BP&R June/July 2013

British Plastics

and Rubber THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR BRITAIN’S POLYMER PROCESSORS

bp&r JULY 2013

Celebrating industry milestones

Technical rubber review

Plastics in solar and photo

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comment

bp&r BRITISH PLASTICS &RUBBER www.britishplastics.co.uk EDITORIAL Editor: Leanne Taylor T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: leanne@rapidnews.com Editorial assistant: mark wynne T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: mark.wynne@rapidnews.com

SALES Group Advertising Manager: Lisa Montgomery T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: lisa@rapidnews.com

The plight of the

‘Plasticarian’

ART SAM HAMLYN T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: sam@rapidnews.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: subscriptions@rapidnews.com

very tall and imposing iceberg if one Recently I read an article in the attempted to truly live a plastics-free life, Independent about Thomas Smith, the for reasons not only involving the high chemistry PhD student from Manchester levels of hygiene, health care and food who apparently ‘gave up’ plastic for six preservation the 21st century dictates months - and he’s not the only one giving and we have become accustomed to, but it a go. There are a growing number of the way we communicate, individuals, collectively receive our utility supplies known by the term and build our ‘Plasticarians’, where the “Plastic is infrastructure to name common denominator is crucial, it is but a few. they are all trying to live a Plastic is crucial, it is plastics-free life for innovative and it innovative and it is varying reasons ranging is essential.” essential. And yes, it goes from environmental without saying that with concerns to reported so much plastic being health benefits. used for so much on this planet, we are Like the others before him, Mr Smith going to have to step up and becoming found his six-month ‘boycott’ of plastics much more effective when it comes to its somewhat a challenge. “It can be quite disposal. Of course, there are areas in difficult to find fruit and veg not wrapped which plastic can be cut down, reduced in plastic,” he told The Independent on and even eliminated all together, but Sunday. “Toiletries were also hard, toothbrushes and toothpaste; It led to me there will be another product emerging that will utilise that plastic in its place. So making my own soap,” he continued. instead of hating plastic and abstaining “Internet shopping was difficult from even its mere touch, let’s please because anything that comes through embrace it, marvel at it and appreciate the post is usually wrapped in plastic; that a life without plastics would certainly even going to a concert and buying a not advance our society, but absolutely drink was hard. It arrived in a plastic hinder it. container.”

The latter mentioned difficulties Mr Enjoy the issue.

Smith encountered would be the tip of a Leanne Taylor — Editor

PUBLISHER Mark Blezard T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: mark@rapidnews.com British Plastics & Rubber is available on free subscription to readers qualifying under the publisher’s terms of control. Those outside the criteria may subscribe at the following annual rates: UK: £80 Europe and rest of the world: £115 British Plastics & Rubber is published monthly (10 times/year) by Rapid Plastics Media Ltd, Unit 2, Carlton House, Sandpiper Way, Chester Business Park, CH4 9QE T: +44(0)1244 680222 F: +44(01244 671074 © 2013 Rapid Plastics Media Ltd While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained within this publication is accurate the publisher accepts no liability for information published in error, or for views expressed. All rights for British Plastics & Rubber are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

ISSN 0307-6164 Incorporating Polymer Age and Rubber and Plastics Age.

Associated organisations

THE BIG STORY know how: the Concept As the UK’s number one distributor, and a supplier to the plastics industry for over 30 years, Plastribution strives to deliver real value to support the business activities of our customers. One of our greatest resources is our staff and the industry knowledge and experience that they possess. In order to make the industry more aware of these skills and capabilities, we have created the ‘know-how’ concept so that we could share this knowledge with our customers and industry partners.

The know-how concept now delivers information, insights, training and opinion to our suppliers, customers and the industry as a whole. As well as taking form in the shape of our new magazine, the term ‘know-how’ is used to visually identify pieces of expert information designed to support industry partners and enable them to be accessible through many different channels and throughout the year. This includes advice on pricing and purchasing, market intelligence, technical articles, innovation and new and exciting general news from the Plastribution staff. ‘know-how magazine’, ‘price know-how’, ‘industry knowhow’ and ‘technical know-how’ have been born out of the realisation that acquiring a market leading position means having a responsibility and the opportunities to set the standard for the industry.

published. Topics that have been addressed so far have included industry terminology, shrinkage, colouring of plastics and blending for success. Of course if a reader requires further information on a topic, or indeed another aspect of the plastics industry, we will be pleased to offer our advice, and even if we can’t find the solution we can point the enquirer in the direction of someone who can help.

know-how magazine The fourth edition of the know-how magazine is currently going to press and is expected to be as well received as the previous three. The magazines, as well as keeping our customers updated with the latest products and Plastribution news, have covered topics such as apprenticeships, supply chain management, carbon footprint reduction, purging, product design, metal replacement and cost savings to name but a few. The aim is to provide a minimum of two copies a year and maintain the high standard of articles that the industry has come to expect from these popular publications.

In addition to external training, the technical ‘know-how’ is also integrated into internal training, with 10 modules on polymer science currently being taught to 30 members of the Plastribution staff. This will help to ensure that our team is better equipped to deal with technical enquiries, enabling customers to take full advantage of the vast range of support Plastribution is able to access through its team, suppliers and industry contacts.

Price know-how The concept of a user friendly market report came from feedback about an article published in PRW (Plastics & Rubber Weekly) about the 2011 market outlook to which Plastribution made a significant contribution.

Whilst some price surveys currently exist they are often difficult to interpret, use foreign currencies and differing units of measure. Price know-how aims to be relevant by providing an overview, material group specific reports and more general economic information including exchange rates and GDP growth. Customers can subscribe to this report and will be emailed each month once the report has been finalised and then every subsequent month. The feedback from these reports has been very positive and has helped customers with costings, pushing through price increases and managing inventory.

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Industry know-how Within the UK plastics industry there is a general assumed level of knowledge and the industry know-how articles have been created to remove ambiguity wherever possible and provide clear and concise details in relation to the article

Technical know-how Almost five years ago, Plastribution recognised that skills are a vital component in order for the UK plastics processing industry to compete in the global market. Plastribution decided to partner with John Goff at G & A Moulding Technology, to provide a high quality short course on ‘Process optimisation’, which also includes modules on polymer science. To date over 50 candidates have attended this course, which is always oversubscribed. In fact, the programme has proved to be so successful that an additional course has been added, namely ‘Injection moulding for commercial staff’. This course has been aimed at those who do not deal with plastics processing and polymer science directly and has also proved to be extremely popular. The above courses were put together in response to our customers’ needs and there are plans for an ‘extrusion optimisation’ course in the near future.

let’s make it work Know-how is very much part of the Plastribution mantra, and, along with our aim to deliver high performance products on time and in full, goes some way to explain why Plastribution has become the preferred choice of the UK’s plastics processors. ±± further information: www.plastribution.co.uk

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bp&r BRITISH PLASTICS &RUBBER

contents July 2013

on the cover Supporting UK plastics processors with ‘know-how’ Mike Boswell, Managing Director of Plastribution, writes for BP&R about the company’s ‘know-how’, which it is using to deliver its expertise across the plastics industry, through a variety of mediums.

See page 4

27-35 FEATURE anniversary special Spotlight on all things celebratory as milestones are reached in 2013

36-41 FEATURE RUBBER

3 EDITOR’S LETTER

A report on a technology mission to the International Rubber Conference 2013

REGULARS INDUSTRY NEWS

08

INJECTION MOULDING

13

Engineering Materials

18

From the Front Line

32

Reclamation and Recycling

47

CURRENCY CORNER

50

SOFTWARE

51

BUYERS’ GUIDE

52

The plight of the ‘Plasticarian’

16-17 FEATURE

42-45 FEATURE packaging materials

Solar and Photovoltaics

New homopolymer PP for performance packaging

Putting the polymer into Photovoltaic power

22-24 FEATURE

36

compounding New modular 12mm twin-screw extruder launched

25-26 ]FEATURE wood plastics New twin-screw extruder for solid WPCs demonstrated at conference

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Industry News

facturers to innovate The Manufacturing Institute has urged manu survive and grow. to want they if ts and expand into new marke

news Manufacturers must expand into new markets to survive, says Institute The Manufacturing Institute has urged UK manufacturers to innovate and expand into new markets if they want to survive and grow.

The Institute has outlined three areas that it believes small and medium sized manufacturers should focus on: innovation, expanding into new markets and building and developing future talent.

It is also launching a £2.4m Growth Programme for manufacturing SMEs in the North West of the UK, to help them find and win new customers, develop new products and maximise sales and profitability.

The programme, made possible through investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), will develop the skills of 900 manufacturers through leadership and management masterclasses and company-specific coaching, enabling manufacturers across

Borealis invests EUR 100 million in Austrian catalyst plant Polyolefins producer, Borealis, has opened a new catalyst plant in Linz, Austria, creating 35 jobs.

The company has reportedly invested 100 million euros in the construction of the facility, which will produce chemical

the region to learn how “best in class” companies are successfully growing their businesses.

Expert guidance will also be provided from some of the UK’s most senior manufacturing leaders and entrepreneurs.

Mike Innes, The Manufacturing Institute’s newly-appointed Growth Champion, said: “The most successful companies are those with a clear plan to grow their business and the Growth Programme is a real opportunity for North West manufacturers to pinpoint new

market opportunities and stay ahead of the competition. Through individual coaching and bespoke support, the programme aims to maximise smaller manufacturers’ chances of success.”

Small and medium sized manufacturers can find out more about the Growth Programme by visiting the address below.

substances using its Sirius catalyst technology.

It is said the new plant will strengthen Borealis’ position along the entire plastics value chain: from research and development into and production of own catalysts, to application-oriented development of end products.

The new plant is said to be at the core of Borealis’ growth strategy within its polyolefins business segment.

“With this new facility and investment, Borealis is definitively establishing Linz as a research centre for plastics in Europe,” said Gerhard Roiss, CEO of OMV, one of Borealis’ owners.

“The decision in favour of Linz was made on the basis of a pan-European competition for this location,” Roiss added.

further information: www.manufacturinginstitute. co.uk/growth

further information: www.borealisgroup.com The new Borealis Sirius catalyst plant in Linz, Austria

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Report suggests growth for automotive plastics A new market research report has been released, which suggests that the automotive plastics market for passenger cars will be worth $46,112million (approx. £29,865 million) by 2018.

The report, entitled “Automotive Plastics Market for Passenger Cars, By Type, Application and Geography – Trends and Forecasts to 2018”, suggests the Global Market Revenue is expected to grow from $21,617million (£13,995 million) to $46,112million (£29,865 million) by 2018 at an estimated CAGR of 13.4 percent between 2013 and 2018.

Market trends for 2012 show the AsiaPacific region as being the biggest consumer of automotive plastics with a share of 50.5 percent. Europe (28 percent), North America (11.3 percent) and rest of the world (10.1 percent) follow.

As for materials, the study suggests polypropylene is the most used plastic, with figures of 37 percent. Polyurethanes have a share of 17.3 percent. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) follows on 12.3 percent; HDPE has a share of 10.8 percent. Polycarbonates (6.8 percent) and polymethyl methacrylate (4.4 percent) make up the rest.

The report cites lightweighting as one of the main drivers for the growth of plastics in automotives, as well as properties such as superior impact strength, easy mouldability, improved aesthetics and reduced weight when compared to high speed steel (HSS) and aluminium. further information: www.marketsandmarkets.com

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Step forward, Interview | Leanne Taylor It was recently announced that Mike Boswell, Managing Director of Plastribution, is the new President of the British Plastics Federation (BPF). Succeeding outgoing President, Philip Watkins, after two years in office, Leanne Taylor caught up with Mike to find put more about how he intends to build on the successes of his predecessor, his own plans going forward and the changes that are afoot for the industry.

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LT: Congratulations, Mike.

Firstly, President Watkins’ strategic paper, ‘The UK Plastics Industry: A Strategic Manufacturing Sector’, raised and highlighted some pivotal points for the industry. How do you intend to build on this?

MB: I think Philip has done a fantastic job and I think his strategic paper has been an excellent foundation for the industry. It has certainly raised its profile across the manufacturing sector and particularly with Government, so it’s a great platform. At the next council meeting I will be making clear my Presidential theme and I am certainly hoping to build on a lot of the key aspects that Philip has raised, brought forward and highlighted, so there will be some more of the same, plus some new initiatives as well. The challenge now is to try to represent the whole industry and make sure all our

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LT: Do you feel like the response from Government has been good in terms of the issues raised and highlighted by Philip during his Presidency?

MB: I certainly think we have done a fantastic job of highlighting the importance of our sector. I think that one of the issues we face is that our industry is primarily composed of SMEs, so I think to get that profile at a higher level is often quite challenging.

However, I think getting high profile individuals, such as Vince Cable, to recognise what a significant part of UK manufacturing plastics is, is absolutely fantastic and that’s the sort of message we need to push forward so we can ensure that we get the support to grow our sector.

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Mr President LT: What in your opinion are the key issues and challenges that members would like to see addressed and acted upon?

MB: I think right across the industrial sector still we see that finance is a key theme, in terms of both availability and cost of finance. There is clearly also a lot of concern surrounding training and making sure that we have that resource available. One thing I would say is that in the plastics industry we find a highly investable industry, one that already demonstrates itself as being very adaptable to the economy and one that very supportive of other industries, including automotive and aerospace. Therefore, I think one of the things we have got to do is promote the investability of this industry. The hurdles to creating jobs in terms of capital commitment are very reasonable when you compare them to other manufacturing industries, so I think we are in a great position. We have obviously got to push those things forward and make sure we are at the front of the pack and that we’re in the minds of Government when they are looking at policy and, therefore, will continue to support and develop the manufacturing sector.

LT: In terms of a world stage, can the UK stand up against both European and global competitors?

MB: I absolutely think that’s 100 percent the case. We’ve got a very sophisticated manufacturing industry and some excellent areas of competence in both standard and high-tech manufacturing. I think in the last few years, and certainly following the economic crisis, we’ve seen a revaluation of Sterling versus other key currencies, including both the Euro and the Dollar, and that’s really made the UK competitive again from a manufacturing viewpoint. As we all know, we’re seeing re-shoring of production and hopefully we’ll see more of that happening going forwards. So we’re in a great position to support and develop our industry.

of the BPF , the new President Image: Mike Boswell

LT: Do you think the strength of the British brand is a contributing factor to the competitiveness of the UK industry?

MB: Absolutely. I think we have seen an enormous resurgence of the British brand and I think also it goes beyond just the brand, it goes into the confidence in the ethics and standards that go into British manufacturing, as well as the corporate compliance and I think that’s absolutely vital now. When we look at international companies focusing on the value of British brands I think they understand that part of that is they are manufactured here, by British people and that brings a whole unique aspect to it.

“The challenge now is to try to represent the whole industry and make sure all our members get value from the organisation and what we do.”

LT: Do you think that price, therefore, is becoming less important as the focus turns to quality?

MB: I think that’s a key point of differentiation and one that we could continue to emphasise. Hopefully people will consider that British — manufactured goods are added value and that we can continue to achieve premiums across a full range of products. further information: www.bpf.co.uk

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news Crossen Engineering opts for Romi-Sandretto Crossen Engineering, a design to fulfilment business which creates its own tools, dies and moulds and offers CNC machining, metal pressing and plastic injection moulding services, has installed a new Romi-Sandretto EN 200 injection moulding line at its facility in Newtownards, just outside Belfast.

The company, which has customers in the aerospace, marine and military sectors for its plastics arm, says it is impressed by the data it is getting in terms of improved set up times and speed, reduced waste and quality consistency since the installation of the machine, which replaces an ageing rival machine.

“We have already seen a 20 percent saving in cycle time, a reduction in set up times and first off waste down from 20-30 to two or three parts as well as greater quality consistency throughout a run,” commented Peter Crossen, Head of Production. “We wonder why we didn’t make this investment sooner. There is much greater control over injection curves and other production parameters so the

Largest all-electric machine arrives in Manchester Hellermann Tyton, a leading supplier of cable ties and fixings for many industries including aerospace, automotive and telecoms, has recently installed the largest all-electric injection moulding machine manufactured in Europe at its UK production site in Wythenshawe, Manchester.

The new machine, a BMB 700 tonne, is in full production moulding PA66 cable ties; a process that the company says is demanding due to multi-cavity moulds and high flow-length-to-wall-thickness ratio parts.

Hellermann Tyton also purchased a number of BMB 550 tonne all-electric machines as well as this latest 700 tonne all-electric machine. Nigel Baker, Managing Director of BMB in the UK and Ireland, told BP&R: “This investment is significant because 500 tonne machines and larger are still considered ‘big’ machines to utilise all-electric technology.

EN 200 Sandretto The Romilled at been insta has just ng ri ee ngin Crossen E

quality inspection and repeatability is much better.”

Crossen Engineering holds the AS 9100 Rev C aerospace accreditation and PPAP automotive certification already and says this equipment fits well with these standards and also enhances the quality and lead times they can offer customers.

“Sandretto’s support services are first class and the UK arm holds a good amount and range of spares. The wireless remote service we use to access real time production data could also provide us with the option for remote data in future,”

The BMB 700t all-electric injection moulding machine

“The BMB machine was selected thanks to build quality, robust design, high precision, speed and reliability. The fact that this large machine is all-electric and benefits from up to 50 percent power savings compared to alternative machines was a major decision making factor for Hellermann Tyton.”

INJECTion moulding

Engineering Passion www.kraussmaffei.com

continued Crossen.

Neil Bathard, National Sales Manager for Romi-Sandretto in the UK, said: “Crossen Engineering rely on having resource and time efficient equipment which the EN 200 provides and it is a good size and fit with the company’s existing plastic moulding production machines. We are pleased they have returned to us for this latest phase of investment.” further information: www.sandretto.co.uk

The BMB all-electric machine has a patented clamp design said to offer significant advantages, including allowing larger clamp force sizes to be manufactured utilising all-electric servo motors for movement.

Rob Conroy-Finn, Operations Director at Hellermann Tyton, said: “We are delighted to take delivery of the largest allelectric machine currently available from a European machine supplier, the technical team in Italy have worked hard to make the project a success.

“The all-electric technology provides significant power savings with increased productivity. The Hellermann Tyton and BMB engineering teams worked hard to install the machine within a tight deadline; in fact the machine was installed in record time, one of the quickest we have experienced.” further information: www.bmb-spa.com/en

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INJECTion moulding

Engineering Passion

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news Rutland Plastics makes moves in medical Midlands-based injection moulder, Rutland Plastics, has attained the medical standard ISO13485.

Building on the ISO9001 accreditation that the company already has, it now has additional approval for the manufacture of non-sterile injection and flow moulded thermoplastic components for medical devices and the machining, finishing and sub-assembly of mouldings to customers’ requirements. Of particular importance in this standard are risk management and maintaining effective processes specific to the safe manufacture of medical devices.

Rutland Plastics already manufactures a number of products for the medical sector and says that achieving this standard demonstrates proven business credentials in this sector through independent verification.

“This is a growing market for plastic mouldings due to the high usage of disposables,” commented Rutland Plastics’ Managing Director, Steve Ayre.

“Medical is a market we would like to develop further. This standard not only

KraussMaffei’s GX series to get supersized at K 2013 KraussMaffei has revealed that it is expanding the range of machines in its GX series and will present a new model with 900 tonnes of clamping force at K 2013 in Düsseldorf.

With a reported cycle time of seven seconds, KraussMaffei cites the GX series as the fastest two-platen machine on the market and says it is ideally suited to large mouldings for packaging.

“Minimal cycle times with ideal efficiency. The GX series impresses our customers with its quick movements and minimal energy consumption,” commented Frank Peters, Vice President of Sales at KraussMaffei. “The high demand from the market is further confirmation of this.”

At K 2013, KraussMaffei says a GX 900-8100 will demonstrate its capabilities for quick cycle times, as required for products from the logistics and packaging

demonstrates our commitment but also the level of service we can provide due to our focus on maintaining a clean mouldshop backed up by effective quality assurance processes.”

Rutland Plastics has achieved the ISO13485 standard for medical moulding

further information: www.rutlandplastics.co.uk

industry. The parts will be demoulded using a linear robot and transferred to a second robot by a ‘handshake’. further information: www.kraussmaffei.com

The GX is said to be ideally suited for manufacturing mass-produced items in the packaging/logistics industry

www.kraussmaffei.com

It takes two for Leicester moulder and toolmaker A Leicester-based moulder and toolmaker has announced it has invested in two new all-electric machines for its latest project.

Ledwell Plastics has purchased two Valpha II 200 tonne injection moulding machines from Victor CNC (UK).

The two new machines will produce two separate mouldings and aim to produce 3,000 parts per hour.

Ben Simms, Managing Director at Ledwell Plastics said: “We pride ourselves in providing mouldings of the highest quality, the precision of the new Victor machines allow us to do this consistently and at the right price.�

The new machines are equipped with software and control systems that allow for overlapping operations, therefore reportedly reducing cycle time.

As well as this, the machines are also said to use use Japanese servo motors

and ball screws and can produce an energy saving of up to 70 percent when compared to a conventional hydraulic machine. further information: www.ledwellplastics.com www.victorcnc.com

ne 200 ton lpha II ine h c a m The V-a g mouldin injection

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polymers show sunny potential Researchers at Rice and Pennsylvania State universities say a new version of solar cells created by laboratories at the institutes could open the door to research on a new class of solar energy devices.

The photovoltaic devices created in a project led by Rice chemical engineer, Rafael Verduzco, and Penn State chemical engineer, Enrique Gomez, are based on block copolymers, self-assembling organic materials that arrange themselves into distinct layers. They are said to easily outperform other cells with polymer compounds as active elements.

While commercial, silicon-based solar cells turn about 20 percent of sunlight into electricity and experimental units top 25 percent, there’s been an undercurrent of research into polymer-based cells that could greatly reduce the cost of solar energy, Verduzco said. The Rice/Penn State cells reach about three percent efficiency, which is better than other labs have achieved using polymer compounds.

The Rice lab discovered a block

Researchers at Rice and Pennsylvania State universities have created solar cells based on block copolymers, self-assembling organic materials that arrange themselves into distinct layers. (Credit: Verduzco Laboratory/Rice University)

solar and photovoltaics

news

copolymer — P3HT-b-PFTBT — that separates into bands that are about 16 nanometers wide. More interesting to the researchers was the polymers’ natural tendency to form bands perpendicular to the glass. The copolymer was created in the presence of a glass/indium tin oxide (ITO) top layer at a modest 165°C. With a layer of aluminum on the other side of the device constructed by the Penn State team, the polymer bands stretched from the top to bottom electrodes and provided a clear path for electrons to flow.

“On paper, block copolymers are excellent candidates for organic solar cells, but no one has been able to get very good photovoltaic performance using block copolymers,” Verduzco said. “We

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W e know how We how..

didn’t give up on the idea of block copolymers because there’s really only been a handful of these types of solar cells previously tested. We thought getting good performance using block copolymers was possible if we designed the right materials and fabricated the solar cells under the right conditions.”

The researchers want to experiment with other block copolymers and learn to control their structures to increase the solar cell’s ability to capture photons and turn them into electricity. Once higher performance is achieved, they will look at long-term use. further information: www.rice.edu

Putting the polymer into Photovoltaic power Dr Sally Humphreys, Business Development Manager, AMI Plastics, looks at the market for polymers in photovoltaics along with some innovative new developments from across the industry.

A survey by Photon has suggested that the polymer industry has grown with the photovoltaic industry

The photovoltaic (PV) power industry is well established in many regions and, despite the sometimes negative perception, the end user demand in 2011 was strong with the total market for new installations passing the 26 GW mark, according to IHS iSuppli.

A survey by Photon showed that the polymer industry has grown with the photovoltaic industry, for example the number of backsheet manufacturers has risen from four in 2005 to 22 in 2011.

The first generation of backsheets for crystalline silicon PV modules were TPT i.e. Tedlar (PVF from DuPont )-PET-Tedlar. The PET layer provides electrical insulation and mechanical strength while the PVF offers weatherability and opacity. The market moved away from this structure initially due to the limited availability of fluoropolymer and more recently due to cost. The Japanese pioneered all-PET backsheets with two layers of PET and an inner layer of EVA. The outer layer must be hydrolysis and UV resistant.

The next generation of PV will be flexible cells and this will push the limits of plastics materials. DuPont Teijin Films is the top global manufacturer of polyester films, with sales of US$1.1 billion and production capacity of over 280,000 tpa. The company is leading research in PET films for PV looking at raising properties by orienting films, as well as using planariser coatings to improve barrier properties and other aspects.

The Italian backsheet producer, Coveme, has reviewed the types of backsheet materials and the move away from PVF, which was first used 50 years ago. There are now 112 different types of backsheets. In 2007 more than 90 percent were based on PVF and that dropped to 40 percent in 2011. Other fluoroplastics are taking market share, including PVDF, PTFE, ETFE and ECTFE. Module manufacturers want a plentiful supply of material and this has driven new backsheet developments.

In terms of frames, most modules use metal, but BASF has an alternative, light-stable polyurethane. The production process can be standard reaction injection moulding (RIM) or a new window spray technology (WST) developed for the automotive industry. In RIM the panel is positioned in the mould for a 30 second reaction time and then demoulded. In WST a PUR sealing is applied around a solar panel using a spray gun after priming the glass: there is no trimming and there are low tool costs. The system gives much greater design freedom such as roof integrated shapes and coloured, flexible frames.

Weathering and ageing are critical factors in PV life. The University of Savoie has been carrying out research with the energy company EDF and has used infrared and Raman microscopy to examine the accelerated ageing of polymers, with similar work having been carried out at the EPFL IMT photovoltaics laboratory in Switzerland to find the best encapsulant material for thin film silicon modules.

Momentive Performance Materials is supplying silicone for encapsulation. In tests it was better than EVA at light transmission, had lower moisture levels and better dielectric strength. In tests with a white silicone back encapsulant and a transparent front encapsulant, energy production was up by five percent. The material has lower curing temperature and modulus, thus reducing the mechanical stress levels in a module.

The Scottish Institute for Solar Energy Research (SISER) at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh has experimented with luminescent materials to improve energy production. Current modules make poor use of low wavelength light, so the idea is to add a spectral conversion layer that shifts the short wavelengths so that the light can be used productively (luminescent down shifting (LDS)). Fluorescent organic dyes like perylene can be incorporated in a top PMMA layer on the module, or in the upper encapsulant EVA. The colours can add to building design aesthetics.

There are prospects for printable photovoltaics in the future using organic photoactive polymers produced by companies like Merck.

These offer flexibility, low cost and low weight, once the technology is fully developed. The latest polymer is royal blue with absorption onset at 750 nm. A new organisation, Innovation Lab GmbH, has been set up with partners including Merck, Roche and BASF to develop organic electronics including printing and coating methods.

The technology for solar photovoltaic power is continuing to develop to reduce costs and enhance long-term performance, with the evidence indicating that it may be optimal to select specific materials for different environmental conditions. Design is becoming a feature too, with colours, shapes and flexibility all coming into the marketplace as options, which will encourage integration in buildings and other structures.

17 further information: www.amiplastics.com

bp&r

engineering materials

news Blog

// Materials Technical // In association with Hardie Polymers – www.hardiepolymers.com

This month, polymer expert and technical blog author, Dr Charlie Geddes, ponders about POM. Does POM stand for ‘Plastics Outperforming Metals’ ?

POM is the abbreviation for ‘polyoxymethylene’ (also known as ‘polyacetal’ … or just plain old ‘acetal’) synthesised from formaldehyde, a readily available starting material, but, despite its humble beginnings, it is an engineering thermoplastic suitable for metal replacement.

For around 100 years it has been possible to form a polymer from formaldehyde but the pathetic thermal stability of polyformaldehyde (paraformaldehyde) meant that its only use was as a temporary store of gaseous formaldehyde in a solid form.

Just over 50 years ago DuPont and Celanese independently solved the thermal stability problem by stopping the unzipping reaction, the former by end capping the polymer chains (homopolymer) and the latter by incorporating a comonomer (copolymer).

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New special interest group to develop UK materials capability The Technology Strategy Board has funded a new Materials Chemistry Special Interest Group (SIG) with the aim of enhancing UK capability to develop and commercialise novel materials to meet future industry needs.

This recognises the importance of innovation in functional materials for both the UK and the wider manufacturing industry.

The Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry (KCMC) will lead the Materials Chemistry SIG, working with the Chemistry Innovation and Materials KTN’s and in conjunction with companies driving innovation through the application of materials chemistry in their products and processes.

The two versions of POM (homopolymer and copolymer) differ slightly in their properties but both have a low glass transition temperature (-80oC) meaning that POM is in its rubbery state at room temperature. However the high crystallinity makes the POM very rigid. So you can think of POM as an extremely stiff rubber, which explains its outstanding properties of toughness, resilience and fatigue endurance, making it the nearest thing to a metal spring and ideal for gears and bearings. POM is the best thermoplastic for snap fit assemblies.

A word of warning to processors: POM is still thermally unstable if mishandled at high temperatures, which can bring tears to your eyes, both literally and metaphorically!

Got a view on the above? Blog posts will also be published on the BP&R website at www.britishplastics.co.uk - feel free to leave your comments.

It aims to build on the track record of KCMC in delivering value from materials chemistry collaborative research.

The SIG has several objectives, including the identification and development of priority areas for materials chemistry collaborative research that support growth strategies; working with other Knowledge Transfer Networks to maximise connections; accelerate the expansion of KCMC and underpin engagement and collaboration with SMEs. further information: www.materialschemistry.org.uk

The group will aim to build on the track record of KCMC in delivering value from materials chemistry collaborative research

Polymer breakthrough tied up in (Celtic) knots A new method of controlling the synthesis of polymers is said to open up new possibilities in areas including medical devices, drug delivery, elastics and adhesives.

The new slow-motion method, from scientists at the Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB) at the National University of Ireland, Galway, takes inspiration from both trees and Celtic Knots.

The scientists have just published their breakthrough polymerisation method, which reportedly allows for the easy creation of new complex, multi-functional, branched compounds.

The research team was led by NFB’s Dr Wenxin Wang, who said: “The versatility of our synthesis process could allow us to tailor polymer properties, such as structure, functionality, strength, size, density and degradation — with previously unimaginable ease.”

The researchers took inspiration from ancient arts and say they use their new technique to build up ‘Celtic Knots’. These materials have chains that only link to themselves in an interlaced pattern. In addition, the new technique can also create hyper-branching polymers, which branch and spread outwards like trees.

Until now, creating more complex branched polymers, known as dendrimers (from the Greek ‘dendron’ meaning ‘tree’), is said to have been a labour intensive and time consuming process.

Now, for the first time, ‘dendritic’ or tree-like polymers have been synthesised in bulk, with branch points after every few monomers of the build process. This allows a far higher degree of branching than previously obtainable and opens up new possibilities for the use of polymers.

The new process developed by the team, in collaboration with Dr Julien Poly from the Institut de Science des Matériaux de Mulhouse, France, is called ‘vinyl oligomer combination’. In effect the process is said to allow a simple ‘one-pot’ procedure that leads to easy up-scale of the process. The expectation is that these intricate woven and branched polymers will be cheap to produce and high in quality, as the technique is fully scalable.

“We are currently investigating the use of these new materials for biomedical applications such as drug/gene delivery, cross linkable hydrogel materials and skin adhesives. However, in reality this synthesis method could be used for a wide range of materials outside the biomedical field,” continued Dr. Wang.

The research, funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), the Health Research Board (HRB), DEBRA Ireland and DEBRA Austria is published in the Nature Communications journal.

Dr. Wang

further information: www.nuigalway.ie

The complex branched polymers are achieved using a new technique

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engineering materials

news ‘Polymer’ opals offer colourful benefits Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a synthetic material that mimics colours and changes colour when twisted or stretched.

The new material could have important applications in the security, textile and sensing industries.

Instead of through pigments, these ‘polymer opals’ get their colour from their internal structure alone, resulting in pure colour which does not run or fade. The materials could be used to replace the toxic dyes used in the textile industry, or as a security application, making banknotes harder to forge.

Additionally, the thin, flexible material changes colour when force is exerted on it, which could have potential use in sensing applications by indicating the amount of strain placed on the material.

In collaboration with the DKI (now Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability) in Germany, researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed a synthetic material that has the same intensity of colour as a hard opal, but in a thin, flexible film.

Naturally occurring opals are formed of silica spheres suspended in water. As the water evaporates, the spheres settle into layers, resulting in a hard, shiny stone.

The polymer opals are formed using a

dit: Nick Saffell The ‘polymer’ opals. Cre

similar principle, but instead of silica, they are constructed of spherical nanoparticles bonded to a rubber-like outer shell. When the nanoparticles are bent around a curve, they are pushed into the correct position to make structural colour possible. The shell material forms an elastic matrix and the hard spheres become ordered into a durable, impactresistant photonic crystal.

“Unlike natural opals, which appear multi-coloured as a result of silica spheres not settling in identical layers, the polymer opals consist of one preferred layer structure and so have a uniform colour,” said Professor Jeremy Baumberg of the Nanophotonics Group at the University’s Cavendish Laboratory, who is leading the development of the material.

Like natural opals, the internal structure of polymer opals causes diffraction of light, resulting in strong structural colour. The exact colour of the material is determined by the size of the

spheres. And since the material has a rubbery consistency, when it is twisted and stretched, the spacing between spheres changes, changing the colour of the material. When stretched, the material shifts into the blue range of the spectrum, and when compressed, the colour shifts towards red. When released, the material will return to its original colour.

The material could be used in security printing in order to detect fraud. Polymer opals can produce much brighter colour at lower cost than the holograms normally seen on banknotes, and would be more difficult to forge.

The polymer opals can be bonded to a polyurethane layer and then onto any fabric. The material can be cut, laminated, welded, stitched, etched, embossed and perforated. further information: www.cam.ac.uk

ShieldUp are made from Altuglas The transparent car parts

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PPMA is a star of the screen in a see-through limo Altuglas International, a subsidiary of the Arkema Group, played a part in making a fully-transparent limousine for a recently — launched French movie.

The transparent parts for the car, which appears in the film Mood Indigo, are made from Altuglas ShieldUp. This acrylic (polymethylmethacrylate) combines two components — PMMA along with an elastomer, structured at nanoscale — which provides transparency along with mechanical and chemical resistance, according to the group.

The product is the result of ten years of research and won last year’s Potier prize for innovation.

The material for the parts was heated to 180°C for 15 minutes to be softened.

Some was then forced under vacuum pressure and some was blown with

compressed air (eight bar) to form the different parts of the car. further information: www.altuglasint.com

Colouring engineering polymers with carbon black and solvent blacks Masterbatch manufacturers, Colloids Ltd, write for BP&R on the differences between carbon and solvent blacks for the colouration of technical and engineering polymers.

The colouration of engineering polymers is a vast subject but one aspect of it in particular has major technical and commercial implications. That is, the preparation of black coloured materials. Black as a colour in engineering polymers has assumed particular importance in the automotive industry where it brings aesthetic, technical and practical advantages. The widespread use of polyamide compounds in underbonnet applications is a good illustration of this. Correctly formulated materials are aesthetically attractive, have the ability to withstand a demanding technical environment and are superbly practical in what is a harsh application. These benefits are also realised in non-automotive sectors.

Carbon black in various forms has probably been used as a pigment since prehistoric times, and the industry today offers a variety of highly specified and differentiated grades that are invaluable in both colouring and enhancing the performance of polymers. In all polymer fields, and specifically in engineering polymers, carbon black has a number of outstanding advantages as a colourant.

Firstly, it is extremely resistant to colour change or fading, even in the most extreme environments. Secondly, it is unparalleled in g ur in engineerin Black as a colo ar ul ic rt sumed pa polymers has as try us ind e tiv mo to e au importance in th

its ability to protect polymers against the degrading effects of UV light and thirdly, the commercial grades available offer a wide range of black shades from deeply intense ‘jet’ products through to less intense varieties suitable for modifying the tone of other colours. Whilst it is undoubtedly an outstanding colourant, carbon black does require some care in the way it is selected and incorporated into a polymer compound.

In crystalline polymers like polyamides and some polyesters, it can have an influence on both mechanical properties and injection moulding behaviour. In such cases an alternative group of colourants, the solvent blacks, have found a very significant role.

Turning again to the effects of carbon black, it is useful to consider some of the specific disadvantages of its use to explain the significance of solvent blacks as major colourants. Because of its particulate nature the dispersion of carbon black particles in a polymer matrix is always of concern with regard to the effects on the mechanical properties. This is true even when highly dispersed carbon black concentrates or masterbatches are used to aid incorporation.

The particulate nature of carbon black is also a factor in the achievement of an ultimate gloss finish on a moulded component, even if the dispersion achieved is outstanding.

Once again, stemming from its particulate nature, carbon black is notable for increasing the crystallisation temperature of polymers such as PA6, PA66 and PBT. Whilst this may be regarded in some circumstances as an advantage (bringing faster solidification in the mould and shorter mould cycles) it can also cause the retention of undesirable mould shrinkage and orientation effects as well as decreasing some physical properties.

The solvent blacks commonly used for polymer colouration are solvent black seven and solvent black five, both of which are collectively known as nigrosines. They are complex dyestuffs and as such are not particles that have to be dispersed, but actually dissolve in the polymer matrix. This has a significant effect

on both mechanical properties and the aesthetics of gloss finishes since the dyestuff is not present as a discrete particle in the sense that carbon black would be. This is most evident when used in conjunction with glass fibre and fillers as it has excellent ability in covering the surface. Other effects of nigrosine in semi-crystalline polymers are more subtle but equally, if not more, important. In contrast to carbon black, nigrosine has the ability not to elevate the crystalisation temperature of the polymer (or even in some cases to decrease it).

Therefore in injection moulding applications it lengthens the solidification cycle in the mould, ensuring a greater relaxation of induced strain and allowing fractionally longer retention of the hold pressure for the ultimate in mould filling and definition.

Although nigrosine does not show the dispersion problems occurring with carbon black, it is nevertheless conventional to use it in the form of a high concentration masterbatch for reasons of housekeeping and ease of processing.

Nigrosine, in common with most materials, does have some shortcomings.

Whilst it is not negative in its effect on UV stability polymers, it is effectively neutral and does not bring the dramatic improvement in UV resistance which carbon black offers.

Also, carbon black is capable by selection of appropriate grades of being used in food contact applications, which is not the case for nigrosine. Nigrosine can also be used for the colouration of non-crystalline polymers, such as ABS. The non-polar nature of conventional polyolefins, however, limits its use in such polymers because of its tendency to migrate.

These opposing and contrasting advantages and disadvantages of the two colourants have also resulted in the development of combined formulations where the tremendous UV performance of carbon black is required, but its negative effects on crystallisation behaviour can be adjusted by combination with nigrosine. Such two component systems are also available in formulated masterbatches from Colloids. further information: www.colloids.co.uk

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compounding

news Erema develops technology for recycling and compounding in a single step Erema has developed a new system that it says brings together the benefits of recycling and compounding in a single processing step.

The new Corema upcycling system is based on the idea of processing inexpensive recycling raw material to make customised plastic compounds in a single step, without intermediate cooling.

Erema says this combined recycling and compounding system means forward integration for the recycler in the direction of material production and reverse integration for the compounder towards material procurement. This, it says, results in an enormous additional benefit that has increasing added value.

Inexpensive recycling raw material (e.g. PP nonwoven, PE edge trim, PA fibres etc.) is turned into filtered melt using Erema’s technology. In the cutter/compactor the material is cut, homogenised, heated, dried and buffered, before the preheated material is plastified in the tangentially connected single-screw extruder and cleaned in the fully-automatic, selfcleaning filter. The prepared melt then goes directly to the corotating twin-screw extruder, provided by Coperion. Besides the dosing of a wide variety of additives, Erema says high amounts of fillers and reinforcing agents can be admixed (e.g.

80 percent CaCO3, 70 percent talcum or 50 percent glass fibres).

“We made a conscious decision in favour of Coperion as a partner. This company has a wealth of experience in the production of compounds and the twin-screw extruders are made in such a modular way that they can be adapted for any individual job. And the same applies to our recycling system,” said Erema CEO, Manfred Hackl. The result, says Hackl, is customised plastic compounds for high-quality applications.

“Together we are convinced that with this combined technology customers can take another step in the valueadded chain and turn waste into new products in an economic way.”

ng system tic recycli ed Corema plas f highly fill oduction o s for the pr nd u po ised com and custom

When it comes to materials and quantities, Erema says the Corema system is available for both smaller amounts of 300 kg/h and large amounts of up to four t/h and is able to process an extremely broad spectrum of material.

“We are of the opinion that Corema is the ideal system not only to process inexpensive mixed fractions such as PET/PE with additives, but also to produce a compound with 20 percent talcum out of PP nonwoven waste, for example,” continued Hackl.

A pilot Corema system with an output of 400 kg/h is already in use at a customer’s plant near to the company’s headquarters and Erema operates a system of its own with a 600 kg/h output.

Dutch company, Rodepa Plastics B.V, uses the Corema system to produce PP for injection moulding applications in the automotive sector and LDPE for film applications. In the future, however, the company intends to process more postconsumer material. Mark Langenhof of Rodepa said the company’s future strategy using the system included “new opportunities, new markets and new challenges.” further information: www.erema.at

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Labtech’s new modular 12mm twin screw extruder

Labtech launches new modular 12mm twinscrew extruder Labtech has launched a new 12mm co-rotating twinscrew micro-compounder designed to be used with polymers in powder or micro pellet form with an approximate maximum granule diameter of 1.5mm.

It is said to be suitable for the processing of minute polymer quantities for research applications, but can also produce larger quantities, having a maximum output of around four kg/hr.

The extruder is supplied complete with a stainless steel volumetric hopper feeder with a spiral type screw and with a stirring arm (agitator) above the feeding screw. The hopper feeder can optionally also be equipped with twin screws.

Inside the clam shell barrel are segmented screws where each segment can be placed anywhere on the hexagonal screw core shaft for optimum flexibility of screw configurations. The kneading elements are supplied as single sectors that can be placed against each other in various angles, said to enable numerous kneading and shearing functions.

Each barrel zone is equipped with both water cooling and electric cartridge heating which allows for complete process control at each zone of the barrel.

Water cooling, coupled with the high wattage heating, is said to enable fast temperature changes of each zone when changing processing conditions from one compound to another. The water cooling is achieved from fine channels inside each barrel module and regulated with individual solenoid valves from its designated temperature controller.

Labtech says with an L/D extruder ratio of 36:1, the extruder is supplied as standard with an atmospheric venting zone on one of the barrel modules. This can optionally be equipped with a stainless steel vacuum housing, sight glass and manometer, connected to a dedicated extractor pump.

The extruder is designed with a sturdy sub-cabinet containing all electric and electronic components in compartments completely separated from the vacuum pump assembly. The control panel is mounted onto the body of the extruder and contains programmable pressure controller with digital indication of the screw tip pressure, digital RPM indicators for main screws speed and feeder screw speeds and clear warning lamps for any overloads or temperature problems.

Millmerran Research and Manufacturing Ltd is the UK agent for the Labtech range of laboratory processing equipment.

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.millmerran.co.uk

_____________________________________________

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compounding

ADvertorial company profile: teknor apex Teknor Apex Company is an international custom compounder of advanced polymer materials. Founded in 1924, Teknor Apex has continually invested in the growth of its business so that today it compounds in 12 locations around the world. This offers customers locally produced compounds to meet the same specifications, wherever they choose to do their manufacturing.

The Engineering Thermoplastics Division of Teknor Apex, based in Oldbury,

UK, offers European customers a product range that is broader and more globalised than ever. This provides customers with an unlimited choice of custom formulations based on PA, PET, PBT, along with full technical backup, product development support, localised service and worldwide availability for any compound. Compounds are available in reinforced, filled, lubricated, stabilised, flame retarded and other modified formulations, including standard, custom and colour-matched compounds. These main products now fall into two broad families:

Beetle® range of PA, PET, and PBT compounds, which includes products for, electrical, consumer, industrial, construction, sport and leisure and wire coating applications. A special series of ‘economy nylon’ compounds branded Beetle-E has been developed for generalpurpose applications and is available in non-reinforced and glass-filled versions.

Chemlon® PA compounds for automotive applications include dozens of formulations developed for powertrain, chassis, exterior and interior components, with approvals from Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors.

Teknor Apex produces ETP compounds in the UK, the USA and Singapore, with the company’s ETP product range being supported throughout Europe by a network of leading polymer distributors.

further information: www.teknorapex.com

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New twin-screw extruder for solid WPCs demonstrated at conference At the recent Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) conference in Vienna, Austria, battenfeld-cincinnati presented a new parallel twin-screw extruder for the production of solid WPC profiles. battenfeld-cincinnati says the custommade Fiberex 114 extruder has been developed in response to changes in market trends and the rising demand for solid profiles.

The company says decking is, and remains, the number one application for WPC profiles in Europe. Last year, the WPC quality seal was introduced, which gave an extra boost to a market already showing an annual growth rate of 20 to 25 percent.

A new trend has emerged in the products themselves, to the effect that the demand for solid WPC profiles has increased by some 20 percent over the last three years at the expense of hollow profiles, which were mainly used previously, according to battenfeldcincinnati, who say this is due to the specific advantages of solid profiles.

Fifth WPC Conference aims to market new opportunities “New opportunities through successful marketing” is the theme of the largest European WPC conference, whose fifth edition will take place in Cologne, Germany, from 10-11 December this year.

Wood Plastic Composites are one of the world’s fastest growing biomaterials.

Over three million tonnes of WPCs are currently produced worldwide, mainly for use in extruded floor coverings. Yet there are also an increasing number of

kg/h, ging from 280 to 520 With an output ran ’s ati inn inc d-c fel ten s bat the fiberex 114 extend ders ru ext rew sc intw portfolio of

In contrast to hollow profiles, solid profiles can also be cut diagonally and require no injection-moulded edge covers for laying. Since they show even greater similarity to the natural alternative of solid wood, they can also be marketed via the same distribution channels. In production, the solid profiles score by more convenient embossing attributes, with no need for complex calibration and tolerance for a higher regrind content.

To manufacture the solid profile during the demonstration, a material supplied by Belgian company, Beologic n.v. was used, consisting of 50 percent PVC and 50 percent wood fibre. A profile with a width of 160 mm and thickness of 25 mm was

applications using die-casting, especially for consumer products.

The conference will focus on national and international market surveys, which will shed light on current trends and decisive interactions between high-growth areas outside Europe for actors and decision-makers on markets here.

Further conference themes are said to include new technologies and quality assurance, along with issues related to the durability and quality of terrace decking and other outdoor uses. For the first time comprehensive recycling concepts, life cycle analysis and

wood plastics

news

produced with an output of about 500 kg/h, at a line speed of 1.6 m/min. battenfeld-cincinnati says that due to its special process technology, the extruder provides excellent process stability in addition to high output and functions with low energy consumption and high efficiency.

Further partner companies supporting the demonstration were EMDE with a spiral conveyor, Brabender with a gravimetric metering device, Woywood with a masterbatch dosing unit and W&R Plastics, who supplied the masterbatch. further information: www.battenfeld-cincinnati.com

certification systems will be presented and discussed at the conference, as well as detailed comparisons of a number of compound technologies used in extrusion and die-casting.

Alongside an exhibition for WPC manufacturers and their service providers, there will be a ‘WPCs to Touch’ workshop for architects and craftsmen.

The workshop will reportedly offer planners an opportunity to find out more about WPCs’ structural conditions, characteristics and potential applications as well as their installation in order to boost the use of WPCs. further information: www.wpc-conference.com

a focus on ence will The confer plication areas for ap number of ding decking lu c in WPCs,

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Extrusion line said to provide high wear resistance for WPC decking production France-based PVC processor, Oceplast, is producing WPC decking profiles on a WPC direct extrusion line from KraussMaffei Berstorff, said to be ideal for processing extra wide profiles.

“Oceplast chose our WPC concept since the twin-screw extruders have very high wear resistance,” said Michael Finkenzeller, Product Manager for WPC extrusion at KraussMaffei Berstorff. “The screws have tungsten carbide armour plating while the barrels are lined with a bi-metal bushing. Wear resistance is very important, especially in WPC processing, since this is the only way to attain the machine service lives demanded by processors and minimise standstill phases and maintenance costs,” continued Finkenzeller.

According to KraussMaffei Berstorff, the core component of the line is the KMD 75-32/WPC twin-screw extruder, which has a maximum output of up to 200 kg/h.

Other line components, for example the calibration table, the haul-off/saw combination and the tilting table, are said

torff profile KraussMaffei Bers producing extrusion line for s using a ile of WPC decking pr der tru ex rew sc in32D tw

Come and visit us Hall 8A Stand D01

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WPC decking profiles in end use

wood plastics

news

to be designed specially according to the customer’s requirements. The line is therefore said to be extremely compact and is designed for processing extra wide profiles.

KraussMaffei Berstorff says the special feature of the line is the singlestep process which permits direct metering of the two components, i.e. wood and PVC. A two-component gravimetric system transports wood flour and PVC dryblend into a dynamic mixer which feeds the perfectly homogenised material mixture directly into the extruder. The complex compounding process using a

heating-cooling mixer is therefore not required; the processor saves valuable production space and energy since the wood flour is already pre-dried.

Oceplast says it is expecting demand to increase for natural fibre-reinforced plastics in Europe since forecasts are predicting annual growth of up to 20 percent on account of efforts towards conserving resources. further information: www.kraussmaffeiberstorff.com

anniversary special

www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

The Minicol Gravimetric sy or stem

anniversary special

Motan Colortronic at 40: “A bright future a proud history” Ancillary solutions provider to the plastics industry, Motan Colortronic, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, marking the milestone at K 2013 in October.

The company will be using the platform of the show to highlight its anniversary celebrations, where 40 years in plastic will be marked by the display of several new product lines with large technical innovations for the first time.

During the show, Mo’s Corner, the company’s advisory service, will allow customers to talk directly with its technical team regarding any questions they may have. Celebrations will continue with the company’s traditional ‘orange hour’ after the show closes.

centralised as necessary, which it says ensures prompt and effective customer support. Each regional centre is responsible for its own decisions.

Motan Colortronic says the continued development of its products would be lost without the continued development of its people. By ensuring expertise in the field of product knowledge, technology, product and application experiences, the company says its people are able to offer first-hand, relevant support from single units to central systems.

The company says its product range in 2013 includes the very latest in advanced technology, including its energy saving ETA plus dryers, its Minicolor Gravimetric system for consistent and accurate dosing and its unique dosing disc system, said to give unrivalled dosing consistency.

Mo’s Corner will be on-hand to provide support to customers at K 2013

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160 ETA plus The Luxor A

The foundation of Motan Colortronic started back in 1947 and since 1973 the company has gained over 40 years of R&D experience in the field of material handling for plastics, including landmark innovations. In 2006 the acquisition of Colortronic allowed the company to provide the materials handling for the complete plastics process chain, including compounding and chemical applications.

Today the combined company operates in six market segments, including injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion, compounding, in-line and chemical.

Due to the large global organisation, the Motan Colortronic group works with adecentralised structure but as

Motan Colortronic Limited is the division responsible for the UK & Ireland.

Managing Director, Karl Miller, says it is probably the oldest surviving ancillary supplier to the plastics industry that designs, manufactures, trains and services its own equipment. “This ensures customers can have piece of mind that they will be supported, not just today, but for many years to come,” he commented.

The company, which is located centrally at Chesterfield on a two-acre site, supports its large sales and engineering team with over £1 million worth of equipment and spares, therefore minimising delivery times to its customers.

“This, combined with our unique webbased part finder system, allows our customers to find, order and receive spares basically 24/7,” Miller continued.

Motan Colortronic’s products are complemented in the UK & Ireland with Regloplas/Reglochill temperature controllers and chillers and Herbold Meckesheim granulators, shredders, pulverizers and complete plastics recycling systems.

“This allows a turnkey solution to all requirements in the plastics industry from one quality supplier,” added Miller. The complete equipment range is available for customers to view and test in the Chesterfield Technical Centre. further information www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

4PLAS turns 10 Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2013, engineering plastics supplier, 4PLAS, says its focus will be on its new 4TECH range of high performance engineering thermoplastic compounds for injection moulding.

The company says this new range has been developed to offer processors cost down opportunities versus higher priced materials currently on the market, as well as further potential for metal substitution.

The 4TECH range includes new electrically conductive and static dissipative compounds, high density grades for metal substitution, high stiffness carbon fibre filled grades, flame retardant and flame retardant weatherable products, clear nylon, PPA, PPO% PPE and speciality recycled compounds. This range will continue to expand over the coming months, says the company.

In addition, the company is continuing to produce its existing range of 4PLAS compounds, including Polyamide 6 and 66, Polycarbonate, PC/ABS, PBT, PET, Polypropylene, ABS, Easy flow PVC, PP, masterbatches and colour compounds and universal purging compounds.

Started in 2003, 4Plas says it offers a high level of service and flexibility, tailoring its products and logistics to suit its customers’ needs in addition to developing its technical service function.

This has enabled the company to grow year on year with an ever-expanding customer base.

“We continue to differentiate ourselves by offering our own range of products, distributed ourselves, and offer those products in the format that our customers want and where possible in any viable volume and in any colour and with modified physical properties to suit individual applications,” commented Mark Dixon, Director.

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.4plas.com

KR270 The KUKA

Protective tapes celebrates 30 years Staffordshire-based Protective Tapes Limited is celebrating 30 years in business in 2013.

The company, which says it is the only dedicated surface protection company in the UK, supplies protective films for products to ensure that they stay in pristine condition through each stage of manufacture, from processing right through to storage and transport.

Protective Tapes says its products are vital in protecting a product from unsightly scratches or scuffs, which can ultimately affect a manufacturer’s reputation, quality record and bottom line. The company’s facilities in slitting and rewinding are said to accommodate all narrow width requirements, with any size said to be available.

The company is the UK agent for Nitto Denko, Protec Srl and MBT Polytapes GmbH surface protection films and says that the technical know-how of its team means the right film can be chosen for a given application.

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.protective-tapes.co.uk

Solvay - 150 YEARS International chemicals group, Solvay, is celebrating 150 years in 2013. www.solvay150.com

its own robot, the Famulus, a robot with six electric motor-driven axes.

Today, KUKA produces a wide range of industrial robots, including those for automation in the plastics industry.

KUKA says its robots are suitable from processes ranging from the production of tools and dies under cleanroom conditions to labour-intensive operation as part of injection moulding systems.

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.kuka-robotics.com

KraussMaffei Group 175 years of tradition in mechanical Source: Bayerisches Wirtschaftsarchiv

KUKA celebrates 40 years of robotics KUKA Robotics is celebrating 40 years since it introduced the Famulus, the first industrial robot the company manufactured, in 1973.

KUKA says it had previously gained relevant experience through the use of robots from other manufacturers, which were hydraulically operated, however, when the demands for powerful and reliable robots from the automotive industry in particular grew ever more pressing, the company decided to develop

175 years – Having reached this impressive anniversary, the KraussMaffei Group can look back on a spectacular success story within the international mechanical engineering industry. Founded in 1838, we have been manufacturing machines and equipment exclusively for the production and processing of plastics and rubber since 1999/2000. With a recognized premium level of product quality from the KraussMaffei, KraussMaffei Berstorff and Netstal brands, as well as high innovation capacity, the KraussMaffei Group is now a world leader in the plastics and rubber industries. We look forward to continuing to be your reliable and proven partner in the future.

Further information is available at: www.kraussmaffeigroup.com

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The KraussMaffei Group is celebrating its 175th birthday this year, having been founded in Munich in March 1838.

Since 1999/2000, the KraussMaffei Group has exclusively manufactured machines and systems for the production and processing of plastics and rubber and also encompasses the KraussMaffei Berstorff and Netstal brands.

Jan Siebert, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KraussMaffei Group GmbH, said the Group could be proud of its history, stating it had “succeeded in maintaining a leading international position as an innovative mechanical engineering firm in its various fields of activity.”

“We are also renowned for our high level of expertise in technology, processes and applications. That makes us the most valued partner worldwide at the side of our customers,” he said.

The KraussMaffei Group says it is wellequipped to meet the challenges of the future, aiming to strengthen its business activity in its core markets by providing customer support and by offering added value, such as maximising the use of resources by reducing consumption of materials and energy, or increasing efficiency in the production process through the use of automation solutions.

190 years 1823 – Macintosh uses rubber gum to waterproof cotton and the ‘mac’ is born

Kreyenborg’s Headquarters in Germany

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Kreyenborg celebrates 60th Anniversary Kreyenborg, a supplier of melt filtration equipment for the plastics industry, celebrated its 60th anniversary on 1st April 2013.

The family-owned company started in 1953 with the trade of tubular grounding busses for lightning conductors and focused in 1957 on the construction of mixers for concentrates and hammer mills

This photograph shows the origins of the Maffei works in the Hirschau district of Munich and dates from around 1910.

anniversary special

KraussMaffei celebrates its 175th birthday

Today, the Group manufactures machines and systems for processing plastics and rubber on synchronised assembly lines in the Allach district of Munich and at nine other production sites

The company states it also aims to step up its presence in growth markets, particularly in the BRIC countries. “The company has always been a driver of innovation,” Siebert continued, adding that the company would be utilising its presence at K 2013 in Dusseldorf to showcase its products and processes for new and growing markets and trends.

“The KraussMaffei Group, with its high 80 years 1933 – Fawcett and Gibson at ICI discover Polyethylene before the promising plastics industry came into focus in 1965.

The current product portfolio includes melt filters, polymer melt pumps and valves. The company says that “continuous innovation, entrepreneurship, risk-taking and dedicated employees” have made it an established supplier of machinery for extrusion and polymerisation.

Kreyenborg currently has three subsidiaries within its portfolio, including underwater pelletising systems, infrared dryers and automation technology, and states that it will continue to focus on industry collaborations in order to eliminate potential problems at processrelevant interfaces.

The company says it intends to grow and expand its market position, with plans for new offices are underway.

“We thank our customers for many years of loyalty and look forward to a continued successful relationship,” commented Managing Director, Jan-Udo Kreyenborg.

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.kreyenborg.de

quality products and services portfolio as well as its innovation and solution skills, is strongly positioned to meet the challenges that lie ahead to the benefit and advantage of our customers,” Siebert concluded.

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.kraussmaffeigroup.co.uk

The PCN: Celebrating 25 years of service to the plastics industry The Plastics Consultancy Network (PCN) is celebrating 25 years of service to the plastics industry in 2013.

The network was formed in 1988, with the first meeting following Interplas on the 26th October. The concept behind the formation was to provide clients with a network of bona fide, qualified and professional plastics consultants.

We currently have 33 members at present,” current Chairman, Dr Peter Cox, told BP&R. “The next major activity is K 2013 where we will be part of the BPF group stand.”

The network says that as more companies shed their peripheral activities in order to enable them to concentrate on their core expertise, it aims to help its clients find effective solutions, actively, quickly, creatively and at minimal cost.

The current members of the PCN work within several disciplines, inlcuding materials and design; processing; secondary operations and commercial.

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.pcn.org

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anniversary SPECIAL

news FROM THE FRONT LINE The BPF at 80 – Youthful, vigorous and with

fire in its belly This month, Philip Law, Public & Industrial Affairs Director at the British Plastics Federation, writes for BP&R on how the Association is celebrating its 80th Anniversary as a leading figure in the plastics industry.

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For 80 years the BPF has acted as the voice of the United Kingdom’s plastics industry. From 1933 that voice has not only grown louder but has developed a strong international reach. Today the BPF doesn’t just communicate with UK government departments and politicians, it has a physical presence in trade fairs in China, India and the Middle East.

Additionally, it doesn’t just talk to the UK media, it populates the pages of the ‘China Plastics and Rubber Journal’ and India’s ‘Polymer Society’.

The BPF started with some 20 founding member companies, but today has grown to over 450 and is increasing year on year. The BPF has consistently provided a highly compelling case for membership as a voluntary decision. The ability to network in a legal framework with peer companies in the industry has been the bedrock of the organisation. The BPF began as an organisation for moulders but today it provides for over 20 sectoral Groups, including material and additive suppliers, moulders, rotational moulders, packaging, pipes and windows.

The latest Group is the fledgling Bio-based plastics Group. As the industry and applications for plastics have expanded, so has the coverage of the BPF. Some Groups are intimately associated with the market development of their sector, particularly the Pipes and Windows Groups with their detailed focus on industry standards. The Windows Group was originally created in 1981 to establish the credibility of plastics, the relatively new kid on the block as far as windows in

the UK were concerned, in emerging applications. The BPF’s seminars, such as REPLAST on recycling, to be held next on November 6th, provide further networking opportunities, as does the BPF Annual Dinner to be held on October 11th at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, with Brian Blessed as the guest speaker.

As the industry’s lobbying organisation the BPF has always punched above its weight both in the UK and within the EU. During the war it fought hard and successfully to have the job category of plastics technicians placed on the list of reserved occupations to prevent the industry being denuded of manpower, as able-bodied men were called up for military service. Today, the BPF has daily contact with a host of government departments ranging from the Department of Business Innovation and Skills on manufacturing issues, DEFRA on waste management, the Home Office on fire and the Food Standards Agency on plastics in contact with food. It responds to over 50 consultations per annum and has only just submitted a robust communication to BIS and to the European Commission on the Commission’s Green Paper on Plastics Waste Strategy. Recent meetings with UK politicians included a lengthy discussion with Chancellor, George Osborne, just prior to the Budget when he was visiting Albis, a BPF member firm in his constituency.

In Europe, the BPF is a leader. It is the only national organisation for plastics embracing all elements of the industry in one legal entity and this confers several competitive advantages for the UK industry, including greater economies of scale and first-rate intelligence gathering.

It means that the BPF has greater weight in its public voice and is placed in the front rank of UK industrial trade associations. BPF Director-General, Peter Davis, is on the Steering Committee of the Brussels-based European Plastics Converters Association. As Public and

Industrial Affairs Director, I am currently Chairman of EuPC’s communications committee and in the past have chaired its Environment, Standardisation and Food Contact Committees. The BPF sees EuPC as a key vehicle in developing the industry’s programme on key generic, EUwide issues such as marine litter.

Additionally, the BPF is a partner of the raw materials suppliers organisation in Brussels, PlasticsEurope, and works closely with it in the UK to advance the aims of the Plastics 2020 Challenge, which wants to see plastics out of landfill by 2020. The BPF also strongly supports the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers (ECVM), one of the sponsoring bodies for Vinyl 2010 and its successor project, VinylPlus.

The BPF is constantly endeavouring to originate new membership benefits that bring measurable, concrete results for member firms. Our Climate Change Agreement with the government has been a signal success. Not only has it saved saved 400KTS of carbon dioxide, it has saved the industry a massive amount of cash in terms of rebates received.

We are confident that well into the distant future the BPF will still be doing what is does best, seizing opportunities for both its membership and the UK plastics industry.

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.bpf.co.uk BayerMaterial Science 150 years High-tech materials company, Bayer MaterialScience, is celebrating 150 years in 2013. www.materialscience.bayer.com

Gunther UK — 25 years Hot runner supplier, Günther UK, is celebrating 25 years in 2013 www.gunther.co.uk

Molecor will present the the ISS+ at K 2013

Molecor reaches milestone as company turns eight Molecor Tecnologia, a pioneer in air based molecular orientation technology applied to pipelines for the transport of water, is celebrating eight years since it was founded in 2006.

The company is currently divided in two lines of business – Molecor Canalizaciones, which manufactures and commercialises PVC-O pipes, and Molecor Tech, which has developed a groundbreaking technology able to manufacture PVC-O pipes up to DN 800mm (30”) and 25 bar (365 psi).

The first PVC-O pipe manufactured with Molecor patented technology was produced in 2007 and measured DN 200mm.

In 2008 the range increased to DN 400mm, which was at that time the “unofficial” limit for PVC-O pipes. At K 2010 the company launched what it described as “the biggest PVC-O pipe in the world,” with tubes measuring DN 450 and DN 500 mm.

Molecor states it has come a long way in increasing the range of PVC-O pipes it produces. At present, the company says PVCO pipes are manufactured up to DN 630mm (24’’) PN25, and the technology is now ready to reach up to DN 800mm (30’’).

In 2011, and due to company expansion, an additional factory was opened in the

outskirsts of Madrid, with the aim of further improving and advancing in R&D. This year, the company plans to move to a larger facility again, which it says is in order increase its manufacturing capacity and thus to be able to give a better service to its clients.

At this year’s K Show Molecor says it will present one of its latest technological developments, the ISS+, an innovative system, with patent pending, to manufacture PVC-O pipes with Integrated Seal System, where the gasket is placed automatically inside the socket. further information: www.molecor.com

Jenco — 50 years Materials handling specialist, Jenco, is celebrating 50 years in 2013. www.jenco.co.uk

Continuum — 1 year Recycling joint venture, Continuum, is celebrating 1 year in 2013. www.continuumrecycling.co.uk

75 years 1938 – Plunkett (Dupont) discovers PTFE

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anniversary SPECIAL

Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC) celebrates its 75th Anniversary The Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC) is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year after it was incorporated in 1938 as the British Rubber Producers’ Research Association (BRPRA).

TARRC was incorporated in January 1938 as BRPRA and was established to understand rubber and mount a programme of fundamental research to achieve this aim. The objective was to increase rubber consumption and thereby increase the price of it as a commercial commodity.

BRPRA undertook pioneering work on rubber and polymer science in areas such as rubber physics and engineering products, rubber chemistry – solution behaviour, vulcanisation, oxidation and new materials from natural rubber, biology and biochemistry – morphology and synthesis and characterisation – analysis of rubber compounds, as well as physical testing.

In 1957, BRPRA became the Natural Rubber Producers’ Research Association (NRPRA) and was managed from Malaya, which became Malaysia in 1963. Whilst

fundamental work continued, there was a gradual increase in applications-oriented work.

Malaysian producers became the sole source of funding in 1973 so NRPRA became The Malaysian Rubber Producers’ Research Association (MRPRA). The emphasis on applications-oriented work continued to grow.

In 1996 the Association was renamed The Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC) and now undertakes scientific research into natural rubber, technological developments in the compounding and processing of rubbers, the design of rubber products and the improvement of service lifetime of rubber products.

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.tarrc.co.uk

75 years 1938 – Schlack discovered the synthetic fibre that became Perlon.

Chess Plastics — 45 years Injection Moulder, Chess Plastics, is celebrating 45 years in 2013 www.chessplastics.co.uk

65 years 1948 – Introduction of 12” long playing records made from PVC

Renishaw — 40 years Engineering company, Renishaw, is celebrating 40 years in 2013. www.renishaw.com

55 years 1958 – First production of polycarbonates (Bayer and GE) Ilig UK — 30 years Thermoforming equipment manufacturer, Illig UK, is celebrating 30 years in 2013. www.illig.co.uk

Duo Plastics — 25 years Packaging Manufacturer, Duo Plastics, is celebrating 25 years in 2013. www.duo-uk.co.uk

COUNTDOWN TO THE NEW DIMENSION

K 2013 / 16-23 October 2013 Düsseldorf / Germany / Hall 09, Booth C05

34 CHOOSE THE NUMBER ONE.

bp&r

Arburg celebrates 50 Years of PIM expertise Arburg recently held an international conference to celebrate 50 years of its expertise in Powder Injection Moulding (PIM). The event saw presentations from worldwide PIM experts report on industry, applications and future prospects for the process. Here, the company looks back over the history of the process since the first ceramic part was produced on an Allrounder 200 S in 1963.

further information: www.arburg.com

thread First PIM part: complex pigtail mühle, Feld pany com guide for the German 200 der oun Allr an on lded mou injection

“50 Years of Arburg PIM Expertise” was celebrated in 2013

When the first moulded part made from ceramic powder with thermoplastic binder was produced on an Allrounder injection moulding machine 50 years ago, no-one could appreciate the potential contained in this process. Many of the visions of the time have since become reality, including automotive engine valve actuation systems, components for smartphones or grinding discs for coffee machines. Compared to conventional machining processes, the injection moulding of metal and ceramic materials (MIM, CIM) offers a wide range of design possibilities. With powder injection moulding (PIM), complex parts with internal threads, gearings or undercuts can be produced efficiently and cost-effectively in high volumes.

In 1963, the history of PIM processing began at Arburg with the production of the first PIM part on an Allrounder 200 – a geometrically complex pigtail thread guide for the German company, Feldmühle, for the textile industry. Instead of plastic granulate, an injectable moulding material made from ceramic powder and a thermoplastic binder was used. This feedstock was developed in-house by Feldmühle. In the subsequent years, demand for machines suitable for powder injection moulding as well as for the process itself grew continuously.

The processing of powder materials gained further impetus when BASF introduced feedstocks at the end of the 1980s and Hoechst launched a binder system onto the market. Arburg also developed its process in a targeted manner, including with an external consultant who created feedstock recipes for customers, as well as with the creation of an in-house PIM laboratory. Together with the binder supplier, customer-specific feedstocks were developed and the injection units were adapted to the increased PIM requirements.

Upstream and downstream production steps such as material preparation, debinding, sintering and part analyses still take place today in the modern, in-house PIM laboratory.

The equipment includes a shear roller extruder, debinding systems, sintering ovens and a device for simultaneous thermal analysis. Consequently, all production steps can be tested under practical conditions.

The product range, which is produced on Allrounders, extends from micro gear wheels with an external diameter of 1.4 millimetres to ceramic cores for stationary gas turbines weighing up to two kilograms. In 1992, the first twocomponent PIM part was a hard-metal milling cutter with an internal thread made from materials with a cobalt content of six and twelve percent.

Today, PIM parts can be found in many everyday items, including watches, spectacles, smartphones, lamps and orthodontic braces. One significant advantage of the PIM process is its suitability for high-volume production. For example, intermediate levers for an automotive valve actuation system for engines in unit volumes of five million per year are produced on Allrounders.

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rubber

news Dunlop focuses on export growth as aviation industry takes flight Birmingham-based Dunlop Aircraft Tyres recently attended the Paris Air Show (June 17-23), as the French Air Force took delivery of the first production Airbus Military A400M, a transport aircraft fitted with tyres featuring new foreign object damage (FOD) resistance tyre technology it developed.

Dunlop says its new tyres feature the better sidewall FOD resistance of bias tyres, which are more suited to operations from semi and unprepared airstrips, as well as advanced materials designed to give improved protection in the tread area.

More than 170 A400M transport aircraft have been ordered by eight countries, thus adding to Dunlop’s presence within the military transport market.

The company, which is the only dedicated aircraft tyre manufacturer and retreader, exports more than 80 percent of the products it makes in the UK and

won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2011 for its international sales success.

“While the global economic environment remains challenging, we have been seeing strong export growth.

This has particularly been the case in the Far East, where we have opened a retread and new tyre distribution facility,” commented Dunlop Aircraft Tyres’ Chairman, Ian Edmondson. further information: www.dunlopaircrafttyres.com

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news d a as introduce er Group h raft ym rc ol ai P r n fo co l I t materia gh ei w r te h or new, lig bring maj it says will imise seals that eking to min se s er gn si de n to io pt nsum benefits t and fuel co gh ei w ft ra airc

New silicone rubber-based material set to bring major savings in aircraft fuel consumption Icon Polymer Group, a technology company in engineered polymer products headquartered in Retford, Nottinghamshire, has introduced a new, lighter weight material for aircraft seals that it says will bring major benefits to designers seeking to minimise aircraft weight and fuel consumption.

Offering weight reductions of around 20 percent when compared with standard silicone rubber materials, Icon Polymer says its news ICONlite low specific gravity silicone nonetheless maintains the unique mechanical and chemical properties that make silicone rubber so well suited to aerodynamic aircraft seals.

Based on a proprietary technology through which hybrid polymers can be produced to exhibit a wide range of performance attributes, Icon Polymer says ICONlite represents a major step forward in low weight seals. It is even said to allow variable densities to be tuned to the requirements of the platform.

Icon Polymer says its own research estimates a total fuel saving in the region of US$5 million (approx. £3.2 million) in one application, based on the use of ICONlite seals creating a 240kg weight saving on an aircraft flying for a total of 700,000 hours, with a cost per gallon of approx. US$3.09 (approx. £2.00) for kerosene type jet fuel.

Neil Wilkinson, Global Buisness Director at Icon Polymer Group, explained: “The unique ‘backbone’ of silicone rubber allows it to perform consistently over a wide temperature range, with excellent environmental resistance, which has over the years made it the material of choice for specifiers of seals.

“However, mindful of the ever-increasing drive to reduce aircraft weight and therefore fuel consumption, our team of engineers have applied their extensive materials knowledge to create a lighter weight solution which does not compromise on performance.

“The potential savings are massive and we are already in conversation with several leading global manufacturers and tier one suppliers about the integration of ICONlite products into their designs.” further information: www.iconpolymer.com

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rubber

RAPRA works towards a CCA for the UK Rubber Industry This month’s update from RAPRA looks at how the association is working towards a Climate Change Agreement (CCA) for parts of the Rubber Industry not covered by existing umbrella agreements and reports on both progress and challenges thus far.

After being approached by some of its members in the Rubber Industry, RAPRA is currently working on getting a CCA set up for those companies not covered by the existing agreement, which only covers tyre manufacturers.

Although RAPRA is aware previous attempts have not succeeded, the current economic situation suggests conditions may be more conducive, from industry and government perspectives.

RAPRA is trying to form a representative group of companies that would be considered an industry ‘sector’ in the eyes of the government agencies. Despite wide publicity, only a small number of companies have responded. This is puzzling, as savings of up to 80 percent on the Climate Change Levy (CCL) seem a very attractive proposition.

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RAPRA is looking at how the association is working towards a Climate Change Agreement (CCA) for parts of the Rubber Industry not covered by existing umbrella agreements

In the interest of our members and those other companies who registered interest, RAPRA is persevering and continue to engage with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

As the CCL is a Government instrument to change the energy usage habits of industry, the DECC has set the policy governing eligibility for entry into a CCA. One significant set of criteria is included in the Environment Permitting Regulations (EPR). The other route to establish eligibility is to prove that an industry ‘sector’ meets criteria, showing they are ‘Energy Intensive’.

Early on, the DECC indicated that the rubber industry sector RAPRA was representing was unlikely to be eligible under the EPR route. Studying this (complex) document further, it is clear that a distinction has been made between the activity of manufacturing new tyres and all other rubber manufacturing/processing (including tyre remoulding).

Interestingly, no such distinction is made for plastics related activities.

Surely, despite all the (usually) friendly ‘us and them’ banter between plastics and rubber fraternities, fundamentally we’re all dealing with types of polymers. Therefore, the material chemistry, processes, manufacturing plant and necessary energy consumption required are related – and for tax purposes, should arguably be considered the same.

So RAPRA is faced with a number of intriguing questions with no obvious answers, such as why previous attempts to negotiate a CCA have failed, why so few companies seem motivated to go for the attractive ‘up to 80 percent savings on CCL’ offer and whether it is justifiable that one section of the rubber industry remains isolated by so far being excluded from being part of a CCA. further information: www.rapralimited.org

news From Hair Ties to Soles: An Analysis of the Global Market for Rubber Ceresana, an international market research and consultancy company for the industrial sector, has produced a new study analysing the global rubber market, which looks at five areas including forecasts for synthetic rubbers, examining demand, evaluating application areas and profiling manufacturers.

The company says that the importance of rubbers, which are an integral part of everyday products and are indispensable in the industrial sector, can be judged from the fact that global revenues will rise to approx. US$56 billion (GBP £36.5 billion) in 2020.

Market analysts at Ceresana included the most important types of rubber in their report, inlcuding styrene butadiene rubber (SBR); polybutadiene rubber (BR); acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR); butyl rubber (IIR); ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM); polychloroprene rubber

(CR) and polyisoprene rubber (IR).

Ceresana says by far the most important type of rubber is SBR. In 2012, more than 5.4 million tonnes were processed; the second most important product is BR, which accounted for about a quarter of global market volume that year. A major application area for both types of rubber is the production of tyres, accounting for almost 70 percent of consumption. The picture discernible in regard to EPDM and NBR is different, says Ceresana, as NBR is highly resistant against oils, fats and fuels, therefore it is more often used in the manufacturing of industrial products such as hoses, cog wheels, belts, gaskets and moulded parts.

EPDM is mainly processed into gaskets, hoses and cables that are used in vehicles.

The report also looks in detail at the dominating markets for global rubber production. “In 2012, Asia-Pacific accounted for about half of global rubber consumption and roughly 47 percent of global output,” explained Oliver Kutsch, CEO of Ceresana. North America ranked second, closely followed by Western and

What’s Your

Eastern Europe. Market analysts at Ceresana expect countries in Asia-Pacific to continue to gain market shares; until 2020, demand for individual product types is expected to increase by between 2.0 and 7.7 percent per year. Among the most influential factors are the automotive industry, as well as demand for industrial products and construction material. further information: www.ceresana.com/en/MarketStudies/Plastics/SyntheticRubber

Ceresana has produced a new study analysing the global rubber market

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39 Website: www.icstemp.com Tel: 0800 774 7415

bp&r

RUBBER

A report on a technology mission to the International Rubber Conference 2013 Dr Sally Beken, a Technology Expert working with the Materials KTN Polymer Sector, has produced a report providing an overview of the papers and innovation in rubber research presented at the International Rubber Conference (IRC) 2013 that was held in Paris, France, from 20-22 March 2013. Here, we take a look at some of her key take-aways from the event.

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The International Rubber Conferences (IRCs) are held annually to promote Rubber Science and Technology and are endorsed by the International Rubber Conference Organisation (IRCO).

This years’ IRC program covered a broad range of technical and scientific aspects of research, production, development and applications of rubbers. There were over 100 oral papers and a poster session with over 20 contributions. In excess of 300 delegates attended over the three-day event. Different themes were featured during the plenary, keynote lectures and oral communications.

Two of the most interesting papers were from Hutchinson and Michelin.

Both papers discussed the future proofing for the industry.

Christian Casse, the R&D director of Hutchinson, said the company was working hard on ways to recycle rubber and on ways to produce polymer from bio-sourced materials such as those derived from fat, sugar and lignin/cellulose. There is also the possibility to use micro-organisms as molecule producers or as molecule providers. Casse mentioned recent MIT research work, which shows the future prediction of personal human transport; which is moving towards a small upright car. However Casse was keen to note that the vehicle, however small, still retains four robust wheels.

Hutchinson is also focussed on lean manufacturing and is aware of the coming need to address elastomer recycling as a major issue. When asked if is possible to achieve elastomer recycling, Casse said that within Hutchinson using methods to make rubber ‘a-polar’ improves its compatibility with other materials.

Casse talked about producing elastomer powder from recyclate and using that as a material in its own right.

The company is working to reduce raw material use and of course this has the added benefit of reducing weight, which impacts positively on fuel use. Casse showed how Hutchinson had halved the weight in an engine mount over three generations of part production.

The Director of Research at Michelin, Pierre Robert, talked of the complexity of a tyre. A tyre supports a chassis 30 times its own weight with a mere four postcard-sized contact points on the road. Bearing more weight with less material is a key driver for Michelin.

Robert highlighted that 20 percent of fuel consumption in a car is associated with the tyre’s rolling resistance, so minimising this figure is important and it has to be achieved with as little loss in wet grip as possible due to the safety considerations.

Robert brought up the topic of the Tweel, a concept that has been developed in Michelin for some years.

The Tweel is a concept between a wheel and a tyre. It is not a pneumatic product, and therefore less likely to suffer puncture issues, and for that reason is becoming more important with the huge increase in vehicles being used in nations with rapidly expanding populations and poor road surfaces. It is also very lightweight and a good product for future vehicle developments.

Robert talked about the challenges for the next decade. Currently, and for the foreseeable future, economic and regulatory pressures are exceptional issues. Lighter vehicles (by 20 or 30 percent) are required, but crash test results are still a key parameter to consider. When talking of hybrid technology, Robert thinks it is just an intermediate feature and that eventually all-electric vehicles are thought to be the future.

One of the major underlying issues which repeatedly came up at the IRC 2013 event was the issue of the scarcity of raw materials. “It will be very difficult for everyone on the planet to have a car, but we will definitely be using more cars in the future,” said Robert of Michelin. This puts a huge pressure on the supply of raw material. Michelin alone uses one million tonnes of natural rubber (NR) per annum (approaching one tenth of the worlds’ total production). NR is only available from a select few countries with the right environmental conditions, and with the growth in the Asian markets close to its source, it is likely to result in difficulties in EU countries in obtaining NR. Some predictions that NR cost will rise by 40 percent in the next three years are mooted. Michelin is looking at the potential production of rubber from dandelions in Russia, but has not got yields at the right level as yet.

IRC 2014 will be held in Beijing, China and Rubber Con 2014 will be held in Manchester, UK. further information: www.internationalrubberconfe rence.org The full paper, including observations noted by Dr Beken from some of the key presentations attended can be found at the Materials KTN website: https://connect.innovateuk.org /web/polymers Michelin, Research at f o r to exity ec ir The D f the compl rt, talked o be o at R n o e ti rr ie ta P en ring his pres of a tyre du IRC 2013

packaging materials

tel: 0845 34 54 560

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news New grades for compostable packaging launched BASF has launched two new variants of its compostable and partially bio-based plastic range to include grades suitable for thermoformed and injection moulded packaging applications.

The company says the new grades, ecovio T2308 for thermoforming and ecovio IS1335 for injection moulding, have been launched as a result of the packaging sector’s growing interest in certified compostable plastics.

For thermoforming trays and cups, ecovio T2308 is said to exhibit similar mechanical properties to those of amorphous PET, but differs by virtue of its compostability and its high content of renewable resources (polylactic acid).

BASF says the addition of ecoflex, which is its compostable polyester, accounts for the fact that the material is not too stiff or too brittle. As a result, thermoformed trays and cups are said to avoid damage during transportation and storage. The ecoflex component also ensures a balanced stiffness-tostrength ratio and sufficient lowtemperature impact strength.

The processing window for ecovio T, between 80°C and 120°C, is very broad in comparison to other plastics, says BASF. Processing can be carried out on conventional flat-film installations and at the processing speeds that are typical for

Raising the bar with compostable packaging film Innovia Films’ compostable, flexible material, NatureFlex, has been chosen for the packaging of a new range of natural energy bars.

Based in Wiltshire, UK, Fuel For Adventure Ltd says it chose NatureFlex for its Mule Bars for its compostability, as well as other benefits for packing and converting such as inherent deadfold and anti-static properties, high gloss and transparency, resistance to grease and oil, good barrier to gases, aromas and mineral oils and a wide heat-seal range.

email: sales@plastribution.co.uk

of its ecovio line BASF has launched two new grades

thermoforming. Like all ecovio grades, it is also said to comply with the stipulations for products that come into contact with food. The material is translucent and can reportedly be adequately sealed with cover films.

For injection moulding complex and high-quality packaging, BASF says ecovio IS1335 offers good stiffness. It can be processed using single-cavity or multi-cavity moulds that are equipped with or without hot runners. This material exhibits moderate flowing characteristics and is said to be dimensionally stable under heat up to 55°C. BASF says this variant lends itself well for thin-walled, complex and high-quality packaging, which should preferably be manufactured by injection

moulding and should be compostable.

With an eye towards differentiating the product on the market, BASF says the product can also be decorated by employing in-mould labelling.

In cooperation with independent institutes, BASF says it has conducted experiments on the compostability of injection-moulded test specimens.

Results show that, depending on the application, injection-moulded products made of ecovio IS1335 having wall thicknesses of as much as 1.1 mm degrade in accordance with the EN 13432 standard for compostable packaging. further information: www.basf.com

The Mule bars packaged in the compostable film

Innovia says its NatureFlex films are certified to meet the American ASTM D6400, European EN13432 and Australian AS4736 standards for compostable packaging and the renewable biobased content is typically 95 percent by weight of material according to ASTM D6866.

“Innovia Films compostable

packaging helps to meet Mule Bars customers’ needs and their own sustainability goals without compromising on shelf life and seal performance requirements,” commented Clare McKeown, Market Manager, Innovia Films. further information: www.innoviafilms.com

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New packaging film has the velvet touch Peterbrough-based KM Packaging Services has launched a new premium packaging film, which it says has a unique feel and texture.

Newly launched KM Velvet is said to be targeted towards the luxury confectionary and high-end boxed goods markets.

The company says the film is designed to help brands achieve shelf differentiation in a new style, meeting demand for standout flexible packaging that is suitable for many different treatments.

KM Velvet is available as a reverse printed heat-sealable film laminate for use on form-fill-seal or flow-wrap equipment.

Alternatively, KM Velvet can reportedly be laminated to board to provide a solution for suppliers of boxed products.

A coated polypropylene, KM Packaging Services says the new film “pushes the boundaries of premium packaging,” reflecting the current trend towards matt finishes and other unusual features.

Charles Smithson, KM Packaging Services Managing Director, said: “Confectionery brands are constantly searching for that elusive USP that will make their products stand out among the hundreds of others in the same display. Shiny gloss sleeves are giving way to matt finishes that convey an element of discreet quality, and the next stage is enhancing the visual impact with an unbeatable feel of luxury that tempts consumers to touch and pick up a particular product.

“This is a very competitive market and we expect that such a sophisticated development as KM Velvet will provide a winning point of difference to confectionery and packaging manufacturers in our existing and new markets worldwide,” he added. further information: www.kmpack.co.uk

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email: sales@plastribution.co.uk

news Materials tested to ensure compliance with EU regulations SABIC has revealed that it has retested its range of polyolefins packaging materials to ensure they are compliant with changes to European Union regulations for food contact declarations required by 2016.

The changes are intended to further increase the safety of packaged foods and the new regulations involve more stringent testing on the ways in which migration from packaging into food is tested. As these new regulations come into force over the next three years, plastics processors and packaging companies will need to seek further assurances on compliance from their materials suppliers.

EU Plastics Regulation (EU) 10/2011 (PIM) came into force on May 1, 2011, and introduces several changes to regulations embodied in Council Directive 82/711/EC, particularly with reference to testing conditions for migration of individual chemicals and in what can be used in the tests to simulate actual foods.

There are changes to the duration of some tests, to the temperatures at

New homopolymer PP for performance packaging Polychim has launched a new homopolymer polypropylene (PP) for packaging applications.

The new product is said to offer high quality aesthetics and faster throughput to converters.

Polychim’s homopolymer PP grade, HA31XTF, draws on the unique benefits of Milliken’s nucleating innovation, Hyperform HPN-600ei, to overcome the performance trade-offs associated with conventional nucleated PP homopolymers in thermoforming applications.

Hyperform HPN-600ei is said to stimulate an improvement in the aesthetics of final parts, achieving superior transparency and reduced yellowing for thermoformed goods compared to traditional nucleated homopolymers.

As a result, Polychim claims

which some tests are carried out and to the simulants for aqueous and alcoholic products inside the packaging.

However, the new regulation will not become compulsory until January 1, 2016. In the meantime, it sits alongside existing food contact legislation.

For PE and PP, SABIC says it has already assessed all substances regulated with a Specific Migration Limit (SML) under the new conditions (10 days at 60°C). Its tests showed that none of its PE or PP materials would be subject to additional restrictions for use in food contact applications.

“This is a clear demonstration of the company’s commitment to the packaging market, which accounts for close to a third of all its polymer sales in Europe,” said Mark Vester, Business Director for LL/LDPE at SABIC. Food contact legislation in Europe is based on the principle that all substances are forbidden unless they are explicitly allowed. As far as migration from the package to the contents is concerned, there are strict limits on specific migration (SML, relating to individual chemicals) and overall migration (OML, the sum of all specific migrations).

Polychim’s new grade for thermofomring.

Credit: Milliken & Company

packaging materials

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HA31XTF outperforms its previous conventional nucleated homopolymer for thermoforming through better haze and less yellowing.

HA31XTF is said to offer balanced physical properties, including favourable stiffness/impact balance and isotropic shrinkage behaviour that avoids warpage. The combination of

While there is no formal obligation for them to execute migration tests, all manufacturers of plastics raw materials have to provide a Document of Conformity (DoC) to their direct customer, providing confirmation that the material meets the relevant legal requirements. Additionally, they have to disclose the identity of monomers and additives, regulated with an SML and/or QM restriction, as well as the identity of ‘dual-use’ additives, and they have to provide information on restrictions of use if relevant. further information: www.sabic.com Companies in the food packaging chain using polyolefins (polyethylenes and polypropylenes) can now access SABIC’s new food safety and compliance declarations

Polychim’s resin technology with the high crystallisation temperature and isotropic shrinkage behavior provided

by Milliken’s nucleator is said to give the possibility for thermoformers to improve productivity by up to 10 percent and reduce costs.

Polychim says for converters, the package of combined benefits means a new opportunity to achieve desired quality benefits plus more cost-efficient production based on faster production cycles. The grade is aimed at clear PP and opaque thermoformed applications such as food packaging.

“Through listening to our customers it became clear that there was a definite gap in the PP homopolymer market for a solution offering both better production cycle times and enhanced end-product quality,” said Bo Oxfeldt, responsible for the European and North American PP business. further information: www.milliken.com www.polychim-industrie.com

www.plastribution.co.uk Case study: Safety first for food processing and packaging As food manufacturers must be in a position to ensure the freedom of their end products from any form of contamination at all times, the detection of foreign bodies during the manufacturing process plays a key role.

Engineering plastics manufacturer, Ensinger, has announced the availability of its semi-finished product Tecamid 6 ID blue, a further part of its speciality food plastics range.

Like other materials from its ID product line, the new polyamide product comes with a detectable filler, whereby if a component made of this material should be damaged during the production process, any fragments present can be identified using metal detectors. The material’s blue colour is also said to provide easy optical detection.

It is the third product in Ensinger’s range of ID materials, with the others being Tecapeek ID blue and Tecaform AH ID. In comparison to the two other detectable materials, Tecamid 6 ID blue is said to be characterised by significantly higher toughness, further minimising the risk of material fracture.

The company says all three of these ID products conform to the requirements of the food industry and are tested to EU Regulation no. 10/2011. The materials also reportedly fulfil FDA requirements.

Ensinger says in plant and equipment used to process and package foods, many machine components are already capable of being replaced by ID plastics. Fields of application are said to vary from dairy technology through meat processing to bakery technology. In every field of application, Ensinger says the weight reduction made possible by using these materials equates to tangible energy and cost savings.

Vistamaxx PBE shows strength in plastic bottles LH Plus Sdn. Bhd., a manufacturer of consumer plastic products based in Malaysia, has turned to Vistamaxx propylene-based elastomer (PBE) from ExxonMobil Chemical to improve the impact strength and maintain the clarity of its new sports drink bottles made with random copolymer polypropylene (RCP).

LH Plus says it transitioned from using 100 percent RCP to manufacture drink bottles after experiencing some product testing failures. While there was no breakage during manufacturing using RCP, LH Plus states some issues occurred during end-use simulation testing.

LH Plus was exploring the addition of an impact modifier to strengthen the bottle, so that the breakage issue could be resolved without modifying the tooling and chose Vistamaxx PBE as a modifier to tailor, enhance and balance the properties

of the RCP to meet the needs of the application.

The company ultimately selected five percent Vistamaxx 3000 PBE for bottles larger than 590ml and say the bottles are stronger and clarity is maintained, with the required impact strength.

“Using Vistamaxx propylene-based elastomer (PBE) has increased the impact strength of the sports drink bottles compared to RCP,” said Mr. Callum Chen, Chief Executive Officer, LH Plus. “We are now able to confidently manufacture them to our customer’s highest standards.

“Vistamaxx PBE is easy to process. We dry blend the Vistamaxx PBE with the RCP before we injection mould and then blow mould the bottles,” said Mr. Chen. “There has been no change to our tooling or moulding process and we are manufacturing an excellent product.” further information: www.exxonmobilchemical.com

further information: www.ensinger.co.uk already the third Tecamid 6 ID blue is join the Ensinger to ial detectable mater portfolio semi-finished product

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For this role we are looking for an enthusiastic Engineering Maintenance Manager with practical experience of managing people, processes and budgets. You will provide maintenance and technical support to Mould Operations in order to achieve departmental goals and business plan targets.

Mould Maintenance Manager Salary Up to £44,500 per annum – Relocation Package Location Banbury, Oxfordshire The Role: • To develop the maintenance programme and equipment to utilize resources to the best effect.

• Assign costs and labour to maintenance tasks and manage to targeted levels.

• Line management of the maintenance and engineering teams, including training & development, performance reviews and succession planning.

• Plan, manage and execute waste and oil reduction plans across all machinery, reporting weekly progress.

• Improve plant uptime and availability through KPI’s and action plans.

Continuous improvement projects to improve departmental performance on safety, uptime, availability, maintenance, equipment modifications, plant, error proofing, technical systems, processes and cost down opportunities.

The Person: • Extensive maintenance experience within an Injection Moulding environment • Stock management experience • Excellent leadership and motivation skills • Preventative maintenance and systems

Are you a Quality Engineer with practical experience of co-ordinating and communicating Quality issues throughout the company as well as dealing with and resolving Customer queries?

If so, this role might be the next career step for you.

Customer Quality Engineer Salary Up to £35,000 per annum – Relocation Package Location Banbury, Oxfordshire The Role: • Maintain Customer relationship via ongoing liaison and support.

• Support new product launches & transfers for customer product lines.

• Facilitate timely response to open customer issues, ensure internal and external documentation are produced and maintained in response.

• Ensure product and process audits are performed regularly and any noncompliance addressed.

• Prepare and present pertinent data to management via weekly quality report/reviews.

• Work with SQA to resolve supplier related issues affecting production or customer quality.

• Support ISO/TS quality system requirements as per the Quality manual.

The Person: • Minimum 3 years Quality Engineering or related experience in an automotive environment • Full valid UK driving licence for visiting customers • Good communication and negotiation skills • HNC / IQA (Internal Quality Assurance) qualified • Knowledge of quality standards • Demonstrable knowledge of pertinent Quality Systems TS 16949 • Good problem solving skills and continuous improvement techniques

We are looking for an innovative Injection Moulding Engineer to optimise mould production processes on current tooling and new projects to ensure consistent quality and delivery.

Process Engineer Salary Up to £40,000 per annum – Relocation Package Location Banbury, Oxfordshire The Role: • Optimise process on current production to ensure best possible cycle times and quality.

• Support and advise start ups where issues exist.

• Conduct trials to process new product ranges.

• Maintain documented evidence of process trials to validate optimised processes.

• Check the MSTS (Manufacturing Support Tracking System) to identify processes that require reviewing.

• Update and publish process standard conditions as required.

• Record all process changes on log sheet to ensure traceability and support analysis.

• Attend internal meetings and toolmakers trials to review tooling plans and progress as required.

• To support all reasonable requests in line with the position.

The Person: • A good knowledge of injection moulding tools and how they work • Hands on flexible approach to ensure smooth production flow • Self-motivated and focussed team worker able to follow formal procedures • Ability to work under pressure on own initiative • Computer literate with good communication skills • Full valid UK driving licence, willingness and ability to travel for engineering meetings, both in the UK and abroad as required

Are you looking for a new challenge within a Mould environment?

If so, we have an opportunity for a Quality Manager or Engineer to co-ordinate Quality activities within the Mould Department.

Mould Quality & Project Launch Manager Salary Up to £40,000 per annum – Relocation Package Location Banbury, Oxfordshire The Role: • To develop the Quality System and quality structure within Mould Operations.

• To ensure the department achieves its quality KPI targets.

• To ensure the department complies with TS16949 quality system requirements.

• To drive continous improvement within Mould Operations quality.

• To ensure newly launched projects are introduced in a systematic manner and optimised ready for production.

The Person: • Previous experience as an Injection Mould Shop Quality Manager or minimum of 5 years in a Senior Quality Engineer role • High level of experience in process control and process improvement within Injection Moulding • Knowledge of quality standards including TS 16949 and customer requirements • Ability to develop a full quality system within Mould operations • Use of continuous improvement tools (i.e. six sigma)

To apply please email your CV including your current package to recruitment.sybex@eu.magna.com.

For more information please contact the HR Department on 00 44 1295 222 597.

All applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.

www.magna.com

‘Green’ umbrellas go down a storm

By Mark Wynne An umbrella made only from polypropylene (PP) claims to be the ‘world’s first’ eco-sustainable umbrella.

The Ginkgo umbrella, which has won a James Dyson Award, is the brainchild of Italians Federico Venturi, Gianluca Savalli and Marco Righi and is said to be 100 percent recyclable.

Righi says the inspiration behind the Ginkgo came from the desire to make an umbrella that is flexible, but doesn’t break.

“At the beginning we thought about using PET as it is known to be hard, strong and recyclable,” Righi told BP&R. He continued: “Our design was inspired by the hinges used by Bosch on its drill cases, in use during the ‘80s. They are composed by two halves made in a single piece, injection moulded, with a self-hinge in the middle constituted by a thin constriction, able to bend without losing functionality.

“Polypropylene is the only material suitable for this kind of application, so this was our final choice.”

Other benefits of using PP for this project include its resistance to mechanical stress and chemical agents, flexibility, rigidity and light weight (the umbrella weighs in at 250g). The assembly procedure needs no screws or pivots, as all the couplings are use snap-fit joints.

The umbrella is completely recyclable and even the injection moulding process is environmentally friendly, says Righi, as all the polypropylene scraps from production will be recycled and reused to make more umbrellas.

The Ginkgo is made by suppliers with certification like ISO 140001 in order to guarantee environmental protection, however, Righi says this isn’t the only way a Ginkgo can be ‘green’.

Because it is made using injection moulding, the umbrella can An umbrella made only from polypropylene (PP) claims to be the ‘world’s first’ eco-sustainable umbrella.

come in a plethora of colour combinations, with the possibility to have every single component in a different colour.

The use of a single plastic for the whole end product reportedly reduces production steps by 80 percent and uses just one sixth of the parts of a traditional umbrella.

When asked about the recyclability of the umbrella, Righi said: “You can throw your Ginkgo into your ‘normal’ recycling bin, but we are starting to work on a project with the aim to create a recovery system.

“Through this system, people can return their Ginkgo directly to us, which we hope will generate a virtuous circle that will massively reduce the impact of these umbrellas on the environment.”

The project took to crowdfunding website, Indiegogo, to receive the funding needed to produce its first line of umbrellas.

The funding, which at the time of printing stands at over 115,400 USD (approx. £75,000 GBP), has far surpassed the initial $30,000 (approx. £20,000 GBP) requirement.

This will cover the whole production line’s setup costs and production of the first batch of umbrellas, due in November 2013, which the Indiegogo contributors will receive.

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School recycling project turns bottles to benches Barratt Homes recently teamed up with London-based recycling and waste management company, Powerday, to help school children celebrate Recycle Week (17th – 23rd June) with an initiative that saw plastic milk bottles exchanged for garden furniture made entirely from recycled plastic bottles.

The initiative saw 14 schools challenged to collect as many plastic bottles as possible for recycling in a bin provided by Powerday. After a fortnight, the bins full of empty milk bottle containers were removed by Powerday and replaced by brightly coloured benches and picnic tables made from the recycled plastic milk bottles.

Gary Ennis, Southern Region Managing Director for Barratt Developments said: “Barratt Homes is committed to recycling at our

TEL : 01270 766 300

Pupils from Furze Platt Junior School in Maidenhead with their new bench.

reclamation & recycling

news

developments and see sustainability as an extremely important issue. The Recycle Week activity has been a fun and interesting way to teach younger people about the importance of recycling and we hope that it will inspire the pupils to continue recycling in the future.”

Powerday is responsible for managing the construction and demolition waste for Barratt Homes from sites in the Southern Region. The companies have been working

together since 2010 to achieve Barratt Homes’ environmental targets.

Simon Little, Sales and Marketing Director at Powerday said: “We are very pleased to deliver this Recycle Week challenge with Barratt Homes and to help children understand both the importance of recycling and the benefits of doing so.” further information: www.powerday.co.uk

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Coca-Cola Enterprises announces recycling study Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) has announced it is to undertake a study on UK recycling rates.

The study, undertaken in conjunction with the University of Exeter, will observe 10 households over a six-month period with the aim of finding out why recycling rates are so low despite people expressing beliefs towards recycling.

Preliminary research by YouGov suggests that 76 percent of British consumers claim to “always” recycle plastic bottles at home and 64 percent view recycling as a “moral and environmental duty”.

However, actual rates do not reflect the results of the aforementioned survey, therefore resulting in unnecessary waste and a shortage in recycled PET for manufacturers.

The results of the study, supported by CCE’s ‘Recycle for the Future’ campaign, will be shared with local authorities, NGOs and other businesses with the aim of collectively developing solutions to help improve recycling rates.

Dr. Stewart Barr of the University of Exeter said: “Our team has been working on pro-environmental behaviour change for many years. People say they want to be environmentally friendly and want to recycle, but in many cases, they don’t.” further information: www.cokecce.co.uk

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rprises Coca-Cola Ente ced it un no an s ha (CCE) study a e is to undertak tes. ra ing cl cy on UK re

Time is running out to deliver on targets, says CEO With the next General Election scheduled for May 2015, plastics recycler, Closed Loop Recycling, says time is running out for the implementation of the measures needed by the waste and recycling industry to deliver on the Government’s recycling targets.

While the Government plans the next 12 months of legislation, Closed Loop Recycling CEO, Chris Dow, and a number of key industry figures are keen to see the Government acting more quickly to deliver on its pledge to be the ‘greenest administration in history’. They fear that not only will the Government’s targets not be met, but the UK recycling industry risks slipping behind its European competitors to offer the best recycling capabilities in Europe.

Dow says China’s current ‘green fence’ policy, which is having a knock-on effect on PRN/PERN values, further highlights the need for the UK to tidy up its own act quickly and revise outdated legislation in order for the UK industry to thrive.

“The current situation in China and the impact it is having here in the UK, particularly in relation to PERNs, speaks volumes about the inadequacies of our existing legislation. As it currently stands, British packaging companies are subsidising the export of valuable recyclate, which should be going back into British packaging and back on the shelves of British retailers. The results are less British infrastructure, less British jobs and greater reliance on unreliable international markets. Legislation needs to change to rectify this,” he commented.

“We and our industry colleagues have spent considerable amounts of time in the last few years lobbying government, responding to consultations and supporting various reviews from DEFRA. We have been encouraged by all this interest and commitment from government but we are concerned that the required corrections and improvements to waste regulation will not be achieved by the end of this current year’s legislative programme. After that time, we’ll be entering General Election territory and who knows what will happen then.”

Dow says that the industry itself has more than stepped up to the mark, with investors and funding having developed the infrastructure to deliver on the targets, but believes that if there is not prompt action to address the loopholes and unintended consequences of current regulations, the potential to develop the UK industry will be lost to overseas markets.

Dow added: “Our recycling industry is critical to this country’s economic recovery and the UK cannot move out of recession without supporting green industries. Many tens of thousands of jobs are involved.” further information: www.closedlooprecycling.co.uk

Chris Dow, Closed Loop Recycling’s CEO

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Planning ahead could mean pound signs for the plastics industry This month’s update from Smart Currency looks at the importance of implementing a robust currency strategy when preparing for foreign business transactions around international shows and exhibitions, trading with overseas markets or exporting into new territories.

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With the countdown firmly on to the K Show in Dusseldorf, Germany, many plastics businesses are busy finalising their preparations, including the implementation or revision of their currency strategy – both for the visit itself and the new business opportunities that hopefully eventuate.

The most effective currency strategies are not simply drafted and then left forgotten about in a drawer – they are actively pursued and regularly updated in order for a business to maximise efficiencies and contain risks as much as possible.

Currency markets have been relatively subdued for the past month or so compared to extreme volatility observed during times of political and economic turbulence, such as in the aftermath of the messy Cyprus bailout and inconclusive Italian election. Sterling and the Euro, while staying on the move as currencies always do, have avoided significant movements against each other in recent weeks.

The US dollar, however, has seen a notable strengthening, given the apparent resurgence – although still modest – of meaningful growth in the world’s biggest economy, even in spite of the hefty spending cuts imposed earlier in the year.

The current situation is, however, unlikely to last through to the show, let alone longer term. Between now and K Show’s opening day on October 16, Canadian Mark Carney has become the first non-British Governor of the Bank of England; Germany will head to a general election, with expectations of a tight contest for Chancellor Angela Merkel; and speculation over when the US Federal Reserve will begin gradually removing its quantitative easing stimulus is already causing concerns.

One major side effect of each of these events will inevitably be volatility on the

The currency markets are expected to experience some volatility by the nature of some key events due to take place in the coming months The K Show is due to start in Dusseldorf in October 2013. Credit: Messe Duesseldorf

currency markets. Each has the potential to drastically shake up the status quo, for better or worse, and with economic sentiment still fragile the world over, uncertainty about change is translating into wild currency movements. However, combine all three in the space of several months, and the stage is set for a dramatic production to unfold.

Businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the impact such exchange rate movements can have when buying and selling machinery, services or raw materials. However they also have the potential to impact other expenses – such as transport, accommodation and administrative costs when travelling to events such as K Show, as well as setting up new business opportunities abroad.

Matthew Sydenham, Managing Director of materials supplier, Imagro UK,

explained: “We need to make sure that we’re constantly focused on limiting our losses. We do this by setting a target exchange rate for each month that we would like to achieve. If we have time, Alex Bennett, Head of Sales at Smart Currency, will lock in the rate with a Forward Contract or he will watch the rate until it reaches a satisfactory level that we are happy to trade at.”

If your business could use specialist advice in devising a currency strategy, call Smart Currency today on 0845 638 0571, or download Smart Currency’s Treasury Management report for help with all aspects of budgeting for international trade. further information: www.smartcurrencybusiness.com /bpr

software directory manufacturing management directory ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING Solarsoft Mattec Real-time MES (Microsoft Windows™ PC Servers & “Web Based”) Solarsoft Business Systems MEI Division (Europe) T: +44 (0)1909 479 886 E: andy.jewell@solarsoft.com Modules: Production Monitoring, “Drag and Drop”, Scheduling/Planning, “Family Moulding”, Preventative Maintenance, Bar Coding/Parts, Trace-ability, Operator Visual Aids, Process Parameter Profiling, Email/Tannoy Alerts, Stand-alone, “Drag and Drop” Scheduler, Standalone, SPC “Machine Analyzer”, Machine Energy, Monitoring, KPI Dash-boards, Visual Manufacturing (Large LED/LCD Displays), Automatic Data Import/Export Functions (for Integration to Manufacturing Systems &Other Software Packages).

Solarsoft iVP ERP SAAS Manufacturing Software (for Plastics’ Processors) Solarsoft Business Systems T: +44 (0)1909 479 886 E: andy.jewell@solarsoft.com Solarsoft’s iVP ERP (SAAS) software for the plastics’ converting industry covers the full range of back office operations from on-line and off-line sales and quotations to production planning, inventory management and finance through to logistics, ware-housing and distribution. It seamlessly integrates with Solarsoft-Mattec’s Real-time MES to provide a single system that offers a complete quote-to-cash solution for the plastics’ industry.

REAL TIME PRODUCTION MONITORING, SCHEDULING AND PROCESS MONITORING intouch T: 01604 646144 F: 05601 506253 E: enquiries@ intouchmonitoring.com Real-time production monitoring systems. Designed to be easy to use and providing affordable solutions to all sizes of businesses. Production monitoring, scheduling, reporting, data import/export, databases for parts, tools and operators, integration with other software packages.

ProHelp EPM (for Microsoft Windows™ PC Servers) Mattec Ltd T: 01909 561544 F: 01909 560675 E: a.jewell@mattec.com Real-time Modules: Production Monitoring, ‘Drag and Drop’ Scheduling/Planning, Preventative Maintenance, Bar Coding/Parts Traceability, Operator Visual Aids, Process Parameter Profiling, Pager/Tannoy Alerts, Stand-alone ‘Drag and Drop’ Scheduler, Standalone SPC Machine Analyzer, Automatic Data Import/Export Functions (for integration to Manufacturing Systems and other software packages).

PlantMaster BMS Vision Ltd T: 01254 662244, E: sales.bla@visionbms.com Website: www.visionbms.com/ plastics.

Affordable and flexible MES system for the plastics/rubber industry. Real-time production monitoring features wireless data units and OPC Ethernet machine connections. “Drag & drop” job scheduling supports frame/insert level family tooling plus KAN BAN. ERP system integration, SPC/SQC, Touch Screen Data Units, Machine Maintenance, Operator Tracking, Traceability, DNC, Energy Monitoring, Bar Coding, Pager Alerts.

Easy to use systems from a €600m company with over 30 years experience.

SYSCON-PlantStar MTec Services Ltd T: 0114 2476267 F: 0114 2476267 E: mt@mtec-services.co.uk W: www.mtec-services.co.uk W: www.syscon-intl.com PlantStar systems provide customised, scalable applications that deliver real-time plant floor data from any machine, shift, and plant anywhere in your business.

Affordable systems available for all size of processor.

Browser-based software and hardware, and wireless ethernet technology make for highly versatile and configurable systems providing information wherever needed. Standard systems include real-time alarms, downtime & reject analysis, capacity scheduling, ERP integration and more. With options including SPC/SQC, Labour tracking and Scheduling, Family Tooling, Material traceability, bar-coding.

A listing in the Software Directory costs £140 per programme per year.

Call Lisa on 01244 680222 for details.

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buyers’ guide

materials

colour masterbatch

conductive plastics and coatings

InControl Ultrasonics Ltd (FFR Ultrasonics Ltd)

The Swan Centre, 8A Swan Street, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7NW T: 01509 816507 E: enquiries@ffr-ultrasonics. co.uk W: www.ffr-ultrasonics.co.uk

TBA Electro Conductive Products Ltd Unit 3 Transpennine Trading Estate Gorrells Way, Rochdale, OL11 2PX T: 01706 647718 F: 01706 646170 E: info@tbaecp.co.uk W: www.tbaecp.co.uk

mould release

FOR SALE

Telsonic UK Ltd

12a - 15 Birch Copse, Technology Road, Poole, Dorset BH17 7FH T: 01202 697340 F: 01202 693674 E: sales@uk.telsonic.com W: www.telsonic.co.uk Blog:wwwtelsonicuk.wordpress.com

vibration welding Branson Ultrasonics

CNC ASSEMBLY MACHINES

Units 3E + 3F, Hillam Road Industrial Estate, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD2 1QN T: 01274 731552 F: 01274 738118 E: sales@eclipsecolours.com W: www.eclipsecolours.com Polymer Specific and Universal Colour and Additive Masterbatches. Fastmatch colour matching service.

1 mm Easysperse MicroPellets to 4 mm MaxiPellets.

Standards second to none.

Reheat Stretch Blow Moulding Machine (PET) Make: Sidel, France Type: SBO 24/24 Year: 1994 - Preform Tipper, Hopper / Elevator, Infeed Rail - Oven & Heating Wheel - Electrical Cabinet (Siemens S5) - Operating manuals

For further details: 01925 596170 – 07838138342 Email: douglastrading@gmail.com

masterbatch

equipment AEROSOLS

Cannon Shelley UK agents for Belotti 5 axis CNC machines T: 01480 453651 F: 01480 52113 E: sales@cannon-shelley.co.uk W: www.cannonforma.com W: www.belotti.com W: www.shelley.biz

assembly hot plate welding Branson Ultrasonics 158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.branson-plasticsjoin.com Machine Techniques Ltd Units 3-5, Sutton Court, Bath Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire LE16 9EW T: 01858 434059 F: 01858 433638 E: davidchatterton@ymail.com W: www.mactec.co.uk

158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.branson-plasticsjoin.com

chillers/temperature controllers Motan Colortronic Ltd

Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

thermocouples Elmatic (Cardiff) Ltd Wentloog Road, Rumney, Cardiff CF3 1XH T: 029 20 778727 F: 029 20 792297 E: sales@elmatic.co.uk W: www.elmatic.co.uk

spin welding Branson Ultrasonics 158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.branson-plasticsjoin.com

pulse staking H.T.E Engineering Services Ltd Unit 9, St Ives Enterprise Centre, St Ives, Huntingdon Cambridgeshire, UK, PE27 3NP T: +44 (0) 1480 467321 M: +44 (0) 7435 967632 E: john@hte.ie W: www.pulsestaker.com

control systems and equipment

ultrasonic plastics assembly systems

quality monitoring control Kistler Instruments Ltd

polymer distributors

T: 01256 741550 F: 01256 741551 E: sales.uk@kistler.com W: www.kistler.com Pressure transducers and associated monitoring/control equipment for new and existing injection moulding applications.

ancillary

FLEXIBLE POLYMERS RIGID POLYMERS ADDITIVES PURGING SOLUTIONS

52 bp&r

C.J.P. Sales Ltd, 8 Heol West Plas, Litchard, Bridgend CF31 1PA

Tel: 01656 644907 Fax: 01656 662 397 Email: sales@cjpsales.co.uk Web: www.cjpsales.co.uk

Branson Ultrasonics 158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.branson-plasticsjoin.com

ultrasonic welding

For Temperature Control Rental turn to the experts • FLUID CHILLERS • BOILERS • AIR CONDITIONING • HEATING • DRY COOLERS/ FREE COOLING

0800 026 4717 Rental Systems

Dosing equipment

Motan Colortronic Ltd Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

LABORATORY machines

PLASTICOLOR B A Thorne (Machinery) Ltd 19A Imex Business Centre, Oxleasow Road, East Moons Moat, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 0RE T: 01527 584714 F: 01527 584784 E: bat@bathorne.co.uk W: www.bathorne .co.uk

ROTOR WHEEL DRYERS

hopper dryers

The New Industry Standard Up to 70% Energy Saving Low regeneration No Chilled Water No Compressed Air Temp. range 55-180Ë&#x161;C 5 Year Warranty

E info@summitsystems.co.uk W www.summitsystems.co.uk T 01827 265 800

GATE CUTTERS

printing machines

dryers/dehumidifiers

pad

Motan Colortronic Ltd Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

hot runner systems hot runner controllers

hopper loaders Motan Colortronic Ltd Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

extrusion systems

screws and barrels

heating equipment infra red systems

mixing, feeding, drying Motan Colortronic Ltd

Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

extruders and downstream equipment Cooper Plastics Machinery Unit 12, Harmill Industrial Estate, Grovebury Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 4FF T: 01525 850610 F: 01525 218008 E: cooperplastics@googlemail.com W: www.cooperplastics.co.uk Extruders, extrusion tooling, water baths, haul-offs, fly knife cutters, conveyors/tip tables, in-line punches, coilers etc. New and used. Repairs, servicing or rebuilds.

UK agent for Lyons Electronics.

Injection Moulding

metal detection & separation equipment Motan Colortronic Ltd

Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

nozzles & nozzle tips

granulators

induction heating for platens and tools MF Induction Heating Unit 5, Martindale, Hawks Green, Cannock, Staffs, WS11 7XN Replacement Coils New platens T: 01543 570642 F: 01543 574460 E: sales@mfinduction.com W: www.mfinduction.com BS EN ISO9001: 2000 registered.

BS EN ISO9001:2008

materials handling and storage gravimetric/volumetric blending Motan Colortronic Ltd Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

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buyers’ guide static control

parts & services

Arrowquint Ltd Unit 5 Sanders Close, Finedon Road Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire NN8 4HQ T: 08450 655455 F: 08450 655456 E: sales@arrowquint.co.uk W: www.arrowquint.co.uk Static control solutions, equipment sales and rental, repairs and on-site servicing.

UK/Eire agent for Eltex – market leaders in static control systems.

testing equipment

RIDAT COMPANY

SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE. COMPETITIVE PRICE.

WANTED printers printers of plastic mouldings

WANTED PLASTIC SCRAP

UK manufacturer of Thermoforming & Pressure Forming Equipment, including Blister & Skin Packaging machines For more information or to order our sales brochure please contact us:

T: 0845 050 6525 or E: info@ridat.com www.ridat.com

screen changers Industrial Plastics Ltd Unit 13 Canterbury Industrial Park, 297 Ilderton Road, London, SE15 1NP T: 020 7252 9600 F: 020 7252 9601 E: sales@ipl-london.co.uk W: www.ipl-london.co.uk

secondhand and reconditioned ANGLO PLASTICS LTD Buy/Sell Used Plastics Machinery Rutland Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 1HX T: +44 (0) 1276 470910 T: +44 (0) 7740 632907 E: information@ angloplastics.com W: www.angloplastics.com DM Machinery Ltd Used Injection Moulding Machine Stockists 40 Thorne Lane, Wakefield West Yorkshire, WF1 5RR T: 01924 290206 E: sales@dmmachinery.co.uk W: www.dmmachinery.co.uk

DTL Machines We Buy / Sell all Makes, Age and Sizes of Injection Moulding Machines & Ancillaries Tool room machines and also complete factories / plants Factory Clearance Services Dismantling / Removal of obsolete plant and machinery T: 01925 596170 M: 07838138342 E: douglastrading@gmail.com Plasplant Ltd Unit 4, Oakhanger Farm, Oakhanger, Bordon, Hants GU35 9JA T: 01420 473013 F: 01420 475152 E: plasplant@aol.com W: www.plasplant.com Rawmec (EEC) Ltd Rawmec Industrial Park, Plumpton Road, Hoddesdon, Herts EN11 0EE T: 01992 471796 F: 01992 471797 E: rawmec@btconnect.com W: www.rawmec.com

54 bp&r

TransXL International Ltd Thornhill, South Marston, Wiltshire SN3 4TA T: 01793 827666 F: 01793 823826 E: sales@transxl.co.uk W: www.transxl.co.uk

Ray Ran Test Equipment Ltd Kelsey Close, Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 6RS T: 024 763 42002 F: 024 766 41670 E: Polytest@ray-ran.com W: www.ray-ran.com

WATER FITTINGS

We are looking to purchase LDPE post production scrap.

Can take over 100 Tonne a week.

Payment terms: COD T: 0121 328 5222 F: 0121 328 3555 E: sales@bsplastics.co.uk

injection moulding

hardness - IRHD and shore MAPRA Technik Co — BAREISS Unit D13 The Seedbed Centre, Langston Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 3TQ T: 020 8508 4207 F: 020 8502 5107 E: info@mapra.co.uk W: www.mapra.co.uk

ACQUISITION

Tensile|Fatigue| Impact Compression|Melt Flow Coronation Road, High Wycombe, Bucks HP12 3SY, UK Tel: +44 1494 464646

www.instron.com

Injection Moulding Business Wanted T/O between £100,000 and £1.5million.

Contact in the strictest confidence, Joe Reeve, Data Plastics Ltd Email joe.reeve@dataplastics.co.uk Phone 01993 700777

EXTRUSION FLOW ANAYLYSIS Fleming Polymer Testing & Consultancy Unit 326, Hartlebury Trading Estate, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, DY10 4JB T: 01299 253300 E: enquiries@flemingptc.co.uk W: www.flemingptc.co.uk Compuplast bureau service & distributor

inspection & measurement MAPRA Technik Co – MARCEL AUBERT – DOSS – KAFER Unit D13 The Seedbed Centre, Langston Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 3TQ T: 020 8508 4207 F: 020 8502 5107 E: info@mapra.co.uk W: www.mapra.co.uk

thermoforming equipment Cannon Shelley Sales and service for thermoforming equipment T: 01480 453651 F: 01480 52113 E: sales@cannon-shelley.co.uk W: www.cannonforma.com W: www.shelley.biz

Total Print Ltd Specialist Pad Printers Station Road, Gedney Hill, Lincolnshire PE12 0NP T: 01406 330122 F: 01406 330123 E: info@totalprintltd.com W: www.totalprintltd.com Sub-contract printers pad to the plastics industry

testing/consultancy

services World leader in Materials Testing Instrumentation

TAMPO.SCREEN.FOIL Contour Marking Co Ltd Albert house, Gledrid Industrial Park, Chirk ,Wrexham, LL14 5DG T: 01691 770093 F: 01691 770023 Sub Contract Tampo, Screen & Foil Printing to the plastic moulding industry E: sales@contourmarking.com W: www.contourmarking.com

mouldflow analysis

Contract cleaning Injection Moulding Extrusion • • • • • •

Hot Runners Nozzles Moulds Dies Filters Screws Cleaning service for processors Remove all polymers Tel:- +44 121 511 1203 Fax:- +44 121 511 1192 Email:- LesH@claytonholdings.com Web:- www.claytonholdings.com

Fleming Polymer Testing & Consultancy, Unit 326 Hartlebury Trading Estate, Kidderminster, Worcs, DY10 4JB T: 01299 253300 E: enquiries@flemingptc.co.uk W: www.flemingptc.co.uk An independent ISO9001 accredited laboratory specilising in Rheometry, TGA, DSC, MFR/MVR, Pilot-scale blown film line, flow simulation, Consultancy.

Gammadot Rheology Testing & Consultancy Services Unit 5C, Leaton Industrial Estate, Bomere Heath, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 3AP T: 01939 291677 E: enquiries@gammadot.com W: www.gammadot.com Providing independant testing solutions to all your quality control, failure analysis & flow simulation data needs

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- manual mechanical, - automatic hydraulic, - innovative magnetic.

rk - Hortonwood 30 - Te elford - TF1 7ET Shropshire - UNITED KINGDOM Stäubli (UK) Ltd - Lodge Park Mail: connectors.uk@staubli.com - Phone: +44 1952 671918 - Fax: +44 1952 608579

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Stephanie Works, Chinley, SK23 6BT t: 01663 750221 f: 01663 751877 www.vinylcompounds.co.uk