British Plastics
and Rubber
bp&r NOV/DEC 2019
BUNTING ON THE ALIGNMENT NEEDED THROUGHOUT INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT AND CONSUMERS TO PROPERLY MANAGE PLASTICS WASTE “NEVER SAY NEVER” Wittmann Battenfeld’s outgoing MD reflects on retirement and return
FROM SHELL TO SHELF The Scottish biotec company using seafood waste to prevent seafood waste
ACTIVE NOT REACTIVE Baerlocher outlines its approach to development of sustainable product range
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editor’s letter
The roaring 2020s?
www.britishplastics.co.uk head of content: Leanne Taylor
T: +44 (0) 1244 952 371 E: leanne.taylor@rapidnews.com Assistant Editor: GRACE NOLAN
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Assistant Editor: Tom Walker
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W
ith the start of a new decade in touching distance, its normal to reflect on what has been. And the past year has, for many in the plastics industry, been unprecedented. The movement triggered by the ‘Blue Planet II’ effect; the growing concern over climate change; technology advances; global economic and political issues; skills; and Brexit, of course. All of these have, and will continue to have, a huge impact on business, investment, agenda and direction in the 2020s. Throughout the course of 2019, British Plastics and Rubber has kept readers abreast of the latest on all of these issues, acting as a central point of information, advice and expert commentary for the industry. But we mustn’t forget that, in spite of the changing world around it, the UK plastics industry remains a thriving manufacturing sector of significant importance to the UK economy.
machinery, materials and technology trends and innovations will be displayed at Interplas, the UK’s leading trade fair for the plastics industry. As the headline magazine to the show, readers of BP&R will be the first to know about the benefits a visit to this important event can bring, thanks to exclusive news, interviews and insights running in every issue throughout next year. With that, I would like to thank you for reading and to wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous new decade, within which, if the industry can adapt, evolve and embrace the needs of a changing world, will be ‘roaring’ for all the right reasons. Leanne Taylor, head of content
As we enter 2020, we will continue to keep readers informed of not only the key developments affecting the direction of the industry, but also the latest machinery, materials and technology innovations that are crucial for enabling purchasing decisions, for more efficient processing and for keeping the industry competitive, progressive and productive in the future. This is of particular importance in the year ahead, where many of these
© 2019 Rapid Plastics Media Ltd While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained within this publication is accurate the publisher accepts no liability for information published in error, or for views expressed. All rights for British Plastics & Rubber are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. ISSN 0307-6164 Incorporating Polymer Age and Rubber and Plastics Age.
I would like to thank you for reading and to wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous new decade, which will be ‘roaring’ for all the right reasons.
PEFC Certified This product is from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources PEFC/16-33-254
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the big story JOINED UP THINKING
T
he global backlash against plastics and plastic waste was top of the agenda at this year’s K Show. Indeed, many of the people visiting the Bunting stand were plastic waste processors looking for metal separators.
F OLLOWING A K SHOW DOMINATED BY A FOCUS ON CIRCULAR ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF PLASTICS WASTE, PAUL FEARS OF BUNTING HIGHLIGHTS WHY, IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, THERE IS A NEED FOR ALIGNMENT, INVESTMENT AND A SEPARATION OF FACT FROM FICTION IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
The K Show is the largest plastics-focused exhibition in Europe and attracts exhibitors from all over the world. There has been a huge shift in public opinion on plastics since the last K Show in 2016, resulting in a raft of legislative changes as politicians align themselves to the masses. This change in attitude originated in Europe but has now spread globally as organisations and countries highlight the issues associated with poorly managing waste. At the K Show, industry experts discussed how to balance the real benefits of using plastics against the demand to reduce and restrict its use. There is a great deal of misinformation that fuels the condemnation of plastics, often ignoring the facts and with the aim of reducing usage. Nevertheless, there is a need to improve the way countries manage waste, but this is not only limited to plastics. A NEED FOR SOLUTIONS For plastic waste, the political focus has driven a growth in the number of specialist recycling companies. This was clearly apparent at the K Show, where a large proportion of the companies visiting the Bunting stand wanted to find solutions to the issue of non-plastic contamination in waste such as metal, glass and stone. As with many waste materials, secondary plastic is commonly contaminated with metal. Effectively removing both ferrous and non-ferrous metals is essential to prevent damage to processing plant such as granulators, improve the performance of other sorting processes, and to ensure endproduct purity. Ferrous metal is the easiest contaminant to remove using one of a wide range of magnetic separators. Non-ferrous metals are ejected from the process using eddy current separators and metal detectors.
materials, there are presently limitations to the use of the recovered, sorted and cleansed plastic although this is rapidly evolving. SUCCESS STORIES Bunting, whose European manufacturing facilities are in Redditch and Birmingham, has worked with companies successfully processing plastic waste since the 1980s, such as EcoVyn Ltd based in Wrexham, North Wales. EcoVyn is at the forefront of PVC compounding and brings pioneering new technology to the marketplace. The company offers one of the most advanced and innovative production processes in the UK, producing reprocessed, blended and virgin compounds for a variety of applications. EcoVyn uses a high proportion of plastic waste, of which 80 per cent is post-consumer. Presently, EcoVyn processes 1000 tonnes per month of good quality reclaimed plastic waste, which it plans to increase to 16,000 tonnes per annum. The cleansed plastic waste is blended into virgin material, resulting in a 90 per cent output of grade A product. Waste generated during the manufacturing process is also recycled, leaving less than on per cent being discarded. After the installation of Bunting magnetic separators, EcoVyn reduced the amount of unusable waste by 94 per cent. This is an example of how the technologies in the industry can make a real difference to the end material quality for the recycled materials so desperately sought by those committing to using more in their products. With so many potential changes on the horizon between now and the next K fair in 2022, industry can only hope that the correct measures are put in place that result in the proper management of waste, as well as investment in recycling infrastructure and therefore a better result for the environment.
One of the many challenges facing companies processing plastic waste is the economic viability. There is a long list of companies who have set up to process plastic waste only to fold within a very short time. The political will to find a solution to plastic waste management may address this problem, providing vital funding and legislative support. Certainly, in some countries such as the UK, the whole collection infrastructure needs revamping. Technological developments have improved the recycling process to improve the quality of the end-product. However, as with many secondary
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Ferrous metal removed from plastic waste
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kmd1902_NH_210x297+3_Cover.indd 1
NOV/DEC 2019
on the cover
A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH Following a K Show dominated by a focus on circular economy and sustainable management of plastics waste, Paul Fears of Bunting highlights why, in order to address the issue, there is a need for alignment, investment and a separation of fact from fiction in the public domain. SEE PAGE 4
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IN THIS ISSUE
K2019: A REFLECTION In the final part of our special focus on K 2019, BP&R’s Tom Walker spoke to exhibitors on the UK Pavilion, which was organised by the British Plastics Federation and the DIT, about new releases, circular economy, and, of course, the weather.
08 INDUSTRY NEWS
SPECIAL REVIEW
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THE ROARING 2020S?
Active not reactive During K Show, plastics additives producer, Baerlocher, showcased how its technology is playing a key role in expanding the use of recycled plastic to support global sustainability trends. Leanne Taylor spoke to the company’s CEO, Arne Schulle, about why it is active, not reactive, when it comes to the expansion of its product portfolio in this crucial area.
Editor’s Letter
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Feature
“NEVER SAY NEVER” With a career in the plastics industry spanning over three decades, Wittmann Battenfeld’s Barry Hill is well known and respected by peers and customers alike. Ahead of his retirement at the end of the year, Leanne Taylor spoke to him about if he has plans to ever return, how the industry has changed during his tenure and the advice he’s givi ng to the incoming, joint Managing Directors of WIBA UK.
Feature
19 MATERIALS 23 K REVIEW 29 POLYMERMAN 31 MASTERBATCH AND ADDITIVES 37 R&R 41 TEMPERATURE CONTROL 45 TESTING AND INSPECTION
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49 MATERIALS HANDLING
FROM SHELL TO SHELF: USING SEAFOOD WASTE TO PREVENT SEAFOOD WASTE CuanTec is a company on a mission to create a new generation of bioplastic food packaging from seafood waste. BP&R’s Grace Nolan spoke to the company about how it produces its novel film and the future opportunities for its product.
51 BUYERS’ GUIDE AND SOFTWARE
Feature
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15 MACHINERY
54 NEWS FROM THE FRONLINE
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INDUSTRY | NEWS Alpek to acquire Lotte Chemical’s UK site ALFA Mexico has announced that its subsidiary, Alpek, has signed an agreement with Lotte Chemical Corporation to acquire its 100 per cent stake in Lotte Chemical UK, which owns and operates a PET facility with an installed capacity of 350,000 tonnes per year in Teesside. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of 2019, subject to customary conditions precedent. This marks Alpek’s first acquisition outside of the
Americas as the company continues to grow its integrated polyester platform. It also expands Alfa’s global footprint to 29 countries by adding the first production facility in the UK. “This change of ownership marks the exit of Lotte Chemical from manufacturing PET in Europe,” commented Gordon Haire, Research Director at research analysts, Wood Mackenzie. “It also establishes a strong platform for Alpek to become a regional PET supplier in the European market. This may also have significant implications for regional PTA trade flows, as Lotte Chemical exported around 110kt per annum from Korea to the UK over the last few years.” He continued: “Similarly, Alpek is a long-established supplier
into the European PTA market. Lotte Chemical has concluded that the UK PET business does not fit the Lotte Vision 2030. Instead, Lotte is likely to add more weight to the newly expanded PIA business and reduce exposure to PTA.” José de Jesús Valdez, CEO of Alpek, said: “This acquisition is well aligned with Alpek’s growth strategy, creating substantial value by integrating the asset into our global polyester footprint, marking our first acquisition outside of the Americas, and growing our current worldwide PET capacity to 2.8 million tonnes.” He added: “Moving forward, our team is focused on executing a seamless integration to capitalise on existing momentum and capture synergies.”
Lotte Chemical UK’s site has been acquired by Alpek (Image: Lotte Chemical)
Government’s new Environment Bill sets out plans for plastics, DRS and recycling The Government has introduced a Bill to Parliament that it says will tackle the “biggest environmental priorities of our time.” The Bill, announced in the Queen’s speech on 15 October – and which has now passed to committee stage – aims to ensure that the UK maintains and improves upon environmental protections as the country leaves the European Union. It outlines the Government’s intention to introduce charges for “a number of single-use plastics items”, as well as confirming the introduction of a bottle deposit return scheme, although further detail such as inclusive materials have not yet been confirmed. The Bill sets out to transform the way that waste is managed,
through producer responsibility; a consistent approach to recycling; tackling waste crime; and more effective litter enforcement. While the Bill applies only to England, more than half of its measures – such as those designed to drive up recycling rates – are designed to apply across the UK, with the consent of devolved administrations. Environment Secretary, Theresa Villiers, said: “Our natural environment is a vital shared resource and the need to act to secure it for generations to come is clear. “The Bill builds on this government’s decisive action to protect the environment, as set out in our 25 Year Environment Plan. Legislation to reach netzero carbon emissions by 2050 and hosting the Climatefocussed COP26 in 2020 will keep the UK at the forefront of international work on these issues.”
She continued: “Extensive and continued collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh Governments and the Northern Ireland Civil Service has also enabled us to bring forward measures that we expect to see adopted outside of England, for example measures which aim to increase recycling rates.”
The Government has introduced a Bill to Parliament that it says will tackle the “biggest environmental priorities of our time.”
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ALBIS announces proposal to transfer its UK production to Germany ALBIS UK has announced a proposal to cease its manufacturing activities at its Knutsford, Cheshire facility, but to continue building and developing its sales and distribution activities in the UK from the site. The transfer is proposed to take place during the first quarter of 2020. The main products affected by the transfer are ALBIS brands ALTECH and ALCOM, the production of which will be transferred to the Group’s three manufacturing site in Hamburg, Zülpich, and Obernburg, with the intention being to serve UK customers from these sites. “In times of increasing
competitive pressure this move is aimed at improving efficiency and ensuring that ALBIS continues to offer its customers products competitively throughout Europe,” commented Ian Mills, member of ALBIS’ Management board and Head of the Compounding Business. “We recognise the trust our customers place in us and are proud of the long relationships we have developed with many of them and will work hard to make the transfer as seamless as possible.” He added: “We remain 100 per cent committed to the UK market and our local UK sales team will continue to give the high level of service and expertise demanded in the UK.” Josephine Bagnall, Managing Director for ALBIS UK, said: “ALBIS will take appropriate measures to ensure products and service commitments and
transferred efficiently and effectively. “Our Distribution partners and customers can be assured that ALBIS stays fully committed to the UK market. We also recognise the huge role our employees have contributed to our business and we will work closely with them throughout this process to minimise the impact on those affected as far as possible.”
Albis UK has proposed relocating its UK manufacturing operations to Germany
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Bockatech’s Zero Waste Cup wins Horners Bottlemakers Award 2019
Tesco has announced it will remove one billion pieces of plastic from products for sale in UK stores by the end of 2020.
“If packaging can’t be recycled, it will have no place at Tesco” Tesco has announced it will remove one billion pieces of plastic from products for sale in UK stores by the end of 2020. The move, part of Tesco’s four R’s strategy – Remove, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – means it will remove non-recyclable and excess packaging from its business. Where it can’t be removed – for example where it prevents food waste – the supermarket chain will work with its suppliers to reduce it to a minimum, while the retailer will explore new opportunities to reuse its packaging and ensure that anything left is all recycled as part of a closed loop. The company says: “If packaging can’t be recycled, it will have no place at Tesco.” In August, Tesco met with 1500 suppliers to let them know that packaging will form a key part of its decision-making process to determines which products are sold in its stores. The retailer has worked with its suppliers, making clear that it reserves the right to no longer stock products that use excessive or hard to recycle materials.
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Bockatech’s Zero Waste Cup has won the Horners Bottlemakers Award 2019, announced during a Horners visit to Grundon’s recycling facility in Slough. The cup is made using EcoCore, a new technology for injection moulding that has the potential to underpin a low-cost transition from single-use to reusable packaging. The cup has been praised for being a plastic innovation that provides a sustainable alternative to disposable paper cups that cannot be recycled. A Highly Commended certificate was awarded to CupClub, an initiative that merges a system-level approach to sustainability alongside plastic product design. CupClub is designed to replace unrecyclable paper cups, with a cleverly designed plastic recovery crate and a return system allowing local businesses
Linear Plastics Manager enters Level 5 ILM training Linear Plastics, a toolmaker and contract injection moulder, is continuing to implement a programme of training throughout the organisation. The company’s latest development has seen Manufacturing Manager, Paul Powell, undertake study with the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).
to have their cups collected, tracked, washed and returned based on the volume required. Another Highly Commended certificate was awarded to Spectra Packaging for its ‘Beached’ bottle. The new Beached range is made from 100 per cent Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) HDPE. The judges recognised the Spectra product as serving the growing demand for eco-friendly beauty products. Bockatech’s Zero Waste Cup
Powell said: “Modern manufacturing provides endless opportunities for learning and I am delighted to be undertaking Level 5 training with the ILM. “As a Six Sigma green belt practitioner I am well placed to share and lead the adoption of those and other skill sets throughout the whole value chain at Linear Plastics.” Andrew Harrison, Company General Manager, said: “Every single one of our 100 plus employees at Linear Plastics is given the opportunity for career development that also enhances the work of the company. “Paul’s acceptance onto ILM Level 5 is a perfect illustration of that symbiosis. We wish him every success with it in the months ahead.”
Paul Powell, (left) with some members of the Linear Plastics Processing and Quality teams
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Various installations over the last 25 years
25-year partnership sees over 2,000 ARBURG machines delivered in UK and Ireland An ongoing partnership – now a quarter of a century in the making – is being celebrated by ARBURG Ltd and machinery installation experts, Flegg Projects. Since starting the partnership in 1994, the two companied have installed in excess of 2,000 ARBURG moulding machines and robots to customers in the UK and Ireland, in almost every size and clamping force combination available. Flegg Projects works exclusively for ARBURG, ever since it acquired the company’s previous machinery delivery partner, Cavewood. “There is no contract – we believe we are as good as
our last job,” explained Mark Marshall, Sales Director at Flegg Projects and Installation Services. “There should be no document that says that ARBURG are obliged to use us. Our delivery times have been very reliable, and, over 25 years, we’ve recorded negligible damage bar the occasional knock or bump, but we have always managed to sort it out sensibly.” As part of the partnership, ARBURG can keep up to 20 stock machines at Flegg’s 40,000 square foot warehouse in Aylesbury, ready for a faster service. The company then delivers the machines to a customer’s site and also provides the installation. “We take the machine to the customer, lift it off the lorry, manoeuvre it into the factory, unpack it and put it on a level,” continued Marshall.
“We prepare it for ARBURG’s engineers, who often arrive the same day or next day, who then commission it.” Managing Director of ARBURG Ltd, Colin Tirel, said: “We are very pleased with the service Flegg provides, I really have no complaints. They install the equipment in situ for our engineers to commission, rather than depositing a machine outside the building. Our customers are happy with the service, so we are. It’s a testament to Flegg that we’ve worked with them for 25 years.”
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Craemer Group invests £25 million in second British production facility Leading plastics manufacturer, Craemer Group, has launched a facility for plastics injection moulding at Hortonwood West in Telford. It is the Group’s second plastics facility in Telford for the production of wheelie bins, pallets, and storage and transport containers. The Group is investing £25 million in the new site, including large machinery to add new products to Craemer UK’s portfolio. The new products include a range of four-wheeled commercial waste bins and pallet boxes, which, until recently,
could only be manufactured at Craemer’s German headquarters. The expansion will create up to 70 new jobs at the Telford site. Steve Poppitt, Managing Director of Craemer UK, said: “Since the launch of our first Telford plant at Hortonwood in 2006, Craemer UK has grown significantly with turnover surging from five million in 2006, to £27.8 million in 2018. After expanding the premises to a total of 3.6 hectares in 2013, we had reached our limits and needed to find an area for expansion as close as possible.” He added: “The expansion has already generated over 30 new jobs at Telford as a direct result of Site B development and there will be more by the end of the year.” Poppitt said that in addition to creating new jobs and to further
The report provides transparency on how almost 200 businesses and government are reshaping the plastics system.
“Promising early progress” shown in first annual New Plastics Economy Global Commitment report The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the UN Environment Programme have published the first annual
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New Plastics Economy Global Commitment Progress Report at the ‘Our Ocean’ Conference in Oslo. The report provides an “unprecedented level of transparency” on how almost 200 businesses and government are reshaping the plastics system. Within the report, Unilever, Mars Incorporated, and PepsiCo all announced significant reductions in virgin plastic use by 2025. Analysis carried out for the report also showed that on average, around 60 per cent of business signatories’ plastic packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable today, and, through the Global Commitment, they have committed to making this 100 per cent by 2025. Sander Defruyt, New Plastics Economy lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, said: “Around the world, people are calling for businesses and governments to take action to stop plastic pollution. “Leading businesses and governments stepped forward by
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supporting the local economy, the launch of this second Craemer Telford site also emphasises the Germany-based Craemer Group’s ongoing commitment to its UK manufacturing arm. “We are confident that the investment in the new Telford facility and in new machinery will further strengthen Craemer’s position in the domestic, European, and global markets for many years to come,” he concluded.
The Craemer Group’s second injection moulding facility in Telford. (Photo: Carl Woodall)
signing the Global Commitment and we can now see promising early progress. This includes major commitments to reduce the use of virgin plastic, the introduction of reuse pilot projects, and unprecedented demand for recycled plastic in packaging.” He continued: “But there is a long way to go and it is crucial those efforts are accelerated and scaled, and more businesses and governments take action to eliminate plastic pollution at the source.” Inger Andersen, UN Environment Programme Executive Director, added: “Addressing plastic pollution requires a fundamental system shift, from a linear to a circular economy for plastic, which is at the core of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. The 2019 Progress Report shows how leading businesses and governments are taking actions in such a systematic way, thus demonstrating this makes business and political sense.”
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Major investment event discusses opportunities within UK recycling market The British Plastics Federation and WRAP have held a joint investors summit for growth within the UK’s plastics recycling and reprocessing infrastructure. Aimed at senior figures within the investment community, the event on October 8th was attended by 70 people, including representatives from numerous leading investment companies, and featured presentations from WRAP, the BPF, PlasticsEurope, Berry Global, and Innovate UK. The keynote speaker and chair of the event was John Gummer, The Rt Hon. Lord Deben, Chairman of Sancroft and member of the Food and Drink Sector Council. He introduced the event by
explaining the environmental impact of poorly managed plastic waste and the extent to which the UK needs investment in order to develop an infrastructure capable of sorting and reprocessing its plastic waste. Representatives from WRAP and the BPF then explained the current opportunities and challenges for plastics recycling within the UK, framing it within the context of wider ongoing developments and planned government initiatives. Peter Maddox, Director of WRAP UK, said: “Two thirds of plastic packaging placed on the market in the UK is represented by the UK Plastics Pact members, all of whom are committed to making their plastic packaging recyclable, significantly increasing the recycling of plastic, and achieving an average of 30 per cent recycled content.” He added: “The work that is happening in the UK is leading
a wave of change globally. With Government policy also coming down the track to incentivise recyclability and recycling, the writing is on the wall. The time to invest in UK recycling is now.” Philip Law, BPF Director General, said: “It was encouraging to see so many big hitters in one room eager to understand the many opportunities for investing in plastics recycling and waste management. There is certainly understandable interest in this space and the upbeat tone of the evening suggests that the future of the UK plastics recycling sector is bright indeed.” The event was designed to encourage investment in the UK recycling industries
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celebrating 180 years
MACHINERY | NEWS IMM Projects confirmed official Itoplas distributor in the UK Itoplas is collaborating with IMM Projects UK for the distribution of its solutions and projects in the UK plastics industry. Spain-based Itoplas says the main aim of this partnership is to enhance both distribution and client experience by combining new technology with industry experience. Itoplas’ portfolio of itoSave energy-saving servo kits; itoControl electronic systems; and the iS series injection moulding machines will all be available to the UK market. The company says itoSave servo kits give customers energy-saving solutions, stability and efficiency, where itoControl maximises precision and numerous integrated options for machine control. The iS moulding machines are equipped with European technology and components. Michael de Beer, IMM Projects UK Director, said: “We now can confidently look forward to offering industry experience with quality products and longlasting associations locally. Rest assured that every need can be addressed within the targeted market. “We hope to proceed surpassing customer expectations and build a continued flow of relevant, cost effective solutions to the worlds plastic industry.”
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The event brought UK industry together to discuss the challenges of adopting automation in the UK
MP praises FANUC UK for changing perceptions of industrial automation Rugby MP, Mark Pawsey, has praised FANUC for bringing the manufacturing industry together and says he hopes it will change the perception attached to automation in the UK. Pawsey made the comments whilst attending the company’s inaugural UK Open House event, which saw representatitves from across the plastics industry discuss the challenges of adopting automation in the UK. He said: “This event is bringing together not only customers, but people from around the industry. I’m hoping the coverage of this event will play its part in changing people’s perceptions about the opportunity that robots will provide.” Tom Bouchier, Managing
Director of FANUC UK, said: “This is the first time we have hosted this event and opened our doors to such in-depth industry discussion. Over the last three days we have received fantastic engagement from industry peers and also debated the future of our industry.” Bouchier says it is important that attitudes change and he hopes that the event has helped open people to new ideas and ways of working. “Automation provides the UK with significant opportunities, not only on the potential economic impact, but also the productivity of UK manufacturers,” he added. “However, we need to act now and ensure that the current scepticism surrounding automation in the UK is addressed. We hope our event has not only provided a platform to continue this important discussion, but also paves the way for the UK to adopt automation across all manufacturing sectors.” Paul Isherwood of Counterplas [Right] with Terry O’Reilly Sales of Borche UK
Counterplas announces major expansion plans with Borche Counterplas has announced a major expansion programme that has seen the firm invest in excess of £750,000 in new plant and production machinery. The company, which acquired a factory and assets following the administration of Showpla Plastics in 2018, has since moved from its existing operating site in West Bromwich to the 68,000 square foot factory in Cheslyn Hay, Walsall. To meet increased demand for its products across a variety of market sectors, Counterplas has invested in two new Borche injection moulding www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk
machines, one 1200 and one 1500ton servo-drive two platen model complete with servo robots from Sepro. The machines were installed within 16 weeks from order and join an existing line up of some 19 machines ranging from 70 to 1600ton capacity. Paul Isherwood, Managing Director at Counterplas, said: “We have been pleased with the performance of our new Borche machines together with the support provided by Borche UK.” 15
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celebrating 180 years
“Never say never” WORDS: LEANNE TAYLOR
W ITH A CAREER IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY SPANNING OVER THREE DECADES, WITTMANN BATTENFELD’S BARRY HILL IS WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED BY PEERS AND CUSTOMERS ALIKE. AHEAD OF HIS RETIREMENT AT THE END OF THE YEAR, LEANNE TAYLOR SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT IF HE HAS PLANS TO EVER RETURN, HOW THE INDUSTRY HAS CHANGED DURING HIS TENURE AND THE ADVICE HE’S GIVING TO THE INCOMING, JOINT MANAGING DIRECTORS OF WIBA UK.
Barry Hill
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ince starting as a Service Engineer in the 1980s when he first met Dr Werner Wittmann, Barry Hill’s career in plastics has seen him loyal to the Austrian-based family firm’s journey in the UK market. Establishing Wittmann UK in Wellingborough in 1986 for the sale of plastics ancillaries, Hill was firmly at the helm 11 years ago when the parent firm took over injection moulding machinery manufacturer, Battenfeld. He has since been leading the successful growth of the business. “From when I started, the industry has changed hugely,” Hill explained. “Back then, moulding was a black art and any operator who stuck the job for more than two weeks automatically became a setter! Of course, you have to consider that then, moulding machines had no transducers for position or pressures and, as I came from the CNC machine tool industry, it was like going back in time.” MODERN TIMES, MODERN CHANGES Reflecting on the changes in the plastics industry in the years since, Hill acknowledges that the 2019 landscape is almost unrecognisable from his early days. “Of course, the plastics industry is now high-tech, and over the course of the changing times, any companies that have survived this far are generally very productive with a highly skilled workforce,” Hill continued. “We are seeing smarter control systems appearing and improved software applications, such as our HiQ package, which assist with changes in material viscosity by automatically adjusting pressures and positions to compensate for fluctuations. There are also technologies for quick set up, which work by inputting basic parameters the machine can be put into production with just fine tuning required thereby saving setting time.”
Aside from the latest technologies driving evermore efficient and intuitive production processes and enabling the manufacture of ever more sophisticated parts, is Hill worried about the wider challenges facing the industry globally? “Despite all of the negative press around plastics over the last couple of years, they are not going anywhere,” Hill explained. “However, the industry is working hard to be greener, with more recyclable materials coming onto the market and more recycling systems being put into operation.” NO LOOKING BACK? Having spent so many years in an industry known for its camaraderie between employees across the sector, it’s no surprise that this is what Hill says he’ll miss the most about the plastics industry. “For sure, it’s the people in the industry, many of whom have become friends,” he explained. Indeed, two of these people, colleagues Tracy Cadman and Dan Williams, are those to whom Hill will hand over the reins of Wittmann Battenfeld at the end of the year, when they take over as joint Managing Directors in Janaury 2020. “My advice to them both is to remember that service is key – be honest and keep your promises, then you’ll succeed” Hill said. “But I know they will be very successful; they are a good team.” Well known for his love of travel and motorbikes, Hill plans to start his retirement in 2020 embarking on more two-wheeled adventures across the UK and Europe. But is he tempted to one day make a return to the industry? “I have no plans to return,” he told me, “but never say never.”
Tracy Cadman and Dan Williams
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celebrating 180 years
We’re so pleased to be working together to take on this new opportunity, we both bring different, but complementary skills, which have been learned over the years we’ve been at the company and in the industry.” ENTER THE ‘NEW’ BREED After some 31 and 21 years in the plastics industry respectively, Tracy Cadman and Dan Williams can hardly be classed as new starters. But now, taking over a fresh challenge in the role of Managing Directors, the duo says the opportunity is one they are both looking forward to. “Barry’s shoes are big ones to fill, but it’s certainly exciting times ahead,” Cadman told me at K Show, where she and Williams were spending time getting to know the wider Wittmann Battenfeld family. “It’s a great firm to work for, everyone at Wellingborough says so,” added Williams. “We’re so pleased to be working together to take on this new opportunity, we both bring different, but complementary skills, which have been learned over the years we’ve been at the company and in the industry.” Williams, starting out as a service technician for Battenfeld in 1998, soon acquired the position of Sales Manager. His background in servicing gave him the platform he needed to transition into the sales role. “Customers really value experience,” he explained. “It’s also great when you have established relationships as the trust is already there. I think this comes from a belief in the products. I am genuinely passionate about our portfolio and that’s important, as I couldn’t sell someone something I didn’t have confidence in. But I have confidence in it all.”
Where Williams has been on the sales frontline, Cadman has most recently been heading up the finances at Wittmann Battenfeld UK, following on from years of experience in a number of roles. “Over the past 31 years I’ve done everything, even including unloading lorries and manual work,” she explained. “It’s given me a real inside-out knowledge of the business and I’m so passionate about what I do.” Cadman is relishing the idea of getting started in January but said that Brexit was like a cloud looming over the company that she can’t wait to be lifted. “We just want to get on with it,” she explained. “We’re having plenty of enquiries for significant work, but people understandably seem to be reluctant to invest until they know how things stand. We just want a decision made so that everyone can move on. I can’t wait to get stuck in.” The Wittmann Battenfeld Group Management team, based in Vienna, is excited to welcome Cadman and Williams to their new roles. “We are delighted with the Wittmann Battenfeld UK succession plan and we give Tracy and Daniel every support,” commented Michael Wittmann, Group General Manager. “The UK and Irish markets are significant for us – not least for their manufacturing creativity and their capacity to enjoy innovation.”
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MATERIALS | NEWS INOVYN launches world’s first commercially available grade of bio-attributed PVC INOVYN has launched its latest generation of PVC under the brand name BIOVYN, becoming the world’s first commercial producer of bio-attributed PVC using a supply chain fully certified by The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). Manufactured in Germany, BIOVYN is made using a bioattributed ethylene, a renewable feedstock derived from biomass that does not compete with the food chain. BIOVYN is certified by RSB as delivering a 100 per cent substitution of fossil feedstock in its production system, enabling a greenhouse gas saving of over 90 per cent compared to conventionally-produced PVC.
Lavazza launches 100 per cent compostable coffee pods Lavazza has released a range of 100 per cent industrially compostable Eco Caps, which it says biodegrade to become nutrient-rich compost. Lavazza is aiming to replace its entire range of at-home capsules with the 100 per cent compostable alternatives by the end of the year. David Rogers, UK Managing Director of Lavazza, said: “For Lavazza Group, sustainability is fully integrated in the business strategy. “The new Lavazza Eco Caps replace the entire range of capsules for home consumption in the UK, without any price difference. The company is a firm believer in this major investment, which confirms our commitment to excellence, quality, and sustainable development.”
INOVYN says its choice of an RSB-certified feedstock also demonstrates its commitment to working within the emerging bio-economy, adding to the sustainability credentials of BIOVYN. Filipe Constant, Business Director at INOVYN, said: “Through our sustainability programme we are developing a new generation of PVC grades that meet both the rigorous product quality and performance needs of our customers, whilst moving us closer towards a circular, carbon-neutral economy for PVC. “Driven by the increasing global focus on the circular economy, there is a growing demand for a specialist, renewable PVC that decouples its production from the conventional use of virgin fossil feedstocks. BIOVYN meets that demand.”
Alongside the release, Lavazza is partnering with TerraCycle to launch the Lavazza Eco Caps Composing Programme, a free nationwide composting solution for used coffee capsules in the UK. As part of this partnership, a network of public access coffee capsule drop-off points will be set up around the UK, enabling customers to conveniently dispose of their capsules. The drop-off points can be found on an interactive map of the TerraCycle website, and each drop-off point will earn TerraCycle points based on the amount of capsules that are deposited, which can then be redeemed as a monetary donation to the charity or nonprofit organisation of their choice.
He added: “BIOVYN demonstrates that we can substitute the use of virgin fossil feedstocks without compromising the unique product qualities that make PVC one of the most widely used, sustainable plastics in the world.” Filipe Constant, Business Director, INOVYN
The company is a firm believer in this major investment, which confirms our commitment to excellence, quality, and sustainable development.”
The new Lavazza Eco Caps
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C UANTEC IS A COMPANY ON A MISSION TO CREATE A NEW GENERATION OF BIOPLASTIC FOOD PACKAGING FROM SEAFOOD WASTE. BP&R SPOKE TO THE COMPANY ABOUT HOW IT PRODUCES ITS NOVEL FILM AND THE FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ITS PRODUCT.
From shell to shelf: Using seafood waste to prevent seafood waste
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WORDS: GRACE NOLAN
ased in Motherwell and Oban, Scottish biotec company, CuanTec, has developed a process to use waste langoustine shells leftover from processing seafood to make a natural polymer suitable for flexible food packaging applications. In order to obtain the materials for its novel packaging, the company is biologically extracting a naturally occurring biopolymer, called chitin, from fish processing waste, before deacetylating it to obtain chitosan. DEVELOPING THE PROCESS Taken from the waters of the North Atlantic, langoustines are a great source of chitin, a naturally occurring biopolymer found in the shells of crustaceans, which CuanTec extracts through biological fermentation rather than using traditional chemical means. “The material has developed from finding a better use of waste from shellfish to the creation of an antimicrobial, compostable replacement for plastic food packaging,” explained Paula Duffy, Marketing Assistant at CuanTec. The company transforms the chitin into the more soluble product, chitosan, which can be used in many applications where its natural anti-microbial properties can be exploited. Chitin and chitosan already have thousands of industrial uses, however, the process of extraction is high in energy and uses large volumes of harsh chemicals. CuanTec has developed a biological
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process that includes a fermentation step and allows a massive reduction in chemicals used. It is also a much gentler process so requires less energy input. The chitosan obtained is then mixed with other biopolymers and natural substances to create ‘CuanSave’, a flexible anti-microbial and compostable bioplastic film designed to be used as food packaging. When it comes to processing equipment, the production of CuanSave does not need specialist equipment and is compatible with technologies used in the manufacture of standard plastic packaging. Christine Jesson, Senior Process Scientist said: “The concept of generating a valuable material from waste as part of a circular economy is just really clever and something that all industry needs to embrace to support a sustainable future.” SCALING-UP THE TECHNOLOGY As CuanTec is still working at lab scale, it only has proof of concept prototypes and samples. Therefore, the company is currently in the process of opening a pilot plant, which it hopes to be in production by the middle of next year (2020). The company has recently secured funding from Sky Ocean Ventures and Scottish Enterprise, which is enabling it to open the pilot production facility, further develop the formulations and upscale as demand for the product increases. “With this money we will be finalising our
w w w. b r i t i s h P L A S T I C S . c o . u k
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The concept of generating a valuable material from waste as part of a circular economy is just really clever and something that all industry needs to embrace to support a sustainable future.”
formulation, buying the equipment necessary for bigger scale as we open our pilot plant and allow us to create new jobs as our work increases,” Duffy explained. “This funding provides us with the means to start full scale production and get our product to customers so the world can really start making a difference to the plastic food packaging industry.” The investment has been led by Sky Ocean Ventures – Sky’s fund committed to accelerating innovative ideas that reduce the impact of plastics on the environment – as well as the Scottish Investment Bank, the investment arm of Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s national economic development agency. “We are delighted by the support of Sky Ocean Ventures and Scottish Enterprise in enabling this early stage technology to move forward and to help create scientific jobs in rural Argyll and in Motherwell,” commented Cait Murray-Green, CEO of CuanTec. “Increasingly the investment community has also taken up the challenge and Sky Ocean Ventures has proven to be a valuable partner who believe strongly in our team and in what we are trying to achieve – to make plastic pollution history.” FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES CuanTec says its technology offers multiple opportunities for the future. The company hopes to penetrate the seafood market by using CuanSave to package fresh fish, creating a perfect circular economy by using seafood waste to prevent seafood waste. As well as shellfish, chitin can be found in plantbased sources such as mushrooms. Through further research and development CuanTec hopes to be able to use mushrooms to source chitin to make its products more accessible to all. At the end of its use, CuanSave can be disposed
in home compost heaps or compost bins. The material will naturally decompose in around 90 days without having to go to an industrial composter. CROSS-SECTORAL COLLABORATION CuanTec says collaboration is key, as the company aims to achieve a zero waste, circular economy that takes input from different sectors. As its raw materials currently use waste from the fishing industry, CuanTec is working with the sector to easily transport this waste to its labs where it can extract the chitin. The company has also partnered with smallerscale prawn producers, FloGro Fresh, who send waste prawn shells for the development of the packaging, which it then uses to wrap its prawns. The company also works with strategic partners, such as British supermarket chain, Waitrose & Partners, with whom it is working to create own-range products, including compostable and antimicrobial food packaging. “Partnerships with retailers are crucial. The support form Waitrose will really help us get into the UK supermarket sector, as well as the smaller, local retailers who are willing to help us test our packing on their products as we develop it for them,” said Murray-Green. Cuansave packaging was shown to HRH the Prince of Wales during a visit to Waitrose & Partners Food Innovation Studio recently. The supermarket chain hopes the new packaging can be used as an alternative to conventional plastic film on some of its fish products in 12 to 18 months’ time.
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K 2019: a REFLECTION
T HE BRITISH PAVILION AT K 2019, SET UP BY THE BPF AND THE DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE, SAW CONSISTENT LEVELS OF INTEREST THROUGHOUT THE SHOW, WITH NEW PRODUCTS AND PORTFOLIOS BEING LAUNCHED. BP&R’S TOM WALKER SPOKE TO EXHIBITORS AT THE PAVILION, ABOUT NEW RELEASES, CIRCULAR ECONOMY, AND, OF COURSE, THE WEATHER.
ASTROPOL: “IT’S BEEN A REALLY PRODUCTIVE SHOW FOR US” Astropol’s Matthew Davenport hailed the importance of face-to-face meetings of K, and the ability to expand the reach of the company thanks to them. He said: “We came to K with the aim of finding new sectors of the market to get into, as we’re looking to get more into the non-vinyl sector and looking for co-operations and partnerships with agents, in places like Turkey and the Middle East, so K’s been really useful to meet people from around the world that you wouldn’t usually get to meet in person.” Davenport said the show gave Astropol the opportunity to meet existing customers too, as well as showcase the firm’s product ranges. “People have been able to physically see our portfolio and being able to actually see and hold it helps prompt more questions about what we offer and how we offer it,” he continued. It was Davenport’s first K representing Astropol and he told BP&R how the personal interactions that K allows has led to a successful show for the company. He said: “Technology and personnel within companies can change in the time in-between shows, so showing our face is always good in terms of touching base and showing potential new growth plans or visions,” he explained. “You could see the face-to-face aspect as old fashioned, but actually sitting down and having a chat and a coffee takes away some of the impersonal bits you’d have in an email.” INTOUCH MONITORING: “IN 20 YEARS IT’S OUR FIRST ORDER ON-STAND” John Hardwick, Director of Intouch Monitoring, said that K 2019 was “the best so far” of all the K Show’s his company has attended, and that it has been able to capitalise on the rapidly growing trend of digitalisation throughout the industry. “We welcomed hundreds of visitors from all over the world to our stand and we were overwhelmed with the positive comments received about our new Intouch i4 Cloud,” Hardwick explained. “The Intouch i4 Cloud provides the most widely used benefits of the on-premise system we have been selling for over 20 years, but the cloud-based system’s low-price tag and immediate ROI brings
Industry 4.0 automation to the reach of many.” He continued: “This has been reflected in the interest we have had at the show and we’ve actually got our first order at an exhibition yesterday, from a company in Brazil, and in 20 years it’s our first order on-stand, so it’s a big landmark and has made us very happy.” Hardwick also noted that despite the British Pavilion bringing the accompanying British weather along to Düsseldorf, this had no detriment on the amount or quality of interest at K. “We’ve been very happy with the location of our stand this year, it’s really nice and open and we get a lot of traffic, especially if it’s raining! We get a lot early in the morning as we’re quite close to the entrance, and if it’s dry, we tend to get it in the afternoon, so even with the mixed weather it’s proved very good.” RADICAL MATERIALS: “IT’S A LONG WEEK BUT IT’S CERTAINLY WORTH IT” Nick Corlett, Director at Radical Materials, acknowledged that the size and scale of K made it an unmissable opportunity for any company. He said: “K as a whole is amazing, it’s incomprehensible how much there is to get around and see. I’ve done similar shows, but nothing compares to the size of it. It’s a long week but it’s certainly worth it.” He added: “Not only from the point of view of some of the enquiries we’ve had, which have been very good quality, but from being able to walk around and seeing what else is available, which is really beneficial and valuable to us.”
UK Pavilion at K
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RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES: “WE’VE BEEN EXTREMELY BUSY” For Recycling Technologies, its appearance at the show was important to get a foothold and recognition ahead of a full product launch. Elena Parisi, Sales and Marketing Director, said: “It’s the first time we’ve been at K with a product to promote. We were here three years ago but that was very early days for us, and we’re definitely planning to be here next time, which will be very interesting timing with respect to where we will be in our development.” At the moment, the company has a pilot product, the RT7000, a machine for recycling plastic back into oil. It is commercialising the first machine next year with a roll-out plan involving other units, so by K 2022 the firm hopes to have seen further progress. Despite not exhibiting the pilot machine itself at K, Parisi said the presence of the company still garnered interest from visitors throughout the show. “We’ve been extremely busy, many people have been coming from different industries, not just looking for equipment or looking for new trends, but also from the petrochemical and oil and gas sectors,” she explained. “That’s not a surprise, but many people are coming to us and saying, ‘we’re here to try and understand what’s available in recycling,’ so we had people seeking us out because of that.” WELLS PLASTICS: “WE’VE HAD LOTS OF QUALITY LEADS” Wells Plastics are relative K veterans compared to Recycling Technologies, and Sales and Marketing Director, Carl Birch, was keen to emphasise the increased environmental demands placed on the industry compared to
previous shows. He said: “K’s been very good this year, we’ve had lots of quality leads as always. We’ve been exhibiting here since 1998, and for Wells it always provides excellent leads and good contacts. “Obviously there’s a much greater emphasis on recycled materials, and Wells has launched a series of stabilisation packages specifically aimed at that. Clearly there’s a large element of biocompound and bioplastic interest as well, but we’re also seeing good interest in our oxobiodegradable solutions as well.” He continued: “Generally, circular economy, recycling, and then alternative end-of-life uses for materials have been discussed a lot more. Circular economy being the main topic of K has certainly focused people’s minds, and the industry is reacting to the demands of the public and the demands of the environment.” ZOTEFOAMS: “IT’S AN INVALUABLE EVENT” David Stirling, CEO of Zotefoams, commented on how the international reach of K Show is invaluable from both a sales and recognition point of view. “K has been really busy, mostly very good high-level contacts, particularly from far away,” he explained, adding that many were senior buyers or decision makers. During K 2019, Zotefoams launched ‘ReZorce’, a new packaging material, as well as exhibiting its new PE foam products. “Rezorce is a mono material barrier packaging, its only made with one material, which means it’s easy to recycle and get straight back in the recycling stream, so there’s been huge interest in that,” he explained.
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Stirling is another to put this interest down to the prominence of circular economy within this year’s K Show. “There’s a lot of people talking about recycling, a lot talking about general sustainability, and we’ve had really high-level interest,” he said, adding: “We saw some circular economy conversation last K Show, but nothing like this year, now it’s front and centre. I think the circular economy is making progress, but there’s still not a lot of joined up thinking. There are different pockets of people saying, ‘I need to do my bit’, rather than ‘we need to do our bit’.” Stirling said K is an ideal place to get collaborations going throughout the entire supply chain and to debate and discuss the future requirements needed. “For that, it’s an invaluable event,” he concluded.
UK Pavilion at K
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K 2019: “A fantastic showcase for our industry”
IN HIS COLUMN THIS MONTH, RICHARD HIRD, CHAIRMAN OF THE POLYMER MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION (PMMDA), REFLECTS ON THE SUCCESS OF K FOR MEMBER COMPANIES AND LOOKS AT THE SHOW’S KEY THEME OF SUSTAINABILITY.
With the K Show over for another three years, the 2019 edition provided a great barometer for the current state of the plastics industry. Even against the background of a cooling EU economy, the event provided a fantastic showcase, with busy stands showing innovative solutions. Over the duration of the show our members were very pleased with the number of visitors and feedback suggested the number of orders received exceeded expectations. This proves how resilient our industry is and gives cause for optimism for the future. One such member was Romi Machines UK, which secured a number of orders during the show, making this its most successful K to date. During the show Romi launched its ES300 fast cycling accumulated machine, which was linked to the UK-manufactured data capturing system from InTouch. Partnering Romi on its stand were fellow PMMDA members Piovan, Sepro and Star Automation (Plastech Solutions). They were also supported by UK-based tool maker, Cybertools. K 2019 was also a successful show for member Borche UK, with the sale of a new Borche BU900 ton machine to Rochdale-based Alderburgh, part of the Polypipe Group of companies. The new machine, sold on the stand, is of the Borche BU two platen design and will be supplied as a package together with Sepro Robot. Impressed with the level of interest in Motan Colortronic’s range of ancillaries and equipment was Karl Miller, UK Managing Director. “The UK and Irish customers visiting the Motan Colortronic stand to view the large range of cost saving and energy efficient products were more than expected, even though we have the political unrest causing customers to delay several projects,” he explained. “In regard to the recycling and circular economy, many customers were interested in our extended range of products to handle large quantities and difficult to handle materials, which they are looking at reusing in the process.” SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS Of course, sustainability – one of the central themes of K 2019 – dominated conversations had by many PMMDA member firms, including Simon Ayling, Managing Director of Bunting Europe, who said: “The atmosphere at K 2019 was very positive, despite the increasing global negativity surrounding the plastics industry and plastic waste.” He added: “The past two years has been a challenging period for the plastics sector. The K
2019 show gave the industry the opportunity to illustrate that action is being taken to address the concerns of the public.” Indeed, given all the recent media reports about the sustainability of our industry, it is important to understand the considerable amount of work that has been taken throughout the supply chain to reduce the impact of plastic waste on the planet. However, we all have a responsibility to the environment and future generations to continue to work to reduce the impact of plastics. The member firm that I represent, Labotek, has signed up to ‘Operation Clean Sweep’, the programme designed to reduce pellet loss. As a machinery supplier to the industry we have a responsibility to design and manufacture our equipment to ensure the reduction of pellet loss, together with working in partnership with our customers so that they are able to do the same. These feelings are shared by Wittmann Battenfeld, whose current UK Managing Director, Barry Hill, said that the sustainable solutions on display at its stand were of great interest to visitors. “Our ‘zero plastic’ manufacturing cell was a star attraction and gave a hint of further new things to come,” Hill explained. “During the course of K, our Company Director, Michael Wittmann, was interviewed directly on the topics of sustainability and the circular economy. It is clear from his interview that the Wittmann Group has detailed plans on that score and that these will be rolled out in the coming months and years.” It is clear that the drive for sustainability will be achieved by a combination of design innovation (making recycling or disposal easier), manufacturing (to reduce the amount of polymer used without compromising on performance) and identifying new materials and waste saving production processes. “These are all things our industry excels at,” according to Nigel Flowers, Managing Director of Sumitomo Demag, who added: “We need to get the message out to the wider public that all plastics is not bad, something that the BPF and others are working hard to do.”
During the show Romi launched its ES300 fast cycling accumulated machine, which was linked to InTouch’s data capturing system.
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IN THIS EDITION OF HIS REGULAR COLUMN, OUR RESIDENT MATERIALS EXPERT, MIKE BOSWELL, ASKS WHY THE UNDERLYING MOOD OF POLYMER PRODUCERS AT K2019 WAS RATHER SOMBRE AND REFLECTS ON THE FACTORS AT PLAY.
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
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Sober at the party?
or those of us who made the tri-annual pilgrimage to Düsseldorf for K Show in October, most could not fail to be impressed with the sheer enormity of the exhibition; which in turn is a reflection of the scale and importance of the plastics industry both here in Europe and around the world. In the case of polymer producers, it was clear that the vast majority of suppliers to Western Europe were strongly represented and any downscaling appeared to be limited to a couple of the players who have recently undergone merger and acquisition activity. However, the underlying mood was more subdued than the image portrayed by the lavish exhibition stands, with many producers stating that the commitments made to K 2019 had taken place when the economics of polymer production were much more attractive and going on to muse the more modest approach that they were planning to adopt to K 2022, if they planned to be present at all. These diminishing returns have also been corroborated by the latest announcements made by various petrochemical companies reporting their most recent financial results. The cyclical nature of the petrochemicals industry is nothing new and over many decades the industry has seen similar circumstances, although on this occasion perhaps there are more factors at play than on previous occasions, which I’ll explain below. GLOBAL ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN Whilst so far recession has been avoided, it is clear that that rate of economic growth has slowed, and this is particularly evident as the demand for big ticket consumer items, including cars and domestic appliances. US/CHINA TRADE WAR The implications of the economic sanctions being imposed by the world’s two largest economies are compounded as a result of
increased import tariffs on imports from China to the US, as China requires less raw material imports to meet the stifled demand from the US. In turn, this is causing producers to seek alternative markets for US-produced goods in a market with overall diminished demand and this is creating strong pressure in Europe – particularly affecting PE and PVC – with the likelihood that this may move into PP as the US is expected to move into surplus during 2020. DRAMATIC INCREASE IN GLOBAL CAPACITY It is not only in the USA where new plants are being built, and most regions in the world are either building or considering new polymer units. LARGE INCREMENTAL INCREASES IN CAPACITY Whilst global demand is bigger and hence demand growth is bigger, the scale of new ‘world scale’ plants is sufficient to influence market dynamics on a regional, if not global basis. WAR ON PLASTIC Whilst the initial impact on demand of the current maelstrom on plastics demand has been limited, there is increasing evidence of retailers and brand owners adopting alternatives to traditional plastics packaging materials and this is also impacting demand. BREXIT Whilst typically perceived as a UK-specific issue, the issue is more widely felt in mainland Europe and the consequent uncertainty is also likely to moderate demand. Of course, the industry has seen similar conditions in the past and survived, and, whilst the challenges look very significant for this particular cycle, I am sure that most of us will be back at K 2022 and once again celebrating the success of our industry and the contribution it makes to global sustainability.
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MASTERBATCH AND ADDITIVES | NEWS Ampacet introduces halogen-free flame retardant masterbatch Ampacet has introduced a halogen-free masterbatch that it says offers outstanding flame retardancy in polyethylene film at low addition rates and complies with health and environmental safety protection regulations. The HALOFREE 709 masterbatch provides excellent optics and film clarity and can be coloured by using it in combination with masterbatches from Ampacet’s colour portfolio. It is rated “excellent” in flammability testing classifications including B2 (DIN4102), VTM0 (UL94) and Euroclass close equivalents. Ampacet HALOFREE 709 also complies with human health and safety protection regulations including ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001 requirements for risk optimisation, environment legislation such as 94/62/ EC (European Packaging and Packaging Waste directive) and ROHS; REACH and automotive norm VDA 232-101 (Global Automotive Declarable Substance List). Ampacet HALOFREE 709 is suited for use in a broad range of flexible applications, including carpet backing, industrial packaging materials, ceiling insulation, under-roof liners for homes, railway stations and stadiums. HALOFREE 709 offers outstanding flame retardancy in polyethylene film at low addition rates
Clariant launches new oxygen scavenger additives for polyester packaging Clariant has created a new brand of patent protected oxygen scavenger additive masterbatches. The primary target market for the new CESA ProTect additive masterbatch is monolayer PET packaging, although it may also be beneficial for other polyesterbased materials. “PET is already a good barrier material,” explained Antonello Decortes, Global Product Manager at Clariant, “but sensitive applications may still suffer from oxygen inlet. This is not a problem for water or most carbonated soft drinks, but fruit juices lose vitamin potency and undergo a colour shift, dairy products can sour, coffee capsules suffer flavour loss, and as little as 1 ppm of oxygen can change the taste and odour of beer. CESA ProTect additives can help extend the shelf life of these products and ensure that less food is thrown away.” The active ingredients in CESA ProTect masterbatches do not slow down penetration of oxygen through the container’s PET wall. Instead, it is an ‘oxygen scavenger’, which absorbs O2 molecules as they enter so they cannot reach the protected product. CESA ProTect is active only after processing, and PETtreated containers are protected after production and can be filled and shipped. CESA ProTect is also suitable for cold chain distribution as it Clariant says it has performed well when used on refrigerated products. Exactly how long CESA ProTect additive masterbatches can protect food and beverages, Decortes said, depends on a number of factors, including additive loading, package size and design. In testing of a 23g, 0.5-litre bottle, a 3.6 per cent loading of CESA ProTect masterbatch successfully held
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Clariant has launched new CESA ProTect brand oxygen scavenger additives for polyester packaging. (Photo: Clariant)
oxygen levels below 1 ppm for 588 days, or more than 18 months. In contrast, untreated PET maintained levels below 1 ppm for just 22 days, and a competitive oxygen scavenger lasted just 63 days. Even at a loading of two per cent, CESA ProTect masterbatches were found to be effective for 266 days. “Based on these test results,” commented to Alessandro Dulli, Global Head of Segment and Business Development, Packaging, “we believe that CESA ProTect is one of the most powerful oxygen- scavenging masterbatch on the market.” Clariant says CESA ProTect masterbatch also appears to have little, if any, impact on appearance or mechanical properties of the packaging. When used at recommended dosages, finished containers of different sizes and shapes maintain a level of transparency in line with market expectations. The product is highly compatible with PET and does not appear to impact processing. Food contact approvals are pending.
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Detectable products go from strength to strength following partnership growth A partnership between detectable additives company, Scopic, with a producer of plastic products is going from strength to strength following the development of metal-detectable masterbatches for use in food contact applications. South Wales-based Scopic, a brand of the Radical Materials group, is working with Viomes, a company established in 1982 that has grown to be one of the largest
in the production and marketing of plastic products for the Greek market. Viomes’ sales network is now expanding globally to include large supermarket chains, DIY and garden centres, as well as wholesalers and representatives in several countries, and items in the range need to conform to approved food-contact standards. Scopic says the metal-detectable additives it produces enable both companies to continue developing innovative products that add a point of difference to the finished article.
Silvergate launches ‘prime performance’ 30 per cent recycled content masterbatch
Colloids expands speciality Signal Warning Orange masterbatch range
Silvergate Plastics has launched a new white masterbatch in anticipation of the Government’s proposed plan to impose a tax on plastic packaging that does not include a minimum of 30 per cent recycled content. The new, high performance masterbatch is made up of over 30 per cent recyclate and is designed to behave exactly like a virgin product. It is also suitable for food contact applications. “Despite the current focus on plastic waste dominating headlines, plastic will continue to play a major role in all our lives. Silvergate is always keen to remain at the forefront of innovation and operate responsibly,” said Tony Bestall, Silvergate’s CEO. “Whilst our initial development has been for high volume whites, we can implement this technology into almost any colour. Our product gives 100 per cent repeatability in process and is suitable for food contact applications, making the new range incredibly attractive to our customers and end-users.”
Colloids has expanded the choice of speciality T-TEC high performance polymer masterbatches available in Signal Warning Orange (RAL 2003). The range now includes masterbatches for PEEK, PPSU, PSU, PEI, PA10T, PA12, PBT, PA6T and PA66 engineering polymers. Signal Warning Orange masterbatch grades for PA4:6 and PA6:10 are in the final stages of development and the new, expanded, T-TEC range availability in Signal Warning Orange was officially launched at K show in October. Signal Warning Orange is now the regulation colour specified
Scopic has provided metaldetectable masterbatch for Viomes’ products
Eleni Spilianaki, Managing Director for Viomes, commented: “Viomes has been searching for a detectable material in order to satisfy a customers’ need. Scopic has been spotted while searching the internet and the cooperation has been excellent.”
by OEMs for HV cable and connector applications in a battery-electric vehicle (BEV), hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Examples of HV applications include high temperature under-the-bonnet electrical components, conduits and charging plug units. The T-TEC range is available in either Colloids’ proprietary universal carrier, suitable for small mouldings, or in a polymer-specific carrier. Dr Craig MacDougall, General Manager for Colloids Plastic (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., explained: “The T-TEC range of black and coloured high performance masterbatches use very thermally stable pigment systems which exhibit no significant shade shift in 120°C continuous operating temperatures.”
Signal Warning Orange (RAL 2003) for high voltage electrical component applications for electric and hybrid vehicle engines
The new white masterbatch made up of over 30 per cent recycled content www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk
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ACTIVE Words: Leanne Taylor The EREMA live demonstration, seen here, used Baerlocher’s additive technology to demonstrate its potential for recycling
D URING K SHOW, PLASTICS ADDITIVES PRODUCER, BAERLOCHER, SHOWCASED HOW ITS TECHNOLOGY IS PLAYING A KEY ROLE IN EXPANDING THE USE OF RECYCLED PLASTIC TO SUPPORT GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS. LEANNE TAYLOR SPOKE TO THE COMPANY’S CEO, ARNE SCHULLE, ABOUT WHY IT IS ACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE, WHEN IT COMES TO THE EXPANSION OF ITS PRODUCT PORTFOLIO IN THIS CRUCIAL AREA.
“As Baerlocher, recycling, or sustainable development, is not new to us.” This was the opening statement from Arne Schulle, the company’s CEO, when I met him at the recent K Show in Düsseldorf, Germany. And it’s true, as having spent years developing sustainable solutions for its PVC additives business unit following the company’s co-founding of the Vinyl 2010 programme back in 2000, as well as the subsequent VinylPlus initiative, the company is well versed in participating in movements that have the potential for global reach. “Thanks to this, we have solutions in the PVC additives world, so we turned our focus to polyolefins recycling. During the last K Show, in 2016, we promoted a solution for upstream use, a resin stabiliser technology, and in the years since we have realised that our product platform enables not only the upstream part, but the downstream too, by enabling the use of more recyclate in the polyolefins industry.” ADDING VALUE This proprietary Resin Stabilisation Technology (RST) can help resolve quality and consistency issues that arise from the use of both post-consumer and postindustrial recycled plastic content. For example, the company’s Baeropol RST can improve oxidation induction time (OIT), a measure of degradation, beyond that of traditional stabilisers, as well as colour stability. Schulle told me about a number of partnerships the company has where the technology is being trialled, including one with resin producer, ExxonMobil Chemical, which is using RST to help facilitate a new grade of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that will allow converters to add a high percentage of post-consumer recycled
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materials to extrusion blow-moulded and thermoformed bottles and containers. “We’re finding ourselves running projects together with huge companies, such as ExxonMobil Chemical, something that we wouldn’t have imagined years ago. However, there’s something in it for them,” Schulle explained. “For example, when you get brand owners saying they want to cut their use of primary polyolefin resin in half, then there is a need for a company like ours to enable the resin producers to help these companies meet their goals. That’s what we’re focusing on.” GOING DOWNSTREAM But it’s not just working with the resin producers that Schulle highlighted. At K, the company’s RST technology was being demonstrated by recycling machinery manufacturer, EREMA, in conjunction with plastics processor, APK, to demonstrate how adding Baerlocher’s Baeropol T-Blend stabiliser to low-value consumer film waste
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During the last K Show, in 2016, we promoted a solution for upstream use, a resin stabiliser technology, and in the years since we have realised that our product platform enables not only the upstream part, but the downstream too, by enabling the use of more recyclate in the polyolefins industry.”
enables the upcycling of the material so that it is suitable for film blowing. Presented as a live process during the trade fair, EREMA used its Intarema TVEplus film recycling line, the same as is installed at APK’s plant, along with a feeder from Koch-Technic. The feeder was used to introduce a one-pack additive of Baerlocher’s Baeropol T-Blend family of products into the process. In pastille form, the Baeropol T-Blend is dust-free and blends well with other granular materials, making it easy to feed through the KochTechnic Feeder connected to the Intarema. Thanks to the combination of processing equipment with the additive concept, APK has been able to maximise the added value it brings into its product, which now commercially available as the product Mersalen RCY LDPE, which is suitable for use in demanding applications like construction films. What would have become a product generating frequent bubble breakages, pin holes and brittle material, now performs like virgin materials, according to Schulle. “It’s in applications such as this that we can highlight how on the downstream side that additvation provides solutions for problems that people had no idea additives could help solve,” he continued. In a further example, Baerlocher announced at K Show that the Baeropol T-Blend stabiliser is also being used by KNF Flexpak, a US-based custom packaging manufacturer, to run 100 per cent recycled film using post-industrial polyethylene (PE) thanks to the improved
quality and consistency provided. The Baerlocher technology resolved issues of variable film quality by preventing gels, bubble instability and haze that previously prevented KNF Flexpak from incorporating post-industrial film in certain applications. MAKING RECYCLABILITY A PRIORITY By giving the technology such a high-profile platform at K Show, Schulle said “naturally interest has been high.” However, it’s not just the European plastics industry from which the company has seen an increased response, but also the USA and South East Asia. “Very quickly companies are adopting dealing with the sustainability challenges we are facing as a priority,” said Schulle. “Timing-wise, although we’ve had this technology for some years now, it’s finding its place in recycling and we’re keen to engage and explain exactly how the technology works and how it can make a difference.” Schulle acknowledges that due to varying levels of waste collection and management in markets globally, there is likely to be a difference in momentum when it comes to the ways in which countries adopt different approaches to the challenges ahead. “The industry will find its way, it will happen.” he continued. “And where we believe there is no ‘quick fix’, we do have a technology that is workable now, that is being proven alongside a broad range of partners and that is allowing converters to increase the amount of recycled plastics they are using. And that’s important.”
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RECLAMATION AND RECYCLING | NEWS
Polytag trial funded by Ecosurety begins in Merseyside A new trial to test the viability of a ‘tag and trace’ technology that could transform the way brands account for their packaging waste has been launched in the UK. Facilitated through financial support from recycling compliance scheme, Ecosurety, the 40-day trial is now taking place in 60 households across Wirral, Merseyside, and will assess the viability of Polytag, a recycling technology platform that seeks to facilitate the move for brands to a more circular packaging waste economy. Led by waste conversion specialists, Econpro, Polytag is a multifaceted technology platform being developed so brands can ‘tag’ their packaging at the point of manufacture, then, with the help of consumers, ‘trace’ it, so it can be isolated from the existing recycling waste stream and reprocessed in batches of identical-grade and colour plastic. It works by using a specially developed printing process to ‘tag’ each item of packaging with a unique PAC code at its point of manufacture. This tag will be stored on a Polytag database until it is paired up with the
P&G household cleaning brands to make 300 million bottles from recycled plastic Annually
same code that has been ‘traced’ by the consumer. The consumer tracing function will be facilitated through the use of a Polytag mobile phone app which enables consumers to scan the Polytag PAC codes themselves. Once the code has been scanned, the consumer will follow instructions delivered via the app on how to clean and prepare the packaging, then ensure it is returned to Polytag. The packaging will then be taken to a Polytag MRF for reprocessing producing high-grade Polytag pellets or granulate, which can be returned directly to the producer for reuse in their packaging stream. Under current plans, Polytagrecycled plastic feedstock will be returned to brand packaging production plants to be reused, thus improving the circularity of the packaging lifecycle of a product. Phil Sutton, CEO of Polytag, said: “We are delighted that Ecosurety recognises the need for investment in innovative new recycling technologies through its financial support of this trial. We look forward to securing some valuable insights into the functionality of our technology and progressing to a position of market readiness in due course.”
Jon Brookes, Head of Partnerships at Ecosurety, added: “The potential disruptive impact of Polytag on the current recycling system is significant. Not only will Polytag offer brands a unique opportunity to engage with their customers - a vital cog in the recycling system – it has the potential to add value to a packaging waste material whist improving the circularity of our recycling system.”
The consumer tracing function will be facilitated through the use of a Polytag mobile phone app
Procter & Gamble (P&G) has announced it will more than double the amount of recycled plastic in its packaging for household cleaning brands in Europe by early 2020. P&G brands Fairy, Flash, and Viakal will increase the use of recycled plastic to 9,000 tonnes of post-consumer resin and postindustrial resin, replacing virgin plastic in the supply chain. In total, 300 million bottles across P&G’s European household cleaning brands will be converted annually to either 100 per cent recycled or partially-recycled plastic, while all surface cleaning wipes will be made from 100
percent recycled fibre. Elvan Onal, P&G Vice President for Home Care products in Europe, said: “We are proud of this significant milestone across our cleaning products as we know with our immense scale we can create a positive impact. “Our work in minimising our footprint goes beyond just the bottle. Through our Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), we look holistically at our impact from product design to transit to consumer use, all the way through to end of life to ensure we are responsible stewards of our resources from beginning to end.”
P&G will will increase the use of recycled plastic in its Fairy, Flash, and Viakal brands www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk
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WE DRIVE THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY. Whether it is inhouse, postconsumer or bottle recycling: you can only close loops in a precise and profitable way if machines are perfectly tuned for the respective application. Count on the number 1 technology from EREMA when doing so: over 5000 of our machines and systems produce around 14 million tonnes of high-quality pellets like this every year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in a highly efficient and energy-saving way. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Careformance!
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Peter Lennie with a product made from Retran
Bell to offer Retran made from 100 per cent post-consumer waste Bell Packaging has announced it is now supplying Retran packaging made from 100 per cent postconsumer waste, which has also been approved by the European Food Standards Agency for direct contact with food. Traditionally, the surfaces of Retran have required a virgin later of film for food applications, but the new formulation means that virgin film layer is no longer necessary. The new material contains 100 per cent recycled polymer which is derived from home waste. Critical to the product is the source of waste, which is essential to ensure continuity of supply and maintain little or no difference in the colour of the film from batch to batch. Peter Lennie, Managing Director of Bell Packaging, said: “When we first launched Retran offering a 70 per cent recycled content, our key client base was delighted, however our ambition has always been to reach the magical 100 per cent figure, and this opens up a range of new applications areas for our packaging. “This is the most exciting development we have announced in 2019, and we know it will be a
Berry M&H achieves zero waste to landfill in Beccles
huge success throughout Europe. Retran provides a fantastic opportunity and delivers a 100 per cent recyclable finished product.” He concluded: “The new material is currently on test with some key clients and as soon as we have their feedback, we will roll the material out to the rest of our consumer base.”
Berry M&H has successfully reduced waste going to landfill to zero at its site in Beccles, Suffolk. The small amount of waste which cannot be recycled is incinerated and converted to energy. With all employees onboard with the initiative, the company created internal systems to sort, categorise and store waste streams from the multiple operations that the factory conducts; from producing bottles, tubes and jars, closures and other fitments and dispensing equipment for a wide range of markets. Alongside this, an extensive training programme was conducted so that all employees at all levels were engaged and enthusiastic about the initiative. As part of its continuous improvement culture, the company also consistently monitors all waste streams and internal practices. Finally, a new marshalling area has been designed and is set up to collate waste streams into their respective categories to ensure that their future use would be environmentally beneficial. Taking place over a year, the findings that have been gained are already being applied to other Berry M&H Sites across Europe and America. Joe Rahman, General Manager for the site, said: “I’m so delighted that we have all worked together very hard to achieve this new status. We care about the environment deeply and everyone on this site has played a massive part in bringing this to fruition. I believe that this has the potential to place us as the foremost manufacturer in this area and an environmentally sensitive supplier to all clients, existing and new.”
Berry M&H’s new waste collating area at its Beccles site
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TEMPERATURE CONTROL | NEWS Aquatech continued invests in innovation for Industry 4.0 for cooling systems Aquatech, the Piovan Group company dedicated to industrial cooling and temperature control technologies, showcased a number of product innovations at K 2019, including a focus on digital connectivity. With Industry 4.0 and digitalisation at the forefront of many manufacturer’s plans, Piovan says it is continuing to invest in innovation, extending the range of features offered by its Winfactory 4.0 supervision software. This software includes a module for monitoring energy efficiency and, from this year, a module to monitor Aquatech solutions. The company also exhibited its Easytherm range of temperature control units – the mould temperature control units that won the IF Design Award 2019 – which have been completed with new pressurised temperature controls that complement the line of atmospheric temperature controllers. There were also interesting innovations related to the DigitempEvo water-cooled thermochillers that ensure high performance whilst keeping energy consumption levels very low, as well as the Group’s Easycool+ line of chillers.
The Easytherm range of cooling units
Frigel launches integrated ‘process synchronised’ cooling solution for the plastics industry Frigel has launched what it says is the first integrated ‘process synchronised’ cooling solution for the plastics industry. Based on Frigel’s Ecodry System, which it launched to market over two decades ago and now has over 8,000 installations worldwide, the new ‘Ecodry System 4.0’ presents a new approach based on full digital connectivity between mould temperature control and moulding machine. Frigel says together, along with several engineering improvements, the new system brings plastics cooling and temperature control “into the future.” It is suitable for complex automotive injection moulded parts through to high-speed thin-wall packaging, with the new process synchronised cooling approach covering cooling demands in plastics moulding combined with performance improvements, cycle time reduction and cost savings, together with reduced environmental impact. The system is based on two technologies. The first is the process-synchronised mould temperature control units known as Microgel, Turbogel and Thermogel. These offer a complete, wide operating temperature range from 5˚C up to 200˚C and cover every specific moulding application thanks to a number of zones and temperature ranges, heating, cooling and pumping requirements for each zone of a mould. Now digitally-synchronised with the moulding machines and automatically operated by them, processors can research the best cooling parameters and cycling sequence of heating and/or cooling for each zone of a mould that is said to maximise quality and throughput for each product. These parameters may be recorded and then restored whenever the line manufactures the
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Frigel says the new system brings plastics cooling and temperature control “into the future.”
same product. The second technology is the central adiabatic water-cooling system called Ecodry. To complete the Ecodry System, all the cooling units installed at each mould are connected to a central adiabatic water-cooling system installed outdoors, in order to reject the heat extracted from processes to ambient. This modular system – an alternative to old style open circuit evaporative cooling towers – consists of closed-circuit adiabatic fluid coolers that can keep the coolant temperature even lower than the ambient temperature. Frigel says the new Ecodry System 4.0 brings overall performance to a higher level in plastics processing. In most applications the net result can be cycle time reductions up to 50 per cent, with improved part quality, along with additional electric, water and maintenance savings.
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Keep your cool
IN
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, THOMAS CHIU, SENIOR ARCHITECTURE MANAGER IN THE PRODUCT R&D DIVISION OF CORETECH SYSTEM (MOLDEX3D), EXPLAINS HOW SIMULATION TECHNOLOGY CAN PROVIDE CRITICAL DATA TO HELP EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE OF MOULD TEMPERATURE CONTROLLERS.
I
n injection moulding, we usually control the mould at a fixed temperature by making coolant continuously flow through the mould. If the coolant flow is not enough, or the coolant temperature is not as expected, the mould won’t be able to keep at the designated temperature. The manufacturers of mould temperature controllers calculate the appropriate specifications according to the size of the mould and the part. However, it can be a challenge for engineers and analysts using simulation software to evaluate the performance of a mould temperature controller. In this article, we will look at principles for using Moldex3D CAE software to better evaluate the performance of mould temperature controllers (Fig. 1).
The relation between flow rate and pressure of mould temperature controllers The function of a mould temperature controller is to push the coolant to flow and stabilise the coolant temperature. The main function of the pump in the mould temperature controller is to push the coolant to flow. When the pump pressure rises, the flow rate decreases; when the flow rate increases, the pump pressure decreases. We can see the maximum flow rate and maximum pressure values on the mould temperature controller specification, but we have to note that the two conditions never exist simultaneously. We can see the mould temperature controller pressure is inversely proportional to the flow in (Fig. 4).
THE RELATION BETWEEN FLOW AND PRESSURE IN COOLING CHANNELS In Moldex3D’s flow analysis settings, users can apply two types of boundary conditions for cooling channels: flow rate and pressure. When the coolant flows through the cooling channel, the flow rate at the inlet and outlet are equal. Users only have to measure the flow rate at one side of the cooling channel, and the flow rate at the other side can be attained. Thus, using the flow rate as the boundary condition is easier to control. In terms of pressure, the inlet pressure is higher than the outlet pressure, and the flow is caused by this pressure difference. In Moldex3D, the default value of the outlet pressure is zero. Users only have to set the pressure boundary at the inlet, and this value will be equal to the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet. If we create a plot to show the relationship between the cooling channel flow rate and pressure, we can see that as the flow rate gets larger as the pressure difference gets larger. The two parameters are approximately proportional (Fig. 2).
CHOOSING A RIGHT MOULD TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER WITH THE HELP OF INJECTION MOULDING SIMULATION Users can obtain the flow rate and pressure difference of every cooling channel through Moldex3D’s cooling channel analysis. The total flow rate of the cooling channels is the flow the mould temperature controller has to provide. The maximum pressure in the cooling channel is the minimum pressure the mould temperature controller has to provide. Users can enter point coordinates of the total flow rate and maximum pressure differences in the line graph. If the coordinate point is below the line, it means the mould temperature controller is able to provide enough flow rate and pressure. If the coordinate point is above the line, it means the mould temperature controller is not able to provide enough flow rate and pressure (Fig. 5).
Apart from the pressure difference, flow resistance is another factor that will affect flow. Flow resistance varies with some conditions, such as cooling channel diameters, channel length, channel wall smoothness, coolant properties, and flow rate. The Darcy–Weisbach equation shows the relations between these parameters (Fig. 3).
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE RUNNING A SIMULATION In the injection moulding simulation, users usually set high flow rate as the ideal cooling channel condition. However, users will get a large value after converting it to meet the requirements of the mould temperature controllers. Therefore, in order to shorten the gap between simulation and reality, it is better to set the channel boundary conditions based on the actual specifications of the temperature controller unit. In addition to flow pressure, it is also necessary to take the cooling and heating capabilities of the mould temperature controller into consideration in simulation, users can check
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Fig. 1 A mould temperature controller and the cooling channels
the heating load of the cooling channels and compare the values with the cooling and heating capabilities. If the cooling capability of the temperature controller exceeds the requirement of the predicted heating load of the cooling channel, or it’s heating capability exceeds the requirement of the negative heating load of the cooling channel, that means the mould temperature controller meets the requirement. Moldex3D also can export these crucial data gained from the Moldex3D Cooling analysis as a .csv format. (Fig. 6). Overall, simulation technology can provide critical data to help evaluate mould temperature controllers, and it can greatly help them in evaluating a mould temperature controller in reality.
Fig. 2 The relation chart of cooling channel flow rate and pressure difference
Fig. 3 Darcy–Weisbach equation
Fig. 4 The relationship between flow rate and pressure from the mould temperature controller pump
Simulation technology can provide critical data to help evaluate mould temperature controllers, and it can greatly help them in evaluating a mould temperature controller in reality.”
Fig. 5 The loadable area of the mould temperature controller
Fig. 6 The required cooling channel pressure, flow rate, and cooling capability
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POLYMER SOLUTIONS BY DESIGN
•Precision injection moulding systems•Design and development capabilities•Rapid prototyping facilities• •Assembly and overmoulding services•
How can we help? Tel: +44 (0)1978 356744 www.fibrax-mouldings.com Fibrax Ltd., Queensway Wrexham LL13 8YR, UK
TESTING AND INSPECTION | NEWS The Titan 10
New James Heal Extensometer stretches to accommodate testing for rubber sector James Heal, a manufacturer of textile testing instruments and consumables worldwide, is set to position its expertise in the rubber sector for the first time, following the launch of the Extensometer and Titan5e instruments. Alongside the existing Titan10, these developments mean James Heal can supply both 5kN and 10kN Universal Testing Machines fitted with a long stroke contact extensometer, which it says will be ideal for manufacturers in the vulcanised rubber and thermoplastic elastomers markets. The instruments are versatile enough to test a wide range of materials from tyres, conveyor belts, hoses, and bowling balls, to shoes soles, medical catheters, roofing,
SCITEQ unveils Sigma pressure series at K 2019 SCITEQ, a specialist in process control and test equipment for the plastic pipe industry, has unveiled its Sigma pressure testing system for pipes and fittings at K 2019. The Sigma series is compatible with IoT and Industry 4.0, alongside cloud-based communication and data storage. Its software features four different user levels, and the fast and easy-to-use interface enables easy operation and control of few as well as many simultaneous pressure tests with features such as dynamically adjusted finish times,
materials, sealing rings, and vehicle tracks. The long stroke contact extensometer is ideal for strain measurements of elastomeric materials. The precise design controls the release movement of specimens, to allow for accurate measurements. Andrew Hemingway, Commercial Director at James Heal, said: “The Titan range presents a multitude of key benefits to manufacturers in the vulcanised rubber and thermoplastic elastomers industry sectors. The Titan Universal Strength Tester already has an impeccable record across a variety of sectors offering up to 10kN capacity to test a diverse range of applications.” Hemmingway explained that the new products are designed for accuracy, efficiency, and ease of use, with the hoped outcome of enhancing profitability and customer satisfaction.
He concluded: “With the addition of our long stroke contact extensometer this makes it ideal for measuring stress and strain measurements of elastomeric materials, affording the same benefits to customers in this competitive sector and helping them to maintain a competitive edge.”
full station overview, and clickless manoeuvring. Speaking to BP&R at K 2019, Thomas Skipper Klausen, CEO of SCITEQ, said: “The rise of digitalisation has really proved beneficial for both the industry and our company. We feel our app offers an intuitive experience for users and helps with ease of use.”
We’ve seen a lot of interest in the series here at K, and the accessibility of the software opens up the product to anyone at a company thanks to it simplifying the data from the sensors.”
“We’ve seen a lot of interest in the series here at K, and the accessibility of the software opens up the product to anyone at a company thanks to it simplifying the data from the sensors.” SCITEQ products are distributed by John Wood Associates in the UK.
The Sigma series
www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk
45
Design Development Mould Tooling Injection Moulding Beyond the Mould
Your technical experts for Toolmaking and Plastics Injection Moulding www.pentagonplastics.co.uk websales@pentagonplastics.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1403 264 397 |
Tel: +44 (0)1793 827666 Email: sales@transxl.co.uk Web: www.transxl.co.uk HIGH QUALITY, COST-EFFECTIVE MASTERBATCH INCLUDING:
CUSTOM COLOURS
STOCKED UNIVERSAL COLOURS
SHEET LINES
INNOVATIVE SPECIAL EFFECTS HIGH PERFORMANCE ADDITIVES
890mm Welex sheet line
1040mm Welex world standard coextrusion Pet sheet line
750mm wide Battenfeld/Gabler in line lid forming machine
700 X 500mm Illig RV74 Vacuum Former
63mm (2.5”) Welex Extruder with Vented Water Cooled Barrel
120mm Battenfeld Single Screw Pelletising Line
PIPE/PROFILE
THERMOFORMING
PELLETISING
GRANULATORS
CUSTOM COLOUR MASTERBATCH T: +44(0)1986 875100 sales@broadwaycolours.com UNIVERSAL MASTERBATCH WWW.BROADWAYCOLOURS.COM UNBEATABLE SERVICE
EXTRUDERS
cial Be So
0 Over 3o0view t s Video
MORE MACHINERY, MORE PHOTOS ON THE WEB WWW.TRANSXL.CO.UK
CASE STUDY
Measurable difference
P UTTING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AT THE CENTRE OF ITS OPERATIONS, BELGIUM-BASED THERMOPLASTIC MATERIALS PRODUCER FOR THE MEDICAL MARKET, ORFIT INDUSTRIES, SAYS A NEWLY-INSTALLED THICKNESS MEASURING SYSTEM FROM HAMMER-IMS IS BENEFITING ITS HIGH TEMPERATURE EXTRUSION LINE. BP&R LOOKS AT THE DETAILS.
Orfit Industries, based in the Antwerp region of Belgium, develops and produces thermoplastic materials for medical devices. Recently, the company installed a Hammer-IMS thickness measuring solution for its high temperature thermoplastic extrusion line, which it says is already proving beneficial to its operations. “By keeping a closer eye on extrusion thickness, Orfit minimises material waste and maximises the quality of its orthotic and prosthetic product lines,” explained Plant Manager, Bram Moons-Baitel. The thermoplastic extrusion process at Orfit is very sensitive. Changing environmental conditions (temperature variations, air circulation, air humidity, etc.) influence the thickness of the extruded sheets. Previously, Orfit tried a fixed laserbased measuring system. Unfortunately, the use of the laser sensor faced problems when measuring certain material colours and transparency levels. Also, the sensor was unable to adequately withstand the heat in the early extrusion process stages. Orfit was committed to extensive manual thickness measurements to keep the extruded material variants within specifications. “After installing our new Hammer-IMS system in our thermoplastic extrusion process, things really changed. First of all, the measuring system can be positioned right after the chilling rolls to measure the hot, freshly extruded sheets,” continued Moons-Baitel. “The Hammer-IMS system verifies material thickness variations caused by variations in the extrusion bank which may slightly shift under varying pressures.” He continued: “Thanks to two scanning M-Ray sensors operating with high standoff distance, there is sufficient transversal material coverage without risking overheated sensors. By measuring nine meters more upstream in the process, we can promptly adjust extrusion parameters locally to maintain correct thickness and avoid significant amounts of material waste.”
INTUITIVE SHEET THICKNESS ADJUSTMENT SAVES MATERIAL Bram Iliaens, Hammer-IMS Product and Development Engineer explained that organising and executing thickness measurements at Orfit is fairly straightforward. “The manager of the extrusion division sets up the measurement ‘recipes’, which takes into account the gain factors that characterise thermoplastic shrinkage,” he said. Operators then select the appropriate recipe and start measuring, with the real time extrusion-related information showing on computer screens during production. Automated measurements and graphic result displays replace manual and cumbersome measurements executed in the past. “Typically, Orfit produces sheets with thicknesses between 1.2 and 15 millimetres. The digital measurement results and calibration reports are also extremely helpful for us to insert into audit documents, to comply with tight regulation of the medical devices sector,” added Moons-Baitel. When preparing a material switch in production, the setup of the extrusion line is rebuilt. Moons-Baitel said that when starting up the line, Orfit operators are now able to promptly adjust the material thickness to avoid wasting hundreds of kilos of material. All wasted material is recovered by using in lower-grade products, or ecologically recycled. SHORT PAYBACK TIME THANKS TO ROI BELOW TWO YEARS As part of the evaluation process of the Hammer-IMS system purchase, Orfit has taken into account a number of economic parameters. Moons-Baitel said that he anticipates a return on investment (ROI) of less than two years, which is mainly financed through material savings.
The extrusion line at Orfit
www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk
47
Beccaria - Vertical mixers Efficient mixing of large batch sizes Mild Steel (painted) or Stainless steel Capacities from 500 - 100,000 litres Wide range of filling & discharge options Telephone: 01260 22 66 67 E-Mail: sales@ktech.co.uk Website: www.ktech.co.uk
Two great names under one roof
• Small footprint fully featured 2-zone controller • 2 independent control zones • Includes all the features you need • Includes 2 connector plugs
Just £295
HRCM15 1-zone • Full feature 15A hot runner controller • Industry standard features without the cost • Includes connector plug
Just £195 Large stocks of Ancillaries available for next day delivery Call our sales team on 01536 403886 / 206653 to discuss your requirements
FUSION 1 INGENIOUSLY SIMPLE EXTRUSION WELDING
O
UR
T SA
C TI O N I S O ISFA UR
GO A L
The All New HRCM512 2-zone controller
PLASTIC WELDING SOLUTIONS
Y
Small footprint 1 and 2-zone Hot Runner Controllers
Compact and slimline:
Thanks to integrated air guide
Suspension device:
Effortlessly weld longer by suspending the device
Controlled:
Automatically controlled air temperature
Pistol Grip Handle:
Can be mounted for onehanded welding
Rod shape
Reduced design for increased maneuverability in small spaces
Double-sided wire intake LED Light
To illuminate the welding area
For more flexibility when welding
Tel: +44 (0)1707 331111 info@welwyntoolgroup.co.uk www.welwyntoolgroup.com
www.motan-colortronic.co.uk | Technology for challenges of the future
MATERIALS HANDLING | NEWS APS UK appointed distributor for Lorandi Silos
VHELIOS superdehumidifying system
APS UK Ltd has been appointed as the UK distributor for Italian manufactuerer, Lorandi Silos Srl. York-based APS UK Ltd, which has been supplying into the plastics industry for over 20 years, says it shares a passion with Lorandi Silos for innovation and supplying high quality equipment and service. Lorandi Silos Srl was established in 1952, manufacturing stainless and aluminium silos, as well as vertical mixers and a full line up of bulk material conveying equipment, including big bag stands and silo loading systems. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to supply Lorandi equipment in the UK. It comes as our company has seen continued growth in terms of number of employees and turnover,” commented Adrian Ogden, Managing Director of APS UK Ltd. “Over the last 18 months we have grown our projects team and increased the number of salesmen to better serve our customers. From our office and warehouse in York we will be able to stock and quickly supply parts to our UK customers,” he concluded.
York-based APS UK Ltd is the new distributor of Lorandi Silos
Renmar secures exclusive distributorship of SB Plastics’ Machinery portfolio Northamptonshire-based ancillaries supplier, Renmar Plastics Machinery, has secured the exclusive distributorship for SB Plastics Machinery’s range of materials handling systems in the UK and Ireland. Following an official agreement that was finalised earlier this year, the arrangement will see Renmar take over responsibility for both sales and support of the whole portfolio of SB products, including material drying equipment, light and heavy-duty hopper loaders and precision masterbatch dosing units. Material dryers range from basic hot air models to the ‘VHELIOS’ brand of super-dehumidifiers. The VHELIOS range utilises irradiation heating systems that operate within a vacuum. The result of this combination of radiation and ‘stripping’ allows VHELIOS superdehumidifiers to obtain extreme levels of dehumidification quickly, with low energy consumption and without oxidation. Material conveying solutions run
www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk
from small single-phase loaders to complex centralised systems, while the ‘COLOUR’ series dosing equipment utilises the latest self-adaptive, stepper-motor technology. Renmar says that in taking over the sales and service responsibility it has ensured that the large existing customer base that use SB Plastics’ equipment will have continuity of supply and support. In addition to making sure that technical support is readily available, the company is also holding a stock of spares and consumable items. “We will be working closely with the same team of engineers that have supported the SB product range for many years,” explained Kevin Horne, Managing Director of Renmar. “Coupled with our own expertise in the specification of larger material handling solutions, the transition of sales and service functions will be both straightforward and beneficial to end-users.” He concluded: “In the longer term, our objective is to gain further penetration into the UK market, not only in relation to established SB product lines but also in specialist areas such as PET and R-PET pretreatment.”
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BP&R SOFTWARE GUIDE
www.motan-colortronic.co.uk
THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY: The materials handling viewpoint
ONE OF THE CORE TOPICS AT K 2019, THE INDUSTRY CAME TOGETHER TO SHOWCASE THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING A TRUE CIRCULAR ECONOMY. IN THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE, CARL LITHERLAND OF MOTAN COLORTRONIC OUTLINES HOW THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A MATERIALS HANDLING PROVIDER. Circular economy is a model for production and consumption, where existing materials and products are shared, leased, reused, repaired, reprocessed and recycled for as long as possible. A functioning circular economy can be a sensible and necessary addition to save and reduce consumption of the valuable resource: plastic. SUPPLY CHAIN COLLABORATION Plastics have ideal properties for recycling. However, a requirement for a functioning circular economy is that all actors along the entire supply chain work together and communicate with each other. For the plastics industry (plastics manufacturers, plastics processors, and plastics recyclers) this also applies to their customers and distributors, who influence the product design and the possibility of using a recycled material with their requirements and material specifications. Another requirement for efficient circular economy is suitable material flow management with the goal of having mostly homogenous plastic waste. The more homogenous it is, the easier it is to reprocess it. One goal in this context is to generate the required amount to ensure supply with recycled materials. Advancements in the development of sorting systems for mixed material flows from general collection systems help to achieve this. Also, nowadays hardly any real production waste is produced, as this is directly fed back into running production or is passed on to specialised processors. OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS As a manufacturer of products and systems for material handling of bulk materials (granules, regrind, flakes and various powders), motan is a partner of three plastic subareas: manufacturing of virgin materials and recycled materials as well as plastic processing. In conjunction with the setup of circular systems, digitalisation and the networking of production processes – generally referred to Industry 4.0 – also plays an important role in motan’s view. The data from dryers, dosing and mixing systems, and from crystallisation, has already been made available and can be used within the individual processes. In future, more data will follow, for example the composition of the material and its moisture content, recipes, material constants, and production data from the processing machine. It is important to bear in mind that the properties 50
of recycled materials can change after repeated processing. This is where knowhow also comes into play, for example when precisely dosing additives for the making of regenerate. Quality control will also require more data from the process than previously and will connect it with already acquired information. This will make additional sensors necessary in processing, both in the processing machines and in the tools. The digital network of all systems is currently one of the most important tasks motan is working on. The success of circular economy will depend on transparency, i.e. what exactly a product consists of and where this product is going. We already have first approaches to tag materials and make them identifiable. motan is developing solutions for automating the information flow of the material flow parallel to materials handling, in order to have a constant, digitalised information chain from goods into the finished product. If recycled materials are homogenous or well-sorted and prepared, there is almost no difference between them and virgin material. How important transparency in terms of origin and composition of material is, can be shown with the following example: If one material in a mix needs to be dried, this can lead to uncontrolled evaporation, which, worst case, can destroy the desiccant. If the material composition is known prior to drying, a suitable drying process can be planned. This requires the necessary documentation and quality control from the recycling cycle and the original processor. CONSUMER CONTRIBUTIONS For successful circular economy, everyone also needs to contribute in their role as a consumer. This means separating and avoiding any unnecessary waste and requires us to accept and choose products made from recycled materials. This is where we need to work on informing and educating ourselves and others. Finally, it is also important to remain realistic as to the possibilities and limitations of circular economy. If mixed or contaminated waste can’t be recycled easily or well, it should be chemically recycled. There are already some early, promising projects working on this. Energetic recovery, preferably with efficient energy recovery, should be the very final stage of circular economy. www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk
MONITORING PlantMaster BMS Vision Ltd T: 01254 662244, E: sales.bla@visionbms.com www.visionbms.com/plastics Affordable and flexible MES system for the plastics/rubber industry. Easy to use systems from a €600m company with over 30 years experience. Real-time production monitoring features wireless data units and OPC Ethernet machine connections. “Drag and drop” job scheduling supports frame/insert level family tooling plus KAN BAN. ERP system integration, SPC/ SQC, Touch Screen Data Units, Machine Maintenance, Operator Tracking, Traceability, DNC, Energy Monitoring, Bar Coding, Pager Alerts. intouch T: 01604 537100 E: enquiries@ intouchmonitoring.com www.intouchmonitoring.com Real-time production monitoring systems. Designed to be easy to use and providing affordable solutions to all sizes of businesses. Production monitoring, scheduling, reporting, data import/export, databases for parts, tools and operators, integration with other software packages.
PROCESS OPTIMISATION SOFTWARE RJG Technologies Ltd Moulding Technology T: +44 (0)1733 232211 E info@rjginc.co.uk Zero Defect Moulding – What’s your target? • Cycle time reduction • Reduced scrap rates • Improved process capability • Higher yield and OEE PRO-OP™ software provides a stepby-step procedure for optimising the injection moulding process to deliver optimum quality products at the most favourable cycle time. PRO-OP™ is a server based application which, by setting an optimum moulding process, highlights weaknesses and problems in relation to part design, mould design, mould construction, moulding equipment efficiency, moulding equipment specification and material selection. The moulding process is documented with explanations for each key process parameter setting demonstrating the processing conditions and equipment contributions to the final result. PRO-OP™ is aimed at companies whose focus is quality and consistent part manufacture. PRO-OP™ supports companies by providing a documented and structured validation protocol which is recognised in the in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors.
BP&R BUYER’S GUIDE ASSEMBLY
MATERIALS
hot plate welding
MASTERBATCH
Branson Ultrasonics
colour masterbatch
When it comes to matching colour, no one gets closer.
C
eclipse
M
COLOURS
Y
CM
MY
CY
• Polymer Specific and Universal Colour & Additive Masterbatches • Fastmatch matching service • 1mm Easysperse Micropellets to 4mm Maxipellets
ultrasonic welding
InControl Ultrasonics Ltd (FFR Ultrasonics Ltd)
50mm high and 35mm
PO Box 10380, Sileby, LE12 7ZX T: 01509 621992 E: enquiries@ffr-ultrasonics. co.uk W: www.ffr-ultrasonics.co.uk W: www.incontrolultrasonics.co.uk
• We want to bring your colour inspiration to life.
Find your perfect match with:
• We develop amazing new colours and special effects for some of the worlds leading brands.
TM
• Performance is built-in, and cost designed out. • Any colour, Anywhere, Anytime.
CMY
www.abbeymb.com Tel: +44 (0)161 308 2550 K Email: aml@abbeymb.com
black masterbatch
Call 01274 731 552 or email sales@eclipsecolours.com www.eclipsecolours.com
polymers
158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.bransoneurope.eu
Telsonic UK Ltd
Performance Masterbatches Telephone: +44 (0)1495 310583 Email: customer.service@pmb.co.uk
www.pmb.co.uk
cleaning materials
since 1982
Unit 3 Vitrage Technical Park 27 Witney Road , Nuffield Industrial Estate, Poole, Dorset BH17 0GL T: 01202 697340 F: 01202 693674 W: www.telsonic.com Blog: telsoniccuk.wordpress.com
vibration welding
Branson Ultrasonics
STOCKISTS & DEALERS OF ENGINEERING THERMOPLASTICS PA6,66,610,612,1010 PMMA, PBT, PET, TPE, PC, ABS, PPGF, ACETAL 00 44 (0)1428 723 900 sales@chcinternational.com
MATERIALS
158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.bransoneurope.eu
COMPOUNDS
Purging Compounds Release Agents Mould Maintenance
QUALITY PVC PELLETS FOR EXTRUSION
www.ChemTrend.com www.UltraPurge.com
vekacompounds.com +44(0)1933 427 750
Motan Colortronic Ltd
Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk
MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
MOULD RELEASE
ASSEMBLY
infrared welding
UK Manufacturers est. over 60 years
Shredders Plastic separation Conveyors | Bailers Full recycling systems
01943 875104 sales@wrightsltd.co.uk
www.wrightsltd.co.uk
Infrared Welding Ultrasonic Welding Hot Plate Welding Heat Staking
JOINING
HIGH TECH AND HIGH PASSION.
Make the WRIGHT choice
CHILLERS/ TEMPERATURE CONTROLLERS
Find your perfect joining method.
www.frimo.com
pulse staking
CONTROL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
quality monitoring control Kistler Instruments Ltd
T: 01256 741550 F: 01256 741551 E: sales.uk@kistler.com W: www.kistler.com Pressure transducers and associated monitoring/control equipment for new and existing injection moulding applications.
DRYERS
Motan Colortronic Ltd
Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk
DEHUMIDIFIERS Motan Colortronic Ltd Cavity pressure measurement systems and sensors for control of the injection moulding process and automatic hot-runner balancing, provides zero-defect production with 100% quality control. T: F: E: W:
Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk
TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519
01256 741550 01256 741551 sales.uk@kistler.com www.kistler.com
TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN: 01244 952519 www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk
51
BP&R BUYER’S GUIDE HEATING EQUIPMENT
MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT DRYERS
HEATING EQUIPMENT
induction heating for platens and tools
HOT RUNNER SYSTEMS
MF Induction Heating
hot runner controllers
Unit 5, Martindale, Hawks Green, Cannock, Staffs, WS11 7XN Replacement Coils New platens T: 01543 570642 E: sales@mfinduction.com W: www.mfinduction.com
MATERIALS HANDLING AND STORAGE gravimetric/ volumetric blending
Motan Colortronic Ltd
INJECTION MOULDING
MATERIALS HANDLING hopper loaders
METAL DETECTION and dosing
MIXING, FEEDING AND DOSING
imm projects
TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519
Motan Colortronic Ltd
Servicing & Maintenance Commission/Decommission Robotics Projects Planning Servo Kit Installations Component Supply Training - Any Level Beston Sales
Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk
14 Years’ Engel Experience
www.buntingeurope.com /magnetic_separation_and_metal_detection/
info@immprojectsuk.com 07432 275730 www.immprojectsuk.com
Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk
SCREWS & BARRELS
HOPPER LOADERS 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
Tel: 01952 671918 Fax: 01952 608579 Email: connectors.uk@staubli.com
www.quick-mould-change.com
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
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
FILTRATION ALUMINIUM MATERIAL STORAGE BINS Off the shelf or made to order with very competitive pricing! 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 52
METAL DETECTION AND SEPARATION EQUIPMENT Motan Colortronic Ltd
TO ADVERTISE HERE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN ON 01244 952519 MOULD CHANGE
Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk
www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk
Motan Colortronic Ltd
Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk
SECONDHAND AND RECONDITIONED
Cooper Plastics Machinery
8 Lyall Court, Flitwick, Bedfordshire MK45 1UX T: 01525 719850 E: Cooperplastics@gmail.com W: www.cooperplastics.co.uk Extruders, water baths, haul-offs, fly knife cutters, conveyors/tip tables, in-line punches, coilers etc. New and used. Repairs, servicing or rebuilds. UK agent for Lyons Electronics.
DTL Machinery UK
- 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
BP&R BUYER’S GUIDE SECONDHAND AND RECONDITIONED
MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT SECOND HAND & RE-CONDITIONED
BUSINESS FOR SALE
Precision injection moulding specialist
Ref: KM/583
Southern England. £3million T/O. Profitable. Services attractive markets and clients. Accredited to highest standards. Contact Paul Holohan in complete confidence on 07798 530684 or info@Kingswoodbusinesssales.co.uk
kingswoodbusinesssales.com
For Sale Rubber and Plastic Moulding Company Established for over 20 years Existing Customer Base Turnover of £3.5 million 30 Experienced Employees Further Financials on request For further information email us on rubbermouldings1@gmail.com • Rubber • Plastic • Silicone Mouldings • Injection Mouldings
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
FOR SALE
‘USED INJECTION MOULDING MACHINERY DEALERS’
Single Machines to whole plants purchased Tel: David 07540 633552 info@plasticinvestments.co.uk www.plasticinvestments.co.uk
THERMOCOUPLES
Ultrasonic Plastic Welders New & Used
We manufacture 100% recycled film rolls for bags, 80 gauge onwards
For Sale &
All sizes up to 64 ins and different colours available
Wanted
Branson - Mecasonic - Telsonic Sonotrodes (Horns) all Frequencies Fixtures, Repairs, Service, Parts Sub-Contract Welding, Hire & Consultancy
We make builders bags any mu And buy scrap polythene at top rates
Tel; 01258 459257 Tel; 07730 413197
t: 07925 004000/ 07588 728754 e: suku@subaltd.com w: www.subaltd.com
als.ultrasonics@gmail.com www.als-ultrasonics.co.uk
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
TESTING EQUIPMENT
Gammadot Rheology Testing & Consultancy Services
Unit 5C, Leaton Industrial Estate, Bomere Heath, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY4 3AP T: 01939 291677 E: enquiries@gammadot.com W: www.gammadot.com Providing independant testing solutions to all your quality control, failure analysis & flow simulation data needs
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
SERVICES TRAINING
TESTING/CONSULTANCY
3D Printing
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
in Plastic & Rubber
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
Tel: 01420 88645 www.cdg.uk.com
MOULDFLOW ANALYSIS SOFTWARE
Mould Tool Design CAD CAM software
TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519
Tel: 01420 88645
COMPONENT PRINTERS
TAMPO.SCREEN.FOIL
Contour Marking Co Ltd Albert house, Gledrid Industrial Park, Chirk ,Wrexham, LL14 5DG T: 01691 770093 F: 01691 770023 Sub Contract Tampo, Screen & Foil Printing to the plastic moulding industry E: sales@contourmarking.com W: www.contourmarking.com
TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN 01244 952519
www.cdg.uk.com
TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT MANDY O’BRIEN: 01244 952519 www.britishPLASTICS.co.uk
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NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE
IN THE LATEST INSTALMENT OF HIS EXCLUSIVE COLUMN FOR BP&R, DIRECTORGENERAL OF THE BPF, PHILIP LAW, LOOKS BACK ON A SUCCESSFUL K SHOW FOR BOTH ENQUIRIES AND ENGAGEMENT, AND PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON THE FEDERATIONS LATEST ACTIVITIES IN THE AREAS OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY, BREXIT AND PACKAGING.
T
he ‘K Fair’ was a success for UK companies. Firms on the BPF stands received a steady level of enquiries. The BPF itself fielded the inevitable torrent of questions about Brexit and received a lot of membership enquiries. Consistent with our emphasis on community engagement, I participated in a PlasticsEurope panel about outreach to schools. I informed the audience about our ‘ambassadors campaign’ of getting industry people into schools to make presentations using the schools kit provided by PlasticsEurope. I spoke about the longstanding Polymer Study Tours run by The Worshipful Company of Horners and supported by the BPF. These are designed to update teachers on developments in polymers and are set up as short courses held in respected universities. I also gave my views on the role of populism in shaping the anti-plastics agenda and stressed the need to bring new blood into the industry where the demographics are weighted towards the older employee, and where a lot of expertise is held by a reducing number of people in the over-55 age bracket. CIRCULAR ECONOMY CREDENTIALS To improve our general ‘circular economy credentials’ and to provide a firm evidence base for dialogue with the government, BPF has formed an agreement with EuPC to operate its online ‘MOre’ tool to monitor the uptake of recyclate in products. Individual firms will be able to submit their data on a strictly confidential basis and only the aggregated results will be published and put on the table in meetings with government. EXPLORING BREXIT CONSEQUENCES On Brexit, we were fortunate in winning a bid for government resources – ‘The Brexit Readiness Fund’ – to help us explore further the consequences of leaving the EU with our members. Fearful that businesses might not be prepared for Brexit, the government launched a scheme to assist trade associations mount projects to help their members.
“YOUTH, INTELLIGENCE AND EMPATHY” I was really pleased to promote Matt Davies to the position of Industry and Sustainability Manager at the BPF. His experience covers polymer and additive supply, product safety and fire issues. He was also responsible for PVC, providing executive support to the Vinyls Group. Latterly, he also took on Industry training and education. He inaugurated his new role with a successful TV appearance projecting just the image we need to – youth, intelligence and empathy. SCORING WITH PACKAGING ‘Packscore’, a web app developed by the BPF to assess the recyclability and sustainability of a rigid plastics pack, has certainly made its mark. Still in its beta version and being perfected, it has now assessed over 1000 packs. Users include the leading European brands and retailers. This is a major, concrete BPF achievement that the industry can use to demonstrate that it is changing its game. At the start of November, the BPF released a video across social media outlining the benefits of plastic packaging. The short video explains why using plastic intelligently is better for the environment than using alternatives and is part of the BPF’s ‘#ValuePlastic’ campaign currently running across Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Our case was successful, and we are able to launch a legal support helpline manned by the BPF’s lawyers, Squire Patton Boggs, with the first 100 companies using it free of charge. We have also had scripted a substantial document with plastics-industry-specific guidance on Brexit, with an annexe navigating the key issues for recyclers.
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This is a major, concrete BPF achievement that the industry can use to demonstrate that it is changing its game.”
MORE THAN MACHINE ENGINEERING. WE ALSO PROVIDE DIGITAL SOLUTIONS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY. With our complete digital solutions for increasing efficiency, monitoring production, and controlling processes, we are paving the way for you to the future of plastics and rubber processing. Find out more now: kraussmaffei.com/digitalization
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Discover Ampacet Carbon Black-Free Masterbatch Range REC-NIR-BLACK REC-NIR-Black is a carbon black-free masterbatch available in PET and HDPE that can be scanned by near-infrared technology for automated sorting at recovery facilities. Using Ampacet REC-NIR-Black enables the reuse, repair and recycling of black packaging waste and allows recyclers to valorize this waste and support the circular economy.
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