BP&R May/June 2018 by BP&R Magazine

British Plastics

and Rubber

bp&r may/june 2018

PLASTICS TAKE ON A NEW SHADE

AS YIZUMI MAKES UK EXHIBITION DEBUT: SEE PAGE 4 BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONS Specifying the right plastic pipes for the future of UK infrastructure

UK PLASTICS LEADERSHIP WRAP launches pact for “wholescale transformation” of the plastics system

STAYING CIRCULAR VinylPlus sets record straight for global PVC sustainability

SPRUE PICKERS:

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Email: sales@hiclassmachinery.co.uk The one-stop ancillaries shop • Drying • Material Handling • Product Handling • Temperature Control • Recycling • Dosing & Blending

bp&r

editor’s letter

Back in Black

www.britishplastics.co.uk head of content: Leanne Taylor

T: +44(0)1244 952 371 E: leanne@rapidnews.com Deputy Group Editor: Rose Brooke

T: +44 (0) 1244 952 370 E: rose.brooke@rapidnews.com Assistant Editor: John Carlon

T: +44 (0) 1244 680222 E: john.carlon@rapidnews.com

If the barrier to the widescale adoption of NIR detectable masterbatches for black plastic packaging has historically been price related, then the firm’s announcement of its breakthrough in new colourants at some 60 per cent less than the original quoted costs is an exciting one.

EDITORIAL ASSITANT: GRACE NOLAN

T: +44 (0) 1244 952 375 E: grace.nolan@rapidnews.com head of media SALES: Lisa Montgomery

T: +44 (0) 1244 952 372 E: lisa@rapidnews.com

Senior Sales Executive: MANDY O’BRIEN

T: +44 (0) 1244 952 373 E: mandy.o@rapidnews.com ART: SAM HAMLYN

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

T: +44 (0) 1244 680222 E: subscriptions@rapidnews.com PUBLISHER: duncan wood

T: +44 (0) 1244 680222 E: duncan@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 rate: UK, Europe and rest of the world £249 British Plastics & Rubber is published monthly (8 times/year) by Rapid Plastics Media Ltd, Carlton House, Sandpiper Way, Chester Business Park, CH4 9QE T: +44 (0) 1244 680222 F: +44 (0) 1244 671074 © 2018 Rapid Plastics Media Ltd While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained within this publication is accurate the publisher accepts no liability for information published in error, or for views expressed. All rights for British Plastics & Rubber are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. ISSN 0307-6164 Incorporating Polymer Age and Rubber and Plastics Age.

here the plastics industry is concerned, where there is challenge, there is innovation. This is certainly the case for South Wales-based Colour Tone Masterbatch. If the barrier to the widescale adoption of NIR detectable masterbatches for black plastic packaging has historically been price related, then the firm’s announcement of its breakthrough in new colourants at some 60 per cent less than the original quoted costs is an exciting one. The company believes that the new, economical food-contact compliant formulations offer a viable alternative to non-detectable carbon black pigments, providing an effective option for recovery of black plastics at ‘end of life’. This, it says, will enable brand owners and retailers to find an alternative substitute to using virgin plastics, so they can effectively ‘close the loop’ on this valuable waste stream. With the ambitious targets in place for the recycling industry in the years to come, such innovative new technologies could be gamechanging. You can read more about the technology on page 19. Continuing the theme of recycling, WRAP’s recent UK Pact is leading the way for complete reform of the plastics system, moving away from the ‘take-make-dispose’ model of the past and increasingly towards a more circular system. I attended the launch event in London in April and couldn’t fail to be impressed

with the willingness for collaboration, urgency for change and respect for plastic as a material, from everyone involved. You can read more about the launch on page 21. Enjoy the issue. Leanne Taylor, head of content

the big story The Green Revolution:

Injection Moulding in the UK and Ireland TAKES ON A NEW SHADE hines The A5 and FE series mac will be debuted at PDM

A AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF YIZUMI INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES TO THE UK MARKET BY STV MACHINERY IN APRIL LAST YEAR, THE FIRM SAYS ORDERS HAVE “EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS”. AHEAD OF THE MACHINES MAKING THEIR UK EXHIBITION DEBUT LATER THIS MONTH, BP&R FINDS OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT’S MADE THEM A FIRM FAVOURITE WITH CUSTOMERS IN JUST 12 MONTHS.

TV Machinery made the decision to start supplying injection moulding machines from Chinese manufacturer, Yizumi (pronounced Yi-Zoo-Me), in April 2017, following a period of intensive assessment of the machines, on-site testing, factory visits and customer trials. Richard Perry, Director of STV Machinery, says that since then, the number of orders received have “exceeded expectations”, with machines in production in the UK and Ireland now ranging from 60 to 2700 tonne clamp. STV supplies the FE, an all-electric offering as well as the servo-driven A5 series, which is said to be a firm favourite amongst customers. Perry accepts that investing in a new brand with little or no track record in this country could be considered a risky decision, however, says that customers put their trust in the Yizumi range because of STV’s reputation for supplying reliable refurbished machines in the years previous. “It would not be wise to jeopardise the reputation STV has built up with our customers by supplying a second-rate machine,” explained Perry. “We have a team of experienced engineers with many years’ experience and a stock of parts to support each new machine delivered. Although Yizumi offer us fantastic support with their large support teams, the customer will ultimately be relying on us at STV Machinery – so we had to be confident we’re selling a top-quality product.”

We ‘tweaked’ the A5 series to be an extremely well specified and competitively priced machine, I’m confident that we’ve hit a sweet spot with quality and price

HITTING A “SWEET SPOT” As a result of a combined 70 years’ experience in the plastics injection moulding industry, STV’s technical experts were given free reign by Yizumi to customise the machines for the UK and Irish markets. “We ‘tweaked’ the A5 series to be an extremely well specified and competitively priced machine, I’m confident that we’ve hit a sweet spot with quality and price,” Perry explained. “The A5 series machine is a fantastic general-purpose machine and has proven itself to be extremely reliable. The servo driven pump in the machine keeps power consumption to an absolute minimum; we’ve seen savings of up to 80 per cent against older machines of the same size” MAKING AN ENTRANCE At the PDM event in Telford on 19-20 June, there will be two Yizumi machines running in a production environment, a 120tonne A5 series machine demonstrating the capabilities of the hydraulic servodriven series, and a 60 tonne FE series all-electric machine manufacturing a technical component. All the UK machines are supplied with a control system from Austrian-based KEBA. As well as the two machines, the Yizumi stand will have further information on Yizumi’s company profile and its worldwide presence. “There should be plenty to talk about as although Yizumi are relatively new on the scene in the UK, they are one of the largest producers of injection moulding machines in the world,” Perry added. MORE MACHINES ‘ZOOMING IN’ From its HQ near Guangzhou in China and multiple production sites, Yizumi employs more than 2,500 employees producing some 7000 machines a year. The company is represented in over 60 countries worldwide, with further sales agents being added year on year. It was the first moulding equipment manufacturer to be listed on the ChiNext, Shenzhen stock exchange, following a successful IPO in January 2015. Later this year, UK and Irish customers will be able to purchase two new machine series unveiled by Yizumi at Chinaplas last month. www.stvmachinery.co.uk/yizumi

WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK

The Expert in Masterbatch Solutions is pleased to welcome you at PDM event in Telford stand C 010! Ampacet, an independent provider of specialty

This year our UK team will welcome you at its

formula�ons

stand at PDM and will show you Ampacet latest

and services to the global

thermoplas�cs industry, was founded in New

innova�ons in Moulding and Film applica�ons.

York in 1937 and present in Europe since 1986.

Visit us and get more informa�on about

Ampacet has 7 produc�on sites in Europe and

Ampacet Colour services, including Ampacet PET

one of them is situated in Telford.

and surface protec�on solu�ons. Discover new

From sa�ns and pearlescents to metallic and

cu�ng-edge

pastels, Ampacet works with an extensive

agricultural

pale�e of pigments to provide the most

packaging and industrial applica�ons. Learn

aesthe�cally unique choice of colours and

more about Ampacet range of sustainable

special eﬀects, which consequently increases

masterbatch solu�ons that helps reduce,

appeal

recycle and reuse.

and

brand

awareness.

Ampacet’s

masterbatch range also includes from premium to cost-eﬀec�ve whites and blacks, as well as general purpose and technically advanced addi�ve solu�ons.

addi�ve

technologies

greenhouses,

ﬂexible

for food

Don’t miss this opportunity and book your trip with one of our Sales Representa�ves to Ampacet’s newly opened UK Design Centre where you will journey from an “Idea to a Realisa�on”!

For further informa�on please contact us at: marke�ng.europe@ampacet.com www.ampacet.com

MAy/June 2018

on the cover

THE GREEN REVOLUTION: INJECTION MOULDING IN THE UK AND IRELAND TAKES ON A NEW SHADE After the introduction of Yizumi injection moulding machines to the UK market by STV Machinery in April last year, the firm says orders have “exceeded expectations”. Ahead of the machines making their UK exhibition debut later this month, BP&R finds out more about what’s made them a firm favourite with customers in just 12 months. SEE PAGE 4

Editor’s Letter BACK IN BLACK

Feature

WRAP LAUNCHES UK PACT FOR “WHOLESCALE TRANSFORMATION” OF THE PLASTICS SYSTEM During an event in London in April, a new initiative involving multiple stakeholders to transform the UK’s waste management system was launched to promote recycling and re-use, reduce waste and benefit the economy.

Feature

A DECADE TO CELEBRATE FOR WITTMANN BATTENFELD UK John Carlon reports from Wittmann Battenfeld UK after the company opened its doors to the industry to showcase efficient moulding, intelligent ancillaries and the latest in digital production and networked systems. 6

REGULARS

MEASURING COLOUR: ENSURING PLASTICS PROCESSORS CHOOSE THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY When sourcing a non-contact colour measurement sensor, it is important to understand the underlying technology the sensor is based on and how this affects measurement performance. Otherwise, you could be purchasing a sensor that simply isn’t up to the task, says Stephen Smith of Micro-Epsilon.

09 INDUSTRY NEWS 15 AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS 19 RECLaMATION AND RECYCLING 23 FILM AND SHEET 27 MACHINERY 31 colour management 35 SURFACE FINISH, PRINTING AND DECORATING 38 BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 43 MATERIALS 46 POLYMERMAN 47 BUYERS’ GUIDE 49 SOFTWARE 50 NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE

feature

Feature

NPE 2018: AN INDUSTRY HEAVYWEIGHT The USA’s biggest plastics trade show, NPE, weighed in heavy when it landed in Orlando, going supersized on not only exhibits, but also in its approach to the issues facing the international market. Leanne Taylor reports from Orlando.

Feature

VINYLPLUS SETS RECORD STRAIGHT FOR GLOBAL PVC SUSTAINABILITY The VinylPlus Sustainability Forum didn’t shy away from the difficult issues facing the sustainability of the global PVC industry at its annual meeting, which took place in Madrid. Rose Brooke reports on the key highlights from the event.

WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK

BOY 35E

35 tonnes clamp large platens 4 tie bars All in a footprint less than 1.91m² An unbeatable space/price/ performance ratio! AVAILABLE WITH BOY’S STATE-OF-THE-ART PROCAN 4 CONTROL SYSTEM

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Robot tool change systems from Stäubli Tool change systems from Stäubli extend the range of applications of all robots and turn them into a highly flexible production system for a diverse range of tasks in all assembly and handling processes. Our robot tool changers offer our customers

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INDUSTRY | NEWS Polymer Training and Innovation Centre adds Bunting equipment

From left Hannah, Joshua and Stephen Murphy of Pan Stone Europe

Pan Stone Europe plans growth due to successful export market North-Wales machinery distributor, Pan Stone Europe, is on track to achieve a turnover of £3million this year, with over 70 per cent of the company’s turnover achieved through export sales in Ireland and Europe. Selected for support by Business Wales’ Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP), the family business says it has set its sights on breaking the £6million revenue mark by 2021. The Wrexham-based company distributes injection and compression moulding machines for the processing of rubber, silicone and liquid silicone materials across the oil and gas, aerospace, automotive and pharmaceuticals sectors.

“Pan Stone is constantly innovating to meet customer demands and has done a lot of work around automation and robotics,” said Stephen Murphy, Managing Director. “We are investing in our business both in terms of talented people and putting in place the best possible systems and processes. We currently employ nine people but anticipate adding further members to the team over the coming months.” The company was set up six years ago by Murphy. His son, Joshua, is one of the firm’s service technicians, and daughter, Hannah, is a business administrator. With over 30 years’ experience in the electronics and electrical industry, Phill Harry has been appointed as Operations Director to help drive growth in the business. www.panstone.eu

and plastic machinery sales,” said Tim Peet, Founder of Labotek GB. “In addition to supporting our existing customer base, Richard will focus on developing the latest range of standard products offered by Labotek A/S, a selection of which will be available ex-stock from our Labotek GB focuses on new premises in Bromsgrove.” In addition to its range of Labotek UK expansion A/S ancillary equipment designed to reduce energy consumption, Labotek GB, formally UK Plastics to dry, transport, dose and store Machinery, has announced it free-flowing plastic granules and is focusing on a UK expansion powdered materials, Labotek GB will following a record year. continue to offer Ferlin Gravimetric The expansion includes hiring additional staff and moving to larger Blenders, Getecha Granulators and will be marketing the Dynapremises. con modular belt conveyors “To assist the expansion, we manufactured at Labotek’s new are by joined Richard Hird as UK facility in Sweden. Sales Manager who will bring his extensive knowledge of the industry www.labotek.com

The Polymer Training and Innovation Centre in Telford has added a new drawer filter magnet from Bunting Magnetics to its range of equipment at its plastics manufacturing training facility. The FF Drawer Filter Magnet attracts and captures fine and coarse magnetically susceptible materials that enter the plastics manufacturing process. The Polymer Training and Innovation Centre, a technical training and consultancy business owned by City of Wolverhampton College, provides polymer training and consultancy, specialising in injection moulding, blow moulding and extrusion. “We have great support from the industry and equipment manufacturers such as Bunting. This support means that we can deliver practical training, with a hands-on approach, and that is the best way for our delegates to learn,” explained Andrew Dermody, Technical Trainer. “Having the Drawer Filter Magnet installed exactly as it would be in a production plant, is an ideal way to show our students best-practice and highlight the importance of metal removal.” Bunting also supplied Drawer Filter Magnets in classrooms as the Polymer Training and Innovation Centre plans to incorporate metal separation as one of the course topics. www.buntingeurope.com

WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK

960-342e-04.18

ADVERTORIAL

Process monitoring made simple with ComoNeo: the cavity pressure profile can be tracked in real time.

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ComoNeo, the leading-edge Process Monitoring System All efforts to monitor injection molding processes are aimed at cutting costs. ComoNeo is the method of choice to achieve this goal because it detects scrap automatically. ComoNeo is Kistler’s process monitoring system for cavity pressure-based analysis, optimization, monitoring and documentation of injection molding, with separation of good and bad parts. This compact system meets industry’s needs and is easy to configure. It features simple connection technology and fits flexibly into a variety of production environments. Simple to Operate – Crystal-Clear Display Operating ComoNeo is simple: the cavity pressure profile can be tracked in real time, and the visualization on the capacitive Multi-Touch Display makes it easy to identify process fluctuations. Integrated data storage makes it possible to record curve histories with at least 50 000 cycles. Curve superimposition and a host of other useful functions (changeable color schemes to display curves, cycle comments and cursor functions, etc.) allow detailed analysis directly on the injection molding machine.

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Stand B029

Production mode also includes clear production progress and scrap rate displays as well as intelligent mechanisms: for instance, interruptions to production are detected automatically, and a defined number of cycles can be declared as scrap on restarting. As well as tracking component quality, ComoNeo can monitor process stability and trigger warning signals in case of process fluctuations. Benefits • Operation is simple and intuitive, tailored to injection molding. • All relevant production data is shown clearly on the Dashboard. • Monitoring windows for good/bad evaluation are generated automatically. • Integrated cycle history with capacity for at least 5 days’ production. • End-of-production forecast takes account of the reject rate.

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LGG Charlesworth rebrands to Talisman Plastics LGG Charlesworth, plastics injection moulding specialist, is rebranding and from 1st June 2018 will become Talisman Plastics. The Malvern-based company will undergo a new logo, corporate branding and website to reflect the transition. The company says Talisman Plastics will incorporate three trading divisions under a brand that conveys a clear focus on the plastics sector. The first of these divisions operating under the Talisman Plastics brand is Precision Plastics Injection Moulding, which will serve the 5,000 to 500,000 volume market in the UK. Additionally, it will incorporate Talisman Security Seals for the healthcare and general security seals market, as well as Talisman Caps and Closures, which will operate within the packaging sector. This rebrand and restructuring has been supported by investment in new injection mould tooling technology, the appointment of new project development and tooling managers, and the acquisition of an established caps and closures specialist. Due to focused investment and development programming, the company says turnover has grown by over 10 per cent in the past 12 months with profitability ratios maintained. “This new brand conveys our bold and modern approach whilst clearly communicating that we are one company with three distinct divisions,” added Shaun Champion, Managing Director. www.lggcharlesworth.com

Shaun Champion, Talisman Plastics Managing Director

Richard Brown, Chairman of the Judges and Managing Director of RJG Technologies, whittles down the f inalists

Design Innovation in Plastics competition showcases student innovation as finalists announced Six finalists have been announced from over 140 submissions for this year’s Design Innovation in Plastics competition. Students from UK and Irish universities have created innovative new products to make gardening easier, as they contest in the 2018 event. Established in 1985, the Design Innovation in Plastics Award is the longest-running student plastics design competition in Europe. Organised by the Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining and the Worshipful Company of Horners, and headline sponsored by Covestro, this year’s competition brief, ‘Branching Out – Design for Garden Innovation’, challenged students to design an innovative product, primarily from plastics, that will better connect people with nature. Over two days, the judges whittled the entries down to a final six.

WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK

The finalists have produced a novel mix of products, including a development-promoting planter for urban spaces designed specifically with children in mind; a bee-friendly planter that administers an antimite chemical; and an ergonomic multi-tool targeting gardeners with arthritis. The students have now been asked to refine their entries, presenting their products for final judging in late May before the overall winner is announced at a ceremony in London on 6th July. “The way the students interpreted the subject varied tremendously and it challenged the judges to compare some very diverse solutions, ranging from nature to leisure,” said Richard Brown, Chairman of the Judges and Managing Director of RJG Technologies. “There were some ingenious proposals and it’s clear the design talent from our universities is strong and far reaching.” British Plastics and Rubber is once again partnering the Design Innovation in Plastics competition, further updates will be reported in the coming issues. www.designinnovatioNplastics.org 11

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North East plastics manufacturer receives global automotive excellence standard The Omega Plastics Group (OPG) has received IATF 16949 accreditation for its facility in Hartlepool following an assessment process conducted by LRQA. Having first been awarded the ISO/TS 16949 status in 2016, Omega has been recertified against the newly released IATF 16949:2016 automotive standard to ensure it was compliant with the significantly revised standard. The certification is one of the automotive sectors most widely used international standards for quality management systems. “OPG had to undergo a full, third-party audit of its quality management systems and processes at Hartlepool, which took around seven days to complete and covered all of our procedures from materials being delivered, through

the manufacturing process to delivery and customer satisfaction,” said Paul Anderson, Group Quality Manager at Omega Plastics Group. “This was a really intensive process so we are delighted to have once again met the criteria to receive the accreditation. We’re currently one of the only manufacturers in the North East to have gained IATF 16949 so it’s something we’re incredibly proud of.” Omega Plastics says it conducts a lot of business with blue chip car manufacturers and OEMs operating in the automotive sector, therefore receiving the accreditation is a real asset to the business. “In the near future, we will be looking to replicate this accreditation process at our site in Washington, which is currently working to the IATF standard, which will help to increase our capacity and ensure standardised quality production across our facilities,” added Dave Crone, Group Managing Director at Omega Plastics Group. www.omega-plastics.co.uk

Paul Anderson, Group Quality Manager at Omega Plastics Group

This was a really intensive process so we are delighted to have once again met the criteria to receive the accreditation.

Steadman and BrayneNicholls opening up the new premises

Aquapurge boosts production with relocation and relaunch Purging compound producer, Aquapurge, is combining its latest recording-breaking sales figures with a factory move this month. The present premises in Hayes, Middlesex, has been exchanged for a facility at Argent Trade Park that effectively doubles the old factory footprint; moving the company just one mile away in the same West London location. Directors, John Steadman and Richard Brayne-Nicholls, are tasking the new operations with delivering 40 per cent annual sales growth from this point onward. “Some two-thirds of our business is now export driven – chiefly to markets in France, Spain, Italy, Germany and, of course, the UK,” explained Steadman. “In addition to our issues of production expansion and new product development we will also be driving expansion into the Benelux markets.” Steadman added: “We had a good run in our old premises, but 2018 was definitely the year to move on. Our new space will give us the capacity to expand and deliver to more Aquapurge clients and will provide us with more opportunities to also develop a raft of new products for many different plastics processes.” Recent Aquapurge annual sales growth has reportedly been driven by the company’s “feet on the ground” European sales force. The Aquapurge sales team currently numbers some six individuals and the company intends to increase that figure to 19 by the close of 2020. Of the relocation, Steadman said that although it’s not far from the company’s existing premises, the size and the facilities are “light years” ahead. www.aquapurge.com

WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK

Moulding the future of plastics automation Flexible. Fast. Consistent. Suitable for all industries including Electronics, Optical, Medical device and consumer goods: The clean consistent performance of StĂ¤ubli robots make them the ideal solution for all types of robotic applications from complete process automation through In mould labelling to high speed parts handling. Man and Machine www.staubli.com

StĂ¤ubli (UK) Limited, Tel + 44 1952 671917, robot.uk@staubli.com

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AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS | NEWS Sepro sets new records in robot sales for fifth year Sepro Group has set new records in robot sales for the fifth consecutive year. In 2017, Sepro equipped more than 3,200 injection-moulding machines with robots, a 20 per cent increase that boosted its yearly turnover by 21 per cent to a record €126.2 million (approx. £110m GBP). The company says the results were boosted by “exceptionally strong” sales in Europe, with sales from Germany rising by more than 25 per cent to exceed 500 units and in France sales rose 30 per cent to over 450 units. Sales results were also strong in Austria, Hungary and Switzerland, where Sepro established new daughter companies in 2016 and in 2017. “Our strong results for 2017 are built on a solid foundation, the launch of new products and services and expansion of our strategic partnerships,” said JeanMichel Renaudeau, Sepro CEO. “In the last 12 months, with the help of our partner Yaskawa-Motoman, we introduced a new line of small to mid-size general-purpose 6-axis robots. We launched two new smaller Cartesian robots, the 3-axis, general purpose Success 5 and the S5 Picker. We also developed two new ‘Open 4.0’ apps, including OptiCycle to automate robot-cycle optimisation, and LiveSupport to simplify remote access for service.” Renaudeau adds that Sepro’s share of 3-axis robot sales continues to grow, while niche sales of 5- and 6-axis robots, developed in cooperation with Yaskawa and Stäubli, increased significantly. Partners such as Sumitomo Demag increased their adoption of Sepro technology adding to its own OEM equipment packages, offering new robot options to customers.

FANUC launches SCARA robot range in UK Fanuc UK has introduced its first range of Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm (SCARA) robots for assembly, packing and material handling applications. Fanuc first unveiled the SR3iA at last year’s International Robot Exhibition (iREX) in Tokyo and says it’s perfectly suited for manufacturers requiring automated and fast assembly within a circular working envelope. The robot has several mounting options, including wall and bottom-down, making it a flexible, space-saving solution for even the smallest of machine shops. It has a maximum payload of 3kg, with a horizontal and vertical reach of 400mm and 200mm and the larger version of the robot, the SR-6iA, allows for heavier handling requirements. The SCARA’s machine-tomachine capabilities allow it to work effectively with other SCARA and Cartesian robots as part of a fullyautomated cell. The SCARA robot includes Fanuc’s new R-30iB Compact Plus Controller as standard, which for manufacturers who are new to

automation helps operators to program simple commands into the robot without requiring external assistance. “SCARA robots have long been a staple of the electronics industry, but their increasing precision, speed and flexibility mean that they are now being applied to other industries and applications, such as weld-sealing and paint spraying,” said Andrew Armstrong, Sales and Marketing Manager at Fanuc UK. “Fanuc’s first SCARA robot embodies all of this, and more. Its integrated, compact design makes it perfectly suited to smaller machine shops with less floor space. It can also communicate with other Fanuc robots to create a fullyautomated production line.” For added functionality, operators can also choose from a range of Fanuc software, such as the iRProgrammer, a web-based user interface that can be operated via a tablet or PC; the iRPickTool, a visual tracking technology that allows robots to identify, pick and place items from a moving conveyor and fieldbus connectivity, which allows operators to connect the SCARA robot to other Fanuc machines on the factory floor. www.fanuc.eu

www.sepro-group.com

Our strong results for 2017 are built on a solid foundation, the launch of new products and services and expansion of our strategic partnerships

The new SCARA Robot WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK

AirWash System - the system which can convey and clean simultaneously With its two stage cleaning process it is a precise de-duster that can eliminate pelletisation and drastically reduce processing costs. The AirWash is designed to effectively evacuate material from granulators, mixers and other process equipment using its own blower, which is also used for the cleaning process. The result is a homogeneous clean regrind that can be introduced back into your product mix eliminating the cost of pelletisation. For free sample evaluation please contact us. BEFORE

AFTER

Kongskilde U.K. Ltd. Tel.: +44 1263 808 580 kuk@kongskilde-industries.com www.kongskilde-industries.com/Industry

BEFORE

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FEATURE

‘Como’ing full circle:

Automated systems bring “genuine zero rejects” to moulder

n 2014, British Plastics and Rubber reported a case study on South Wales-based injection moulder, Waldon Ltd, after it reduced its production rejects from around five to less than three percent following the installation of Kistler Instruments’ CoMo Injection cavity pressure monitoring system in 2009, followed by a second system and upgrades a year later and, finally, in 2012, a £1million investment in the latest ComoNeo system. Since then, the company has reported a “journey to excellence” in the production of its AFTER INSTALLATION precision moulded OF ITS FIRST components, KISTLER CAVITY with the 2012 INJECTION PRESSURE ComoNeo system MONITORING SYSTEM providing detailed IN 2009 TO REDUCE information on THE NUMBER OF the production PRODUCTION process, including REJECTS, INJECTION identifying rejects MOULDER, WALDON precisely – such LTD, HAS CONTINUED as notification TO INVEST TO of which cavity ENHANCE, UPDATE produced the AND AUTOMATE reject – and ITS PRODUCTION delivering them PROCESS. NOW, BP&R automatically to a HEARS EXCLUSIVELY robotic handling system for FROM THE COMPANY recycling. ABOUT HOW, ALMOST Waldon’s A DECADE LATER, ITS Commercial SYSTEMS HAVE COME Manager, Richard ‘FULL CIRCLE’ TO Kempa, says ENABLE VIRTUALLY since installation ZERO REJECTS. the reduction of rejects is now less than 3ppm and is forecast to be zero shortly. “Let’s be honest” said Kempa, “the injection moulding industry has been talking about achieving zero rejects for many years but it is only recently that we have actually achieved genuine zero rejects consistently throughout production. At Waldon that has been made possible by the Kistler ComoNeo system where the only scrap we produce is at machine start up. What more could we want?”

AUTOMATIC BALANCING Fast-forward to 2018 and Waldon now has three moulding machines equipped with Como Injection, including two with MultiFlow hot runner balancing. Adding MultiFlow to the ComoNeo capability monitors the pressure profile of each cavity of a hot-runner mould from injection, through compression and holding, to the cooling phase. During the injection and holding pressure phases, the MultiFlow software analyses the pressure curves in all cavities. The synchronous rise in pressure in all cavities is achieved by the system automatically calculating the optimal setpoint temperature for each hot runner tip, which is then transferred via an interface to the hot runner controller. The mould is automatically balanced during process start-up, and continuous optimisation keeps it stable throughout the production run. The balanced mould always exhibits congruent cavity pressure curves during the injection and holding pressure phases. At the same time, ComoNeo continuously monitors the quality of all of the parts produced and signals any need for automatic separation of rejects. Hot-runner balancing with MultiFlow eliminates the need for time-consuming manual

optimisation and adjustment of the hot-runner temperatures during set-up and production. The system compensates in real time for variations in the operating environment, such as temperature fluctuations caused by external doors being opened or changes in the external air temperature and humidity, which can increase reject rate, especially at the tight tolerances adopted by Waldon. The precise control over the entire injection phase consistently delivers a process capability (CPK), of much better than 1.33. CONSIDERABLE BENEFITS The operational benefits of achieving “genuine zero rejects” are considerable, says Kempa. From a business point of view, foremost is the ability to accurately quote for new business by eliminating the need to include a contingency allowance to cover the cost of rejects. This delivers a confidence that the costing is both accurate and achievable resulting in highly competitive pricing for even the most complex mouldings. Add to this a return on investment of around six months, Waldon is now equipping all new moulds to take advantage of the ComoNeo automatic control of the moulding process. www.kistler.com

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RECLAMATION AND RECYCLING | NEWS Colour Tone has launched a new generation of near-infrared (NIR) detectable masterbatches.

Colour Tone launchES new generation of NIR detectable masterbatches Colour Tone has launched a new generation of near-infrared (NIR) detectable masterbatches. The Bedwas, South Walesbased additive and masterbatch manufacturer says the range has been developed to satisfy brand owners end of life recyclability concerns for single-life black plastic tubs, trays and films. The first two black masterbatches from its latest colouring system, the NIR black 958884 and 95893, are developed for polypropylene applications and can be applied to any other polymer to improve

colouring and coverage capabilities compared to previous formulations. The NIR black 958884 masterbatch satisfies EU food contact legislation and is available at 0.21p per tray, representing a 60 per cent price saving compared to the costs quoted in the first WRAP commissioned project to commercialise this technology. A market first for an NIR detectable black masterbatch, the 95893 supports those applications required to meet the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) standards. As most black plastics packaging featured carbon black and pigments that absorb infra-red light, this rendered them invisible to NIR spectrophometers.

Agilyx and INEOS Styrolution to develop styrene recycling in America

Agilyx and INEOS Styrolution have agreed to start a recycling process for polystyrene.

Agilyx and INEOS Styrolution have agreed to start a recycling process for polystyrene. The collaboration aims to turn polystyrene waste into high-quality styrene polymers, based on ‘chemical recycling’ in the USA. The technology is based on depolymerisation of post-consumer polystyrene waste, intended to be recycled to high-quality polystyrene for food-related uses. Joseph Vaillancourt, CEO, Agilyx Corporation, said: “We are excited about this collaborative effort with INEOS Styrolution. The ability of our technology to divert waste polystyrene from landfills

and create a sustainable recycled polymer aligns with global efforts of waste diversion and the move to a circular economy. This is one of many privileged partnerships we are continuing to develop to help advance the scaling of this technology both domestically and in international markets.” Ricardo Cuetos, VP Standard Products, INEOS Styrolution, said: “We are very pleased to join efforts and collaborate with Agilyx in this venture. Chemical recycling and innovative recycling solutions for polystyrene will enable us to re-use collected post-consumer polystyrene

Colour Tone says it helped to pioneer the development to enable black plastics to be made visible to optical sorting methods. “Historically the price premium for NIR technology has been a barrier to its adoption. We now have a masterbatch that delivers to brand owners and retailers the required eco-benefits at a competitive price that has significantly reduced the gap between this and conventional carbon black pigments,” said Tony Gaukroger, Director, Colour Tone. “By specifying these nextgeneration NIR colourants it not only allows for the effective detection and recovery of black plastics at end of life, it also enables brand owners and retailers to find an alternative substitute to using virgin plastics, so they can effectively close the loop on this valuable waste stream.” www.colourtone-masterbatch.co.uk

waste into our manufacturing processes to produce highquality virgin polystyrene. This represents a great opportunity to save valuable resources and avoid waste ending in landfills. This project is an important step in our efforts to recycle polystyrene taking advantage of innovative technologies.” www.agilyx.com www.ineos-styrolution.com

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FEATURE WRAP launches UK pact for “wholescale transformation” of the plastics system Words | Leanne Taylor

D DURING AN EVENT IN LONDON IN APRIL, WRAP LAUNCHED A NEW INITIATIVE INVOLVING MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS TO TRANSFORM THE UK’S WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO PROMOTE RECYCLING AND RE-USE, REDUCE WASTE AND BENEFIT THE ECONOMY.

Focusing on innovation, better packaging design and end-of-use systems will not only generate long-term benefits for the environment, but is also a huge economic opportunity

n April 26 WRAP launched a “worldleading” initiative that it says will create a circular economy for plastics that tackles the causes of plastics waste and pollution and keeps it out of the environment. ‘The UK Plastics Pact’ is a unique collaboration which brings together businesses from across the entire plastics value chain with UK governments and NGOs to tackle plastic waste. Upon launch, 42 businesses and associations, from major food and drink brands, manufacturers and retailers through to plastic reprocessors and the British Plastics Federation, made their commitment to the Pact. These Pact members are responsible for over 80 per cent of the plastic packaging on products sold through UK supermarkets. The Pact commits members to an ambitious set of targets by 2025, including to eliminate “problematic or unnecessary single-use plastic packaging” through redesign, innovation or alternative (re-use) delivery models; to make 100 per cent of plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable; to ensure 70 per cent of plastic packaging is effectively recycled or composted; and to guarantee 30 per cent average recycled content across all plastic packaging. “TIME TO ACT” WRAP CEO, Marcus Gover, said: “Together, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rethink and reshape the future of plastic so that we retain its value and curtail the damage plastic waste wreaks on our planet. “This requires a wholescale transformation of the plastics

system and can only be achieved by bringing together all links in the chain under a shared commitment to act. That is what makes the UK Plastics Pact unique. It unites every body, business and organisation with a will to act on plastic pollution. We will never have a better time to act, and together we can.” WRAP intends the UK Plastics Pact to be replicated in other countries as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy initiative. Ellen MacArthur, founder of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, said: “This bold new pact will bring together businesses, policymakers and the public to create a circular economy for plastics that tackles the causes of plastics waste and pollution, not just the symptoms. “Focusing on innovation, better packaging design and end-of-use systems will not only generate long-term benefits for the environment, but is also a huge economic opportunity. We encourage others around the world to help drive this momentum towards finding global solutions to what is a global problem.” HOW THE PACT WILL WORK In the UK, WRAP says the Pact will stimulate innovative new business models to reduce the total amount of plastic packaging. It will also help build a stronger recycling system, where we take more responsibility for our own waste and ensure plastic packaging can be effectively recycled and made into new products and packaging and, with the support of governments, ensure consistent UK recycling is met. The immediate focus, WRAP added, will be on identifying the

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priority projects that will deliver greatest impacts in the short and long term, such as overcoming barriers to increasing the amount of recycled content used in new packaging, developing reusable packaging and working with partners to overcome the issue of un-recyclable black plastic. The new Pact has the support of government, with Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, stating: “Our ambition to eliminate avoidable plastic waste will only be realised if government, businesses and the public work together. Industry action can prevent excess plastic reaching our supermarket shelves in the first place. “I am delighted to see so many businesses sign up to this pact and I hope others will soon follow suit.” FOUNDING MEMBERS Founding members of the Pact include major supermarkets Aldi, Asda, Waitrose, Tesco, Morrison’s, M&S and Sainsbury’s. It also has the support of major producers, such as Coca-Cola European Partners, Danone and PepsiCo. The plastics industry representation comes from materials producers SABIC and Aquapak Polymers Ltd and packaging producer Faerch Plast UK Ltd. It has the backing of major associations including the British Plastics Federation, British Retail Consortium, RECOUP (Recycling of Used Plastics) and Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN), as well as major recyclers, Viridor and Suez. www.wrap.org.uk

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FILM AND SHEET | NEWS Ampacet broadens film portfolio to provide better agricultural yields Ampacet says it is developing its portfolio to meet the needs of a growing population by offering films that provide higher crop quality and yields. Its range of masterbatches and additives to produce greenhouse and tunnel films are designed to protect crops from pests and disease, offer better light transmission and provide anti-fog properties. To combat fogging in greenhouses and low tunnels, Ampacet has broadened its ‘Agroclear’ range and introduced new Agroclear 752 for one-to-two seasons greenhouses, low tunnels and early harvest crop protection films. Ampacet says Agroclear 752 allows, at very low addition rates, the provision of “outstanding and consistent antifog properties” to protection films used in agriculture and horticulture fields. It maintains an excellent film transparency, avoids problems linked to fog formation (light transmission reduction and plant damages), optimises plant growth and supports crop yield. In addition, Ampacet has developed a product to eliminate the need for fumigation pest control using sulfur evaporators. It’s ‘Agristab’ additive technology enables the use of highly intensive pesticides without the degradation of UV stabilising properties of the greenhouse film that often occurs and leads to early degradation and a shorter greenhouse shelf life. Agristab 372 is said to provide greenhouse film with outstanding resistance to pesticides, allowing usage of up to 5,000 ppm sulfur for a greenhouse that can last for

Tosaf launches new anti-fog masterbatch for PE Tosaf has announced the launch of AF7380PE, a newly-developed anti-fog masterbatch that will help reduce the harmful effects of water drops on packaging film. AF7380PE is suitable for a wide range of production processes, from laminated polyethylene films, multi-layer co-ex barrier films produced by blown and cast extrusion, and oriented films produced by double and triplebubble production technology. Tosaf says this masterbatch combines the company’s broad experience working with the most

more than three years. Agristab 372 also enables use of lower-gauge greenhouse films in structures and the ability to target typical pesticide usage levels of, for example, 1,500 to 3,000 ppm with lower amounts of stabilisation. Agristab 372 does not affect the colour of the greenhouse film and offers excellent light transmission and optimised crop yield. For hot environments, the introduction of Ampacet’s ‘Heatscreen 34’ provides a ‘cooling’ effect to greenhouses used under very hot climate conditions, limits overheating of the greenhouse’s inner atmosphere and avoids dehydration of the plants. This enables an optimised plant growth. Finally, its ‘Thermic 337’ product ensures a maximum heat inside the greenhouse and low tunnels during the night by blocking the far infra-red spectrum emitted by the ground, providing a ‘thermic’ effect. This allows the greenhouse or low tunnels inner atmosphere temperature to achieve an additional 1°C to 3°C during the night, leading to a higher plant growth rate, higher yield and anticipated harvest. www.ampacet.com

Ampacet has developed f ilms to improve crop health and yield

sophisticated anti-fog materials and its profound understanding of the market’s needs. Dr. Evgeni Zelikman, Tosaf’s Film Additives R&D Manager, says the unique benefits of AF7380PE are its combination of excellent anti-fog activity and superb optical properties. www.tosaf.com

Innovia Films to focus on high barrier materials Innovia Films says it is refocusing its research and development efforts on high barrier materials due to substantial investment in new assets. The company will produce a range of new Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) products with optimum barrier performance. High barrier metallised films will be the first to market, followed by AlOx clear high barrier films and coextruded oxygen barrier films. “We are very close to bringing these assets on stream and have already been working hard to develop new films that will help to extend the shelf life of a range of products, thereby reducing food waste,” said Stephen Langstaff, Global Business Manager, Packaging. “What is also exciting is that we will be developing options that will allow pack simplification, by removing/replacing layers within lamination materials that restrict recycling. They will also assist in the production of mono layer materials for different applications that will enable them to be more easily recycled and be included in circular economy packaging design processes.” www.innoviafilms.com

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EPSE quality label launched across Europe The European Polycarbonate Sheet Extruders association (EPSE) has launched a new quality label as an indication of excellence in the production of polycarbonate sheet. To qualify for the label, which can be applied to polycarbonate multiwall sheets and technical data sheets, EPSE member companies must demonstrate a product fulfils the association’s strict standards. A manufacturer can then guarantee that its sheets comply with all requirements of the official European standard for polycarbonate multiwall sheets EN 16153. EPSE says it “highly welcomes” all European PC producers wishing to join the association and, in doing so, become to be eligible to apply the EPSE Quality Label. “We are delighted to launch the EPSE Quality Label, which is based on thorough research and high

PC The new quality label for quality sheet signals a sign of

technical standards. The objective of the label is to protect the quality and image of PC sheets,” said EPSE President, David Pampanel. “As a quality label for EPSE

members, it is always displayed in combination with the logo of the member company. In this way, we want to ensure a high quality of our products for customers.” www.epse.org

ExxonMobil adds new grade to Exceed XP packaging bags series ExxonMobil has extended its Exceed XP performance polymers series. New Exceed XP 8784 offers improved processability, combined with outstanding toughness and sealing properties. 8784 was developed for high performance coextrusion films used in laminated

sacks, freezer films, barrier packaging and sachets. “Converters are looking for easier processing and higher output, while brand owners seek higher packaging speeds and a reduction of packaging materials,” explained Alechia Crown, New Product Manager for Polyethylene at ExxonMobil. “The processability of this new grade, combined with its toughness, stiffness and sealing performance, makes it well-suited to deliver value across the supply chain.” With a lower density, Exceed XP 8784 is said to deliver improved sealing performance while maintaining excellent stiffness and dart impact at the same performance levels of the Exceed XP platform. For laminated sacks, the hot tack and stiffness/toughness/tear balance provided by Exceed XP 8784 can result in faster packaging speeds and high output, says ExxonMobil, and for freezer films,

the low temperature toughness and low seal initiation temperature delivered by the new polymer can improve bag drop performance and reduce package failures. For barrier packaging, the formability and stiffness/toughness balance provided by Exceed XP 8784 is said to result in improved package integrity and downgauging opportunities. For sachets, the toughness and sealing performance offered by the new grade can reportedly deliver superior compression resistance and high packaging speeds. Crown added: “This new Exceed XP grade is opening up new innovation opportunities for highly demanding products. By working together with customers across the value chain, we are creating differentiated solutions that offer performance, processing and sustainability benefits for laminated sacks, freezer films, barrier packaging and sachets.” www.exxonmobilchemical.com

Exceed XP 8784 offers improved processability combined with f ilm toughness and sealing properties for high performance coextrusion f ilms 24

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MACHINERY | NEWS Q: Which types of material conveying are relevant for plastics processing?

n this edition of Mo’s Corner – our regular feature that aims to answer commonly asked questions about the manufacture and processing of plastics – we look at the procedural principles of bulk material conveying. Hydraulic, mechanical, and pneumatic conveying systems are options for material handling in the plastics industry, with regards to the conveying of bulk material. In this month’s column we will deal with material supply of processing units, in particular with bulk material such as granulate, pellets, powder, regrind, flakes, or fibres. Supply systems for injection moulding inserts won’t be considered here. Hydraulic conveying is often used in conjunction with an underwater granulate system in material production and material preparation. Here, granulate is transported by water in open or closed channels, or pipes. After transporting, the conveying medium water, which circulates in a recirculation system, needs to be separated from the material and the material must be dried. Mechanical conveying systems such as conveyor belts or chain trough conveyors are less relevant for material supply in plastics processing. Flexible augers that consist of a flexible hose with a conveying screw inside which convey dry, free-flowing powder or granulate are an exception to this. Conveying distances of up to 50 m horizontally and 20 m vertically with a bending radius of up to 2.50 m can be achieved with this principle. The most important conveying principle by far in plastics processing is pneumatic conveying. Just like its hydraulic counterpart, it works according to the so called two-phase current principle. In this case, however, the material is transported through the material feedline with air. The material

Pneumatic conveying using air (Image: Motan Colortronic)

transport can take place with positive pressure via pressurised air (pressure conveying), or negative pressure (suction conveying with vacuum). The energy transfer between the air flow and the material occurs via the relative speed. Different conveying states can be differentiated according to material, conveying medium, and material feedline and its geometry. In our case the most important states are dilute phase conveying, strand conveying, and plug conveying. In dilute phase conveying, the particles ‘float’ through the feedline. The material is conveyed with relatively large amounts of air (air flow speed 15-40 m/s; particle speed 10-25 m/s) and low pressure. The air load, or the ratio of material

to air, is less than 10 kgmat/kgair. Strand and plug conveying are also called dense phase conveying. With strand conveying the air (speed 10-20 m/s) pushes part of the material as a strand across the bottom of the feedline while another part floats above. The air load is between 20 and 40 kgmat/ kgair. With plug conveying the accumulated material (clusters, dunes, or plugs) is pushed by the air slowly but with high pressure through the material feedline. Dilute phase and strand conveying can take place both in pressure and suction operation, plug conveying, on the other hand, only in pressure operation. www.motan-colortronic.com www.moscorner.com

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A decade to celebrate for Wittmann Battenfeld UK

J JOHN CARLON REPORTS FROM WITTMANN BATTENFELD UK AFTER THE COMPANY OPENED ITS DOORS TO THE INDUSTRY TO SHOWCASE EFFICIENT MOULDING, INTELLIGENT ANCILLARIES AND THE LATEST IN DIGITAL PRODUCTION AND NETWORKED SYSTEMS.

ittmann Battenfeld UK held a machinery technology open-house at its facility in Wellingborough, Northampton, on April 24, where the British arm of the Austrian moulding machinery manufacturer highlighted its progress in supplying connected ancillaries for automated moulding. With a range of processing equipment featured, such as temperature controllers, dryers, gravimetric and volumetric blenders, the display showed how ancillaries can be connected through Wittmann’s 4.0 ‘Plug and Produce’ system in a singular production cell. The peripherals can be programmed to suit mould-specific parameters, and as an IMM’s control programme recognises an ancillary’s IP address through the Unilog B8 system, the time spent setting up parameters is drastically reduced. With data and parameters set up for all an operator’s ancillaries, Wittmann has developed its custom router to configure the entire production cell, leaving an operator free to concentrate on moulding quality rather than IT intricacies. Adrian Walters, Wittmann Battenfeld UK Service Manager, explained the development of Plug and Produce: “We have connected the technology internally through an intranet, so whether through Ethernet, a wireless device or a connection via our app, we can see the status of a machine.” On show at the display day were Wittmann Battenfeld servohydraulic Smartpower 60 and 120 machines, both set up using the ‘Quicklook’ app, which can

be accessed via tablet or phone, providing production monitoring information. “It updates the app status with details on basic production and how many parts we are supposed to be making, along with quality monitoring,” Walters explained. “We securely dial into the machine with a unique IP address - an email can only come from the operator, to view an error list and current demands on the machine. Our engineers can connect via a portable hotspot, without going through a firewall.” A COOL PARTNERSHIP WITH ICE-FLEX The display day also gave a platform for Wittmann Battenfeld’s collaborative suppliers, including the Italian production system start-up, Ice-Flex, which demonstrated the TEMI Plast 4.0 Manufacturing Execution System recently implemented by Wittmann Battenfeld. Giorgio Pigozzo, MES engineer at Ice-Flex, based in Saronno, north-west of Milan, explained how the TEMI Plast 4.0 would aid Wittmann Battenfeld’s development: “With TEMI we can go deep into the machine viewing the last ten cycles, the last hour and the last day - you can check if there’s a strong variation on the cushion, or if there is variation in the production. The display shows moulding patterns, which items are moulded and then you can upload or download the machine configuration. If the operator likes this configuration, they can download and store it in the system. “Many processors still use lots of paper for their machines. However,

if we have a digital system, we can see specifics clearly on the screen.” Pigozzo explained that other functions offered by the TEMI system include the use of QR codes, where an operator simply prints a code to scan to access the data needed about a moulding process. “We have full traceability and our Italian customers who supply large car makers were keen to hire this system as they are requesting full traceability of production.” Ice-Flex originally built TEMI bespoke for Italian tissue-paper winding specialist, Maflex, but has now sold 30 systems, with 20 supplied to plastics processors. Pigozzo added: “TEMI provides a digital way to get measurements of quality, it can check when a cycle meets the quality parameters, regarding the instrument, its calibre, the distance in a cycle, the frequencies per hour and the reference point. It also has a planner to assign jobs and also has a built-in alert that can send an SMS text if something goes wrong with the automated processes.” A DECADE TO CELEBRATE Wittmann Battenfeld UK has been trading for five years, and the division was keen to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its parent company Wittmann’s take-over of Battenfeld Spritzgiessmaschinen, in April 2008. With expertise in service and spares, and its training of moulding apprentices, Wittmann Battenfeld UK showed that British demand for its machinery and spares continues to strengthen. wittmann-group.com/en_gb ice-flex.com

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COLOUR MANAGEMENT | NEWS X-Rite expands range of MetaVue noncontact imaging spectrophotometers X-Rite has added to its range of MetaVue spectrophotometers to enhance improved colour formulation and quality control when measuring plastics samples. MetaVue VS3200 is the first noncontact instrument for industrial applications that combines colour imaging with spectrophotometry to characterise highly complex materials. Ideal for the lab or quality control operations, X-Rite says the VS3200 offers unmatched versatility and colour accuracy for the measurement of liquids, powders, gels, or other small and odd shaped samples. “Many quality control programs rely solely on visual colour evaluation due to the shape and size of the sample,” said Dave Visnovsky, Product Manager, X-Rite. “MetaVue’s flexibility to measure a range of wet and dry samples – large and small – allows manufacturers to add instrument-based quality control to their process in order to ensure colour accuracy, eliminating waste and rework. Equally important, MetaVue VS3200 can be used in laboratory formulation to measure samples that could not be measured with traditional instruments…This helps eliminate colour errors in formulation and recipe creation.”

AkzoNobel takes colour-matching to the next level AkzoNobel has combined two of its tools into a single system to produce quick and reliable advanced colour matching for vehicle bodyshops. The new offering combines the company’s ‘Automatchic’ hand-held

The new MetaVue VS3200 measuring colour of a small plastic part

The device features an adjustable aperture size, ranging from 2mm to 12mm, enabling measurement of a wide range of samples. Users can measure difficult samples such as small and non-planar items as well as liquids, pastes, powders and gels without contaminating the instrument or damaging the sample. Adaptable accessories for MetaVue VS3200 include an instrument stand to place the instrument three inches above a table with replaceable trays that slide in and out; an adjustable stand for accurate measurement of samples with varying thickness; and a benchtop stand that converts the instrument to a benchtop with a sample arm for measuring objects such as plastic parts.

spectrophotometer with its ‘MIXIT’ digital colour retrieval technology. Now known as ‘Automatchic in MIXIT’, the system creates a single, seamless workflow which AkzoNobel says allows customers to precisely identify any colour from an ever-expanding database of more than two million. “We’re always looking for new ways to help our vehicle refinish

The MetaVue VS3200 also includes an on-board camera allowing precise digital targeting of the sample. Operators can quickly and easily see the target area being measured and change the aperture size or location. The camera enables a ‘Smart Spot’ advanced image feature that compensates for texture, gloss and other appearance effects for more accurate measurements of vinyl, carpet or fabrics. This helps improve colour consistency across manufacturing. MetaVue VS3200 integrates with X-Rite Colour iMatch and Colour iQC software for fast accurate colourant formulation and efficient quality control operations. www.xrite.com/metavue-vs3200

customers access digital colour technology and gain maximum advantage from our expertise,” explained Peter Tomlinson, Director of AkzoNobel’s Automotive and Speciality Coatings business. “Our huge cloud database of more than two million colours means we can provide the perfect colour match and formula, optimised for any individual vehicle. With Automatchic in MIXIT, customers can now measure and match colour with superior accuracy even faster, making it a valuable asset for any vehicle refinish bodyshop.” Tailor-made to streamline operations, Automatchic in MIXIT’s ability to improve both accuracy and speed helps to increase profitability and throughput while reducing waste, says AkzoNobel. www.akzonobel.com

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Measuring Colour:

Ensuring plastics processors choose the right sensor and chip technology

W WHEN SOURCING A NON-CONTACT COLOUR MEASUREMENT SENSOR, IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE UNDERLYING TECHNOLOGY THE SENSOR IS BASED ON AND HOW THIS AFFECTS MEASUREMENT PERFORMANCE. OTHERWISE, YOU COULD BE PURCHASING A SENSOR THAT SIMPLY ISN’T UP TO THE TASK, SAYS STEPHEN SMITH OF MICRO-EPSILON.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen Smith is Sales and Application Engineer at Micro Epsilon UK, specialists in measurement technology. He has extensive knowledge in test, measurement and inspection gained from his roles as an internal sales and support engineer and has expertise in all sensing technologies from profile, displacement, temperature and thickness measurement to specialising in colour measurement.

olour measurement is required in many industry sectors, enabling companies to select, monitor, differentiate, grade and sort various types of coloured objects involved in manufacturing, automated handling and other production processes. Measured objects can take the form of solids, powders or liquids and it is also possible to measure the colours of transparent or translucent surfaces such as coatings, labels and plastics, as well as LEDs and glass objects. In order to fully understand which colour measurement technology your sensor requires for a specific application, it is important to consider the following factors. INDUSTRIAL COLOUR MEASUREMENT When defining a colour of an object, the term ‘colour space’ is often used. In industrial non-contact colour measurement applications, there are three main types of colour space that colour sensor technology

use: Greyscale colour space, the CIE RGB colour space and the CIE XYZ colour space. Although the sensor supplier’s datasheet may state that the sensor you are purchasing is a ‘true colour’ sensor, it is important to ask which colour space the sensor chip technology is based on, as this can have dramatic effects on sensor performance. REYSCALE COLOUR SPACE This is defined as a colourimetric (or more specifically photometric) grayscale image that has a defined grayscale colour space. This maps the stored numeric sample values to the achromatic channel of a standard colour space, and is based on measured properties of human vision. These sensors are using greyscale references against RGB colour space to define the colour rather than ‘true colour measurement’.

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RGB COLOUR SPACE The CIE RGB colour space is an additive colour model in which red (R), green (G) and blue (B) light are combined in various ways to reproduce a broad array of colours. All three colours are displayed as one result in the colour white. Black colour is produced when R/G/B = 0/0/0. RGB is a device-dependent colour model, which means different devices detect or reproduce a given RGB value differently, as the colour elements and their response to the individual R, G and B levels vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, or even in the same device over time. Thus, an RGB value does not define the same colour across devices without some kind of colour management. Typical RGB input devices are colour TVs, video cameras, image scanners and digital cameras. Typical RGB output devices include computer and mobile phone displays, video projectors and multi-colour LED displays. XYZ COLOUR SPACE The CIE XYZ colour space is based on perceived colour in human colour vision (very large green and small blue/red range). X and Y are colour vectors that describe hue (i.e. colour differentiation) and saturation (i.e. the relationship between colourfulness and brightness).Y is a value (brightness) scaled from 0 to 100. The CIE XYZ colour space encompasses all colour sensations that are visible to a person with average eyesight. That is why CIE XYZ is a device-invariant representation of colour. It serves as a standard reference against which many other colour spaces are defined. Colour sensors with chip technology based on the XYZ colour space are therefore more accurate and more sensitive to colour variations than sensors based on the RGB model. In addition, XYZ sensors can measure colour on different surfaces and textures. For example, they can detect slight colour changes on different grains of sandpaper – from smooth to coarse/rough

as well as the background colour of the sandpaper. RGB colour sensors cannot do this. COLOUR ACCURACY AND DELTA E A colour sensor compares colours, or more accurately, checks if colour values match. The measurement object is illuminated using a light source (normally LED) and the reflected colour components are then evaluated. The colours of the inspected object can be taught to the sensor and stored in a colour memory. These taught colours can be assigned acceptable deviation tolerances. The stored colour values are compared with the determined values by calculating the colour difference, Delta E (ΔE) between object colour and the taught reference value. The colour difference ΔE is the result of the three coordinates in the XYZ colour space. If these values match (within the tolerances), a useable output signal is generated. One of the benefits is that the sensor evaluates the colours in the same way as the human eye, which is why an XYZ sensor is called a ‘perceptive’ or ‘true’ colour sensor. According to DIN 53218, Delta E is assigned the following meanings: In practice, colour differences between 0 and 1 often play an important role. Typical industry specifications would be 0.1 for the automotive industry and 0.3 for paper manufacturing. To put this into perspective, between 0 and 0.5 ΔE, there is none to almost no recognisable difference to the human eye. A trained, practised eye can recognise the difference between ΔE values of 0.5 and 1. COLOUR ACCURACY How accurate does your sensor need to be? Is it the absolute colour that you need to measure or just colour detection? For measuring absolute colour, the sensor accuracy will need to be high, in the range 0 to 1.0 ΔE. The accuracy of most inline colour sensors in the marketplace are typically

RGB colour space

XYZ colour space

defined with a ΔE of 1-1.5, which represents similar performance to the human eye. However, modern colour sensors offer a ΔE of 0.8 at relatively competitive price levels. This is enabling more applications to be solved in-process, measuring 100 per cent of produced parts that previously would have to be measured offline by a high performance measurement system, resulting in only a low batch sample being measured. COLOUR MEASUREMENT OF PLASTICS In the plastics industry, colour measurement sensors have a wide variety of uses. When plastic parts that are supplied from different manufacturers and made from different materials are combined, it is essential that the colour values of these parts are exact. If they are not, quality assurance can become an issue. In injection moulding, for example, non-contact colour sensors with XYZ chip technology can inspect the colour of injection-moulded parts as they are extracted from the mould, without having to wait for the parts to cool down. This dramatically reduces cycle times and allows for 100 per cent quality control of colour. An XYZ colour sensor is able to detect the slightest of colour variations in the mould as it cools down – an RGB sensor can only see red. An XYZ sensor will see shades of colours as the mould cools, helping operators detect if something is wrong with the machine or if pressures in the mould are inconsistent. Colour changes may also indicate that the dye has not been mixed correctly. COLOUR MEASUREMENT OF AUTOMOTIVE INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTS XYZ colour sensors can also inspect interior plastic parts in vehicles. Any slight deviation in a grey coloured interior dashboard can be reliably detected. This is particularly important if the vehicle’s interior parts are supplied by a variety of different manufacturers, where colour variations can often occur. Even plastic transparent or translucent parts can be measured using an XYZ colour sensor. COLOUR COMPARISON BETWEEN PARKING SENSOR AND BODY SHELL Car attachments such as parking sensors are painted separately. However, during assewmbly there must be no difference in colour between the parking sensor and the bumper, which means the two colours must be identical. XYZ colour sensors enable a direct colour comparison between the parking sensor and the bumper. www.micro-epsilon.co.uk

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SURFACE FINISH, PAINTING AND DECORATING | NEWS Dyne Testing launches new training programme on surface measurement

An example of the f locked f inish

Dyne Testing Ltd, the UK based supplier of surface measurement equipment, has introduced a new training programme around the fundamentals of surface energy and surface tension, focusing on adhesion and wetting. The course, specifically designed for the plastics and rubber industries, runs from Dyne’s Technology Centre in Lichfield, Staffordshire. It will appeal to those with an interest in perfecting adhesion and measuring surface properties within the print, converting and packaging; product ID and personalisation; pipes, extrusion and cable; medical device manufacturing; automotive, motorsport and aerospace industries. Dyne Testing says the course is built on the foundations of various adhesion problems brought to it by customers in manufacturing and education/research, therefore the course has been developed to give an understanding of how critically important surface energy, surface tension and surface cleanliness are to many bonding, printing, coating and converting operations. “Knowing the surface properties allows you to understand why you may not be able to bond or print to a material, it also creates a clear picture of the effect of surface treatment and how long the treatment will last,” explained Chris Lines, Managing Director of Dyne Testing Ltd. The hands-on training programme is suitable for technicians, quality control engineers and managers, as well as more generalised roles involving adhesion and measuring surface properties. www.dynetesting.com

Dyne is starting a new training course

Lancashire-based firm highlights competitive advantage of flocked packaging Lancashire-based sheet manufacturer, Euro Extrusions, says using flocking for the decoration of plastic packaging can add value and differentiation in a competitive retail environment. The firm says the technique, which produces a texturised feel to plastic packaging, is popular for ‘luxury’ items, including perfume, makeup and alcohol gift sets, where customers respond well to the tactile sensation. To create the velvet-feeling material, the flocking process involves the application of short, fine fibres to an adhesive-coated plastic. The process usually occurs in a highvoltage electric field; the fine fibres are given a charge by the flocking machine while the plastic material is earthed. The plastic has an adhesive applied and the flock fibres fly

Huntsman launches novel additive to enhance polypropylene coatability Huntsman Performance Products has developed an advanced additive technology designed to increase the surface energy and polarity of thermoplastic polyolefins including polypropylene. The Elastamine XPM additive, introduced for the first time at Chinaplas in April, is said to represent a new technical approach for enhancing the coatability of polyolefins. Thermoplastic polyolefins are widely used across automotive,

vertically at the material, creating the texturised feel. The thickness of the flock fibres influences the final finish of the material; thin fibres produce a soft-velvety finish, whereas thick fibres produce a bristle-like finish. Flocked HIPs (High Impact Polystyrene) offer brand owners strong plastic packaging, which Euro Extrusions says can be used to display items in boxes in a secure yet luxurious manner. Flocked HIPs can be thermoformed to fit specific product shapes and offer a wide range of colour options for differentiation in the marketplace. “Product packaging is as important as the product itself, adding to the product experience,” explained Lauren Whigham, Business Manager at Euro Extrusions. “Flocked materials engage a customer’s touch sensation, a sense that is not usually stimulated during the purchasing process.” www.euroextrusions.com packaging and electronics applications, however their low surface energy and hydrophobicity can require the use of special coatings and treatments. Added to thermoplastic polyolefin resins, Elastamine XPM additive is intended to help eliminate the need to prime the surface of polyolefins with adhesion promotors. This, says Huntsman, gives the product the potential to save plastic producers time and costs, as well as fitting with the drive for leaner, more efficient manufacturing processes. Elastamine XPM is suitable for compounders, car bumper manufacturers, automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), home appliance OEMs and plastic packaging firms. www.huntsman.com

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NPE 2018:

An Industry Heavyweight

T THE USA’S BIGGEST PLASTICS TRADE SHOW, NPE, WEIGHED IN HEAVY WHEN IT LANDED IN ORLANDO, GOING SUPERSIZED ON NOT ONLY EXHIBITS, BUT ALSO IN ITS APPROACH TO THE ISSUES FACING THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET.

words Leanne taylor

pening its doors to the world, NPE weighed in heavy. Some 21 million US tons of freight were displayed on the show floor, from a combined 2,200 exhibiting companies across 1.2million sq. ft. of space. And there’s no sign of it slimming down for future editions, with a waiting list of companies for the 2018 edition for the first time in the show’s history meaning organisers, the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), are looking to creative ways of using space to accommodate future demand. GOING LARGE Milacron, for example, took the show’s biggest stand, on which it displayed the largest tonnage injection moulding machine to operate at an NPE show. ‘The Cincinnati’ has some 2250 tons of clamping power and is designed to meet the demands of the global automotive, appliance and other largepart moulding markets. The Cincinnati product line builds on the company’s large machine technology with a platform that adds both performance and a shorter footprint. Mike Sansoucy, Vice President Sales Injection, Americas, said “we wanted to go big this year at the show,” adding that the display of the Cincinnati demonstrated the company’s expertise in manufacturing moulding machines in the 1000 tonplus-range. It also used NPE to display the MilacronFanuc Roboshot 500, the largest tonnage Roboshot ever offered in the Americas. The machine has an increased tonnage option up to 550 US tons and Milacron’s CTO, Bruce Cateon, said it was “great for larger moulds”, with a tie bar spacing of 91.94cm. Arburg too said the American market is ready to go big, with a high level of demand for its new large machine. Premiering its Allrounder 1120H injection moulding machine at NPE, Arburg’s Managing Director of Sales, Gerhard Böhm, said the company had sold the machine on display at the expo and had received several further enquiries. “At the NPE, our Allrounder 1120 H is celebrating its American premiere. This will please injection moulding companies in the US in particular because they have in the past often expressed the wish of obtaining larger machines from Arburg,” said Böhm. “With our new large machine, we have expanded our clamping force range upwards by 30 percent. It features an impressive clamping force of 730 tonnes or 6,500 kN. The market for the Allrounder 1120 H in America is ready.” The expanding size of the show and the vast array of equipment on display is not least in part down to exhibitors clamoring to be part of the first major trade event since the introduction of capital expensing provision in the US, allowing American businesses to write off 100 percent of the cost of capital equipment purchases made between September 27, 2017 and January 1, 2023. With much of the technology on display at NPE qualifying as capital equipment, it was little wonder that there was so much to see and so many looking to take advantage of the opportunity. THE BIG QUESTIONS Opportunities, as well as threats, were discussed at the show, with PLASTICS President, Bill Carteaux, tackling issues such as NAFTA and the impact of the Chinese market on American plastics machinery and

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resin trade, as well as working alongside EUROMAP for standardisation and Industry 4.0 and, of course, the thorny issue of plastics in the environment and the current inundation of negative attention the industry is receiving. Where the latter is concerned, the association chose the show to launch a new initiative – ‘This is Plastics’ –designed to help people who work in the plastics industry dispel myths in an easily digestible way that inspires meaningful conversations about the power of plastics. “Plastics industry employees can use information they glean from This Is Plastics to inform conversations they have in their daily lives,” said Wylie Royce, PLASTICS Chairman and President of Royce Associates. “If we’re able to articulate what we all know and believe, we can show people how plastics make a positive impact.” The initiative incorporates a resourcebased website and toolkit accessible 24/7, with articles, shareable images, videos and interactive quizzes, geared toward addressing issues facing the plastics industry, such as marine litter, plastic bag bans and taxes on plastic products. GREEN AGENDA Recognising the importance of industry action and collaboration where sustainability and a circular future for plastics is concerned, NPE2018 was positioned as the “greenest yet” by diverting 100 per cent of its waste from the show for recycling or composting, exceeding the 87 per cent of waste that was diverted from NPE2015. Carteaux commented: “Plastics are a valuable resource that should always be recovered for their highest and best use - at NPE2018, we’re practising what we preach, putting sustainability and recycling at the centre of the event.” Commercial Plastics Recycling collected and removed scrap plastic from the show floor and transported it to a new, on-site recycling area in the Westwood carpark, where a WEIMA two-stage shredding system reduced the collected scrap plastic into a small pellet size, before it was transported to CPR’s headquarters in Tampa. Attendees were invited to visit the demonstration area to see the process in action before the scrap was transported off site. Also showcasing recycling live in action, Pure Loop, a division of the EREMA Group, showed visitors the quality of products that can be produced on its ISEC eco 102 machine during the show. The system used the combination of a double feed ram system and single shaft shredder to process LLDPE film, PE hollow bodies and PE lumps to make high-grade recyclates. Manfred Dobersberger, CEO of Pure Loop, said: “Even temperature-sensitive mixed PE plastics such as in the case of irrigation hose are no problem for the ISEC. It stands out through easy handling and virtually autonomous operation, integrating itself seamlessly in production.” Also bringing sustainable innovation in its live demonstrations was Kautex Mascninenbau, which demonstrated how it is expanding end markets for recycled plastics with its KBB40D bottle machine. On the showfloor a double station KBB40D with 10 cavities produced 600 ml flat oval bottles for the personal care

Plastics are a valuable resource that should always be recovered for their highest and best use - at NPE2018, we’re practising what we preach, putting sustainability and recycling at the centre of the event.

t Milacron wen big with its 2018 stand

If we’re able to articulate what we all know and believe, we can show people how plastics make a positive impact.

industry, using a three-layer ReCo process, only adding colour to the bottle’s outer layer. The middle layer of the product uses regrind or PCR in line with circular economy principals, while the inner layer uses virgin material to minimise the migration of impurities into the filled product. Bill Farrant of Kautex said at the show: “It uses scrap material or recycled plastic in the middle layer. This means you only need masterbatch on the outer layer.” MATERIAL WORLD There was no shortage of innovation in the materials hall, with several new product launches across multiple areas. Sabic, for example, launched Lexan Margard FHC10 sheet, the latest addition to the company’s automotive glazing portfolio. The new technology is engineered to comply with the stringent visibility, strength and abrasion resistance requirements of ECE R43 (Regulation No. 43 of the Economic Commission for Europe of the United Nations). It features a tough polycarbonate base with “exceptional optical quality”, combined with a unique, formable hard coating that is pre-cured sufficiently to allow processing like regular PC sheet. Sabic says the sheet can enable customers to avoid post-coating operations, and gives automotive OEMs and tiers a new option for creating simple, curved glazing designs. Eastman celebrated 10 years since the launch of its Tritan copolyester material, with a focus on the global trends shaping its materials portfolio in the coming years. “Nowhere is this more exciting than the Internet of Things,” said Burt Capel, Vice President and GM of Eastman Speciality Plastics. Capel said recent innovations in smart technology are emerging to position Tritan as the right plastic for applications in digital agriculture, such as solar-powered smart devices to monitor crops and weather. Where personal health and fitness will still be a huge trend in the years to come, Capel said Tritan has “inherent properties” making it ideal for the next generation of watches, trackers and drinks bottles. www.npe.org

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BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION | NEWS Polypipe puts new Blackburn rail depot on the right tracks Polypipe, manufacturer of plastic piping systems, has supplied two surface water drainage and wastewater management solutions for the newly-opened King Street Train Depot in Blackburn. The site incorporates a six-track stabling and maintenance depot, with carriage wash facilities, a plant room, water tanks and an office accommodation building, serving as a maintenance, refuelling and cleaning centre. In collaboration with contractor, Buckingham Group, Polypipe worked to supply a system to manage storm water gathered across the train yard, directing it to a nearby river. Although a geocellular attenuation system was originally specified, Polypipe says its technical experts demonstrated through structural calculations how a Ridgistorm-XL large diameter

piping system would help to minimise the build-up of sediment and could be installed quicker. To manage the waste water from the cleaning and servicing of the trains, a second system was designed by discharging it into the established sewer system, which required 1,280 Polystorm cells situated beneath the train servicing area to gather and attenuate surface water. Polypipe’s HDPE Ridgistorm Separate Catchpits were used to separate the water from other particles with petrol interceptors and hydro-breakers to ensure safe and clean discharges into the local water networks.

Polypipe’s systems being installed at King Street Train Depot in Blackburn

Clint Wiltshire, Site Agent at Buckingham Group Contracting, said: “We have a longstanding relationship with Polypipe, and have had previous positive experiences using their intelligently engineered thermoplastic products.” The depot has been constructed as part of the £1 billion Great North Rail Project investment in rail infrastructure across the north of England. www.polypipe.com

ECCOH formulations for wire and cable help constructors meet EU regulations PolyOne’s latest ECCOH nonhalogen, flame-retardant polymers are helping wire and cable manufacturers meet new European Union (EU) construction product regulations (CPR). The newly-developed formulations also comply with the newly harmonised EN 13501 EU standard for reaction to fire, which PolyOne says makes them appeal to constructors needing to comply with stricter CPR regulations mandated to increase fire safety in buildings. Formulated without halogens, the materials do not emit corrosive gases, toxic fumes, or large amounts of smoke during a fire, which allows manufacturers to meet the more demanding CPR Euroclass B2ca and Cca as well as the more common Dca and Eca designations. “Fire safety is rightfully a top priority that’s outlined in the EU’s new building codes. Together 38

ECCOH f lame retardant, non-halogen materials from PolyOne help manufacturers meet CPR standards for f ire safety.

with the proper cable design, our ECCOH speciality formulations will help manufacturers meet CPR requirements for all power, control and communication cables used in buildings, including

optical fibre cables,” said Holger Kronimus, VP Europe and General Manager, Speciality Engineered Materials, PolyOne www.polyone.com

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24/01/2018 15:03

OPINION

SPECIFYING THE RIGHT PLASTIC PIPES for the future of UK infrastructure

W WITH PLASTIC PIPES AND INFRASTRUCTURE HAVING EXPECTED LIFESPANS OF SOME 100 YEARS, DEREK MUCKLE, PRESIDENT OF THE BPF PIPES GROUP, SAYS THAT NOW IS THE TIME FOR ACTION ON PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND SKILLS TRAINING WITHIN THE INDUSTRY TO ENSURE PIPEFITTERS HAVE THE RIGHT KNOWLEDGE TO IMPLEMENT SUCCESSFUL SYSTEMS BOTH NOW AND IN FUTURE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Derek Muckle is the President of the BPF Pipes Group and Director of Innovation and Technology at Radius Systems, a manufacturer of polyethylene (PE) and uPVC pipe systems. He has over 25 years’ experience in the sector, developing plastic pipes and fittings for successful operation in the water, wastewater and gas industries.

here has been a great deal of discussion around technology, products, training and skills for plastic pipe installations by utilities for a long time. Indeed, the need for a coherent approach has not diminished or gone away. Specifying products in the right way, to suit real world working conditions, and giving people the skills and knowledge to deliver good infrastructure remains a priority if we are to ensure we have an infrastructure which meets the future needs of the UK, giving trouble-free operation for at least 100 years – something easily achievable with plastic piping systems. In water distribution pipes, faults tend to show up faster than other utilities. That’s because the sector uses mwaterials at the upper ends of the performance spectrum, something that is low risk and acceptable when you specify wisely and install correctly. What it also does is provide insight into construction behaviour and skills, which, will be evident elsewhere, but perhaps just in a different time frame. If it goes wrong, it’s not as simple as blaming the product, or the people who installed it. That may be convenient, but the evidence shows it’s not fixing the problems. STANDARDS IN PLACE European standards were introduced into the utilities industry to produce a level playing field for products some time ago, which removed at a stroke the ‘learning from experience’ and cumulative knowledge of our utilities sector, customers and suppliers. What we previously had was real experience, which informed our design needs for electrofusion fittings, for example; experience that linked to how we build our new infrastructure here in the UK. You might call it ‘real world tolerance’ although most people would say it is simply asking for something that you know will work for you. A European-wide specification claims to do none of this, as it disclaims responsibility for products meeting the standard being suitable for the use you intend to apply them to. UNIQUE UK CONDITIONS In developing standards for emerging pipeline products in the 1980s, the UK water industry took the trouble to carefully specify electrofusion fittings, for example. Many test programmes and practical trials underpinned these standards, and reflected our weather patterns and typically British conditions. They introduced things about ease of assembly and tolerance to gaps and misalignment, so that work arounds were not invented on site. Most importantly, the UK was the only country that considered trench environments might be dirty and some of that dirt might find its way into pipeline joints, so it developed tests to ensure fittings were tolerant to this. It might

all sound trivial, but we no longer ask for this, which really means we are not setting the specification at the front end for what we want, and what we need, to complete installations right first time without early life failures. That is not making the case for a radical change to the way the UK utility sector operates, it’s a call for a basic engineering and procurement skillset to set the standard for what is really needed to get effective working systems. INVEST IN PIPELAYING SKILLS It doesn’t matter what pipeline material you talk about, or what jointing technique you specify, this principle remains the same. People need skills and expertise to install a fit-for-purpose pipeline. Nobody is born with an inherent ability to do this, and the cycle of passing down skills has been broken in areas, so cannot be relied upon universally. Partial automation of processes helps reduce the burden of knowledge and allows resources to be focused on the things that matter. But an insight is still needed into what matters and why. So, if we want pipeline systems with reliable joints intended to last at least 100 years, it seems a small price to invest a few days in the careers of our pipelayers to give them that knowledge and know that they can apply it. With that said, why is it we still seem stuck on getting acceptance of training and competency schemes for those involved in constructing these long-life assets? Myself, along with my BPF Pipes Group members are keen to move forward on the development of standards and codes of practice that support the deployment of plastic pipe systems intended to give trouble free, reliable lifetimes in excess of 100 years. It’s one of those things that is the real strength and benefit of the technology. And they are well placed to support and share the knowledge that delivers this into training and competency schemes. But they cannot do it alone and some form of industry collective responsibility and action is needed if we truly want to deliver assets with trouble-free lifetimes well in excess of 100 years. You’ll get these from a plastic solution, which has got to be something we have a value for investing in to get right-first-time installation. www.bpf.co.uk

It doesn’t matter what pipeline material you talk about, or what jointing technique you specify, this principle remains the same. People need skills and expertise to install a fit-for-purpose pipeline.

WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK

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MATERIALS | NEWS DowDuPont to invest $100 million to expand speciality materials capacity

SteriTouch launches two new performance additive brands SteriTouch has launched two new standalone performance additive brands to service specific emerging markets. The new SCOPIC brand and website is dedicated to masterbatches and compounds which impart detectable qualities to plastic and rubber products. Metal and X-Ray detectable products are used widely throughout the food and pharmaceutical industries, where any detached fragments can be identified should they reach the production line. Typically, these are smaller products such as pens, clipboards and spatulas, but can also extend to pallets, conveyor belting and crates. Detectability can be achieved throughout the polymer down to a few millimetres. SteriTouch says due to in-house production and testing facilities at its site in South Wales, the company has been able to develop the combination of antimicrobial/ detectable compounds not seen before. Tensile and impact testing can be performed on unfilled and detectable compounds to confirm the effect of the additive, while detectability can be checked on a Safeline balanced coil metal detector. An extrusion plastometer has also been installed, enabling SteriTouch

to formulate a metal detectable masterbatch with excellent flow properties, overcoming a common issue with melt flow in detectable materials. Environmental weathering stations including a QUV and Atlas Suntest are in place at the site to replicate conditions such as humidity or high UV, which can degrade plastic products. Konduct, the second new product in the portfolio, represents a range of performance additives for thermal management challenges. Steritouch says applications which could previously only use metal due to its conductive and heat dissipative properties, can now be manufactured from lightweight plastic using the Konduct solution. Any product with a tendency to overheat, such as LED lighting, motor housings and electronic components can benefit from using a thermally conductive polymer compound, with base materials for compounds including nylon, PBT, ABS and polypropylene. Chris Vince, R&D Manager at SteriTouch said, “The Konduct and SCOPIC brands create new possibilities and will allow us to access exciting new markets. With the equipment we have now, we have the capability to fully support customers on a technical level, which puts us in a unique position in this industry.”

DowDuPont has announced its intentions to invest around $100 million (approx. £70.3 million GBP) to expand manufacturing capacity for the production of speciality materials at its plant in Texas, USA. It says investments will “incrementally expand production capacity”, as well as modernise facilities, to support global growth of speciality materials manufactured at its Sabine River Works (SRW) site - specifically its Surlyn, Nucrel, Fusabond and Vamac product lines. Additionally, the company says it is evaluating longer-term plans to invest in a new facility to further support market growth. The joint investment will support customer growth of both the Packaging and Speciality Plastics (P&SP) business of DowDuPont’s Materials Science Division (to be named Dow), as well as the Transportation and Advanced Polymers (T&AP) business of its Speciality Products Division (to be named DuPont). The added capacity is expected to come online in several phases starting in 2020 and will enable both divisions to meet growing demand for Surlyn, Nucrel, Fusabond (P&SP) and Vamac (T&AP) speciality materials used for applications in food packaging, transportation and consumer goods. www.dow-dupont.com

www.steritouch.com

WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK

Investments will “incrementally expand production capacity”, as well as modernise facilities, to support global growth

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VinylPlus sets record straight for global PVC sustainability Words | ROSE BROOKE

he cultural melting pot of Madrid made a fine backdrop for the VinylPlus Sustainability Forum 2018, which explored the topic of ‘Meeting Societal Needs’. General Manager of VinylPlus, Brigitte Dero, opened by touching on the shifting sands of international politics and how THE VINYLPLUS circular economy SUSTAINABILITY in plastics has FORUM DIDN’T evolved since the SHY AWAY FROM last meeting in THE DIFFICULT Berlin in 2017. “PVC has ISSUES FACING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF made enormous THE GLOBAL PVC progress but we INDUSTRY AT ITS cannot relax,” ANNUAL MEETING, she said. “In the context of WHICH TOOK PLACE negative public IN MADRID. ROSE opinion we must BROOKE REPORTS ON continue to make THE KEY HIGHLIGHTS PVC even more FROM THE EVENT. sustainable.”

SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES The first session homed in on the PVC industry and sustainability challenges facing the US, Australian and Indian markets, as well as the PVC windows market. General Manager of Formosa Plastics Corporation, Dick Heinle, took a holistic standpoint on the challenges facing the PVC industry, which, he said, needs to encourage more young people into it to help bring sustainable solutions to allow the industry to serve an ageing population, align with industrial capacity reform and shrink its carbon footprint. PVC is primarily a North American and European technology. This was one of the main hypotheses presented by Matthias Koch, Head of Strategic Marketing for VEKA, who presented the changes and obstacles facing the international PVC windows industry. Koch revealed that the key to bringing more sustainable PVC solutions for construction to emerging markets is “glocalisation”, which means combining the global essence of companies such as VEKA, with a local footprint and competence of a management team.

INDIA AT AN “INTERESTING POINT” Where infrastructure is required on scale, Reliance Industries’ Aruna Kumari revealed the Indian market is at an interesting point in its evolution thanks to industry reforms, efficient access to capital, and especially the Modi government initiative of Make In India. She noted that maintaining a sustainable PVC industry should be a priority and, with the guidance of the global PVC industry, India can achieve this. This sentiment of support from the wider PVC industry was echoed by Chief Executive of the Vinyl Council of Australia, Sophi Macmillan, who noted that thanks to its collaboration with VinylPlus and the ECVM, her organisation has been able to “punch above its weight” as a relatively small group. PUBLIC FOCUS A panel discussion followed, bringing together decision-makers from Japan, Thailand, the ECVM and North America. Moderator Aine Curran, President of the Vinyl Institute of Canada and Chair of the Global Vinyl Council, was not afraid of shining the spotlight on the PVC sector’s shortcomings, namely communication with the public compared to environmental groups such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. “There’s no question that they’re talking to consumers. We haven’t spent a lot of time talking to the public and I think one of the decisions we’ve made is to make an effort to decide what audiences to focus on,” she said. FIT FOR PURPOSE? Day two tackled the thorny issue of whether policy framework regarding sustainability is fit for purpose. A keynote presentation from Club of Rome Co-President, Anders Wijkman, set the tone for the morning and lamented the oversimplification of circular economy. A circular economy implies total energy recovery, but some will always be lost. Nevertheless, Wijkman was optimistic. When referring to big brand owners such as Unilever and P&G, he said in 10 years they have come a long way as sustainability pioneers. WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK

The weight of the challenges facing the global economy were reiterated by UNIDO’s Nilgun Tas, who revealed that 65 billion tons of raw materials are extracted and used every year. This is 22 kg every day per capita and, only seven per cent will be re-used or recycled. MAGNIFYING THE DETAILS Next a panel discussion put the magnifying glass over the governmental standpoints either supporting or curtailing progress for sustainable PVC production, use and recycling. Circular economy loomed large, and Timoteo de la Fuente Garcia of DG Grow, supported the theme of scrutiny within both the circular economy and government by reminding the PVC industry to be mindful of the fact that circular economy focuses only on the material resource, and that there is energy hiding within that. Brigitte Dero revealed that VinylPlus is engaging in global engagement strategies to 2030, including working to become climate neutral and achieve greenhouse gas neutrality, supporting the Green Cities for the Future Initiative and support giving PVC products a second social life. VinylPlus supports the bigger message of global communication to achieve sustainability. VinylPlus Chairman Josef Ertl put succinctly: “VinylPlus is a lighthouse project in the quest for a plastics circular economy.” Indeed, it is an organisation that is taking its stewardship seriously. www.vinylplus.eu

How sustainable are low European polymer prices?

IN IN HIS COLUMN THIS MONTH, MIKE BOSWELL ASKS WHETHER THE LOW PRICES SEEN IN THE UK AND EUROPE AT THE MOMENT ARE HERE TO STAY, AND LOOKS AT THE FACTORS THAT COULD INFLUENCE CHANGE.

Who is ‘Polymerman’?

he price of standard polymers in the UK and Europe look low in comparison to the markets in the China, South East Asia and America. This situation is distinctly different to the ‘normal’ situation where prices in the Western European markets are either on a par or often at a premium. In making comparisons between Western Europe and other regions it is essential to make a fair comparison so that there is proper account of terms on which the goods are sold. Typically, prices in Asia are quoted on a ‘CFR’ basis in which Cost and FReight are only covered to the port, whereas in Europe prices are quoted on an ‘FD’(Free Delivered) basis referring to the fact that the seller covers all the costs to include delivery to the customer’s premises. As a rule of thumb, the average delta between FD and CFR is $50 / £37.50 per tonne. The graph below accounts for the difference between CFR and FD and clearly depicts a significant swing in relative prices between Western Europe and Asia. In most cases, large price deltas are unsustainable, as either sellers increase the proportion of goods sold to the more lucrative markets, or traders take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and start physically moving goods from the lower price region to the higher price region. The consequence is to create parity between the markets as prices rise and or fall. Whilst in the case of traders physically moving goods from one region to another, account must be made of costs such as logistics and often import duties, once this hurdle is overcome there is often a commercial risk between agreeing the purchase contract and arranging the sale and, typically, this exposure is greater when goods are moved from East to West

In the current market it is important now to take account of the expectation of Western European buyers. Having ‘whetted their appetite’ through the arrival of some limited volumes of shale gas derived LLDPE back in March, their expectation is that further volumes of competitively priced product is ‘on the water’

where buyers strongly favour pricing within the month of delivery rather than fixing prices for delivery in a future period. In the current market it is important now to take account of the expectation of Western European buyers. Having ‘whetted their appetite’ through the arrival of some limited volumes of shale gas derived LLDPE back in March, their expectation is that further volumes of competitively priced product is ‘on the water’ and it is this sentiment that is likely to eliminate the physical arbitrage opportunity due to the significant market risk. Whist this may delay price equilibrium (or a state close to that) ultimately the market will become normal and the $100 question is if Western European prices are going up or prices in the rest of the World coming down? The outcome is likely to hinge on whether increasing oil (and feedstock) prices are dominant or if due to the new PE capacities in the US, the global market moves into a situation of supply surplus.

Mike Boswell is Managing Director of UK materials distributor, Plastribution, as well as the Chairman of the British Plastic Federation’s Polymer Compounders and Distributors Group and its ‘BREXIT Committee’. ‘Polymerman’ is the title used for announcements made via his Twitter account. This column is compiled using data from PIE (Plastics Information Europe) www.plastribution. co.uk | www.pieweb.com

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BUYER’S GUIDE MATERIALS

pulse staking

MOULD RELEASE

MASTERBATCH

TO ADVERTISE in this space CONTACT mandy o’brien 01244 952373

Specialists in supplying Plastic Joining, Bonding and Assembly Solutions

Technologies:

-Pulse Staking -Pulse Fusion -Ultrasonic Welding and Metal Insertion -High Frequency Induction Heating -Hot Air Staking

BLACK & WHITE MASTERBATCH Compounding

Recycling

Moulding

Film

Pipe

Conduit

Whitelands Mill, Whitelands Road Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6UG, UK Tel: +44 (0)161 308 2550 Fax: +44 (0)161 343 2026 E-mail: aml@abbeymb.com Eclipse Guide_Layout Web: Buyers www.abbeymb.com

Tel UK: +44 7467 959240 Tel IRL: +353 1 8013261 Email: info@hte.ie

www.hte.ie

ultrasonic welding

1 07

colour masterbatch

HOT RUNNER SYSTEMS hot runner controllers

CONTROL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT quality monitoring control 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.

DRYERS 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

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.

Ultrasonic Plastic Welders Make the WRIGHT choice UK Manufacturers est. over 60 years

Shredders Plastic separation Conveyors | Bailers Full recycling systems

01943 875104 sales@wrightsltd.co.uk

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cleaning materials

MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT ASSEMBLY hot plate welding Branson Ultrasonics

infrared welding HIGH TECH AND HIGH PASSION.

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   

Infrared Welding Ultrasonic Welding Hot Plate Welding Heat Staking

JOINING

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Find your perfect joining method.

www.frimo.com TO ADVERTISE in this space CONTACT mandy o’brien 01244 952373

MATERIALS HANDLING AND STORAGE gravimetric/ volumetric blending

New & Used

For Sale &

Wanted

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

Branson - Mecasonic - Telsonic Sonotrodes (Horns) all Frequencies Fixtures, Repairs, Service, Parts Sub-Contract Welding, Hire & Consultancy

Tel; 01258 459257 Tel; 07730 413197

als.ultrasonics@gmail.com www.als-ultrasonics.co.uk

InControl Ultrasonics Ltd (FFR Ultrasonics Ltd)

PO Box 10380, Sileby, LE12 7ZX T: 01509 621992 E: enquiries@ffr-ultrasonics. co.uk W: www.ffr-ultrasonics.co.uk W: www.incontrolultrasonics.co.uk

DEHUMIDIFIERS 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

HEATING EQUIPMENT

Telsonic UK Ltd

Unit 3 Vitrage Technical Park 27 Witney Road , Nufﬁeld Industrial Estate, Poole, Dorset BH17 0GL T: 01202 697340 F: 01202 693674 W: www.telsonic.com Blog: telsoniccuk.wordpress.com

Branson Ultrasonics

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

TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT mandy o’brien 01244 952373

hopper loaders

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

Motan Colortronic Ltd

Suction Blowers pipework cyclones New and Used recycling Equipment Kongskilde Spares, Parts and Pipework Suppliers industrial BLOWERS FLAKE/REGRIND Friendly Expert advice Les 01568 611338 Hereford W: WWW.GRAINBLOWERS.CO.UK

MATERIALS HANDLING AND STORAGE

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CHILLERS/ TEMPERATURE CONTROLLERS

AM&LT PUGH KONGSKILDE MAIN DEALER

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BUYER’S GUIDE MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT MIXING, FEEDING AND DOSING 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 AND 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

TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT mandy o’brien 01244 952373 Magnetics Separators Metal Detectors Eddy Current Separators

Bunting Magnetics Europe Ltd European Design & Manufacturing Facility

Northbridge Road Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 1EH, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1442 875081 Email: sales@buntingeurope.com www.buntingeurope.com www.magneticseparation.co

/magnetic_separation_and_metal_detection/

Contact: Carlton Hicks

Refurbished machines with fault and leak free guarantee. COMPOUNDS

We buy & sell all manner of plasscs equipment.

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Visit our workshop in Wellingborough, Northants. 01933 272747

vekacompounds.com +44(0)1322 387 219

sales@stvmachinery.co.uk www.stvmachinery.co.uk

HOPPER LOADERS

SCREEN CHANGERS

Motan Colortronic Ltd

Industrial Plastics 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

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 & BARRELS

www.magog.co.uk Design, Manufacture, and Refurbishment of Screws & Barrels for the Plastics and Rubber Industries. • Screw design • New manufactured Screws, Barrels, Feed Sections & Liners • Proven wear resistant specifications for screws • Nitrided and Bimetallic barrels • Refurbishment and repairs • Condition monitoring and wear checks Contact us to find out how we can help you Magog Industries Ltd, 10 Crane Mead, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 9PY T: +44(0)1920 465201 E: enquiries@magog.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952373

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

Cooper Plastics Machinery

8 Lyall Court, Flitwick, Bedfordshire MK45 1UX T: 01525 719850 E: Cooperplastics@gmail.com W: www.cooperplastics.co.uk Extruders, water baths, haul-offs, ﬂy knife cutters, conveyors/tip tables, in-line punches, coilers etc. New and used. Repairs, servicing or rebuilds. UK agent for Lyons Electronics.

POLYMERS MOULD CHANGE

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BUSINESS FOR SALE

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TESTING EQUIPMENT hardness - IRHD and shore MAPRA Technik Co — BAREISS For Bareiss of Germany IRHD & SHORE hardness testers, Abrasion & Rebound testers. T: 020 8508 4207 F: 020 8502 5107 E: info@mapra.co.uk W: www.mapra.co.uk

inspection & measurement MAPRA Technik Co – DOSS – MARCEL AUBERT – KAFER

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For DOSS visual solution of Italy – Inspection & sorting machines for O’rings, Seals, Gaskets. T: 020 8508 4207 F: 020 8502 5107 E: info@mapra.co.uk W: www.mapra.co.uk

THERMOCOUPLES

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

Tel: 01952 671918 Fax: 01952 608579 Email: connectors.uk@staubli.com

www.quick-mould-change.com

DTL Machinery UK

NOZZLES AND NOZZLE TIPS Engineers to the Plastics & Rubber industries, specialising in the following: Screw & Barrel Manufacture Screw & Barrel Refurbishment Tie Bar Repair & Manufacture Screw Tip Assemblies Feed Liners, Plain & Grooved 100 Tonne Screw & Barrel Press Bimetallic Barrel Blanks up to 50 mm In Stock Please e-mail or phone Karl for more info. E. info@tws-mail.co.uk T. 01706 655402 W. www.tws-ltd.com Technical Welding Services (Rochdale) Ltd

- We buy / sell all makes / age / sizes of Plastic Injection Moulding Machinery & Ancillaries equipment. - We also buy redundant, nonrunners & faulty machinery. - Machinery repair and maintenance services available. T: 01925 596170 M: 07838138342 E: info@dtlmachinery.co.uk E: douglastrading@gmail.com

We buy/sell Prime, reprocessed, regranulated flexible PVC compounds, dry blends, pulverised PVC, scrap PVC, PVC resin and associated raw materials. We can offer prime and reprocessed flexible PVC compounding facilities to cover your specific requirements, bespoke compounds, breakdowns, holiday cover etc.

Please send us your enquiries/offers

TransXL International Ltd

Plastics Processing Machinery Bought & Sold, Thornhill, South Marston, Wiltshire SN3 4TA T: 01793 827666 F: 01793 823826 E: sales@transxl.co.uk W: www.transxl.co.uk

T: M: E: W:

01625 500912 07860 371294 vinyl_ltd@mail.com www.vinyl-ltd.com

TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT mandy o’brien 01244 952373

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TRAINING

BUYER’S GUIDE 3D PRINTING

3D Printing

in Plastic & Rubber

TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT mandy o’brien 01244 952373 PRINTERS

printers of plastic mouldings Total Print Ltd

Tel: 01420 88645 www.cdg.uk.com

TESTING/ CONSULTANCY

Specialist Pad Printers Station Road, Gedney Hill, Lincolnshire PE12 0NP T: 01406 330122 F: 01406 330123 E: info@totalprintltd.com W: www.totalprintltd.com Sub-Contract Pad Printers to the Plastics Industry

COMPONENT PRINTERS TAMPO.SCREEN.FOIL

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

Gammadot Rheology Testing & Consultancy Services

SERVICES MOULDFLOW ANALYSIS

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

SOFTWARE

Mould Tool Design CAD CAM software

Tel: 01420 88645 www.cdg.uk.com

SOFTWARE DIRECTORY A listing in the Software Directory costs £160 per programme per year. Call Lisa on 01244 680222 for details. REAL TIME PRODUCTION MONITORING, SCHEDULING AND PROCESS MONITORING Epicor Mattec Real-time MES (Microsoft Windows™ PC Servers & “Web Based”) Epicor Software (UK) Ltd T: +44 (0)1344 468 468 E: info.uk@epicor.com

Modules: Production Monitoring, Process Monitoring, “Drag and Drop” Scheduling/Planning, “Family Moulding”, Preventative Maintenance, Bar Coding/Parts’ Trace-ability, Operator Visual Aids, Process Parameter Profiling, E-mail/ Public Address System Alerts, Standalone “Drag and Drop” Scheduler, Stand-alone SPC “Machine Analyzer”, Machine Energy Monitoring, KPI Dashboards, Visual Manufacturing (Large LED Displays), Automatic Data Import/Export Functions (For Integration with Epicor ERP & Other Manufacturing Systems/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. Realtime 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. intouch T: 01604 537100 E: enquiries@ intouchmonitoring.com Website: www.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.

TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952373

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’ WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK

Scheduling/Planning, Preventative Maintenance, Bar Coding/Parts Traceability, Operator Visual Aids, Process Parameter Profiling, Pager/ Tannoy Alerts, Stand-alone ‘Drag and Drop’ Scheduler, Stand-alone SPC Machine Analyzer, Automatic Data Import/Export Functions (for integration to Manufacturing Systems and other software packages).

ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING

Epicor ERP Manufacturing Software (For Plastics’/Rubber Processors) Epicor Software (UK) Ltd T: +44 (0)1344 468 468 E: info.uk@epicor.com Epicor ERP software for the polymer 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, warehousing and distribution. Available on-site, hosted & SaaS it seamlessly integrates with Epicor Mattec Real-time MES to provide a single system that offers a complete quote-to-cash solution for the plastics’/rubber industries.

PROCESS OPTIMISATION SOFTWARE RJG Technologies Ltd Moulding Technology T: +44 (0)1733 232211 E info@rjginc.co.uk

Zero Defect Moulding – What’s your target? • Cycle time reduction • Reduced scrap rates • Improved process capability • Higher yield and OEE PRO-OP™ software provides a stepby-step procedure for optimising the injection moulding process to deliver optimum quality products at the most favourable cycle time. PRO-OP™ is a server based application which, by setting an optimum moulding process, highlights weaknesses and problems in relation to part design, mould design, mould construction, moulding equipment efficiency, moulding equipment specification and material selection. The moulding process is documented with explanations for each key process parameter setting demonstrating the processing conditions and equipment contributions to the final result. PRO-OP™ is aimed at companies whose focus is quality and consistent part manufacture. PRO-OP™ supports companies by providing a documented and structured validation protocol which is recognised in the in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors. 49

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NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE

IN IN THIS MONTH’S EDITION OF HIS EXCLUSIVE COLUMN, PHILIP LAW, DIRECTORGENERAL OF THE BRITISH PLASTICS FEDERATION, OUTLINES THE KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ASSOCIATION’S AGM, INCLUDING RETIREMENTS, REPORTS AND RECORDS HOPED TO BE BEATEN.

e’ve just held our AGM on 17th May and I want to give you some key points. Bruce Margetts of Bericap was elected for a second year of office,with Martin Althorpe of Epwin elected as the new Vice President. Brent Nicholls of Wavin was elected as Honorary Treasurer on the retirement of Paul Jukes,who had served for five years. Paul was a former President and had been on the BPF’s Council since 2003 and was duly recognised. Bruce Margetts provided the highlights of 2017 which I will use my column this month to summarise. SKILLS AND DEVELOPMENT Bruce said that the nominated theme from the outset for this year’s meeting was skills and updated that the BPF Council has agreed to budget for an additional BPF staff member dedicated to skills and development in the industry. The job specification and potential programme are currently being shaped. We scored a quick hit with the launch of the Career Zone website at Interplas 2017. This aims to promote the range of job opportunities within the plastics industry and we’ve got some inspirational biographies of BPF Council members on there to fire up the enthusiasm of the country’s youth. The Worshipful Company of Horners were thanked for making a financial contribution and providing some useful ideas in developing the site.

bp&r

A RECORD BREAKER? A key indicator of the health of the industry, according to Bruce, is attendance levels at the BPF Annual Dinner. In 2017, enlivened by the anecdotes of John Sergeant, this had well over 500 attendees. Bookings for this year’s dinner indicate this record might well be smashed. I am sure we are all looking forward to the Reverend Richard Coles being irreverent on a grand scale. Bruce was also delighted to award the BPF’s Gold medal to Dr Christine Lukas of Dow Chemicals, a distinguished Chairman of the BPF’s Fire Committee and a true inspiration in our responses to the Grenfell Tower fire.Combatting negativity Bruce said that he is sure we are all frustrated by the negativity on plastics as a material resulting fromthe surge of media interest spawned by the issue of plastics in the seas. He doubted if anybody in our industry thought that this was the right place for a potentially valuable resource and believed that we all wanted to improve the situation. He told the audience that the BPF is very actively engaged on this topic and was prepared through activities stretching back the best part of a decade. There has, he added, been a step-change in the profile of the issues. The BPF produced new materials to enable the industry to defend and promote itself at Interplas. BPF took part in six TV interviews just in December 2017 and this activity has rolled on apace into this year. www.bpf.co.uk

ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS

BREXIT “INESCAPABLE” Reporting on Brexit, Bruce said it continues to be an inescapable issue for the industry given the preponderance of trade with the EU and high level of imports of raw materials and machinery into the UK, not to mention the pattern of mutual ownership of businesses in the UK and continental Europe. Without doubt the BPF has become a serious reference point for both industry and Government in the UK. This is a major achievement. Civil servants from BEIS, DIT and DeXEU have attended meetings of the BPF Council and the Brexit Taskforce to be briefed on the BPF’s positions. A very useful step was the agreement of a common policy on Brexit between the BPF and the European Plastics Processors Association. Bruce also felt 2017 highlighted the BPF’s major strengths in looking outwards towards its many market areas. We were active in the aftermath of the tragic Grenfell fire, interfacing with the

regulatory authorities. We provided a forum for brand owners and retailers to address marine litter in the wake of Government and media attacks on single-use plastics. We are also playing a part in the strengthening of the automotive supply chain as car manufacturers want to source more innovative components from the UK following the Brexit vote. Bruce particularly enjoyed chairing the BPF Council meeting at The Bank of England. Last year it was held on the 12th July and all Council members were able to debate business conditions in their respective sectors with the Bank’s top level staff. He referred to our latest business conditions surveys,which now, after a period of uncertainty, are demonstrating that investment is firming again. He said he was able to witness this when he opened the Interplas exhibition on behalf of the BPF last September. “It was a success and cheque books were open and in use,”added Bruce.

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