.

Secondly, our technology also allows you to select how much CO2 you want to include in the polymer chain, which affects

“Anything, from 0% to up to 50% CO2. And depending on the molecular weight of the polyol, this imparts different properties for different applications.

With many sustainable technologies, one of the challenges is to get somewhere near performance parity with the conventional materials, but what we are finding with CO2-based alternatives is that we are actually getting enhanced performance. We are moving polyether polyols into areas where they can compete with engineered polymers. In other words, by including CO2 in the polymer chain, the likes of polycarbonates are now coming within reach of the polyurethane polyether-type materials”.

THIS IS VERY INTERESTING, AND ALSO VERY TECHNICAL, AS OUR MAGAZINE (ITALIAN VERSION) IS INTENDED TO BE. NOW, PLEASE, COULD YOU TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS? “It is a new business, though it is definitely on the grow. We started back in 2011 here, in London, at Imperial College. Much of the science behind the catalyst came from one of my colleagues, Mike Kember, as part of his PhD thesis through which he discovered the technology. The university identified the technology as having strong commercial opportunities. Econic Technologies was established as a business in 2011 to commercialise this technology, with Mike’s work as the basis”.

SO, YOU ARE THE RESPONSIBLE OF THE COMMERCIAL ARM AND MIKE KEMBER, A CHEMIST, IS THE BRAIN?

Synthesis in Econic’s laboratory

24

“Mike is very much part of the brain, though we have a team of excellent scientists from all over the world. I am a chemical engineer too, so I can understand the technical side of it!

Obviously, we have developed the business.

We have taken that initial idea and looked at how we can make it a practical technology that can be applied in the real world, MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

and that’s looking at both refining the catalyst and the process technology that will sit around it. And through that time we’ve obviously grown the business, too.

We are now almost 40 people, and through that time we have taken on a number of investors, not least the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, which, in February 2018, was the latest backer to come on board”.

AND HAVE YOU GOT A CHEMICAL PLANT TO PRODUCE POLYOL? “Absolutely. We have our “customer demonstration facility”. It is still a relatively small unit, with a 70-litre reactor, but it is a reactor that is fully automated. It is in metal and pipes and pumps, rather than glassware, and we can produce 30-kg batches of polyol for our potential customers and their downstream customers (the consumers of polyols): the polyurethane systems houses, or the polyurethane end users. We can provide them with samples so they can clearly see the benefits of using carbon as a raw material. This is a key part of commercialising the technology and helping it move from laboratory to factory floor”.

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

AND WHICH KIND OF REACTOR DO YOU USE? IS THAT A STIRRED TANK REACTOR? “Yes, you are right. We moved from London about two years ago, because we outgrew the facility in the university, and moved to the North West: we have our R&D, our labs and our offices in Manchester, and we have our demonstration facility in an old ex-ICI chemical facility in Liverpool”.

FINALLY, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE? “Naturally, we are scaling up and commercialising. We are talking to many major producers of polyols globally, and we are working through adoption with those clients. For the future, we have also demonstrated our technology with high molecular weight polymers, which obviously have potential applicability into wider polymer applications, particularly as additives into polyolefins and potentially packaging materials.

So, once again, it is incorporation of CO2 but into much larger polymer chains, and now we have successfully demonstrated that.

That’s at an earlier stage but we see it as

“Unexpectedly, by including CO2 in the polymer chain, the likes of polycarbonates are now coming within reach of the polyurethane polyether-type materials”, explained Leigh Taylor, head of sales and licensing at Econic Technologies

a second area of deployment of this type of technology, and obviously we are also looking at wider application areas, very much focused on the utilisation of CO2”.

WHICH EVENTS CAN WE FIND YOU AT NEXT? “We are attending Utech Asia (booth 205, September 5-7, Guangzhou, China) and CPI Polyurethanes Technical Conference (October 7-9, Orlando, Florida)”. www.econic-technologies.com

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PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT

A NEW PLANT FOR MECHANICAL RECYCLING

PLASTICS REGENERATION ON OCTOBER 22, AT THE K CIRCULAR ECONOMY FORUM, MAIRE TECNIMONT GROUP PRESENTS THE NEW NEXTCHEM PLANT, ONE OF THE MOST EFFICIENT MECHANICAL PLASTICS RECYCLING PLANT IN EUROPE (95% POLYMER RECOVERY EFFICIENCY)

T

he new NextChem plant is one of the most advanced and efficient in Europe for the mechanical recycling of plastics and part of the Group’s Green Acceleration project. Located in Bedizzole, in the province of Brescia (Italy), the plant is based on proprietary technology and is managed by MyReplast Industries, a NextChem subsidiary of the Maire Tecnimont Group.

Based on an economically-sustainable business model and without relying on any type of public incentives, the MyReplast Industries plant is unique in Europe in terms of production capacity, processing flexibility and finished product quality. In fact, it can produce over 40 thousand tons of recycled polymers per year, processing a wide range of incoming types of plastic waste, mainly scraps and industrial post-consumer materials, such as vehicle components and industrial packaging.

The treatment process ensures that the finished product - the recycled polymer - is of absolute top-quality, with recycling efficiency of 95%. Through an innovative approach based

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

on product development, the plant improves the properties of the incoming plastics (upcycling), enabling their use for products to be sold on high-added value “premium” markets.

In circular economy, recycling offers high energy efficiency and great flexibility in the treatment of various types of plastic waste. NextChem aims to: • select the different types of plastic waste by polymer and by color with a highly qualitative and efficient selection system; • obtain top purity and quality of plastics across a particular recycling process; • improve the performances of the outcoming granules through a phase of compounding which is designed on the client’s requests (“upcycling”).

The Italian Maire Tecnimont Group focuses on a “from product to waste management” approach; starting with the demands of the downstream market, the objective is to produce a secondary raw material with chemical-physical characteristics and mechani-

cal properties which bridge the usual quality gap found between such materials and virgin plastics (sourced directly from fossil-origin hy-

Figure 1 - The three macro areas of the NextChem’s technological initiatives: Green Green, Circular Economy, Greening the brown

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PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT NextChem participates with a speech at the K Circular Economy Forum, on October 22

drocarbons). “Thanks to our leadership in the construction of plants to produce polymers from hydrocarbons, with NextChem we can act as an accelerator in the circular economy, contributing to a new cycle of economic and growth which requires a collective vision, industrial expertise and business ability.

Italy can aspire to lead the green chemicals transition thanks to its great research and its technological and industrial tradition”, stated Fabrizio Di Amato, chairman and founder of the Maire Tecnimont Group.

“With a view to developing a new sustainable plastics economy, the MyReplast Industries plant is a key step in the Group’s Green Acceleration strategy. Applying expertise from technology and plant to the new mechanical recycling business offers, in fact, interesting opportunities in a sector which demands the industrialization of the regeneration cycle for this type of material. Once again we are proving ourselves to be a first mover as a developer in the sector - from technology supply to plant construction”, added Pierroberto Folgiero, chief executive officer of the Maire Tecnimont Group.

NEXTCHEM AND MAIRE TECNIMONT GROUP’S GREEN ACCELERATION CHALLENGE The energy transition in progress is driving the energy industry to invest in the exploitation of sustainable sources but also in the conversion of already existing technologies - and in the development of new ones - to obtain processes with less environmental impact, and to realize new eco-compatible products. In this new energy paradigm, the main players in the sector, both producers and buyers of plastics, are moving towards recycling and bioplastics

Focused on output, flexibility and quality

Key characteristics of the MyReplast technology: Significant output NextChem’s proprietary MyReplast technology is able to produce about 40 thousand tons of recycled polymers per year.

High flexibility MyReplast technology is able to treat various types of incoming plastic waste, both from industrial production (for instance, components of cars, food and industrial packaging waste), and

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from post-consumption, that is, urban sorted waste.

Quality of finished product MyReplast technology produces high quality recycled polymers, with recycling efficiency of around 95%. This is an essential feature to approach high value-added “premium” markets and bridge the qualitative gap between recycled plastic and virgin plastic (coming directly from fossil hydrocarbons).

while the big oil companies are reviewing their investment plans in terms of decarbonization.

Maire Tecnimont Group kicked off its Green Acceleration project through the launch of NextChem, its new company dedicated to supporting the energy transition. NextChem is managing a portfolio of several technological initiatives along three macro areas (see figure 1), which represent the main emerging trends for the immediate future: • “Greening the Brown” activity aims at mitigating the environmental effects of the technologies used for the transformation of oil and natural gas. We are talking about innovations which apply to traditional petrochemical solutions, aimed at limiting or eliminating CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions released from existing plants. Zero emissions desulfurization technologies or chemical fertilizer coating to avoid ammonia dispersions are some of the projects currently being implemented.

• “Circular Economy” is focused on the implementation and further optimization of the recycling of plastics and other waste materials: from the mechanical and chemical recycling of plastic materials to polymer regeneration up to the waste-to-chemicals technologies which could produce renewable gas, hydrogen or any traditional chemical from the gasification of waste.

• “Green-Green” is the innovative area with which Maire Tecnimont Group aims to identify additives or oil substitutes to produce fuels and plastics from renewable sources.

First of all, Green Acceleration means to be aware of what is missing and to build it. It means helping all the players in the supply chain to grow a new identity, redefining the roles of large companies, universities, start-ups and finance. Thanks to its technological DNA, and its leadership in the transformation of natural resources, Maire Tecnimont is today able to act timely, to be the technological and industrial partner in the energy transition under way. www.nextchem.it www.mairetecnimont.com MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT NEWS Successful workshop held by EuPC, Vdma, Amaplast and Euromap

Opportunities and challenges in the increased use of recycled plastics On July 9, in Frankfurt, EuPC, together with the German Vdma, the Italian Amaplast and Euromap, organised the first joint workshop in order to establish new ways to promote the use of recycled polymers. With this initiative all four associations aim to enhance the dialogue between plastics machinery manufacturers and plastics converters. Their goal is to find new opportunities for the technological development in plastics converting and, at the same time, to exchange experiences in the use of recycled polymers.

The image of plastics has suffered substantially, and it is not expected to improve again in the near future. Meanwhile, the European Union has initiated regulations and declarations supported by pledges from brands and OEMs which are stipulating an increased use of recycled polymers in plastics products. This can be seen especially in the field of packaging, but also in

construction, automotive or electrical applications. By 2025, 10 million tons of recycled polymers need to find their way into products and new applications in the EU. At the workshop, two sessions were offered to the more than 30 representatives of European plastics converter companies: film stretching and thermoforming; blow moulding and injection moulding. The speakers were: Markus Koppers, Brückner Technologies, for film stretching; Alfredo Banfi, Amut-Comi, for thermoforming; Celestino Spiga, Magic MP, for blow moulding; Günther Klammer, Engel Austria, for injection moulding.

They presented the latest trends in technology development but also outlined the biggest technological challenges. After the presentations, each group took the opportunity to discuss the most demanding challenges in using recycled

More than 30 representatives of European plastics converter companies participated at the workshop organized by EuPC together with Amaplast, Euromap and Vdma

polymers from both perspectives - the converters’ and the machinery manufacturers’.

The workshop attendees appreciated the benefit of this comprehensive exchange of experiences about technical issues, standardisation problems, regulatory changes and requirements, availability and quality of plastics materials and products.

The K show in Düsseldorf (October 16-23) is also an excellent occasion to think more circular as an industry. The four associations agreed to continue their efforts in this field. Additional workshops with different technologies will therefore be organised in early 2020. www.plasticsconverters.eu

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16 - 23 October 2019 Düsseldorf Hall 9 - Stand E28

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

Flexible polyethylene recycling in Europe

Accelerating the transition towards circular economy Last June Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) published a paper identifying the prerequisites for increasing recycling of flexible polyethylene into a high-quality raw material while ensuring a sustainable and cost-effective process.

With the converters’ demand of around 9 million tons, polyethylene (LLDPE and LDPE) is the second biggest resin processed in the European Union and consequently demonstrates a high recycling potential (source: Plastics-the Facts, PlasticsEurope 2018). However, today’s recycling rate of this resin is at the level of around 20%. This is caused by the fact that reaching for higher targets and higher quality of the recycled material from this stream is hampered by a number of challenges that need to be overcome in order to reach beyond the low hanging fruit.

“Plastic film waste is still perceived as a demanding and difficult stream to treat, however, we in Europe have proven that even stretch film recycling is possible.

Nonetheless, to reach for the additional quantities from post-consumer packaging we need a strong commitment of the value chain to work towards making this material fully sustainable”, said Ton Emans, PRE’s president.

The main bottlenecks specified in the paper refer to low collection rates and low quality of input materials, lack of design for recycling as well as the continuous development of the recycling technologies. Firstly, harmonized collection and sorting processes at the EU level must be introduced to increase both the quantity and the quality of the collected waste.

Secondly, design of plastic packaging controls to a large extent the degree to which packaging Working towards safe, light and can be recycled, as structures functional packaging, while and materials which are incomensuring its recyclability at the patible with mechanical recycling end of its life, is a must cause a number of disruptions in a recycling line. Therefore, specific design for recycling guidelines must be followed when manufacturing a product and when introducing any kind of innovation on the market.

Lastly, although the advancements in recycling and sorting technologies have greatly improved in the past years, more investments as well as research & development are needed to continuously enhance the quality of recycled material.

The industry’s effort will have to be further strengthened by an adequate legislative framework that will create conditions for further expansion. The Member States and regions will equally have to thoroughly implement the EU legislation.

The new legislative measures introduced by the reviewed Waste Package, the Plastics Strategy and the Single Use Directive oblige the industry to take immediate and decisive steps in production and waste management of plastics packaging. It is indispensable to investigate ways of increasing the collection rates, increasing the quality of waste as well as diverting and evaluating the potential of the material that is currently either landfilled or incinerated. The new targets can be achieved only if the main bottlenecks are undertaken and solutions for them elaborated. www.plasticsrecyclers.eu MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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16 - 23 October

DĂźsseldorf, Germany

Hall 01 / Stand D05

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PROCESSING MACHINERY

AMUT GROUP SPLITS IN THREE

SEAMLESS EXTRUSION, RECYCLING AND THERMOFORMING THE ITALIAN AMUT GROUP DISPLAYS ALL ITS BEST SOLUTIONS FOR EXTRUSION, RECYCLING, AND THERMOFORMING, THE THREE MAIN FIELDS OF APPLICATION OF ITS TECHNOLOGY, AS A PIONEER IN EACH OF THEM

CAST LINE FOR STRETCH FILM PRODUCTION The brand-new ACS 2000 cast line for stretch film production is presented in operation by Amut Group at K 2019 (hall 16, booth A05).

Most awaited is the Q-Catcher, the patented system recently developed. The Q-Catcher concept was presented this year during the Stretch Film Conference in Barcelona, the Plastics Extrusion World Expo in Cleveland, and the Chinaplas exhibition in Guangzhou, but only the K show hosts its demo live for the first time.

The Q-Catcher permits the repetition of previously saved parameters to reproduce the film exactly with the same mechanical properties.

The ACS 2000 line has a 7-layer configuration with 5 extruders and useful width of 2,000 mm.

The output is around 1,300 kg/h and the film thickness ranges from 6 to 25 microns. Production speed and mechanical speed reach respectively 850 m/min and 1,000 m/min. The upgraded technology includes the T-Die Essentia (Amut branded) with die splitter, movMACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

able vacuum box for cleaning without dismantling, jumbo-type chill roll unit with 1500+450 mm diameter, AD Scan X-Rays thickness control system, Prowind 4.0 super-fast winder for hand, machine and jumbo rolls without any hydraulic components.

RECYCLING: “GO GREEN” CORNER Aamut Group carries on with the motto “Go Green” firstly launched during Chinaplas 2019 and offers several solutions to support the circular economy. The friction washer, the exhibited patented machine, performs intense

PET/HDPE/LDPE washing and pollutants removal action. Thanks to the strong cleaning force of the friction washer, the outgoing flakes have the quality required to be reused in many applications.

Great visibility is dedicated to the project carried out in partnership with Ecoplasteam Italian company for POAL (Tetrapack waste) recovery.

POAL, coming from the paper mill after being recovered from cellulose, is washed

Great visibility is dedicated to the project carried out in partnership with Ecoplasteam Italian company for POAL (Tetrapack waste) recovery.

POAL, coming from the paper mill after being recovered from cellulose, is washed and pelletized into Ecoallene material

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PROCESSING MACHINERY An ACF820 thermoforming machine, at the K 2019 displayed at the booth of the sister company Amut-Comi (B92, hall 3)

and pelletized into Ecoallene material. The entire treatment process is completed with Amut equipment. Ecoallene pellets are suitable to be extruded and thermoformed, or processed by injection moulding as well.

Amut also proposes the line concept for bottle-to-packaging application developed in collaboration with Erema. The extrusion line is designed to process 100% post-consumer PET bottle flakes into single layer certified food grade foil for thermoforming. Direct FDA extrusion process. The line has a net width from 1,000 to 2,000 mm, configuration with one layer, 3 layers or up to 5 layers on demand. The thickness is from 0.15 to 2 mm and the output is up to 2,000 kg/h.

An in-line thermoforming plant for PLA cups is shown by a video: the Amut technology both thermoforming and extrusion units - can handle production with easy and fast change from PP to PLA.

THERMOFORMING AT THE AMUT-COMI BOOTH (HALL 3, BOOTH B92)

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The ACF820 is in operation with 100% rPET foil produced with the above-mentioned Amut-Erema line. Demo also with metallized foil in Glue Less technology. The 4-cavity mould is for a dinnerware set composed by a charger plate and a soup plate.

ACF series is driven by Easy software, the smart HMI developed by Amut-Comi software engineers. www.amutgroup.com

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PROCESSING MACHINERY

TECNOMATIC IS INVESTING IN INDUSTRY 4.0 DEVELOPMENT

HIGHER PERFORMANCES AND PRODUCTIVITY FROM THE PIPE EXTRUSION LINES P

ipe manufacturers are more and more oriented towards cost efficiency and energy saving, but always aiming at the best performance and output rate achievable for their pipe extrusion lines. Renowned as one of the top manufacturers of machinery for the production of plastic pipes, Tecnomatic (hall 16, booth D05) exhibits at the K 2019 show innovative solutions for pipe extrusion, to assist customers not only by supplying extruders and die-heads, but also by providing complete production systems for a business which is getting increasingly demanding.

FOCUS ON INDUSTRY 4.0 Innovation that will change the future and is already changing the present: this is Industry 4.0, which is becoming increasingly important and is involving more and more factories. Industry 4.0 plays a strategic role in coordinating, synchronizing and analysing the machinery process, as well as supplying very important data to human operators. Therefore, the production process will become more accurate while making the MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

operator’s work easier.

At K 2019, Tecnomatic presents its system aimed at supporting the new digital industrial revolution, providing plastic pipes manufacturers with a complete and integrated portfolio of products, solutions, software and automation technologies.

The system provides a simple user-friendly program for the networking of extrusion pipes lines.

Several machines and peripherals are connected via the machine EPC (Extrusion Process Control) system, linked together to be operated thanks to a standardised user interface, which enables interaction between the individual appliances. In this way, the entire manufacturing process, including material feeding, temperature control and synchronization is coordinated and tracked. Another important point is having all parameters centrally recorded and monitored. The system allows, not only to carry out energy monitoring, but to convert numbers and data into valuable information on the processes within the line. This enables optimal analysis of line performance.

TECNOMATIC IS FOCUSING AND INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGIES FOR INDUSTRY 4.0. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, THIS WILL ENABLE TO SUPPLY PROCESSORS WITH THE MOST EFFICIENT EXTRUSION LINES AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET

A cross-head for PE coating

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PROCESSING MACHINERY i-Like Machines-Industry 4.0 summarized according to Tecnomatic

Perfectly in line with the concept of “smart factory” of Industry 4.0, all data, including preventive maintenance and service parameters or alarms, can be monitored via internet or intranet, PC, servers or mobile devices. The investment in Industry 4.0 brings many advantages, such as: - higher flexibility and efficiency of the extrusion line through a shorter set-up period, reducing errors and downtime; - possibility of big data collection and analysis to optimize the processes.

The above are just some of the many advantages of having extrusion plants operating with Industry 4.0 technology, and therefore Tecnomatic is focusing and investing in it. This will enable the company to provide its clients with the most efficient extrusion lines available in the market.

EXTRUDERS AND DIE-HEADS Besides an extruder of the Zephyr series, Tecnomatic also displays die-heads of the Venus series - to produce PP-R pipes with fibreglass up to 250 mm - and the Venus Coat series for the coating of PE or metal pipes with protective or functional layers.

Zephyr, the most performing extruder manufactured by Tecnomatic, features an array of advanced technical solutions, which make it an ideal choice for pipe producers looking for highly efficient machines, in terms of energy saving, and extreme output performance at lower melt temperatures. The innovation spans the entire extruder and includes the new spiral grooved bush, screw and motors.

Pipe extrusion is highly dependent on electricity and most of the energy usage is in operating the extruder itself. The Zephyr series has been designed by focusing on this as a priority. In fact, the extruders of this line feature increased screw length and AC water-cooled motors, to ensure the same output as bigger size extruders but with improved energy efficiency.

The new feed bush ensures lass friction, com-

A four-layer pipe head

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monly generated by raw material conveying, with the subsequent increase of specific and total throughput. The further development in screw design, with the optimization and enhancement of torque and shearing elements, has improved the output but has also led to process the material at lower melt temperatures.

In a market increasingly looking for highly innovative developments, with respect to the growing improvement of material properties, single-layer pipes are not always able to fulfil the necessary requirements. Tecnomatic has well interpreted these customer needs, developing, on the basis of the Venus concept, a full range of die-heads for the production of 2-, 3- or 4-layer polyolefin pipes even in big size.

The Venus Multi pipe heads have implemented important technological features to reach the best pipes processing and to fit a wide range of materials at very high output.

The spiral geometry has been especially optimized for the latest generation of PE and PP raw materials, while length, volume and pressure have been reduced. The heart of the Venus Multi consists in an innovative flow channels geometry, calculated evaluating the current raw material. This geometry ensures the same behaviour for pressure and distribution of the melt, in every pipe head of the range, even at a very high output rate.

The new feeding system of the spiral channels contributes to reducing the working pressure.

This influences energy consumption during extrusion remarkably, considering that approximately 5 to 10% of the extruder power is necessary for the pumping capacity. Lower pressure also results in a lower increase of the melt temperature and lower residence times, ensuring improved pipe characteristics with regard to OIT (oxidation resistance) values, extra weight and thermal and shear stresses reduction.

COATED PIPES The inherent flexibility of polyethylene has enabled a wide range of techniques, including thrust boring, directional drilling and pipe bursting, to be used to install polyethylene pipe systems. Multilayer pipe systems have been developed with the specific aim of improving the protection of the pressure pipes during installation and maximizing the quality of the pipe system.

Pipes with a peelable outer skin have provided significant economic and environmental benefits in water distribution pipelines and are currently being tested and introduced in gas distribution networks. The jacket is made of a specially modified polypropylene material, which protects the surface of the inner pipe against potential notches and cracks generally associated with demanding installation methods, such as pipe bursting or wash-boring. Even extremely deep notches in the protective jacket will not be transferred to the inner pipe when it is eventually exposed to service-related stresses. Instead, the core pipe is made from PE resins. The dimensions of the core pipe match those of standard solid wall PE pipes.

“Adhered” to the outer wall of the PE core pipe is a tough skin, which is typically 0.6 to 0.7 mm thick for all current dimensions of this new multilayered pipes. The “skin” is added by a crosshead positioned before the last cooling bath.

To fulfil the needs of coated pipes production with protective layers, Tecnomatic has developed a full range of die-heads, based on spiral or radial technology, suitable for both plastic or metal pipes coatings with range from 5 to 800 mm, and solutions up to 4 layers. The die-heads are based on a typical spiral technology for large and single layer coextrusion, while combined solutions with radial distributors or short path spiral are offered according to material characteristics or volume as for PA, EVOH, PVDF or adhesive bonds. www.tecnomaticsrl.net MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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PROCESSING MACHINERY

COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PACKAGE FOR SPECIFIC RECYCLING PROJECTS

SEEDING FOR INNOVATION, DIGITALISATION AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY THE AUSTRIAN COMPANY EREMA - WITH TWO BUSINESS UNITS, POWERFIL AND KEYCYCLE - TOGETHER WITH 3S, PURE LOOP, UMAC AND PLASMAC ARE THE SEVEN COMPANIES OF THE EREMA GROUP, WHICH THEY REPRESENT AT THE K SHOW FOR THE FIRST TIME. DESPITE THE RELATIVELY BRIEF HISTORY, THE GROUP HAS DEVELOPED FROM BUSINESS PIONEER TO WORLD MARKET AND INNOVATION LEADER

A

t K 2019, the Erema Group (hall 9, booth C05) showcases its full range of products and services for the plastics recycling process more comprehensively than ever before. For the first time, a total of seven companies and business units - Erema, Powerfil, Keycycle, Pure Loop, 3S, Umac and Plasmac - are representing the Erema Group at the trade fair.

Even though they have a relatively brief company history, Erema has developed from a pioneering company to an innovation and world market leader in plastics recycling systems.

“Today, we offer our customers technologies and components as well as consulting, service, engineering and planning services and, of course, the expertise and dedication of our employees. All of these are success factors contributing to the performance of our customers, which is why the Erema Group appears at K this year under the motto “Seeds for your performance”, explained Manfred Hackl, CEO of the Erema Group.

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

TECHNOLOGICAL HIGHLIGHTS Erema is sure that the latest recycling systems presented at K will also be successful. The Vacunite bottle-to-bottle technology, introduced to the market as a world-first, is headlining the show.

It is a combination of the proven Vacurema process with newly patented, vacuum-assisted solid state polycondensation (SSP) by Polymetrix for the production of food-grade rPET pellets.

In the in-house and industrial sectors, the new Intarema ZeroWastePro system is a compact solution that is precisely tailored to the requirements of recycling production waste. The optimised design of the machine makes integration into the existing process chain even easier and enables significantly shorter delivery times for customers.

Pure Loop, an Erema Group subsidiary in the shredder-extruder technology segment, is displaying the new Isec Evo series as a supplement to its existing product range. In future, this will enable output rates of more than 1,500 kg/h to

be achieved for the first time.

And in post-consumer applications, the focus is on an increasingly diverse range of applications for high-quality recycled materials using contaminated plastic waste that can be processed using innovative Erema recycling technology. The most recent example of this is the shower gel bottles of Manfred Hackl, CEO of the Erema Group

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PROCESSING MACHINERY

a well-known brand manufacturer that for the first time are made from 100 percent HDPE post-consumer recycled material from Austria’s yellow recycling sacks - a world first in the cosmetics sector.

BLUPORT - NEW IOT PLATFORM FOR CUSTOMERS In Düsseldorf Erema is also demonstrating its pioneering role in relation to industry 4.0 applications. BluPort, a newly developed customer portal, brings together decision-relevant information and service offers for customers in a clear and user-friendly way.

“The networking of virtual data levels with real process sequences will create new solutions for plant operation and new smart service offerings in the future. With a focus on data security and customer benefits, BluPort will be an exciting platform for new applications, which will enable our customers to make the most of the diverse potential that digitalization already offers and will continue to offer in the future”, explained Manfred Hackl.

Vacuum, nitrogen, SSP technology: in a word Vacunite, the new bottle-to-bottle process for food-contact-grade rPET pellets

Group want to achieve, namely the integration of recycling know-how into the plastics value chain, so that our industry, the environment and society as a whole, can gain ecological and economic benefits from it”, is how Manfred Hackl described the objective of the presentations at the Circonomic Centre.

How this is possible will be explained to visitors live, directly on site using outstanding cooperation projects as an example. “We make it possible for trade fair visitors to experience the circular economy in the truest sense of the word”, noted marketing manager Gerold Breuer.

EREMA RECYCLES TRADE FAIR WASTE CIRCULAR ECONOMY LIVE AT THE CIRCONOMIC CENTRE The Erema Circonomic Centre will be an absolute highlight for visitors to the outdoor area.

“Circonomic is a word we created from circular and economy to express what we as the Erema

For this purpose, injection moulding and film waste collected during the trade fair is recycled and processed on site. In cooperation with raw material manufacturers, processors, branded goods companies and recyclers, Erema also presents a number of other lighthouse projects

that demonstrate the different starting materials and recycling technologies that have already been used to successfully produce recycled materials for the production of new, high-quality plastic products. “Products made of recyclate” is also the name of an exhibition that is on display at the Circonomic Centre to provide an overview of the impressive range of products. These lighthouse projects are important for the industry but also in terms of consumer awareness.

“Recycling must become a fixed link in the plastics chain. The players in the plastics industry can only achieve this together. The Erema Group is the central force behind the realisation of the Circular Economy for plastics. We want to promote working together and at the same time demonstrate that we can provide the best possible recycling technologies for the requirements of the Circular Economy”, said Manfred Hackl, summing up expectations for the K trade fair. www.erema.com

Partnership during K 2019

Braskem, Kautex Maschinenbau and Erema demonstrates a closed plastic loop Kautex’s efforts towards contributing to the success of the circular economy comes from the company’s understanding of their responsibility to promote the recycling of plastics, and to work with partners to optimize material cycles. The further development of the use of recycled materials plays an important role for the company.

Kautex Maschinenbau decided to process the Braskem material solution due to a bet-

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ter processability, less odour development and because they could offer their PCR and renewable material in a more sustainable way than conventional solutions, which is in line with their circular economy commitment. The raw material which is used for the demo bottles is derived from sugarcane, and the PCR material comes from already recycled material. By using Braskem’s technology, Kautex will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of those bottles as well as the use of fossil resources. For every kg of I’m green Polyethylene used more than 5 kg of CO2 is saved. In addition, the material usage is reduced by the use of foam technology and thus an additional optimization of the CO2 footprint is achieved.

By joining forces with Erema, the loop is fully closed as they showcase

solutions for every single step within the plastics recycling process. This includes recycling technologies as well as software tools, and engineering and integration services for plastics recycling projects. Kautex’s bottles made of Braskem’s material are collected by Erema and fully recycled in order to avoid any waste; showcasing the true objective of the circular economy.

At the Erema Circonomic Centre very tangible lighthouse projects are be displayed.

The name Circonomic Centre, a word composed of “circular” and “economics”, refers to integrating recycling know-how into the plastics value chain providing both economic and ecological benefits. Recycling is demonstrated in several live-performances, processing different plastic input material. In total more than 30 tons are recycled during K 2019, including HDPE-bottles produced by Kautex.

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EXACT LAUNCHES THE E-120

RECYCLING OF EDGE TRIMS AT HIGH SPEED A VERY IMPORTANT K SHOW FOR EXACT, THIS YEAR. IN FACT, THE ITALIAN COMPANY BASED NEAR BERGAMO LAUNCHES A NEW EXTRUDER AND CELEBRATES ITS FORTY-FIFTH YEAR OF ACTIVITY IN THE RECYCLING FIELD

T

he Italian company Exact (hall 9, booth E54, at K 2019), based near Bergamo, is ready for the launch of the new extruder E-120, capable of recycling edge trims at high speed. After final tests and last touch ups, carried out at the manufactring plant, the extruder is being presented at K 2019.

The E-120 model is a compact extruder developed to meet the needs of recovering very thick edge trims at high speeds. It is suitable for the recovery of films containing mixtures of LDPE, LLDPE, mLLDPE, HDPE, EVA and barrier films containing coPA, and EVOH. Indeed, during the first phase of test different film mixtures were also processed with positive results, thus leaving room for the possible expansion of the range of materials that can be recovered with this new extruder model.

“Our new machine is capable of guaranteeing an hourly production rate of 120 kg of regranulate, and has been designed to work in perfect harmony with high speed systems. Cast lines with speeds of 300 metres per minute or more are in fact the field of choice for this new extruder model. Our previous E-60 could not work in plants under such conditions. The

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

presence of a shredder with 14 shredding blades placed above the mouth of the extruder also allows it to work without difficulty even in the presence of films of considerable thicknesses”, Nicolò Pepe, chief of R&D and general manager at Exact, declared.

The new E-120 extruder is a machine for the recovery of trimmings in-line, in a closed loop process, off-line, as waste reels, or even simultaneously.

TWO KEY CONCEPTS DROVE THE DEVELOPMENT “The addition of such components, as well as the extraction and the input of the trimmings by air conveying, became necessary because we tried to respond to a concrete market demand which, in our opinion, is in the growth phase of this particular production area. The introduction of the E-120 alongside our cold recovery systems - without fusion of the trim - which are Very few details were revealed by Exact about the E-120 model that debuts at K 2019

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particularly suitable for all those films which cannot bear a second fusion, such as bioplastics, allows us to cover almost the entire market spectrum for edge trim recovery”, Nicolò Pepe continued.

“Versatility and power: these are the two key concepts that have driven us in the development of this extruder, the reasons why it was also equipped with instruments allowing the complete customization of its fundamental parameters for a better adaptation to the different materials to be treated”, Jacopo Pepe, executive manager at Exact, added.

In fact, the E-120 features five independent thermoregulation zones, dual pressure probe for a continuous control of the melt fluidity, head unit with screenchanger and extrusion die with four blades for air cutting. Independent adjustments can also be carried out on the cutting speed, towing and screw revolutions.

The operator can set all these different parameters through an intuitive interface, visible on a generous 10-inch Omron touchscreen connected to the extruder via a practical extendable arm, to guarantee maximum operator ergonomics.

The development and manufacturing of the new extruder at the Exact factory, with Nicolò Pepe in the background

FORTY-FIVE YEARS OF HISTORY “This year we are celebrating our 45th anniversary of activity, and even though we were born producing our now iconic cold recovery system machines, the development of our hot technology system has given us a great deal of satisfaction, from the first moment of its introduction in the Exact catalog. With the new Exact

E-120 extruder, we aim at expanding the range of functionality of our extruders, to meet the real demands coming from many of our customers and the plastics industry in general. Also hoping to launch Exact towards a future equally favourable as all the years since 1974 to the present”, Noris Mazzoleni, CEO at Exact, concluded. www.exact.it

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PROCESSING MACHINERY

A HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY

A “COMMON GROWTH PATH” FOR THE LAST 58 YEARS MARCO FILIPPINI SPEAKS IN FIRST PERSON OF TECHNOLOGY AND MARKET, SUMMARIZING THE HISTORY OF SALDOFLEX, ILLUSTRATING ITS CURRENT PRODUCTION AND TRACKING ITS POSSIBLE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

“A

common growth path with our customers. Our ambition is to be considered a reliable partner, with whom to establish a long-term business relationship.

Someone you can rely on, technically prepared, able to provide advice and the best solution to customer needs, able to deal with and manage emergencies and sudden demands”.

With these words Marco Filippini, Saldoflex project manager and sales operations, wanted to summarize the philosophy that has always guided the operating strategy of Saldoflex, founded in 1961 to become, shortly after, a reference partner for the plastics processing industry.

“The two years 2018-2019, have represented an important test bench for Saldoflex: the effervescence of the market of plants and machinery for the processing of plastic materials, both nationally and, above all, internationally, has committed and saturated all company resources and the entire production capacity. Increasingly sophisticated systems with high technological

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

content, an increasingly demanding customer base and the search for perfection, increasingly strong logistic export and testing complexity: new challenges are won with new projects. Projects founded on the solid experience of the company that, for more than half a century, has been amongst the world leaders in the design and construction of flexographic printing machines (from reel to reel and in line to extrusion/welding machines) and automatic sealing machines for sacks and bags production (lying and in rolls)”.

Some components of the Saldoflex lines ready to be assembled

FLEXO AT FULL SPEED “We can say that 2018 was the year of Flexo, a sector in which we recorded a significant increase in plant orders”, Marco Filippini continues, “amongst which, in the last 12 months, three have been the most challenging projects seeing the light of the day inside the Flexo Division: - a new line for printing, gusseting and embossing flat tubular films for the FFS (Form, Fill & Seal) production of industrial bags, used for pack-

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aging products such as plastic granules, fertilizers, salts etc. The complete line consists in: the EasyReel motorized unwinder for reels with a diameter up to 1,500 mm; the Flexol gearless stack-type printing group with 1,000 mm width that can be configured from 4 to 8 colours and printing speed up to 300 m/min; gusset; embosser; micro perforators; automatic film guide; the REVOmatic non-stop rewinder with a width of 1,000 mm; - a new printing group, designed to work in perfect synchronism with a blown film extrusion line, for printing on bags for distribution at the sales points of a large French group of large-scale retail trade. The flexographic printing machine is composed of: the Flexol gearless 6-colour printing group with 2,200 mm width and speed up to 300 m/min; sleeve cliché with quick change directly in the machine “Quick Sleeves ChangeOut System” for print developments up to 1,200 mm; carbon fibre pneumatic spindle, guaranteeing low inertia as well as high rigidity; simultaneous and parallel motorized feed of the printing cylinders; closed chamber doctor blades and laser engraved ceramic cylinders; automatic adjustment and control system of ink viscosity; automatic inking and washing system RWS (Rapid Washing System); automatic film-guide; motorized transverse and longitudinal register manageable by touch-screen operator; - a new line for reel to reel printing on film or tubular for industrial packaging. The complete line consists in: the EasyReel motorized unwinder for reels with a diameter of up to 1,500 mm; corona treatment; stack-type Flexol ServoDrive 6-colour print group with a width of 2,000 mm and speeds up to 250 m/min; sleeve cliché with

Pharmaceutical bags at the outlet of a Saldoflex welding line

Detail of a 5-lane line

quick changeover directly in the machine “Quick Sleeves Change-Out System” for press development up to 1,300 mm; simultaneous and parallel motorized feeds of the printing cylinders; closed chamber doctor blades and laser engraved ceramic cylinders; automatic adjustment and viscosity control system of ink; automatic inking and washing system RWS (Rapid Washing System); automatic film-guide; printing video inspection system; the REVOmatic automatic non-stop winder with a width of 2000 mm”.

PRESENCE AT K 2019 “We are present at the 2019 edition of the K fair in Düsseldorf (hall 3, booth F54), an extremely important and essential appointment for us, perhaps the most important showcase in the world for the plastics industry, to which we have been participating since the beginning of the 80s”, Filippini explains. “This year we are exhibiting two lines of automatic welding machines: - Roll-FlexLEX 1350 with 2 lanes, for pre-cutted and rolled up garbage bags production, which allows to opt for different film process types and welding: bottom sealing (with or without gussets), star sealing or antidrip side sealing; - Modula M-2011 SV - No StopTOP with 5 lanes, for the automatic production of bottom sealed bags and block-notes bags”.

“All our welding lines enable the processing of low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density linear polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), bi-oriented polypropylene (BOPP), coextruded polypropylene (PP Coex) and bioplastics (biodegradable and compostable). This last, amongst other things, is certainly nothing new for us, having been amongst the first in the sector, acquiring important experience and technical skills over time”.

Skills that have led to the realization of plants with special features, such as high process speed, minimum waste of material (today an aspect

52

that is increasingly important for our customers), versatility in changing production recipes and short time frames for equipping and setting up machines. And, speaking about machines, all Saldoflex plants are ready 4.0 systems, according to a consolidated trend of equipping machines with systems and interfaces that allow the exchange of a large amount of data with ERP systems, following the dictates of the fourth industrial revolution. Industry 4.0 theme, in fact, has obviously also embraced the plastics processing sector and the company from Varese was one of the first to adopt this new production methodology, which is now increasingly in demand on the market.

AN EYE TO THE FUTURE AND MARKET DEVELOPMENTS “We are working on two parallel lines both in the field of automatic welding machines and flexographic printing to be ready for the challenges of the future. We found a certain vivacity in the biodegradable and compostable bags market”, Marco comments, “despite the objective difficulties understanding the regulations in force and the programs for the near future, mostly in Italy but also at European Community level. Despite this, we expect a strong boost from the opening of new markets thanks to the latest regulations introducing the distribution of biodegradable shopping bags in France (January 2019), Austria (January 2020), and Spain (January 2021).

Finally, again due to the importance that Saldoflex attributes to trade fair events, its participation at Drupa Fair in Düsseldorf (June 16-26) - the most important worldwide exhibition for printing and converting - is scheduled for 2020.

“And there”, Marco Filippini reports, “we will present ourselves with important product innovations, with regard to our flexographic printing machine, which we have been working on since last year”. www.saldoflex.com MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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BMB AT K 2019 WITH THE NEW HP SERIES

SPEED AND PRECISION WITH FOUR WORK CELLS - THREE EXHIBITED AT ITS BOOTH (A33, HALL 13) AND ONE AT THE BOOTH OF ITS PARTNER ENELKON (A36, HALL 12) - BMB PROPOSES ITS MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AT K 2019 AND LAUNCHES THE NEW HP SERIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INJECTION MOULDING OPERATORS IN THE INDUSTRY 4.0 ERA. WHERE PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY NEED TO GO HAND IN HAND WITH ENERGY SAVING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

R

educed production costs, limited environmental impact of its industrial processes and of the users of its machinery, as well as the processing of compostable or 100% recycled and recyclable materials, make BMB a company in step with the times. The

The coffee pods made on an eKW 70 Pi/2200 Full Electric injection moulding machine

54

company’s aim is to enhance the role of plastics in modern life, confirming its utility, taking into account and placing attention on the difficulties faced in recent years under the cross fire from global public opinion and attempts by legislators in many countries to limit usage.

Plastic is going through a very particular, delicate moment in time. The unprecedented - and sometimes irresponsible - wave of repulsion it is experiencing has, in certain cases, heavily compromised the results of some important segments, even putting jobs at risk. Misinformation, or incorrect information, often prevails and consumers are prompted to change their behaviour without seeming logic, or are caught up in the emotion of the moment. This sort of war against plastic, and its use and disposal at end of life, is now pushing everyone to reflect on their behaviour.

On the one hand there are the consumers, with a more responsible use of plastic products, playing greater attention to managing waste to permit proper and effective recycling (plastics can be 100% recycled at a lower cost and a lower pollution level of any other material). Promoting a circular economy does not have to mean putting into question the wellness we are all used to, but rather living more responsibly to protect our future and the environment around us. On the other hand, we see the development of new materials, new technologies and new processes which are more environmentally sustainable and suited to reducing the consumption of resources and polluting agents, making it easier to recycle articles once at end life.

Currently, there are no solutions that satisfy needs on all fronts, but the research and development departments of all companies, BMB inMACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

cluded, are at work to meet these goals, or pave the way to meet them, through higher quality of recycled raw materials, as well as thanks to biodegradable and compostable resins.

Even institutions and mass media are at work, promoting a more responsible and sustainable use of plastic and activating or stimulating policies aimed at incorporating the culture and technical knowledge necessary to ensure environmental protection into the plastic industry, without this leading to the elimination of products that are today irreplaceable. Focusing on the above considerations, this year’s K show offers a valid testing ground and showcase to evaluate the advancements in this regard by all stakeholders.

TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION FIRST AND FOREMOST For its part, at such a delicate and important moment in time, BMB responds with solutions based on technological innovation and with the ability to cut resource consumption. K 2019 provides the launch pad for BMB for even faster and more energy-efficient machines, characterized by technological innovations compatible with new compostable or 100% recycled and recyclable materials.

The participation of the Italian manufacturer is focusing in particular on the new range of “HP Series” machines, characterized by a new and dual Moog servo-valve for faster and more precise injection; a new-generation Heidenhain CNC control unit, with extension of functions and size of the touch screen display for more efficient machine management, both at the operational level and in an IoT perspective; reduced overall dimensions in length and width, with a redesigned enclosure to reduce floorspace and MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

optimize access for maintenance and moulds (this aspect is still in the designing phase and will be introduced only after the exhibition); increased safety through the replacement of electromechanical limit switches with digital controllers capable of monitoring their operation from an Industry 4.0 point of view. Finally, the machine is ready for a distributed electronic configuration.

eKW HYBRID AND FULL ELECTRIC MACHINES The clamping force of Full Electric range has now reached 1,400 tons and the performance levels in terms of speed and precision can meet even the most demanding requirements in the packaging sector. The clamping force of the Hybrid range has instead topped 2,800 tons.

The Full Electric machines distinguish themselves for some unique advantages. In line with the increasing attention to environmental problems, BMB designers have combined the success achieved with the patented KW toggle-joint clamping system with the advantages brought by electrical drives. Energy consumption and noise emissions have been reduced even at top speeds, while cleanliness has been

At K 2019 the eKW 45HP/2200 Hybrid machine, from the new HP series, produces thin-wall containers (bottom left) applying the MuCell technology for microcellular expansion

improved in comparison with hydraulic injection machines. The conversion from hydraulic drives to electric ones offers not only the aforementioned advantages, but also higher speeds and accuracy with respect to the past.

However, some injection speeds are not yet achievable even with the best electric motors on the market, hence the need to use and improve hydraulic injection units. This gives life to the new HP series, with a double Moog servo-valve to meet with the most demanding moulding requirements, offering the best solution in terms of speed and accuracy. All the motors used on the eKW series are driven and controlled by a CNC control unit originally developed for machine tools, which has allowed BMB to reach a centesimal precision without having to reduce the speed of movements.

The new Heidenhain touch panel, now even larger and more intuitive, allows enhanced programming thanks to additional keys, new pages available to the user and even larger icons. The high definition screen, with a rectangular shape in portrait format, also ensures optimised viewing and programming.

FOUR WORK CELLS A LOOK AT THE NEW HP

The square-section container produced on a eKW1000/18500 Hybrid, in 100% recycled post-consumer material. The container itself can be recycled again in order to produce a new container, or another type of product

In this context, BMB exhibits four work cells at K 2019, three at its own booth (A33, hall 13) and one at the booth of its technological partner Enelkon (A36, hall 12), a quality manufacturer of automation solutions for high performance IML systems. The aim of each cell is to enhance one or more concepts on which BMB has focused its research and development activities over the last year.

The first work cell is based on a high-performance eKW 45HP/2200 Hybrid machine, be-

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longing to the new HP series, and is customised for producing rectangular thin-wall containers by combining the MuCell and the IML technologies. This is the first machine of the new HP series, equipped with many new features improving precision and injection speed, as well as with an optimised operator interface on the control panel.

The HP series has been designed paying particular attention to integration and interconnection from an IoT perspective. The machine on show boasts a clamping force of 450 tons, high plasticisation efficiency and an injection unit with accumulator controlled by a dual Moog servo-valve, for unprecedented speed and accuracy, and closed loop control. The special screw of the machine is designed keeping an eye to the MuCell technology for the microcellular expansion of the plastic material, able to reduce the cycle time and the amount of raw material needed without affecting the aesthetic quality of the moulding. The machine has been conceived for packaging applications, which require speed and accuracy combined with energy saving. It is for this reason that the HP series features torque motors on the clamping and plasticisation units, which are coupled directly to the screw rotation movement without the use of belts or gears.

The second work cell is based on an eKW70Pi/2200 Full Electric injection moulding machine, producing totally biodegradable and compostable coffee pods. It is a special machine developed for innovative products made of compostable PP over-injected with an EVOH membrane, as in this case, in order to obtain a barrier effect against UV rays and oxygen, amongst others, and preserve the typical aroma of coffee. The machine on show features a clamping force of 700 tons and offers the opportunity to control a second electric injection unit for the over-injection process, installed directly on the mould.

This machine is equipped with a special screw, designed in-house by BMB, for processing the compostable material, and with a 32-cavity mould for coffee pods (supplied by the compa-

ny’s partner Imper) to achieve output rates of up to 21,000 parts per hour. After its use in the coffee machine, the pod can be thrown into the damp waste bin, as both the coffee residues and the pod material are totally biodegradable and compostable.

An eKW1000/18500 Hybrid injection moulding machine represents the heart of the third work cell. This model features a clamping force of 1,000 tons and a shot weight of 8,139 g (PP), and produces 1-gallon square-section buckets with a handle assembled by a robot. Both the container and the handle are made 100% from recycled post-consumer material, which means there are practically no limits on it being recycled.

Finally, the eKW16Pi/700 Full Electric integrated in the fourth work cell - on show at Enelkon’s booth - belongs to a range of fully electric machines with very fast cycles. It is a 160 tons high-performance injection moulding machine designed for producing thin-wall food containers and featuring low energy consumption and IML technology. The machine produces a circular-section container in a 4-cavity mould, is equipped with a side-entry robot, and can reach an output of over 7,000 parts/hour. Thanks to the vision control system each part undergoes a quality check and is rejected if it fails to meet the quality requirements.

THE MACHINE TAKES CARE OF THE REST The interconnected drives recover the braking energy, increasing the energy efficiency of the machine. The energy recovery system is fully integrated into the drive and control functions, making it easy to find the set values and comply

The eKW1000/18500 Hybrid injection moulding machine showed at K 2019; it produces the 1-gallon square-section bucket and its handle made 100% from recycled post-consumer material

56

The eKW16Pi/700 Full Electric is shown at Enelkon’s booth

with all the settings of the work cycle. The setting procedure has been considerably simplified and requires only three parameters: position, speed and pressure. The machine takes care of the rest, sticking to the settings with a precision to the nearest hundredth, automatically adjusting acceleration and deceleration. Monitoring and constant energy measurements are also standard for all models in the series and allow the operator to have instantaneous and continuous readings of the kWh value for each kg of material processed. This is certainly a significant advantage for all users, as the kWh/kg value is the reference unit of measurement for direct comparisons with other injection machines.

Considering all this, BMB is not just a manufacturer, but an active partner for the entire life cycle of its machines. Thanks to a worldwide service organization, BMB is able to closely monitor the machines anywhere in the world.

The remote assistance feature installed on all BMB machines (Remote Desktop) allows direct connection via the web with BMB after-sale assistance centre for the optimization of all functions. It is activated if it is deemed useful by the user for receiving support and solving possible problems with the machine. The remote assistance function is supplied as standard with the machine, without any license fee; this free service represents a significant advantage for the process and diagnostic support at any time.

The company’s on-going commitment to research and development has also enabled it to increase machine safety with the replacement of electromechanical sensors with digital sensors offering greater safety and constant access monitoring. Distributed electronics and constant digital monitoring of functions, parameters and safety features, allow BMB to move towards intelligent and autonomous machines capable of communicating with and relating to the operator.

One of the factors that BMB is most proud of is the new HP injection unit, capable of achieving very high injection speed and accuracy. The integration of the double servo-valve has in fact made it possible to reach very high speeds, thus satisfying even the most demanding requirements in the field of food containers, paint containers and horticultural plant pots. www.bmb-spa.com MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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ZE2300III

THE THIRD GENERATION OF HAITIAN MACHINES AT K 2019

NEW SOLUTIONS TO THE POINT AT THE K SHOW 2019 (BOOTH A57, HALL 15) HAITIAN INTERNATIONAL PRESENTS THE NEXT GENERATION OF ITS INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES, FOCUSING ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES, COMPONENTS AND PERFORMANCE VERSIONS, NEW MODULARITY THROUGH HYBRID SOLUTIONS AND OPEN INTEGRATION FOR MORE FLEXIBILITY

F

ollowing the proven strategy “Technology to the Point”, the third technology generation from Haitian International combines innovative new developments in hardware and software with beneficial optimization of machine models - both in the servo-hydraulic top sellers from Haitian and in the electric pioneer series from the Zhafir brand (distributed in Italy by IMG, the injection moulding machines manufacturer for rubber and TPES). The third technology generation deliver seven more efficiency, productivity and new “solutions to the point”. The versatility of the electric product range has been greatly expanded, and the performance of the servo-hydraulic two-platen machines has been significantly increased. Optimized drives and an open integration strategy for robotics and automation increase the scope MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

for investment and flexibility in production.

Ongoing improvements and the consistent improvement of standard components, such as motors, result in higher performance but also higher overall resource savings.

Worldwide, standard plastics with a theoret-

ically high recycling rate are predominantly used in over 80% of standard applications.

Haitian International’s success strategy is to build injection moulding machines for precisely these standard applications and to continuously optimise them with regard to

The new patented concept for large electric injection units: 4 spindles + 4 motors

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standard components. Technologies to the point support the resource and energy-saving use of raw materials to produce recyclable plastic parts.

At the same time, the company has worked intensely to make electrical technologies affordable, because responsible mechanical engineering undoubtedly requires energy-efficient concepts. Electrical solutions under the Zhafir brand are now amongst the top three worldwide in sales; they are per se energy-efficient and sustainable.

THE EXHIBITS AT K 2019 At the K show, at booth A57 in hall 15, four live exhibits produce standard applications with recyclates, or 100% recyclable materials.

Facelift and technical optimizations - The third generation of the electric Zhafir family

ZAFHIR PLASTICS MACHINERY Since introduction, the Zhafir Series have been continuously improved. The electric technology in generation three presents itself as even more customer-oriented thanks to an optimized toggle design and a new injection unit, especially in the upper clamping force segment.

Patented world premiere New electric Zhafir injection unit The new, pioneering concept of electric injection units from Zhafir’s high-tech engineers is the technological trade fair highlight. Available in four design versions with 1, 2 and 4 spindles (patented and attractively priced), the injection pressure is significantly increased. After the exclusive preview at the open house in the German Haitian’s headquarters (Ebermannsdorf, June 25-28), the large 12800 injection unit is now showing at K 2019.

Clean, electrical solution for medical Zhafir Venus III Series Fully electric dynamics with the highest pre-

Zhafir Zeres F Series, model ZE2300F-830h

cision and up to 70% energy savings. A VE1200III produces a medical part made of PP under a laminar flow box from cleanroom manufacturer Max Petek.

Dynamic solution for packaging Zhafir Zeres F Series Electric all-rounder with integrated hydraulic drive. ZE2300F-830h - based on the latest third generation technology from Zhafir produces a 4-cavity lid with IML, both made of PP, in a Sepro Robotique production cell.

New design, new servo motor generation - The proven Haitian Mars Series

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HAITIAN PLASTICS MACHINERY Compact solution for large automotive parts Haitian Jupiter III Series Compact two-platen solution with even more free space and an open integration concept for intelligent control and digitization of process sequences. Design innovations lead to more stable platen movements and shorter dry cycle times. A JU5500III-2230 produces a LED light strip made of polycarbonate, integrated into a production cell with a 6-axis-robot from ABB. Economical solution for consumer goods Haitian Mars III Series The Mars Series remains the world’s best-selling injection moulding machine from the Haitian’s range. The servo-hydraulic bestseller presents itself in the third generation with new motors, new machine design and many other improvements analogous to the Jupiter III Series. An MA1700III/plus produces bottle openers made of PP recyclate with insert technology, integrated in a production cell including a Hilectro robot from Haitian Drive Systems, officially launched at the K exhibition for the first time in Europe. www.haitian.com - www.imgmacchine.it MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

ARTHA MILANO

GREEN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

masterbatches

BIOmasterbatches®

Research&Develop

Additives

Vanetti S.p.A., founded in 1971, produces masterbatches, Biomasterbatches ®, and additives for plastic materials. With over forty-five years experience in the industry, Vanetti masterbatches are used to colour and additivate all thermoplastic resins. Passion for colour and customer service are the company’s strengths. The excellent performance of the masterbatches is guaranteed by technologically advanced equipment and attention to the quality of raw materials.

since 1971

VANETTI S.p.A. - Italy - Tel: +39.0331.389077 - Fax: +39.0331.389078 - vanetti@vanettimaster.com - www.vanettimaster.com

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PROCESSING MACHINERY

CONSERVING RESOURCES AND PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY

DIGITALISATION AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY: TWO VIEWS OF ONE WORLD ARBURG’S PRESENCE AT K 2019 (HALL 13, BOOTH A13) FOCUSES ON THE TOPICS OF DIGITALISATION AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY. WITH “ARBURGXWORLD” AND “ARBURGGREENWORLD”, THE COMPANY ANSWERS TO IMPORTANT AND PRESSING QUESTIONS FOR THE WORLD OF PLASTICS PROCESSING AND USE. THE PRIMARY GOAL IS TO CONSERVE RESOURCES AND THEREBY MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY. A NUMBER OF NEW MACHINES, PROCESSES AND DIGITAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THIS

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s the world’s leading trade fair in its industry, the K show fair is the most important platform for presenting important visions and innovations. Every three years, the world of plastics looks at Düsseldorf to see where the journey is headed in the future. Our world is becoming ever more complex and richer in perspectives, so that our challenges are growing accordingly”, Michael Hehl, managing partner and spokesman for the Arburg management board, says underlining the value of K for the Black-Forest based company. Ultimately, it is always a question of meaningfully exploiting the potential of plastics as an important resource, of efficient production and of conserving resources.

Arburg demonstrates what this can look like in practice by means of pioneering exhibits and applications.

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

DIGITALISATION AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY “We are dealing with the two truly prominent issues of our time: digitalisation and the sensible use and recycling of plastics. We are showcasing very important progress in terms of digitalisation. In this context, the idea of “arburgXworld” stands for much more than our customer portal of the same name”, Juliane Hehl, managing partner responsible for marketing and technology, declares emphasizing the duality of this approach. New to the digital product and service portfolio are, for example, the filling assistant and the plasticising assistant, as well as extended connectivity for the Allrounder injection machines. In addition, there are further apps and functionalities for the customer portal.

“We very much welcome the fact that the circular economy is such an important topic at K 2019. In Düsseldorf we are able to present our

“arburgGreenworld” more extensively to experts for the first time and demonstrate practical solutions by means of various examples, which have also been discussed at the international Arburg Packaging Summit in June 2019”,

A screenshot of the Gestica control system

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Juliane Hehl adds, stating how environmental protection and conservation of resources are deeply rooted in the company’s philosophy.

THE DIGITAL WORLD OF ARBURG The booth of the company at K 2019 offers more digital Arburg world than ever before.

At ten interactive stations along the “Road to Digitalisation”, visitors are able to learn more about “smart machines”, “smart production” and “smart services”. This include, for example, the new “Plasticising Assistant” for material processing and predictive maintenance at the screw, and the control system simulator. Arburg’s six proven assistance packages, the Arburg host computer system (ALS), the Arburg Turnkey Control Module (ATCM) and the Arburg Remote Service (ARS) are also presented at the booth. All injection moulding exhibits are provided with so-called “Basis Connectivity”, i.e., they have an IIoT-Gateway and can be interconnected with the higher-ranking ARS and “arburgXworld” customer portal systems easily and standardised using interfaces.

NEW APPS IN THE “ARBURGXWORLD” CUSTOMER PORTAL The “arburgXworld” customer portal has been available to customers in Germany since March 2019 and the feedback is excellent. In addition to free functions such as the main “Machine Center”, “Service Center”, “Shop” and “Calendar” apps, there are additional fee-based functions offering considerable added value starting at K 2019. New features are, for example, the “Self Service”, the dashboard for the machine status, the control system simulator, the collection of process data and the machine design. In addition, the customer portal is available internationally in 18 languages.

“SMART” ALLROUNDER KNOWS THE COMPONENT TO BE PRODUCED On an Allrounder 570 A with a clamping force of 2,000 kN and Gestica control system, Arburg demonstrates a particularly “smart” application. The new filling assistant is integrated into the control system, meaning that the Allrounder “knows” the moulded part it is to produce - in this case a pair of Uvex goggles made of PA12.

Arburg developed the filling assistant together with its Aachen-based partner Simcon. It was first presented on an

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active Allrounder at the Technology Days 2019, but the application at K 2019 takes it one step further: the simulation model created offline and the geometry are read directly into the control system. At the Gestica control system, the degree of part filling, relative to the current screw position, is animated in real time as a 3D graphic. In cooperation with Simcon, the functionality of the filling assistant has been extended, in order to cover a larger mould and material spectrum. The machine operator can compare the results of the simulation created offline with the filling performance of the last cycle interactively on the Gestica monitor. This results in benefits with regard to set-up time, safety and efficiency.

The electric Allrounder 570 A is integrated into a turnkey system. It is used to injection-mould sophisticated goggles in a cycle time of around 45 seconds. Pick-up and transfer for optical inspection, laser marking and packaging is handled by a six-axis robot. In addition, the production cell is equipped with the Arburg Turnkey Control Module (ATCM) Scada system, which enables 100% traceability of the parts.

CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN PRACTICE Arburg is presenting two applications on this topic at K 2019. Around 30% recycled material is used in the production of PP cups. For this practical example of a closed circular economy, Arburg cooperates with Erema, which provides recycled PP. In a cycle time of around four seconds, eight cups are produced on a hybrid Allrounder 1020 H. This new size machine in the company’s portfolio is presented as a packaging version. The exhibit has a distance between tie bars of 1,020 mm, a clamping force of 6,000 kN and features a new size 7,000 injection unit.

This is also available for the Allrounder 1120 H machines and offers a maximum shot weight of around 4,200 grams polystyrene.

In the second circular economy application, a PCR material (post-consumer recyclate) derived from household waste is used to produce a technical product. The PCR available on the market is processed by an electrical two-component Allrounder 630 A in a Profoam foaming process, the second material is TPE. The injection-moulded part is a machine door handle whose two halves are mounted in the mould.

This is followed by partial overmoulding with the soft component.

Michael Hehl, The application illustrates managing partner a way to reintroduce PCR and spokesman material into the cycle to for the Arburg produce high-quality, duramanagement board ble functional parts.

Juliane Hehl, managing partner responsible for marketing and technology

ARBURGGREENWORLD These applications demonstrate Arburg’s expertise in terms of circular economy and the conservation of resources. Numerous activities both for customers as well as internally - have been bundled in the new “arburgGreenworld” programme, which rests on four pillars. The first three pillars - “Green Machine”, “Green Production” and “Green Services” - relate to offers for customers while the fourth pillar - “Green Environment” - includes Arburg’s internal processes.

INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS AND PROCESSES An electric Allrounder 470 A with a clamping force of 1,000 kN demonstrates how functional in-mould products can be produced using Imse technology (Injection Moulded Structured Electronics). In this process, films with integrated electronic functions are inserted into the mould and overmoulded with PC. As a demonstrator, the injection moulding machine produces a night light in a cycle time of around 75 seconds.

An electric Allrounder 270 A, equipped with a size 5 micro injection unit with 8-millimeter screw, 8-cavity mould and LSR cartridge, is manufacturing micro switches from non-post curing LSR. The part weight is a mere 0.009 grams, the cycle time around 20 seconds. The moulded parts are picked up by a Multilift 3+1, optically inspected in the gripper, separated according to cavity and finally packed in paper bags. Such micro components are used in the automotive and medical technology sectors.

Overmoulding of hybrid components is demonstrated by a vertical Allrounder 375 V with 500 kN of clamping force, which features compact automation in the form of a Multilift Select robotic system mounted on the machine base. The inserts are provided as a roll and the contacts are overmoulded to form hybrid connectors in a cycle time of around 15 seconds.

In addition, a new Freeformer gives a technological outlook on how fibre-reinforced components can in future be produced using Arburg Plastic Freeforming (APF). www.arburg.com MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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A COMPLETE RANGE FROM BIESSE

TECHNOLOGIES AND PROCESSES FOR THE MACHINING OF PLASTICS AND COMPOSITE MATERIALS E

is entering not just large factories but also small businesses that have recognised the great value Biesse machines have to offer.

The technology offered by the company has been used with plastics and composite materials for several years, but in 2014 Biesse specifically created a range of products for the machining of plastics, composites and thermoformed materials. The A LOOK AT THE MARKET AND range includes panel saws, THE GROWTH IN THE SECTOR machining centres, waterThe Italian company Biesse (hall jet cutting systems, sand3, booth B17, at K 2019) is takers and thermoforming ing the spotlight in this sector and machines. Biesse offers has once again confirmed its intechnology developed for comparable push for innovation, machining the more comoffering automated solutions for Raphaël Prati, Biesse plex materials used in such companies of every size. Tech- Group marketing and nology to facilitate everyday work communications director sectors as: aviation, aeroveryday life is completely permeated by technological materials with multiple and diverse applications: from transportation to construction, from telecommunications to consumer goods, and from food to healthcare, technological materials are increasingly replacing other “more traditional” materials.

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A RANGE OF PRODUCTS FOR THE MACHINING OF PLASTICS, COMPOSITES AND THERMOFORMED MATERIALS. IT INCLUDES PANEL SAWS, MACHINING CENTRES, WATERJET CUTTING SYSTEMS, SANDERS AND THERMOFORMING MACHINES space, automobiles, nautical, construction, railways, medicine.

“AUTOMACTION” This is the new Biesse concept that represents the practicality of the new technological innovations developed by the company to create new business models based on automated, interconnected production.

“Our goal is to help our customers understand that they can transform their factories into digital factories, gaining both flexibility and competitiveness”, Raphaël Prati, Biesse MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

Identity card

The company in brief

Rover Plast M5 is the machining centre designed for the creation of unusual and unique products, larger objects and design pieces, without having to include other intermediaries

Group marketing and communications director, explains.

Besides stand alone machines, Biesse offers its customers specific solutions for the automation of machining processes for plastics and composite materials.

BIESSE SYSTEM This consists in a team of expert engineers capable of anticipating and interpreting what a business

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

or an application sector need. The team accompanies the customer from the idea to the complete creation of the system, creating cells and integrated devices that are capable of maximising the customer’s competitiveness and harmonising the need for mass production with the high level of personalisation of the finished product requested by the end user. www.biesse.com

Biesse Group is a global leader in technology for processing wood, glass, stone, plastic, and metal. It designs, manufactures and distributes machines, integrated systems and software for manufacturers of furniture, door/window frames and components for the construction, ship-building and aerospace industries. It invests an average of 14 million euros per year in R&D, boasting over 200 registered patents. The company operates through 12 industrial sites, 39 branches, and 300 agents and selected dealers, exporting 90% of its production. Its customers include some of the most prestigious names in Italian and international design. Founded in Pesaro in 1969 by Giancarlo Selci, Biesse has been listed in the Star segment of the Italian Stock Exchange since June 2001, and is currently included in the FTSE IT Mid Cap index. It currently has 4400 employees in cities throughout the world.

One of the company’s headquarters in the world: Biesse Canada

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NEWS Negri Bossi in DĂźsseldorf with four machines

The Nova range enlarges with the s600T model The new Nova s600T exhibited at K 2019

The focal point of the 480sqm Negri Bossi booth at K 2019 (hall 15, booth B22), where the Italian manufacturer is displaying four presses, is the new Nova s600T model, which completes this machine range. In addition, Negri Bossi also displays two electric injection machines from its Nova eT range as well as a 330 tons servo hydraulic machine.

The Nova s600T comes from the Nova sT range, available from 600 to 1300 tons. The new and innovative range features a unique toggle system that gives all the benefits of a traditional toggle system whilst generating a footprint close to that of a two-platen machine.

The machines come with the latest generation servo hydraulic system, for maximum performance and energy saving, combined with the patented Motus controller, with its virtual object system for axis movement. This machine makes

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a folding crate with part extraction via a Sytrama robot going to an assembly station.

Two Nova eT all electric machines complete the range of Nova machines on display. The Nova eT range is devoted to the packaging, closures, medical and optical moulding sectors and is precise, efficient, and fast. The Nova eT machines range from 50 to 350 tons and feature the smart flex two clamp units, specially designed for electric actuation and for reduced dry cycle times. The whole range features generous tie bar spacing, high injection speeds and Tactum multitouch controller with scroll, zoom and swipe capability.

The first Nova e130T on stand, fitted with a 40-mm barrier screw, runs a mould, made by the Spanish company Molmasa, to produce Roll On. This moulding solution for the packaging industry is a new patented method for producing high

quality plastic blown bottles directly from the injection moulding machine. The benefits of this application are a compact mould concept, simple and reliable operations, a horizontal injection moulding machine, simple and fast start-up, high quality final products, and parts low cost.

The second Nova eT is a 220� ton model that produces glass thanks to a 4-cavity mould, made by FB Moulds, and is completed by a bagging machine. Parts are extracted via a side entry Sytrama robot and placed into the bagging line. This is an ideal application in which traditional machines struggle in terms of energy consumption and performance.

The fourth machine displayed is a 330-ton model that produces a broom brush incorporating the Negri Bossi FMC technology. FMC is a technique of moulding with gas (nitrogen)

which reduces the weight of the parts and eliminates aesthetic defects. The use of WPC (Wood Plastic Compound) in addition to the FMC system guarantees an ecological solution for plastic production. The FMC system is an ideal solution to reduce weight because it produces moulded material as a microcellular foam, available both for thermoplastics and liquid silicon rubber (LSR).

The machine is also equipped with a brush-making machine (Borghi).

Last but not least, the Negri Bossi Amico 4.0 system, dedicated to Industry 4.0, is shown on a display area where visitors can see the latest developments achieved through the collaboration with Open Plast, the Italian platform dedicated to the plastic and rubber sector, so as to complete the Industry 4.0 chain from machines to customers’ ERP system. www.negribossi.com MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

HALL 1 - STAND D06

PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY UNDER CONTROL

INTERNATIONAL SPECIALIST IN TEMPERATURE AND PROCESS CONTROL FOR PLASTICS AND COMPOSITES HOT RUNNER CONTROLS

MOLD TEMPERATURE CONTROLS

VALVE GATE CONTROLS

PRODUCTION & PROCESS MONITORING

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NEWS Recent developments by Rotomachinery Group

Advanced rotomoulding Despite the difficulties over the past few years, Rotomachinery Group (hall 9, booth C22, at K) has continually invested in research and development because, especially in the industry’s more advanced markets, there is a need to reduce production costs and achieve increased product quality. The manufacturer has turned possibility into reality with innovative and high-technology rotomoulding machinery and advanced resources.

Excellent results have been achieved in all areas and the resulting innovations are highly appreciated by the company’s valued customers. Reducing manpower costs, for instance, means cutting down the number of working hours for each ma-

chine. This requires, however, increased attention to construction in order to ensure the resources necessary for producing professional, high-quality products.

The Italian Rotomachinery Group is not only providing rotomoulding machines for the production of high-quality finished products, but also customised solutions to make production more efficient in terms of working with the moulds, production site layout, and raw materials use.

The manufacturer has just developed new software for its server that considers the weight of the parts to then define mould positioning on the spiders of straight arms and on the flange of offset arms, so as to keep the weight balanced. This technology offers high advantages in

terms of mechanical stress and component life. From his office, the head of production can simply move the moulds with a click of his mouse, and the program will show in real time any unbalanced point and propose positioning and placement of the weight. All of this takes place without interfering with production. The client can check production using a PC, tablet, or smartphone, and see the same pages of the machine touch panel on his device screen. It is therefore possible for one person to control multiple machines from a distance.

Rotomachinery Group’s machines are a reference point in the market with regard to energy saving. Through the quality of insulation, the shape of the

The innovation introduced by Rotomachinery Group on its rotomoulding machines aims at facilitating the work of operators, simplifying the process, and reducing consumptions

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cooking chamber, and considering the speed and pressure of the hot airflow on the moulds, a 20% energy reduction is possible for the same cycle time.

Moving a step ahead, Rotomachinery Group has now developed the UFD (Upper Fan Duct) system, which directs some of the hot air onto the moulds.

This is an extra hot air pipe that uses the same heat source without increasing consumption.

The company has introduced the new hot air blowing fans, composed of two turbines that quickly reach optimal rotation but also reduce speed as rapidly, limiting to a minimum the loss of hot air during the opening and closing of the oven doors.

An even greater benefit can be achieved in combination with the Ecomode system, where the burner stops when the doors of the oven are opened and the exhaust works at minimum power.

Regen, another innovation from the company, recovers the energy lost from the machine and reuses it either for the machine or for external needs. With Regen, moulders are able to re-use the energy lost from the inverters every time the motors reduce speed and run in reverse rotation.

These innovations are important in case of changes of material and product weights, but also for the testing of new moulds or for the initial production startup each morning. Cycle changes are, in fact, affected by different conditions. The reduction of cycle times depends on a better cooling phase, a goal achieved by a new type of cooling fans, more powerful (28,000 up to 55,000 m3/h each) and energy efficient. www.rotomachinery.com MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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PROCESSING MACHINERY NEWS Development by Colines

A revolution in plastic board A revolution in the use of plastic board come from Bubble Guard Board with applications from advertising and logistics to the packaging and automotive industries.

The superior honeycomb structure gives high resistance characteristics for the same cost as a low weight product.

The design ensures a superior alternative to materials commonly used at present. What sets Bubble Guard Board apart is the fact that it is 100% recyclable polypropylene and therefore environmentally sustainable. Moreover, none of this comes at the expense of either quality or strength. The potential applications of Bubble Guard are endless.

The only limit was the reduced thickness achievable (not more than around 13 mm), indispens-

able to maintain the distinctive features of the product. The R&D department of Colines (hall 16, booth A39, at K 2019) focused exactly on overcoming this obstacle and widened the potentialities of the board by developing a system called “Double Wall”, which features a doubled alveolar structure laminated in line.

This revolutionary product retains the inherent properties of the original Bubble Guard Board, that is, low weight and 100% recyclability, combined with tensile strength and exceptional printability. This opens up to many new applications, previously unavailable, making Bubble Guard an excellent investment with a guaranteed return.

Emerging markets have been quick to both see the opportuni-

The render highlights as the 5-layer structure can be laminated in line with different types of material which confer particular qualities (aesthetical and non-aesthetical)

ty and take advantage of its potential. Both interior and industrial designers (particularly for outdoor furniture), as well as new automotive sectors, have already adopted “Double Wall” Bubble Guard Board. The conventional industry-standard Bubble Guard Board has been in use for some time for existing types of lining. With the advent of “Double Wall”, Colines is well-positioned to significantly increase market share in the manufacture of loading beds and floors for cars, vans and buses. “Double Wall” is uniquely positioned to replace heavier and more expensive

materials in sectors where a lightweight material gives an advantage to the end-user, like yachting and aviation. The lighter the material, the less energy is required to deliver the same result. Its aesthetically pleasing design means Bubble Guard Board has no equal.

From tables and furniture to flooring, the furnishings and design sector will also benefit significantly from the use of revolutionary “Double Wall” Bubble Guard Board. This innovative product will reinvigorate both traditional markets and create new ones. www.colines.it

Presma at K 2019 with a flagship product

Rotary machine for foam wine corks The idea of the “rotary machine”, based on the combination of one or more injection units with a “carousel” of moulds, has always represented the strength of Presma. At the company’s booth at K

2019 (hall 15, booth C57) it is possible to see an operating fully electric rotary machine, designed specifically for producing thermoplastic foam corks for the wine industry, and equipped with an in-

ROTO E 10000/220/6 rotary machine with 6 stations (and as many 220-ton clamping units), 1450 x 1650 mm platens and nominal injection volume of 13855 cubic centimetres, designed for the road traffic safety sector

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novative platen drive and a brand-new mould opening/closing system that will solve some issues arisen recently in the production of special T-corks for spirits.

The injection moulding machine on show represents an evolution of the range of solutions destined to this sector, including four versions differing in their output, as well as several hybrid or fully electric models equipped for two-material/ two-colour moulding and for insert overmoulding. The booth also hosts a range of large-size products manufactured using coinjected and recycled thermoplastics, on large rotary machines made in Italy, just like all the solutions offered by Presma. www.presma.it

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

GENIUS MINDS. A new thermoforming concept

Universal solutions for extensive process needs The technological development of a product follows the trends of its reference market, where it will find its end use.

WM Thermoforming Machines (hall 3, booth A16, at K 2019) has gained vast experience, in almost 40 years, in developing and building machinery for the packaging industry, mainly for food packaging. The company is currently recognized for being one of the most important thermoforming machine manufacturers worldwide.

Since the very beginning, the company has been fully committed to research and product development. Striving for disruptive innovation while focusing on the constantly changing requests of the market, it provides concrete and flexible thermoforming solutions.

Smaller production, shorter changeover times, increased efficiency and multiple product design have lead to its existing portfolio of thermoforming machines, extremely flexible in terms of interchangeability and adaptability of the moulds.

On many occasions, thermo-

forming companies who wanted to emigrate to WM Thermoforming Machines technology found themselves facing constraints due to the high investment in existing tooling with different technology. This transition can now be made easier thanks to the new concept of the Flex series, giving processors the possibility to use most of their existing moulds on the first “universal thermoforming machine”, thus allowing them to buy and benefit from this new, cost-efficient technology.

The first machine of this new series has been purchased by a leading toolmaker, who has tested several different moulds, supplied by WM customers. This has allowed the machine builder to study and fine-tune all technical aspects in order to ensure that the machine is suitable for a number of different moulds, originally designed for another machine.

During the last two years, WM Thermoforming Machines has not only been developing new technology but also upgrading several of their existing

The Flex series gives processors the possibility to use most of their existing moulds on the first “universal thermoforming machine”

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

machines. With the upgraded Twist 700, the tilt-bed machine with its MSv7 stacker and without mechanical cams, which premiered at the 2016 K show, has a plug assist force for thicker products, a faster plug speed for improved product transparency, resulting in improved cycle times. With this, the company is looking to respond to the changing market needs and increase the number of units sold and installed worldwide - 9 for the time being.

“During the K 2019 show, our customers will be able to see the new Flex series by WM Thermoforming Machines in run mode at booth A16, hall 3, and discuss the latest developments of the Twist 700 with our team. We think that the Flex series will be one of the highlights of the German exhibition, which is renowned for being the most important show within the industry”, said Luca Oliverio, sales director of WM Thermoforming Machines. www.wm-thermoforming.com

The ultrasonic experts from Herrmann are waiting for you!

BONDING – MORE THAN MATERIALS

Discover our new benchmark: HiQ – the next generation K 2019 Düsseldorf, 16. – 23.10.19 Hall 11, Booth E26 Explore the world of Herrmann on www.herrmannultraschall.com

#genius

PROCESSING MACHINERY

NEWS Innovation and successful projects by Friul Filiere

More challenges, more technology As always, Friul Filiere (hall 16, booth D72, at K 2019) showcases its latest innovation in the field of extrusion technology and presents its most successful projects.

As for single-screw and conical extruders, the products on show - the single-screw extruder O60 25D and the conical twin-screw extruder R63, fitted with dedicated dies and special profiles - are representative of the company’s history but updated to be even more energy efficient and comply with customers’ needs. It is explained how these extruders were used to fit processors’ challenging ideas and how the company was able to develop complete plants, thanks to its R&D department, constantly at the forefront of technological developments.

Innovative solutions by Friul Filiere, able to combine metal and plastic, are also illustrated. Al-

The single-screw extruder 060 25D of the Omega series

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ready well-known for its plants for the production of electrified profiles with inserts of copper wires (up to 12) coated with PVC, as well as for plants for the coating of flexible copper

bars (up to 12), Friul Filiere has developed the following technologies: - for the industrial home appliances sector: a new plant of great technological value consisting in a customized solution for the extrusion of complex technical profiles where an aluminium sheet is coextruded with thermoplastic material on one side and covered with a protective film on the other side; - for the electricity sector: a multifunctional system able to coat flexible copper bars in variable combinations as for number, width and thickness. A coloured band can be coextruded on the plasticized PVC and TPE coating sheath thanks to the addition of masterbatches; - a plant for covering strip wound metal tubes, a system to solve the metal-plastic combination in extrusion.

Futura 40, the manufacturer’s latest creation, now even more

A detail of a Friul Filiere line for producing metal-plastic pipes

reliable and flexible, is dressing up for the occasion. Modern and updated in its technical characteristics, special attention has been given to details, which make it even more functional, immediate and ideal for the management and control of the productive process, even for complex profiles.

Moreover, the entire series of coextruders Omega Line has been renewed, focusing on energy saving and functionality, with easier movement systems designed to simplify the connection to the main extruders.

They are now perfect to cater for the most demanding customer requirements in terms of production and flexibility. www.friulfiliere.it MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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PROCESSING MACHINERY NEWS Advanced extrusion systems ADVANCED PREWASHING SYSTEMS

Processing the most contaminated bales of PET bottles In the last months, Sorema (hall 9, booths D41 and D55, at the K show) delivered and put into operation several advanced prewash lines with different throughout, going from 4 to 10 ton/h input capacity. These modules are successfully in operation in different countries in Asia, Europe, and North and Central America.

Being this the third generation of such kind of prewashing systems, this state-of-the art module represents an innovative technical development amongst Sorema R&D market-oriented solutions.

The system allows the processing, with hot and/or cold water, of the most contaminated bales of PET bottles, to be converted into high quality rPET flakes.

The new process combines the great advantages of bottle prewashing (wet-process) with the dry and clean environment after the newly-patented wet prewashing system.

The machine decontaminates the surface and removes the labels from the bottles - including shrink labels - thanks to the combined action of a prewashing centrifuge with a ballistic separator, with minimum loss of material. Moreover, the process does not allow the water to enter the bottles.

The possibility to run clean bottles with no labels and free from water dripping improves the efficiency of the entire recycling operation, allowing the sorting and grinding of clean material after the pre-wash phase.

Other significant advantages of the new Sorema prewashing technology consist in wear minimization, easy maintenance operations, low maintenance costs, as well as considerably reduced space requirements.

Finally, thanks to this state-of-the art technology, Sorema washing lines can achieve a very high final quality of the rPET flakes while reducing operation costs and consumption of energy, chemicals and water. www.sorema.it

Sorema delivers and puts into operation advanced prewash lines with different throughout, from 4 to 10 ton/h input capacity

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Processing highly-filled compounds

Since 1962 - its foundation year Maris (hall 16, booth B59, at K 2019), manufacturer of corotating twin-screw extruders, has been one of the leading companies in the research for new state-of-the-art applications for its products.

With the aim of providing customers with the widest range of choices, every mechanical component of the extruder is entirely manufactured in-house.

As a matter of fact, Maris is one of the few companies in the world to be able to customize its corotating twin-screw extruders according to customers’ specific needs, and this is also true when it comes to highly filled compounds.

Highly filled compounds are particular materials with a high percentage of mineral filler dispersed into a polymeric matrix that allow the considerable reduction of production costs if compared to standard masterbatches.

In order to increase extruder performances over the years, Maris has made numerous technical process improvements, maximizing - therefore both the filler percentage and output capacity. The most important developments can be summarized as follows:

Process layout for highly filled compounds

- several Do/Di ratios which imply different free volumes; - a wide range of extruders with different specific torques; - the possibility to add the filler in four different feeding points (one in the main feeding and three in the side feeding); - special equipment - including the deaeration system - to facilitate the introduction of fillers that normally tend to incorporate air; - optimization of the screw profile and screw elements specific for this particular process.

The synergy of these technical solutions has allowed to reach filler percentages up to 80-85%, preserving the output capacity and keeping excellent dispersion standards. The achievement of such excellent results has also been possible thanks to the formulations and material optimization by customers.

To verify the quality of glassfibre-reinforced plastics and their production efficiency, it is possible to carry out tests at Maris Technology Centre before making an investment. www.mariscorp.com MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

A large booth and many new features: CMS is one of the protagonists of K 2019

CMS between past and future

And the story goes on The story of CMS Plastic Technology - the division of CMS devoted to machines for processing plastics - began in 1973. This is in fact the year of establishment of Villa, a historic firm based in Varese (Italy) and specialized in the construction of thermoforming machines. Villa became an integral part of CMS in 2000, after years of collaboration, bringing in know-how, expertise and professionals of excellent calibre. Before then, in 1991, CMS had produced the first machining centre for cutting plastic materials, thanks to its long-standing experience in milling.

A winning synergy between the two successful companies led, finally, to the establishment, growth and success of CMS Plastic Division.

The target they are aiming for is very special and imprinted in the DNA of the company: working with customers, getting to know and widening their production process in order to implement the solution that best suits their needs.

“This is what has always characterized us. We

want to propose ourselves as a single partner for the entire process, from thermoforming to trimming, and to the creation of models and moulds, so as to be able to optimize the process phases, reduce operating times and widen productivity”, explains Massimo Guerra, Business Unit Manager of the division.

2018 was the year of challenges and special projects. “Above all, I would like to mention the delivery, to a Danish customer, of the largest thermoforming packaging machine ever built in Europe (8 x 2.5 meters), and the construction, for a Slovenian customer, of a thermoforming machine 4 metres long and 3 metres deep. Astounding and absolutely challenging projects only few manufacturers would have been in a position to carry out. These projects keep pace with a growth trend of about 8%, which, thanks to an excellent order book, proves more than encouraging for this year”, adds Guerra.

2019 is a year of important appointments, especially the K fair, in which CMS Plastic Tech-

nology (hall 3, booth B55) is a protagonist with a larger stand and many new features, like the new software CMS Thermo-Prophet: the task of this software is of paramount importance to monitor machine production in real time and intervene on the machining parameters in order to maintain the highest quality standards.

A future full of exciting challenges is expected. “We are working to expand our range; I’m talking about both thermoforming and cutting machines, as we aim at making our way into specific sectors, such as the “mass-production” automotive industry or public transportation sectors, which require extremely high levels of productivity”, continues Guerra. An ambitious plan, as a matter of fact, but solid foundations and a more than consolidated structure will make it possible. “CMS is considered a reference company in many industrial sectors. We want to assert our leadership in the plastic sector too”, concludes Guerra. www.scmgroup.com

K 2019 October 16. - 23.

Hall 6, Booth E75 - E77

Plastics have improved the world.

GRAFE improves plastics.

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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PROCESSING MACHINERY

NEWS Recycling and compounding according to Binova

Innovation, sustainability and productivity in the future of thermoplastics waste The business initiative of Binova Plastic Machinery (hall 10, booth G08, at K 2019) started in 2006, focused on the construction of plants to process thermoplastic materials. Whilst it may appear to be a relatively new reality, Binova represents a consolidated productive project, in which many professionals, with over 30 years’ experience in the field of plastics, have come together to form a highly competent team and use their expertise for the design, implementation and installation of plants in the field of plastic transformation.

More specifically, Binova deals with the recycling and compounding of production and/or post-consumer scraps.

The company aims at meeting the high demand for innovative solutions in the recycling field, at a time when improved recycling has become a matter of urgency. So, Binova intends to turn plastics into an opportunity rather than a problem through a process of virtuous, sustainable and highly productive transformation. Aware of living in a

very demanding society, more and more interested in recycled products that are able to maintain the same characteristics of the starting material, the manufacturer has come up with solutions that do not compromise on the high quality standard of the final product.

The high level of effectiveness of its process allows the company to maintain a relevant position in a market where competition is fierce and competitors have been in the business for decades. These characteristics and its innovative push allow the company to develop projects not only in Italy, but also in France, Spain and other countries, in and outside Europe.

Binova bets on R&D as the right path to take in order to increase productivity and come up with high-tech solutions. For the last few years, the company’s next-generation plants have been equipped with software able to control the whole production also remotely.

Binova’s innovation is oriented to the increase of competitiveness.

The company has recently developed a line able to process in one single step what normally is done in two: recycling and compounding are carried out thanks to a corotating twin-screw extruder which guarantees up to 30% of energy saving, compared to the traditional single-screw extruder.

From a strategic point of view, it is a competitive line that reduces costs, optimizes production time and improves the distribution of resources.

The company ambition for excellence respects the principle of flexibility. It designs ad hoc plants with highly personalized configurations, representing the perfect solution for any necessity. Binova has a close relationship with customers, acting more like a partner rather than a supplier. It offers all round support, thanks to its highly qualified personnel offering technical

advice and expertise, post-sale assistance and a professional maintenance service for standard and specially-made plants.

Today more than ever, in a constantly evolving market, are the bravest choices that make the difference. In the last two years, Binova has gained full strategic financial and industrial autonomy to face present and future challenges with a strong responsibility in decision making and in full control of its process. The company has recently invested in the acquisition of machine tools to guarantee much more rapid deliveries and become even more competitive. Binova’s constant and consolidated growth leads its ambition to seek advanced solutions for the future, eager to move forward in the diversified world of plastics, which it will not stop exploring. www.binovapm.it

A recent line

by Binova

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04/10/19 17:10

PROCESSING MACHINERY NEWS Recycling according to Gamma Meccanica

A Tandem line for advanced material regeneration At its 11th participation in the K show (hall 9, booth C41), Gamma Meccanica exhibits a new machine with even better performing characteristics and further optimizations: the GM90 Tandem line.

This is an intermediate model within the Tandem series, developed to recover highly printed, contaminated and humid plastic materials.

The Tandem technology makes it possible to recover materials that, otherwise, would be destined for landfill as difficult and not profitable to recycle. The GM90 Tandem is composed of: the Compac unit, equipped with the Ecotronic system, which optimizes the speed of the cutter-compactor in order to maintain the requested temperature without the use of

water; a primary 90 mm extruder; a secondary 105 mm extruder with water-cooled motors; and the TDA 4.0 water ring pelletizer.

An extremely effective degassing system allows the removal of the moisture from the melt, guaranteeing results 10 times greater than other systems. On request, the line can be equipped with different screen changers, according to specific customer needs and type of material to be recycled.

Gamma Meccanica collaborates with several suppliers of screen changers to offer the best solutions for each specific application.

The production capacity of the GM90 Tandem line ranges from 250 to 500 kg/h, depending on the type of material to be recycled

Polypropylene from industrial waste with 100%-printed surface: the Tandem technology allows the recycling of materials otherwise not profitable and destined for landfill

and processing conditions. After the fair, this line will be installed in the new lab centre that Gamma is setting up to test the materials supplied by customers and verify process quality. The new laboratory will have two lines in operation: the G90 Tandem line for testing materials difficult to recycle, and a GM90 Compac line with a feeding screw for less contaminated materials, coming from industrial waste.

The lab units are extremely flexible and can recycle and test most of the materials currently on the market. For materials that have high fluidity, such as PET and PA, tests will be carried out with the new TI 2.3 Underwater cutting system that Gamma Meccanica has recently relaunched just to recycle

MO 2062 evolution

Very fast decoration of caps The K 2019 show is an opportunity for Moss (hall 4, booth B50) to present an important innovation in its range of printing systems. The Reggio Emilia-based company, with over 50 years’ experience in the printing machines industry, currently devoted to the manufacturing of 4.0 technol-

Moss MO 2062

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ogy equipment, reveals a brand-new version of the MO 2062, the flagship model of automatic machines for plastic caps decoration, with up to 300,000 effective PCO28 caps per hour in the top configuration.

The MO 2062 model remains one of the fastest offset machines for caps in the world. Also, it can be equipped with 4 colours, plus a special pre-print colour unit suitable for background colour printing.

These peculiar characteristics have ensured that the world’s leading plastic caps manufacturers included this model in their production processes.

Thanks to the 10-year collaboration with a world-leading manufacturer of compression moulding machines for plastic caps, the MO 2062 exhibited at K features

such materials.

Recycling companies can test their material on these lines and receive reports including all possible relevant data, useful for decision making in order to eventually purchase a line but also to find out the maximum quality of the material that can be obtained. Thanks to the tests of new materials, Gamma’s technical staff continues to develop increasingly performing lines, according to the highest expectations of the market. So, even if the incidence of challenging plastics is increasing, Gamma Meccanica is working to solve the problem of their recovery, implementing the principles of the circular economy. www.gamma-meccanica.it

a quality control system produced by the manufacturer, directly integrated into the printing machine. Unlike the configuration available so far, which requires adding a buffering turntable, a jet-stream conveyor and the quality control system itself, the new version allows to limit the overall dimensions, while preserving the output and reliability characteristics.

Another reason to visit Moss at K is the possibility to see a machine via remote connection that is in the pre-testing stage at the Reggio Emilia headquarters. The mentioned line is dedicated to flexible tubes decoration and it consists in a multipurpose machine MP8, equipped for tube lacquering, connected to a 5-colour servo-assisted screen-printer MS 1070. The line features two capping units for screwon and snap-on caps with print orientation, pin accumulator, lacquer-drying UV oven and decoration UV-LED dryers. www.moss.it

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

A wide range of specializations

Lines for irrigation systems and much more

View of a complete line

by Profile Dies, from material feeding to extrusion

In the plastics extrusion sector for more than 25 years, Profile Dies (hall 16, booth E72 at K) is specialized in the design and production of special equipment and complete systems for drip irrigation pipes, films, flat sheets, hollow profiles and sheets tailored to customers’ specific requirements. The company also manufactures extrusion lines for the production of furniture trim (in PVC, PP or ABS) with thickness from 0.4 to 3 mm, and PE/PP/PC/ PMMA hollow sheets and profiles with thickness from 2 to 60 mm (up to 9 layers), as well as extrusion lines for the production of flat sheets with thickness from 0.2 to 15 mm.

In the last year, Profile Dies has developed new automated extrusion lines for the production of drip irrigation pipes with flat drippers, which reach a maximum output speed of 250 m per minute and can insert up to 2,000 drippers per MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

minute with a mechanical or laser drilling machine, and extrusion lines for the production of round drip irrigation pipes with a production speed between 80 and 100 m per minute and an inserting capacity up to 400 drippers per minute, to produce pipes with diameter from 16 up to 20 mm.

Still with a view to solutions for the irrigation field, Profile Dies has recently presented to the market a new extrusion line for the production of drip-tape.

This irrigation system is extremely cheap and is suitable for both crops in open fields and gardens. It is easy to install and to remove after use, thanks to the low thickness of the pipe. The new line technical specifications are: maximum output speed up to 200 m per minute, spacing (distance between holes) between 10 and 15 cm, minimum wall thickness of 5-6 mils. www.profiledies.com

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PROCESSING MACHINERY

NEWS Printing machines

A world of colours At K 2019, BFM (hall 17, booth C05) presents the Sirio 8 Servo Control flexographic printing machine, a novelty in its range of products. It consists in an 8-colour stack type reelto-reel machine designed for printing on various plastic materials for packaging (but also suitable for paper materials).

Each counter roller is driven by torque motor, and the printing groups are positioned by servo motors according to the required printing length.

Motorized registers and automatic pre-setting systems are some of its relevant technical features. The printing units are equipped with a closed chamber doctor blade, with

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the possibility of self-alignment, for printing length from 300 to 1,200 mm, and width up to 1,800 mm. The machine is equipped with a fully automatic revolver winder, able to wind up reels with a diameter up to 1,000 mm and with nonstop reel changes. Unwinding can be carried out with different solutions: fixed, shaftless or revolver.

Still of the stack type is the line for industrial bags, complete with printing, gusseting, and embossing system for tubular (Form, Fill and Seal). The industrial bag (FFS) is a flat tube with an embossed area and side gussets. This type of bag is normally used for the

packaging of granules of plastic polymers (LDPE, HDPE, PP), fertilizers, salts, and bulk goods.

This FFS line is composed of a motorized unwinder for reels with a maximum diameter of 1,500 mm, and width of 800 mm, a 4-colour flexoprinting unit (2 and/or 6-colour versions are also available, depending on the processor’s requirements), gusseting and embossing system, and automatic W 400 winder. This line can also be equipped with corona treatment (refreshing or total), automatic filming guides, and micro-perforators.

In the central drum flexoprint-

ing field, the company proposes the Marte 8-colour Gearless flexographic printing machine, designed in cooperation with Bosch Rexroth, the industry leader in the automation of printing and converting machines. The Marte printing machine is available in different widths, standard length from 350 to 800 mm (or 1,200 mm in the Plus Model), and a maximum production speed of 400 metres per minute. www.bfm.it

The BFM line for FFS industrial bags

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

Luca Corti Communication

An evolved screen changer for evolved companies High technology for plastic materials filtration Patented

EVOLUTION PLAST

085_CM_evolution_ADV.indd 85

Via Grigna 9 - 20027 Rescaldina (Mi) ITALY -Tel. +39 0331 545704 - Fax. +39 0331 590961 www.cmevolutionplast.com - info@cmevolutionplast.com

04/10/19 17:11

PROCESSING MACHINERY NEWS Lines for technical profiles and pipes

Between tradition and innovation Headquartered in Consandolo (Ferrara, Italy), Tecno System (hall 15, booth C62, at K) is amongst the leading companies in the development of systems for thermoplastic profiles. The recent merging with its subsidiary B-Tec - an operation of significant impact in the industry of extrusion moulds - allowed Tecno System to strengthen its own presence in the main market of B-Tec, offering state-of-the art systems with the aim of consolidating a loyal and trusting relationship with the final customers. Such systems, consisting in complete lines for the extrusion of thermoplastic profiles, are marketed with the TPV brand, which has been a symbol of the history of the extrusion industry for over sixty years.

Thus, Tecno System has the ability

The complete lines developed by Tecno System are destined for a lot of application fields for producing pipes, medical pipes (such as that in the picture), technical profiles, profiles for building etc.

to provide turnkey systems, such as extrusion lines complete with moulds, developing customized solutions which positively impact the whole process. Furthermore, the consolidated experience in the field of mechanical machining systems for profiles (punching etc.) allows the development of integrated on-line and off-line solutions.

Tecno System combines over half a century of tradition in the development of extrusion lines of TPV Divisione Meccanica with the know-how in the manufacturing of extrusion moulds provided by

B-Tec and the innovation of Tecno System products, appreciated in domestic and international markets.

The main systems include complete lines for pipes, technical profiles, profiles for the building industry (windows, window sills, channels and dumpsters), medical pipes, profiles for thermal break with fibreglass etc., products in thermoplastic materials, such as plasticized and rigid PVC, PC, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PMMA, PA etc.

The main features of Tecno System are: the special attention paid to energy savings through the in-

novative solutions adopted - for instance - on extruders and calibration benches; the ability to tailor the base units to client’s requirements; quality and durability of the products throughout time (for instance, for moulds, the company only uses top quality stainless steel, produced in Europe); and high performance.

All Tecno System’s products are designed, manufactured and tested in the plant of Consandolo, in full compliance with the European standards in force and applying strict process quality standards. www.tecnosystemfe.it

Corotating twin-screw extruders

Taking care of delicate materials At the K 2019 fair, Sara (hall 14, booth B23), a manufacturer of corotating twin-screw extruders and extrusion lines for expanded products such as profiles, tubes, foils and sheets, offers the new RS80 corotating twin-screw extruder for expanded PS, PE and PET, with throughput from 30 to 140 kg/h, centre distance of 75 mm, screws with diameter up to 98 mm, L/D ratio of 25 and a main drive delivering 30 kW. The corotating twin-screw extruders manufactured by Sara generate a very small amount of heat from mechanical work, and achieve a high level of mixing with low power consumption. So that it is possible to obtain a finished product with excellent foaming properties and enhanced cell and lambda structures.

The screws can be powered by an independent mechanism so that their adjustment does not affect productivity, while friction values are kept at an extremely low level thanks to the addition of outside heat, which is much easier to adjust. The positive feeding of the melt eliminates any fluctuations and facilitates the dimensional control of the extrudate. Mixing is also positive and is done without overheating. The system also ensures better dispersion and homogenization. The automatic cleaning cycle is fast and complete and is achieved without overheating the material.

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In addition, less horsepower is required in order to reach the rated power, reducing the stress on the machine. Energy consumption is also reduced because actual consumption is very close to the technical values required.

Therefore, Sara extruders are particularly suitable for processing delicate polymers that require low temperatures, dry mixes and materials which are difficult to feed or that need to be totally degassed. Finally, with an appropriate screw configuration, it is also possible to use blowing agents in the same extruder. www.sarasrl.eu

The RS80 extruder is particularly suitable for processing delicate expanded materials

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

60 th anniversary for Mobert

Three lines on display at K In 2019, Mobert celebrates its 60th anniversary. Always loyal to the spirit of innovation which has characterized the company in Castellanza (Varese, Italy) since its foundation, Mobert hall 3, booth E16 at K 2019 displays a set of three high-productivity machines.

During the last two decades, its technical staff has paid particular attention to those biodegradable films complying with European Standard EN 13432.

The Roller 110 SHP 2M line is particularly suited to work biodegradable films for fruits and

The Roller 110 SHP 2M line

At K 2019 Mobert exhibits the MPP 600 SUP - Z line; in the picture the MPP 800 SUP version

vegetables. It can produce bottom-welded bags and shoppers on 4 tracks, on rolls with

cardboard core. This line is equipped with some of Mobert’s finest patented devices: a tension control system on each working line, allowing the machine to work even on non-perfect reels; a cutting through die-cutting system, which does not require any adjustment to the blade and ensures several months of work without maintenance; a vision system, which monitors and adjusts every track in a loop control system, guaranteeing the highest quality of the product in progress.

The Roller 115 line is, instead, ideal for the production of dripless-type garbage bags, precut, on rolls taped with paper

strip.

Last but not least, the MPP 600 SUP - Z line, an innovative machine for the production of stand-up pouches with z closing system, boasting two different patents: an electronic dancer roll unit, ensuring perfect control on the film’s tension in progress, thus minimizing production waste at machine start-up; an exclusive cutting system for the production of rounded-edge bags, to complete the trimming in a single operation. It, therefore, eliminates those downtimes usually unavoidable with this kind of operations. www.mobert.it

AUTOMATION

rubber moulding machines

HANDLERS

to load insert and to automatically remove and trim moulded items

via Magellano, 4 - 20090 Cesano Boscone (Ml) Tel +39 02 48600921 deliasrl@deliasrl.it www.deliasrl.it

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

COLD RUNNER

Single and Double

RUBBER INJECTION

ROBOTIZED WORK CELL for rubber moulding processes Exstraction - Finisching - Assembling Cell

20 CC. - 100.000 CC.

PUMP FOR RUBBER INJECTION 80 I/h

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SINCE 1962

Co-Rotating Twin-Screw Extruders.

Technology and competence, to lead compounding formulations to new standards in: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Organic, Inorganic & Pearlescent pigments Masterbatches Additives, White & Black Masterbatches High filled Compounds Polymeric Alloys Technopolymers reinforced with glass fiber and natural fiber Thermoplastic Elastomers compounds, TPE (SEBS/SBS base), TR TPV, Thermoplastic Vulcanized Elastomers Monomers & Solvent content reduction Plastic Recycling Cable compounds, HFFR, EVA, XLPE, Polyolefin Elastomers, …

Hard & Soft PVC compounds Rubber compounds EPDM, NBR, NR, SBR, …

Rubber recycling Rubber Devulcanization process Hot melt & Solvent base Adhesives WPC (Wood Plastic Composites) compounds Reactive Extrusion (TPU synthesis, POM synthesis and stabilization, …)

Extruders for bi-oriented film lines (BOPP, BOPS, BOPET, BOPA, BOPE, Lithium Battery film) • Biopolymers production & compounds • Expanded & Foam materials • Special applications & Customized processes

C.so Moncenisio, 22 10090 Rosta (TO) Italy 088_Maris_ADV.indd 88

Tel. +39 011 9567925 Fax +39 011 9567987

info@mariscorp.com www.mariscorp.com 04/10/19 17:11

ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS

PIOVAN GROUP AT K 2019

KEY TOPICS: INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY THE ITALIAN PIOVAN GROUP HAS ENJOYED A SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS, MOVING ALONG THE PATH TAKEN OVER TEN YEARS AGO WHICH LED IT TO BECOME AN INTERNATIONAL GROUP IN CONTINUOUS EXPANSION. 2018 WAS A KEY YEAR, NOT JUST IN TERMS OF TURNOVER, BUT ALSO THANKS TO ITS LISTING ON THE MILAN STOCK EXCHANGE. THE FIRST PART OF 2019 WAS ALSO EXCITING, WITH NEW BRANCH OPENINGS

T

he K show is the most important international exhibition devoted to plastics. From October 16 to 23, more than 3,000 exhibitors from over 60 countries and over 200,000 visitors from all over the world are expected to crowd the pavilions at Düsseldorf exhibition centre. Piovan Group is at K 2019 (hall 9, booth B60) with its own brands, Piovan, Aquatech, Fdm and Penta.

A broad range of hi-tech solutions are on show at the exhibition - from drying systems to temperature control, from traceability of raw materials to solutions for Industry 4.0 - so as to provide complete turnkey solutions. However, the K show is not just about technological product developments. Particular focus is placed

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

on fundamental topics, such as sustainability, Industry 4.0, traceability and system integration, which all share one common feature: innovation.

FOCUS ON INNOVATION Piovan has always invested resources in innovation and the group today employs over 171 R&D and engineering experts that can assess the specifics of any customer request, drawing on the knowledge acquired over the years. The group’s various teams of technicians supply not just stand-alone products but also integrated solutions that maximise shop floor efficiency and performance, providing customers with tangible benefits and concrete advantages.

The Easytherm range of mould temperature control units won the IF Design Award 2019

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ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS Pureflo: the new generation of filter-less receivers

High-efficiency systems for PET treatment and handling of recycled materials Not only stand-alone machinery but also complete and integrated solutions for PET systems.

At K 2019, the new GenesysNext line gets its world premiere. This drying system features self-adaptive technology, now also optimised for the treatment of recycled PET. The new dryer can automatically manage the drying process by setting all the critical parameters: from the process airflow rate to its dew point value, from residence time to temperature, maintaining optimum operating conditions even as hourly production, initial temperature and humidity conditions of the plastic granulate vary. The innovations that this

Launch

A new brand identity At the beginning of 2019, Piovan launched its new Group corporate identity, to convey even more effectively its identity as an international group, consisting of many companies sharing a common denominator - the attention to customers and people - and focusing on what they consider to be the three pillars that have always characterised the group: customers, people, and innovation.

The new Piovan Group logo is characterised by a pictograph with three circles, evoking the Group’s values, its business sectors and its strengths: - 3 values: customers, people, innovation; - 3 businesses: plastics, food, cooling; - 3 strengths: global presence, service, team.

Not just a visual statement. Crisp and sober graphics bringing together all the companies in the group. Piovan, UnaDyn, Fdm, Aquatech, Penta, Progema and Energys: one group, one vision.

The executive president Nicola Piovan

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new generation machine brings include more intuitive control and improved self-regulation.

Significant improvements have also been made to the AIPC (Automatic Injection Pressure Control) technology, which ensures the lowest production cost for each preform, not in terms of energy savings alone, but in terms of optimisation of the entire preform production process, with increased end product quality and reduction of rejects.

With regard to solutions for PET, at the DĂźsseldorf exhibition, visitors are able to check out the new user-friendly range of instruments for analysing preform quality. These devices enable the most important parameters, such as the acetaldehyde level in preforms, to be measured in a simple and intuitive manner.

Accurate dosing Also Fdm, the group company based in Troisdorf (Germany) specialising in the production of advanced solutions for extrusion applications, showcases new dosing technologies at K 2019, with the GDS 5, the new gravimetric blender of the GDS line, optimised to allow for the mounting of up to 5 granulate stations, while still maintaining compact dimensions and featuring a Siemens PLC system.

Handing of materials with Penta and Piovan Penta, the company of the group that designs and produces large systems for storing, conveying and dosing materials in powder or chips, is presenting the latest innovations in the production of pipes and cables for managing additives in the compounding sector. At the exhibition, visitors are able to see Vakupulse while working - a system for the conveying of materials in the dense phase, particularly suitable for conveying delicate raw materials at low speeds and flow rates over short distances.

For the first time on display at K 2019, a man-

ual coupling station equipped with the new coupling system. This unit enables the easy connection of the pipes, even if only one hand is used. It is gasket-free to prevent contamination, ensuring that plastic granules come into contact with stainless steel only.

Particularly remarkable is, undoubtedly, the new RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tagging system which checks that the match between sources and destinations is correct.

If an error occurs, the conveying system does not activate the loading cycle, thus avoiding any risk of contamination between different materials. A system of LEDs, which can also be duplicated on a dedicated display, guides the operator. The LEDs change colour as the conveying pipes are coupled, enabling active connections to be checked at a glance.

Ready for medical applications At the exhibition, Piovan presents important innovations also in the medical sector: a new microdosing unit is on display for the first time. This unit is able to feed the machines even only one granule at a time, whilst maintaining very high accuracy to meet requests that come mainly from highly technical sectors, such as the medical sector and precision micro-moulding.

The medical range is also complemented by machines suitable for usage in clean rooms, such as the PureFlo filter-less receiver, which requires neither compressed air nor maintenance, and the emission-free DPA dryer.

Cooling solutions Aquatech, the company within the group dedicated to industrial cooling and temperature control technologies, is in the limelight with many product innovations on display in a dedicated area, from temperature control units to new adiabatic dry coolers.

The Easytherm range of temperature control MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

units, the mould temperature control units that won the IF Design Award 2019, is completed with the new pressurised temperature controls that complements the line of atmospheric temperature controllers. There are also interesting innovations related to the DigitempEvo water-cooled thermochillers that ensure high performance whilst keeping energy consumption levels very low. Special focus also on the Easycool+ line of chillers: this range of extremely compact chillers has been conceived, designed and engineered to meet the specific cooling requirements of plastics industrial processes with unrivalled efficiency.

SUSTAINABILITY AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY For Piovan Group, sustainability is a daily commitment. The plastics industry requires a constant focus on research and innovation in order to devise processes able to ensure the responsible transformation of raw materials, sustainable production and low environmental impact so as to move towards a circular economy.

Piovan develops technologies and solutions that contribute to the increase in the use of recycled materials: a broad range of prod-

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

ucts can, in fact, be produced using post-consumer PET as a raw material. As proof of its constant commitment to these issues, since 2006 Piovan has been developing technologies to give new life to recycled material by once again transforming it into bottles.

More generally, the decision to invest in high-efficiency solutions has made it possible to reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumption related to plastics processing. Customised plants, profitability, efficiency and reliability of the processes are the main guidelines of the technological development of the Piovan Group, especially when it comes to plastic recycling and bioplastics.

EVER CLOSER TO 4.0 Industry 4.0 is a key topic on which the main players are increasingly focusing. Piovan continues to invest in innovation, extending the range of features offered by the Winfactory

In the plastics industry, the medical sector represents one of the main application fields for Piovan equipment

4.0 supervision software. This software also includes a module for monitoring energy efficiency and, from this year, a module to monitor Aquatech solutions.

Data context integration and digital interconnection throughout the process: these are the guidelines of Industry 4.0, and MTS, the new material tracking system, has been developed to respond to them. MTS consists of a new barcode terminal, capable of reading barcodes for the identification of users and materials, and a new App to guide the operator in the management of raw materials. The system guarantees the optimisation of material storage and the identification of the flow of different batches from the initial phase to the finished product. www.piovan.com

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ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS

MORETTO AT THE DÜSSELDORF TRADE FAIR

AT K TO WIN THE CHALLENGE MORETTO PROVIDES K 2019 VISITORS WITH AN OVERVIEW OF SOLUTIONS AND SYSTEMS, CONSISTING OF ENERGY-SAVING TECHNOLOGIES AND 4.0 CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT DEVICES, ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR AN EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION. A NECESSARY APPROACH IN A MARKET COMPOSED OF CUSTOMERS WITH COMPLEX AND DIVERSIFIED PERFORMANCE NEEDS, BASED ON THE SECTOR OF APPLICATION AND THE PRODUCTION PROCESS

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s if on a large stage, Moretto (hall 11, booth H57) exhibits the most innovative systems and products for injection moulding, blow moulding and extrusion. There are two exhibition areas in hall 11, one specifically dedicated to the extrusion sector, with Contrex brand products (at booth E65), the group brand specialized in the supply of automation and control systems for blown film extrusion.

MAXIMUM ENERGY EFFICIENCY EVEN WITH SMALL PRODUCTION QUANTITIES At K 2019 Moretto presents the X Comb series of dehumidifiers, a range broadened to cover higher production needs. These mini dryers are a real combination of patented Moretto technologies: fully electric (they do not use compressed air), they are equipped with powerful turbo-compressors, zeolite technology, dew point equalizer

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and the exclusive OTX hopper.

Particularly suitable for the drying of highly hygroscopic technical materials used in demanding sectors such as the medical, optical and automotive sectors, the X Comb dryers are the best allies in terms of efficiency and energy savings. The ON series, with compact and robust models, is suitable for installation directly on the mouth of the processing machine, guaranteeing constant quality during the production process.

The Side series includes larger models up to 24 kg/h, with installation next to the machine, to satisfy higher production requirements, or in battery on trolley for maximum production flexibility.

As for all Moretto dryers, the Moisture Meter device, a solution for the precise in-line measurement of residual granule moisture, can also be installed on the X Comb series. Moisture Meter analyses and detects the exact content of resid-

ual moisture up to 15 parts per million.

With Moisture Meter the customer certifies that the material is perfectly dried, proof of a quality production, in line with the technical, aesthetic and functional characteristics required. Furthermore, being able to measure and monitor the exact residual humidity level of the polymer inline makes it possible to “optimize” processes using only the strictly necessary energy, avoiding production waste, reducing important operating costs and environmental impact.

ENERGY SAVING SYSTEMS DEDICATED TO PACKAGING AND PET Particular attention is paid to the drying of PET granules, a delicate phase especially in the production of large quantities, typical of the rigid packaging and beverage sectors. In a dedicated area of the stand, Moretto presents a dryMACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

ing system consisting of a XD 800X series dryer, combined with the OTX hopper and Moisture Meter Manager. A solution able to guarantee certifiable results, showing an absolute primacy in terms of energy efficiency for any type of material and a completely automatic system of the drying process.

With Moisture Meter Manager, the drying process goes from an “adaptive” logic to a “responsive” cutting-edge logic. Another among Moretto’s unique solutions in the market for the drying of technical polymers.

Once again, a solution that arises from the study of the physical phenomena to which the different polymers are subjected during the drying process, developed based on years of experience and objective results of practical tests.

The innovative turbo-compressors system of the XD 800X series dryer, together with the OTX hoppers, offer high levels of energy efficiency.

Furthermore, the XD 800X dryers do not use either cooling water or compressed air, being this another advantage in the treatment of PET and ensuring energy saving compared to conventional dryers.

DPK is a compact, precise weight-in-loss dosing system, suitable for the dosing of small amounts of masterbatches or additives

The use of the exclusive OTX hopper allows the homogeneous flow of the material inside the hopper during the process, guaranteeing an effective and controlled drying and extraordinary energy efficiency of +66% while reducing material treatment time. In the treatment of PET in the beverage sector, one of the aspects Moretto customers are most “loyal” to is the constant treatment of OTX, which ensures a stable process and an improvement in machine cycle times of around half a second. This is equivalent to producing up to 17 million additional preforms per year.

The application of Moisture Meter Manager integrates the dryer into a “responsive” system, as required by the 4.0 intelligent factory project. Moisture Meter Manager measures the initial moisture of the granule. Based on this, and knowing the precise behaviour of each material, it performs the appropriate drying cycle to obtain the result requested by the customer in terms of final moisture, then monitored at the hoppers outlet.

In this way, Moisture Meter Manager maximizes process performance and achieves incredible results in terms of energy savings.

In addition to being intelligent and offering high performance, these machines, featuring extremely user-friendly controls with an intuitive objects oriented touch screen, are also service friendly, devised to ensure facilitated maintenance and preventing system inefficiencies over time.

NEW FEEDING AND CONVEYING SOLUTIONS FOR MICRO-MOULDING AND SMALL PRODUCTION At K 2019 Moretto proposes a series of solutions dedicated to “micro” conveying for the feeding and conveying of small quantities of technical materials. Very compact feeders, ideal for installation on stand-alone machines, on drying and dosing systems or directly on the throat of the processing machine. These conveying systems, like all in the Moretto range, include models specifically suitable for the use in clean rooms.

INTELLIGENT FEEDING AND CONVEYING

The Dolphin manifold unit automatically supplies and distributes all the materials to all the machines, avoiding any risk of contamination and human error

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In order to automatically manage and supervise the entire conveying process of small or large quantities of plastic material, One Wire 3 guarantees the greatest transport efficiency, thanks to its advanced FIFO logic.

One Wire 3 also controls those devices which, with their exclusive technologies, contribute to optimizing the granule conveying and feeding process. In particular, the Dolphin manifold unit automatically supplies and distributes all the materials to all the machines, avoiding any risk

The turbo-compressors system of the XD 800X series dryer, together with the OTX hoppers, offer high levels of energy efficiency

of contamination and human error.

KruiseKontrol is able to manage the speed of the material during the conveying phases, eliminating the peaks and the formation of angel hair and wear of the pipes, and adapt in a responsive way the transport conditions, differently from inverter systems that act on the air speed, without taking into account the different variables that characterize each material and which constitute elements of strong differentiation of their behaviour in the pipe.

HIGH-PRECISION GRAVIMETRIC BATCH DOSING IN ANY SITUATION The DGM Gravix series dosing units are now a standard among processors who seek maximum precision in batch gravimetric dosing even in extreme use conditions. DGM Gravix is the ​​ dosing unit that, thanks to its particular control with exclusive Vibration Immunity System and the double eyelid system, doses with precision up to 0.01% even when installed on a blow moulding machine, without being affected by the continuous movements and vibrations to which it is subjected.

The DGM Gravix dosing units cover dosing requirements for granule, powder and flakes materials, with dedicated applications, up to 12 materials and 12,000 kg/h. Applications dedicated to micro dosing, such as Rotopulse, make these machines extremely flexible in their use in the department.

Systems dedicated to the beverage world for the dosing of virgin PET, r PET and flakes guarantee homogeneous mixtures and very high precision (around 0,1%), even with a very high hourly production.

NO OVERDOSING OF ADDITIVES AND COLOURANTS WITH THE DPK WEIGHT-IN-LOSS SYSTEM DPK is a compact, precise weight-in-loss dos-

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ing system, suitable for the dosing of small amounts of masterbatches or additives. The technology of the load cells and the control algorithm, make DPK reach dosing accuracy of up to ±0.03%. The masterbatch or additive to be dosed is contained in a hopper built in a specific transparent resistant acrylic material, free from electrostatic charges, which makes immediately visible the content material and the load level and prevents material from stopping on the hopper walls. The hopper is easily removable without the use of tools and, together with the intelligent storage and recognition system of the masterbatches alongside the machine, the recipe change is even more immediate.

MULTICOMPONENT MICRO DOSING WITH DPM For micro dosing, Moretto also offers DPM, a precision microdoser available in single-component versions and up to 4 hoppers. Pulsed dosing is immune to vibrations and does not require a mixer thanks to the simultaneous dosing of the components. The hoppers are removable. It can also be used for regrind recovery thanks to its compact construction.

4.0 TECHNOLOGIES FOR PROCESS SUPERVISION AND CONTROL For the supervision and control of plastics processing plants, the company has developed the advanced Mowis 3 supervision system, a modular software capable of adapting to the needs and to the qualitative, productive and

With Moisture Meter Manager the drying process goes from an “adaptive” logic to a “responsive” cutting-edge logic

chine; Mould Control automatically recognizes the mould and defines the process parameters. Mowis 3 is remotely controllable and communicates with business management (ERP), production (MES) and customer data management systems via the universal OPC UA protocol.

SOLUTIONS FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL AND COOLING managerial objectives of each customer, allowing connectivity between machines, processes, departments, plants and factories.

Through Mowis 3 the user monitors the status of each machine and each operation of the system: it records anomalies and creates a history, sets and/or modifies the process parameters, stores the changes to the system parameters, programs the work times, manages material consumption and production lots, generates process reports in real time and operating and efficiency statistics. Connected to the “service”, it provides information on the status of the machines and identifies their maintenance needs.

Mowis 3 has customized modules that allow a total “4.0 tracking” of the process: the Lotto batch module allows to trace the batches of material through the entire production process; Sil-Control avoids human errors in loading materials into the destination silos; Item-Go, based on the item to be produced, defines and sets the parameters for each machine, automatically from the silo to the processing ma-

The company offers a complete range of thermo and cooling systems to satisfy any production requirement, from single unit on the side of the machine, to ad hoc developed modular open centralized systems with a maniacal attention to total energy efficiency.

The large amount of energy required for cooling processes in the plastics processing industry requires extremely efficient and flexible systems. The X Cooler series of modular chillers was created specifically with these prerogatives. The cooling scalability makes it possible to supply the appropriate cooling capacity, according to the real needs with a consequent drastic reduction in energy consumption, resulting in a clear reduction in operating costs.

The temperature controllers of the Te-Ko series ensure absolute efficiency and precision in automatic temperature control both in the moulds of injection moulding machines and in the cylinders and rollers of the extruders. Reliability, speed of temperature regulation, reduction of consumption and ease of use are the major benefits offered by these machines. Available in water, pressurized and oil versions with temperatures up to 300°C based on the processor’s production needs.

“BE TOMORROW” MORETTO’S COMMITMENT TO THE PLANET OF TODAY AND TOMORROW Interactive totems and video walls animate Moretto space with contents aimed at illustrating technologies and solutions dedicated to each application sector, together with the various initiatives undertaken by the company, amongst which the “Be Tomorrow” eco-sustainable activity project focused on: circular economy and development of new energy-saving technologies, recycling, biopolymers etc.

One Wire 3 controls those devices which contribute to optimizing the granule conveying and feeding process

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MORETTO AND THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY Great attention is paid to the circular economy, the central theme of K 2019. Moretto participates, in collaboration with a well-known OEM, in a demonstration unit dedicated to the production of coffee cups made with biopolymers: a 100% organic product, washable and reusable up to 500 times. www.moretto.com MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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AUTOMATION FOR PLASTIC AND RUBBER MOULDING MACHINES

CASE HISTORY OF A WORK CELL THE ITALIAN ENGINEERING COMPANY DELIA HAS RELEASED A ROBOTISED WORK CELL FOR PRODUCING A SPECIFIC CAR PART. OVERALL, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A ONE-MINUTE CYCLE TIME WITH AN OUTPUT OF FOUR MOULDED PARTS... WITH THE CYCLES RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY, 365 DAYS A YEAR

BY ANGELO GRASSI AND LUCA MEI

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stablished in 1992, Delia (hall 12, booth A05, at K 2019), a company based in Cesano Boscone, close to the outskirts of Milan, specialises in the planning and production of pneumatic, hydraulic and hydrodynamic machines, as well as manipulators, robots and related equipment. More specifically, for years, its engineering division has been working with manufacturers and users of machinery for plastic and rubber materials, developing and updating “ad hoc” automatic equipment, work cycles and machinery performance.

In fact, for Delia, every order unfolds as a unique story!

AN ENGINEERING COMPANY WITH VAST KNOW-HOW This Lombardy-based firm invests a great deal of energy in continuously honing special equipment and manipulators designed to serve the injection machines and moulds used by its customers, who are generally manufacturers of rubber articles (all-rubber or rubber with inserts) MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

for cars, household appliances and the medical sector, as well as sanitary items, zootechnical products and sports equipment.

This is an engineering company with vast knowhow, given that: “Our products range from manipulators with Cartesian axes for the automatic demoulding of rubber parts to mechanical grippers for anthropomorphic and Cartesian robots, and even robotised cells for the production of parts for the automotive and white goods industries”, said founder and CEO Giovanni Delia, before adding: “Not to mention our “simpler” thermoregulated runners block with automatic valve gate nozzles, transfer systems for injection presses (also thermoregulated), rubber injection units matched to compression moulding machines for membrane production, volumetric preforming machines for elastomeric materials, rubber cutting machines, ring fitting machines, grinding machines, assembly and checking machines, and moulded rubber hose packing machines which are PLC-controlled and effect both electrical and pneumatic handling”.

All these devices, listed by Giovanni Delia at the start of our conversation, can, in a certain way, be regarded as the “hardware” assets of this company, whose effectiveness, however, derives from the existence of the “software” resources it is able to offer: in other words, its ability to provide all-round consulting services in the fields of Giovanni Delia, founder and CEO of the homonymous Italy-based company

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automation and robotics for rubber moulding plants, robotised cells, as well as stand-alone rubber moulding machines.

Having said that, the purpose of the meeting with Giovanni Delia was to take a more detailed look at a specific robotised cell, designed to produce a special rubber and metal shock absorber support that Delia has developed for one of its customers, a European OEM working for a major carmaker.

THE ROOTS OF CELLULAR PRODUCTION Cellular production is one of the most important subsections of lean manufacturing, as it is the only production method able to confer all of the below-listed advantages: • increased output; • shorter logistics times and/or lead times; • enhanced product quality; • simpler production planning and management; • reduction of stocks; • better use of activity based costing (ABC); • g reater factory coordination and communication.

The principle behind the creation of a work cell is actually quite simple: it just means that a certain number of production activities and the corresponding process points, i.e. machines and stations, are positioned in a logical sequence within a space whose shape is appropriate for the particular circumstances.

Every so often, the operator moves along the perimeter of the work cell, carrying out a series of tasks, replacing the storage units used to feed the cell and unloading, from the storage conveyors, the boxes full of finished products, ready for shipment. This is done in a specific sequence of added-value activities, in such a way as to entirely eliminate, or at least drastically reduce, any waste of resources between one activity and the next.

All this is done according to the “production flow” concept.

FOUR PIECES FINISHED AND PACKED IN 60 SECONDS? MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! “In this work cell we have combined an anthropomorphic robot with roller conveyors, piece-counting scales, and so on, all sourced on the market”, Giovanni Delia went on. “There is also a 6-axis Cartesian robot and a chain conveyor for the step-by-step transportation of the insert pre-loading and storage racks, which are manufactured by us. The customer provided the press and moulds necessary to produce a rubber/metal shock absorber component for automotive use. Having said that, with reference to the problems analysed for the purpose of optimising the work cell layout, the first issue we

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encountered concerned the steel insert needing to be positioned in the mould before the production of the final part. This, because of its irregular shape, could not be fed using classic gravimetric vibrating feeders The work cell or belts combined with Delta Picker developed by Delia type robots. In short, the press could with, in the foreground, not be fed automatically using these the conveyor belts and motorised roller conveyors standard solutions”. used to transfer the boxes “At that point we decided to creof finished parts to the warehouse ate two storage units each containing 450 pieces, like a sort of buffer”, Delia explained. “In this way, while the opera- a scrap conveyor belt, whereas the four mouldtor manually fills one of the storage units, the ed parts, by means of a rotary rack, are rotated anthropomorphic robot takes the inserts, one and deposited on a second, specific conveyby one, from the other storage unit, and plac- or belt. This rotation is a necessary step as the es them on a four-position loading rack, which, parts just out of the mould are not oriented in in turn, is situated on a storage and transport a way that allows them, physically, to be packconveyor. As soon as one of the storage units aged. Therefore, Delia was asked, amongst the is empty (because it has finished automatically specifications requested by the customer, to enfeeding the storage conveyor), the robot moves sure that the parts would be deposited with the to the other storage unit, which, in the mean- other face down. The belt then conveys all the time, the operator has filled. In this way the injec- parts, correctly positioned, to the boxing station, where the anthropomorphic robot, by this time tion machine is able to work continuously.

It is therefore the Cartesian robot’s job to take no longer engaged in handling the inserts, pothe 4 inserts present on the rack, which, thanks sitions itself in such a way as to pick up the finto the aforementioned conveyor, has reached ished parts and stack them in a box. the unloading area, and insert them all into the The full box is then transferred to the scales; afmould in one go. When the moulding process ter being weighed, it is marked with a coloured is complete, and with the press open obviously, sticker that indicates its compliance or otheran axis of the Cartesian robot moves between wise. All boxes that meet the necessary requirethe platens and, using a template supporting a ments are moved by means of a motorised rollguillotine-type system, removes the flashes nat- er conveyor to the “finished parts warehouse”, urally present on the moulded parts. This tem- where they wait to be dispatched to the assemplate also has “fingers” that, specially designed bly lines of the carmaker (end customer). to avoid deforming the pieces, grasp the four “We were asked to carry out all the operations moulded parts. At the same time, another axis with the mould open in just 20 seconds”, conof the same Cartesian robot collects the sprue cluded Giovanni Delia. “In other words: sprue reat the entry side of the mould, thereby leaving moval, deflashing, mould cavity lubrication and the mould entirely free. Thus, during this com- the loading of the metal inserts into the mould. plex demoulding step, the Cartesian robot has And we have succeeded in this. We were also grasped three different types of object: flashes, asked to find a way of ensuring that a whole moulded parts and sprues. Only at this series of operations could be done, point can the robot proceed with cleanin just 40 seconds, with the mould ing and lubricating the mould ready to closed; that is, loading of inserts repeat the whole cycle to perfection”. on the storage racks, deflashing, During his chat with MacPlas, stacking, boxing, weight checking Giovanni Delia also explained that of the full boxes, and identification while the injection press is carryof compliant and non-compliant ing out its production cycle (thereboxes. fore, once again, in masked time), Finally, even taking into account the moulded parts are deposited on the geometry, shape and toleranca rotary support rack and, by means es of the final parts, we obtained a of specific equipment, are blocked in useful cycle time of one minute for such a way as to allow, through a veran output of four pieces”. tical movement of the grippers, the re- Double We would say that amounts to a mismoval of perimeter flashes. At this point, temperature sion perfectly accomplished! the flashes and sprues are deposited on control unit www.deliasrl.it MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX Approaching problems in new and innovative ways; conceptualizing problems differently; and understanding a position in relation to any particular situation in a way never thought before are the basis of the companies that want to stay relevant and inventive. Starting from our customer’s experience and working backwards to technology, Tecnomatic partnerships all the pipes companies, which are aiming at development and leadership, cultivating the ability to look at things differently from the common thinking.

TECHNOLOGIES FOR PLASTIC PIPES PROCESSING

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Tecnomatic Srl | Bergamo | Italy | tel. +39 035 310375 | tecnomaticsrl.net

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ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS

A K THAT IS WORTH DOUBLE FOR STAR AUTOMATION EUROPE

AMONGST GREATEST CLASSICS AND NEW ENTRIES THE ITALIAN BRANCH OF THE JAPANESE ROBOTS MANUFACTURERS REACHES THE IMPORTANT MILESTONE OF 30 YEARS OF ACTIVITY RIGHT IN THE YEAR OF THE K SHOW. AND IT IS PRECISELY FOR THIS REASON THAT THIS ACQUIRES PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE COMPANY, BETWEEN PAST AND FUTURE THROUGH PRESENT

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2019 is of extraordinary relevance for Star Automation Europe, because it takes place in the same year in which the company celebrates its thirtieth year of activity.

This is a great achievement for the Japanese group, one of the first players of its kind, operating worldwide for more than 55 years and amongst the first pioneers on the Italian and European markets.

A COMPLETE WORKING CELL WITH MANY NOVELTIES Three Cartesian robots are on show at Star Automation Europe booth (G74, hall 11), with a particular focus on the new ZPX-1000 modMACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

el, the latest addition to Star product range, shown here to the public for the first time. This model will be crowned as the fastest machine in the company’s entire robot range, even faster than the ZXW-VI series, presented at Plast 2018 in Milan.

ZPX-1000 has been designed for those customers who do not simply settle for average results, but always aim at the highest performance levels. Its vertical axis is entirely carbon-made, allowing the machine to obtain outstanding results, in terms of speed and cycle time, never achieved before. The robot is working on an EC180SXII-8Y Toshiba injection moulding machine, thus confirming once more

A rendering of a production cell with the new ZPX-1000 robot

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the great results achieved through the cooperation between the two Japanese companies.

However, ZPX is not the only novelty of the cell: in fact, the new Stec-620A controller is shown at an international exhibition for the first time.

This controller will be siding the existing Stec520 as a flagship of the range: thanks to its completely reviewed operative system, Stec620A guarantees flawless integration into the command panel of the injection moulding machine (IMM), thus making the operator work much easier. An I-70IVSII model pallet changer is also displayed as further confirmation that Star Automation Europe can play the role of exclusive partner for the total automation of extraction and palletizing operations on the IMM side, always complying with the safety standards the European market requires.

A HALL OF FAME OF STAR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS Two robots are displayed on the other side of the booth. The first is the not-to-be missed XW-1000VI, unrivalled protagonist of the company events and bestseller of the range; the “servo-head” accessory, composed of two servomotors, ensuring maximum freedom inside and outside the mould, is also installed on

the robot vertical arm.

The other robot is a ZXW-1600VI, the “big brother” of the ZXW-VI series, introduced at the end of 2018 and able to combine large dimensions with high speed. Both robots are controlled by the fully programmable Stec-520 and they A pallet changer are handling EOATs entirely made with is also displayed as further confirmation that the company Eins components. can play the role of partner for the total Eins also stands out in a large area with- automation of extraction and palletizing in the booth, showing the complete operations on the IMM side range of Star EOAT components; in fact, Eins components can be used to build EOATs Eins NW-35 air nippers. The Cartesian robots for any robot of any manufacturer, Cartesian or then hand the moulded pieces to a Toshiba with six axes. Moreover, Eins is currently expe- six-axis robot for their assembly and palletisariencing a moment of great success thanks to tion. At this booth as well, the new Stec-620A the new www.eins1.eu e-commerce. controller is integrated into the IMM panel.

At the Indústrias Romi booth, a super-fast ZXW1000VI on an ES300 IMM performs the exBEYOND HALL 11 Apart from Star Automation Europe booth, traction and palletisation of four food containers Cartesian robots of the company are also on onto a conveyor belt. Also the Brazilian manufacshow at three more booths, two of which in hall turer has chosen Star as a partner for an application that requires the highest speed with no com15 and one in hall 13.

At the Toshiba Machine booth, an XW-1000VI is promise with regard to precision and reliability. working on an EC100SXIII IMM, extracting four Finally, at the RP Injection booth, a GXWpolyamide medical scissors. Star also supplies 1200MVI robot with special automation is inthe four-point sprue cutting station, installed stalled on an Si-280-6S model IMM. under the robot traverse axis and made up of www.star-europe.com

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ONE machine for EXTENSIVE mould matching WM THERMOFORMING MACHINES SA Via Dei Pioppi 3 - CH 6855 Stabio - Switzerland sales@wm-thermoforming.com www.wm-thermoforming.com

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Official global launch at K 2019, Dusseldorf HALL 3 . stand A16

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PLASTIC & RUBBER INFRARED AND UV SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY APPLICATION

WELDING OF PLASTIC PARTS Heating of prepreg composite materials LAMINATING Shrinking of plastic foil STRETCHING OF PLASTIC FILMS IR HEATING FOR PET PREFORMS Thermoforming of plastic parts Deburring of stamped part

EMBOSSING PROCESS DRYING OF PLASTIC PELLETS Crystallization and drying of PET, PPS, PLA Curing of paints on plastic Softening process Forming process Bending process Vulcanization processed in rubber industry Drawing of plastic tubes SEALING

PROCESS GLUING PROCESS Stand 11E60

www.heliosquartz.com Helios Quartz Group SA Via Roncaglia 20 6883 Novazzano - Switzerland Tel. +41 (0) 919233555/6 Fax +41 (0) 919233557 swiss@heliosquartz.com

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16 - 23 October Düsseldorf - Germany Helios Italquartz S.r.l.

Via delle Industrie 103/A 20040 Cambiago - Milano - Italy Tel. +39 02 95 34 93 18 Fax +39 02 95 34 50 85 italy@heliosquartz.com

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NEW PRODUCTS AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR HRSFLOW AT K 2019

NEW HOT RUNNER SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE THE INJECTION MOULDING PROCESS AT ITS BOOTH AND AT THOSE OF PARTNER COMPANIES, HRSFLOW PROPOSES A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS OF ITS FLEXFLOW HOT RUNNER TECHNOLOGY ALONGSIDE ITS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS, BOTH TARGETED TO IMPROVE INJECTION MOULDING

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t K 2019, HRSflow (hall 1, booth D05) a division of INglass - presents challenging applications of their Flexflow hot runner technology together with recent developments, targeted to improve the injection moulding process. These include examples for perfectly balanced family tools with extremely different part volumes, an extended cylinder range, the new SA series of nozzles for small shot weights, as well as HRScool, HRSflow innovative solution for hot runner injection moulding in which water cooling of the associated actuators can be completely eliminated.

EXPERTISE ON FAMILY TOOLS Family moulds for the cost and time efficient production of different parts in a single shot have traditionally been associated with problems caused by traditional pin control methods, including poor balancing causing e.g.

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

warpage issues. HRSflow hot runner technology provides a broad potential to improve the quality of the parts, eliminate cost for additional process tuning, broaden the process window and extend the lifetime of the tool. Using servo driven valve gate technology, to independently control stroke, timing and force of each individual pin, can overcome existing limitations in terms of close similarity in size, weight, wall section and volume, whilst ensuring all cavities are being filled simultaneously, preventing overfeeding and flash formation.

At K 2019 HRSflow showcases a family mould for producing high quality upper and lower bumper parts in one shot. Both parts are moulded using PP 14% talc and are characterized by large volume differences, namely, 3333 cm³ and 2170 cm³ respectively. The use of the Flexflow technology guarantees flawless surfaces without any flow mark and an accurate control of deflection on each component. The

mould is equipped with a twenty-one-nozzle, electrically-driven valve gate hot runner system, including two angled nozzles.

A second family mould example is the hot runner system for a one-shot production of three high-quality PP parts for a car interior door module, with volumes of 560, 338 and 58 cm³ and wall thickness ranging from 2.3 to 3 mm.

The mould is equipped with an eight-nozzle, electrically-driven valve gate hot runner system, designed for sequential injection moulding, allowing for a cycle time of approximately 55 s. Both hot runners are equipped with the new Flexflow one manifold servo driven valve gate cylinders with reduced cut out, higher accuracy and enhanced repeatability.

EXTENDED RANGE OF CYLINDERS At K 2019 the company also showcases its recently extended portfolio of particularly compact and small cylinders which require

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very limited installation space. New is a series of pneumatic cylinders which can be easily installed without removing the hot runner from the mould plate. Designed for excellent thermal insulation, they do not require cooling for a wide range of polymers. Easy maintenance is a further advantage they offer, thanks to the modular design concept and the reduced number of parts. The cylinders are available with or without end stroke, as damped version, also with end stroke, and with pressure sensor.

Further optimized products from HRSflow include compact hydraulic cylinders, requiring only small cut-outs in the tool. With improved material selection and design, they minimize the heat transfer from the manifold, reducing heating energy consumption. In addition to the basic design, a dampened version is available. Further variants offer a microswitch for end position detection as well as an adjustable version to modify the position of the needle by ±1 mm without mechanical reworking.

… AND MUCH MORE HRSflow also presents the SA smallest series of screwed-in hot runner nozzles for very low shot weights, with a very compact cut-out, dedicated to process small technical components and designed to have optimal thermal conditions for high flexibility in processing engineering polymers, even with high fibre loads or high viscosities.

Another highlight is HRScool, the innovative solution for hot runner injection moulding, which allows the user to completely eliminate water cooling from the most common automotive applications. The design minimizes the

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New hydraulic cylinder

heat transfer from the hot tool plate to the cylinder, while a highly thermally conductive cover maximizes heat dissipation from the cylinder to the cold clamping plate.

LIVE PRESENTATION AT PARTNER BOOTHS Visitors of K 2019 can experience HRSflow hot runner technology at a couple of the company partners’ booths, including Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, KraussMaffei, Wittmann Battenfeld, Engel, Yizumi, and Arburg, all of them showing cutting-edge solutions for sophisticated moulding tasks.

Sumitomo (SHI) Demag showcases the injection moulding of an interactive dashboard which completely redesigns the vehicle interior. The part is a clear example of how HRSflow Flexflow technology can manage back injection of PC on IMD film, avoiding typical aesthetical defects of the application. The process also includes overmoulding of capacitive sensors on the back side to provide a complete part after ejection. Project partners also include Kurz and Werkzeugbau Siegfried Hofmann.

Engel presents the injection moulding of a complex PMMA lightguide produced with a 5 point-gating Flexflow hot runner system in a complex family tool, resulting in an ultra-clean optical grade part for longer and more comHot runner plex LED structures. Project systems partners include Volvo Cars, with new on-manifold INglass, DBM, Uddeholm, cylinders Cumsa, Kistler and Arkema.

A ruler is also injection moulded from 100% recycled ABS using a HRSflow hot runner system to maintain consistent shot weight and overcome other issues often connected with the processing of recycled plastics.

Wittmann Battenfeld presents the injection moulding of a demonstrator cover integrating backlight functions and a 3D shaped capacitive sensor. The PC/ABS part, produced with a Flexflow One hot runner system is an example of back-injection on the new VarioForm film from Kurz. The mould has been produced

by GK Tool.

KraussMaffei showcases the production of an A-pillar interior component, back-injected on Alcantara through a Flexflow One 2 drops system. The project was conceived in cooperation with other partners such as Georg Kaufmann Formenbau (GKTool), Alcantara and Meusburger Georg.

Yizumi presents the production of an automotive engine cover realized with a Flexflow One system, the electrically driven valve gate technology where an additional control unit is not required during the injection process. The engine cover is made of reinforced polymer with PUR overmoulding for a scratch resistant surface by Frimo. The part is a lightweight under the hood application conceived by GK Concept (Germany) expertise.

Arburg uses a post-consumer recyclate (PCR), derived from household waste, to produce a handle for the safety door of Allrounder injection moulding machines. An electric two-component Allrounder 630 A produces the handle from PCR and TPE by using the ProFoam foaming process. Both foamed halves of the handle are mounted in the mould and then partially overmoulded with the soft component. The hot runner system with two drops valve gate has been designed

by HRSflow in order to ensure the perfect balance between the two different cavities.

A second system is used to inject the TPE component. www.hrsflow.com MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS

ONCE MORE IN DĂœSSELDORF AS A PROTAGONIST

THE INNOVATION IN RUBBER PROCESSING FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY AT K 2019, A HISTORIC ITALIAN COMPANY REAFFIRMS ONCE AGAIN ITS ROLE AT THE TOP LEVEL IN THE WORLD SCENERY OF MANUFACTURERS OF PLANTS FOR RUBBER PROCESSING

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t K 2019 (booth F21, hall 16), the Italian company Comerio Ercole founded in 1885 and based in Busto Arsizio (Varese), specialised in the manufacture of calenders, with a team of about 200 people and a turnover of 70 million euros in 2018 - presents some very important technological innovations recently developed.

INVERTED-L CONFIGURATION The first consists in a revolutionary calender, named Flexi and suitable for PVC sheets, with rolls high-precision hydraulic positioning system, designed with 4 or 5 rolls, according to the type of processed product (soft or rigid PVC). The new invert-

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ed-L configuration of the calender allows for a wide range of applications as it is designed to work with 4 rolls and 3 lamination banks or, alternatively, with 5 rolls and 4 lamination banks, providing the same post-calender section with stretching embossing and cooling unit.

5-ROLL PVC CALENDERING PLANT Comerio Ercole has recently filed another new and important PVC calendering line reference for the engineering and manufacturing process for a very important Far Eastern PVC manufacturer: an impressive 5-roll PVC calendering plant, which has been designed, engineered and manufactured with 2,400 mm-roll width for the pharmaceutical

and printing graphic application fields.

The calender unit is equipped with Comerio Ercole patented, high-precision, top performance, fully hydraulic nip adjustment Hydrogap device. The calendering line is composed of an innovative take-off and stretching unit, an in-line embossing unit with fast change device and movable cooling unit.

A proper automatic windup unit is included in the scope of supply, together with a thickness gauge device, an automatic bank control system based on thermo-cameras, and all TCU units for the calendering line.

Comerio Ercole takes care of the engineering of the whole plant, offering a full Master Plus service package, complete with mechanical, fluidic and electric diagrams, and data sheets.

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

INVESTMENTS IN R&D Comerio Ercole invests over 3% of its turnover in R&D and, in the past 5 years, 8 new high-performing technologies and products for the tire industry have been developed and patented. A dedicated 350-sqm R&D laboratory is available at its workshop. This is Comerio’s “Think Tank Site”, where all recent solutions have been firstly tested and improved.

In addition, a brand new laboratory has been opened in 2019, putting at Comerio customers’ disposal an innovative, fully hydraulic, multipurpose 3-4-5-roll calendering line, equipped with the latest technological Hydroshot devices, in order to guarantee a perfect and micrometric coupling process.

FURTHER INNOVATIONS Also being presented at K is the innovative SSM mixing plant as well as the 4S Hydroplus triple purpose calender line with fabric, steel and innerliner production integration, considering the excellent performance results already obtained after the first 24 months of full operation at a major European manufacturer. A number of other prod-

uct innovations are also on show, offering facilitated set-up and reduced set-up times and ensuring maximum precision. All this and more with the Industry 4.0 approach. www.comerercole.it

The comparison with the Fiat 500 shows the true dimensions of the plants manufactured

by Comerio Ercole

Born ambitious Innovative solutions based on TPE-S, TPO in SBS and SEBS compounds.

Flexibility, expertise, determination: MARFRAN® ... a world of possibilities!

DÜSSELDORF (GERMANY)

16-23 OCTOBER 2019 HALL 5 - D17

18-21 NOVEMBER 2019 HALL 8B - P16

www.f-franceschetti.it

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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FIVE FILTER MODELS

ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL AN ONGOING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY MAKES FIMIC (HALL 9, BOOTH E28) A TRUE SPECIALIST IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SYSTEMS FOR RECYCLING POST-CONSUMER AND INDUSTRIAL PLASTIC WASTE, WITH SOLUTIONS THAT ARE AMONGST THE MOST ADVANCED IN THE FIELD WORLDWIDE

The RAS 700 model

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ne of the themes at K 2019 is sustainability and the event is full of innovations and new perspectives for the recycling industry. As always, also this year, Fimic offers something new to its customers.

The recycling world requires increased productivity and higher quality, but often technology cannot withstand high levels of contamination or high hourly production rates. The limits of recycling machines remain evident, but the circular economy asks manufacturers to work miracles to save our planet.

Fimic is strongly motivated by these new concepts, which have led to a strong demand for new filtration systems and technologies for post-consumer material treatment in Europe and worldwide. For this reason, the company decided to develop new technologies allowing customers to choose the filter according to the final application, filtration, material to be processed and hourly production rate. Based on

these parameters, Fimic is currently able to supply five different types of filtration solutions with five filter models. It is one of the few companies on the market specialised in filtration and counting on such a diversified range of products.

THE RAS MODEL The Italian company Fimic is currently well known worldwide for its RAS filtration model, which will soon reach 300 units, installed not only in Europe, but all over the world, from Chile to New Zealand. The RAS system is a scraping filter, known for its flexibility and strength. This filter, through the use of two blades, is able to scrape very high contamination materials (for example up to 15% of paper) and also contamination blocked by a laser or punched mesh. This system of filtration, from 80 to 2,000 micron, allows customers to choose the quality of the filtration and to keep an eye on the operating costs.

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

ONGOING PROGRESS

Furthermore, the manufacturer offers five different filter sizes to reach, for instance, a quantity of up to 350 kilos of LDPE with the smallest diameter (325) and 3,000 kilos of HDPE with the largest diameter (700). Great results achieved by great entrepreneurs, who allowed Fimic to constantly improve itself and develop its products.

Over the years, filtration has not just been integrated with the laser screen, making it possible to reduce the filtration range below 300 microns, but also new blades, new scrapers and new sealing systems have been developed. All of these have seen the light of day thanks to the constant work of the Fimic team - now made up of 22 operators, including 5 technicians, and installers - who have achieved outstanding results over time.

As mentioned, the recycling world currently requires automatic machines that can guarantee higher quality with ever lower material waste and minimum operating costs. Even the waste can be adapted, based on the amount of contamination that occurs within the material. In fact, the RAS model can process both post-industrial and post-consumer materials, thanks to the waste regulation system and to a closed valve, which opens only when needed and for a set time.

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

The progress that the company has experienced in the last few years has not stopped yet. The RAS model was itself an evolution of the first Fimic REF model. The latter is, in fact, the Fimic counter-flow model, but it has been scarcely used in recent years, superseded by new technologies offering the advantage of lower amounts of waste and a longer usage of the filtering mesh. In fact, the REF model is currently combined with the RAS model into the RAS+REF filter. Some recyclers prefer to keep this technology as an ace up their sleeve for extremely clean materials. For this reason, out of the 55 filters sold per year, a couple are still REF filters. By having just one filter, the customer can decide to move from a filtration system to a different one by changing the components inside it. It is like having two filters in one.

For the lovers of the mesh screen, however, in addition to the REF system, Fimic has developed the TEN model, which is in the final testing phase with a trusted customer. This filtration system provides continuous roll mesh filtration, and the mesh is automatically replaced when clogged. Clearly, the manufacturer constantly improves its solutions and, for this reason, any accumulation system has been removed to prevent gas from forming inside the material. At the time the change takes place, a basket rotates the continuous belt screen in tension, acting as a support for the filtering mesh. The system therefore operates the interchange through a piston that automatically releases the screen at the time of its exit, obviously maintaining tightness and avoiding the breakage of the screen.

A COARSER AND A FINER PHASE As mentioned, there are 5 Fimic filters, even if only three of them have been illustrated so

The TEN filtration system by Fimic

far. The RAS model was duplicated in 2015 to allow double filtration. In fact, the increase in contamination over the years has led the manufacturer to develop a double filtration system with two phases: one coarser and one finer.

This new type of filter eludes the need for a double passage thanks to a cascade extruder. Therefore, the installation of two filters, of a gear pump or of two separate filtration machines is not necessary.

For highly contaminated materials (composed of both large and thin contaminants), the ERA filter makes it possible to insert a single machine with two separate filtration chambers inside, in any extrusion line, cascade or not.

The first chamber can be integrated with a punched filtration greater than 400 microns, so the cheaper screen will block larger and more aggressive filtrations. It is also possible to use laser filtration in the first screen (lower than 400 microns) to eliminate the thinnest contamination in the first phase.

In this way, in case of a coarse filtration first, the second can guarantee a finer filtration, e.g.

Post consumer waste and contaminants, on the left, and the final recyclate, on the right

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150 microns. The laser filter is protected by the punched filter in the first filtration chamber. In the case of laser filtration first, the second can also be laser filtration and a higher quality can be guaranteed thanks to two fine filtration operations.

The ERA model is equipped with two independent discharge valves, which adjust the percentage of discharge according to the effective contamination. The flexibility of the ERA filter therefore allows not only to work with laser-laser or punched-laser solution but also to adapt it and use a single filtration chamber, making the ERA a RAS filter.

INNOVATION AT K Last but not least, the innovation presented at K 2019 (booth E28, hall 9). Firstly, it should be remembered that the RAS model has 5 different diameters that can be adapted to the extruder according to hourly production rate, material to be recycled, and filtration needed for the final application.

Unlike its competitors, Fimic reaches a filtration of approximately 4,000 cm² with a single screen. Thanks to this particular filtering surface, the company has managed to reach very high production rates with very fine filtration re-

The new GEM model

sults, for example 2,000 kilos of LDPE per hour for film application at 100 micron, or up to 3,000 kilos per hour for HDPE MFI 0.5 material with 200 micron filtration.

In some cases, however, the market requires higher quantities than those already achieved with the current productions. Furthermore, Fimic always wants to guarantee the lowest possible pressure so that the contamination is effectively blocked by the screen and, also, to prevent the contamination from passing through the drilling of the screen because of excessive pressure.

For this reason, the manufacturer always tries to guarantee a high filtering surface, which increases the quality of the final product and does not degrade materials sensitive to temperature and pressure, such as LDPE. In view of an increasing production and more complex material in terms of filtration and MFI, Fimic has developed a new GEM model.

GEM derives from Gemini. For the first time Fimic manufactures a filter equipped with two screens to guarantee a greater filtering surface than that of the RAS700. In this case, in fact, two screens and two discharge valves grant a filtering area of 5,552 cm² with a single machine.

This innovation increases the extruder production, maintaining the highest quality of the final

product while guaranteeing simplicity and maximum reduction in operating costs.

Most importantly, the market does not offer the possibility of having only one machine, only two screens and only two valves to guarantee this filtering surface. This not only allows shorter residence of the material, lower energy consumption and lower consumption of spare parts, but also less waste and a more efficient and faster replacement of the screen. www.fimic.it

THE RIGHT CHOICE TO STAND OUT MOSS printing systems the innovative packaging solution Exclusive APP for production monitoring Made-in-Italy technology since 1967

We look forward to seeing you at stand no. 4B50 · October 16–23

kaiti.it

MO 2062, the world’s fastest offset printer for bottle caps

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MOSS s.r.l. · via Pasteur 123/1, Reggio Emilia (Italy) · t. + 39 0522 331977 · www.moss.it · info@moss.it

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

Visit us at

Hall 4 Booth 4C20

Erhardt+Leimer

Automation and Vision Systems

EL-TRISCAN

ELTIM

A scanning contactless double sided point laser triangulation that grants the online quality check on calander and extruder control processes.

EL-TRISCAN acquires the actual values of profile and thickness and compare it with target/nominal reference values in real time.

Application can be done either in hot or cold machine areas.

ELTIM is an online and contact-free surface weight and thickness measurement for film, battery, coating and paper industry. Thanks to the patented ultrasound sonar principle, it measures different types of support/material and different types of coating/adhesives without specific calibration procedures. This allows an easy and fast setup and direct measurement on production changes.

ELSIS

ELSCAN OMS6

ELSIS is based on the highly robust and fast OL 60 line scan camera. An extremely compact structure for the inspection lines. It is used to inspect films, foils, coating, non-woven, metal, composite and paper industry.

ELSCAN OMS6 is a video system for operating widths of up to 3,250 mm that meets very high demands on the image quality. It features a large field of view of 234 x 124 mm and an LED flash.

The system can be optionally equipped with a varnish flash, UV flash and different rear flashes. The camera navigation is highly precise and extremely dynamic.

Online profile thickness measurement system

Surface inspection system for your quality control process

Online weight and thickness measurement system

Web monitoring system with patented “DualView” technology

Erhardt+Leimer Srl · Via Silvio Pellico 20/20A · 24040 Stezzano (BG) · Italy · Tel.: +39 035 2050711 · www.erhardt-leimer.it 113_Erhardt+Leimer_ADV.indd 113

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ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS

FV200 BY ITIB MACHINERY

HIGH PERFORMANCE CORRUGATOR ON THE BASIS OF ITS LONG EXPERIENCE AND PUSHED BY THE MARKET, MORE DEMANDING THAN EVER IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCES AND SPEED, ITIB MACHINERY DEVELOPED A NO-COMPROMISE CORRUGATOR. SO THE FV200/HP HIGH PERFORMANCE MODEL WAS BORN TO GRANT HIGH OUTPUT AND OUTSTANDING QUALITY OF THE FINAL PRODUCT, RELIABILITY, EASE OF USE, AND REDUCED MAINTENANCE

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n 2018, Itib Machinery (hall 15, booth D37, at K 2019) introduced the new FV200 in its range of corrugators, placing it next to the existing FV250, which is and will remain available in the range of equipment for the production of single and double wall corrugated pipes. Based on the experience made in its long history and pushed by the market, more demanding than ever in terms of performance and speed, Itib decided to develop a no-compromise corrugator, in order to guarantee high output and outstanding quality of the final product, reliability, ease of use, and reduced maintenance.

So the FV200/HP high performance corrugator was born. It still features the same open structure, direct cooling of the moulds, vacuum forming, aluminium moulds fixed to carriers and the possibility to open and close the central channel

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as with the previous model, but with many improved and updated technical solutions.

It covers the full range of cable ducting pipes, from 40 to 200 mm, offering high production speed for medium, big and small sizes as well, overcoming the limit of traditional corrugators, where the length of the dies limits the output due to the high back pressure in the die-head.

IMPROVING PERFORMANCE TO MATCH MARKET NEEDS In fact, a very short and open inlet area of the moulds means short dies, lower pressure and thus, higher speed. The outlet channel was shortened as well in order to elongate the central forming channel for a higher cooling capacity; compared with the previous model, the closed length of the moulds chain is now 20% more than with the FV250 corrugator, with simi-

lar chain length. No more casting for the moulds, now directly machined from solid aluminium blocks on 5-axes CNC machines, for improved tolerance control, and hard anodized; each of them is fixed to its carrier by a single bolt for easy locking.

The carriers are on rollers and run in channels machined in the two main tables; they are moved by an AC motor with a gearbox, and two automatic clutches detect any motor load exceeding the set value and stop the corrugator in the case of an emergency. Should this be the case, the corrugator moves back, far from the extruders, operated by an electrical motor.

The cooling system has also been greatly improved; the water distributor and hose system are now placed above the moulds chain, allowing for free running and bending with no contact with metal parts, thus avoiding friction and wear. As previously MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

said, it is always possible to open and close the forming channel to use size-dedicated moulds for optimal cooling efficiency. The vacuum comes from the top of the moulds by a device above the central channel, moving automatically to position itself at the correct height, according to the pipe diameter value set in the control touch screen. Of course, side and height adjustments are possible for a precise, accurate positioning of the corrugator with respect to the extrusion head, fixed to a solid frame connected to the corrugator for a perfect alignment of the parts.

All the improvements and technical solutions adopted in the FV200 corrugator guarantee performances that meet the needs of an increasingly competitive market. It can fully satisfy the needs of the most demanding customers thanks to a maximum mechanical speed of 35 m/min, 800 kg/h output, HDPE double wall (50 pairs of moulds version). The FV200/38HP corrugator, with 38 pairs of moulds only, is also available for pipe manufacturers looking for a lower investment but uncompromising when it comes to quality.

This up-to-date technology is enriched by the recognized and well-known Itib Machinery customer service. With a history of almost 60 years in corrugators, Itib Machinery can support their existing and potential customers in taking the right decision and producing corrugated pipes, in response to today’s market needs, not only in cable ducting but in all the fields where a corrugated pipe may be needed.

But R&D activity is constantly going on at Itib Machinery, going from increasing the cooling efficiency of the small F32 and F65 corrugators to a full technical upgrade of the bigger FV400 and FV700, scheduled soon. The entire range is actually ready to meet 4.0 Industry specifications. Construction, automotive, medical, white goods, drainage, sewage: these are the main applications today for this range of corrugators. But Itib Machinery, with their extensive range of products, consolidated technical knowledge, and service, can become the right partner for any new application. www.itib-machinery.com

The improvements and technical solutions developed by Itib Machinery R&D aim at matching the needs of an increasingly competitive market MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS

OVER HALF A CENTURY OF EXTRUSION SCREWS AND BARRELS

THE POWER OF CONCRETENESS C

agno, a town situated a few kilometres from the border between Italy and Switzerland, near Como, is the place where, in 1967, Marino Arioli founded the small machine shop that he named Mast, standing for Macchine e Attrezzature Speciali per Termoplastici (Machines and Special Equipment for Thermoplastics). Looking back, this was an enlightened and forward-looking move on his part, considering that it came a mere four years after Natta and Ziegler received their Nobel prize for chemistry for their studies on polymers. What is more, it was a decision that allowed the company, from the very year of its foundation, to ride wave of the 1960s trend towards mass consumption of plastics, and subsequently, in a similar way, to exploit the unstoppable development of engineering plastics, today key elements in the most diverse modern technological applications.

Regardless of how it all began, after starting out as a manufacturer of complete extrusion lines, Marino Arioli, later joined by his sons Carlo and Marco, directed the company’s activities towards the manufacture of screws and barrels for the extrusion of plastic materials.

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

A LONGSTANDING FAMILY-RUN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, MAST (HALL 11, BOOTH B79, AT THE K SHOW) OFFERS SPECIALIST EXPERTISE AND ADVICE SERVICES TO BOTH MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS AND PLASTICS PROCESSORS

BY ANGELO GRASSI AND LUCA MEI

SCREWS AND BARRELS… “NO LIMITS” “When we say we deal with extrusion screws and barrels, we mean “absolutely everything”.

After all, we are able to provide ad hoc solutions for all the various product sectors in which there might be a need for single-screw-extruders, twin-screw-extruders, extruders with co-rotating, counter-rotating and tapered monolithic screws and monolithic barrels, as well as section-type barrels, which are in great demand nowadays”, explains Carlo Arioli, CEO of this family-run concern, who goes on: “Maybe it’s thanks to the passion we have inherited from our father, or possibly the experience built up by this company over more than half a century in the business, but we are often able to offer cus-

Carlo Arioli, CEO of Mast

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tomers various solutions in terms of both construction materials and coatings”.

Considering it is offered by a family-run enterprise, this is certainly an impressive all-round service. And let’s not forget that all finished products supplied by Mast come with full documentation attesting to the processing carried out, the quality of the steel used, details of the heat treatments performed (in a controlled atmosphere and ion vacuum), and the dimensional measurements taken during the manufacturing process and at the end of the production cycle.

100% MANUFACTURERS “The real virtue of Mast lies in the fact that we can offer ad hoc products for each individual customer”, Arioli continues, “and in this sense our historical choice, namely to be and remain, 100% manufacturers, plays a strategic role to say the least. There is no doubt that looking after the manufacturing process from start to finish is a rather onerous choice, but it is the only one that allows us to retain complete control over cycle times and quality parameters”.

It therefore comes as no surprise that the Mast production departments, run on the basis of a symbiotic combination of state-of-the-art production systems, automation and manual skills, are an impressive sight. It is useful to recall not only the types of machine tools used

by Mast, but also the relative brands. This is not because we want to advertise the names of their various suppliers, but simply because this is the only way of allowing those who are familiar with precision mechanics to fully appreciate this company’s machine fleet, and thus be left in no doubt as to just what Mast can achieve in terms of capacity range, and also what it can cope with thanks to its daring geometric solutions, and therefore achievable linear tolerances and surface roughness.

With regard to turning, Mast can process pieces measuring up to 7,000 mm long with maximum

Industrial production in modern family-run SMEs is rooted in a tradition of craftsmanship and manual skill that dates back generations

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diameters of 700 millimeters, using: • a Doosan Puma 400 XL CNC lathe; • an AVM Angelini Snupy CNC lathe; • two Est Ticino ET 420 lathes.

For thread cutting/milling jobs (5-axis milling), it is possible, depending on the turning parameters, to machine pieces having lengths of, again, up to 7,000 mm, but with diameters of up to 500 mm. Applying whirling or front platform methods, this is done using two Weingärtner Pick-Up 500/7000 CNC thread-cutting machines and one Wanderer GF 324 CNC thread-cutting machine.

Examples of special machining tasks naturally include deep drilling and lapping of extrusion barrels. Such processes are carried out, with the tools and piece rotating, on single-bore and two-bore barrels with maximum lengths of 5000 mm, on the two following machines: Giana TB 1000 drilling machine; EffeCiEmme Levor 4000 lapping machine.

Barrel and chamber milling is performed using what we like to define a “top” 5-axis Italian manufacturing system for pieces up to 5,000 mm in length, i.e.: a CB Ferrari S630 CNC machining centre flanked by a Tiger TB230 machining centre.

When it comes to grinding, Mast can machine screws and shafts measuring up to 7,000 mm in length and 600 mm in diameter. It can carry out facing jobs on chambers and co-rotary sections with heights of up to 600 mm and - in the same department - can also perform straightening operations; all this using: • a Gioria RUS 7000 grinding machine; • a Cometa HSP 4000 grinding machine; • a Rosa Steel CNC tangential grinding machine; • a Musso hydraulic press.

Gear cutting is carried out with modular cutters and hobbers that Mast also uses to manufacture the stems for the gearboxes and the shafts

A quality control stage

of modular screws. The machines used are the following: a Hurth LKF33 gear cutting machine; a Heckert ZFWVG 250 gear cutting machine; an Isofil 111 gear cutting machine.

Polishing and adjustments are carried out strictly with a cloth for the screws, sections and wormscrews. Remaining in this ambit, there is also the possibility of carrying out disassembly and assembly of co-rotating pairs of screws, as well as assembly of barrels and chambers, using two polishing lathes and one hydraulic disassembling machine.

Just for the record, the reason why the Mast machine fleet does not include any heat treatment ovens is that Mast obviously prefers to entrust these tasks to niche subcontractors, equipped with ad-hoc machinery and qualified personnel.

INVEST, INVEST AND INVEST AGAIN “Our average turnover is just over 4 and a half million euros per year, 70% in Italy and the rest in Europe”, adds Carlo Arioli, “and a not insignificant share of this amount is always invested in updating our machine fleet and enhancing the workforce, since these represent the “core” of the activity of a manufacturing contractor, like us. Accordingly, with a view to ensuring constant improvements - and in spite of the objective slowdown of the market since the start of 2019 we are currently implementing what is, for us, a very important investment: we are spending around 2.5 million euros on the construction of a new company headquarters, which will be located only about half a kilometer from the current one. Once the work is complete, we will have a covered surface area of 3,500 square metres, which will mean greater efficiency in terms of internal logistics, more modern production departments, and more rationally organised offices and warehouses, and it should also mean more comfort for customers who come to see us during our everyday work”. www.mastsrl.it MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

vecchi-besso.it

IA L A DV E R T O R

The Plastlab laboratory

A WIDE RANGE OF TESTS, ABOVE ALL FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY Offering a diversified range of accredited tests, Plastlab has expanded its scope of action this year in order to meet the customers’ needs in a more specific manner, with particular regard to tests for the validation of vehicle interior and exterior components.

PLASTLAB ACCREDITATIONS

A characteristic aspect of Plastlab and its evolution in time consists of the constant development and enlargement of its range of accredited services, with regard above all to the tests for the automotive industry. Starting four years ago, the scope of its Accredia certification has been widened from salt spray test validation in conformity with the ASTM B117 and UNI EN ISO 9227 standards to the Xenotest-based tests complying with SAE J2412 (vehicle interiors) and SAE J2527 (exterior parts).

Similarly - more and more often and with different customers - Plastlab has introduced evaluation services for Qualification Plans in the automotive sector as well as a consultation service with the aim of assessing the im-

An engineer during a test phase

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Plastlab headquarters in Orbassano (Turin)

A specimen undergoing a flammability test

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

plementation of plans, suggesting, where possible, economies of scale for their execution. Plastlab’s contribution in this field is not limited to the examination of projects in their final phase, but also includes customer advice and support for the submission of projects to carmakers.

2019-2020 - ENLARGING THE RANGE OF TESTS

Last year, Plastlab started to widen and diversify its range of tests in order to meet the customers’ needs in a more specific way. Today, many automotive companies have enlarged their scope of action with the aim of becoming suppliers to European carmakers. This trend, which has been warmly welcomed by end customers, is also supported by the awareness of the excellent know-how and capacities delivered by Italian suppliers, as they are able to provide top-level quality and services.

Today, the company organisation and the manufacturing of components are increasingly subject to controls and certifications; this is the reason why, four years ago, Plastlab initiated a more in-depth accreditation strategy, gradually enlarging its scope. Recently, following the Accredia inspection in early July, the laboratory decided to develop an accreditation procedure addressing, in particular, the tests required

by Volkswagen, such as the PV1200 test, which includes a thermal cycle (high/low temperature) to assess the behaviour of vehicle components with a visual examination at the end of the test, as well as the Volkswagen PV3929/3930 procedures for testing the behaviour of aged plastics, elastomers and textiles. In addition, Plastlab also applied for UNI EN ISO 20567-1 accreditation; these standards specify the resistance of car trims to the impact of a body on their surface simulating the impact of stones.

Having updated its equipment in order to certify

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

Test equipment installed at Plastlab

the above-mentioned tests, Plastlab is now in the position to meet the needs of plastic manufacturers by offering them a fast and certified service geared to overcoming the problems often arising in their relations with international test labs, and leading as a result to the lengthening of the test execution times necessary to obtain the certification of their products.

REGULATION UN-ECE-R118, ANNEX 8

A further important step for Plastlab is that in October 2018 the laboratory started to purchase the testing equipment required for the homologation procedures according to Regulation UN-ECE-R118, Annex 8 on the burning behaviour of materials used in the interior construction of certain categories of motor vehicles - that is the vehicles belonging to categories M1 and M2. The homologation covers the components installed in the passenger cabin and the engine compartment, as well as the components installed in any separate heating chamber, and the ability of these components to withstand fuels and lubricants.

The service provided by Plastlab consists of the startup of the preparation procedure for all material flammability tests in conformity with the Regulation in order to enable the competent authority to issue the homologation certificate and to verify, at any time, the control methods applied. www. plastlab.it

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ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS NEWS ERGOMEC, PART OF PEGASO INDUSTRIES

Bringing innovation in rubber processing The production processes of tires, pipes, technical rubber components, insulation products and even magnetic seals have in common the handling of different types of polymers, carbon black, fillers and oils. The Italian company Ergomec (hall 10, booth B48, at K) manufactures turnkey solutions for the rubber industry and its strengths are innovation and versatility to provide customized, cutting-edge solutions. Turnkey systems allow the extraction, storage, conveying, handling, dosing and mixing of raw materials and are highly flexible so as to Ergomec designs adapt to customer needs. and manufactures turnkey plants for rubber industries Ergomec has extensive experience in the rubber industry, and is part of the recently formed Pegaso Industries holding, bringing together companies already established in the global market with a turnover of 70 million euros. The Italian company’s technology is the result of continuous research and innovation to guarantee excellence and high performance to the customer. The company operates in the domestic market but also in the international market, thanks to partnerships all over the world.

The systems designed and produced by Ergomec allow the extraction, storage, conveying, handling, dosing and mixing of carbon black, white fillers, oils and polymers, with highly flexible results in order to adapt to customer needs. The dosing process is completely automated and supported by specific software to allow the proper verification procedure and control of consumption. Proprietary technology also allows the formulation of recipes and batch micro-dosage of additives. Highly accurate, thanks to the use of electronic systems for advanced weighing, the Ergomec solutions guarantee efficient dosing.

Recent solutions include a carbon black and carbonate conveying system and the supply of a closed rotor mixer with screws conveyors. For carbon black, a dense phase conveying was chosen to preserve the material integrity, while a flight-diluted phase conveying was adopted for carbonate. Banbury feeding also includes the addition of micro-components.

The exact knowledge of rubber processing and the know-how acquired by Ergomec allow the company to offer bulk material handling systems featuring high versatility and flexibility as well as reduced and quick maintenance. The solutions include certified, reliable and highly precise dosing systems. www.ergomec.com

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Leading technology and quality

The continuous development and application of the S series At the K 2019 show, Sytrama (hall 15, booth B22) is present with five dynamic work areas, demonstrating Cartesian and anthropomorphic robots, external peripheral devices and safety systems.

In addition to the conventional robots installed on injection moulding machines, a stand-alone work area is equipped with a robot in a lighthearted mood to allow visitors to challenge the machine at the noughts and crosses game, which demonstrates interesting functionality: automatic tool changing, integrated vision systems and a wireless operator interface. The other Cartesian robots installed on the injection moulding machines (IMM) represent the leading models offered by the Italian company, covering IMMs from 130 to 600 tons.

The S7 model, suitable for IMMs up to 180 tons, demonstrates the fast pick-and-place operation for blow plastic bottles. Moving up a model, also on show are two S9 robots, combined in a cell with anthropomorphic robots and external peripherals, such as punching and bagging machines. Each system/ cell is integrated and managed by the latest SCP2 control panel, checking the status of all safety systems and external peripherals

The S20-S Cartesian model

from gate access to conveyor, including the emergency safety circuit.

The safe PLC, together with safe motion control, allows the access into the work area for programming, operations, and cell set-up.

Finally, a robot for larger-tonnage IMM, the S20-S, combined with assembly equipment, produces a complete folding box.

In order to maximize safety standards for all operators and technicians, Sytrama decided to install the B&R safety PLC on each model, providing safe speed systems for open gate operations, particularly useful during the installation and testing of moulds. The choice to install motors with absolute encoder systems eliminate the search times for zero on the axes. This allows every re-start of the manipulators to be simple and trouble-free, and reduces time for mould change and operation set-up, resulting in a more productive plant.

Sytrama technology provides the integration of the Cartesian robot operator interface with the anthropomorphic robot of most leading manufacturers, standardized in a single user interface for robot control. Thanks to this integration, Sytrama has supplied seven fully automatic cells to the Polish automotive sector and an automatic bumper cell, composed of flame systems, sprue cutting, automatic tool changing, designed to work on 24-hour shifts and execute fast product change with minimal operator intervention.

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www.flowise.it

Manifolds for moulds and thermo-cooling unit

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ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS NEWS At K with more than 50 years of experience

Safety and flexibility in mixing At K 2019 Plas Mec (hall 9, booth A60) exhibits a Combimix-HC-800/2500 mixing system, made with the technology consolidated in years of experience and including the latest development in terms of safety, an aspect that is becoming more and more important over the years. The company also shows a TRR-1500/ FV container mixer, complying with the Atex Directives and suitable for mixing additives with

potential explosion risk and for installation in classified areas.

Plas Mec, an Italian company manufacturing equipment and accessories for the mixing of plastic materials (PVC, PE, PP, ABS), technical and special polymers (PA, PC, PU, PET, PTFE, and others), powder coating resins, wood-plastics composites, masterbatches, additives, pigments, thermoplastic rubber etc., has developed and delivered all over the world more than 6,000 machines in 52 years since its foundation.

One of the distinguishing features of the company is its flexibility in designing and providing high-tech solutions, “tailored� to the customer.

Plas Mec is known for manufacturing sturdy long-lasting machinery, offering the highest levels of quality. This also stems from the decision to maintain a key part of the production within the company so as to keep a watchful eye over every detail of the machinery.

A Combimix-HC mixing system: at K 2019 Plas Mec exhibits the 800/2500 version

Plas Mec manufacturing range mainly comprises the following: - Combimix-HC, ideal solution for any technical mixing requirements in the field of PVC or WPC dry blend production; Combimix-HC versions span from 200/800 to 2500/8500 litres capacity; a very high output can be achieved thanks to the optimized design of the TRM high-speed mixer and the HEC high-efficiency cooler, featuring the latest technologies of thermofluidodynamic engineering; -TRR container mixer, ideal alternative to conventional turbo-mixers for masterbatches, pigments and engineering plastics preparation, when production conditions require a high degree of versatility and a wide range of different recipes to be mixed by the same machine.

The production range is completed by a wide range of accessories to transport, weigh and store powders, as well as the complete automation to control the process in order to supply customers with a complete solution and a fully automated mixing system. www.plasmec.it

New projects for Nova Frigo

Refrigeration with low-GWP eco-friendly gases Always focused on ecological and energy saving aspects, and following the innumerable requests coming from the market and customers - especially those in Northern Europe - Nova Frigo has undertaken the development of new projects concerning eco-friendly gases with low GWP (Global Warming Potential).

Since the beginning of 2019, also thanks to the contribution, in terms of expertise, by the new social structure coming from the world of industrial refrigeration for food, new ranges of R290, R513A, 1234ze, R407C and R410A products have been developed, allowing the company to enter new market sectors previously unattainable. Today Nova Frigo can offer various machine solutions, with different types of refrigerant gas, depending on the operating temperatures, integrating scroll, semi-hermetic or screw compressors.

At the K fair (hall 10, booth B42) new concept machines with R290 and R513A gas are exhibited, maintaining the historic layout that has always characterized Nova Frigo products, with the only novelty of a restyled logo.

In particular, a 40-kW R290 machine with Bitzer semi-hermetic compressor and micro-channels condensers is on show. Maximum attention has been paid to the safety issue with regard to the use of R290 gas, with suitable control systems adapted to the regulations. Another very important piece of news is the new corporate structure, with the entry of new partners coming from historical companies in the industrial refrigeration sector. www.novafrigo.it

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A system by Nova Frigo for industrial refrigeration

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ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS NEWS Efficient drying

Lower energy consumption and ease of use Increased deliveries and the opening of new headquarters in Spartanburg (North Carolina, United States): these are the strengths brought by Vismec to K 2019 (hall 11, booth F32), where it unveils many innovations highlighting the energy efficiency and ease of use of its products. As always, the company’s core business are the desiccant wheel dryers: the high-performance and low-consumption systems belonging to the DW and DP series can adapt themselves automatically to any production and material change, thus avoiding energy waste and degradation phe-

nomena, in order to obtain the right level of drying in any environment.

The new 7-inch colour touch panel, equipped with a high-definition monitor, makes the system even simpler and easier to use. The data collection and extraction process is immediate thanks to the USB, Ethernet and SD interfaces. The touch panel will be available also on centralised solutions, and is designed for connection with the Vismec 4.0 monitoring system.

Individual and centralised loading devices are also in high demand, including those equipped with vacuum system (VB series) and those

New equipment compliant with Industry 4.0

High-speed container mixers Founded during the years of the global economic and financial crisis, Promixon (hall 10, booth H02, at K 2019) managed to take advantage of that moment, throwing itself into the “mix” of global competition, ready to exploit the opportunities that the recovery would bring its way.

This manufacturer has grown rapidly in the early years and its turnover, deliveries and staff are the elements that best illustrate its expansion. Its most important recent achievements include the extension of the production area of its site, the creation of an internal testing room, and the construction of one of the world’s largest mixing systems (model XBlend-MC/2500/8600), designed for the flooring sector, as well as the development of mixers for special applications.

One of the most important projects the company has undertaken in

The Promixon team close to its mixing plants

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The new Halo weight control ring, with its simple design, plays a crucial role for competitiveness, thanks to the real-time detection of material consumption, making it possible to avoid any waste

featuring a single or double filter (DR series), enabling both regular and extraordinary maintenance operations to be performed without stopping the production process. The VR series of modular receivers, entirely made of stainless steel, can be equipped with a new type of filter as an alternative to the screen filter (this new filter is made of fabric and uses the powder contained in the material); or a cartridge filter, recommended for materials containing excessive quantities of powder or requiring a wider filtering surface.

At the trade fair, the company also introduces Halo, a weight control

ring enabling the real-time detection of the production output. The monitoring of material consumption plays a crucial role for competitiveness, and the weight measured

by Halo can be displayed locally or stored centrally by means of the Vismec 4.0 monitoring system. The data can then be exported to and integrated into other external systems. In addition, Halo can manage automatically all the parameters of the DW and DP dryers, as well as the quantities of material to be processed, blocking the material loading when the set value is reached. www.vismec.com

recent months has concerned an Italian processor, which needed to replace six horizontal mixers with new high-speed FX container mixers, to be used for mixing thermosetting resins and pigments, fillers and additives. Careful analysis of the processor’s requirements and production needs led the company to suggest using three FX-2500 systems, which were built, delivered and installed in less than four months. Furthermore, designed to be compatible with the existing mixing equipment, they also represent a re-engineering of the process along Industry 4.0 lines.

Furthermore, a partnership with TraceToo (a company specialising in automatic identification), has led to the creation of smart conveyor cones that, thanks to RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) batch traceability readers, eliminate manual operations and make product handling faster and more efficient. Intervening on a touchscreen control panel, the operator can automatically link the production batch with the appropriate cone in the filling phase, checking the consistency of all the parameters entered.

The FX series of container mixers is offered as the ideal alternative to traditional high-speed mixers whenever production conditions require a high level of versatility and it is necessary to mix a wide range of different products using the same machine. Thanks to its special design, the container mixer is divided into two separate units: the mixing head and the portable container; the cleaning time between lots is reduced to a minimum and, as a result, so is the risk of contamination.

Mixing, storage and transport are all optimised, as all three operations use, directly, the same containers, which can easily be inserted into a metering system equipped with weighing scales or into an extruder feeding metering device. The FX container mixers are also ideal for post-production blending with metallic pigments (metallic blending) ensuring their distribution in a safe and monitored environment, rendered inert by nitrogen. www.promixon.com

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

Configuration instead of programming

Save time with the digital twin

Configuration with the digital twin

With the new machine generation HiQ G2 for K 2019, Herrmann Ultraschall (hall 11, booth E26) emphasizes the subject of digitization and visualization in ultrasonic welding. A completely new and user-friendly control platform facilitates process setup, production and maintenance.

All physical components of the ultrasonic welding machine and accessories, as well as all process steps and cycles are detailed and fully mapped in the control software - as a digital twin. These include sensors and actuators as well as complex connected devices such as cameras or scanners. Using this digital twin, all components and functions can be adapted to the needs of the application, the system and the operator via simple configuration and parameterization. The welding process, and even the entire machine cycle, can be modeled in the control platform, and consistently controlled via provided MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

process data. The integration of upstream and downstream test options is thus much easier - a further step in the direction of “intelligent workplace of the future”.

A guided tool change with RFID-coded tools and automatically clamping devices also facilitates the safe product change for the customer. Incorrect combinations of welding program, ultrasonic stack and fixture are no longer possible, and the optimum starting position for the application is automatically set by the system. Thus, the lot size one is economically feasible even with series machines. Additionally, a multi-level message management informs about errors in plaintext and suggests remedial actions.

The new control platform is designed so that future topics such as predictive maintenance and data mining can be easily added. www.herrmannultraschall.com

Baruffaldi iCut

The evolution of pipe cutting “Every great invention is born from a simple idea that people then define brilliant”. This is how Alberto Dosi, general manager of Baruffaldi Plastic Technology (hall 17, booth C21), defines the newest technology the company designed and manufactured to cut plastic pipes. It is called iCut and it makes its world debut at the K show. Dosi also maintains that this brand-new technology will certainly break with cutting devices for pipes from the past.

The name guarantees the technology will meet high expectations, definitely innovating plastic pipe cutting.

What differs from the existing concept of pipe planetary cutting is the absence of the rotating mechanical group and blade-entry movement mechanism. The advanced software elaborated by Baruffaldi electron-

ic department allows iCut to simplify the entire cutting operation.

The new patented device is smaller, has a competitive price and is extremely versatile as it can be used with different types of products and materials. Moreover, it has a very low energy consumption as it works with 220 V and its cutting process gives a final product without any burrs or swarf. Thanks to fewer moving parts, reduced weight, size, cost and generated noise, combined with increased speed, quality and productivity, iCut could be one of the most interesting engineering products that will affect the plastic pipes and profiles market. www.baruffaldi.eu According to Baruffaldi, the iCut system could revolutionize plastic pipes and profiles cutting

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ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS NEWS Reliability, savings, and quality

The filtration system that convinced everybody immediately First unveiled at K 2016 by CM Evolution Plast (hall 10, booth B62), the innovative automatic continuous flow screen system Principe EVO has proved, to the recyclers who have chosen it, that plastic material filtration “issues” are “manageable”. It has demonstrated that with Principe EVO they can count on a new source of “productivity.”

The company has increased system productivity, which does not depend on the material contamination level, reaching the goal of

twenty-four hours of consistent productivity. A result that can be achieved with the larger version, CM-EVO 300, installed for the first time in 2019, which processes 3500 kg/h of HDPE base material, filtered to 90 microns, through an area of 2,000 square centimetres of effective filtration.

The Principe Evo system offers many features working simultaneously, including continuous flow, tape filtration and completely automatic operation, as well as lin-

Unveiled at K 2016 for the first time, Principe EVO has proved that material filtration issues can be managed

earity and stability - features unseen together before. It ensures a significant cost reduction by using a continuous-flow automatic belt conveyor system. The system linearity and the excellent filtering surface management allow contained pressure and weighed variations to

Smart Mould

Injection moulding 4.0 Operating in the market for years, Gefit (hall 13, booth A64) has implemented state-ofthe-art technology within its systems. The strong combination of IT and mechanical knowledge has enabled the company to develop and finalize the innovative Smart Mould which, for the first time on the market, consists in an injection mould fully compliant with Industry 4.0 requirements.

The application of different electronic devices, including micrometres, accelerometers,

Smart Mould, to manage injection moulding 4.0 by PC, tablet, and smartphone

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laser sensors, pressure and temperature sensors, positioned inside the mould strategic points and appropriately connected to software, allows the monitoring of the various work phases and process parameters, and the correct running of the moulds themselves.

Information collected in the reports, such as temperature and pressure in the cavity, alignment between fixed and mobile parts, automatic strokes counting, cycle time, speed and closing pressure of the mould, and so on, are conveyed to a PLC in real time, and immediately available and usable thanks to an intuitive and flexible graphic interface.

This allows, on the one hand, the timely intervention on any malfunctions in some cases, anticipating problems which may arise during the injection process - and, on the other hand, the planning of the mould maintenance predictively. www.gefit.com

avoid melt alteration.

Another important feature is its ease of use, as it requires just one simple task - changing the tape roll. The operation does not require welding or other devices, or any special equipment. It is carried out during the normal production cycle of the plant. The duration (in days) of the 100-m roll depends on the degree of material contamination.

This patented device does not require any ordinary or extraordinary maintenance. After-sales technical assistance is hugely important for CM Evolution Plast.

“Testing, installation and after-sales service define our way of being.

Even though the Principe Evo machinery is designed for long-term trouble-free operation, we have a bond with the customer who chooses this device. This bond exists from installation, and it is a relationship that never stops. Considering the performance of our systems, we only tend to see our customers to say “hello”, or when they want to purchase new models. Whatever the customer’s need, we will be there and have the spare parts and components required for any quick maintenance operation.

CM Evolution Plast provides assistance from Rescaldina (Milan) by using a powerful remote assistance tool which allows us to operate on the systems installed at the customer’s premises at any time, with effective support from our qualified personnel”, claimed the management of the company. www.cmevolutionplast.com MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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26/07/19 16:20 08/10/19 10:44

ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS NEWS Superior machinery since 1992

High-end bimetallic barrels and screws Since 1992, Superior Machinery has been a leading manufacturer of high-end bimetallic barrels and screws for plastic processing equipment and machineries, providing professional and customized solutions to clients all over the world. ISO 9000 certified, the company is headquartered in Zhoushan (China). The 10,000 m2 plant is equipped with cutting-edge precision facilities to produce high-end screws and barrels based on resistance to abrasion, corrosion, high pressure, high-speed.

The screws and the barrels are suitable for several kind of material, such as halogen-free material, high fibre content polymers, ceramic, powder alloy, magnetic material, high corrosive material, high temperature polymers, thermosetting material, liquid material, high abrasion materials and many more.

The Superior Machinery R&D department is able to recommend the most suitable soluIn 2009, the company adopted advanced vacuum sintering technology and successfully developed nickel-base alloy barrels and nickel-alloycoated screws

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Superior Machinery is specialized in the manufacture of high-end bimetallic barrels and screws for plastic processing equipment and machineries since 1992

tions for different applications, which help customers save costs and improve the production efficiency. This is all thanks to the international team, comprised of professionals both from China and from Europe, all of whom have years of experience and an in-depth understanding of the product processing.

The company has always been at the forefront of technology research and development and has taken the lead in developing and manufacturing

iron-based alloy barrels in the industry. In 2009, the company adopted advanced vacuum sintering technology and successfully developed nickel-base alloy barrels and nickel-alloy-coated screws.

Thanks to the precise expertise and the high-quality service provided, Superior Machinery has become a point of reference in the international market and is entrusted by customers all over the world. The company recently updated its corporate image, releasing the new company logo and in combination with the launch of their new website, the company has set high expectations for continued successful growth. To meet the needs of European clients, Superior Machinery recently opened a sales and service branch in Monza, near Milan (Italy).

Superior Machinery Technical Department is able to advise customers about the most suitable product for the specific application based on the physical characteristics of different material and product requirements. The main application areas of Superior Machinery products include IT connectors, auto parts, optical

products, precision gears and special industries.

The raw materials for Superior Machinery screws and barrels are imported from the United States, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland and Japan, assuring the highest quality possible for clients.

The wide range of products for the plastics and rubber industry includes: - bimetallic barrel series; - fully hardened screw series; - screws and barrels for rubber machines; - single screws and barrels for extruders; - parallel twin-screws and barrels (counter-rotating and corotating); - conical twin-screws and barrels (counter-rotating and corotating).

In order to meet customers’ different requirements, Superior Machinery is able to apply on the surface of the screws different kind of surface treatment, using technologies like PVD coating, HVOF supersonic flame spraying, PST titanium-nitrogen diffusion technology and traditional salt-bath style heat treatment. www.superior-machinery.com MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS NEWS Screen changers for extrusion lines

Turnkey package for continuous flow With an output rate up to 1,200 screen changers per year, BD Plast (hall 9, booth D74) confirms itself as the favourite partner of extrusion line manufacturers in Italy, Europe, North America and Asia, and at K 2019 three are its main products under the spotlight.

BDOx3 BF is a triple-plate continuous flow back flushing screen changer. The result of an accurate study deriving from a number of machines already tested in several applications, it rep-

BDOx3 BF triple-plate continuous flow back flushing screen changer

resents a technical solution which is quite different from those most commonly seen on the market. First of its kind, it provides an automatic system for extracting the filtering packs, completely controlled by PLC. This system considerably simplifies and speeds up the replacement operations of screen packs, offering a high level of automation and ensuring a full efficiency advantage.

The extremely effective back flushing system allows the reduction, up to two thirds, of the amount of purged polymer thus generating a significant reduction of waste. During the replacement of screen packs, the polymer discharge channels are inspectable and easily accessible in case of obstruction. Both during the back flushing phases and the replacement of the filtering media, 66% of the total filtering area remains in the working position, allowing high flow continuity and pressure homogeneity. The purged polymer is then collected in a cooling tank, connected to the protections by means of a magnetic sensor, so as to guarantee absolute safety during the material purging phases. The machine is combined with a PLC control system, equipped with a touch screen that permits the most extensive adjustment of the functions of the cleaning

A history of over 50 years

Mould making with values Over fifty years of history, so many can boast the OMSBesser group (hall 1, booth C85), which is today an international reference partner in the field of thermoplastic components development and industrialization, moulds making, technical and aesthetic moulding, finishing and assembling through a complete integrated service, with focus on maximizing process reliability and customer satisfaction.

There are few but fundamental words able to summarize with extreme effectiveness what makes this company great. The first of them is “family”. Since the very beginning, the family behind it has always represented a cornerstone of the group, with its values of humility, passion and union, which characterize the spirit of teamwork, a necessary element to be able to face the

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daily challenges with determination and feed people with the continuous desire to improve.

To maintain a leading position in the market there is no formula but some important rules that guide the company every day. The customer is the beating heart of the group.

Bearing this in mind, the company leitmotiv comes from the design of the mould, and even before then, thanks to its consolidated experience, with the support to the customer in the design of components. This represents a critical phase which, if developed thoroughly, can guarantee efficiency, repeatability and reliability. Also essential are the continuous investments in innovation, looking to the future: research, advanced solutions and investments in equipment and technologies to support customers to

cycles as well as remote control via LAN. BDOx2-6 is a double-plate continuous flow changer with optimized flow channels. The sixth generation of continuous flow screen changers has been subjected to a careful ergonomic and functional study, which has led to a significant reduction of the angle between the flow channels - from 100° to 40° inclination. The polymer stream is therefore much more linear and favourable in terms of flow. The overall dimensions have been reduced (by 20%), as well as the number of components, in order to obtain a simpler but at the same time more performing product. The level of safety has been significantly increased by adopting coded and certified “performance level E” magnetic sensors, interconnecting the position control sensors of the screen changer plates with the hydraulic control unit in a crossed and redundant way.

BDLG is a manual changer with gear and ratchet drive. An accurate study made it possible to create units of medium-large filtering area on more compact and rigid machine housings. The reduction of the mass led to a 20% reduction of energy consumption, emphasizing the company’s sensitivity towards an eco-compatible approach. www.bdplast.com

OMSBesser today is a reference in mould making worldwide

be ahead in every project. But also, involved and motivated people, the real protagonists of all company projects in a stimulating work environment provided by the group, far from negative stress, with the aim of improving efficiency and reducing waste. Finally, always an eye to the environment and the world around.

The vision to follow the customer today and tomorrow has pushed the group, year after year, to expand in China, Hungary, Romania and Poland, countries that have then contributed to fuel the continuous development and reason for being of the Italian headquarters. www.omsbesser.com

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

Recent developments by IPM

Cutting and belling machines for pipes Just after bringing new ideas and technology into its machines, IPM (hall 16, booth D58) is presenting the following innovations at K 2019.

The TPE 160 electric patented cutter has been developed to cut and chamfer multiple plastic pipe materials (PVC, PE, PP) with a maximum diameter of 160 mm at a very high productivity rate. Differently from traditional saws, the maintenance normally required by the hydraulic system is significantly reduced, as well as the normal wear of brushes and tracks for the transmission of electric power. The group that sustains the chamfering tool allows users to obtain a chamfer which is perfectly centred and homogeneous also in case of deformations on the pipes. In the PVC version, a special patented device ensures maximum efficiency in terms of suction of the removed material.

The BA/PP belling machine for polypropylene pipes has been upgraded to generate an output of more than 1100 sockets/hour. The machine processes four pipes per cycle (instead of three) with a diameter up to 50 mm.

The entry station has been speeded up in order to guarantee quicker machine feeding, and it is adjustable according to the pipe diameter. Dead times have been reduced to a minimum. From an energy saving point of view, the ovens and the heating cycle have been optimised. Also, the gasket inserter device these machines can be equipped with works four pipes at the same time, with a diameter up to 50 mm; it can be tooled up with a special patented device that is able to perform the “seal-check” of each

A TP 630 planetary cutting machine

socket, with consequent notification in case of non-conformity. This process is covered by a European patent.

The new belling machine for PVC pipes that IPM is presenting at the K 2019 show boasts three patents. All machine movements are electric or pneumatic. In particular, the trolley of the socketing station is driven by a servomotor, and the locking clamps are driven by pneumatic cylinders. The elimination of the hydraulic system allows the reduction of the committed power by about 4 kW. The other advantages of this electrical belling machine are: greater energy efficiency; low maintenance; and lower environmental impact. An important innovation in the Rieber system was the installation of a control system to check the sealing of the socket pressure (patented).

Also presented at K as innovation is the installation of the “sample copying” system, which ensures the following benefits: correction of the “shrinkage” problem, that is, the alteration of the socket dimensions following the cooling of the same, occurring once the socketing cycle is completed, and due to the exit temperature of the pipe, different from time to time; greater homogeneity and repeatability of the finished product, with a reduction in the production of non-standard pipes and, consequently, less waste on qualitative bases; reduced influence of variable environmental conditions, since the machine is able to progressively adapt itself in order to obtain the desired result; lessened need for operators to check the quality of the finished product. And this process is also patented. www.ipm-italy.it

Gavo Meccanica looks to the future

Focusing on remote control and augmented reality The use of remote controllers and augmented reality are the topics on which Gavo Meccanica’s participation in K 2019 (hall 4, booth A45) is focused. More specifically, the machine on display is a TCRG model, supported by data exchange software already in use at some customers to send recipes to the machine remotely and to get back production analyses in real time. The software version exhibited is updated compared to the current one, called Industry 4.0 Pack.

The standard machines are normally equipped with a touch screen panel where the operator types in the cutting sequences.

Using the remote control, the operator just starts the cycle up and selects the order directly on a PC or laptop, or scanning barcodes.

In this way, mistakes and delays made by manual key pressing are eliminated and production planning is better.

On the wave of new applications, the use of augmented reality is introduced to support the technicians during ordinary and extraordinary maintenance. The K Show is an important event to test the reaction of the market to this proposal. This is a new field for Gavo, and it is the first approach to an instrument that is expected to be widely used in the future.

The choice is avant-garde, and also the core cutter is an essential

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

part of the productive process and it must be connected to the plant network to give its support to the improvement of the process.

Gavo demonstrates once again it is keeping up with the times, and the adoption of computer technologies is part of the concept of manufacturing machines according to customers’ needs; in this case, the users of cores. www.gavomeccanica.com

The TCRG machine exhibited

by Gavo Meccanica at K 2019

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ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS

NEWS The “Sise’s K show”

All under control The Oyonnax-based company, Sise (hall 1, booth D06) had revenue of 13,5 million euros in 2018, 44% of which was export sales. It now has 92 employees, along with subsidiaries in the US and Germany, and a large network of reps and distributors. Sise has four activities with a wide range of products and accessories known worldwide: hot runner temperature control; moud temperature control; sequential valve gate control; production and process monitoring oriented 4.0.

The K show in Düsseldorf is the opportunity for Sise to present its new range of GC units dedicated to sequential valve gate control, where three new units are presented. First, the entry-level IS’Timer is able to control up to 16 pneumatic or hydraulic valve gates, then the GC’Access, up to 18, and finally the GC’Tech, up to 32 gates. Two are equipped with

new colour touch screens, and they all include new functions such as end of stroke management, multi-material management, VNC link, curve displays and especially the new programming mode. In addition, they offer traceability of parts produced with part counting, scrap detection and real-time data recording.

Regarding hot runner temperature control, Sise also present in Düsseldorf its new MV3 generation which is capable of regulating up to 336 zones. It is deployed on six platforms (XXS, XS, S, M, L and XL) with four available power cards (2.5 A, 15A, 20A and 30A) to adapt the offer to various industries such as packaging, automobile, cosmetics, medical and electrical engineering.

It is sold with 7-, 10- or 12-inch integrated touch panels and a Linux-based software program developed by Sise. Pivoting and detachable side panels facilitate access to power and thermo-

The Sise line of water temperature controllers has been recently updated with the launch of the brand new 95 E9-45E (90°C)

couple cards greatly. This new generation includes useful and advanced functions such as four soft start modes, zone grouping, PTI function for thermocouple anomalies, Moldscan for hot runner system real-time diagnosis, as well as real-time material leak detection. The system is of course multilingual (up to 12 languages available) with unlimited backup of mould programs.

Lastly, recording and monitor-

ing temperatures in production, and communicating via multiple protocols is fully in line with the 4.0 strategy, i.e. supporting the installation of socalled “smart factories”.

Sise has also updated its line of water temperature controllers with the launch of the brand new 95 E9-45E (90°C). Units offer heating capacities ranging from 9 to 45 kW, four pump models - 130 l/min, 140 l/min, 200 l/min and 320 l/min heat plate exchangers from 60 to 180 kW and solid state relay as standard. Two heating rates can be used to control the rise in temperature, but also can save energy for during everyday use.

Maintenance is equally important for Sise, so its components are accessible and easy to replace.

Essential and useful options are of course available (multi-protocol communication, tool bleeding, external probe, alarm report, Vortex flowmeter, pseudo-cascade control, external setpoint, track measurements, direct cooling etc.). www.sise-plastics.com

The entry-level IS’Timer is able to control up to 16 pneumatic or hydraulic valve gates

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ANCILLARIES AND COMPONENTS

NEWS Flow regulators and manifolds by Flowise

Devices for the plastics industry

Innovation, practicality and design “made in Italy”

Automation and quality assurance

An Italian company born from the idea of two young Milanese brothers, Luca and Fabrizio Casazza, Flowise provides the plastic moulding market with innovative components offering the distinctive made in Italy quality and design.

The company produces a new series of flow regulators, specifically designed both for water and other cooling fluids, utilised in different types of plastic moulding machinery.

Flowise offers a wide range of products which includes models with double hydraulic manifold and water temperature control and models with single manifold and a mini device for low tonnage machines. Each module is provided with: floats of different materials that can be easily replaced; from 1 to 6 ways or moulding areas that can be assembled together so as to increase the control over the water flow rate and temperature - up to 24 areas of the mould.

Flowise flow regulators are the only ones on the market made from a mechanically worked 60-mm PMMA block in order to avoid water leaks and deformations. Choosing a material that is more transparent than glass and as versatile as plastic, which has always stimulated the interest and creativity of famous designers and brands, means combining functionality and aesthetics in these industrial components.

Easy cleaning and maintenance, long operating lifetime, and a design developed according to the OEM logic (Original Equipment Manufacturer) are further performance features of these flow regulators, which have been tested to withstand an operating pressure of 20 bars. Thanks to them, Flowise is now in a position to fully meet the specific requirements of machinery producers.

Furthermore, Flowise also produces and markets hydraulic manifolds, made of 20-mm thick anticorodal aluminium. Anodised both in blue and red, they are available with different connections and in various sizes and materials.

These hydraulic manifolds, which guarantee long durability and resistance, represent an extremely practical solution to distribute cooling water to plastics moulding machinery with numerous cavities or in the use of thermoregulators.

Last but not least, Flowise has also designed an easy and quick installation and maintenance system for these manifolds called “no Teflon”. This is an innovative technology, consisting in a brass connection with NBR or Viton seals, which can combine full bore ball valves or regulating valves for partial flow. www.flowise.it

At this year’s K trade fair, Erhardt+Leimer (hall 4, booth C20) is presenting different web guiding and web tension control systems as well as video and measuring systems. All current E+L components are “IoT 4.0-ready”, i.e. suitable for integration into the latest generation of production systems.

Each of the devices manufacAllowing for the tured in large numbers, whethcontactless measurement er it is a sensor, a web guider or of layer thickness, weight per unit area and other material properties across a high-precision linear drive, can the entire web width, ELTim enables be connected both actively and complete quality assurance for passively to digital networks. E+L a wide range of films and materials technology therefore integrates perfectly into the production and/or ERP systems of the users to make automated and documented manufacture possible.

The AG 9 is the first actuating drive developed entirely by E+L. The device was primarily designed for web guiding systems, however in principle it can be used in all applications that require a maintenance-free, highly dynamic linear drive with a large actuating force. In combination with the command station DO 3001 or DO 33, the AG 9 is used for web guiding on unwinders, winders and in large pivoting frames. The AG 9 is the only fully integrated actuating drive on the market with a brushless and therefore wear-free motor. The position is acquired via an integrated absolute encoder - this is also a unique feature. As the AG 9 is a direct drive without gearbox, it is almost play-free in the axial direction. The device itself is highly compact, allowing it to be mounted even in tight spaces.

ELScan OMS6 is a video system for operating widths of up to 3,250 mm that meets very high demands on the image quality. It features a large field of view of 234 x 124 mm and an LED flash and can be optionally equipped with a varnish flash, UV flash and different rear flashes. The camera navigation is of high precision and extremely dynamic. All web monitoring systems use the dualView technology patented by E+L, i.e. two cameras with fixed focal lengths, which are combined in a shared housing: one camera shows a large repeat area (wide-angle lens), while the other camera shows the smallest details (telephoto lens). The section of the image from the telephoto camera is in the centre of the wide angle camera. During digital zooming, the camera switches imperceptibly between the two cameras to enable print image to be displayed with a multiple of the print resolution.

This special technology allows high-resolution images of different repeat sections to be displayed without a time delay.

ELTim allows for the contactless measurement of layer thickness, weight per unit area and other material properties across the entire web width, in this way enabling complete quality assurance for a wide variety of films and composite materials. The measurement is done using ultrasound, without the need for complex system calibration. The measuring accuracy is up to 0.5 % of the measured value. www.erhardt-leimer.com

A manifold

by Flowise

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Accessories for moulds

Telescopic ejectors and adjusting plates The history of Pedrotti begins in 1965, when it started manufacturing bushings and tie bars for moulds. Subsequently, this Italian company extended its product portfolio, first to ejectors and punches and then to a wide range of accessories, in order to serve mould makers as a one-stop supplier and moulders with top-quality durable products.

The company’s range of products also includes the EES-4 and EES-4T telescopic ejectors. The EES-4 ejectors are made of 1.2344 steel, hardened and nitrided for intensive use. The selection of sizes, with hole diameters ranging

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

from 2 to 16 mm and lengths from 75 to 800 mm, is amongst the widest on the market; in addition, all sizes up to the length of 500 mm are now available from stock (while in the past only lengths up to 300 mm were available), in order to shorten delivery times and ensure prompt availability of spare parts. The EES-4T series, on the other hand, consists of through-hardened telescopic ejectors, designed for specific applications requiring shaping operations, and differently from nitrided materials, they can be machined on machine tools.

The EES-4S and EES-4TS No Step versions stand out for a

polished “step� between the guide hole and the discharge hole, and allow for long demoulding strokes without using ejectors with oversize telescopic width. The PST adjusting plates, instead, are designed to optimise the clamping pressure exerted by the injection moulding machine on the mould, thus ensuring that all the surfaces are aligned with an accuracy of a few hundredths of millimetre. These plates are through-hardened and deep-carburized, in order to give them internal tenacity, hardness and surface wear resistance. The standard models are provided with grooves de-

Customised PST adjusting plates

signed to hold the lubricating grease when mounted on vertical walls, but special versions are also available with customised sizes and shapes. www.pedrotti.it

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MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS

Technipol polyester adhesives for engine air filters

SIPOL’S SUSTAINABLE EVOLUTION

FROM BIO-BASED TO POST-CONSUMER THE ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCY THAT HAS EXPLODED IN ALL ITS GRAVITY OVER THE LAST DECADE IS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE PROBLEM OF PLASTIC WASTE AND NON-BIODEGRADABLE MICROPLASTICS THAT REMAIN DISPERSED IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT. ON ITS PART, SIPOL DESCRIBES A CASE IN WHICH THE NEEDS FOR COMBINING ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY HAVE LED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SUCCESSFUL SOLUTION

BY DANILO DEL PRETE*

T

he core business of the Italian chemical company Sipol, located in Mortara (Pavia), is the polymerization of hotmelt adhesives and high-performance engineering polymers based on both co-polyesters and co-polyamides. Thanks to its complete range of co-polyester and co-polyamides, Sipol successfully operates in various market segments including automotive, footwear, packaging, electrical, electronic and other industrial sectors.

Recently, the company has increased the development of new bio-based, post-consumer and biodegradable materials with projects that also involve universities and European partnerships. Over the 20 years since its foundation, the orientation towards sustainable growth from both a financial point of view and in respect of the environment has led Sipol to be globally recognized for its innovation ca-

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pacities and for the quality level of the offered products. The experience and the ability to build “tailor-made” polymers, according to the technical requirements of the applications and the users, are the engine of the company. The high production flexibility allows Sipol to operate with a fast and efficient approach.

With the same speed, Sipol is implementing a real sustainable evolution by tightening collaborations with research institutes such as the University of Pisa, the start-up Planet Bioplastic, and participating in European research projects on the topic of bioplastics, like the development

of high gas-barrier biopolymers for packaging, multi-functional bio-based coatings (Progetto ECOAT GA 837863, “ECO sustainable multifunctional biobased COATings with enhanced performance and end of life options”), biopolymers for adhesives, breathable biodegradable films for the footwear and automotive sectors, and biopolymers for the cosmetic and medical sectors. Recently, the Italian company has also become part of a European public-private partnership aimed at developing innovative high-performance bio-based materials and creating sustainable and competitive value chains.

Technipol 232, 50% of renewable resorces content + post-consumer PET flakes

BIO-BASED, BIODEGRADABLE AND POST-CONSUMER The term “bioplastic” is often and improperly associated with biodegradable plastics, causing a great deal of confusion about the concepts of “bio-based”, “biodegradable” and “recyclable” or MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

TABLE 1 - COMPARISON BETWEEN TECHNIPOL 232 AND TECHNIPOL 32 PROPERTIES “post-consumer” plastics. A bio-based material is wholly or partially derived from plant biomass and does not include raw materials of fossil origin (biomass may have undergone physical, chemical or biological treatment). A material is biodegradable if it can be fragmented and consumed by microorganisms and converted into CO2 and H2O at an acceptable speed (acceptance level is 90% to be reached in less than 6 months, according to standard method EN 14046).

There are also bio-based materials that are biodegradable (polylactic acid, PLA) and others that, although bio-based, are not (bioPET, bioPE).

Similarly, polymers normally of fossil origin such as polycaprolactone (PCL) and polybutylsuccinate (PBS) can be biodegradable. A “post-consumer” material is instead created using totally or partially raw materials obtained from mechanical or chemical recycling of traditional plastic.

PROPERTIES

I.U.

Density

g / cm

1.12

37

36

g/10 min

42

43

DSC/Melting temperature

°C

183

184

DSC/Crystallization temperature

°C

145

145

DSC/Glass transition temperature

°C

-8

-8

Hardness (instantaneous / 15 s)

Sh D

53 / 45

53 / 45

Strength at break

MPa

19

18

%

420

400

MPa

92

95

MFI (210°C/0,325 kg)

Elongation at break Flexural modulus

Sipol’s laboratories dedicated to R&D and characterization

based co-polyester based on PBS, characterized by a high hardness and high melting temperature, which make it the ideal substrate also for cosmetic applications such as scrubs, thus avoiding the problem of biodegradable microplastic pollution in the marine ecosystem.

Alongside these historic products, Sipol has recently started the production of a bio-based thermoplastic co-polymer for use in automotive filters.

TECHNIPOL 232, THE BIO-BASED AND POST-CONSUMER COMBINATION PET undoubtedly represents one of the most discussed polymers due to its wide diffusion in the world of disposable packaging and also to the problems related to its dispersion in the environment with dramatic consequences on ecosystems. In Italy, the collection chain of PET

TABLE 2 - RENEWABLE AND POST-CONSUMER CONTENT PROPERTIES

TECHNIPOL 232

TECHNIPOL 32

RENEWABLE RESOURCES CONTENT

29%

29%

POST CONSUMER CONTENT

21%

0%

RENEWABLE RESOURCES CONTENT + POST CONSUMER

50%

29%

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

TECHNIPOL 32

1.12

“BIO” POLYMERS BY SIPOL Nowadays Sipol produces more than 100 different grades of co-polyesters and more than 30 of co-polyamides with particular attention to the use of raw materials obtained from no foodgrade renewable resources and the development of “eco-friendly” polymers. All the co-polyamides currently produced by Sipol (Technipol PA) contain more than 70% of renewable raw materials, obtained from the processing of vegetable oils. Even among co-polyesters, the company has historically produced grades that can be classified as “bio” polymers. Here you are some examples.

Technipol 70 is a bio-based polyester that contains more than 60% of raw materials obtained from renewable resources (castor oil). This grade, besides being totally biodegradable, is characterized by a low melting point, which makes it easily applicable as an adhesive in the footwear industry and in the textile sector, and usable as a base polymer for biodegradable compounds.

Technipol 061/E is an aromatic/aliphatic co-polyester, characterized by a medium crystallinity degree and low melting point. Due to its formulation, it can be used in biodegradable and compostable compounds. It shows good compatibility with other biodegradable polymers such as polylactic acid and starch.

Technipol IP 720 is a biodegradable and bio-

TECHNIPOL 232

Pa · s

Brookfield viscosity, 210°C

3

bottles is widely organized and through selection, grinding, washing and regradation processes, ample resources of selected rPET and PET flakes are available and used.

In addition to being re-used as a polymer, the reversible nature of the polycondensation reaction (used for the polymerization of PET), allows this polymer to be chemically recycled, bringing it back to its main constituents (PTA and MEG).

Taking advantage of this principle, Sipol’s R&D department has launched an innovative development process to increase the sustainability of its engineering plastics.

Technipol 232 was born as an evolution of the existing Technipol 32, which is widely used for bonding, sealing and for the flexible reinforcement of both engine air and engine oil filters in the automotive industry. Thanks to one of its monomeric components of natural origin, Technipol 32 has a renewable resource content of 29%. The new developed co-polymer, Technipol 232, was born by replacing part of those nonbio-based monomers with those obtained from the chemical recycling of post-consumer PET from bottles at a rate of 21%.

The process developed for its production kept the original properties and performances of Technipol 32 unchanged (see table 1) and, at the same time, allowed the increase of its environmental sustainability (table 2), with some benefits also in terms of cost reduction. Technipol 232 is currently under approval at some main European Tier 1 automotive filter manufacturers.

Companies with long-term strategies must be able to renew themselves with innovation, creativity and investments. The sustainable evolution of Sipol and its products is the most concrete example in response to the continuous changes and new frontiers in the world of biopolymers. www.sipol.com *R&D Specialist - Biopolymers, Sipol (Italy)

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MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS

MORE RECOVERY, MORE REUSE, LOWER CONSUMPTION. IN SHORT…

GREENER? YES, WE CAN!

ATECO POLIMERI IS THIS, AND MORE: A TRULY EUROPEAN COMPANY

time, embracing the challenge of a sustainable development.

Ateco Polimeri operates in the production chain of soft PVC, paying great attention to waste acquisition, selection and processing.

Figure 1 - Increase in production at Ateco since 2014

tons

I

n its plant in Vogogna (near Verbania, Lake Maggiore), the Italian company Ateco Polimeri makes use of grinding and micronizing equipment as well as different types of extrusion systems.

To improve the quality of finished products and optimize the production cycle, two new accurate sorting systems are operating as part of Ateco recycling lines, based on triboelectric separation and optical selection with very high-resolution cameras.

Soft PVC granules in various colours and with different technical characteristics are obtained through the recycling of raw materials, over 80% of which derived from the recovery of residues and industrial and/or post-consumer waste.

ATECO’S HISTORY IN BRIEF A history which began at the end of the 1990s, when the management team embarked on the mechanical recovery of waste, a sector Ateco’s managers and employees have focused on ever since and still consider one of the corporate drivers for the near future.

The company has adopted the circular economy concept for some

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MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

COMMITTED TO THE GREEN ECONOMY The company strongly believes in the effectiveness of implementing a circular economy with the aim of ensuring sustainability through the responsible and efficient use of resources and the reduction of greenhouse gases. The impact is also measured in terms of reduction of CO2 emissions (equal to 2 kg per kg of recycled PVC).

In the last five years of operation, the 3000 m2 photovoltaic system on the roof of Ateco’s manufacturing plant has allowed a reduc-

Figure 2 - Reduction of CO2 emissions thanks to the photovoltaic system and raw materials recycling

tons

At the end of its manufacturing process, the company is able to deliver totally recycled PVC granules to the domestic and foreign markets. Its mission is continuing to invest and innovate to increase production capacity, offer PVC granules with ever higher quality standards, and optimize all aspects of its production process.

Photovoltaics

Production

tion in CO2 production of around 420 tons per year.

Adding the figures relating to the supply of energy from renewable sources to the production data for recycled PVC, an overall reduction of CO2 emissions of around 52,100 tons has been calculated from 2014 up until today (see figure 2).

With its work, Ateco Polimeri provides a small contribution to the achievement of the objectives of the main European strategies on “the efficient use of resources” and the “Circular Economy”. www.atecosrl.com - www.atecopolimeri.it

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MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS

NEWS MARFRAN 2K BY FRANCESCHETTI ELASTOMERI

TPE for soft-touch overmoulding Modern plastics processing technologies allow the realization of products made of two or more different materials within the same production cycle. These technologies, known as 2K technologies, are used to combine two or more materials with different mechanical characteristics.

A TPE Marfran 2K Such materials are processed specimen subjected together and integrated in difto peel test ferent areas of a single product. The most common case is a product made of a rigid part, which typically functions as a load-bearing structure, and a soft part with a specific function, such as a sealing gasket or friction surface (grip).

If properly chosen, two materials can be processed with 2K technologies, such as bi-injection or co-extrusion. In this case, the integration of the two materials into a final product takes place without any glue or assembly activity, which makes production faster, with no need for further expensive processes.

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), for instance, can be overmoulded on all engineering polymers for various applications: • furnishing sector: chairs, tables, design components, lights, windows, showers, slabs, wheels; • mechanical instrumentation and tools: soft touch handles, with high grip and non-slip, connections, electrical insulation; • automotive: bumper parts, tuning, ailerons, splash guards, components, car interiors with low VOC emissions, cables; • sports and leisure: handles and knobs.

The Italian company Francesco Franceschetti Elastomeri (hall 5, booth D17, at K 2019) has developed the new Marfran 2K series with excellent adhesion on a wide variety of substrates from polyolefins, such as polypropylene and polyethylene, to engineering polymers, such as PC, PMMA, PS, ABS, SAN, PA6 + 66, PET, and others.

To evaluate the degree of adhesion between two different materials, Francesco Franceschetti Elastomeri follows the VDI 2019 standard. The procedure involves the moulding of a specimen on a bi-injection machine; the specimen is then subjected to tensile stress to calculate the peeling strength, i.e. the strength necessary to detach the two materials. The peeling force is calculated as the ratio between the detachment force in Newton and the sample width in millimetres. This procedure allows the customer to provide scientific data on which to base the adhesion of materials. www.f-franceschetti.it

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Masterbatches

Improving aesthetics of post-consumer recycled PET Recent European Union proposals aim to boost recycling rates to advance Europe’s circular economy.

More and more products are made out of recycled materials, with retailers and manufacturers showing increased interest in post-consumer resins. That is why global masterbatch leader Ampacet has recently introduced Blue Edge 78, a masterbatch specially formulated to enhance the appearance and func- The new Ampacet’s Blue Edge tionality of post-consumer resins.

78 masterbatch enhances the Developed for use in recycled PET, appearance and functionality Blue Edge 78 improves the look of of post-consumer resins post-consumer recycled plastics and increases bottle brightness by the ultraviolet and infrared spectrum, adding a shade of lighter blue, for a preventing the reflection of infrared clearer, fresher look with increased light back to the sensor and conseconsumer appeal. The new shade quently blocking the recognition of has been introduced, as an added the resin’s fingerprint by a NIR scan. benefit, in the new mini-pelWhile most black packaglet masterbatch form for ening cannot be sorted by rehanced distribution and procycling companies and can cessability, lower let-down only be disposed of in a landrates and reduced energy fill or used for energy recovconsumption. Ideal for use in ery, packaging using new water bottles, Blue Edge 78 Ampacet’s REC-NIR-Black is also recommended for use carbon black-free masterin personal care bottles. This batches can be scanned by masterbatch is also available near-infrared technology for in a number of shades of coautomated sorting at recovlours, such as green, amber, ery facilities. fuchsia and more, offering These carbon black-free The REC-NIRthe same benefits. products are part of AmBlack range of In order to recycle plaspacet’s sustainable develmasterbatches can help to tic packaging into useopment program and they reduce the able resins, plastic waste are near-infrared transparis pre-sorted by resin type carbon footprint ent to allow sorting with by providing a at plastic recovery faciliNIR optical sensors and second life to ties. In most recovery facilrecycling. black plastic packaging ities, pre-sorting is accomCarbon black-free masplished with automated terbatches REC-NIR-Black sorting technologies using near-infra- won the Plastics Recycling Awards red (NIR) optical sorters. Their main Europe 2019 in the category “Prodlimitation, however, is the inability to uct Technology Innovation of the identify and separate plastics that Year”. Winners were announced on contain carbon black, the most com- April 11, during the Plastics Recymonly used black pigment. Carbon cling Show in Amsterdam. black absorbs a significant part of www.ampacet.com MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

Effective flame retardant for polycarbonate and PET

An alternative to halogenated products Headquartered in Blankenhain, Central Germany, Grafe (hall 6, booth E75-E77, at K 2019) has developed a new effective flame retardant for polycarbonate. It contains neither halogen nor phosphorus and achieves a UL94-V0 classification even at comparatively low dosages. “The carrier system of the masterbatch is based on an impact-resistant base material and thus compensates for negative influences on the mechanical properties by adding flame retardant additives”, explains Jan Stadermann, head of the Material Science Department at Grafe.

Since the beginning of the year, the company has been conducting research on this new development. The last tests were successfully completed in September and the new product is now ready for the market.

“The increasing use of electronics in households and offices increases the risk of fire damage. Brominated flame retardants are mostly used for electronic components. Substances such as DecaBDE are very effective, but are increasingly subject to European regulations, some of which go as far as bans”, adds Jan Stadermann as he explains the background to the search for an alternative.

Other flame retardants currently used have weak points too. “Products based on pure nitrogen do not show the necessary effectiveness and some phosphorus-based flame retardants can lead to corrosion in elec-

Purging compounds

Saving the planet does not mean eradicating plastic Every day the media influence our opinion with a constant “bombardment” regarding the problems “plastics” generate in our environment, and the proposal to banish plastic from packaging and other sectors is getting stronger and stronger. However, examining the real situation, if the recycling chain is correctly managed, the waste originating from packaging can become a A good purging compound like Qualipurge can help the environment

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

At K 2019, Grafe shows some applications of its newly developed flame retardants for polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate

tronic products”, points out the expert . “Even with a batch dosage of ten percent, we achieve the UL94-V0 classification. This means that we realize good flame retardancy very effectively without having to accept other disadvantages”.

The new product is designed for opaque applications in different areas, such as electronic components, battery applications or claddings in passenger cars and trucks. The range of applications is wide and the market for electronic components in the household and automotive sectors is growing steadily.

The company offers another new development in the field of halogen-free flame retardant masterbatches for polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Due to their properties, engineering thermoplastics such as PET are suitable for the production of housing parts for electrical appliances and electrical plug connections. Jan Stadermann explains that these applications place particularly high demands on flame retardants. “With the newly developed PET flame retardant masterbatch from Grafe, the flame retardancy standard UL94-V0 can be achieved with an addition of 10%. With this comparatively small addition, effective flame retardancy can be achieved with PET plastic in the PET-C variant when small electrical parts are used”. www.grafe.com

source of raw materials, not something to be discarded.

What media do not inform us about is the huge production waste: the part of production that does not reach the consumer because it does not conform to quality standards. Probably, this is something most of the people who are not in the sector ignore.

In a production cycle of plastic items, waste can reach up to 30% of the total production, according to the specific sector. Waste is due to black specs or gels, or the white milky shadow on transparent plastic items, or stripes coming from the processing of a previous colours, but also impurities of material change or other defects due to polymer degradation. These scraps are recycled wherever it is possible, but in many countries where the recycling industry is not yet properly developed, they are disposed of by incineration, or simply dumped. This results in the waste of raw material.

Most of these defects can be reduced by up to 90% by using a high-quality purging compound. Thanks to continuous tests and research, the purging compound Ultra Plast has been constantly improved. The latest Swiss quality Qualipurge formulations of

the new generation produced by the Swiss company Ultra System (hall 13, booth C07, at K 2019) ensure effective cleaning results, combining the advantage of extreme ease of use with a considerable saving of time, energy and waste of material.

Considering all these parameters, in environmental, safety, management and economic terms, plastic remains the best possible solution, despite all the actions taken against its use. Thanks to plastic we have brought drinking water and safe food to the world’s driest places, saving many lives and saving tons of emissions, because plastic weighs less than glass and aluminium.

We have massively introduced consumer goods and plastic packaging all over the world, but without spreading the fundamental awareness of how to properly manage the waste generated. Investing in a recycling chain and in an awareness-raising campaign in countries like those of SouthEast Asia - from where, according to statistics, more than 70% of “ocean littering” originates - would bring a considerable ecological and economic advantage for all, without causing imbalances in the global market. www.ultrasystem.ch

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MATERIALS AND APPLICATIONS

NEWS Masterbatches and compounds

Tailor-made and certified materials Founded in 1997, Color Tech has thirty years’ experience in the manufacture and colouring of engineering polymers, specializing in the production of technical compounds and masterbatches. Its primary aim is to provide competence and professionalism in order to always be a reliable partner for its customers.

Over the years, a wide range of materials has been developed to meet the needs of different markets, making the company know-how available to customers, suggesting and studying tailor-made materials which offer the technical and colourimetrical properties requested.

From compounds to masterbatches, Color Tech’s products are used for several applications in different product sectors, such as household appliances, automotive, electrical and electronic, furniture, toys, houseware, food and packaging.

The compound division specializes in the production of ABS, ASA, SAN, PC, PS, PP, PMMA compounds and PC/ABS and PC/ASA alloys.

Several variants are available: high impact, heat resistant, flame retardant, mineral or glass fibre reinforced, natural, colour as samples, colour

as RAL, Pantone, NCS etc., with special effects and different types of additives.

The Italian company has always been present in the market with some types of regenerated compounds. So, in 2018, Color Tech decided to expand its eco-sustainable products creating the Ecotech brand name, which includes a wide selection of compounds in different polymer matrices, such as ABS, PP, PS, PC , PCABS, SAN, PMMA etc., containing different percentages of recycled plastics.

All the materials in the Ecotech range obtained the ecological conformity brand called “Plastica Seconda Vita” from IPPR (Institute for the Promotion of Recycling Plastics), and through SGS. The brand certifies the identification, traceability and percentage of recycled plastics from eco-mixes or industrial waste used for each product. As for the Ecotech brand name, Color Tech owns the trademark both for compounds made with recycled plastic materials from “ecomix” and for compounds made with recycled plastics from “industrial waste”.

The masterbatch division produces several types of colours and effects for all kind of plas-

Different applications of Color Tech’s compounds and masterbatches

tics - black, white, coloured as samples, RAL, Pantone, NCS, transparent, fluorescent, metal effects, pearl effects, special effects - and with different types of additives: anti-UV, antistatic, antibacterial, antioxidant etc. All its products are available on different bases - PE, PP, PS, SAN, PC, PA, PMMA, different compatible bases according to the type of natural base used and specific sector, e.g. injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion etc.

None of Color Tech’s formulations contains heavy metals and all materials comply with RoHS Directive and Reach Regulations. If required, the company can manufacture products compliant with different national or international standards for the food and toy industries.

Constant investment in innovation and laboratory equipment, care in the selection of raw materials, and a strong commitment to research over time allow Color Tech to guarantee products of high quality standards. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications ensure product quality and sustainability. www.colortech.biz

Reciclex project

Increasing circularity of materials via a new PP grade As a specific commitment of Repsol inside the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA), the company has recently presented the Reciclex project, which aims to address the shortage of recycled material when considering the high quality levels required by the market. In fact, this limitation is one of the barriers identified to an increased use of recycled plastic materials.

At K 2019 (OA hall 4, booth 04.3) Repsol launches a new polypropylene (PP) grade, Repsol 25RXPP086Y1E for nonwoven fabric, developed together with its customer DNT Nonwoven Fabrics.

This new grade incorporates 25% of post-industrial recycled maThe products from Repsol’s Chemicals Division are used to manufacture everyday objects that improve people’s quality of life, their well-being, and their safety

144

terial, without altering the properties of the final product or affecting the reliability of the process. With the Reciclex project, Repsol continues to drive the change towards the circular economy, in line with its commitment to the European Commission’s Circular Plastics Alliance to increase the total volume of recycled plastic in the Community market to 10 million tons in 2025.

Embedded within its circularity strategy and responding to the needs of its client, DNT Nonwoven Fabrics, Repsol has designed a new recycled material that offers consistency, in terms of both characteristics and quality of the raw material. This consistency offers stability for the transformation process in the spunbond lines, which makes it especially suitable for applications in the fibre sector, in which DNT operates.

Additionally, the company is evaluating diverse options to incorporate post-consumer recycled material, as well as new alternative applications in the PP sheet and strip sectors. This milestone fulfills a new achievement within Repsol’s circular economy strategy towards a more sustainable nonwoven fabric. www.chemicals.repsol.com

MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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TRADE FAIRS AND CONFERENCES

PLAST EURASIA 2019

EURASIA’S LEADING PLASTICS INDUSTRY FAIR The 29th International Istanbul Plastics Industry Fair will be held December 4-7 by Tuyap, in cooperation with Pagev (Turkish Plastics Industry Foundation), at Tuyap Fair Convention and Congress Center, Istanbul.

Plast Eurasia, the largest plastics industry fair annually organized in Europe, will bring together 1,100 prominent exhibitors from over 40 countries and about 60,000 professional visitors from over 100 countries.

The trade show, which offers the opportunity to view all innovations in the sector on the same platform, aims to host more than 1,000 purchasing committees through the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Commerce, Tuyap overseas offices, and Pagev.

In the 120,000-square-metre exhibition area, the latest technologies about plastics machinery, chemicals, raw materials, auxiliary equipment, heat and control equipment, moulds, hydraulic and pneumatic systems and recycling will be showcased for the visitors.

Plast Eurasia 2018 brought together 1,094 companies, company representatives from 44 countries and 51,684 professional visitors from 103 countries, with National pavilions from China, India, Iran and Taiwan. In support of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Trade and Tuyap Overseas offices, procurement committees from 34 countries were hosted in Tuyap.

Thanks to the intensive marketing activities abroad, 7,974 international visitors visited the fair with a 17% increase compared to the previous year.

The plastics industry is one of the most important actors in Turkey, reaching 2nd place in Europe and 6th in the world with its production capacity.

Today, the contribution of the plastics industry to the national economy is increasing, with a total contribution of 10 million tons, a turnover around 35 billion dollars, direct exports approaching 5 billion dollars, and an annual growth exceeding GNP growth in the last 10 years. www.plasteurasia.com

EXHIBITIONS & TRADE FAIRS 2019 October 16-23 - K (DĂźsseldorf, Germany) October 17-19 - PPP Expo Tanzania (Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania) October 22-24 - Parts2Clean (Stuttgart, Germany) October 23-26 - E-Pack Tech (Shanghai, China) October 29-31 - Industry (Barcelona, Spain) October 30 - November 3 - Pack Show (Bucharest, Romania) November 1-4 - Plas Print Pack Myanmar (Yangon, Myanmar) November 5-8 - Ecomondo (Rimini, Italy) November 11-14 - Adipec (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates) November 12-15 - Expoplast (Sibiu, Romania) November 13-15 - JEC Asia (Seul, South Korea) November 15-17 - InterPlast PackPrint East Africa (Nairobi, Kenya) November 19-21 - Plastprintpack West Africa (Accra, Ghana) November 19-22 - Formnext (Frankfurt, Germany) November 20-22 - Central Asia Plast World (Almaty, Kazakhstan) November 20-22 - Plastprintpack West Africa (Abidjan, Ivory Coast) November 20-23 - Plastics & Rubber Indonesia (Jakarta, Indonesia) November 25-28 - Plastivision Arabia (Sharjah, United Arab Emirates) November 26-28 - SPS (Nuremberg, Germany) November 27-29 - Plastics & Rubber Vietnam (Hanoi, Vietnam) November 28-30 - Mecspe Bari (Bari, Italy) December 4-5 - Latex Expo (Chennai, India) December 4-6 - Plastic Expo Tokyo (Tokyo, Japan) December 4-7 - Plast Eurasia (Istanbul, Turkey) December 5-8 - Vietnam Expo (Saigon, Vietnam) December 11-12 - Polymers of Russia and CIS (Mineralnye Vody, Russia)

2020 January 9-12 - Plastex (Cairo, Egypt) January 28-31 - Interplastica + Upakovka/Upak Italia (Moscow, Russia) March 11-13 - GRTE, Global Rubber, Latex & Tyre Expo (Bangkok, Thailand) April 21-24 - Chinaplas (Shanghai, China) May 6-7 - Europe Rubber Expo, Rubber Recycling Expo, TPE & Silicones Expo (Budapest, Hungary) October 13-17 - Fakuma (Friedrichshafen, Germany) October 28-29 - Africa Rubber Expo 2020 (Lagos, Nigeria)

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MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

new dates

2021

milano, may 4 -7

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TRADE FAIRS AND CONFERENCES

CIRCULAR ECONOMY FORUM AT K 2019

PLASTICS ARE VALUABLE ALSO AS WASTE

On October 16, on the occasion of the K 2019 show (October 16-23), the World’s no. 1 trade fair for plastics and rubber, VDMA has organized a conference entitled “Design for Recycling” in order to discuss the circular economy and the prerequisites for good plastics recycling with its guests. The event takes place at the VDMA Pavilion, specifically set up for the Circular Economy Forum, right in front of Hall 16 on the outdoor premises, where a closer look is taken at the processing of recyclates, and correlations between markets, quantities and legal frameworks are flagged up.

Using packaging as an example, the benefits of plastic products during their lifecycle is made clear at the VDMA Pavilion, but the arguments in favour of the “not pre-packed” model are also discussed.

Successful closed loops, which have become established as a business model, are presented and students are invited to the “Fridays for future”. Encompassing talks, presentations and workshops on the circular economy, the programme gets to the heart of the matter. A gallery with over twenty exhibitors, such as Arburg, Engel, Erema, KraussMaffei and Reifenhäuser, but also household care names like Procter & Gamble round off the VDMA presence at K 2019.

The programme of the VDMA Circular Economy Forum features high-calibre and versatile speakers on all trade fair days. The kick-off talk on 16 October alone promises exciting discussions and insights from various perspectives. Participants include: Daniel Calleja Crespo, general director of DG Environment at the European Commission; Thomas Kyriakis, board member at Schwarz Zentrale Dienste, responsible for the circular economy; Dietmar Böhm, managing director responsible for the operative business of PreZero (Schwarz Group), a leading environmental service provider with more than 80 locations in Germany; Ulrich Reifenhäuser, CSO of the Reifenhäuser Group and chairman of the Advisory Board of K 2019. In the afternoon of the same day, representatives from Nestlé, Krones and Ineos are available for questions at presentations and interviews. www.k-online.com - www.vdma.org

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MEETINGS & CONGRESSES Austria November 5-6 - Vienna: Conductive Plastics Europe - AMI (www.ami.international/events/) November 12-14 - Vienna: Polyolefin Additives - AMI (www.ami.international/events/) November 26-27 - Vienna: TPE - Smithers Rapra (www.smithersrapra.com/events/ conference) November 26-27 - Vienna: Silicone Elastomers - Smithers Rapra (www.smithersrapra.com/events/ conference)

Belgium November 21-22 - Brussels: Plastics Recyclers Annual Meeting Plastics Recyclers Europe (www.plasticsrecyclersam.org)

China November 13-14 - Shanghai: Tomorrow’s Tire Summit Smithers Rapra (www.tractionsummit.com/ tomorrows-tire/about)

Germany November 13-14 - Düsseldorf: European Thermoplastic Compounding Summit - ACI Europe (www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/ the-2019-european-thermoplasticcompounding-summit) December 3-4 - Berlin: European Bioplastics Conference European Bioplastics (www.conference.europeanbioplastics.org) December 3-5 - Cologne: Fire Resistance in Plastics - AMI (www.ami.international/events/) December 11-12 - Düsseldorf: Polymers for 3D Printing - AMI (www.ami.international/events/)

Italy October 29 - Assago (MI): Conformity and certification of the

machines: the worldwide updated legal framework - Amaplast (www.amaplast.org) October 30 - Monza: Innovative materials - First module: biodegradable polymers from renewable resources - Cesap (www.cesap.com) November 12-13 - Monza: Colouring techniques for polymers - Cesap (www.cesap.com) November 20-22 - Monza: Injection moulding: training course - Cesap (www.cesap.com) November 21-22 - Cologno al Serio (BG): Product costing in the injection moulding - Plastinnova (www.plastinnova.it) November 28 - Cologno al Serio (BG): Moulding without defects: causes and solutions - Plastinnova (www.plastinnova.it)

Spain 18-20 novembre - Barcelona: Agricultural Film - AMI (www.ami.international/events/)

The Netherlands October 23-24 - Amsterdam: European Textile Polyester Summit ACI Europe (https://www.wplgroup.com/aci/ event/european-textile-polyestersummit)

United States November 6-7 - Chicago (Illinois): North American Biopolymer Summit - ACI Europe (https://www.wplgroup.com/aci/ event/biopolymer-summit-usa) November 13-14 - Dallas (Texas): US Biobased Coatings Summit - ACI Europe www.wplgroup.com/aci/event/usbiobased-coatings-summit/ December 3-5 - Raleigh (North Carolina): Nonwoven Product Development & Innovation - Inda (www.inda.org/education/ advanced-training.php) MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES ARE MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE:

MUCH MORE THAN A magazine MACPLAS SPLITS INTO THREE: MAGAZINE NEWSLETTER WEBSITE. MUCH GREATER VISIBILITY.À MANY MORE CONTACTS. MANY MORE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.

ON THE MARKET FOR MORE THAN

YEARS

Publisher Promaplast Srl Centro Direzionale Milanof ori Palazzo F/3 - 20090 Assago (MI) phone (+39) 02 82283775 - fax (+39) 02 57512490 macplas@macplas.it - www.macplas.it For advertising: lerner-media@t-online.de

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COMPANY/ASSOCIATION/INSTITUTE PAGE AMAPLAST ​​ 13; 16; 30 AMI​ 18 AMPACET​​ 142 AMUT ​33 ARBURG​ 63; 106 ATECO ​140 BARUFFALDI​ 127 BD PLAST​ 132 BFM​ 84 BIESSE ​66 BINOVA​ 80 BMB​ 54 BRASKEM ​44 CERESANA ​21 CM EVOLUTION​ 128 CMS ​79 COLINES​ 74 COLOR TECH​ 144 COMERIO ERCOLE​ 108 DELIA ​97 ECONIC TECHNOLOGIES ​23 ENELKON 54 ENGEL 106 EREMA ​ 43 ERGOMEC ​122 ERHARDT+LEIMER​ 136 EUPC ​30 EUROMAP ​30 EXACT​ 47 FIMIC​ 110 FLOWISE 136 FRANCESCHETTI ELASTOMERI ​​142 FREEDONIA GROUP ​20 FRIUL FILIERE ​76 GAMMA MECCANICA​​ 82 GAVO MECCANICA ​133 GEFIT ​128 GRAFE​ 143 HAITIAN​ 59 HERRMANN ULTRASCHALL ​127 HRSFLOW​ 105 IMG ​59 IPM 133 INGLASS​ 105 ITIB MACHINERY​ 114 K 2019 14; 148 KAUTEX MASCHINENBAU​ 44 KRAUSSMAFFEI 106 LABORPLAST ​7 LADYBE 14 M-HUB​ 18 MAIRE TECNIMONT GROUP ​27 MARIS ​78 MAST​ 117 MOBERT ​87 MORETTO ​92 MOSS​ 82 MYREPLAST INDUSTRIES​ 27 NEGRI BOSSI​ 68 NEXTCHEM​ 27 OMSBESSER ​132 NOVA FRIGO ​124 PEDROTTI ​137 PEGASO INDUSTRIES ​122 PIOVAN​ 89 PLAS MEC​ 124 PLAST 2021 14 PLAST EURASIA 2019​ 146 PLASTICSEUROPE​ 23; 31 PLASTICS RECYCLERS EUROPE​ 31 POLIVINIL 72 PRESMA ​74 PREVIERO ​78 PROFILE DIES ​83 PROMIXON​ 126 REPSOL ​ 144 ROMI 102 ROTOMACHINERY GROUP 72 RP INJECTION 102 SALDOFLEX​ 51 SARA ​86 SIPOL​ 138 SISE ​134 SOREMA​ 78 STAR AUTOMATION EUROPE​ 101 SUMITOMO (SHI) DEMAG 106 SUPERIOR MACHINERY​ 130 SYTRAMA​ 122 TECNOMATIC​ 39 TECNO SYSTEM​ 86 TOSHIBA MACHINE 102 ULTRA SYSTEM ​143 VDMA​ 30; 148 VISMEC​ 126 WITTMANN BATTENFELD 106 WM THERMOFORMING MACHINES​ 75 YIZUMI 106 MACPLAS INTERNATIONAL AT K 2019

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