BP&R May/June 2020

British Plastics

and Rubber

bp&r may/jun 2020

POLYMERS IN ACTION DISTRUPOL LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN

TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF PLASTICS IN EVERYDAY APPLICATIONS — SEE PAGE 4 TOOLS OF THE TRADE In-house investment leads to successful delivery of UK project

AUTOMATION ADAPTATION Automating the plastics production process enables flexibility during Covid

SHIELDING HEROES The PPE project in Northern Ireland uniting manufacturers

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editor’s letter

coming back

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

stronger

T: +44 (0) 1244 952 371 E: leanne.taylor@rapidnews.com

interplas will reunite the industry at a time when the market has been given the space to take stock, regain confidence and embrace public exhibitions once more

Assistant Editor: GRACE NOLAN

T: +44 (0) 1244 952 375 E: grace.nolan@rapidnews.com

Assistant Editor: Tom Walker

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F

or the UK plastics industry, Interplas in September 2020 was gearing up to be a spectacular showcase of all the considerable strengths we possess as a sector.

However, for a flagship exhibition that takes three years of planning and organising in order to execute an event that has grown consistently in size and stature over each of its recent editions, to try and continue ‘as normal’ in circumstances that are about as far from normal as anyone could imagine, is simply inconceivable. Which is why, earlier this month, the Interplas organising team made the decision to postpone the show. Now taking place from June 29 – July 01, 2021, the newly rescheduled Interplas will reunite the industry at a time when the market has been given the space to take stock, regain confidence and embrace public exhibitions once again. You can read all about what to look forward to at the show next year in our special Interplas feature on pages 12-13.

Finally, it is clear that although the challenges brought about by a global pandemic have affected the timelines of certain projects – whether it be the delayed implementation of the Scottish DRS or the extended consultation period of the Plastics Packaging Tax in England – they are no less important. I attended my first all-digital conference recently (more about which you can read on page 29), that very much confirmed that such delays to projects only reinforce the determination to deliver something better and stronger.

Something that, going back to the opening of this note, is certainly true of Interplas.

Enjoy the issue and stay safe.

Leanne Taylor, EDITOR AND head of content

Of course, right now we still find ourselves adapting to the changing rules around Coronavirus, as lockdown measures are gradually eased, albeit differently, across the four nations of the UK. What remains constant, however, and what deserves to be continually highlighted and praised, is the unprecedented contribution the plastics industry is making towards the national effort to produce the vital supplies and equipment necessary to arm frontline staff with what they so urgently need. I’m pleased to once again to be able to feature a project in Northern Ireland where a group of companies, including Ad-Vance Engineering, is demonstrating their dedication to the cause. You can read more in our interview on page 37.

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

3

the big story

POLYMERS IN ACTION

F OLLOWING THE HUGE SURGE IN ATTENTION ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF PLASTICS WASTE, THE MATERIAL HAS GAINED AN UNFAVOURABLE POSITION WITH MANY. IN THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, JAMES STANTON, COMMERCIAL MANAGER AT UKBASED DISTRUPOL, WRITES FOR BP&R ABOUT A NEW CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY THE COMPANY TO HIGHLIGHT THE PLASTICS APPLICATIONS THAT ARE CRUCIAL IN SUPPORTING OUR LIVES AND SOCIETY; SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER.

T

he environmental impact of plastic exploded into the media in 2017 and there has been little respite since.

It’s undeniable that the irresponsible disposal and excessive consumption of plastic across the global platform has had detrimental effects on our environment. Many leading plastic producers, distributors and manufacturers have invested heavily in enhancing their sustainability commitments as a result.

At Distrupol, we have focused our sustainability efforts around three pillars: our business, our portfolio and our customers. This means we have improved practices, policies and procedures as a whole business in order to perform as safely and sustainably as possible, whilst expanding our portfolio with sustainable solutions and working with customers to align their sustainability efforts with ours. More information on this can be found at Distrupol. com/Sustainability.

PLASTIC IN A POSITIVE LIGHT As well as working tirelessly to maximise the effects of our sustainability strategy, we’re also utilising this opportunity to positively refocus the industry/media/consumers on how plastic supports our society. For the vast majority of the public, plastic is merely associated with disposable straws, used shopping bags and fresh produce packaging. It is these ‘single-use’ plastic applications which is where the majority of the public – and media – attention on plastic is focussed.

Distrupol’s recently launched ‘Polymers in Action’ campaign is a series of spotlights on specific applications that might not always be considered as a ‘hotspot’ for plastic usage.

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) in footwear, acrylic (PMMA) in automotive LED lighting and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) in medical face masks, all being examples of this.

featured in our ‘Polymers in Action’ starting pack) are pipe-based systems which enable the efficient watering of crops. The benefits of drip irrigation systems over more conventional methods include huge savings in water (over 95 per cent), decreased nutrient loss and increased crop quality.

The material of these drip irrigation pipes? High density polyethylene (HDPE) – the same material as your standard shampoo bottle.

‘Polymers in Action’ looks to raise positive awareness of the versatile use of plastics, and how their responsible and safe usage contributes to a sustainable environment.

A NOTE ON HEALTHCARE SERVICES At the time of writing this feature, we are in the midst of a global health crisis which is occupying every inch of focus in society, business, economics, media and politics. It’s extremely difficult to think of much else other than Covid-19, and yet discussing the subject in business communications (such as this editorial) requires enhanced sensitivity and morality.

As a business, Distrupol is dedicated to supporting the medical industry with plastic, whilst operating in a safe and responsible way for our employees during these unprecedented times. Health services across the world are crying out for PPE, ventilation equipment and testing apparatus, and our sales and technical teams are in close correspondence with medical manufactures across Europe to respond to these urgent requirements.

Plastic is not the problem, it is part of the solution, and together with our partners we want to deliver this message.

But plastic is also a vital component of many applications which are actually necessary for the responsible management of our environment. Drip irrigation systems (as

4

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

Polymers in Action’ looks to raise positive awareness of the versatile use of plastics, and how their responsible and safe usage contributes to a sustainable environment.

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on the cover

17 FEATURE

Following the huge surge in attention on the environmental impact of plastics waste, the material has gained an unfavourable position with many. James Stanton, Commercial Manager at UK-based Distrupol, writes for BP&R about a new campaign launched by the company to highlight the plastics applications that are crucial in supporting our lives and society; something more important now than ever.

When laboratory equipment supplier, Specac, needed support with a high specification moulding and tooling project, it turned to Broanmain plastics. BP&R looks at the project in more detail and outlines why Broanmain’s use of – and investment in – a full suite of tools and expertise led to successful completion.

Polymers in Action

SEE PAGE 4

3 EDITOR’S LETTER 12 FEATURE

Interplas postponed to 2021 with the promise of “bigger and better”

Following Rapid News Group’s decision to postpone Interplas, the UK’s flagship event for the plastics industry, to 2021, BP&R looks at the importance of the move to ensure the show maintains its leading position in the exhibition calendar.

Tools of the trade

25 Feature

Automation Adaptation

As the plastic industry finds itself at the forefront of the efforts to produce the parts and equipment needed to support the Coronavirus pandemic, many companies are manufacturing items entirely different to their usual output. BP&R hears from Nigel Flowers, Managing Director of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK, about how automating the plastics production process is enabling flexibility at such a crucial time.

37 Feature Shielding Heroes

Following the launch of a collaborative project to produce PPE for frontline Covid-19 workers in Northern Ireland, BP&R’s Tom Walker spoke exclusively to Roger Vance, Managing Director of Ad-Vance Engineering, to find out more about the company’s involvement.

6

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

Regulars and Features 09 INDUSTRY NEWS 19 MATERIALS HANDLING 23 automation and robotics 27 RECLAMATION AND RECYCLING 31 MATERIALS 33 POLYMERMAN 35 MACHINERY 38 SOFTWARE GUIDE 39 BUYERS’ GUIDE 42 NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE

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INDUSTRY | NEWS Local support is “vital” says Polyram following UK investment Thermoplastics compounder, Polyram, says investment in the UK market late last year was “vital” to ensuring it could offer local support to its customers.

The firm, which is headquartered in Israel, established a UK production site for engineering polymers in September 2019, through acquisition of Petlon Polymer’s former facility in Lydney, Gloucestershire.

Polyram already had an established UK distribution division, but says that to take the business further, it recognised local manufacturing was important.

“Despite the uncertain consequences of Brexit, it was an easy and instant decision to take on this challenge,” explained Mark Timmins,

who leads Polyram UK. “The deal was done so well, with total support from loyal customers and suppliers, that we were able to report a profitable fourth quarter for the newly consolidated Polyram UK business.”

He added: “While other businesses have withdrawn from the UK, we must not forget that local support is

Treasury extends consultation period for plastic packaging tax The Government has extended the consultation period for the Plastics Packaging Tax in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic.

HM Treasury and HMRC announced the extension as part of new timelines for tax policy consultations to give stakeholders the chance to submit their views.

The ‘Plastic Packaging Tax: Policy Design’ consultation will now close on 20 August 2020.

The Government says despite the extension of the deadline, it remains committed to the planned reforms.

vital and that the UK is still a significant market, despite all the challenges we face.”

To maximise its opportunities in the UK market, Polyram has invested over £1million in the Lydney site, improving productivity as well as materials handling. It has also invested in new staff, including the appointment of Jon

Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Jesse Norman, said: “Consulting on tax policy is crucial to good tax law. And a good consultation makes sure everyone with an interest in the subject has an opportunity to have their say.”

Richard Kirkman, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Veolia UK and Ireland commented: “We are fully in support of the Government’s tax provisions for single use plastic.

“Whilst Covid-19 has demonstrated the huge value that plastics bring in logistics and food safety it’s also paramount, and deliverable, to include recycled content in new packaging. With this in mind it makes sense to give everyone

Poyner as Technical Manager.

The Polyram UK site is producing a wide range of Polyamide and other engineering plastics compounds, with total capacity of around 8000 tonnes per year. Much of this, adds Timmins, is high quality recycled material.

“Our operations team, including Gavin Rees and Dave Watkins,

their say.”

To submit your feedback on the consultations, visit https:// www.gov.uk/government/ consultations/plastic-packagingtax-policy-design

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

has been leading the way in development and production of recycled Polyamide and Polyester compounds for more than 25 years,” he explained. “These materials are now being offered by the entire Polyram Group and this has already led to increased sales, particularly to the European automotive sector.”

The Government has extended the consultation period for the plastics packaging tax

9

Helping your business return to work Stock machines and engineering availability

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Six university students earn place in Design Innovation in Plastics final Six talented students from across the UK have won a place in the final of the 2020 Design Innovation in Plastics competition.

Students from Brunel, Coventry, De Montfort, London South Bank and two from Dublin University secured a place in the last round, having been asked to design a product for urban living.

With a focus on ‘Improving Lifestyle and Saving Resources’,

this year’s theme challenged the students to come up with a brand-new product which would enhance life in a city environment; for use in a flat; or whilst commuting.

Organisers, the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and the Worshipful Company of Horners, along with headline industry sponsor, Covestro, wanted to see how students would respond to the increasing demands of today’s social and environmental trends.

Chairman of judges, Richard Brown, commented: “The six

finalists’ entries offered a diverse range of solutions to challenges such as pollution, how to stay fit – particularly in confined spaces – and how to make best use of that space. They showed a good grasp of the brief, and the overall creativity of these six solutions is excellent.”

Following one further round of feedback to the judges, finalists will be invited to an online ceremony where the overall winner will be announced. As media partner, British Plastics and Rubber will once again feature an interview with the winning student in July.

Chairman of the judges, Richard Brown

the six finalists’ entries offered a diverse range of solutions. they showed a good grasp of the brief and the overall creativity of these six solutions is excellent.

Resinex to distribute Ascend PA66 resin in the UK as part of new EU agreement

Thermoplastics distributor, Resinex, will supply polyamide 66 resins from Ascend Performance Materials in the UK and Ireland as part of a new European agreement.

The agreement will see Resinex distribute Ascend’s Vydyne PA66 resins, which are used in the production of applications in the automotive, electrical and electronics, and

consumer and industrial industries.

“Customers using Vydyne often require specialised, highly technical products,” said Christelle Staller, Ascend’s European Sales Director. “Having the right distribution partner with a keen technical focus is critical to ensuring that each customer gets the best possible support on both a commercial and

Tackling the skills gap: Level 4 apprenticeship standard launched for the plastics industry

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has led the development of a Level Four apprenticeship standard for the plastics industry to address the skills gap.

The standard is now live, and students can enrol onto the course from September.

The BPF says surveys and insights from its Education and Skills Committee had previously highlighted knowledge gaps within the plastics industry and made clear the importance of developing polymer-related modules for particular apprenticeships.

This information inspired the BPF to form a ‘trailblazer’ group tasked with creating a Level Four apprenticeship standard for the plastics industry.

The group comprised

many members of the BPF, representing a wide range of subsectors.

The apprenticeship, entitled ‘Engineering Manufacturing Technician’, is now approved for delivery.

It has a typical duration of 42 months (excluding the EPA period) and maximum funding of £21,000.

BPF Education and Skills Committee Chair, Gillian Doughty, commented: “The Level Four apprenticeship standard helps address a gap in our industry that has been identified as key to the upskilling of employees.

“The standard is employer driven and provides a development pathway for engineers and technicians that encompasses a focus on materials and processing in the polymer sector.”

technical level.”

Resinex will also supply customers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Nordic countries, France, East Central Europe, Russia, Turkey and South Africa as an official representative of Ascend, which is the world’s largest fully integrated producer of polyamide 66 resins.

“The wide reach of Resinex in the European

thermoplastic market supports Ascend’s growing European distribution model and better equips us to serve our customers efficiently,” continued Staller.

“We are excited to start this relationship with Resinex and look forward to delivering on our commitment to supply high-performance products and unmatched customer service.”

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

11

www.ultrapolymers.com | Your partner from design to production

Interplas postponed to 2021 with the promise of

“bigger and better”

F OLLOWING RAPID NEWS GROUP’S DECISION TO POSTPONE INTERPLAS, THE UK’S FLAGSHIP EVENT FOR THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY, TO 2021, BP&R LOOKS AT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MOVE TO ENSURE THE SHOW MAINTAINS ITS LEADING POSITION IN THE EXHIBITION CALENDAR.

A

Words: Leanne Taylor

s a result of the unprecedented times the industry finds itself in as a result of the global Coronavirus pandemic, Interplas, originally scheduled for 29 September – 01 October 2020, will now take place from 29 June – 01 July 2021.

The location of the event, at the NEC, Birmingham, UK, will not be affected by the change and the event will continue to take place in its new, expanded size of both Halls 4 and 3A, and will offer the same layout and configuration as previously.

Rapid News Group’s CEO, Duncan Wood, said that the decision to reschedule the event reflects the highest regard in which the organisers consider the health, safety and wellbeing of exhibitors and visitors.

“Clearly uncertainties around large gatherings and public events are still very much at the forefront of everyone’s minds. By rescheduling Interplas to 2021, we are first and foremost ensuring the safety of our exhibitors and attendees whilst also preserving the success of the event,” he explained.

“We will continue in earnest with our preparations for the show to ensure it returns in 2021 bigger and better and with renewed vigour as the market recovers from the challenges and difficulties presented by the current climate.”

Wood said he was grateful to the NEC for working with the Group to identify an appropriate dateline for the rescheduled event, and he also recognised the steadfast support of the UK plastics industry’s key associations.

“THE BEST POSSIBLE EXHIBITION FOR ALL INVOLVED” Such support came from Richard Hird, Chairman of the Polymer Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMMDA), who said on behalf of all members he welcomed the decision to postpone Interplas until June 2021, due to the extraordinary times that the Covid-19 pandemic has created. “By doing so, we feel that it will ensure the best possible exhibition for all involved,” Hird explained.

Philip Law, Director General of the British Plastics Federation (BPF), echoed his support of the move commenting: “Given unprecedented conditions this was inevitable and is consistent with the postponement of many other exhibitions globally.

The industry needs time to recover and to consolidate its position.

“The British Plastics Federation is looking forward to contributing towards an excellent presentation of the UK plastics industry at Interplas in 2021 demonstrating to the market all our very considerable strengths as a sector.”

SHOP WINDOW FOR MACHINERY, MATERIALS AND MORE Despite the disappointment of not being able to attend Interplas in 2020, visitors can look forward to comparing and contrasting live working machinery, touching and testing materials and finding out first-hand about the newest technologies and services available to the industry next June.

Many exhibitors are gearing up with exciting plans for the show, not least to demonstrate some of their most innovative products. Steve Trainor, Managing Director of UK Extrusion Ltd, said as first-time exhibitors the firm is “very excited to be bringing some innovative new ideas to the show floor” and that he looks forward to 2021 with “optimism and anticipation.”

Networking and connections are hallmarks of Interplas

12

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

www.ultrapolymers.com | Your partner from design to production

There will also be a host of interactive features, pavilions and networking events including a meetings programme and learning seminars, including exciting new partnerships with RECOUP and WRAP. This explained Sally Bailey, Owner of Common Sense Marketing & PR, is a key hallmark of Interplas and one she believes would have been hampered had the show not been rescheduled.

“Trade Exhibitions like Interplas are not only a shop window for the market, but an opportunity to network, make new contacts and strengthen established ones. In the current climate of social distancing and future strategies, which we are yet to experience, this ‘people’ driven environment would, in all honesty, not work,” she told BP&R. “Therefore, I believe that Rapid News have done the very best for the industry that they could have. To re-schedule Interplas into the future gives the event a better chance of success for all concerned.”

We will continue in earnest with our preparations for the show to ensure it returns in 2021 bigger and better and with renewed vigour as the market recovers from the challenges and difficulties presented by the current climate.

Also keen to showcase machinery is long-standing exhibitor, Summit Systems, whose Managing Director, Mike Jordan, said it can often take up to 10 months of preparation to manufacture the equipment for Interplas, which is normally bespoke for the market. “I am happy and relieved the organisers have taken the brave decision to move the date,” he said.

Christina Larsen, Marketing Manager at Intouch, said the firm is keen to showcase its new cloud-based monitoring system. “We appreciate that the decision has been made this early as that erases any uncertainty and helps us plan with confidence. We look forward to Interplas 2021,” she explained.

KNOWLEDGE, INSIGHT AND LEARNING IN 2021 After disruption to exhibition and conference schedules globally, visitors to Interplas will benefit from a comprehensive conference programme delivered across three stages, each dedicated to enhancing a visit through the imparting of knowledge, insight and learning.

Touching and testing is part of a visit to Interplas

CO-LOCATION ADDS FURTHER BENEFITS To add to the benefits of a visit, Interplas 2021 will continue to be co-located with TCT 3Sixty, the event for 3D printing and additive intelligence, as well as Med-Tech Innovation Expo, the UK’s leading medical design and manufacturing technology event.

For readers and subscribers eager to know more about the show, British Plastics and Rubber retains its position as the lead industry media publication supporting the show and will include updates, insight and exclusive coverage up to the event and beyond.

ATE!

SAVE THE NEW D

KE

INTERPLAS WILL TA PLACE FROM

29 JUNE – 01 JULY 2021

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

13

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MOULDING & TOOLING | NEWS Hasco develops new round latch lock units for complex moulds Hasco has developed a set of new round latch lock units specifically for complex injection moulds or die-casting tools.

The Z1780 and Z1782 units are designed for when a second parting plane or an additional demoulding plane is necessary – for example on three-plate moulds or moulds with dual ejector assemblies – to allow defined movement and latching of the moving plates.

The compact round latch lock units have multipoint locking around the circumference, which allows an optimum force flux. The Z1780 round latch lock units, with pulling and pushing

Meusburger offers 1.2738 TSHH steel from stock Meusburger is offering cavity plates and standard plates in grade 1.2738 TSHH steel from stock.

The 1.2738 TSHH steel is popular for the

Hasco has developed a set of new round latch lock units for complex moulds

action, can be mounted in many different ways.

Hasco says process safety and reliability is enhanced with the thermal expansion offset compensation and the integrated collision protection.

Both the round latch lock units are available ex-stock in three sizes and different lengths for a wide range of strokes, allowing a broad spectrum of individual mould configurations.

production of injection moulds with moderate shot weights, especially in the automotive and consumer goods industries where it lends itself well to flawless surface quality.

Meusburger says that where generally the steel for injection moulds is designed for the cavity

that comes into contact with the plastics, the steel properties for the mould design itself are not often considered.

It says that material grade 1.2738 TSHH is a modified, hardened and tempered steel for injection moulds which meets the requirements of both excellent polishability and grainability, as well as high thermal conductivity and high wear resistance.

It is especially suited for cavity plates without dimension restrictions, with deep cavities and high core loads.

The steel is already supplied hardened and tempered with a strength of 1,200 N/ mm² (≈ 38 HRC), so no further heat treatment is necessary. Meusburger says time and costs can therefore be saved during machining and production.

Meusburger is offering material 1.2738 TSHH from stock

Protolabs produces three new tools to support Covid-19 breathing aid Telford-based Protolabs has designed three new tools that will be used to produce tens of thousands of critical parts for a new breathing aid to support Covid-19 patients.

The injection mould tools, which were developed in three days, are being used to help rapidly increase production of the ‘CPAP’ (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) system, designed by F1 Team, Mercedes-AMG, and University College London (UCL), which delivers oxygen into the lungs without the need for a ventilator.

The first two tools are for moulding the bracket that will be used to hold the device next to a patient’s bed, whilst the third tool is for the production of a cap that prevents any air escaping from the machine.

Initial sample parts, made in nylon 30 per cent glass fibre and Acetal co-polymer respectively, will be sent out for inspection shortly and, if successful, the company will push the button on run rates of 1100 parts per day until 10,000 of each component are manufactured.

The final devices and equipment will then be sent to 250 hospitals across the UK to help frontline staff provide the best possible care for Covid-19 patients.

Baninder Kaur, Strategic Account Manager at Protolabs, commented: “Speed is of the essence for this project, as we need to get the CPAP systems to UCL as soon as possible.

“Within a few hours of the call, we had mobilised a dedicated design and manufacturing team to review the bracket’s design for manufacturability. This led to four quick iterations and the decision to make the bracket using two tools, allowing us to reduce lead times by running production simultaneously.”

She continued: “There were also some slight adaptions to the cap, with our engineers exploring the possibility of using one tool with two cavity moulds that would hit the 1100 daily required parts as well as keeping the accuracy in place.”

Protolabs CNC machine operator milling one of the tools in preparation for moulding

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

15

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case study

I

W HEN LABORATORY EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER, SPECAC, NEEDED SUPPORT WITH A HIGH SPECIFICATION MOULDING AND TOOLING PROJECT, IT TURNED TO BROANMAIN PLASTICS. BP&R LOOKS AT THE PROJECT IN MORE DETAIL AND OUTLINES WHY BROANMAIN’S USE OF – AND INVESTMENT IN – A FULL SUITE OF TOOLS CONTRIBUTED TO SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION.

tools of the trade

n a project spanning the last 12 months, Surreybased technical moulder, Broanmain Plastics, has worked collaboratively with Specac on the development of a new ATR (Attenuated Total Reflection) accessory for its high-spec spectrometry instrument. Utilising its expertise in tool design and project management, the project has now reached the manufacturing phase, with Broanmain producing and individually finishing over 100 spectrometry ATR units a month, each comprised of seven individual components.

Based upon Specac’s flagship ‘Quest ATR’ accessory, the unit is used by forensic, life science, pharmaceutical, food, polymer, academia and healthcare labs the world over to analyse samples, measure quality and maintain full traceability.

Flying the flag for British engineering, one part within the unit involves repeatedly milling perfectly straight lines into a cylindrical component. It’s a complex operation ensuring the three-dimensional contours follow an exacting pattern in the curve, time and again.

Rather than outsource the CNC milling process, Broanmain took the leap and invested in a stateof-the-art vertical CNC milling machine. Equipped with a 10K RPM spindle and full Renishaw probing system, the mill accomplishes complex and repeatable 3D and 2D geometries and delivers better surface finishes on the most intricate of parts. Accuracy is further enhanced with the assistance of Renishaw’s TS27R tool setter and OMP400 part probe.

PRIDE OF BRITAIN Broanmain’s willingness to invest in the new Hurco VM10i was just one example that impressed Specac’s Strategic Buyer, Anthony Gomme. As a UK company that exports its spectrometry device to over 70 countries, being able to showcase British engineering on the world stage was clearly an influencer.

Gomme explained: “In 2018 Specac was recognised with the prestigious Queen’s Award for International Trade. Being able to partner with a likeminded moulder that shares our engineering flair is important for both innovation and continuity.

Right from the outset Broanmain has gone the extra mile. As well as helping up with the tooling design, we leaned on [Managing Director] Jo and the team a lot for guidance on processing, tooling development and materials.”

Broanmain’s responsiveness, the ease of working with a single supplier, their tooling knowledge and general ‘getthe-job-done’ attitude has made such a difference to the speed we were able to bring this spectrometry advancement to market.

Machining the fixture plates for the spectrometry ATR chassis at Broanmain’s Dorking precision facility STEELY CONSIDERATION Making the moulding tool from steel hadn’t initially crossed Specac’s mind. Convinced it would be beyond their budget, Broanmain presented the Specac team with a range of options and a good business case to get the tool designed and built in China and shipped to the UK. The company also generated some fast prototypes through a partner in Germany, to ensure the design was fit for purpose.

Praising their service approach, Gomme added: “Broanmain’s responsiveness, the ease of working with a single supplier, their tooling knowledge and general ‘get-the-job-done’ attitude has made such a difference to the speed we were able to bring this spectrometry advancement to market. The company’s willingness to invest in new technology, like the CNC mill, to support future engineering projects is testament to this.”

FINISHING TOUCHES The injection-moulded components for the ATR are produced on various hybrid Sumitomo (SHI) Demag precision machines. They are produced with a special resin with glass fibres inserted to increase tensile strength. However, in order to meet Specac’s blue chip clients’ requirements, Broanmain also had to source an exacting protective paint finish for the ATR’s outer cover.

Oldbury-based Applied Coating Technologies (ACT) successfully sourced the paint and developed the fine spatter finish in accordance with Specac’s expectations.

Having named Broanmain their ‘New Supplier of the Year’, Specac continues to draw upon the moulder’s technical expertise. The team is currently assisting Specac with a revolutionary new project to create over-moulded disposable silicone chips to replace costly crystal and diamond specular reflectance pucks. This is partly to address potential cross contamination when analysing solid and liquid samples. Specac anticipates launching the silicone pucks in 2020.

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

17

88%

of exhibitors said they made a sale directly related to Interplas.

92%

of visitors found a new supplier or technology they has not known of before.

Exhibit with us NEC, BIRMINGHAM, UK | 29 JUNE - 01 JULY 2021 @InterplasUK

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www.interplasuk.com

2021 is an Interplas year, meaning the UK’s largest plastics industry exhibition is back – the only event covering the full spectrum of plastics processing machinery, materials, software, services and ancillaries in one place. It’s also the only plastics event in the UK where visitors can see working machinery LIVE on the show floor and where they come to compare, contrast and buy.

With an expected 14,000+ attendees across the three-day event, as well as new features and an expanded floorplan, now is the time to position yourself as a company that can offer solutions, showcase innovation and offer expertise to an audience known for its quality and purchasing power.

www.motan-colortronic.co.uk | Technology for challenges of the future

MATERIALS HANDLING | NEWS Wittmann bulks out dryer offering with CARD series Wittmann has significantly expanded the range of dryers in its product portfolio following the acquisition of Farrag Tech in April.

The range offered now includes all models from the ‘CARD’ (Compressed Air Resin Dryer) series, which between them can cover all drying applications, from material throughputs of just 0.16kg/h up to those of more than 1,000kg/h.

The dryers are suitable for all types of plastics, including engineering plastics, and Wittmann says the CARD dryers can be used without water coolers.

The smallest dryer models in the range are CARD G and CARD G/ FIT, which are available with container volumes of one, three and six litres and differ from each other by their respective control systems. The CARD G/FIT comes with the new ‘FIT’ control system, which permits operation via a touch

Jenco helps PVC powder producer reduce waste and increase productivity

Vented powder loader

surface and provides some additional functions to improve its energy efficiency.

Additional model sizes can be found with the CARD E and CARD S models, whose container volumes range from 10 to 160 litres, and which also differ from each other by their control systems.

The CARD S is equipped with the FIT control system, and the entire CARD S series comes with the addition of a temperature-controlled, digital air quantity regulation.

Further dryers, named L or XL, are available with container volumes of up to 3,500 litres. All models in the series from the CARD M model up to L/XL are equipped with a second drying circuit.

The drying containers are made of stainless steel and come with at least one sight glass window for visual inspection. Depending on their size, the drying containers also have a cleaning door. Wittmann also offers a filling solution for each of the dryers, from the very smallest to the largest in the range.

Materials handling solutions provider, Jenco, has solved a problem for a large extruder of PVC powder, resulting in reduced product waste and improvements in productivity.

The customer had been experiencing problems with powder spreading around vacuum loaders, extruders and on the production floor, leading to a number of issues.

These included issues not only relating to waste, with volumes

Conair develops new vacuum pumps for conveying plastic pellets over long distances

The CARD L model with FIT control system and optional OPC UA interface

being produced across a number of lines, but also increased downtime as a result of vacuum loaders overfilling and backing up, causing production to stop. The powder also posed a health and safety issue, with slippery powder on both the machinery and the floor.

After speaking to the customer, Jenco identified the cause of the powder spread and engineered a solution to eliminate it. After prototyping a solution to prove the concept, the

Conair has launched a new series of vacuum pumps designed to develop deep vacuuming power for conveying plastic pellets over long distances.

The new HRG Series utilises a multi-stage regenerative impeller design that achieves the distance whilst ensuring that noise levels are kept to a minimum.

“Until now, processors have had to accept various trade-offs when selecting a central vacuum pump,” explained Rich Shaffer, Conair’s Vice President of Product Development.

“Single-stage regenerative pumps are quiet and inexpensive but limited to shortand middle-distance conveying applications.

Positive displacement pumps have been the workhorses of conveying – powerful and reliable but the low cost versions don’t handle long distances and are noisy. Long-distance pumps (LDP) are special positive displacement

pumps that convey over long distances, at high rates and with low noise levels, but they can be quite expensive. Conair’s new hybrid regenerative pumps offers many of the best features of previous designs at a price that is about 30 per cent lower than a comparable LDP unit.”

The secret, says Shaffer, is in the threestage pump design, with its regenerative impellers that smoothly cut, capture and compress the air with minimal draft or vibration. Like twin turbo chargers on car engines, the vacuum becomes deeper and more powerful at each stage allowing the HRG series pumps to convey material up to 1000 linear feet. Vacuum levels below 12 inches of mercury are possible.

Hybrid regenerative technology makes the pumps extremely quiet.

Operating at 60 Hz, the average sound level ranges between 74 – 77 dBA, a range that does not need ear protection.

customer was able to trial and test the solution in house.

As a result, the solution is now the company standard across all the customers’ extrusion lines, with a spokesperson commenting that he “is amazed at the difference provided by the new system.”

Jenco, which has over 50 years’ experience in the materials handling industry, says that success in projects such as this one is down to

not only the quality of its product range, but also its range of sales and aftercare services.

James Bailey, Director at Jenco, said: “This is an example of how our team can really make a difference in solving customer issues that may have been costing them time and money for years. By taking a project from initial consultation, design, and installation, we were able to design something bespoke that has made a significant impact.”

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

19

Three Times UK Toolmaker of the Year » 25 years of specialising in complex tooling solutions » Strong track record in on-time tooling delivery » Agie Charmilles spark erosion » 5-Axis Mikron high-speed graphite and hard metal machining centre » Fanuc wire erosion » Product design consultation service » Design for Manufacture principles » Current SolidWorks and SolidCAM multiple licences » ISO9001: 2015 certification

“We had exceptional support throughout our project and couldn’t ask for more. We were particularly impressed with Faulkner Moulds’ technical thought processes and toolmaking quality. The price was good value too.”

General Manager, leading UK moulding company

Pictured: 16 impression tool, running at a 7 second cycle time.

01422 371072 info@faulknermoulds.net faulknermoulds.net

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www.motan-colortronic.co.uk | Technology for challenges of the future

Rapid loans exhibition machines to PPE producers Rapid Granulator has loaned the machines and systems it would have ordinarily displayed at trade fairs and exhibitions to those firms producing PPE. The firm, which is a long-standing supplier to the medical industry, says the demand for its machines to produce protective equipment for Covid-19 keyworkers has been such that it is releasing further machines on loan.

“Rapid has, over the last months provided several rental machines for free, to support customers who are producing medical protection products like face shields, respirators etc, needed in the fight against Covid-19,” said Anders Mårtensson, Sales and Marketing Director at Rapid Granulator.

“Exhibitions are cancelled or postponed and most likely will be so during entire 2020.

In this situation we decided to offer our exhibition machines to support our customers.

And now we have decided to release even more machines to the medical sector since we have been facing a huge request.”

The firm says it hopes by initiating the rental of the machines it will enable its customers to provide as much equipment as possible.

IN THE LATEST INSTALMENT OF OUR ONGOING SERIES ANSWERING THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED MATERIALS HANDLING QUESTIONS, THE EXPERTS AT MOTAN COLORTRONIC OUTLINE THE IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF POWDER HANDLING.

When conveying powder, filter and powder must be suited to each other (Image: motancolortronic)

What needs to be considered when conveying powder?

Compared to the conveying of granulate, some important aspects need to be considered when conveying powder. The appropriate conveying process depends substantially on the properties of the powder. The crucial properties are the flow properties, i.e. whether it is free flowing or nonfree flowing; pourable or fluidisable; adhesive or tends to form clumps.

Additional criteria are the conveying distance; the conveying height that must be overcome; and the required bends. The necessary purity and hygiene requirements can also play an important role.

Safety aspects, such as explosion protection and the toxicity of the powder to be conveyed, must be considered as well.

In regard to the material containers and hopper loaders, one must make sure that they do not have corners, angles, or square cross sections.

Units designed for granulate must therefore

be classified as critical, particularly for non-free flowing powders. If possible, the containers should be designed as a tapered cone (<60°, possibly asymmetrical).

Large outlet diameters are also recommended.

Suction boxes with narrow material paths should be avoided.

Depending on the flow properties of the powder, material bridges or material shafts can form.

Some powders solidify if they are stored over longer periods of time.

This can be counteracted with suitable built-in components as well as special aids for fluidisation, flow and discharge. Pneumatic discharge aids such as vibrating air vents; air injectors; ventilation air holes; or so-called air canons can also be retrofitted. Mechanical discharge aids such as vibrating cones; vibrating floors; or agitators; on the other hand, must be considered during the planning of the entire system.

Spiral conveyors and augers used as mechanical discharge devices are familiar from material dosing.

Both methods make it possible to convey nonfree flowing, adhesive or clump building powder over short distances.

Spiral conveyors are, however, less suitable for free flowing powder.

If larger distances need to be bridged, then pneumatic conveying methods, such as pneumatic pressure conveying

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or pneumatic suction conveying, are possible solutions. Pneumatic pressure conveying is characterised by its large area or application regarding pressure (up to six bar), throughput, and distance, as well as with regards to powder properties. It is suitable for both continuous and discontinuous operation by enabling slow, gentle material conveying.

In addition, pressure conveying allows for conveying states such as air conveying, strand conveying, or plug conveying.

Pneumatic suction conveying, in contrast, transports the material with air conveying, for which the air speed is normally over 20m/s.

Non-free flowing powder should always be conveyed with purging, in order to prevent the pipes getting clogged.

The supply of material occurs via cellular wheel pumps or discharge augers for non-free flowing powders, and via suction probes or suction boxes for free-flowing powders.

When choosing the filter for the material loaders, the filter material, filter surface and filtration efficiency must be considered carefully. Filter and powder must be suited to each other, otherwise there is danger that the particles will permeate the filter or block the filter. The same considerations also apply for the central safety filter in front of the vacuum pump.

21

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automation & robotics | News Fanuc partners with RoboPod to launch ultralow footprint turnkey machine tending cell Fanuc has collaborated with Birmingham-based RoboPod to launch the iTend, a turnkey machine-tending cell for its Robodrill vertical machining centres.

The iTend is a lowfootprint, cost-effective automation solution aimed specifically at subcontract manufacturers. At 850mm x 2500mm, it comprises a Fanuc M-10iD robot, which uses bespoke tooling to automatically take workpieces from a magazine stacking unit and load the machining centre, before restoring the completed parts from the magazine tray once machined.

The iTend’s magazine stacking unit can store up to nine 600mm x 400mm trays, depending on workpiece height. Trays are available in three

different heights: 75mm, 120mm and 150mm, with the iTend magazine able to accommodate, nine, six and four trays respectively. Both the robot and magazine unit are powered by Fanuc servo motors for repeatable performance.

Fanuc says what helps contribute towards the iTend’s class-leading footprint is the fact that the robot is completely contained within the cell’s casing. As such, any peripheral guarding or fencing is not required. It also takes up much less floorspace than comparable systems, which employ laser scanners to detect operator presence, and avoids any slow-down in operation which can occur once a laser detection system has been triggered.

As such, the iTend can significantly improve productivity through unmanned running times, which can be extended up to 36 hours depending on the volume of products and the complexity of the machine programme.

Andy Armstrong, Sales & Marketing Manager at Fanuc UK, explained: “The reduced footprint over existing cells on the market was a major driver in developing the iTend. The ability to place our Robodrill machines very close to each other in a facility has always been a competitive advantage as they have no maintenance requirements from the

Universal Robots offers free consultations to pharma and medical companies supplying the front line Following increased enquiries from the pharmaceutical and medical supply industries, Universal Robots is introducing free online consultations and on-demand webinars for any companies seeking to rapidly

scale-up output and address labour shortages in their facilities.

Many organisations are finding themselves

tasked with helping the fight against Coronavirus, meaning they need to switch up production lines to produce items

side of the machine and therefore take up less space than comparable models. The same philosophy has been applied to the iTend. At only 850mm wide it has a very low footprint and has the ability to load one or two machines if needed to allow even further value to be taken from a single robot.”

The iTend

such as PPE and ventilators.

Mark Gray, UK and Ireland Sales Director for Universal Robots, said: “In these uncertain times, we understand that our specialised expertise is crucial for medical supply and pharmaceutical organisations who find themselves needing to be as flexible as possible.

“Our cobots have already helped many of our customers to quickly adapt their production lines to create items such as face masks and other vital PPE.

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

CKF Systems awarded ABB Value Provider status Gloucester-based automation and robotics solutions provider, CKF Systems, has been awarded with ABB Value Provider status.

The ABB Value Provider Program was set up

by ABB to guarantee that the services the customer receives from its chosen providers matches up with the quality of its product range.

CKF says the fact that it has achieved the staus shows it has invested both time and resources to become knowledgeable on ABB products, tools and processes, which will reassure its customers that they are in a position to suitably advise them.

CKF also has access to all of the latest ABB tools and resources, which include product updates, service notes and new products for industries including automotive, general manufacturing and food packaging.

“We wish to pass on this knowledge to all others who can play their part in ensuring our frontline workers are supplied with the equipment they need.”

Universal Robots says the support means it is simple and easy to get access to local experts.

“Through improved collaboration, we can continue to use technological solutions to future-proof businesses, safeguard employees, and increase production outputs to meet increased demand,” Gray concluded.

23

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FEATURE

AS THE PLASTIC INDUSTRY FINDS ITSELF AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE EFFORTS TO PRODUCE THE PARTS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, MANY COMPANIES ARE MANUFACTURING ITEMS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT TO THEIR USUAL OUTPUT. HERE, BP&R HEARS FROM NIGEL FLOWERS, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SUMITOMO (SHI) DEMAG UK, ABOUT HOW AUTOMATING THE PLASTICS PRODUCTION PROCESS IS ENABLING FLEXIBILITY AT SUCH A CRUCIAL TIME.

automation adaptation

L

ike many manufacturing processes, injection moulding can benefit considerably from automation. However, it is particularly advantageous in the current climate, where non-life-sustaining businesses are having to close their doors, workers are self-isolating and supply chain complications and higher demand for medical parts are impacting planned production schedules.

The good news is robotics were already quite commonplace in injection moulding facilities before this health crisis commenced.

No longer the preserve of medical operators with specialist needs, statistics released by the European plastics machinery organisation, EUROMAP, shows that the number of IM machines sold equipped with robots rose from 18 per cent in 2010 to almost a third (33 per cent) towards the end of 2019. Additionally, OPC Unified Architecture (OPC/UA) has been more widely adopted, offering moulders broader connectivity and remote management options, which many operating skeleton workforces may value more now.

“There has been a significant upwards trend towards automation in plastics processing in recent years,” explained Flowers. “Part of this has been driven by demand for more flexible solutions, so the use of 6-axis industrial robots in precision moulding especially is certainly more commonplace today. Additionally, the price gap between Cartesian and industrial robots has closed markedly, while at the same time, they’ve become easier to programme and simpler to integrate.”

In precision moulding applications, robots are usually chosen for their range of operation, accuracy, repeatability and cleanliness.

Sometimes the customer needs to transfer parts, insert load, apply labels or remove complex parts in non-linear movements. For packaging, robotics is primarily used to make customer applications run faster and more cost-effectively. With take-out times of 0.5 seconds or less, it can sometimes be faster to use a robot to remove parts than to let them fall under gravity.

COPING WITH COVID-19 These are unprecedented times. As the UK follows plans to manage its number of cases, self-imposed isolation and quarantining will no doubt cause significant labour shortages in the plastic and wider manufacturing industries. Yet, automation can assist moulders to maintain an element of ‘business as usual’ and flex to different production requirements.

As an industry, we are united in our focus to stay operational, look after the welfare of our workforce and support the concerted efforts to produce life-sustaining healthcare and other products essential to everyday life. Automated systems and moulding processes will be integral to this effort”

Being able to operate around the clock inevitably increases productivity and consequently profitability. But for now, the engineering and manufacturing community is focused on supporting government efforts to ramp up medical supplies. A report published by the British Plastics Federation on 20th March 2020 revealed that one third of companies in the plastic industry could potentially use their facilities to provide products and services that could be used by the NHS or the government to help fight the coronavirus, a great many examples of which have been highlighted. This level of flexibility will be aided by automation solutions already in situ, emphasised Flowers.

ROBOTS NOT LIMITED TO SINGLE APPLICATIONS Most of today’s industrial robots are not designed for a single application. Therefore, if moulders need to adapt their equipment, reprogramming a robot to support different products is usually relatively easy and can often be performed by a skilled engineer in house.

For hygiene sensitive markets, such as medical and healthcare, it is possible to attach a robot to the frame of the IM machine, enabling manufacturers to automate functions like handling and packing within a compact and enclosed cleanroom-standard cell. “Once you have the filter and laminar airflow, the robot is sitting in a cell that’s cleaner than the average operating theatre!” continued Flowers.

The industry’s ability to adapt is being thoroughly tested right now. Yet, production goes on. “As an industry, we are united in our focus to stay operational, look after the welfare of our workforce and support the concerted efforts to produce life-sustaining healthcare and other products essential to everyday life.

Automated systems and moulding processes will be integral to this effort,” Flowers concluded.

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

25

www.ultrapolymers.com | Your partner from design to production

Reclamation & recycling | news Bright Green Plastics secures £6 million funding for growth plans Yorkshire-based producer of recycled polyolefin compounds, Bright Green Plastics, has secured a £6million funding facility as it looks to scale-up its growth plans.

The firm, which announced a rebranding

from its former ‘Imerplast’ brand earlier this year, worked with Bibby Financial Services (BFS), an independent SME funder, to get the working capital it needs to continue the expansion of its operations in Europe.

Steve Spencer, Director, Bright Green Plastics Ltd, said: “We were impressed by the level of flexibility that BFS were able to offer, particularly in the current climate. We’re very happy to partner with the team as we take the business into the next phase of growth.”

Chris Farnworth, Corporate Manager, Bibby Financial Services, added: “We were delighted to be able to structure a deal that offers the business a flexible funding solution enabling the company to extend their offering into new markets and achieve their exciting growth ambitions.”

Bright Green Plastics has secured funding for its growth plans

JSP launches polymer foam made with 15 per cent recycled maritime waste Raw material manufacturer, JSP, is expanding its range of expanded polypropylene particle foams (EPP) to include products made using recycled content.

The new grade, known as ‘Arpro 35 Ocean’, is made with 15 per cent recycled maritime industry waste recovered from items such as fishing nets and ropes.

It has a medium bulk density (34 g/l) for lightweight moulded parts with densities between 40 to 70 g/l.

It has comparable physical properties and performance as Arpro made from new materials; the tensile strength of Arpro 35 Ocean at 45 g/l is 615 kPa and at 60 g/l is 830 kPa.

JSP says during the production of Arpro 35 Ocean, seven per cent less CO2 is produced when compared with virgin material.

JSP’s Vice President of Sales, Frank Tölle, said: “With Arpro 35 Ocean we are targeting ocean pollution head on, making a positive environmental contribution by pioneering the first EPP to use 15 per cent recycled content from maritime industry waste.

“This will reduce the amount of plastic waste that pollutes our environment and conserve resources”

35 Ocean’ New ‘Arpro

Viridor and PLASTIC ENERGY sign MoU for ground-breaking UK circular economy collaboration Viridor and Plastic Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a new project that seeks to return up to 30,000 tonnes of previously unrecycled plastic to the economy every year.

The project, which is expected to be finalised by the end of 2023, would prioritise resource and energy efficiency and represent a groundbreaking UK circular economy collaboration, which integrates with Viridor’s polymers investments.

The announcent says Viridor would provide predominantly low-density plastic film - a stream traditionally not recycled due to contamination - to a 26

The process would be integrated with Viridor’s polymers investments to deliver a more complete plastics recycling solution

Plastic Energy chemical recycling plant. This project envisages a plant co-located with a Viridor energy recovery facility, allowing Plastic Energy to draw low-carbon electricity generated from the process

Viridor uses to put nonrecyclable waste to work a fuel source.

The chemical recycling facility would be owned, developed and operated

by Plastic Energy. The recycled oils ( known as TACOIL) produced from the plastic waste would be used as a feedstock to create virgin-quality recycled plastic material in collaboration with the chemical industry.

Phillip Piddington, Managing Director of Viridor, said: “This project is further evidence of Viridor’s ongoing commitment to investment and innovation to push the boundaries of what is recycled and reprocessed in the United Kingdom. We are very proud to be working

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with Plastic Energy to develop a project which further demonstrates how all waste can be considered a resource and not rubbish and that collaboration is the key to achieving our green economy goals.”

Carlos Monreal, Founder and CEO of Plastic Energy, added: “We are delighted to support the development of an integrated site with Viridor in the UK and provide a solution for plastics previously not recycled.

“Chemical recycling will support government’s goal to move towards a circular economy and to increase recycling rates for plastics, effectively making plastic waste a valuable resource.”

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Indigo Environmental invests in metal detector for contaminationfree recycling Recycling company, Indigo Environmental, has invested in a tunnel metal detector for contamination-free recycling.

The Widnes-based firm purchased the C-Scan DLS detector, manufactured by Sesotec in Germany, through Motan Colortronic Limited, Sesotec’s official agent in the UK and Ireland.

The supplied tunnel detector has a unique Primus Plus control, which gives an unrivalled resolution of the metals to be detected and helps support the wide range of sectors covered by Indigo, including plastic injection moulding; automotive; process and manufacturing; Local Authorities and councils; waste management companies and packaging.

Indigo Environmental’s Paul Rendle-Barnes commented: “Having used Motan Colortronic Limited services for many years, we had no hesitation in selecting them for the supply of additional equipment.”

Indigo Environmental has invested in a Sesotec tunnel metal detector

RECOUP updates plastics packaging design guide to include film recyclability RECOUP has released an updated version of its packaging design guide to include the recyclability of plastic film.

The ‘Recyclability by Design’ document was created to give packaging designers clear guidance on the pack formats and materials that have the best chance of being recycled at the end of life.

The updated version includes guidance detailing the importance of separation of materials, avoidance of laminates and the greater recyclability credentials of PE and PP film when compared to other materials, as well as tables from RecyClass, a free online tool that enables the assessment of virtually any plastic package regarding recyclability.

RECOUP says not only will these guidelines help to support making plastic film packaging more suitable for collection, but also help to reduce contamination levels and the weight and quantity of films in non-circular waste routes.

OSO Environmental helps fellow Leeds business work towards a circular economy Carol Cox

RECOUP has released an updated version of its guide to include plastic film

Paul East, RECOUP’s Packaging Sustainability Manager, said: “At times of increasingly challenging recycling targets both in the UK and across Europe, there is an ever-increasing importance in finding sources of plastics to recycle rather than go to noncircular end destinations such as landfill and incineration.

“RECOUP’s Recyclability by Design publication helps to address this at the first stage by advising users and designers of plastic packaging of the best way to ensure that their packaging has the best chance of being recycled, or, failing that, have minimal

Leeds-based OSO Environmental says it is leading the way in helping businesses work towards becoming part of a truly circular economy by enabling them to eliminate waste through reprocessing, recycling and eventual re-purchase.

The Environment Agency-accredited UK Waste Recycler predominately purchases polymer waste materials from manufacturers for reprocessers, who then reprocess the waste into recycled pellets for sale back into the manufacturing industry.

Most recently, OSO

impact in terms of what cannot be recycled.”

The Recyclability by Design document is available to download for free on the RECOUP website.

Environmental and OSO Polymers – which together form the OSO Group – helped fellow Leeds business, Leeds Vacuum Formers (LVF), achieve its aim of recycling 100 per cent of its plastic waste.

All the waste generated by LVF at its National Road manufacturing facility is now recycled and resold by OSO. Prior to this, the waste would have gone into LVF’s general waste skip and ended its life in landfill.

Carol Cox, Managing Director of OSO Environmental, said: “The circular economy is a system of resource utilisation where

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

there is an ever-increasing importance in finding sources of plastics to recycle

reduction, reuse and recycling triumph. This strategic environmental approach is gaining in popularity, and rightly so, as it ensures we are encouraging the right behaviours for generations to come.

“Working alongside re-processors, including our sister company, OSO Polymers, we are striving towards closing the loop completely for recycled plastic waste here in the UK.” The OSO Group specialises in the recycling of polyethylene and other polymer-based products, such as PET, HDPE, PP and PS.

27

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FEATURE

“A healthy planet supports healthy people” says WRAP Director

A WESTMINSTER FORUM DIGITAL CONFERENCE LOOKING AT TACKLING WASTE ACROSS THE UK, SPEAKERS FROM GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY CAME TOGETHER TO DISCUSS THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE, NEXT STEPS AND HOW THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC MIGHT IMPACT PROGRESS.

WORDS: LEANNE TAYLOR

The Director of WRAP says that work towards meeting environmental targets are more important now than ever as a result of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Peter Maddox said that the health of people and planet are intrinsically linked and that priorities to safeguard the future of the environment were paramount.

“Clearly we are operating in a very challenging time and the pandemic is telling is us all that the planet is so important in our daily lives – a healthy planet supports healthy people,” he told delegates.

“It’s important that the Government’s resources and waste strategy is still progressed and not stalled by the current issues. It’s a pertinent time in which we can make progress and it is my hope that we don’t see too much relaxation as a result of Covid.”

UK PLASTIC PACT MEMBERS “POSITIVE” Maddox said that over the last few weeks he has held calls with signatories of the UK Plastics Pact and that despite the current challenges there is great positivity from members.

“Some of the exciting trials to develop more sustainable packaging in food and drink have been postponed, unsurprisingly, as priority is given to producing as quickly as possible and without risks being taken on packaging lines,” he explained.

“However, the positivity is great, the direction of travel around what we want to do around plastics is really there and there’s still a great appetite to continue on the work that’s being done.”

DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEME Speakers involved in the programme noted the delay announced to the implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in Scotland to July 2022 as a result of the current pandemic, however, acknowledged that it gave rise to the opportunity to streamline the scheme across the devolved nations.

Nick Brown, Head of Sustainability, Coca-Cola European Partners, said: “We know from around the world that these schemes can work – we need to learn from best practice and ensure that the right system is implemented that works for the UK. The Scotland scheme is a really good starting point for the one that will be looked at in England and Wales. We are very supportive of a well-designed DRS and we’ve got some time now to design it properly and work on it.”

THE JOURNEY TO CIRCULAR Outlining the various aspects key for plastics in making the journey to a circular economy, Barry Turner, Director of Plastics and Flexible Packaging at the British Plastics Federation (BPF), said three major points were critical and shouldn’t be forgotten in light of current circumstances.

“We must accelerate the collection of plastics from business and home; we need to see a comprehensive recycling infrastructure in the UK with new technologies; and we need an effective PRN system to help deliver that,” he explained.

Turner said heed must be taken from the many that have warned against demonising plastics. “If we switch away from plastics entirely there will be huge impacts in terms of the energy we’re using, carbon emissions and food waste,” he told delegates.

Turner also outlined other important aspects of plastics journey to circularity, including decarbonisation, energy from waste and a continued focus on both materials light weighting and designing for recyclability, CHALLENGES BRING OPPORTUNITIES The final speaker on the programme, Dawn Woodward, Deputy Head of Resource and Waste at Defra, gave an update on the Government priorities for future waste policy in the UK, in particular the work the resources and waste strategy and on EPR and DRS. On DRS, Woodward agreed with Nick Brown’s earlier comments in that the pause in Scotland’s implementation gave rise to the opportunity for the rest of the UK to align. “Any opportunity that this delay presents to align with Scotland is an opportunity we’ll take,” she said.

On EPR, she could not give exact costs or an indication of when full visibility will be available as development is still underway, but recognised the importance of a consistent scheme for the country’s circular future.

Woodward said she saw recovery of the UK post Covid-19 as “an exciting opportunity” for waste policy development. “I think it presents an exciting opportunity and I think it’s important that we frame some of the questions as opportunities, rather than just looking at what the risks of recovery are,” she commented.

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materials | news VEKA Compounds ends its lockdown to supply vital cable trunking for emergency Nightingale Hospitals Wellingborough-based VEKA Compounds temporarily ended its lockdown after a customer expressed a need for a large volume of polymer for the building and construction of the UK’s six emergency Nightingale Hospitals.

A division of VEKA Recycling Ltd, VEKA Compounds was contacted by its regular customer, MarshallTufflex Ltd, after the specialist trunking and

cable management manufacturer was asked by the NHS to provide a large quantity of PVC-U trunking to be used in the construction of the hospitals.

Marshall-Tufflex needed a premium grade, white recycled polymer to fulfil the order, including a special antimicrobial version that uses a silver ion solution when manufactured.

When used in the trunking, the active ingredients

in the solution help prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections, even when damaged.

Simon Scholes, Managing Director of VEKA Compounds, said: “We closed our Wellingborough site in line with many others when it became clear that we could not continue to function effectively and safely during the coronavirus lockdown. However, aware that MarshallTufflex was being considered as a supplier for the Nightingale Hospitals we gave a commitment that we would reopen specially if they required the additional product.

“We are delighted to be have been able to respond swiftly and positively, with 24 tonnes of our highest-grade product shipped within an hour of the transport arriving at our plant.”

VEKA’s PVC-U is used in the NHS Nightingale hospitals

Borealis and Borouge expand range of flameretardant jacketing grades for building cables

Borealis and Borouge have expanded their FR jacketing portfolio

Borealis and Borouge are expanding their existing portfolio of flame-retardant (FR) jacketing grades for highly demanding environments.

New FR8101 is a halogen-free solution based on highly flameretardant metal hydrate technology that is intended for the production of lowvoltage building cables.

The two firms say the product offers cable manufacturers an even safer product with better performance, while at the same time achieving increased production efficiency.

In the event of a fire,

FR8101 releases water to reduce the intensity of the flames. Jacketing made with the material is resistant to the flaming droplets that often cause fire to spread within buildings where cables are installed inside walls and roofs. By retaining its shape even in intense heat, FR8101 jacketing stays on the cable, even if the cable is burnt. According to Borealis and Borouge, depending on the type of construction, FR8101 can even earn the best possible rating of ‘d0’ in the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) Euroclass scale for flaming droplets. This

Nouryon launches elastomeric cool roof coatings solution Nouryon is launching a new solution for the building and construction market that it says boosts the effectiveness of energy-saving ‘cool roof’ coatings by improving their ability to reflect light and enhancing their selfcleaning properties.

The new concept combines Nouryon’s ‘Expancel’ expandable thermoplastic microspheres, which reflect light, and its ‘Levasil’ colloidal silica, which improves the performance of the coatings.

Use of reflective cool roof coatings is on the rise in warmer climates, where they help to reduce the need for air conditioning and in turn reduce energy consumption.

When produced with Nouryon’s Expancel microspheres, cool roof coatings can bring down the external surface temperature of a building by as much as 15 degrees Celsius.

“In addition to temperature reduction, it’s also important that the coating adheres well to the roof surface and expands and contracts with it as temperature levels change,” explained Patrick Wilhelm, Vice President of Colloidal Silica at Nouryon.

“Combining Expancel with Levasil colloidal silica improves the adherence and mechanical properties of the coating without sacrificing elasticity and flexibility, and thanks to its self-cleaning properties it also extends the life of the coating,” he added.

highest level of flame retardancy also makes it possible for cable industry partners to fulfil the stringent CPR cable standards in Europe when using FR8101.

Up until now, cable manufacturers have been bound by certain limitations when using conventional halogenfree flame-retardant (HFFR) cable compounds.

For example, material decomposition during the extrusion process can result in lower production speeds and inferior cable performance. Borealis and Borouge say the use of FR8101 eliminates these issues altogether

by allowing cable makers to run production lines at high speeds thanks to the excellent mechanical properties offered by this grade.

“The launch of FR8101 provides an innovative and more effective solution that addresses important industry challenges,” explained Bart Verheule, Borealis’ Head of Marketing, Energy. “Borealis and Borouge are committed to bringing energy all around by supplying new ways for our partners to make safer and more sustainable cables.

This in turn helps raise standards in health and safety for everyone.”

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

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What next for polyolefin (and other polymer) prices?

IN THIS EDITION OF HIS REGULAR COLUMN, OUR RESIDENT MATERIALS EXPERT, MIKE BOSWELL, REFLECTS ON POLYMER PRICING BEFORE, DURING – (AND WHAT COULD HAPPEN) AFTER – THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC. IT’S AN UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION THAT WILL MAKE FOR SOME FASCINATING ACTION, HE EXPLAINS.

Who is ‘Polymerman’?

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

In this article, my emphasis will be on PE and PP pricing, however, it is likely that the situation will be similar for other high-volume polymers including PVC, PET and PS. A good starting point is to cast our minds back to ‘BC’ (Before Coronavirus) and reflect upon what was happening in the polymer markets less than six months ago. In the case of PE, the price action was being dominated by imports of US-origin LLDPE and HDPE where a combination of barriers to trade – in the form on tariffs applied by the Chinese Government on US-origin imports of these products and increasing US production – was resulting in plentiful supply in both the UK and Europe, with the inevitable effect of prices being driven down. In the case of PP, the ‘BC’ price action was more related to plentiful supply due to lower-than-expected demand.

There was also evidence of very competitively priced South Korean-origin PP (exempt from import duty) in the market, which placed further downward pressure on prices.

IN THE DEPTHS OF DC The UK, along with most of Europe and North America, is currently in the depths of ‘DC’ (During Coronavirus) and a key event in this phase has been the collapse in crude oil prices, which has resulted in dramatic reductions in the price of petrochemical feedstocks. The effect of this input cost collapse has been interesting, as the crude oil route to PE production (which dominates European PE production), is now more competitive than the US Shale Gas alternative (particularly after variable costs such as packaging, shipping and import duties are accounted for). This in part explains the reason why European producers have typically only passed less than 50 per cent of their feedstock cost decrease through to selling prices.

polymer producers, the fall in crude oil price has enhanced refinery margins to the extent that current operating rates are relatively high. This could result in a surplus of Naphtha (the key feedstock for Crackers) with the likely consequence that an excess supply of C2 (Ethylene) and C3 (Propylene) will further erode prices, which against a backdrop of recently increases in crude oil prices will squeeze refinery margins with possible consequences for operating rates.

IMPORTS FROM OUTSIDE EU It should also be noted that the European LLDPE and HDPE markets require imports from outside of Europe to meet normal demand, and, in recent times, these imports have come from the US rather than the Middle East. Furthermore, it is reported that US exports of PE to Europe have been curtailed and also that China is now taking US volumes on the back of demand returning to normal ‘AC’ (After Corona). Another significant factor is quite healthy margins that European producers are sitting on as a result of not passing the feedstock cost savings through.

All of these effects make for an interesting market for PE, and, although price increases are not a certainty and may be more likely to affect LLDPE and HDPE, it appears that the PE market may have hit rock bottom. In the case of PP, the price action is more straightforward and, with relatively low demand from important sectors such as automotive and construction, it is likely that prices will remain quite depressed.

Price action in the coming months is going to be fascinating as the market juggles various factors in order to establish an equilibrium.

COMPLEX FACTORS Going forward into June the situation has a number of complex factors, all of which could have a significant impact on pricing. To start with, it appears that the risk of refineries shutting down due to lack storage capacity for their gas and liquid outputs for transport fuels has mainly passed and, similar to the

Price action in the coming months is going to be fascinating as the market juggles various factors in order to establish an equilibrium. www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

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machinery | news Coronavirus “wake-up call” will strengthen UK medical moulding sector says Witttmann Battenfeld UK The demand for medical equipment and devices in the UK as a result of the Coronavirus is a “wake-up call” that presents an opportunity to strengthen the country’s supply and manufacture of such items, says the Managing Director of Wittmann Battenfeld UK. Tracy Cadman, who jointly heads up the company alongside Daniel Williams, believes that once the first wave of the Covid-19 crisis passes, the UK contractmoulding sector will increasingly be involved in med-tech and healthcare manufacture and supply. “‘In the UK we find ourselves in the middle of a ‘wake up’ call on so many fronts – not least in procurement; the need to shorten the supply chain and time taken to bring devices to market,” she explained.

“By any score, the UK’s moulding sector has performed very well throughout the pandemic. These new supplier-customer bonds need to last and must be fostered and strengthened for the future.”

Wittmann Battenfeld UK is primed to supply cleanroom-ready injection moulding machines and all related ancillaries for med-tech device production. A number of its existing customers have found themselves in the thick of the UK’s healthcare storm.

One example is White Horse Plastics (WHP), based in Oxfordshire, a company with expertise in tight tolerance technical injection moulding.

Its current new demands include the manufacture of FeNO (Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide) mouthpiece assemblies used to assist the diagnosis of asthma and other lung diseases, micro

New global ISO standard published for safety of injection moulding machines 20430 The ISO r injection fo d ar stand the is moulding of input n io at in culm 40 experts nd from arou

centrifugal test columns and the development of PPE equipment.

The firm says the complex development process involved in producing specialist medical components has come as a surprise to some of its newest customers, who have had to be educated in the steps involved in producing the components they so desperately need, which unfortunately are simply not waiting on shelves.

Paul Bobby, WHP Managing Director, said that the process for producing medical and healthcare devices in this emergency “typically begins with a muchstreamlined version of our WHP design-formanufacture principles.”

Paul Bobby, WHP Managing Director

This process, he added, is faster than prepandemic production, but it is still a long time for those hoping for immediate supply on the front line.

“There is a lot of data here for new specifiers and procurers to absorb in a very short time,” he explained, “and particularly in a crisis – but thus far we are meeting our deadlines and getting the job done.

“I seriously hope that going forward the market will seriously review its supply chain strategy and will take care to source more product closer to home.”

The first international safety standard for plastics and rubber machinery has been published, providing machine manufacturers with a globally uniform standard.

Published in April, the ISO 20430 standard for injection moulding is the culmination of input from around 40 experts from machine manufacturers, associations and health and safety organisations from the 13 countries that participated in the project.

The convenorship and secretariat were held in Germany and were taken over by the staff of trade association, VDMA Plastics and Rubber Machinery.

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

BMB confirms commitment to growth of plastics industry with expansion of Italian headquarters BMB has added a fourth production unit at its Italian headquarters in Brescia, following an increase in market share.

The company says investment in the new unit, which has taken just over 12 months to complete, is a sign of its commitment to the future growth of the plastics industry.

BMB says the new state-of-the-art smart factory will allow it to operate more efficiently and meet the increasing demand from new and existing customers.

It will also enable its existing range – from 100 tonnes clamp force to 3,500 tonnes clamp force—to be extended to 4,500 tonnes clamp force, two models of which are in the final assembly stages in the new production unit.

It’s eKW full electric range has also now been increased to 1300 tonne clamping force and its eKW hybrid range to 2800 tonnes clamp force.

The existing European standard EN 201 served as a basis.

“Even though the project took more than seven years, longer than expected, it was worth the effort to bring together the various existing national and regional standards and, at the same time, to reflect the current state of the art,” commented the Convenor, Bernd Nötel, and the Project Manager, Dr. Harald Weber.

The EN ISO version of the standard, which creates the link to the European Machinery Directive with the additional annex ZA, will be published within the next few months.

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OLLOWING THE LAUNCH OF A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT TO PRODUCE PPE FOR FRONTLINE COVID19 WORKERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND, BP&R’S TOM WALKER SPOKE EXCLUSIVELY TO ROGER VANCE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF AD-VANCE ENGINEERING, TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE COMPANY’S INVOLVEMENT.

Words | Tom Walker

|

celebrating 180 years

shielding heroes The ‘Hero Shield’ project is run by a consortium of companies who have lent their expertise to help produce much-needed PPE for Northern Ireland.

From the conception of the project on March 20, as a way of providing an urgently needed supply option for Covid-19 frontline workers, the first Hero Shield visors went into full production just two weeks later, on April 3.

Lisburn based Ad-Vance Engineering first knew of the project when it was approached by the firm behind the idea, Shnuggle, on March 23.

Roger Vance, Ad-Vance’s Managing Director, explained: “There was a number of companies involved in the design of the Hero Shield, which initially started with a company called Shnuggle, who make baby products. They were very interested in doing something to help out the NHS, and so we got together with a group of companies and designed the product.”

He continued: “What we wanted was to be able to provide this to the health services free of charge, so the money for development and manufacture has been raised through crowdfunding.”

This crowdfunding was initially set up with the goal of raising enough funds to produce and supply some 100,000 visors for healthcare staff. All of the production partners involved offered their help and expertise for free, or just charging the most basic of material costs where necessary.

“This extends to a team of couriers delivering free of charge as well,” Vance explained. “They come in every day and load up with visors, and then they’re delivered to NHS employees, health trusts, and anyone else in Northern Ireland who needs them.”

o The Her ld ie h S

COST EFFECTIVE PRODUCTION The headbands are injection moulded, with the visor being cut from extruded PET sheet. The development of the project, where the initial prototypes were produced using 3D printing, has shown how vital injection moulding can be for such urgent and vital projects that require fast production times.

Vance said: “We’re currently injection moulding a face visor in 12 seconds so the cost per unit is down to around 12 to 15p. We can put this together very quickly and economically and can produce volume to market without excessive labour costs.”

COPING WITH DEMAND The project has evolved over the weeks, with the initial numbers of shields surpassed. Ad-Vance has since been contracted by electrical goods supplier, GlenDimplex, to increase its level of production and continue the production of the visor on a mass scale for an extended time period, if necessary.

“We’re GlenDimplex’s tooling supplier and they approached us as they’ve got the capacity to cope with high-volume demand,” Vance explained.

“It gives us the potential to plan for the long term.

Obviously, we don’t know how long the pandemic is going to last, but if it is a long-term scenario then this gives us the potential to mass produce this visor for up to two years.”

Since the project hit its goal of providing the first 100,000 visors, Hero Shield is now supplying the NHS (HSCNI) with around 14,000 units a day.

Further funds raised by the campaign means that supply can be given free-of-charge to other healthcare, charity and frontline workers. The project will continue to run for as long as the visors are necessary, it says.

The Hero Shield crowdfunding page is at https:// www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/facevisors, and the enquiries page is https://heroshield.net/.

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

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01256 741550 01256 741551 sales.uk@kistler.com www.kistler.com

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519

TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN: 01244 952519 www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

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BP&R BUYER’S GUIDE MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT DRYERS

HEATING EQUIPMENT

HOT RUNNER SYSTEMS hot runner controllers

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519 HEATING EQUIPMENT

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519

INJECTION MOULDING

MATERIALS HANDLING hopper loaders

METAL DETECTION and dosing

INDUCTION HEATING FOR PLATENS AND TOOLS MF Induction Heating

MOULD CHANGE

Magnetic Separation

SECONDHAND AND RECONDITIONED

MASTERMAGNETS.COM

Cooper Plastics Machinery

Metal Detection

Permanent Electrostatic Magnets Separation BOOK YOUR FREE SITE VISIT TODAY

+44(0)1527 65858

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

www.quick-mould-change.com

Wanted Rubber Manufacturing Company

As part of our ongoing strategy we are looking to aquire an additional business ideally with a current turnover of between £1-3m PA In the first instance email us on rubberukp3@rubber.today

SCREWS & BARRELS Engineers to the Plastics & Rubber industries, specialising in the following:

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

POLYMERS

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.

DTL Machinery UK

TO ADVERTISE HERE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN ON 01244 952519 RUBBER

Unit 5, Martindale, Hawks Green, Cannock, Staffs, WS11 7XN Replacement Coils New platens T: 01543 570642 E: sales@mfinduction.com W: www.mfinduction.com

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

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

FILTRATION ALUMINIUM MATERIAL STORAGE BINS Off the shelf or made to order with very competitive pricing!

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519

Standard sizes available: 80l, 200l, 420l, 830l.

Contact us today on 01827 265800 or visit www.summitsystems.co.uk Prices start from £428 10% reduction with offer code:

BPR18 TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN: 01244 952519

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www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519

BP&R BUYER’S GUIDE MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT second hand & re-conditioned

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Selling the Business?

TESTING EQUIPMENT

SILICONE MOULDINGS Technical Mouldings in

Kingswood Business Sales are your industry experts with a proven track record of successfully selling companies like yours. Avoid the pitfalls - contact Paul Holohan in complete confidence on 07798 530684

Silicone, FKM, EPDM, Neoprene, NBR Contact

WWW.MEADEX.CO.UK kingswoodbusinesssales.co.uk

Gammadot Rheology Testing & Consultancy Services

Refurbished machines with fault and leak free guarantee.

We buy & sell all manner of plasscs equipment.

Visit our workshop in Wellingborough, Northants.

01933 272747

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

‘USED INJECTION MOULDING MACHINERY DEALERS’

Single Machines to whole plants purchased Tel: David 07540 633552 info@plasticinvestments.co.uk www.plasticinvestments.co.uk

thermocouples

for sale

Ultrasonic Plastic Welders New & Used

For Sale &

Wanted

Branson - Mecasonic - Telsonic

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519

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

SERVICES

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

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

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

PRINTERS TESTING/CONSULTANCY

TRAINING

PRINTERS OF PLASTIC MOULDINGS Total Print Ltd

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

COMPONENT PRINTERS TAMPO.SCREEN.FOIL

MOULDFLOW ANALYSIS

SOFTWARE

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

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519

TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN: 01244 952519 www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

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comment

NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE

IN THE LATEST INSTALMENT OF HIS EXCLUSIVE COLUMN FOR BP&R, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE BPF, PHILIP LAW, OUTLINES THE SHIFT TOWARDS THE PUBLIC VIEWING PLASTICS MORE FAVOURABLY BY ACCOUNT OF THEIR IMPORTANCE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19, ASKS IF THERE CAN BE SUCH A THING AS A ‘NEW NORMAL’ AND OUTLINES THE WORK THE BPF HAS BEEN DOING TO ENSURE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR THE INDUSTRY POSTCRISIS.

T

he last couple of weeks have certainly revived the spirits. There are strong signs that the public are viewing plastics more favourably and appreciating their role in preventing cross-infection. Dominic Lawson of the Sunday Times hailed plastics as the “hero’s hero” and the Daily Mirror reviewed positively the use of plastics in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), together with innovations in its waste management. All not before time!

Additionally, we’ve had the news that housebuilders such as Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon and Lovell are starting up again and that B&Q has opened up its network of sites.

Construction has a strategic significance. Once a building is underway it brings with it a demand for furnishings, domestic electrical appliances, communications and office equipment and energy distribution. The hard-pressed automotive industry, with its 90 per cent drop in new car registrations, has also signalled a recommencement of manufacture with JLR, BMW (Rolls Royce) and Aston Martin about to return to work.

A ‘NEW NORMAL’?

I’m a bit sceptical of talk of a ‘new normal’ as I don’t think there is any such thing as ‘normal’.

History is littered with dramatic events, either expected or not expected. Those of a certain age in our industry have lived through several ‘energy shocks’, wars raging close to – or inside – the very countries our feedstocks originate from, oil at over $140 a barrel and, at other times, priced at next-to-nothing. There has been talk of ‘new paradigms’ before, but nothing lasts forever. However, what makes the current situation different is that we don’t know how long we will have to co-exist with this virus, if it will gather new strength in a second wave attack or mutate into another variant. The only thing we can say for certain is that if our factories do return to function to pre-virus levels then social distancing in the workplace will be maintained for some time. The BPF has been giving considerable thought to post-virus safety practices and has published a comprehensive document: ‘Covid- 19: Guidance for the UK Plastics Industry’ accessible on the BPF website.

A DOUBLE WHAMMY But we certainly have a big challenge ahead.

Recovering from the double whammy of the Covid-19 virus and a Brexit where an agreement on a trade deal looks pretty shaky – and both roughly at the same time – makes the stomach turn. This was the reason I used the opportunity to appear recently in front of the House of

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In 1939, Neville Chamberlain’s Government had made 38 million gas masks of complex structure and had started to distribute them to the civilian population before war was declared. How is it that 81 years later, in our era of smart technology, we cannot put sufficient quantities of PPE of much simpler construction into the hands of the NHS, let alone the wider population, now three months after the war against the virus began?

Commons Select Committee on International Trade to urge for more Government spending on support for export, as in the not-too-distant future the UK could well be battling for overseas trade without the customary ease of access to foreign markets provided by EU affiliations and Agreements. And all this at a time when the concept of free trade is having a very hard time.

The rise of resource nationalism and the lack of real co-operation in the international community in the fight against Covid-19 is something to be concerned about.

FUNDING INNOVATION I also pressed for the Government to explore innovative ways of providing support, such as virtual exhibitions and helping companies fund foreign language versions of their websites.

Models for market entry provided by, for example, the China Britain Business Council (CBBC) with its concept of shared office space and an expert infrastructure to enable companies to secure a foothold in a market, should, in our view, be deployed much more widely.

On a final note, just a reflection on the supply of PPE. In 1939, Neville Chamberlain’s Government had made 38 million gas masks of complex structure and had started to distribute them to the civilian population before war was declared. How is it that 81 years later, in our era of smart technology, we cannot put sufficient quantities of PPE of much simpler construction into the hands of the NHS, let alone the wider population, now three months after the war against the virus began?

www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk

British Plastics

and Rubber

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