BP&R May 2012

British Plastics

and Rubber

bp&r MAY 2012

THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR BRITAIN’S POLYMER PROCESSORS

Plastics for food contact

Udderly special recycling line

Taking film and sheet to new heights

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bp&r BRITISH PLASTICS &RUBBER www.britishplastics.co.uk EDITORIAL Editor: Leanne Taylor T: +44(0)1829 770037 E: leanne@rapidnews.com

SALES Advertising Sales Manager: Lisa Montgomery T: +44(0)1829 770037 E: lisa@rapidnews.com

ART

Teaching that plastic is fantastic When in my latter school years, making my choices for further education, I remember a great many people coming through the door to help us make the right decision as to what to do next. Whether it was interview tips for courses, clearing the myths as to how best to apply for student finance or simply advice on the best brand of baked beans to live off for the foreseeable future – it seems a week didn't go by with someone paying a visit to impart some wisdom.

I don’t recall, however, anyone coming into discuss the areas where there was a gap in the market for graduates or school leavers, a potential skills shortage or the opportunities and careers available within the less obvious business sectors. The plastics industry is a perfect example of an area that offers an abundance of exciting, stimulating and rewarding careers that is in danger of suffering from this ‘skills shortage’.

There are, however, schemes in place that are attempting to change this. The Polymer Study Tours, run in collaboration with the BPF, the Worshipful Company of Horners and the IOM3, are all about getting young people involved and interested in plastics from an early age – through a summer school run for their teachers. By encouraging the people that teach the curriculum about the benefits of plastics, the wealth of different jobs in the industry and the skills needed, there is every chance they will impart the knowledge and enthusiasm to the next generation of school leavers. Pupils interested in the

sciences, maths and design could benefit from a rewarding career in the plastics industry, which perhaps they do not realise.

Earlier this year, at the EEF’s annual manufacturing conference, politicians spoke of the need to promote engineering and manufacturing within the culture and education systems, to encourage a new generation of young people to fill the potential skills gap that could be starting to show in the next generation.

And it cannot be said that there is no future in plastics manufacturing in this country. This month saw a £125 million investment in Vauxhall UK, with the Ellesmere Port plant winning the contract to make the new Astra. It is thought the move will create 700 new jobs at the plant and thousands more in the supply chain, in a project expected to last until at least 2020.

It is not only the automotive industry that is on the up. This month I attended the official opening of Continuum, the joint recycling venture between Eco Plastics and Coca Cola Enterprises, which in itself has created 120 new jobs, along with an impressive business model that has the potential to be replicated both in the UK and abroad.

So if you think you could impart some wisdom about the plastics industry, the time couldn’t be better to promote it to the successors of the future. You might even be able to give some advice on which actually is the best brand of baked bean.

Enjoy the issue.

Leanne Taylor - Editor

Production & Design Manager: Samantha Hamlyn T: +44(0)1829 770037 E: sam@rapidnews.com Production: adrian price T: +44(0)1829 770037 E: adrian@rapidnews.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions Manager: Tracey Nicholls T: +44(0)1829 770037 E: tracey@rapidnews.com

PUBLISHER Mark Blezard T: +44(0)1829 770037 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 Plastics Multimedia Communications Ltd, Unit 2, Chowley Court, Chowley Oak Lane, Tattenhall, CH3 9GA T: +44(0)1829 770037 F: +44(0)1829 770047 © 2012 Plastics Multimedia Communications 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 A new line-up for PLEXIGLAS moulding compounds PLEXIGLAS moulding compounds are thermoplastics based on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). They are characterised by a number of chemical, physical and technical properties that are indispensable for manufacturing high-quality parts.

These include: absolute The family of PLEXIGLAS clarity, enabling pure moulding compounds from colours with an Evonik Industries AG is now outstanding degree of available in a new line-up. In the precision; convincing following article, longevity, offering Plastribution, the distributor unsurpassed resistance of PLEXIGLAS in the UK, to weathering and aging; introduces some of its key recyclability, both in terms of chemical recycling and members and invites its material recovery; surface customers to contact the toughness, providing the sales team to find out more. best scratch resistance of all thermoplastics, and in the case of certain moulding compounds - approval for food contact.

PLEXIGLAS standard moulding compounds Depending on the grade, the PLEXIGLAS standard moulding compounds differ in their physical properties such as flow and heat deflection temperature under load. They can be processed by means of all conventional thermoplastic processing methods.

PLEXIGLAS Heatresist A higher heat deflection temperature is the distinguishing feature of these specialty PMMA moulding compounds.

PLEXIGLAS Heatstop (formerly CoolTouch) These heat-reflecting PMMA moulding compounds, solid and multi-skin sheets offer greater energy efficiency by cutting air conditioning costs. A multi-skin sheet variant filled with aerogel offers high heat insulation.

PLEXIGLAS Hi-Gloss A noble appearance and special deep-view effect are the characteristics of these high-gloss solid sheets, which are available in various colours and with up-to-the-minute dĂŠcors.

Specialty moulding compounds provide injection-moulded components with a high-gloss Class A surface and remarkable depth of colour.

PLEXIGLAS LED The new dimension of light: specialty PMMA sheets and moulding compounds for efficient lighting applications combined with LEDs. Specialty products for edge lighting and backlighting offer maximum light transmission without disturbing hot spots, as well as attractive and playful colour effects.

PLEXIGLAS Optical PMMA moulding compounds and sheets with optical functionalities, high light guidance and distribution provide a uniformly bright and perfectly sharp picture, especially in display applications and when used for rear projection.

PLEXIGLAS Resist These impact-modified moulding compounds, multi-skin, corrugated and solid sheets and tubes combine toughness with excellent weather resistance.

PLEXIGLAS Satinice This material’s velvet surfaces are robust, pleasant to the touch and discretely light-diffusing. Sheets and tubes are available with a matte satin surface on one or both sides, or with diffuser beads evenly distributed throughout the material, in various colours. Available as diffuser moulding compounds for components with a light-diffusing effect.

PLEXIGLAS Solar These ultra-pure moulding compounds, sheets and Fresnel lenses have specific light transmission properties and high resistance to UV light and weathering, which makes them suitable for high-efficiency solar modules. further information: www.plexiglas.net

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The Performance Polymers Business Unit of Evonik Industries is a worldwide manufacturer of PMMA products sold under the PLEXIGLAS trademarks on the European, Asian, African and Australian continents and under the trademark ACRYLITE in the Americas.

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on the cover

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bp&r BRITISH PLASTICS &RUBBER

contents MAY 2012

on the cover A new line-up for Plexiglas moulding compounds The family of PLEXIGLAS moulding compounds from Evonik Industries AG is now available in a new line-up. Plastribution, the distributor of PLEXIGLAS in the UK, introduces some of its key members.

See page 4

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24-27 REGULARS FEATURE INJECTION MOULDING FILM & SHEET Taking film and sheet to new heights

8-15 ]FEATURE Packaging: Food Contact Special

Teaching that plastic is fantastic

Introducing new additives and processes to food contact packaging

16-19 FEATURE

28-31 FEATURE

ANTIMICROBIALS

Reclamation & Recycling

EDITOR’S LETTER

Antimicrobial additives give a healthy performance

20-23 FEATURE

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ENGINEERING MATERIALS

39

RUBBER

42

FROM THE FRONT LINE

37

CURRENCY CORNER

43

SOFTWARE

43

BUYERS’ GUIDE

44

Udderly special recycling in the UK

32-35 FEATURE

PLASMA

Biodegradable Additives

Solving the problem of adhesion to plastics and rubber

Additives for packaging and oxobiodegradables for the pollution problem

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UPM conveys food contact safety For food handling applications, meeting certain criteria for safety standards is imperative.

UK-based UPM Conveyors has recently designed a complete turnkey product handling system for a food packaging conveyor system for Pinnacle Foods, based in Alton, Hampshire.

The system was produced by UPM using special food-grade high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE), which UPM use as an alternative to stainless steel as it allows more flexibility of design compared with having to fabricate stainless steel. The Pinnacle line involves the handling of meat and poultry from the goods inwards stage through to dispatch, with an output of three tonnes per hour on a 24 hours a day, seven-day week operation.

All aspects of manufacture were carried out in-house at UPM’s factory in Langley, Berkshire, including fabrication programming and control build based on a central PLC touch screen, designed to interface all belt conveyors to the multihead weigher so, should a problem arise, the product can be diverted.

Graham Reed, Pinnacle Foods’ Managing Director, expressed his satisfaction with UPM, particularly their liaison with other equipment suppliers to ensure a trouble-free installation.

Mr Reed also praised the project’s

Biopac tackles food waste with a responsible project Biopac, a UK developer and supplier of environmentally responsible packaging, has announced a leading role in ISA-Pack, an international consortium which has secured a €3 million (approx £2.4 million) grant from the European Commission to develop innovative packaging to reduce food spoilage.

ISA-Pack aims to develop fully sustainable packaging for fresh foods to extend shelf life, improve quality and reduce waste. Perishable fresh food wastage in the supply chain is estimated to be approximately 10 percent, with ISAPack seeking to reduce this wastage by more than 50 percent.

Stretch wrap packaging produced from microbes that feed on sustainable natural materials may have the answer to high performance protection stretch film

UPM Conveyors supply complete turnkey facilities

FOOD CONTACT PACKAGING

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completion ahead of schedule and commented on the unique method of quick belt access, which allows full pressure wash down to IP67 standard. The system is said to have resulted in a 30 percent increase in production, with a reduction of planned personnel achieving a six-month payback on the investment.

UPM claims to be the longest serving supplier of ancillary equipment to the worlds plastics industry, having been manufacturing belt conveyors for the past 36 years. The company was previously awarded the Queens Award for Innovation for offering an alternative to conventional stainless steel construction by the use of high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE), being FDA approved for food contact and high care/hygiene applications as well as being robust for heavy-duty systems.

The company allocates approximately 10 percent of its turnover for research and

packaging. Intelligent indicator systems that can be directly printed onto packaging materials will also be investigated to combine time/temperature indicators (to monitor bacterial growth) with freshness indicators.

The ISA-Pack project is funded by the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme, bringing together research and development effort from five countries. European companies and research organisations will collaborate over a three-year period to create innovative sustainable materials, accurate and reliable indicator systems and cost benefits to both supply chain and consumer.

Mark Brigden of Biopac said: “For retailers, ISA-Pack has the potential to extend shelf life and reduce wastage of fresh foods. The opportunity to combine the use of sustainable materials and create significant supply chain benefits in

development to continuously improve its product range to cater for food handling applications. UPM aims to act as a system integrator, offering a consultancy service which includes dimensioned layout drawings of the customers process hall to maximise efficiency, with ideal production flow conditions based on a total turn key package.

UPM recently invested around £50,000 in 3D mechanical solid modelling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes using the design visualisation and simulation of products. further information: www.upmconveyors.co.uk

Stretch wrap packaging produced from microbes

extending shelf life is a major leap forward in fresh food packaging.”

This advanced research keeps Europe at the forefront of packaging innovation.

The project will invite food processors, retailers and consumers to participate in shaping this breakthrough programme. further informatioN: www.biopac.co.uk

High performance counts! 7.3 million cycles per year on an ALLROUNDER HIDRIVE: performance becomes high performance. This is what really counts in the packaging sector.

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ARBURG Ltd. Tachbrook Park Drive Warwick CV34 6RH Tel.: +44 (0) 1926 457 000 Fax: +44 (0) 1926 457 020 e-mail: uk@arburg.com

www.arburg.co.uk

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FOOD CONTACT PACKAGING

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news Sustainability and strength makes sheet best choice for produce packaging The overall goal for produce packaging must be to contain food in the most costeffective way that satisfies industry requirements and consumer demands while also maintaining food safety and minimising environmental impact.

Producing packaging that reduces total waste by extending the shelf life of foods is essential for the entire produce industry. Additionally, convenience features such as ease of access, disposal, product visibility, reseal-ability and microwave-ability, must be a consideration to help reduce overall waste.

Roughly one third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year — approximately 1.3 billion tonnes — gets lost or wasted, according to a 2011 FAO-commissioned study. Fruits and vegetables, plus roots and tubers have the highest wastage rates of any food. * PET sheet manufacturer, Octal, claims produce packagers using its DPET sheet

gain back an advantage over their competitors with its enhanced sustainability when weighed against other options. Compared to traditional plants, Octal’s DPET sheet is said to use 67 percent less grid electricity per kg of sheet, translating to a carbon footprint 25 percent below that of traditionally produced APET films, according to a recent study.

Octal states its DPET sheet is ideal for produce packaging such as fresh produce, meat, cheese and yoghurt, as it has superior optical qualities together with strength, flexibility and sustainability.

DPET is said to work effectively to preserve the produce from deterioration while providing packaging appeal on supermarket shelves. According to Octal, the used packaging can be easily added to the current recycling stream.

“DPET provides the necessary rigidity and clarity and at the same time offers an environmentally conscious, re-usable and attractive packaging solution for produce,” stated William J. Barenberg, Jr., Chief Operating Officer of Octal. “The use of our DPET sheet for produce packaging is a clear reflection of our commitment to support produce growers, producers, retailers and consumers.” *http://www.fao.org/ news/story/en/item/ 74192/icode/

further information: www.octal.com

DPET sheet is reusable and recyclable

Superclean recycled plastics for food contact Smithers Rapra has joined a twelve-strong consortium that has secured €1,916,300 (approx. £1.5 million) of EU funding to develop quality assurance tools and procedures for plastics recycling processes targeted at food contact applications.

The tools will be applied to a new process for the recycling of coloured and layered PET into food contact applications that cannot be processed by current PET recycling facilities.

The three-year project, called SuperCleanQ is part-funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme.

The project results will accelerate the development of new recycling processes for the wider food contact materials market and provide quality assurance for converters and end-users of recycled products applications for food contact.

The advancements over the current state of the art are expected to be a post-market challenge test for validation of recycled food contact materials with 100 percent reliability, a postprocess validation quality protocol for assuring the efficacy of plastics recycling processes for food contact applications with 100 percent reliability, development of a process to recycle the 700,000 tonnes per year of currently unrecyclable coloured and layered PET that cannot be processed by existing PET recycling facilities for food contact packaging, as well as inline monitoring for process quality control to identify contaminants from oxo-degradable additives, biodegradable plastics, bisphenol A and non-food contact compliant levels of chemical Recycled contamination. further information: www.supercleanq.eu

plastics for food contact packaging

Food packaging at the London 2012 Olympics needs to meet strict criteria

Film for food contact packaging is an Olympic challenge As the London 2012 Olympics draw closer, there is an immense amount of detail that needs to be looked at. To be involved in the games, companies have to adhere to stringent codes. This is particularly true for food companies, who must use safe, sustainable and compostable packaging as a prerequisite for selling products at the 2012 Games. The Olympics is operating closed loop recycling and the aim is for 70 percent of all waste from the games to be reused, recycled or composted.

UK-based cellulose diacetate film manufacturer, Clarifoil, offers packaging solutions for the food industry and claims its biodegradable film enhances food packaging. The company states it is always looking for ways to innovate and add value to its packaging solutions with its environmentally conscious packaging credentials.

In an age where being eco friendly is ever more crucial, Clarifoil states it offers greener solutions in cellulose films for lamination and carton windows.

Clarifoil says it is setting new standards for the food sector and has reinvigorated its information services for packaging designers and producers, since gaining EN13432 and ASTN D6400 biodegradability certification and Vincotte home compostability accreditation.

Carton enhancement films for the food industry are a major market worldwide for Clarifoil. Their clear gloss films can be used as windows in food cartons (25-95 microns) and their compostable labels (40-50 microns) are also appropriate. Clarifoil films are anaerobically digestible (AD) (a method of advanced composting allowing the production of methane for energy recovery), in line with the waste route for the large majority of the food packaging to be specified for use at London 2012.

According to the Derby-based company, packaging manufacturers need a film which is food safe, with no migration of unwanted material into the foodstuff, has a UV filter to protect food and make it last longer, crystal clear visibility to show contents without falsifying colour, moisture permeable so there is no condensation or fogging when packed with warm food or used in chiller cabinets and also high temperature stable, so there is no deterioration with temperature changes.

Window cartons display their contents to best advantage on the shelf, thereby generating sales, which is crucial at an event as big as the 2012 Games. But windowing film quality is crucial. Crystal clarity, high gloss and excellent scratch resistance are required to enhance consumer appeal. Clarifoil states cellulose diacetate film has these characteristics, giving it a clear edge over PLA and PET films. further information: www.clarifoil.com

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FOOD CONTACT PACKAGING feature

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According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), food contact materials are items intended to come into contact with food, including food packaging, cookware, cutlery, tableware, work surfaces and food processing machinery and equipment.

Plastics manufacturers dealing with food contact packaging and materials need to be aware of the regulations that apply to these products. The FSA has identified some of the key questions surrounding the use of food contact materials, and has provided the following information and advice. s to need side g n i g a t in pack oduc Food the pr ect prot

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What are the laws governing food contact materials?

The European Framework Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 on Materials and Articles Intended to Come into Contact with Foodstuffs lays down the general safety requirements for all materials and articles that come into contact with food.

The regulation also ensures that they do not change the nature, substance or quality of the food.

Food contact materials and articles include so-called 'active' and 'intelligent' food contact materials and articles that, in their finished state, are intended to come into contact with food.

Examples of food contact materials and articles include food packaging, cookware, cutlery, tableware, work surfaces and food processing machinery and equipment.

The law also covers materials and articles that come into contact with foods or transfer their constituents to food (which may include printing inks and adhesive labels, for example).

Are there any specific requirements for particular materials?

Specific requirements exist for particular materials and articles:

• The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (England) Regulations 2009 (as amended) regulate materials and articles made from plastic. • The Material and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations 2005 regulate the manufacture of coated and uncoated regenerated cellulose film, also known as Cellophane. The same regulation also controls the use of vinyl chloride monomer in the manufacture of food contact plastics.

What regulations govern plastics?

The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (England) Regulations 2009, (which supersedes the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2008 amendment regulations) set an overall migration limit for all food contact plastics. This limit is 10 milligrams per square decimetre of plastic surface area in general.

However, a limit of 60 milligrams per kilogram of food applies specifically in the case of containers or similar receptacles with a capacity between 0.5 and 10 litres, or which have a contact area that cannot be determined and for sealing devices such as caps, gaskets and stoppers.

Plastic packaging must be a food-safe material

The regulations also establish: • 'positive lists’ of monomers and starting substances permitted for use in the manufacture of food contact plastics • time limits on their use • specific migration limits • a list of additives approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for use in food contact plastics Finally, the regulations establish rules for testing migration from food contact plastics and for checking compliance with the regulations.

What are the labelling requirements for food contact materials?

Unless the food contact use is obvious, the EC regulation requires that food contact materials and articles that aren’t in contact with food when sold, should be accompanied by either the words 'for food contact', or a specific indication as to their use.

If necessary, special instructions for the safe and appropriate use of the material or article must also be given, along with the name, and address of the manufacturer, processor or seller.

Does the FSA approve food contact materials?

No, the FSA does not approve products before they are allowed on the market. But

it does help ensure they are safe and comply with the legal maximum levels of migration allowed for consumer protection, based on the opinions of the European Food Safety Authority.

Will packaging material approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) comply with UK and EC legislation?

Not necessarily. Where there are already EU-wide rules in force in the UK, these rules must be complied with. If

there are no specific rules, the general requirements laid down in the European Regulation will have to be met.

FDA approval might be relevant in some instances where, in the case of legal action, a court might accept this as part of a defence against prosecution. But this is not a compulsory legal requirement in the United Kingdom. further information: www.food.gov.uk

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new additives to food contact packaging Food cont act packa ging is subject to strict legi slation

FOOD CONTACT PACKAGING feature

Introducing

Since 2011, food packaging has been subjected to more stringent regulations than ever. Plastic materials are governed by legislation detailing various aspects of risk and hazard assessment, migration behavior and toxicity. Victoria Sayer, Global Regulatory Manager at ColorMatrix, explains to BP&R what food packaging manufacturers in the plastics industry should be aware of when introducing new additives to products.

T

he use of chemicals in food packaging is much debated and consumer safety is of paramount importance. Legislation is understandably strict, but those working in the plastics industry must ensure compliance to protect both consumers and their customers’ brands. In today’s global market, regulatory issues are complicated by the fact that brand owners are often selling food products into multiple countries governed by different – and changing – legislative frameworks.

There are numerous regulatory considerations to be taken into account

when introducing a new additive to a plastic and specialist advice is recommended to help navigate the changing regulatory environment. What should plastics producers selling food contact packaging be looking for when planning changes to their chemicals portfolio?

What chemicals are being used?

Building a hazard profile of the new additive is key to establishing the potential risks involved in its use. The supplier should be able to provide information on the structure of the new chemical and this

applications such as bottle beverages may lead to much wider consumer exposure than use in a plastic utensil. The contact time of a beverage with its packaging is also likely to be much longer than the contact time of a foodstuff with a plastic utensil. These are all important factors when determining if consumer exposure to a chemical from a food contact application is safe. Food contact applications are heavily regulated but plastics producers should remember that brand owners are often cautious and demand diligence that goes above and beyond minimum legal requirements.

Where will the product be sold?

The plastics industry is global, but regulatory restrictions vary from region to region. Different requirements must be met to comply with food contact legislation. For example, there are detailed regulatory frameworks in four major regions: Europe, the US, China and Latin America (Mercosur). Whilst there are similarities in these four regions, the lists of permitted chemicals and the way in which regulators deal with approvals differs in each jurisdiction, and for global players it is critical that they have an understanding of all regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance.

A number of factors need to be taken into consideration when adding new chemical additives to plastic food packaging

further information: www.colormatrix.com

can help to identify any potentially hazardous properties.

Sufficient toxicological data also needs to be available.

Regulators typically assess not only the hazard of a material, but the risk based on the use level, its migration behaviour and ultimately how much the consumer will be exposed to. Any regulatory approvals granted would take all these factors into consideration and a material will only be approved if consumer exposure is many magnitudes lower than any dose level of concern.

Victoria Sayer, Global Regulatory Manager, ColorMatrix

What is the application?

The end use of the plastic should also be taken into consideration. Factors such as the food types, contact time and temperature are all important parameters and the behaviour of chemicals under the appropriate scenario needs to be understood. In addition, the use patterns of packaging types need to be considered.

For example, use of chemicals in

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ANTIMICROBIALS

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Antimicrobial packaging is suitable for meat and poultry as well as bakery and fruit products

news Antimicrobial packaging to increase shelf life and reduce contamination UK-based Linpac Packaging has developed a range of packaging solutions to combat food bacteria and help consumers and retailers reduce the amount of food waste they generate.

The food packaging company, which caters for the bakery, fresh produce, fast food and meat, fish and poultry sectors, has been working in partnership with several supplier companies to develop a range of antimicrobial tray and film solutions, which are said to reduce spoilage and increase the shelf life of food by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, moulds and yeast.

The antimicrobial technology reduces the risk of contamination from pathogens such as E.Coli, salmonella, listeria and campylobacter – the most common cause of food poisoning.

Alan Davey, Director of Innovation at Linpac Packaging, said: “While the correct handling and preparation of food prevents contamination from bacteria, the antimicrobial technology is another safeguard to control and significantly reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.

“Our Fresh Thinking philosophy means that we strive to deliver innovative

Antimicrobial technology is music to company’s ears A devastating noise trauma, which ended his music career in an instant, inspired Andy Shiach, founder of Advanced Communication Solutions, to train as an audiologist and embark on a mission to educate the public on the importance of looking after their hearing.

Thirty years later, ACS is the most popular brand of in-ear monitoring for musicians in the UK. Each set of earphones is custom moulded from medical grade 40 Shore silicone following an individual fitting by an audiologist.

Following the individual handcrafting of the earpieces, they are coated with a silicone lacquer impregnated with a SteriTouch antimicrobial additive. Evenly distributed as a five-micron powder, SteriTouch is effective against the two main causes of ear infections, Staphylococcus Aureus and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, offering an additional line of

solutions which support our customers from the field to the fork. We have developed a technically advanced range of packaging solutions, which incorporate antimicrobial agents to slow down the growth of bacteria, which leads to food spoilage and waste. Crucially, the active agents do not affect the food’s organoleptic properties, such as taste and smell.”

Using food safe, proven biocides, Linpac states it has developed its new range of trays and films using additives that can be applied in a variety of ways depending on customer requirements and the food to be packed. One option is also for antimicrobial varnishes to be applied to films and trays after manufacture.

Alternatively, labels or pads containing the additives can be included within food packages. Many meat packers already use absorbent pads to lock away meat juices, as excess moisture is a major cause of food spoilage because it is rich in

defence against bacterial contamination thought to be partly caused by extended use of earphones.

Andy Shiach commented: “We’ve been using SteriTouch for a long time with no issues, no one has ever come back to us with any problems with infections, which is testament to a great product.”

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hone ACS earp

nutrients for microorganism growth. By incorporating anti-bacterial additives into the absorbent pad, bacterial growth is reduced and the shelf life of the product is therefore prolonged.

In addition, Linpac states the antimicrobial agents can be added into the film or tray polymer mix so that they are part of the packaging production process. This method can be carried out during the manufacture of both rigid and EPS trays. Antimicrobial packaging is suitable for meat and poultry as well as bakery and fruit products.

Mr Davey added: “The novelty of this concept is not based on the materials themselves but on their final application resulting in improved shelf life of packed food products. At Linpac Packaging, we are acutely aware of our role in helping retailers deliver safer food products. We also want to support retailers and consumers to minimise waste by designing new safer, innovative packaging solutions. We have therefore developed a range of antimicrobial packaging which is a vital tool in reducing the risk of bacterial contamination of food.” further information: www.linpacpackaging.com

ACS states a wide range of musicians including Jessie J, U2, One Direction, Lily Allen and the BBC Orchestra, endorse its earphones.

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.steritouch.com

Addmaster lands Chinese deal for Biomaster UK-based anti-microbial specialist, Addmaster, has just signed a major distribution deal in China with Victory Plastics. The deal, secured at the annual Chinaplas Exhibition in Shanghai, will see Victor distributing Addmaster's top-selling Biomaster range of silver-based antimicrobial products.

David Wells, Addmaster's International Business Director, said: "This deal gives Victor the opportunity to use and promote our antimicrobial products in their own products and the Chinese plastics industry. It is a major step forward for the Chinese market in accepting silver-based antibacterial products as being a safe alternative to more toxic organic-based products.”

Addmaster, based in Stafford, now have Biomaster featured in dozens of innovative product ideas from mobile phone cases to bird feeders, wall paint and horse hoof ointment. Latest applications include picnic tableware and sanitary universal liners.

Addmaster MD, Paul Morris

news

The company, led by Managing Director, Paul Morris, won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category in 2011 after export sales rose by 127.8 percent from 2009 to 2010.

“Our Biomaster products are in over 50 healthcare applications ranging from

hospital equipment and wall paint to hospital light pull cords and computer keyboard covers, as well as food hygiene, public places and the home,” said Mr Morris. further information: www.addmaster.co.uk

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ANTIMICROBIALS

news Silver-based antimicrobial additives give healthy performance Sanitized AG has launched a new generation of silver-based antimicrobial protective additives that are said to deliver effective protection faster than before and at concentration loadings lower than previously possible. The new Sanitized Silver products are also said to offer bestyet transparency for applications requiring fast and broad protection against microbes.

The new Sanitized antimicrobial protection package completes the Sanitized silver-based product range of natural and safe active ingredients. These ingredients are said to continue to perform after regular and lifetime cleaning measures and inhibit germ growth for optimum hygiene, as well as preventing unpleasant odours, even when in contact with humidity.

The new Sanitized silver-based antimicrobials are said to be unique in the speed at which they become active in combination with low application concentrations. The patented technology of silver encapsulated in a glass ceramic material, in combination with a low particle size of the product, delivers one of the highest levels of transparency which, when used in coatings, means quality and aesthetics of the end-use application are not compromised. Sanitized states this technology is effective against a large number of bacteria and remains stable at temperatures up to 500 C—far beyond any organic active compounds.

“Silver products have an excellent reputation for a wide range of performance characteristics. The new Sanitized Silver products provide a package of benefits that ensure fast and durable antimicrobial protection while remaining economically sustainable without compromising aesthetics and performance,” commented Maria Toscan, Product Manager, Polymers, at Sanitized AG. The new products are said to be compatible with a wide range of polymers, o

in particular polyolefins, polystyrene and polyurethanes, and also work in powder and liquid coatings. The new silver-based antimicrobials are said to be ideally suited for applications in a wide range of dynamic and demanding industries and medical applications. Due to their process stability they fit perfectly as a masterbatch for moulding processes.

For packaging films where the highest levels of hygiene and protection are paramount, through to non-woven materials that offer security and comfort in automotive seating and interior coverings, Sanitized offers protection properties with the added values of speed and economic sustainability. In the world of personal care, items such as toothbrushes made from hard injection moulded plastics can receive the same level of protection as sanitary ware, ranging from basins, toilet seats to bathtubs and shower cubicles. further information: www.sanitized.com

The antimicrobial technology can be used for a number of everyday products

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BioCote joins British Coatings Federation Wolverhampton-based antimicrobial specialist, BioCote Ltd, has strengthened its links with the coating industry, having joined the British Coatings Federation (BCF).

The BCF is the sole trade association representing the interests of the decorative, industrial, powder, printing ink and wall covering industry.

BioCote additives can be used in paints, inks, wallpaper and general coatings to create hygienic products that are a permanent protection against superbugs such as MRSA, E.Coli and other microorganisms in environments particularly susceptible to bacteria such as hospitals, care homes, schools, leisure centres and prisons.

Commenting on BioCote’s membership, Graham Harvey, the company’s Commercial Director, said: “Joining the BCF will ensure we can work closely with coating and wall covering

manufacturers that are looking to offer antimicrobial products to their customers.

“Protection against bacteria, mould and viruses is becoming increasingly more important within a wide range of settings, both commercial and domestic.

Therefore, offering coatings and wallcoverings with an antimicrobial additive to kill germs on contact is an attractive concept for those who want to create a healthy environment.”

further information: www.biocote.com

Antimicrobial protection from BioCote is being increasingly used in both commercial and domestic environments

Antimicrobial options for the medical device market Clariant has announced it has incorporated the newly introduced MedX silver product series from Sanitized AG into its Mevopur masterbatches, extending the antimicrobial options for the medical device market.

Clariant’s extended product line is said to support streamlined development of medical devices needing the functional benefits of antimicrobials.

Mevopur masterbatches are said to offer manufacturers the latest antimicrobial agents incorporated into the selected polymer carrier, according to the customer’s requirements and under Clariant’s ISO13485 quality system.

Incorporating the antimicrobial protection directly in the polymer is said to remove the need for device manufacturers to undertake a secondary antimicrobial coating operation on their medical device, with the associated cost and validation processes that are required.

In addition, it reduces the risk associated with delamination of the coating. The inbuilt antimicrobial

The Mevopur masterbatches are typically used for applications such as surgical instruments

protection can be combined with other practicalities, such as in catheter designs, where the antimicrobial functionality can be incorporated into a multi-layer structure including an identifying colour, radiopacity and friction reduction.

Clariant states the main application areas for the Mevopur masterbatches are catheters, endoscopes, surgical

instruments and preservative-free pharmaceutical packaging solutions.

Clariant can combine pigments into the masterbatch or maintain transparency levels depending on the application. further information: www.clariant.com

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PLASMA

news Surface technology: the power of plasma At NPE 2012, Plasmatreat and its recently acquired subsidiary, PTS, joined forces in a 900 sqft booth to present their respective plasma technologies for a green, fast and highly effective treatment of plastics surfaces.

Plasmatreat, specialists in atmospheric plasma-jet technology, and low-pressure plasma specialist, PTS Plasma Technology Systems, used this year’s NPE to present their latest technological developments and product innovations.

Plasmatreat showed a newly

developed entry-level system. The modern, lightweight designed Junior 500 is a small yet powerful unit for fast and less-thancomplex surface treatment processing.

PTS introduced the first specimen plasma system as part of its newly launched Aurora vacuum plasma unit series. Key features include a flexible chamber design for modification of 3-dimensional parts and cold gas primary plasma process, enabling treatment of thermally-sensitive polymers and multiple gas and liquid inputs, allowing for diverse application use.

Plasma treatment replaces mechanical surface preparation, traditional solvents and adhesion promotion coatings etc. requiring subsequent cleaning or special chemical handling steps. The combination of atmospheric and low-pressure plasma technologies are said to offer customers a wider range of surface preparation processes to include critical cleaning, activation and functionalisation for improved bonding and coating adhesion.

Patented atmospheric plasma rotation jets for large widths and smooth treatment are an exclusive feature with Plasmatreat units (Photo: Plasmatreat)

In addition, thin film plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) processes are significantly expanded to include coatings for chemical repellency, dry lubricity and unique functional coatings. The technologies are said to offer customers flexible, in-line, low cost, environmentally sensitive alternatives to solvent-based and traditional mechanical surface preparations. further information: www.plasmatreat.com www.PlasmaTechSystems.com

The aesthetics of the housing of the new PTS vacuum plasma system are eye-catching (Photo: Plasmatreat)

The untreated phone shows a white powder where corrosion has set in, while the treated device shows the water remaining as droplets on the surface.

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Polymer coating helps make phones water repellent UK-based P2i is a specialist in liquidrepellent nano-coating technology. Its Aridion technology can be applied to a wide range of products, including mobile phones, making them water repellent without changing the look or feel.

Dr. Stephen Coulson, P2i’s CTO, explained: “The technology is applied in a plasma chamber where an ultra-thin polymer layer attaches itself to every exposed surface, inside and outside the device. This layer lowers the surface energy of the product so that when liquids come into contact with it, they remain attracted to their own molecules, rather than being attracted to the surface of the device.” Aridion is applied using a special pulsed ionized gas (plasma) to attach a nanoscopic polymer layer – one thousand times thinner than a human hair – to the electronic device. This dramatically lowers the product's surface energy, so that when liquids or moisture come into contact with it they are repelled from the surface instead of wetting.

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.p2i.com

PLASMA feature

Why is bonding to plastics and rubber so difficult?

The age old problem of obtaining good adhesion of paints, coatings, sealants and glues to traditionally hard to bond to materials like polypropylene has challenged engineers ever since its development and introduction by ICI in the late 1930’s. Examples of the materials in question are Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and EPDM, all of which have low surface energies of between 29 – 36

By Chris Lines, Dynes/cm² (mN/m).

Achieving any Managing level of adhesion to Director, Dyne low surface energy Technology Ltd materials such as PP, PE or PTFE is difficult at the best of times and Image of a car grill Internal view of a sometimes near impossible, basically as vacuum plasma chamber these materials are non-stick, meaning printing inks rub off, glued parts fail, surface of the components; gaskets and seals won’t bond and paint and coating will not adhere. Typically these the coverings simply peeled off. problems are experienced throughout the To make things worse, the automotive industry, medical device manufacturing industry and, in fact, in any ever increasing drive towards the use of UV curing or waterindustry that has to bond, print, or coat based adhesives, paints, inks plastic or rubber components. These and coatings means that even problems are becoming increasingly materials that have traditionally commonplace with the increase in usage given acceptable bonding of polyolefins. results, such as ABS, nylon (PA), Generally polyolefins have what is glass filled nylon and called ‘low surface energy’ or ‘non-polar’ composites to name but a few, surfaces and no matter how much you can also become difficult to attempt to clean or abrade the surface, bond to. This problem was they remain hard or often impossible to highlighted earlier this year at paint, coat, print or bond to without another major UK automotive component resorting to harsh, environmentally Along with gluing and painting, printing manufacturer when it introduced a new damaging chemicals or high temperature onto plastics often presents a similar product moulded from glass filled nylon flame torch treatments. A major UK adhesion issue, this can be critical on and needed to apply a water-based paint automotive sub-supplier recently medical devices or where high print quality to give a car body-matching paint finish. experienced this problem when they is required, for example syringe marking, Quickly the company realised that the attempted to glue coverings to a range of barcodes etc. paint finish was failing its customer’s paint polypropylene door panels and other The strength of attraction between a adhesion test. internal passenger compartment parts. material and a coating is determined by The PP injection moulded components the relative surface energy and surface were sprayed with an adhesive and then tension of the materials. The higher the the covering applied. On testing, the solid’s surface energy relative to the finished parts failed due to very poor bond liquid’s surface tension, the greater the strength between the adhesive and the PP molecular attraction; this draws the paint, ink or adhesive closer for high bond strength. The lower the solid’s surface energy relative to the liquid’s surface tension, the weaker the attractive forces are; this will repel the coating. The challenge faced by producers of extruded or injection moulded components is to increase the surface energy (polarity) of the material to a level significantly higher than that of the surface tension of the paint, coating, adhesive or printing ink, so that the surface acquires a strong chemical attraction to paints, coatings, Left: A car door panel sealants, adhesives etc. leading to significantly enhanced wetting and Above: Two syringes – treated adhesion. Typically the surface energy of and untreated – where the bp&r the substrate will need to exceed the printed ink peels away easily

Solving the problem OF ADHESION TO PLASTICS AND RUBBER

22

surface tension of the ink, paint, coating or adhesive by at least 10 - 15 Dynes/cm² (mN/m).

How can bond performance to plastics and rubber be improved?

Firstly, we need to understand what surface properties are required to obtain the ideal conditions for adhesion. There are many common misconceptions on what the best conditions required for the strongest bond are; should the surface be heated, abraded, solvent wiped?

Sometimes these pre-treatments do no harm and may, on some occasions, even help a little, however, it is widely recognised that the ideal surface to bond to should be clean, dry, dust-free, smooth, non-porous, wettable (high surface energy) and polar.

Preparing a clean, dry, dust free, smooth and non-porous surface requires little discussion, however, creating a surface that exhibits good wettability and is ‘polar’ clearly does. There are several methods of increasing the surface energy and polarity of plastics and rubbers, including wet chemical treatments which are often harsh and environmentally damaging, high temperature flame torch treatments, high voltage corona treatment and, finally, plasma surface activation which we will discuss in this edition.

Plasma surface activation Exposing low surface energy extruded or injection moulded components to the highly active environment of either vacuum or atmospheric plasma is a very effective and long-lasting method of increasing their surface energy and polarity. The component undergoes a very efficient surface treatment that is environmentally friendly, does not alter the bulk properties of the treated part and does not mark or discolour it in any way.

The resulting highly activated surface will now have the required high surface energy and polarity necessary to ensure good wetting and adhesion of printing inks, paints, adhesives, coatings, potting materials etc. Plasma surface modification is widely used throughout a diverse range of industries and onto an ever-increasing range of substrates. In simple terms, plasma is generally described as a super ionised gas or as an electrically neutral medium of positive and negative particles and neutrals (atoms, radicals and molecules) and can react with a wide range of materials. ‘Ionised’ refers to the presence of free electrons, which are not bound to an atom or molecule. Plasma is created when a gas is subjected to a high-energy discharge; the gas breaks up into electrons, ions, highly reactive free radicals, short wave UV light photons and other excited particles. In general terms, when you subject atoms or molecules to enough energy, what

happens very quickly is that the electrons around the nucleus start to ‘boil off’, the temperature becomes too high for them to stay contained in orbit around the nucleus.

Plasma is not new; it was first described

by Sir William Crook way back in 1879 and is the most common type of matter in the known universe whether measured by mass or volume. Every star is a giant ball of plasma; even the space between all of the stars is composed of plasma. Plasma is considered to be the fourth state of matter after solid, liquid and gas.

The free radicals and other particles that exist in the highly active plasma discharge can attach to the material's surface, resulting in the formation of additional polar groups, these have a strong chemical attraction to paints, coatings, sealants, inks and adhesives leading to significantly enhanced surface energy, polarity and therefore adhesion.

Plasma surface modification equipment is available in two industrial configurations; vacuum plasma chambers that can process large volumes of parts in a single operation, and atmospheric plasma nozzles that can be fixed and are ideal for extruded parts, or robot mounted for parts with more complex geometries or where selective treatment is required. further information: www.dynetechnology.co.uk

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FILM & SHEET

news Fruit for schools packed in compostable film Innovia Films, a British international manufacturer and supplier of speciality films, is helping spread the healthy eating message in Italian schools through its compostable, cellulose-based material, NatureFlex NVS.

NatureFlex NVS film is being used for an EU-funded healthy eating for schools project

The transparent film is being used for an EU-funded project providing school children with an individually wrapped portion of fruit during the school day.

The NatureFlex NVS film used in this application is converted and sold to packers by Italian company, Corapack Srl, a company with many years experience in perforating and printing various flexible films.

Fabrizio Radice, Sales Manager, Corapack, explained: “NatureFlex NVS was the ideal choice to flow wrap the fruit as it not only protects the product inside, due to its semi-permeability to moisture, but also provides good machinability and printability, ensuring a nice pack appearance.

In addition the film has excellent environmental attributes such as being compostable and made from renewable resources.”

Beginning life as a natural product, wood (from managed plantations operating on good forestry principals, FSC or equivalent), NatureFlex is certified compostable in both home and industrial composting environments and is also suitable

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for anaerobic digestion.

Innovia Films states NatureFlex offers advantages for packing and converting, such as inherent dead fold 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.

“We are very happy to be involved in this project supporting our customer, Corapack, who promoted the usage of our NatureFlex film for the ‘Frutta nelle Scuole’ (School Fruit Scheme) project. This scheme encourages school children to eat fresh organic fruit, which stays in premium condition due to being wrapped in NatureFlex,” said Giorgio Berton, Technical Service and Development Specialist, Innovia Films.

NatureFlex NVS has been specifically formulated to offer improved stiffness under chill cabinet conditions and a controlled level of moisture permeability with a heat-sealable, conversion-friendly coating on both sides. further information: www.innoviafilms.com

Is wrapping the new painting?

Plastic films for a new-look car Vehicle wrapping, where vinyl film is applied to a vehicle to give it a new colour or branding, is becoming increasingly popular with consumers and businesses alike.

Colour change wraps are said to be a quick and cheap way to give a car, van, motorcycle, or even a boat, a completely new look, whilst protecting the original paintwork.

UK-based vehicle wrapping company, Totally Dynamic, recently wrapped an Aston Martin Vantage to be displayed at the car manufacturer’s headquarters in Warwick. The car was wrapped in silver chrome and positioned on a plinth outside the factory where Aston Martin reported it has received a “phenomenal” response.

In the vehicle wrap industry there are two main vinyl films used - cast and calendered. It is thought that a cast film with a cast laminate is best for a car or boat due to advantages including low shrinkage, high durability, colour retention and thinness, allowing application over substrates with rivets, corrugations, and complex curves.

US-based Avery Dennison has recently

launched a new product line available in more than 30 colours, with a variety of finishes and textures, such as gloss, matte and metallic. Its ‘Supreme Wrapping Film’ line is said to boast a durability of six to 12 years, depending on the finish and application.

“In many cases, wrapping a car is more affordable than a custom paint job,” said Troy Downey, from automotive wrap producer, APE Wraps. “The beauty of a

paint replacement car wrap is that if an individual gets tired of the look or colour scheme, the wrap can easily be removed and the original paint on the car will look virtually the same as the day it was installed,” he added. further information: www.averydennison.com

Supreme Wrapping Film is wrapped around a vehicle's exterior to change the colour of the car while protecting the original paint job.

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film & sheet FEATURE

: e m h t i w Come fly to new heights nd Taking film a

sheet

Acumen is a UK-based transportation and product design consultancy and a global expert in interior aircraft cabin design. Having partnered with more than 20 of the world’s leading airlines and their aircraft seating manufacturers, Acumen prides itself in delivering highly-innovative and often patented product designs that are said to A leading aircraft challenge cabin design firm has current industry teamed up with a high- standards, performance sheet including the producer to shape groundbreaking ‘bed in the sky’, the future of first launched aircraft interiors. on British Airways.

When designing premium seating solutions, Acumen typically turns to high performance thermoplastic sheet for components such as side furniture paneling, back-shelves (in first class), trays (economy class), literature pockets, entertainment screens and first-class privacy screens.

A search for a “durable, aircraftcompliant, gloss black finish” for a new

aircraft seating programme initially led Acumen to US-based Boltaron. In the last three years, Acumen has developed several design concepts for interior aircraft applications for which Boltaron aircraft-rated thermoplastic sheet products have been used.

Expanding design options For one seating programme, Acumen Design was in search of a pearlescent thermoplastic that would match the pearlescent paint finishes increasingly being used for seating programmes. At the time, there were no such plastic sheet products on the market. "Boltaron sourced the special materials needed to produce exact colour matches to paint finishes,” commented Acuman’s Catherine Barber.

Applying contemporary finishes Acumen Design and Boltaron are also developing completely new types of thermoplastic sheet for an Airbus 380 programme.

According to Barber, Acumen gains a broad standard range of textured sheet suitable for vacuum forming, allowing her “to add a subtle design element to what

Below: Acumen is finding unique applications for decorative composite 9915 FSTH sheet, which is compliant with Boeing and Airbus requirements for flame, smoke, heat release and toxicity.

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otherwise would typically be large expanses of plain plastic.”

She said designers seek a texture range to add an extra dimension. “Plastic sheet need not mimic natural materials, but textures can be used to add interest.

“While such finishes have long been used in automotive interiors, they have been relatively slow to reach aviation suppliers.”

Manufacturing offers design options Barber explained she gains versatility with Boltaron’s thermoplastic sheet manufacturing capabilities, which include extrusion, calendering and press laminating. Each of these processes produces a range of sheet products having distinct qualities. Sheet produced using more than one of these processes can be fused in-line or off-line to create a selection of composite sheet products that a single production process can’t achieve.

In extrusion, the original powder blend is converted into a molten plastic mass that is squeezed through a lip die, flattening the mass into a sheet of designated width and thickness. The process lends itself to multiple custom colours, textures and gauges.

Calendering produces a thinner gauge sheet than with extrusion. Molten plastic is fed into a series of heated revolving rollers that squeeze the material to the desired thickness. The resulting film can cap thicker-gauge extruded sheet to produce composite sheet products that offer superior aesthetics and/or properties including resistance to chemicals, impact, scratching and UV degradation.

Images: Acumen applies new ideas in decorative finishes, textures and colours for aircraft seating, including translucent privacy divider, with Boltaron thermoplastic sheet. In the photo is the Venus first class seating concept.

Calendered cap films include integral metallics, and clear films that are reverseprinted with custom patterns such as woodgrains, pearlescent effects, abstracts, and woven looks. Substrate colours match the predominant printed colour to render scratches inconspicuous.

In press laminating, multiple sheets of calendered or extruded sheet are layered and fused applying heat and pressure over relatively long cycle times to form one compact solid sheet. Individual sheets comprising the layers can be varied to provide colouration, patterns, texture, reinforcement or special properties. “Most sheet we apply is typically 2 to 3mm thick for thermoforming of solid colours, and up to 6mm thick for clear sheet. The specification on sheet thickness is dependent on such key factors as the support of the structure and the rigidity of the part required,� said Barber.

New sheet expands possibilities Acumen and Boltaron have been exploring possibilities for the new Boltaron 9915FSTH aircraft grade decorative sheet, a proprietary composite of Boltaron thermoplastic sheet and Lexan XHR6000 from Sabic Innovative Plastics. The material is offered in numerous colours, textures and decorative effects such as wood-grain, pearlescent and carbon fibrelook surfaces. Barber notes that, currently, this composite is specified for relatively small- to medium-sized parts. However, she foresees a demand for larger components such as bulkheads, as well as components for other transportation applications. further information: www.boltaron.com www.acumen-da.com

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news Axion offers complete ELV solution As the UK’s leading reprocessor of plastics from end-of-life vehicles, Axion Polymers states it can offer the complete end-of-life vehicle (ELV) solution to meet new targets and producer responsibility.

Its newest product - Axpoly PP51 - is

made from automotive shredder residue recovered from scrapped vehicles (ELV) at its Shredder Waste Advanced Processing Plant (SWAPP) purpose-built and designed at Trafford Park, Manchester.

Axpoly PP51 undergoes a sophisticated cleaning process prior to final compounding and pellet production, offering great potential for closed loop applications in new automotive-related

The new SWAPP facility

reclamation & recycling

100% Recycled Nylon 100% Prime Properties

Inset: Axpoly PP51

products. Axion is one of the UK’s most innovative converters of waste engineering plastics into polymer materials.

Company director, Keith Freegard, said: “From January 2015, new targets will stipulate a 95 percent recycling and recovery rate for ELV. As manufacturers become more focussed on the environmental credentials of new vehicles, they are keen to see their end-of-life products processed at sites where ‘target achievement’ can be demonstrated.”

Traditional metal recovery technologies combined with some depollution and dismantling of ELVs can only just deliver the current 85 percent targets; new recovery technologies have to be developed to satisfy the higher 95 percent target levels.

To meet this new market need, Axion has designed, built, and now operates, this pioneering multi-million pound SWAPP facility for ELV materials recovery.

Three years of intensive research, testing and trials led Axion to devise the most efficient processing techniques and plant layout for this challenging waste stream. The company states its use of inhouse expertise - distilled from many years of development and trials of different sorting/separation techniques – has achieved the most cost-effective recycling and landfill diversion solutions.

The plant is one of only a few in Europe capable of recovering up to 95 percent of automotive residues. The advanced process recovers a range of materials, including aggregates, construction products, plastics and a highcalorific value solid recovered fuel (SRF).

“By refining the plastics for final recycling into Axpoly PP51 and other grades, there is tremendous potential for sale back into new automotive applications. This helps to achieve the 2015 target and satisfies those allimportant producer responsibilities for end-of-life vehicles,” Mr Freegard added. further information: www.axionpolymers.com

In-house recycling makes it easy being green The green debate has been around for a number of years now and companies in the plastics industry are under increasing pressure to recycle and to reduce carbon emissions with the introduction of the climate change levies. But even with the enforced green agenda, there are economic drivers that the industry can’t ignore and the option to do more recycling onsite starts to have a lot of business benefits.

UK-based ancillaries supplier, TH Plastics, states in-house recycling is an In-house recycling is showing impressive results for some companies

a Spirit of Partnership

ECO Plastics’ existing site in Lincolnshire, which, with the additional capacity, becomes the world’s largest plastics reprocessing facility.

Simon Baldry, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Enterprises, said: “Our investment in Continuum Recycling shows that we are serious about setting the industry standard for sustainable packaging. Today’s opening of this £15m state-of-the-art facility will transform recycling in this country and ensure that we achieve our ambition of incorporating 25 percent recycled PET in our plastic bottles.”

Continuum Recycling will be used this summer by Coca-Cola as part of an initiative to collect Coke and additional PET soft drinks bottles and turn them back into new bottles to be on shelves within six weeks.

Environment Minister, Lord Taylor, said: “With the opening of this facility, the UK is now home to the world’s largest plastics recycling plant, bringing jobs and growth to the rural economy of Lincolnshire. Coca-Cola Enterprises and Eco-plastics innovation and investment has made this project a reality – exactly what we want to see more of right across the country.” further information: www.ecoplasticsltd.com

area it has achieved some startling economic drivers. Managing Director, Lee Thomas, explained: “In-house recycling has typically only been an affordable option for large corporate businesses, but we’ve been working on an in-house recycling solution that’s accessible to all companies, whatever their size. Becoming more energy efficient and recycling inhouse can have tremendous results, but there’s also a growing need by customers to provide recycled materials, for example,

at Hemswell The new EcoPlastics site

ECO Plastics’ plant becomes world’s largest plastics processing facility Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd (CCE) and ECO Plastics have announced the official opening of their groundbreaking joint venture, Continuum Recycling.

Completed on time and on budget, the £15 million facility is a first for the UK, bringing the recycling process full-circle, with used plastic packaging sorted and reprocessed domestically, before returning to British shelves as part of another bottle.

At the opening, Jonathan Short, Managing Director of ECO Plastics, said: “Today is a great day for ECO Plastics and a great day for UK recycling generally. It demonstrates the huge potential of working with global leaders like Coca-Cola Enterprises, as well as the strategic value of long-term partnerships. Together they have provided us with confidence to invest in the next-generation technology which will be crucial to our industry’s future development.”

Opened by Environment Minister Lord Taylor of Holbeach, the Continuum Recycling plant will more than double the amount of bottle-grade recycled plastic (rPET) previously created in Britain, and will allow CCE to meet its commitment to use 25 percent rPET in all its bottles by the end of 2012. The factory is located at

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In-house recycl ing can be beneficial to au tomotive supplie rs

www.ultrapolymers.co.uk

The Continuum Recycling plant will more than double the amount of bottlegrade rPET previously created in Britain

certain automotive companies are already imposing that their suppliers recycle materials.”

TH Plastics states its in-house recycling solution is built with flexibility in mind and the ability to optimise automatically to be more efficient. “It’s easy to use and can be left to run itself with an automatic switch off to save energy. A metal reject system can be added which will automatically reject metal without stopping the entire process, improving downtime and energy efficiencies,” Mr Thomas continued.

Recycling systems already installed by TH Plastics are said to have shown outstanding results, for example, energy consumption reduced by 40 percent, transport costs to move recycling reduced by 90 percent and downtime reduced by 20 percent. What was once a cost to a business has, in some cases, turned into a profit centre, with the sale value of scrap increasing. further information: www.thplastics.co.uk

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reclamation & recycling feature

100% Recycled Nylon 100% Prime Properties

Udderly special recycling line makes great mooves in Staffordshire

There’s been a smell of all things dairy in the midlands recently and it’s down to UK-based materials handling and recycling solutions supplier, Summit Systems, who have taken on a side project that’s earning them pots of admirers.

‘Boomerang Plastics’, a bespoke facility set around the corner from Summit HQ in Tamworth, Staffordshire, has been specifically set up to recycle waste dairy packaging – a unique concept for the UK. It has recently been revealed that the supplier of the material is Müller Dairy – a major European producer of dairy products and packaging producing six million yoghurts a day from its Market Drayton facility in the UK alone. Leanne Taylor donned her wellies to visit the Boomerang site and spoke to Summit Systems’ CEO, Mike Jordan, to find out why this project is not only great for the environment and business, but a whole host of farmers and their hungry pigs.

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he relationship between Müller Dairy and Summit Systems began following a chance meeting at a trade exhibition. Müller Dairy had plans to reduce the amount of waste they were sending to landfill to zero by 2015.

“We were approached by Müller when they looked at the video of our recycling machinery on display at our stand and they asked if we could do the same with yoghurt pots,” said Mike Jordan, CEO of

Summit Systems.

Following a lot of discussions and work by their design team, Summit Systems finally proposed the ground breaking idea that they would take on the task of recycling Müller Dairy’s waste themselves. A great leap of faith for an SME to invest in this type of operation, but Summit states it has never been a company to shirk away from challenges.

“We developed a recycling solution for Müller which incorporated 13 machines and diverted all of their waste from landfill, as well as creating a saleable plastic flake,” Mr Jordan continued.

The machine trials were successful, so both companies agreed on a five-year contract where Müller would supply waste from its UK factory in Market Drayton and Summit would use the bespoke recycling line to recycle the waste at its Boomerang site.

Two years on from that first meeting and Boomerang Plastics went operational processing up to three tonnes an hour of plastic waste generated during Müller Dairy’s production process of yogurts, which consists of: • Production waste (off-cuts and punchouts) of polystyrene with a heat-sealed metallised paper layer.

• Yogurt contaminated plastic pots made of polystyrene, HDPE (High Density Polyethylene), and polypropylene and their respective foil and metallised film lids.

Yoghurt-contaminated production waste supplied to the Boomerang facility by Müller Dairy

Not only does Boomerang provide a consistent solution for Müller Dairy’s production waste, but it creates a unique showcase recycling plant displaying the technologies of the material handling and recycling machinery that Summit offer – one that is not currently undertaken anywhere else in the UK. “This isn’t a post-consumer recycling process – we are literally taking the waste from the factory and processing it. The idea is to showcase our technology. The key message behind this is that we are, and always will be, an equipment supplier.

We just think it is so much better to be able to show a complete line working in realistic conditions as opposed to pointing something out in a brochure,” Mr Jordan added.

“It’s not big volumes – we are talking 1,000 tonnes a year of recycled material.

www.ultrapolymers.co.uk

Polystyrene off-cuts and punch-outs with a heatsealed metallised paper layer are sent for recycling

But if we can divert plastic from landfill, provide a solution for Müller Dairy and earn a small return to justify running the plant, it gives us a showcase to demonstrate our technology, which means everyone’s a winner.”

Summit Systems’ technical engineers have worked diligently with Müller Dairy to design, adapt and manufacture the line of machinery that makes this project a reality – to take food contaminated plastic waste and convert to a clean flake plastic that

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can be reused in injection moulding and extrusion processes producing everything from coat hangers to stationery products and seed trays.

Boomerang Plastics is based on a separate site to the main Summit Systems facility and has created eight new jobs in the area. In its first few operating months the recycling line has processed over 400 tonnes of waste destined for landfill and has been able to accommodate Müller Dairy’s entire yoghurt pot production waste stream. As each month passes, the amount of recycled plastic material increases.

In summary, the recycling line consists of: • Custom built storage bays for accepting the various plastic waste streams from Müller Dairy.

• In feed conveyors and augers for transporting the waste to a depackaging and granulation system.

• Washing Plant – Initially, a cold wash system makes the first cleanse of the inbound granulated plastic waste. The residue removed from this process is then supplied as animal feed to local farmers. Later in the process, a complete hot washing system further

a Spirit of Partnership

•

•

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cleans the flake removing any impurities.

Sorting Plant – both air separation and flotation technologies are used to sort good plastic from dust and to further sort different types of polymers Drying Plant – both centrifugal and heat drying technologies are employed to thoroughly dry the finished flake material.

Automatic Bagging Machinery-for the resultant recycled plastic flake specifically designed and manufactured by Summit Systems.

The finished ‘tonne bags’ are then sold to plastic processors around the UK looking to use recycled polystyrene in their process.

And so, the loop is complete: to take food contaminated plastic waste and convert it to a clean flake plastic that can be reused in plastics production, whilst demonstrating and showcasing Summit Systems’ equipment. further information: www.summitsystems.co.uk

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New grade of oxo biodegradables for the supermarket checkout Staffordshire-based Wells Plastics has announced the launch of its latest grade range of oxo-biodegradable additives for the supermarket checkout bag marketplace.

Reverte has been created for use in supermarket checkout bags

Reverte has been used in this application for a number of years and Wells states it has launched the new grade in response to on-going price pressures on its customers. Revert BD 94718 (COB) contains the same ASTM 6954-04 compliant additive package as used in Reverte BD 92771, but is said to benefit from a lower cost delivery system.

The new grade of material is said to perform with only a marginal impact of haze within the film, therefore should offer significant savings for the end users.

Wells states Reverte is a technology which “utilises pro-degradent technology to carefully control the life of the bag.

Eventually the molecular length of the plastic becomes smaller and smaller until it is no longer a plastic and it becomes available for biodigestion by bacteria and fungi. This crucial step means that the discarded bag can return safely into the environment, quickly removing itself as an unsightly littering problem and providing a route to total biodegradation in time.” further information: www.reverteplastics.com

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Cardia Bioplastics launches Compostable Bubble Wrap Cardia Bioplastics has announced the launch of its Compostable Bubble Wrap, extending the product range made from Cardia’s certified compostable resins into protective packaging.

Working closely with a European manufacturer of protective packaging, Cardia Bioplastics has developed the bubble wrap, made from certified compostable resin, and is launching it into the European market.

The bubble wrap is said to provide comparable protective packaging performance to traditional bubble wrap, with the added advantage of being made from certified compostable resin, thereby offering industrial composting as an alternative end of life option.

Cardia states perishable items protected in transport by traditional bubble wrap will benefit from the use of its new compostable wrap. In the case of product spoilage, companies currently separate the perished goods from the traditional bubble wrap and dispose of the

items in separate waste streams or discard the packaged product in general waste. By using Cardia’s new product, companies are said to have the option to dispose both the perished item and the Compostable Bubble Wrap packaging without separating them in a green waste stream using industrial composting.

Cardia states its compostable resins are proprietary high performance materials that deliver packaging products of excellent mechanical strength, outstanding elongation properties and toughness. They are independently certified biodegradable and compostable to Europe EN13432 standards. further information: www.cardiabioplastics.com

The capsules are said to provide taste, aroma, quality and food safety

Biodegradable capsules make for a greener coffee Italian Meseta Coffee, a member of the Co.Ind group brand, has launched a new range of biodegradable coffee capsules.

The Meseta Capsules System coffee capsules are said to provide taste, aroma, quality and food safety all in one biodegradable capsule as determined by EN ISO 14855.

According to Meseta, it is the base polymer (polypropylene) of the traditional plastic structure that has been modified with the introduction of a special additive, ECM masterbatch pellets.

One percent of the additive is added to the plastic capsule mix, which Meseta states makes the plastic cup (and its lid) containing the coffee completely biodegradable, while allowing it to maintain its functional characteristics (e.g. the Meseta coffee capsule has a shelf life of 18 months and during use the capsule must stand up to the passage of pressurised hot water for making the coffee). The biodegradation of the Meseta coffee capsule starts when it has been removed from the packaging and used. further information: www.meseta.it

The new Cardia Compostable Bubble Wrap is destined for the European market.

biodegradable additives

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is The Cradonyl material end at e abl rad deg fully bio of life

Biodegradables claim to offer more sustainable solution for tree planting Netherlands-based Natural Plastics has developed a new tree support system that is set to eradicate the practice of felling existing trees for use as wooden support stakes in order to plant new ones.

Natural Plastics’ keeper system uses Cradonyl, a renewable material based on a bio-resin produced by UK-based Biome Bioplastics. This corn-based resin offers a natural alternative to conventional polymers such as PP, HDPE and ABS and produces naturally opaque, strong and rigid plastics.

“The range and capability of bioplastic products is continually expanding, they are already in more places than you might imagine,” explained Paul Mines, CEO Biome Bioplastics. “In the next decade we will see bioplastics become part of our everyday lives.”

Natural Plastics’ Keeper System uses an underground set of bioplastic anchors and ropes, replacing the need for a

wooden support stake. The components are fully biodegradable and have been engineered to break down after five years when the maturing trees no longer need support. In addition, when the biopolymers break down they release nutrients into the soil.

The company states the new system is commercially sustainable, as it doesn’t need adjusting or removing as the tree matures, and this lack of aftercare significantly reduces maintenance costs.

Thousands of stake-less trees have already been planted across Holland, Denmark, Germany, France and Norway using Natural Plastics’ innovative system.

The increasing popularity of bioplastic products is partly due to fluctuating oil prices and the crackdown from government legislation on the use of conventional plastics. further information: www.biomebioplastics.com

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biodegradable additives feature

Are oxo-biodegradable additives the answer to

PLASTIC POLLUTION?

Conventional plastics litter is an environmental concern across the world

D

ue to concerns over the amount of plastic pollution in the environment, bans or charges on plastic bags and products are being implemented or considered worldwide. To combat this, technologies are being developed that aim to keep plastics in the mainstream market whilst aiming to reduce the environmental impact. Michael Laurier, CEO of Symphony Environmental Technologies Plc, offers BP&R his view on oxo-biodegradable additives as a sustainable alternative to banning, or restricting the use of, plastics.

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Despite early battles with the compostable plastics sector, and environmentalists who were suspicious of its effectiveness, the use and understanding of oxo-biodegradable plastic, known as oxo-bio or plain ‘oxo’, has grown enormously over the past two to three years.

In the UAE (United Arab Emirates), oxobiodegradable plastic is now the only form of plastic allowed to be made or imported (as from January 2011) for a wide range of plastic products, because of concerns

about the amount of plastic pollution accumulating in the environment.

As an increasing number of people are now aware, the fundamental point is that additives included at manufacture turn ordinary plastic (after its useful life by an abiotic process in the presence of oxygen) into a material with a different molecular structure. At the end of that process it is no longer a plastic and has become a material, which is inherently biodegradable in the same way as a leaf.

As would be expected, it then eventually proceeds to biodegrade, and will share its carbon with plant life.

Timescales for degradation can be set at manufacture as required, which is why we often refer to the technology as “controlled-life”, but they must necessarily be approximate.

Although you can recycle controlled-life plastic, if collected during its useful life, it was designed to deal with the problem of plastic that escapes into the environment and cannot realistically be collected for recycling, reuse or incineration. Its principal value lies in its ability to degrade of its own accord and that it will last for a much shorter time in the environment

than ordinary plastic, but long enough to serve the purpose originally intended.

Oxo-biodegradable technology is now being seen by many conventional plastics companies and users as a defence against attempts to ban their products because they can lie or float around in the environment for many decades.

We sometimes hear it said that biodegradable plastic encourages littering, but there is absolutely no evidence that this is the case. Indeed it is impossible to tell the difference between a conventional and an oxo-bag without using scientific instruments, and litterlouts do not read the label (if there is one) before deciding to throw their rubbish into the environment.

Some people also claim that there is no evidence that oxo-bio plastic does biodegrade, but there is ample evidence in published scientific literature and in tests done according to international standards in Symphony’s own laboratories and by independent test houses. Indeed, independent tests according to ISO 17556 in 2010 have shown 91 perecent biodegradation in soil.

phony Michael Laurier, CEO of Sym PLC s logie hno Tec Environmental

These same people used also to claim that oxo-bio plastic contains heavy metals and that a plastic product cannot be described as biodegradable unless it complies with EN13432 or ASTM D6400, but this is a fundamental misunderstanding. These standards are for plastic that biodegrades in the special conditions found in industrial composting.

All the international standards for degradable plastics contain tests to ensure that there are no heavy metals and no eco-toxicity, and before making oxo-bio compulsory in the UAE, their environmental authority (ESMA) conducted an extensive process of duediligence on the technology. They examined the scientific literature and reports of tests carried out both in-house

by Symphony and by independent organisations.

When considering the benefit of the oxo-bag when disposed of as litter, the period required for complete biodegradation is not the relevant period.

As already explained, the biodegradation phase is preceded by the abiotic process of degradation by oxidation. At the end of that process the material will have fragmented into small pieces, which are no longer plastic. The degraded oxobiodegradable material will then be hydrophilic and biodegradable. It will no longer have any visual effect on the land or sea and it will no longer be capable of entangling wildlife or blocking drains.

The abiotic phase can be as short as a few months depending on the heat, UV light and stress in the disposal location, and on the pro-degradant formulation. As the fragments are, at the end of that phase, invisible and non-toxic, it is not important how long they take for total bioassimilation and that part of the process needs to be gradual to allow the full benefit to be absorbed by plant life.

Materials such as twigs and straw, which are obviously biodegradable, will usually take much longer than oxo-biodegradable plastic to biodegrade.

In February 2011, the UK Environment Agency published a Lifecycle Assessment carried out by Intertek, which showed that oxo-biodegradable plastic carrier bags had a better LCA than paper or compostable (bio-based plastic) bags. The report also highlighted the fact that HDPE plastic bags are, for each use, almost 200 times less damaging to the climate than paper, cotton, or jute bags, unless the latter were reused very many times. In 2012 Intertek carried out a supplementary assessment including the effects of litter, and concluded that the oxo-bag had a better LCA than the conventional plastic bag. further information: www.degradable.net

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Polymer study tours help teach that plastic is fantastic Many people talk about a ‘skills shortage’, but the Polymer Study Tours are a programme helping to solve the problem by working with the source of the new entrants to the industry – the secondary school teachers of potential new employees.

The tours are designed for science and design technology teachers and aim to give both practical knowledge and an insight into the modern plastics industry.

Teachers can then translate this knowledge directly into classroom activities to promote positive perceptions of plastics, both as a career and as an industry. Over the last 25 years the tours have trained nearly 3,000 teachers and influenced many more students about the positive aspects of the plastics industry.

The Polymer Study Tours are intensive four-day residential courses for teachers and trainee teachers of the secondary school science and design and technology curriculum. The course content is a

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mixture of lectures and discussions from academics and leading industry figures, hands-on laboratory processing and testing sessions and factory visits to major polymer processing companies.

The three institutional sponsors of the tours are the Worshipful Company of Horners, the British Plastics Federation, and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

Individual teachers are sponsored by a diverse group of UK and international firms in the plastics sector and are free to all teachers. More sponsors are sought for the summer 2012 tour and companies can both nominate and support individual teachers from their local area or provide general assistance.

Teacher reactions to the tours and the industry are always positive, with one previous attendee stating: “The Tour was fantastic! I found the visits and workshops invaluable to my knowledge and understanding of materials and manufacturing. The confidence I have gained will undoubtedly benefit my pupils.”

This is an opportunity for the plastics

Teachers get real experience operating processing equipment

industry news

industry to help to solve the skills shortage at source, to promote positive perceptions of the industry and at to support their local teachers.

The Polymer Study Tours for 2012 will be run at 3 locations during summer 2012: Edinburgh from 17 - 20 June, London from 24 - 27 June and Manchester from 8 - 11 July. further information: www.polymer-teachingresources.com

Image: Olympic Stadium (Credit: London 2012)

FROM THE FRONT LINE

On Wednesday, May 23rd, the British Plastics Federation held its Annual General Meeting in London. Philip Law, the BPF’s Public and Industrial Affairs Director, reports on the pivotal points from the day.

Plastics industry gagged when it comes to publicising Olympic success At the British Plastics Federation’s Annual General Meeting, Philip Watkins, President of the BPF, expressed astonishment that due to LOCOG’s (London Organising Committee of the Olympics Games) onerous restrictions on publicity he could not, 66 days away from the Olympics opening ceremony, list BPF members’ success in supplying products to the London Olympics.

Mr Watkins said: “The Prime Minister says the Games will “generate at least £1 billion for British business.” But it’s not much good if we can’t talk about our successes.”

“LOCOG seems to have been given unprecedented powers by the last Government. What the BPF have been pushing for since early April is for LOCOG to release immediately all suppliers and sub suppliers from their contract clauses preventing any publicity or communication.”

Briefed by the BPF, Lord Haskel asked in the House of Lords Olympics debate on Monday 21st May, whether the Government would "make good their rhetoric and take steps to allow British businesses to use the Olympics as a shop window for all the wonderful materials and products they have supplied?”

Baroness Gardener of Frognal, replying on behalf of the Government, offered no comfort that they could do so before the Olympics take place. She agreed with Lord Moynihan, Chairman of the British Olympics Association, that this might only be possible when LOCOG returns the rights to the British Olympics Association at the end of the year.

“This is useless for our members,” commented Mr Watkins. “The London Olympics will be past history by then. The world would have moved on and our role in contributing to the Games design, innovation and sustainability will be forgotten.” Mr Watkins described the restrictions as “an opportunity lost” and said that the BPF would continue to press for the ban to be lifted.

Driving down the plastic industry’s energy use In his speech, Philip Watkins spoke of “some substantial achievements in reducing energy usage in the plastics industry” through the BPF’s Climate Change Agreement (CCA) with the Government. The BPF’s CCA with 260 plastic industry sites is the fourth largest out of 54 sector agreements.

Mr Watkins said in 2011, CO2 savings under its CCA were 148,000 tonnes – enough to fill Wembley Stadium 66 times.

From the CCA’s start in 2009, CO2 savings total 400,000 tonnes.

“This is great news for the Environment and helps reduce energy costs in our companies,” Mr Watkins commented.

New BPF Vice President announced In a meeting held just before the AGM, the BPF’s Council elected Mike Boswell, Managing Director of Plastribution Ltd, as Vice President.

Mr Boswell has been Chairman of the BPF’s Polymer Distributors Group for several years. He has served both on the BPF’s Council and it's Strategy and Finance Committee and he has a broadly based experience of the Federation.

Mr Boswell takes up his position with immediate effect and will support BPF President, Philip Watkins, in his duties.

Mr Watkins was re-elected President for a further one year of office.

Mr Boswell said of his new office: “The Vice-Presidency of the BPF is an opportunity to help the industry to seize its future and to promote the great story of plastics. I am very much looking forward to supporting Philip Watkins in his mission to have our industry recognised as a strategic asset in our manufacturing economy.”

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Excellence in Nylon Distribution

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Suppliers continue to offer Nylon 12 alternatives After the fatal fire in Evonik’s CDT (cyclododecatriene) plant in Marl, Germany, a number of global suppliers have offered alternative materials to cope with the predicted short supplies of nylon 12.

CDT serves as a starting material in plastics manufacturing. CDT is used to make laurolactam, which, in turn, is used as a monomer in polyamide 12 (PA12).

Plastic parts made of PA12 are key components in automobile production, especially for coatings and connector applications for fuel handling and braking systems.

The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) is facilitating discussions between international plastics companies, such as Dow Chemical, DuPont and BASF and automotive OEMs and supplier companies to identify suitable alternatives for nylon 12 and how to accelerate the material testing process.

The last of these was held by the AIAG on April 30, where the industry reached a consensus and approved an interim design validation process and report for replacement nylon 12 materials for connectors, multi-layer tubing and assemblies.

Evonik itself is offering extrusion and injection moulding compounds based on PA 610, PA 612, PA 1010, and PA 1012, which do not require CDT as precursor.

They are said to be particularly suitable for use in line systems in the automotive supply industry, including the multi-layer tubing systems patented by Evonik. Evonik states another substitute is its bio-based Vestamid Terra, already being used by the automotive industry.

Solvay Specialty Polymers, a supplier of high-performance thermoplastics for the automotive industry, is offering the market its Amodel polyphthalamide (PPA)

a Spirit of Partnership

test alternatives to Nylon 12. (Image: Evonik Industries)

and Ixef polyarylamide (PARA) for key fuel line connectors and glycol connectors, which were previously moulded of nylon 12 resin.

“We’ve been working closely with key automotive suppliers to find alternative materials to nylon 12 to ensure that the industry can continue to run at current production levels,” explained Bill Gaines, Global Automotive Business Development Manager for Solvay Specialty Polymers.

DuPont states that its Zytel HTN PPA resin is more than a match for nylon 12 in urgent replacement programmes. The company states it has worked closely with fuel system part suppliers on PPA evaluation as an alternative to nylon 12, and believes its Zytel HTN54 Series PPA resins are equal to PA12 in performance.

Zytel HTN54 Series PPA resins are said to be excellent candidates for replacing PA12's in injection moulding applications such as fuel quick-connectors. They are available in conductive and nonconductive grades that can replace equivalent PA12 grades.

Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, announced that it is working with global automotive original equipment manufacturers and suppliers to deliver alternative material options in response to the Nylon-12 shortage.

“Ticona is offering its application development expertise and highperformance thermoplastics to the global automotive industry to help resolve issues resulting from the reduced supply of Nylon,” said Michael Stubblefield, Ticona General Manager.

The company is offering its highperformance Hostaform/Celcon acetal copolymer (POM) and Fortron polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) products, which are used extensively for fuel and other automotive components.

“With 50-plus years of material and application expertise, Ticona is well positioned throughout the world to deliver solutions that can help automotive OEM and tier suppliers find alternative material solutions,” said Stubblefield.

Other global supplies offering alternatives include DSM Engineering Materials and Rhodia Engineering Plastics.

Evonik states the CDT plant is expected to be operational again in the fourth quarter of 2012. The regulatory authorities are still investigating the cause of the accident. further information: www.evonik.com www.aiag.org

engineering materials

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01925 750320 Materials suppliers are working hard to find and

www.ultrapolymers.co.uk

INJECTION MOULDING

Engineering Passion

news A 320 tonne BS range Borche

New range of injection moulding machines for the UK and Irish markets Plastic Machinery Sales, based in Rushock, Worcestershire, has taken delivery of the first Borche Injection Moulding Machines for the UK and Irish markets.

China-based manufacturer Borche produces over 10,000 machines per annum, utilising European technology and Chinese engineering to offer 60 to 4000 tonne injection-moulding machines.

Alec Farrell, MD of PMS said on returning from China: “There is a pent up

demand for good quality machinery at competitive prices.” The new range of Borche machines are said to offer excellent value and reliability, at what formerly would have been used machinery prices.

“We have been selling used equipment into the UK for over 40 years and this new opportunity provides manufacturers to buy exactly what they want but at significantly lower prices than

standard European machines. Our inhouse engineers deal with all logistics, training and servicing as part of our offer to purchase,” Mr Farrell continued.

Benefits of the Borche machines are said to include low power consumption, modern design, short lead times as well as being fully customisable.

In addition, PMS claims to offer a full trade-in service to give clients not only a true market evaluation on their old plant, but coordination with the new installation to ensure that any changeover is project managed to ensure minimal disruption to ongoing production. further information: www.plasticmachineryuk.com

The GuideX guide shoe absorbs forces and protects the guid es

KraussMaffei unveils new machine range During an in-house event in Munich, machinery giant KraussMaffei unveiled its latest offering in injection moulding technology: the GX series.

Making its debut at the event, the GX series is a new addition to the company’s range of hydro-mechanical dual platen machines in the medium clamping force range. The concept uses new innovations including a ‘GearX’ locking device and ‘GuideX’ guide shoe.

In total KraussMaffei demonstrated six machines from the series with a clamping force ranging from 400 to 650 tonnes. The machines have different sizes and equipment variants for production requirements in an assortment of industries. The GX machines are said to be suitable for the production of free falling packaging parts and premium parts for the automotive industry and consumer goods sector.

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"Our customers were primarily interested in the modular automation cells containing linear and industrial robots in different configurations,” said Dr. Karlheinz Bourdon, Vice President of Technologies in the Injection Moulding Machinery Segment of KraussMaffei.

According to KraussMaffei, the hydromechanical clamping unit has been key to the development of the GX Series. The dual platen technology reportedly has many benefits in a wide range of applications. "In my opinion, the GX machines represent the best overall

The new GX series with dual platen technology

GearX and GuideX are the main design features of the GX series

concept,” continued Bourdon. "We talk about a new dimension because our customers can use the machine to get the best results from their production."

With the GuideX guide shoe, clamping forces are said to be well absorbed and the service life of the mould is therefore increased. As a fixed bearing joint with an optimised FEM design, GuideX is “a genuine highlight,” according to KraussMaffei, which ensures platen parallelism due to the stable design and offers energy-efficient motion.

The GearX locking system is activated in the shortest possible time and offers fast, continuous machine operation. The placement of the system has been designed to facilitate simple access and numerous customer-specific options. further information: www.kraussmaffei.com

www.kraussmaffei.co.uk Rapidparts ‘switch’ on injection moulding services The Middleton, Manchester site of Eaton Electric Ltd, an electrical product manufacturer, opted to use services provided by specialist, fast-track plastic injection moulded parts manufacturer, Rapidparts, when developing its latest range.

With around a century of history in making electric wiring accessories such as switches, socket-outlets and lampholders, Eaton is a major player in the electrical installations business. Its products are used in blue chip projects worldwide, including Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 and London's Canary Wharf.

Their intention was to create a modular grid switch range – small units that fit into frames mainly for use in office and commercial applications, but also for some domestic use.

After Eaton examined the new parts in more depth they decided that some would require prototyping. Having used Rapidparts for a number of previous quick-turnaround injection mould requirements, the company revisited the

component manufacturer.

“Rapidparts said they would start machining rapid injection mould tooling immediately and could provide parts in the actual design material [polycarbonate] within 15 days,” explained Eaton’s Quality Support Engineer. “We had tried rapid prototypes produced using stereolithography [SLA] but because of the material you don’t really get a true feel for the functionality of these components. Using the service provided

by Rapidparts we could give the parts a proper ‘form, fit and function’ test, including strength testing.”

Rapidparts prototyped the three main mouldings required for the new grid switch modules: a base, which houses the metal contact parts; a cover that fits over it; and the internal rocker. A small quantity of around 500 of each part was supplied and “worked very well” according to Eaton.

“I think we had one issue where one particular switch wasn’t functioning correctly,” said the Eaton spokesperson.

“However, we talked to Rapidparts and they quickly made a clear polycarbonate version so we could see the switching mechanism in action. It allowed us to discover that one of the terminals wasn’t

A range of electrical products from Eaton Electric

sitting down properly and so we made a small design modification to compensate.

Ultimately it’s far cheaper to make changes at the prototype stage than when in production.”

By way of additional benefit, having prototypes in polycarbonate also allowed Eaton to prove the laser marking process.

The new range of Eaton wiring accessories is currently being launched in the UK. further information: www.rapidpartsuk.com

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further information: www.dkt2012.de

Fine mesh straining of rubber compounds at dkt With an extensive product range for both roll-ex fine-mesh straining systems and extrusion systems, Uth GmbH states it is able to provide solutions that

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Focus on energy efficiency for Engel at German Rubber Conference Energy efficiency will be the number one topic at the Engel Austria booth during the DKT German Rubber Conference in Nuremberg, Germany.

With three machines on show, the system supplier for injection moulding technology will demonstrate best-in-class approaches to manufacturing premium quality rubber and silicone parts in a sustainable and, at the same time, economic way using bespoke systems.

"Energy saving potentials in elastomer processing are even higher than in thermoplastics,� explained Leopold Praher, Head of Sales elast/LIM with Engel Austria in Austria. "The long heating times are decisive.� Engel will demonstrate how to leverage this potential with a vertical Engel elast 2700/400 V compact injection-moulding machine featuring ecodrive.

significantly contribute to improving product quality and cost-effectiveness with regard to the manufacture of rubber, silicone and tyres.

The company, which produces machinery and processing techniques for the rubber, tyre and plastics industries, will display its newly-developed roll-ex 220 model at the DKT rubber conference in Nuremburg. Designed for throughput rates of up to 2,500 kg/h, the roll-ex 220 is said to be a highly costeffective and innovative solution for the fine-mesh straining of final compounds in the mixing line.

Uth states it is beneficial to use rollex gear extruders (even with frequent compound changes or the usage of coloured

Engel will be dedicating two exhibits to silicone processing at DKT. One of them will produce valve bodies from liquid silicone on an Engel victory 200/50 LIM and for the other, an Engel victory 300/120 HTV will be demonstrating approaches to economic solid silicone processing.

Engel states the highlight will be the Engel roto feeder feed system, which ensures maximum process reliability in the processing of thermosets and solid silicons. A rotating hopper with counterrotating screw is said to ensure that the material is fed in continuously, without inclusions and at a constant pressure.

Injection moulding of silicone rubbers is also the topic of the Engel keynote on Wednesday (4th July). Leopold Praher will be presenting the latest developments and future potential of silicone processing. further information: www.engelglobal.com

materials), as they can be cleaned quickly and thoroughly on account of their patented design.

The modular roll-ex system can be combined with a two-roll feeder (TRF), a screw feeder, or a conical twin-screw extruder. Throughput rates range from 70 kg/h to 6,000 kg/h for standard applications; for special applications, throughput rates of up to 15,000 kg/h are possible. further information: www.uth-gmbh.com

The roll- ex 220

Conference Preview: DKT 2012 From July 2 to July 5 2012, the German Rubber Society will hold its Rubber Conference in Nuremberg.

The DKT is said to be a unique forum for those working in the rubber industry, as well as its up- and downstream sectors.

The conference will provide a platform for scientists and personnel from the industry to meet and network in order to discuss the challenges of rubber production and processing, to receive new input to thinking, present information through a lecture programme and learn from an educational symposium.

The scientific lecture programme will focus on presentations from technical experts of the rubber industry and research organisations, making the convention an excellent forum for presenting innovations and new developments in research and technology to an international audience.

The Engel roto feeder offers continuous, inclusion-free, constant pressure material feeding in solid silicone processing.

rubber conference

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Finance grants lead to success for UK businesses This month’s view from Smart currency Highlighting that there’s business to be had outside the depressed Eurozone, one UK plastics company has recently expanded its business and landed contracts in the Americas. Meanwhile, a joint venture announced between one of America’s most iconic brands, Coca Cola, and leading recycler, ECO Plastics, will more than double the UK’s capacity to recycle plastic for reuse in new bottles.

Encouragingly, both of these developments have come about thanks to finance being made available. In the first case, a sixfigure loan from a high street bank meant that Barnsley-based polyurethane specialist, CTM, has been able to move to new premises and in the process increase its resources, which led to it winning contracts in Texas and Brazil.

In north Lincolnshire, part of the £15 million needed for the Coca-Cola-ECO Plastics plant is coming from a £1.15 million loan from the Government’s waste advisory body, WRAP. Currently, Coca Cola sources recycled plastic from Europe, while around two thirds of used British plastics packaging is exported for reprocessing.

Coca-Cola has already pledged to recycle all clear plastic bottles disposed of at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, of which it is one of the major sponsors.

Plastics manufacturers with profit margins affected by market fluctuations can eliminate the risk of buying currency by calling Smart Currency Business on 020 7898 0500 for more information and to find out how much can be saved. 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 01829 770037 for details.

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BP&R buyer’s guide services

plasma surface treatment

mouldmaking

masterbatch

mould release

acquisition

WANTED

Injection Moulding businesses Are you looking to retire and/or sell out of your injection moulding business? We may well be interested, if you are not tied in to a long lease. If you're located in the West Midlands, we may well want to take on your key employees as part of the deal.

If interested, please contact, in confidence: Greg McDonald Goodfish Limited greg@goodfishltd.com (01543) 505 323

injection moulding

additive masterbatch

printers 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

extrusion flow analysis 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

mouldflow analysis

printers of plastic mouldings

TAMPO.SCREEN.FOIL Contour Marking Co Ltd Albert House, Gledrid Industrial Park, Gledrid, Chirk, Wrexham LL14 5DG T: 01691 770093 F: 01691 770023 E: sales@contourmarking.com W: www.contourmarking.com

pad 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

colour masterbatch

materials

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

Eclipse Colours Ltd

conductive plastics and coatings TBA Electro Conductive Products Ltd

tool making design and manufacture of blow moulds

bp&r

ancillary

polymer distributors

testing/ consultancy

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 Rheometry,TGA,DSC,MFI/MVR Impact

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equipment

Beaubury Precision Moulds Ltd 4 Telford Close, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP19 8DS T: 01296 434311 F: 01296 433276 E: blowmoulds@ beaubury.co.uk W: www.beaubury.co.uk

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

fastenings and fixings

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.

materials for sale and wanted

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.bransonplasticsjoin.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

pulse staking H.T.E. Engineering Services Ltd 75, Dunboyne Business Park, Dunboyne, Co. Meath, Ireland T: +353 (0) 1 8013261 F: +353 (0) 1 8013262 M: +44 (0) 7435 967632 E: patrick@hte.ie W: www.hte.ie

extrusion systems

spin welding

heating equipment

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

ultrasonic plastics assembly systems Branson Ultrasonics 158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.bransonplasticsjoin.com

ultrasonic welding 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

CNC ASSEMBLY MACHINES Cannon ShelleyUK agents for Belotti CNC Machining Centres 32 Roman Way Business Park, Godmanchester, Huntindon, Cambridgeshire PE29 2LN T: 01480 453651 F: 01480 52113 E: sales@cannon-shelley.co.uk W: www.cannonforma.com

control systems and equipment quality monitoring control

injection moulding extruders and downstream equipment In Partnership with PC Moulding & Automation

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, water baths, hauloffs, fly knife cutters, conveyors/ tip tables, in-line punches, coilers etc. New and used.

Repairs, servicing or rebuilds.

UK agent for Lyons Electronics

Kistler Instruments Ltd 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.

www.pmmuk.net Tel: +44 (0) 1296 658 638 World Class Robotics from Max Robot

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

thermocouples

hot runner systems hot runner controllers

chillers/ temperature controllers

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

dryers/ dehumidifiers

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

Unit 22, W & G Estate, Challow, nr Wantage, Oxfordshire OX12 9TF T: 01235 760435 F: 01235 763021 E: frankh@ridgewaycoex.co.uk W: www.ridgewaycoex.co.uk Optimised monolayer die heads, coating die heads up to 4 layers, multi-layer die heads up to 7 layers, for pipe/tube sizes from 1 mm O/D up to 200 mm O/D; multiple tube die heads for mono and multi-layer products; multi-layer, multi-parison blow moulding die heads up to 7 layers; multi-layer sheet and profile dies up to 5 layers. R & D and product development projects; line conversions; turnkey system installations.

granulators Motan Colortronic Ltd

Motan Colortronic Ltd

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

Ridgeway Co-Extrusion Technology Ltd

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

gravimetric/volumetric blending

co-extrusion die heads and systems

Telsonic UK Ltd Units 14 & 15 Birch Copse, Technology Road, Poole, Dorset, BH17 7FH T: 01202 697340 F: 01202 693674 E: sales@telsonic.co.uk W: www.telsonic.co.uk Blog: www.telsonicuk. wordpress.com

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

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

materials handling and storage

infra red systems

PLASTICOLOR B A Thorne (Machinery) Ltd19A 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

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

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BP&R buyer’s guide printing machines silk screen and pad Mascoprint Developments Ltd Stags End Cottage Barn, Gaddesden Row, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 6HN T: 01582 791190 F: 01582 791199 E: info@mascoprint.co.uk W: www.mascoprint.co.uk

pad

inspection & measurement

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

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

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

spark testers Buckleys (UVRAL) Limited Buckleys House, Unit G, Concept Court, Shearway Road, Shearway Business Park, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 4RG, ENGLAND. T: +44 01303 278888 F: +44 01303 274331 E: sales@buckleys.co.uk W: www.buckleys.co.uk

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

static control Arrowquint Ltd

www.pmmuk.net Tel: +44 (0) 1296 658 638 World Class Ancillaries from FASI

hopper dryers

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

screws and barrels

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

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

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

46 bp&r

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

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 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

thermoforming equipment

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