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bp&r nov/dec 2016
Speeding up productivity BY ENSURING PURITY FOR PLASTICS PROCESSORS RECOUP CONFERENCE: SLOWDOWNS, SYMBOLS AND SUSTAINABILITY
A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE ON THE EFFECTS OF BREXIT
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bp&r BRITISH PLASTICS &RUBBER
www.britishplastics.co.uk EDITORIAL
group Editor: Leanne Taylor T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: leanne@rapidnews.com
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ART SAM HAMLYN T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: sam@rapidnews.com
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duncan wood T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: duncan@rapidnews.com British Plastics & Rubber is available on free subscription to readers qualifying under the publisher’s terms of control. Those outside the criteria may subscribe at the following annual rate: UK, Europe and rest of the world £249 British Plastics & Rubber is published monthly (8 times/year) by Rapid Plastics Media Ltd, Carlton House, Sandpiper Way, Chester Business Park, CH4 9QE T: +44 (0) 1244 671074 F: +44 (0) 1244 671074 © 2016 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
brexit, business and bearing up...
T
he last issue of the year brings the opportunity to reflect on past events and in 2016 they have been pretty seismic, to say the least. Brexit happened, Trump happened, but what these unexpected events mean for the plastics industry it is, at the moment, a little too early to tell. For now, ahead of Article 50 being triggered and renegotiations with Europe being made, the plastics industry is maintaining a ‘keep calm and carry on’ approach. Stuck in a period of limbo, where the decision has been made to leave but the ramifications are unclear, the British Plastics Federation (BPF) has wasted no time in using this time to highlight the importance of the UK plastics industry to the Government. In the last weeks the BPF has issued a series of recommendations that will ensure EU-UK relations will enable the industry to thrive. You can read more about these recommendations in our report on page 9. As far as those who I spoke to at K last month were concerned, there was little negative impact on the levels of business at the show as a result of Brexit. According to Kevin Horne, PMMDA Chairman, the world “hasn’t stopped after Brexit” and both he and other member firms had received good levels of enquiries and orders. The show itself saw an increase in visitor numbers on the 2013 cycle, with a diverse international representation. If you were on the show floor at any point over the eight days of the event, you won’t find this difficult to believe, with aisles virtually inaccessible whether it was 20 minutes after opening or 20 before
Brexit happened, Trump happened, but what these unexpected events mean for the plastics industry it is, at the moment, a little too early to tell.
closing. You can read our full K show roundup on pages 11-13. Now K has gone, if you’re wondering what will fill that tradeshowshaped void, fear not, as 2017 will see the return of Interplas from the 26-28 September. Interplas is the biggest plastics trade exhibition for the UK industry and is a platform to do business, network and see working machinery and technologies in action. As we countdown to the show, every issue in 2017 will have a feature geared towards making the most of your visit. For now, and until then, all that’s left for me to do is wish you a very happy and successful Christmas and New Year, minus any more of those unexpected events.
Leanne Taylor, Group Editor
bp&r
THE BIG STORY Magnetic attraction: SPEEDING UP PRODUCTIVITY BY ENSURING PURITY
E
ffectively removing metal needs careful consideration and planning. One single item of equipment will THE PURITY OF A PLASTIC not effectively FEEDSTOCK, WHETHER remove all the VIRGIN OR RECYCLED, CAN metal and a staged process, SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT using both THE QUALITY OF THE END metal detectors PRODUCT AND A PLANT’S and magnetic PRODUCTIVITY. METAL separators IS ONE OF THE MOST always provides COMMON CONTAMINANTS the best solution. AFFECTING PURITY Identifying the LEVELS AND IS EITHER best location INTRODUCED WITH THE for the metal PLASTIC FEEDSTOCK OR separation IN THE PROCESS. THE equipment is key. Extracting CONSEQUENCES CAN BE the metal not VERY COSTLY. HERE, DAVE only improves HILLS, HEAD OF SALES the end product AT BUNTING MAGNETICS, quality, but also EXPLAINS HOW TO GET protects and METAL OUT. reduces wear on processing equipment such as shredders, granulators and screw conveyors.
Typical stages in a plastic process for optimum metal removal
The first stage is early in the process, commonly on the infeed conveyor to the primary shredder or granulator. This ensures free larger metal removal before entering the process. This larger-sized metal is easier to detect and remove than
Metal contamination can be a costly problem in virgin and recycled plastics processing
Bunting Drawer Magnet installed at BPI Minster Films
if it passes into the process and becomes reduced in size. Secondly, on the shredder or granulator discharge. At this stage, although the metal may not be significantly smaller, it is liberated from surrounding plastic and is free. Separation and detection at this stage is ideal when the metal has been entrapped inside the original feedstock. The next stage is typically prior to screw conveyors and injection moulding machines. Here, even small pieces of metal can cause significant damage to equipment. Finally, prior to final product packing. Metal can always be introduced in the process for a number of reasons, including equipment wear. A final stage metal detector and/or magnetic separator will ensure that the final product is free of metal. The best way to remove metal from a plastics process is by using a combination of magnetic separators and metal detectors. Magnetically susceptible materials are captured and held by the magnets. This reduces the amount of metal passing through the metal detectors meaning that there are lower plastic losses when the metal contamination is automatically discharged.
Case Histories
Metal contamination is an issue for companies processing virgin plastic and those recycling plastics. Virgin plastic film producer, BPI
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Minster Films in Leominster, installed nine Bunting Rare Earth LP Drawer Magnetic Separators to remove ferrous metal from 3mm plastic beads used to produce the film. The drawer magnets are cleaned every four days and during one inspection, part of a screwdriver was found firmly attached to the magnets. This would have caused significant damage and downtime. Recycled UK, a plastic recycling operation in Wolverhampton, installed seven magnetic separators of two different designs to remove metal. The plate magnets and magnetic pulleys removed metal as large as spanners and virtually eliminated damage to equipment and production downtime. Plastics recycler, Recapture Plastics, installed a complete metal separation module and metal separator into its Kent plant. The module includes a drum magnet to remove ferrous metal and an Eddy Current Separator to eject nonferrous metals. At the end of the process, the metal separator uses metal detection technology to reject any metal. In conclusion, the sheer amount of enquiries we received at K2016 highlighted that metal contamination continues to be a problem. Understanding the process and then installing the right magnetic separator or metal detector solves that problem. WWW.BUNTINGEUROPE.COM
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bp&r BRITISH
contents
PLASTICS &RUBBER
Nov/dec 2016
on the cover Magnetic attraction: Speeding up productivity by ensuring purity The purity of a plastic feedstock, whether virgin or recycled, can significantly affect the quality of the end product and a plant’s productivity. Metal is one of the most common contaminants affecting purity levels and is either introduced with the plastic feedstock or in the process. Dave Hills, Head of Sales at Bunting Magnetics, explains how to get metal out. SEE PAGE 4
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EDITOR’S LETTER Brexit, Business and Bearing up...
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feature K 2016 “far exceeds” expectations with 230,000 visitors surpassing 2013 event As the dust settles following K 2016, British Plastics and Rubber looks back at a buoyant show that demonstrated a seriousness to do business from a diverse portfolio of visitors.
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feature Slowdowns, Symbols and Sustainability: What RECOUP 2016 told us about UK recycling Is the UK plastics recycling industry moving forward? This was the central question at the RECOUP annual recycling conference held recently. BP&R looks back on a day of debate and discussion.
REGULARS
INDUSTRY NEWS materials machinery Reclamation and Recycling BUYERS’ GUIDE SOFTWARE NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE
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feature A European perspective on the effects of BREXIT on the plastics sector In this special edition of our latest feature looking at the key issues that influence polymer prices, Mike Boswell looks in detail at the relationship between the UK and European plastics industries and how the UK’s decision to exit the European Union is likely to impact.
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case study Switch to advanced hydraulic oil saves UK plastics manufacturer four percent energy savings A UK-based manufacturer of plastic durables has achieved significant energy savings at its production plant following a switch to advanced hydraulic oil for use in its injection moulding machines.
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INDUSTRY | NEWS PLASTRIBUTION TO EXTEND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDING TO LARGER PROCESSORS Plastribution has announced it is looking to replicate its successful stockholding and supply chain management service for small- and medium-sized polymer processors to larger companies. The news comes seven years after the Leicestershire-based company reviewed its core business functions and highlighted supply chain management as a priority component of its role as a plastic raw materials supplier. Since then, the company’s decision to prioritise this element of its business has resulted in it investing working capital in inventory, something that it says has been clearly demonstrated over the last 18 months where extensive stocks, often held on a customer specific basis, have formed both an important buffer and calming influence during a period of significant supply disruption. “Whilst the worst of the supply crisis may have passed, many processors and downstream users remain concerned about vulnerability of supply - a risk which of course
Plastribution is extending its supply chain management stockholding to include larger processors
will continue to increase with supply chains becoming ever longer and more complex as polymer production tends to move away from Western Europe,” commented Katherine White, Commercial Director at Plastribution. “Historically, distributors have addressed the needs of small- and medium-sized polymer processors and penetration in these sectors has increased over time, which is a trend that is set to continue. However, Plastribution is now looking
to support the needs of larger processors to develop more secure and flexible supply chains by utilising both its existing skills and the extensive resources made available through being part of a global enterprise.” Plastribution says that by offering this service to larger processors, it is utilising its market position in order to continue to support the needs of the UK plastics industry. WWW.PLASTRIBUTION.CO.UK
Mike Matthews, Managing Director of Nifco UK
NIFCO ACHIEVES RECORD £62M TURNOVER Plastic car parts manufacturer, Nifco, has achieved a record turnover of £62million for the year ending 2015, up £6million on the previous year. 8
The North East-based company plans to grow its turnover to £75million over the next two years, having announced a £50million contract with car giant, Ford, in 2015 as one of a number of significant new business wins. Mike Matthews, Managing Director of Nifco UK, said that the figures reflected a year of managed growth. “Nifco has seen tremendous growth over the last five or six years, and that upward trajectory continues,” Matthews explained. “We are aiming higher though, and last year was one in which we invested significantly in scaling up for the future, with the purchase of a Dynamometer – new machinery that cost the best part of £1million – to allow us to capitalise on new, emerging technologies. WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK
“We will continually reinvest in our people, facilities and technology to allow the business to continue to compete on a global stage.” The manufacturer, which makes plastic parts used in the engines, interiors and exteriors of cars made by BMW Mini, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Jaguar Land-Rover, Nissan, Renault, Toyota and Vauxhall Opel, says that despite the healthy growth, 2015 was a year that also presented challenges. “The year was not all plain sailing and we faced some significant challenges to achieve the growth we did. And of course, there is a huge amount of uncertainty ahead, but we remain very optimistic about the future,” Matthews concluded. WWW.NIFCOEU.COM
HORNERS AND BOTTLEMAKERS: HITTING THE HIGH NOTES AND PLAYING IT COOL
The ICE Bottle
The winners of the 2016 Horners and Bottlemakers Awards have highlighted both creativity and clever design with plastics. The world’s first all-plastic trumpet was declared the winner of the 2016 Horners Award for Plastics Innovation and Design, owing not only to its unique design but also the ability of the instrument to make music accessible to all.
The pTrumpet
The pTrumpet, designed by musicians in England and produced by Warwick Music Group, is comprised of a first-of-a-kind fully plastic valve system with selflubricating properties. The polymer lead pipe technology used in the instrument is unique, as is the ability to manufacture the lead pipe in one unit. The runner-up prize was awarded to GH Innovation Ltd for its Thermochromic Cable Collar, a brand
new electrical fire safety product that highlights high temperature or loose electrical connections by changing colour. It was commended for its potentially lifesaving properties, as one of the main causes of electrical fires in homes and businesses is overheated electrical connections. The Bottlemakers Award was presented to R&D Tool and Engineering Ltd for the ‘ICE’ bottle. The bottle, which has a glass-like clarity, is produced using injection stretch blow moulding and was initially created for the cosmetics market. The result is a stackable bottle with a sleek, high-end, almost architectural look. Made from a copolyester supplied by Eastman, the square shoulders of the bottle also allow for a simple engraving process that can be easily read. It has sparked interest from many parts of the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) industry. The judges praised the ICE bottle for the way it demonstrates what is possible with plastics at the premium end of the market and for its unique, eye-catching design. WWW.HORNERS.ORG.UK
BPF HIGHLIGHTS PRIORITIES AS NEW UK-EU RELATIONSHIP EMERGES The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has released a document outlining the priorities for the UK plastics industry as the new UK-EU relationship emerges. The document, entitled ‘Securing the Future’, outlines the importance of the plastics industry, stressing that it underpins many sectors in the UK economy and highlighting how these sectors could not function effectively without plastics. It is intended to help inform Government and policy makers in the upcoming EU negotiations and was created following consultation with BPF members, including a membership-wide survey. “It is important over the coming months and indeed years that the industry effectively communicates to Government what its key priorities are. We will be working with our members to make sure the messages are heard as the negotiations with the EU begin to
The UK will soon renegotiate its relationship with Europe
take place,” explained BPF DirectorGeneral, Philip Law. The BPF document identifies four main priorities, including free access to the single market; continued access to skilled workers; maintaining legislation compatible with the EU; and support for innovation and overseas business development. Law recently announced that the BPF has also established a task WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK
force, chaired by Mike Boswell of Plastribution, to advise on issues as they arise. “Due to the BPF’s broad membership base, the task force reflects the leading sectors within the industry, and will represent the voice of the UK plastics industry in the upcoming negotiations,” Law concluded. WWW.BPF.CO.UK/EU 9
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Düsseldorf played host to visitors from over 160 countries
K 2016 “far exceeds” expectations with 230,000 visitors surpassing 2013 event WORDS | Leanne Taylor
O
n the conclusion of K 2016, event organisers say the 230,000 international visitors that attended, as well as the number and volume of deals “far exceeded” expectations. Visitor number surpassed the AS THE DUST SETTLES FOLLOWING K 2016, 2013 edition of the trade fair, when BRITISH PLASTICS AND 213,000 attendees visited. This, says Messe Düsseldorf, shows the RUBBER LOOKS BACK plastics and rubber industry “is in AT A BUOYANT SHOW great shape”. THAT DEMONSTRATED “Just the sheer number of experts A SERIOUSNESS TO visiting K 2016 impressively confirm DO BUSINESS FROM A the appeal and importance of the trade fair – since this number is DIVERSE PORTFOLIO once again clearly higher than OF VISITORS. WE at the previous event in 2013,” ALSO GATHER THE commented Werner Matthias PERSPECTIVE FROM Dornscheidt, President and CEO of SOME UK VISITORS Messe Düsseldorf. “However, what is more important: AND EXHIBITORS AS TO the breakdown of trade visitors was WHETHER THE SHOW WAS of an exceedingly high standard. A BENEFIT TO BUSINESS. We can register a constantly good level of demand from Germany and a disproportionately high level of interest from abroad, especially from overseas. It is known the world over that K in Düsseldorf is the innovation platform for the entire sector. A visit here is simply indispensable for everyone wanting to stay ahead of the competition.” The 230,000 visitors came from 160 countries, with Asia accounting for the largest group among foreign guests. Nearly 30,000 experts came from South, East and Central Asia, an increase on 2013 numbers. Guests from India again constituted the biggest group, but the number of visitors from China, South Korea and Iran also rose significantly. Almost on a par remained the proportion of visitors from the USA and Canada with some six percent of all foreign visitors.
Regarding guests from Germany’s neighbouring European countries, Italy dominated with over 10,000 visitors followed by the Netherlands (9,500), France (6,700), Belgium (6,300), Spain and Poland (5,000 each). There was reportedly “perceptibly stronger interest” taken by Turkey, Hungary and Greece.
Serious business deals
Organisers say the 2016 show was characterised by many deals concluded onsite, with 3,285 exhibitors reporting that visitors were “extremely serious” about their business negotiations and showed a “pronounced willingness” to invest. “I have never seen such a vast number of decisive customers willing to buy at a trade fair before,” commented Ulrich Reifenhäuser, Chairman of the K 2016 Advisory Board. “The number and magnitude of deals, some of which were concluded here spontaneously, as well as the many concrete enquiries about new projects by far exceeded our expectations. It was clear from day one that customers wanted to not only find out about new technologies but also purchase them. There is strong investment in all our customer industries and in all regions of the world.”
The British perspective
“I have never seen such a vast number of decisive customers willing to buy at a trade fair before” – Reifenhäuser
The seriousness of visitors to invest was also felt by UK exhibitors at K 2016. Speaking to BP&R, Stephen Hunt, Membership Services Director at the British Plastics Federation, said that exhibitors on the UK pavilion had reported that the show had gone “extremely well”.
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The British Pavilion located in Hall 5
230,000 visitors attended K 2016
“All the UK exhibitors have received a good number of visitors and they have been of extremely high quality, more so than other years,” he explained. “They have reported having quality conversations with visitors that are serious about investing. It has also been a great opportunity to meet and network with customers from around the world.” As part of the British Pavilion, the BPF hosted a ‘UK Village’ in Hall 5 with stands around a shared networking area. For some companies on the Pavillion, including Wigan-based masterbatch supplier, Astrpol, 2016 was the first time exhibiting at K Show. Commenting on his experience, Chris Wright, Managing Director, said the whole experience had been “extremely positive”. He added: “Having a footprint this year has provided a platform to engage with those existing export customers that we already have and the level of new enquiries has been really encouraging.” Elsewhere, members of the Plastics Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMMDA) that were exhibiting at K 2016 as part of parent companies, also came back with positive reports from the show. “The overall impression I have taken away from the recent K show has been that the world hasn’t stopped after Brexit. It would appear that based on the number of UK visitors to the show, Brexit has not had a major effect, well, not in our sector anyhow,” Kevin Horne, PMMDA Chairman and Managing Director of Renmar Plastics Machinery, told BP&R. “The footfall through the show seemed pretty even on each day, even the weekend was busy. I personally met with a number of UK visitors on the Amut stand who had used the weekend as the best time to visit the show, therefore having minimum impact on their business week.” Indeed, Horne said that the consensus from other PMMDA members was that K 2016 was “one of the most successful shows since the late 90s.” Many of them reported a higher level of enquiries on the stands, with most having received orders already. Barry Hill, Managing Director of Wittmann Battenfeld UK, said the company sold 81 machines on the stand, of which more than 10 percent were destined for the UK. Neil Bathard
of Romi UK mentioned that they had over 1000 companies visit the stand and that all machines displayed were sold during the exhibition. Nigel Baker of BMB reported a similar level of enquiries and again noted the high level of UK orders placed. Richard Hird of PMM said that on the Haitian stand they had a “tremendous reception” to their range, with orders for UK placed at the show and some since. Regarding the ancillary suppliers on show, Tim Peet of UK Plastics Machinery/ Labotek reported the company had had its “highest ever” number of visitors – in excess of 700 – with a number from the UK, adding that he had received an order as a direct result. Nigel Hallett of Isocool said he had seen more UK visitors than at previous shows and had even “shaken hands” on several deals during the show. Nick Fox of Piovan said K 2016 was a success for the Piovan Group – with an increase in visitors to the booth in excess of 20 percent when compared to last edition – and with an “excellent number” from the UK. “From my own perspective, Amut had a greater number of visitors to the stand than on previous occasions and received 690 enquiries – some of these for projects in the UK that will result in orders being placed within the next six months,” Horne continued. “This was a similar statement from our new granulator supplier, EnginPlast who had 200 enquiries, with 89 brand new companies.” Concluding, Horne said: “Overall, it seems that the UK is on the up and – looking at the currency markets and stock exchange – even the effect of the shock US vote has not really derailed anything. For now it seems to be very much a case of ‘keep calm and carry on’.” The next edition of K show will be held in Düsseldorf from 16–23 October 2019.
“All the UK exhibitors have received a good number of visitors and they have been of extremely high quality, more so than other years” – Hunt
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K 2016: THE NEW MACHINERY LAUNCHES THERE WERE WHISPERINGS AFOOT THAT K 2016 WOULD KEEP WITH TRADITION AND BE USED AS A LAUNCHPAD FOR THE LATEST MACHINERY OFFERINGS FROM SOME OF THE INDUSTRY’S LEADING MANUFACTURERS AND IT DIDN’T DISAPPOINT. BP&R HIGHLIGHTS WHAT’S NEW.
ARBURG LAUNCHES ITS LARGEST HIGH PERFORMANCE MACHINE Arburg launched a new hybrid injection moulding machine at K 2016 which features a new machine size, in a new design, with a new control system. The hybrid Allrounder 1120 H is the company’s largest high-performance machine and extends the portfolio in the clamping force range up to 6,500 kN. “The new machine size with a 6,500 kN toggle-type clamping unit is the result of targeted expansion of our product portfolio,” explained Heinz Gaub, Managing Director, Technology and Engineering, at Arburg. The hybrid Allrounder 1120 H extends the top end of the company’s products, combining electric speed and precision with hydraulic power and dynamics. The dry cycle time is 2.4 seconds and the maximum opening stroke is 1,050 millimetres. The new machine has a new, modern colour scheme and shape with new design features to enhance functionality and improve ergonomics. It also has practical extras that simplify the set-up and operating sequences of the large machine, including fold-out steps for accessing the clamping unit, service cabinets for the power supply equipment and integrated LED light strips that indicate the operating state. The Allrounder 1120 H features a new control system, named Gestica, which Arburg says has a “look and feel akin to that of smart mobile devices.” These include a modern glass front, a high resolution, full HD screen and
industry-grade multi-touch technology as well as one-click ergonomic hardware keys. The operating panel is also ergonomically tilted as well as height-adjustable and swiveling. The Gestica is based on the advantages of the company’s existing ‘Selogica’ control system, but is designed to allow easier and more intuitive operation.
WITTMANN BATTENFELD’S NEW ALL-ELECTRIC IMM IS AN “EXCELLENT CONTRIBUTION” TO PACKAGING PORTFOLIO
machine series, which will be available from autumn 2017 onwards with clamping forces ranging from 2100 to 5000 kN. At the K show, the EcoPower Xpress was displayed with a Wittmann W837 IML system. The integrated IML system, Tinschert said, is a real selling point for packaging producers. “We are expecting good sales for the future and because of the integrated IML functionality we can offer a single source supplier, which I think is interesting for the packaging market,” he concluded.
NEGRI BOSSI UNVEILS NEW, ALL-ELECTRIC MACHINE RANGE
The General Manager of Wittmann Battenfeld says he is confident that the company’s latest machine addition is an “excellent contribution” to its packaging portfolio. Speaking at K 2016, Georg Tinschert said the new EcoPower Xpress Series, the company’s first all-electric, high speed machine, is primarily geared to the requirements of the packaging and thin-wall industry and is something that customers will find “very interesting”. “We are very pleased with the way the new machine is working and running and we are very positive that it will be a good contribution to our packaging offering,” said Tinschert. He explained that the dynamic drive axes for injection, as well as the closing and opening of the EcoPower Xpress are designed for fast movements and ultimate control accuracy, with the use of servo drives achieving high levels of energy savings. “EcoPower Xpress stands for high output with optimised utilisation of energy, thus making a vital contribution to sustainability in plastics processing,” Tinschert told press. The EcoPower Xpress 400/1100+ demonstrated at K 2016 is the first size of this
Negri Bossi kicked off a year of celebrations marking 70 years of manufacturing innovation with the global premiere of a new generation of all-electric injection moulding machines at K 2016. Company CEO, Craig Ward, unveiled the new ‘ELE’ machine, which has both improved physical specification and performance designed to have a wider appeal in areas such as packaging and medical. “The initial launch range goes from 50 to 350 tonnes. Our plan is to extend this range over the course of next year to include both higher tonnage models and also multi-component variants,” explained Ward. “The product is targeted at markets which require the performance that an all-electric gives and as such the specifications reflect this.” The product features a new controller – known as Tactum – which has features such as remote access, in built camera and gesture navigation thanks to the introduction of ‘multi-touch’ technology. It is also equipped with a new ‘smart flex 2’ locking unit, with
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a different toggle geometry designed to be coupled specifically with electric closing and to have characteristics optimised to its target market.
KRAUSSMAFFEI HOLDS WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW ALL-ELECTRIC MACHINE RANGE KraussMaffei introduced a brand new all-electric injection moulding machine series that prioritises flexibility, precision and productivity throughout its service life. The new PX series, which has clamping forces from 500 to 2000 kN, is designed to combine all the advantages of an all-electric machine, such as precision and efficiency, with maximum modularity in terms of equipment options. “Until now, customers have most often been forced to decide between low-budget and high-end designs,” said Dr. Hans Ulrich Golz, Managing Director of KraussMaffei and President of the Injection Moulding Machinery segment at the KraussMaffei Group. “KraussMaffei is now presenting the first all-electric machines on the market, which the customer may tailor to its specific manufacturing needs in the modular principle in the hydraulic area. This includes, for example, larger platens, faster injection speeds, more ejector force or the ability to be operated with food-grade NSF H1 lubricants.” Two essential features of the series, says KraussMaffei, demonstrate the adaptability of the machine. Firstly, the injection and clamping unit can be combined individually from a wide range of variants and, secondly, versions of the PX come with the larger platens of the respective next higher clamping force as standard. 13
think materials management
MATERIALS HANDLING | NEWS NOVEL SOLUTION FOR SAFER MATERIALS CHANGES WINS TOP PRIZE AT MOTAN AWARDS An automated material station for small conveying systems that makes materials changes more efficient and safe has been awarded first prize in a competition held by Motan Colortronic. Ludwig Reissner won the accolade at the inaugural Motan Innovation Awards (MIA) for his ‘Matrix Coupler’, a concept that utilises a newlydesigned multiple switch to automate switching of hoses to material loaders during changes. By using the Matrix Coupler, contamination from neighbouring lines is prevented. “The design provides a practical, cheap and completely new solution,” explained Karl Miller, Managing Director of motan-colortronic Ltd UK and one of the four members of the awards jury. “Ultimately it provides a solution to a problem which hasn’t been done before. It’s something that is simple, low cost and workable and can enhance raw materials handling in plastics production and processing.” Reissner was awarded prize money of €10,000 EU and has a patent pending for the Matrix Coupler. There have also been patents applied for two of the other competition entries. Aside from the winning idea, runners up in second and joint third positions also won monetary prizes for their ideas, which included an
The new SOMOS Batchmix XL gravimetric batch dosing ed unit is design um for a maxim of six components and throughputs of up to 1,900 kg/h. ec Photo: ProT Polymer Processing
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The winners of the inaugural Motan Innovation Awards
alternative method for drying of granules; the reduction of energy in drying and dosing; and better utilisation of materials in octabins. The ‘Mia’ Award, held every two years through the Motan Foundation, is designed to encourage innovation, with a focus on R&D and technology integration. This includes ideas that solve customer challenges, those that integrate new technologies into existing applications, uncover
PROTEC LAUNCHES NEW HIGHTHROUGHPUT GRAVIMETRIC BATCH DOSING UNIT ProTec Polymer Processing has launched a new high-throughput gravimetric batch dosing unit for flowable multi-component mixtures. ProTec says the new Somos Batchmix XL unit extends its Batchmix series to high throughputs of up to 1,900 kg/h, offers reproducible, high levels of metering accuracy at an attractive price point. The other models in the series are the Batchmix M for throughputs of up to 240 kg/h and the Batchmix L for up to 1,100 kg/h. These gravimetric Batchmix dosing units are suitable for WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK
new fields of application for Motan products, as well as ideas to preserve resources or make processes user-friendly. The submissions for the next MIA awards will start in January 2017 and the prize giving ceremony will take place in two years’ time at the Fakuma exhibition in October 2018 in Friedrichshafen. WWW.MOTAN-COLORTRONIC.COM
supplying multi-component mixtures to both injection moulding machines and extruders. All three models are capable of handling up to six flowable components (and can also be retrofitted with expansion modules) and can be equipped with Somos vacuum conveyors for automatically filling material storage bins. The new XL batch dosing units are Industry 4.0 ready and are said to be easy to operate thanks to the Somosbranded control panel. Features include the ability to store, export and import formulations, as well as simultaneously controlling extruder throughput. WWW.SP-PROTEC.COM
www.motan-colortronic.co.uk
MAGUIRE AND SYNCRO ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP FOR ADVANCED EXTRUSION CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES Maguire Products, Inc. and Syncro srl announced a partnership at last month’s K Show that will see the companies provide customers with an extended platform of options for materials and extrusion control. Maguire has taken an investment position with Syncro that it says will lead to the creation of a portfolio of technologies that draw on Maguire’s experience in materials handling and blending systems and Syncro’s extensive range of control systems for extrusion applications. To showcase the new possibilities, Maguire displayed an extrusion control interface at K 2016, with examples of a 7- and 21-in. HMI alongside a new range of Maguire blending systems, the WXB series, which combine batch functionality with loss in weight control. “The strategic partnership and investment from Maguire in Syncro underlines both companies’
Renmar Plastics Machinery is now supplying EnginPlast shredders and granulators in the UK
Maguire and Syncro announced the new partnership at K 2016
commitment to providing more choice for our customers to maximise extrusion efficiency,” said Frank Kavanagh, Maguire’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Maguire’s experience in materials handling and blending systems combined with Syncro’s extensive range of control options for extrusion
will enable customers to use existing equipment from Maguire while easily expanding control elements on both existing and new lines going forward.”
RENMAR BECOMES UK SUPPLIER FOR ENGINPLAST GRANULATORS
models in the granulator range and each model has numerous options available. The I22-18 model is the smallest, which is a beside-the-press unit. As with all the models in the range, it has an extensive specification such as long life blades, bearing protection with compressed air and watercooled cutting chamber jacket. While the I22-18 is a relatively small machine capable of processing up to 60kg per hour, the largest model in the range, the R150-80, can handle up to 3,500kg per hour. Lanfranco Zanoncini, Director at EnginPlast, commented: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Renmar Plastics Machinery to represent our company and products in the UK and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”
Renmar Plastics Machinery has announced a new UK distribution agreement for granulators and shredders from EnginPlast. Renmar, which completed the agreement with Italian-based EnginPlast during the K Show last month, says the competitively priced, high quality equipment and machinery offered within the range will be ideally suited to UK processors. “We believe that the need to be competitive is more acute now than possibly ever before,” said Kevin Horne, Managing Director of Renmar Plastics Machinery. “Which is why we have opted to change our granulator supplier to EnginPlast, an Italian company with a strong reputation throughout Europe.” There are more than 20 different
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In this edition of Mo’s Corner – our regular feature that aims to answer commonly asked questions about the manufacture and processing of plastics – we look at why compressed air dryers are best suited to drying small quantities of granulate.
COPERION DEVELOPS NEW DEFLECTOR ELBOW FOR PREVENTION OF ANGEL HAIR Coperion has introduced a newly developed deflector elbow for dilutephase conveying of pellets. New Gamma-Bend NT is said to effectively prevent the formation of angel hair, which would otherwise be generated particularly in critical, right-angled direction changes. Coperion says the special geometric design of the bend keeps the pellets from sliding against the exterior wall, therefore preventing the development of angel hair. Due to the deflector elbow’s special design as a segmental bend, the pellet grains hit the elbow wall, ricochet, and are further conveyed directly in the bend. Minimal contact with the elbow wall also reduces the formation of dust significantly, the company added. The Gamma-Bend NT can be used universally in conveying systems, as there is no buildup of product 16
ompressed-air dryers fall under the category of dry-air dryers. They use compressed air, expanded to atmospheric pressure, creating dry process air with a low dew point. This air is heated to the required temperature in the dryer. Compressed-air dryers do not require desiccants. The heated air passes through the material, taking on moisture, and is subsequently expelled with the entrained moisture. Compressed-air dryers themselves are comparatively affordable, but compressed air is expensive. As a result, these systems are generally only suitable for drying small quantities of granulate. Dry, oil- and water-free compressed air is a prerequisite for operation of these systems. The underlying principle of compressed-air dryers is that expanding compressed air causes the dew point to sink. These systems can achieve dew points of -20°C or lower, depending on the initial dew point of the compressed air. Air always contains water vapour. When air is compressed, the pressure increases and volume decreases, and the amount of water it can hold is reduced. This is comparable to a sponge – when expanded, it can hold a certain amount of water, but when compressed, the water is squeezed out. Compressing the air raises the temperature, which raises the pressure dew point. The pressure dew point is the temperature to which compressed air can be cooled without causing entrained moisture to condense. If the
cushions, meaning it consistently empties with no residue. This is of particular importance for product changes. For the operation of a pneumatic conveying system it is important that the pressure drop at bends should be as low as possible. This is particularly important if several bends are used in a conveying system. In comparison to all other special deflector elbows in the market, Copreion says the Gamma-Bend NT has proven to have the lowest pressure drop, meaning that it is particularly energy efficient. WWW.COPERION.COM The special geometric design of the Gamma-Bend NT deflector elbow keeps the pellets from sliding against the exterior wall, thus preventing the development of angel hair (Credit: Coperion)
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Compressed-air dryers do not require desiccants, and are especially suited to drying small quantities of granulate. Pictured: a compressed air micro dryer, type LUXOR CAS with double-glazed drying hopper. (Image: motan-colortronic)
compressed air cools further in the compressor, the entrained moisture condenses, causing the air’s absolute humidity to sink. The pressure of this air is subsequently reduced prior to it being fed into the production facility’s internal compressed-air distribution system, causing the pressure dew point to fall. This preexpanded air is then fed to the compressedair dryer, where it is expanded further, then through a heater, and finally through the granulate. FURTHER QUESTIONS? ASKMO@MOSCORNER.DE
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MASTERBATCH & ADDITIVES | NEWS AMPACET LAUNCHES ANTIMONYFREE BROMINATED FLAME RETARDANT MASTERBATCH Producer of masterbatch, Ampacet, has launched an antimonyfree brominated flame retardant that it says is “greener and safer” than conventional products. New Haloflame 353/1000353E, is designed for film applications where it boasts anti-drip properties when in contact with flames, reduces flames from spreading and decreases the likelihood of smoke formation. The masterbatch can be used in various applications such as carpet backing, ceiling insulation, in the roofing of houses and in lining covers for railway stations and stadiums. Ampacet says that the heavy metal-free masterbatch supports ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001 requirements towards risk optimisation and reduction in use of dangerous materials. The exclusion of heavy metals also benefits users by eliminating the need for specific costly streams for scrap and off-spec material recycling and extra and
The use of Millad NX 8000 clarifying additive is said to produce glass-like transparency
MILLIKEN INTRODUCES NEW CLARIFYING ADDITIVE FOR GLASS-LIKE BLOW MOULDED PLASTICS Milliken & Co. has launched a new version of its Millad NX 8000 clarifying additive for polypropylene that it has tailored for use in the extrusion blow moulding process. This new additive is said to perform “significantly better” in higher melt-flow-rate (MFR) grades of PP and yield “excellent results” in both optics and productivity. According to Milliken, Millad NX 8000E has been designed specifically to provide a “step change” in optical properties with standard Ziegler-Natta polypropylene EBM resins. The additive enables PP to replace more expensive,
Ampacet has launched an antimony-free brominated flame retardant that it says is “greener and safer” than conventional products.
specific personal protective equipment. “Legislations are moving towards progressive bans of hazardous substances aiming at better protecting human beings and their environment,” explained François Thibeau, Strategic Business Manager, Films, at Ampacet. “While being an halogenated flame
retardant masterbatch, Haloflame 353 is free of any antimony, making it a sustainable solution answering today and tomorrow’s requirements for a safer and healthier world.”
less functional, or difficult-to-process materials. Use of the additive is said to yield polypropylene bottles with improved optical properties, specifically better clarity, superb gloss both inside and outside, lower haze, a low yellowness index and an overall fresher look. “We worked for several years with machine manufacturers, resin producers, converters and brand owners to optimise this new product, to ensure it delivered the desired properties without compromising transparency or machine production speeds,” said Milliken Senior Development Engineer, Bart Gabriels. The optical properties of Millad NX 8000E resins also are less dependent on processing, he added. Therefore, standard mould surface finishes (such as a glass-blasted finish) and processing temperatures for PP can be used without compromising quality. “With high MFR grades (MFR around three),” Gabriels
explained, “this clarifier delivers a complementary effect that results in excellent optics and productivity.” These attributes open up new market opportunities for brand owners and their converters, says Milliken, allowing users to upgrade current polypropylene grades, replace PET, PVC and PC in various blow moulding applications and and develop new glass-replacement applications such as easy-squeeze bottles. In tests conducted using two clear bottles of the identical size and design – one made of PET and the other of Millad NX 8000E-clarified PP – the additive also revealed another key advantage: it empties its contents much faster and more completely. The PP bottle contained three grams less of leftover product, which translates into 30 tonnes less waste (based on annual usage of 10 million such bottles).
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Steve Cooper (far right) says Plasticolour is now looking to expand following a successful first year in business.
SMALL LOTS LEAD TO BIG GROWTH FOR UK-BASED MASTERBATCH SUPPLIER A Leeds-based supplier of masterbatch, additives, effects and polymers says its approach to providing small lots and fast turnaround times has led it to outgrow its premises after just seven months in business. Plasticolour Ltd, which started operations as an independent wholesaler and distributor in April this year, says the success it has achieved with its solutions-based approach has led it to set its sights on expansion in 2017. “Many customers just want convenience: a fast turnaround and small lots,” explained Plasticolour’s Co-Founder, Steve Cooper, who many readers will know from his 17 years’ experience selling masterbatch and materials to moulders and extruders across the UK. “We work with some of Europe’s biggest and best manufacturers to provide that ‘little and often’ service, with nearly
Vertellus has launched three new masterbatches for PA compounding
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VERTELLUS ADDS THREE NEW MASTERBATCHES FOR ENHANCED PA COMPOUNDING Vertellus has introduced three new masterbatches to its ‘Zemac’ copolymer portfolio designed to enhance polyamide (PA) compounding. The first two, ZeMac Extend L65 and L68 masterbatches, are chain extenders and branching agents that convert low relative viscosity (RV) PA to branched high RV PA with higher mechanical and thermal performance than linear high RV PA. These masterbatches can also be used for upgrading recycled or prime nylon compounds. The third, ZeMac Extend P62 masterbatch, is said to be the only product on the market today that is able to smoothly compatibilise PA and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to reduce
250 standard colours and the most popular materials in stock.” Cooper says the busiest side of the business is in custom solutions. Already this year, the company has helped formulate a mould release agent that doesn’t cause hazing in clear polycarbonate, solved a colouring problem in FR ABS and contributed to the development of new products from pet accessories to laparoscopic medical equipment. Next it’s working on a colour fading
material costs. These pelletised masterbatches complement ZeMac E60-P powder, which is also used as a chain extender and recycling agent. “These new, highly innovative masterbatches demonstrate the versatility and unique capabilities of our ZeMac copolymer technology,” said Ashok Adur, Ph.D., Global Commercial Development Director, Plastics at Vertellus. “Until now, compounders whose processing systems did not accommodate powder additives were unable to take advantage of the benefits that our ZeMac technologies provide. With these new masterbatches our customers can expand the range of compounding equipment on which ZeMac copolymers can be used to give them new options for cutting costs without sacrificing performance. The new ZeMac masterbatches also showcase how Vertellus continually develops WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK
issue for an automotive brand and – most unusually – a brief to produce special colour filters for outdoor lighting to help conserve sea turtles in Australia. “Most people don’t realise a custom solution is often cheaper than a universal,” Cooper continued. “It’s all about getting to know your customer and being prepared to do the legwork for them.” WWW.PLASTICOLOUR.COM
new innovations to meet the needs of the plastics and polymer industries.” ZeMac copolymers enable cost reduction and a boost in performance, profit and sustainability, added Dr Adur. These results are firstly achieved, he explained, by converting low RV PA to branched high RV PA during compounding by replacing conventional high RV PA – produced via a solid state polymerisation (SSP) process – with a more flexible, lowercost compounding process during which chain extension and branching occur. Second, ZeMac can be used to compound polyamides with 15 to 35 percent recycled PET, to produce compatibilised alloys at much lower cost without sacrificing performance. ZeMac Extend L65 for injection moulding and L68 for film and profile extrusion and blow moulding are targeted at applications including automotive under-the-hood parts and pipes for oil and gas. Compatibilised PET/PA compounds using ZeMac Extend P62 masterbatches can be used in applications such as office furniture, sporting goods, hand tools and small appliances. WWW.VERTELLUS.COM
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BROADWAY COLOURS LAUNCHES TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM FOR CONSISTENT PRODUCT PERFORMANCE Suffolk-based masterbatch and powders producer, Broadway Colours, has launched a new additives technology platform it says enables moulders to produce products more consistently, accurately and cost effectively. The company’s new ‘Process+ Technology’ is said to be an “all-inone” solution incorporating both process know-how and the latest production facilities to ensure that masterbatch it produces has the desired properties to ensure processing and performance enhancements. Products that incorporate Process+ Technology are said to benefit from improved cycle times, surface finish and longevity –ultimately resulting in fewer rejections and increased efficiency, saving both time and money. The new technology can be incorporated into any colour and be used in any material. Broadway says it can also supply additives based on Process+ Technology to
Incorporating a minor amount of AddWorks additives solutions provides a major impact on polymer performance, says Clariant
CLARIANT DEVELOPS FURTHER ADDITIVE SOLUTIONS FOR KEY PLASTIC MARKETS Clariant is adding a number of additive solutions to its ‘Addworks’ product portfolio that are targeted at applications in key markets including automotive, packaging and agriculture. Launched at K 2016 last month, the new ready-to-use plastic additive solutions build upon the range first introduced at K 2013 and are
Broadway Colours, has launched a new additives technology platform it says enables moulders to produce products more consistently, accurately and cost effectively.
work alongside customers’ existing formulations to help improve the production process. “Our newly commissioned laboratory facilities, coupled with a highly talented team of plastics experts have really gone to prove that anything is possible,” explained Broadway’s Operations Director, Nick Barber. “At Broadway we pride ourselves
on being at the forefront of innovation for the plastics industry, and that does not stop with colour. Appearance is extremely important, but ultimately the product has to perform and perform consistently. Process+ Technology is the way forward for the plastics industry.”
designed to provide a major impact on polymer performance using just a small amount of additive product. The new solutions include Addworks ATR 146, a new light and heat shield for automotive interior plastics that responds to the emerging OEM trend for improved durability and a low VOC environment. This sulfur-free solution is said to provide exceptional light and heat stabilisation in filled PP compounds, improving performance by almost doubling the duration of thermal stability and in sustainability by reducing VOC emissions. AddWorks ATR 146 has shown to successfully pass the heat ageing standard test of no surface cracking after 700 hours at 150°C at low dosage with minimal VOC emission. For agricultural films, Clariant has launched AddWorks AGC 102, a cost-effective solution to extend the service life of greenhouse films and to optimise the light transmission required to grow UV sensitive flower crops. Films based on AddWorks AGC
102 and its food-crop counterpart, AddWorks AGC 104, are said to perform even in the presence of high concentrations of agrochemicals. For food packaging producers, AddWorks PKG 902 allows polyolefin film manufacturers to incorporate a higher amount of recycled resin in their film process, resulting in significant raw material cost savings. It allows the resin to withstand the high line speed and maintain the film quality with reduced breakages and significant gel and black spot reduction. Finally, AddWorks LXR 568 is a high performance process stabiliser that Clariant says combines outstanding colour and melt flow protection with a good resistance to hydrolysis. The product’s hydrolytic stability helps processors to prevent degradation of plastic resins used to produce a wide range of end-use applications including packaging films, ensuring that consistent product performance is maintained.
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SANITIZED DEVELOPS NEW ANTIMICROBIAL ADDITIVE FOR FLEXIBLE POLYMERS Sanitized AG has developed a new antimicrobial additive suitable for use with flexible polymer applications. New Sanitized PL 14-32 provides water resistance, as well as high UV resistance and no yellowing after UV exposure and is, therefore, ideal for use with outdoor applications. Sanitized says the development of the new formulation is a result of both the growing demand for hygienic products, as well as the need for an alternative to protect polymers and textiles from bacterial and fungal growth following regulatory developments limiting the use of biocides commonly used to protect PVC and other plastics. Sanitized PL 14-32 protects flexible plastics against unwanted effects of microbes, like bacteria, mold, mildew, yeast and algae – all of which can cause material destruction, unsightly
BASF LAUNCHES NEW LIGHT STABILISERS FOR IMPROVED APPEARANCE OF PLASTIC PARTS BASF has added two new light stabilisers to its product portfolio designed to improve and extend the properties of plastic parts, particularly in the automotive and artificial turf industries. Firstly, new Tinuvin 880 – a new Hindered Amine Light Stabiliser (HALS) – is designed to enable formulators to optimise the longlasting appearance and performance of various automotive interior and exterior parts.
stains, cross contamination, odour development and biofilm formation. WWW.SANITIZED.COM
BASF says Tinuvin 880 provides “unmatched” intrinsic long-lasting UV resistance, as well as a “drastically improved” thermal stability crucial for interior applications. It is also designed to improve secondary properties by eliminating defects such as mould deposit and surface stickiness, even in scratchimproved materials. As a unique 100 percent active substance, BASF says formulators are given entire freedom to accurately adjust part performance properties as well as economics. Tinuvin 880 is said to be ideally suited for the production of interior parts, such as instrument panels, door panels, consoles, glove boxes and trims etc, with its UV resistant
Tarpaulin treated with new Sanitized PL 14-32 benefits from water and UV resistance (Credit: Sanitized AG)
properties making it a leading candidate to improve the stabilisation of exterior parts such as bumper, side cladding and rocker panels. In addition to Tinuvin 880 for automotive applications, BASF has also introduced Tinuvin XT 55, its latest generation of HALS for the film, fibres and tapes industry. An example application is the manufacturing of polyethylene (PE) monofilaments for artificial turfs used to make sport floors or landscaping. Tinuvin XT 55 is a highperformance light stabiliser that has very low contribution to water carryover – often experienced during the use of a water bath – enabling the production line to run without disruptions. Tinuvin XT 55 is said to provide formulators with superior durability and excellent secondary properties such as colour stability, gas fading and extraction resistance. In addition, excellent cost performance can be achieved with this new solution by adjusting dosage and other formulation components. Other applications can be considered, in particular polyolefin monofilaments and tapes for shade nets, scaffolding, geo-textiles and big bags such as flexible intermediate bulk containers. WWW.PLASTICADDITIVES.BASF.COM
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RECLAMATION AND RECYCLING | NEWS LINER RECYCLING SCHEME IS A ‘SMART’ SOLUTION FOR COCA COLA EUROPEAN PARTNERS A PET-liner recycling scheme is helping Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) reduce waste, costs and the carbon footprint of producing its ‘Smartwater’ brand of bottled water in the UK. The scheme is a collaboration between labeling and packaging materials provider, Avery Dennison, and Dumfriesbased recycler, PET UK, which was first launched in 2014. Under the recycling scheme, PET UK shreds and extrudes the waste PET liner (used to carry the self-adhesive labels before dispensing) and then produces a material suitable for making new items such as PET staple fibre, strapping or thermoformable sheets.
EUROPEAN PLASTICS ASSOCIATIONS JOIN FORCES TO DRIVE PACKAGING RECYCLING EFFORTS Three plastics industry organisations have united in their efforts to further Europe’s Polyolefins-based packaging recycling efforts, stating that a “business as usual approach” will not enable the European Commission’s Circular
Coca-Cola European Partners produced more than 50 million bottles of Smartwater in 2015, generating more than 40 tonnes of PET liner waste costing around £8,500 in disposal/handling costs. By signing up to the liner recycling scheme it will not only make savings relating to disposal costs, but is also expected to save around 180-200 tonnes in CO2 emissions in 2016. “This example shows how we can turn the crisis of resources into a business opportunity through close collaboration across the value chain,” explained Joe Franses, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at Coca-Cola European Partners. “Businesses which can be truly innovative with the products and services they provide, optimising the resources they use and encouraging consumers to do the same, have the potential to transform our economy.” Xander van der Vlies, Sustainability Director for Avery Dennison Materials Group Europe, said that CCEP wanted to further improve Smartwater
production in line with its focus on recycling, sustainability and creating a circular economy. “Avery Dennison was a natural choice of partner for this project, given our ambitious year-on-year sustainability goals, and the various initiatives we promote around the reduction of waste created in the self-adhesive label value chain,” van der Vlies explained. “We have close relationships both with PET UK and with CCEP’s waste management company Viridor, and together we have been able to establish a strategy that saves on waste and emissions while at the same time giving CCEP concrete business benefits and cost reductions.” Avery Dennison has set a sustainability goal for 2025 of eliminating 70 percent of liner waste from the industry value chain.
Economy targets to be achieved. EuPC, PRE and PlasticsEurope have launched a new Polyolefin Circular Economy Platform (PCEP) through which the industry will call on value chain collaboration to drive the creation of a more circular economy. The platform will create a multi-stakeholder group that will seek to identify the barriers and opportunities to increase Europe’s
recycling. Priority areas of work include developing packaging design, applying fresh thinking to boosting the recyclability of flexible and rigid packaging and applying uniform standards for sorting and testing.
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REFLEX PROJECT HELPS DRIVE DEVELOPMENT OF RECYCLING OPTIONS FOR FLEXIBLE PACKAGING The results of significant research to enable further developments towards establishing recycling options for flexible plastic packaging were unveiled at the K Show in October 2016. The findings of the twoyear ‘REFLEX’ R&D project, a collaboration of the whole value chain, from polymer production, packaging manufacturers and brand owners, to waste management and recycling companies, suggest the ability to recycle this type of packaging at end of life will be ‘moving forward’ following successful research and trials. The consortium of various value chain participants, including Amcor Ltd, Dow Chemical Company Ltd, Interflex Group, Nestlé UK Ltd, SUEZ and TOMRA Sorting Ltd was led by Axion Consulting and co-funded by the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. The consortium’s research took into account the commercial value of materials recovered by the recycling process and demonstrated that attractive yields of recycled materials could be achieved. The project has addressed many technical challenges in establishing an infrastructure to collect, sort and recycle polyolefinic flexible packaging in the UK. For example, along with improvement of flexible packaging designs, the project looked at digital watermarking on packaging that is suitable for mechanical recycling and the use and enhancement of near infrared sorting technologies.
The REFLEX project has moved forward the possibilities of flexible packaging recycling
“We think that these changes and further technology optimisation can improve the economics of recycling flexible packaging and make the concept more attractive to investors and recyclers,” explained Axion Consulting Senior Engineer, Richard McKinlay. Practical trials have shown that recovered polymers can deliver the performance requirements and technical properties needed for items such as boxes and crates or drainage pipe products. McKinlay believes this will boost confidence in the market and encourage more investment. “Flexible packaging excels in terms of material efficiency,” said Gerald Rebitzer, Director of Sustainability for Amcor. “This creates a cascade of environmental benefits throughout
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the entire value chain, and avoids waste at source. What is still in its infancy is an end-to-end solution for this packaging type. This research could help close that gap.” Guidelines aimed at providing information to packaging designers and technologists, brand owners, retailers and converters to design flexible packaging that is suitable for mechanical recycling have been developed. However, as more work is needed on investigating and evaluating the compatibility of all the various materials, the guidelines will not be released until further testing work has been completed and validated at European level. WWW.REFLEXPROJECT.CO.UK
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”
Slowdowns, Symbols and Sustainability: What RECOUP 2016 told us about UK recycling WORDS | Leanne Taylor
O
pening the 2016 edition of the annual recycling conference, Stuart Foster, CEO of RECOUP, said it was “gutting” that UK household plastic collection rates had slowed. According to the association’s IS THE UK PLASTIC RECYCLING INDUSTRY latest UK Household Plastics MOVING FORWARD? Collection Survey, a total of 499,625 tonnes were collected THIS WAS THE CENTRAL for recycling from UK households QUESTION AT THE in 2015, consisting of 340,000 RECOUP ANNUAL tonnes of plastic bottles and RECYCLING CONFERENCE just under , CEO, Steve Foster HELD RECENTLY. HERE, 160,000 tonnes of plastic pots, RECOUP BP&R LOOKS BACK ON tubs and trays. A DAY OF DEBATE AND This represents DISCUSSION. an overall increase of just over one percent from the previous year. “We desperately wanted this year’s survey to reveal that the milestone half a million tonnes of plastic packaging collected for recycling had been achieved,” Foster told delegates. “However, collection levels have slowed, which is gutting.” Foster said the figures in the report raised questions as to whether the industry is moving forward, why have things stayed Tom Heap the same and what can be done in the future to ensure that the recycling industry in the UK reaches its potential.
Continuing Confusion
Retailer insight
Kevin Vyse from Marks & Spencer outlined how the company is exploring the possibilities of reducing the types of plastic packaging placed on the market, mooting the idea of ‘one polymer’ for packaging, which would help solve the problem of consistency and remove the confusion for the consumer. He also explored the negative messaging currently being communicated through on-pack labelling and symbols. “Telling someone that a package ‘cannot be recycled’ is sending the wrong, and negative, message,” he told delegates. Vyse said despite everything done so far in terms of consumer engagement, people “still do not know what to do with plastics”, adding, “that must change.”
Following on from Foster, the morning session was chaired by BBC Countryfile presenter, Tom Heap, who, at last year’s Conference sparked debate on the daily confusion of the consumer as to what plastics can and cannot be recycled. Heap, picking up where he had left off, quizzed the speakers and delegates to see if they felt that the plastics recycling industry had moved any further forward in giving clarity to the householder. The overwhelming feeling from the delegates was that the consumer was in fact no wiser and that contradictions within recycling collections remained.
BPI Recycling Products’ External Affairs Director, Mike Baxter, aimed his presentation at busting the myth that the industry was in “crisis” and challenging the trade press on reports linking falling oil prices to recent high profile failures. He identified there were other reasons for such failures mainly connected with heavy reliance on public funding. “Yes, things are difficult for UK recyclers currently, but there is no crisis,” he explained.
Time for action
Conclusions
Echoing the frustration felt by Foster and Heap, Helmut Maurer from the European Commission was passionate in calling for action stating “we cannot be continually saying year on year things have stayed the same, it is time now for action”, adding “there is no time to waste in treating plastic as a valuable resource”. Maurer also called for an effective landfill ban on plastics, as he predicted a doubling in recycling targets. Delegates were in agreement that there needed to be more communication to consumers about plastics recycling, to increase recycling levels and decrease contamination if plastics recycling levels are going to reach government targets.
d UK househol c ti plas collection rates have slowed
Industry in crisis?
Following on, speakers from WRAP, the British Plastic Federation, the CO-OP, Buckinghamshire County Council, TOTAL, LARAC, Suez, Danone and Hahn Plastics also shared their views and activities on the future direction of the recycling industry. Summarising, RECOUP’s Foster, said that the industry was in a “transition period”, with factors such as Brexit, policy, or getting through to the consumer all affecting the future. However, answering the original question, Foster said “there is value in plastics and we can keep it moving forward.” The 2017 Conference will once again take place in Peterborough, on 28th September.
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BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION | NEWS NEW REGULATORY COMPLIANT PVC COMPOUNDS POSE “SEA CHANGE” FOR UK BUILDING INDUSTRY UK-based PVC compounder, Dugdale, says it is experiencing “brisk demand” for its range of newly formulated PVC compounds that comply with the recent changes in building standards regulations. Traditionally, the material supplied into the building products, windows, ancillary and general PVC moulding markets has met the requirements of BS EN 1401 drain products, BS EN 1329 soil and waste products and BS EN 607 rainwater products. However, West Yorkshire-based Dugdale says its newly developed formulations now also enable its manufacturing customers to fully comply with the BS 5255: 1989 specification for waste thermoplastic fitting of wall thickness less than 2.7 mm – wherein a Vicat Softening Point requirement of > 80 degrees Celsius is mandatory. Dr Jeff Ryan, Technical Director at Dugdale, says the compliance of the new material therefore opens up “further opportunities” in the areas of under sink plumbing and waste pipe products. “This is a significant sea change in the building market and we have turned it into a clear opportunity for our forward-thinking customers,” Ryan explained. Dugdale worked in partnership with major UK building product
Artist’s impression of new development (centre of picture with green coloured roof)
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EXTRUDED POLYSTYRENE PROVIDES HIGH INSULATION SOLUTION FOR PRESTIGIOUS UK DEVELOPMENT An extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation system has been used to form the core of a waterproof, load-bearing, high insulation roof
manufacturers before creating and achieving approvals for enhanced Calcium Zinc-based compounds marketed under Dugdale’s ‘Ducavin’ PVC brand name. “We learned a great deal from creating these new grades for UK building work,” Ryan continued. “The development involved us in some fundamental redefinition of the moulding process and of the changed behaviour of the PVC in its melt flow characteristics. The result is a building compound that offers greater processing stability, wider processing windows and better batch-to-batch colour consistency.” Dugdale now plans to use the company’s new laboratory and pilot scale production plant - to be commissioned in 2017 - to do further work with building industry customers and to make further inroads into building applications for its materials. The company says its understanding of the building and construction trades has also been informed by its in-depth involvement in cradle-to-cradle recycling of building products, working with sources of post-consumer and postindustrial scrap and down-cycling much material into further products for the building trade such as unseen fascias, decking and boards. “PVC building product recycling is recycling that works,” added Ryan. “It is something that is good for the
system at South St Andrew Square - a prestigious £75 million, 190,000 sq. ft. mixed office, retail and residential scheme in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic ‘New Town’ area. Built using ‘XPS 300’ from Gateshead-based Sundolitt, a manufacturer of EPS and XPS, the material provides a cost-effective solution designed for for inverted roofing applications alongside its established use in flooring. “We are proud to play a part in this exceptional architectural statement in a prestigious location in Edinburgh,” commented Bryan Mawer, Sales Manager for Sundolitt XPS. “XPS ticks all the boxes for this kind of roofing installation – it’s a lightweight product, yet provides a high strength solution which is very WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK
Dugdale says its newly formulated PVC compounds are opening up new opportunities for the building industry environment and something that also makes good business sense.” For building sector customers concerned about the legislative and commercial implications of Brexit and the pending consequences for future international trade deals, Dugdale says for now, at least, it is business as usual. “The relevant EU legislation continues to apply. Once Article 50 has been invoked, there is a time-limited period of two years to complete negotiations, during which time EU legislation will continue to apply. At this stage it is therefore unlikely the UK will exit the EU before the 2018 REACH registration deadline. Affected business should therefore plan and act accordingly,” Ryan concluded. WWW.DUGDALEPVC.COM
easily transported to site where it can be used as a site-ready, weather resistant insulant.” Sundolitt XPS is manufactured in a wide range of thicknesses and sheet sizes, the primary range having a thermal conductivity of 0.033 – 0.037 W/mK (EN 13164). According to the type of use, it is said to achieve outstanding compression resistance from 200 – 700 kPa (EN826) and offers exceptionally low moisture absorption through its closed-pore system - making it an ideal thermal insulator for a wide range of commercial and domestic construction applications. WWW.SUNDOLITT.CO.UK
Tel: 0845 34 54 560 Email: sales@plastribution.co.uk
www.plastribution.co.uk 14/04/2015 16:23
POLYCARBONATE SHEET COMBINES EFFICIENCY AND DESIGN AS PART OF SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT SABIC’s polycarbonate sheet is being used in an innovative construction project to showcase how plastics can be used in efficient and sustainable architectural designs to support the growing global need for housing. Demonstrated at K Show last month, the ICEhouse – where ICE stands for ‘Innovation for the Circular Economy’ – is a world first in its composition and fabrication. Built using SABIC’s tough and energyefficient ‘Lexan’ sheets, the ICEhouse represents how structures can easily be built, disassembled and reused with advanced materials supporting the circular economy. “The ICEhouse is a unique example of our belief in innovative circular economy thinking,” said Ernesto Occhiello, Executive Vice President, Specialities, for SABIC.. “This is a structure that can be rapidly constructed, disassembled and used time after time. The ICEhouse illustrates how SABIC’s polycarbonates can be combined with advanced architectural design. The combination of design flexibility and energy efficiency offers architects unique material solutions to design elegant and durable buildings that benefit society.” First constructed in January 2016 in Davos, Switzerland, the ICEhouse was used to host some of the world’s most influential leaders during the 2016 World Economic Forum. It since has moved to the Circular Valley
ETFE FLUOROPOLYMERS HELP NEW UNDERGROUND STATION SET SAIL A new underground station development at London’s Canary Wharf is showcasing the architectural capabilities of plastics to create an aesthetically pleasing as well as durable design. Being built as part of the Crossrail project, the new station sits 18 metres below water level in the middle of the waters of the former East India Dock, with the complex designed to look like a ship to reflect the site’s nautical heritage.
The ICEhouse, a portion of which made an appearance at K 2016 in order to demonstrate the benefits the use of polycarbonate sheeting can have in sustainable building
(near Schiphol Airport) – a Dutch initiative that aims to provide leading companies, local governments and NGOs the opportunity to work together to push the concept by promoting the cradle-to-cradle reuse of building materials. The partners developing the Valley over the next 18 months or so intend for it to become a “living lab” and both a national and international hub for the circular economy. It will also be relocated back to Davos for the World Economic Forum in 2017. The ICEhouse uses a revolutionary aluminium frame structure and several forms of SABIC’s Lexan sheet, including high-insulating, nanogelfilled Lexan Thermoclear multiwall sheet for cladding. The ICEhouse incorporates several forms of Lexan sheet materials, which can be recovered and continuously reused.
The Lexan sheet portfolio provides valuable options to architects and designers seeking sustainable building solutions, says SABIC, and has potential to contribute to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, in part through its use of recycled content. Lexan multiwall sheet also typically delivers a combination of very high thermal insulation and climate-control performance to enhance energy conservation, as well as excellent light transmission for enhanced aesthetics and comfort. The nanogel-filled Lexan multiwall sheet used on the translucent walls and ceilings of the ICEhouse may be an excellent material for offering energy savings of up to 50 percent compared to monolayer glass.
Three floors with shops and restaurants are situated below water level and above the waterline the building has further floors and a partly open rooftop garden. The station is crowned by a 30 metrehigh and 310 metre-long timber roof construction covered with 780 film cushions, extruded from 3M’s Dyneon Fluoroplastic ETFE, which are illuminated after dark. Dyneon ETFE was chosen for the film cushions owing to its resistance to chemical effects, tearing and damaging UV radiation. A durable and extremely resistant material with high mechanical strength, the cushions withstand hail, driving rain
and high snow loads. The transparency of the films was considered a significant advantage with regards to allowing sunlight and plant-loving UVA rays to penetrate through to the rooftop garden. For the film cushions used around the complex, the majority of the films were printed with various patterns in order to scatter the light with a delicate translucence in plant-free areas. Canary Wharf station will open in December 2018 when Crossrail services begin through central London.
WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK
WWW.SABIC.COM
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TESTING & INSPECTION | NEWS MECMESIN LAUNCHES FORCE AND TORQUE TESTING SOFTWARE FOR IMPROVED EASE AND ACCURACY Mecmesin has lauched a new, dedicated software platform for storing basic test routines for use with its dV range of force and torque test stands. New VectorPro Lite is designed to be an affordable level of motorcontrolled testing that enables basic repeatable test routines to be saved, recalled and uploaded to a test stand. Run from a computer, VectorPro Lite provides data acquisition, realtime graph plotting, adds a wide range of calculations and passes data and results to export, file and report. When used with Mecmesin-dV family test stands, any test sequence can be stored and uploaded from a single icon, says Mecmesin, making a test station flexible, simple to operate and protected from accidental missettings. VectorPro Lite provides for results storage and calculation, closer graph analysis and batch processing and can also be used with Mecmesin digital
ew The n METER o m r e th sor 3 sen CTP-
New VectorPro Lite software is designed for storing basic test routines for regular use
instruments, such as the Advanced Force Gauge, or Tornado closure tester. The software has a drag-and-drop approach. Test stand operation routines, calculations, test and sample descriptors, report contents and individual operator workspaces are all constructed and maintained very simply and easily. VectorPro Lite is built around a
NEW INFRARED PYROMETER LAUNCHED FOR MEASURING TEMPERATURE OF THIN PLASTIC FILM Precision sensor manufacturer, Micro-Epsilon, has extended its range of infrared temperature sensors with an infrared pyrometer that enables the non-contact temperature measurement of thin polypropylene, polyethylene and polystyrene film. The new thermoMETER CTP-3 sensor operates at a wavelength of 3.43µm, which Micro-Epsilon says is particularly suitable for these types of film. Normally plastic films with a thickness of less than 1mm are transparent to standard infrared (IR) temperature sensors. The thermoMETER CTP-3 pyrometer measures in a narrow spectral range of 3.43µm, where the IR transmission is blocked for these materials. This enables the temperature of polypropylene,
database core that keeps track of everything, from user permissions to test parameters, from test versions to the results and details of every test. Operating with 15 selectable languages, Mecmesin says it enables systems to be used with minimal training for quality checking on the production floor. WWW.MECMESIN.COM
polyethylene and polystyrene film to be measured reliably. MicroEpsilon says the addition of the CTP-3 to its thermoMETER range of pyrometers means that the company can now offer a solution to measure temperature on a non-contact basis of almost all materials. The wavelength of 3.43µm at which the thermoMETER CTP-3 operates is perfectly suited to polypropylene, polyethylene and polystyrene film. With other film types such as polyethersulfone or polyurethane, the thermoMETER CTP-7 can be used, as its spectral range at 7.9 µm is adapted to suit these materials. The temperature range of the thermoMETER CTP-3 extends from 50°C to 400°C and the pyrometer provides stables measurement values in ambient temperatures up to 75°C. The pyrometer is available with either analogue or digital outputs. WWW.MICRO-EPSILON.CO.UK
We assure the optimal shape! Thermofisher’s latest innovations are designed to help produce consistent results in polymer testing and analysis.
THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC LAUNCHES NEW POLYMER ANALYSIS INNOVATIONS
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Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has introduced new material characterisation, molecular spectroscopy and web gauging solutions for the plastics and rubber industry. Innovations unveiled during K 2016 included the Thermo Scientific HAAKE Minilab microcompounder, which is used to measure structural changes during compounding and assess rheological properties of test materials for research and development. The microcompounder is equipped with an intuitive user interface for standalone operation using a tablet computer. Secondly, the company demonstrated its Process 11 parallel twin-screw extruder featuring a new sheet take off to calibrate and cool down the sheet in a defined manner. The compact, intuitive and scalable benchtop instrument is designed to simulate and optimise production processes with as little as 20
NETZSCH LAUNCHES NEW TESTING INSTRUMENT FOR MATERIALS IN THE ULTRA HIGH FORCE RANGE
FRIMO Group GmbH |
Netzsch Analysing and Testing has launched a new modular testing instrument for the thermomechanical characterisation of multiple materials in the ultra high force range including plastics, rubbers and composites. The new Gabo Eplexor instrument uses an electrodynamic oscillator to generate defined deformations across a wide frequency and temperature range. This allows for predictions about a material’s behaviour without the need to test
+49 (0) 5404 886 - 0 | info@frimo.com
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grams per hour, or up to 2.5 kg per hour. Finally, the modular Thermo Scientific HAAKE Mars rheometer platform was displayed, which combines two new in-situ rheology solutions: the combination with dielectrical analysis (DEA) expands the frequency range from mHz to MHz and the Rheo-Raman spectroscopy solution investigates structural changes on the molecular level under shear or deformation. “Our innovations and expertise cover the complete polymer and plastics lifecycle and are designed to enable our customers to produce superior, consistent results,” said Mauricio Senties, Senior Director, Marketing and Commercial Excellence, Chemical Analysis for Thermo Fisher. “We understand polymer related processing parameters and speedcritical decisions. Through our laboratory and process solutions, we help push innovation forward and enhance productivity for our customers.” WWW.THERMOFISHER. COM
it in the field. Netzsch says an independent drive for the static force ensures good sample positioning and enables high static deformations of the material. The modular design and easy exchangeability of different force sensors make the Eplexor well equipped to handle both today’s measurement tasks and future needs, the company added. The use of the Eplexor’s MPAS automatic sample changer allows for efficient measurements in the tensile, compression, bending and shearing modes in any order. WWW.NETZSCH-THERMAL-ANALYSIS.COM
CASE STUDY: ADVANCED LEAK TESTING SYSTEM PROVIDES ACCURATE SOLUTION FOR MEDICAL MOULDER An advanced leak detection system installed at a UK manufacturer of plastic medial devices is providing a 100 percent effective solution for rejecting contaminated parts. The LeakTEC system from Dyne Technology Ltd was specified as part of a complete cell built by special purpose machine builder, DB Automation, after it was tasked with building a high cavitation injection mould tool with 32 cavities, de-mould and process in seven seconds and with limited floor space, for a leading medical device manufacturer. It was imperative to the enduser that no holes or faults in the moulding could result in leakage, allowing bacteria to enter the sterile medical plastic components being produced. “The need to integrate a solution to meticulously test every injection moulded component into the special purpose machine was undoubtedly daunting and presented us with a huge challenge,” explained Nick Parker, Operations Director at DB Automation. “Initially it would be normal for us to investigate a flow test or pressure decay test but at these cycle times and for this quantity of product (32 mouldings tested across a single plate simultaneously), it was a big ask for any conventional leak test to achieve.” Having seen previous examples of systems using electric currents
Advanced leak detection system from Dyne Technology
to perform a leakage test, Parker approached Dyne Technology. Advanced Leak Detection The LeakTEC system is a nondestructive method of inspecting components for holes and faults. Fully automatic, the leak test is capable of detecting the smallest of pinholes, even those smaller than three microns, by introducing an electrical potential between a detecting electrode and an electrical ground while the plastic part being tested acts as an insulator. In the event of detecting a crack or pin hole in the plastic material, electrical contact is established between the electrode and ground. This pass or fail contact is processed via the integral generator module interfaced with the main machine control. The machine controller can both enable a downstream ‘partreject’ function and track trends in the manufacturing processes,
Almost 16,500 parts per hour are processed with a 100 percent inspection rate
this can then be fed back for early process adjustment or maintenance. “Dyne Technology worked closely with our engineers to ensure that this technology was correct for our application,” Parker explained. “Thorough trials were undertaken at Dyne Technology’s high technology laboratory facilities and it was proven that the LeakTEC can deliver on its bold claims. Easily meeting our high demands, the LeakTEC detected micron-sized holes in our plastic components within fractions of a second across multiple products simultaneously.” The Final Solution During the design phase of the project, DB Automation worked in close unison with both Dyne Technology and engineers from Tantec to collaboratively create the tooling for the testing solution. Following continuous liaison and discussion, the design was completed and consisted of a dedicated high-speed side entry beam robot to de-mould the product from the tool, taking less than a second. The beam robot then hands over to a take-off unit which re-orientates the product and places it onto a further high speed transfer axis to provide the movement from the put down position, to the testing station and onward to the unload and segregation area. Each of the 32 components from every mould cycle is inspected for a leak and rejected if necessary. The system is capable of processing almost 16,500 parts per hour at a 100 percent inspection rate, with little to no operator intervention. WWW.PLASMATREATING.CO.UK
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MATERIALS | NEWS LUXUS’ COMPOSITE ACHIEVES ACCELERATED MATERIAL PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS An advanced range of lightweight, scratch resistant thermoplastics has passed accelerated materials performance trials with a Tier One moulder, giving it potential for commercial use. Hycolene PP, engineered by UKbased technical compounder, Luxus, has recently concluded the latest in a series of trials with IAC, bringing to an end the material validation process required for Hycolene as part of the €1.4m Eco-innovation funded ‘Recyclite’ project. The aim was to provide a theoretical equivalent of real-time ‘vehicle life’ for Hycolene (grade 16818), to satisfy fellow project member, Jaguar Land Rover’s engineering standard. The materials trials followed previous positive performance, delivering high scratchresistance; lightweight benefits and a rapid cycle time in the spring of this year. The chosen ‘A’ class interior test component for these latest trials was a current Jaguar Land Rover instrument panel (IP), which was exposed to in-market service temperatures expected for IP assemblies for several weeks ending
in June 2016. IAC’s laboratory and an independent test house, which compared the results against an industry standard thermoplastics grade, managed the tests. Accelerated material tests were completed, says Luxus, to satisfy auto manufacturers’ requirement for all interior plastics components to be more resistant to sunlight and heat as part of an overall goal of achieving a 10-year vehicle life. Weathering requirements have also become more severe as larger, aerodynamic windshield designs for example, have increased the sunlight exposure of many vehicle interiors today. “Firstly, we took panel gap measurements both pre and posttests to determine if there was any degree of component movement. UV resistance was also critical, with only minor fade allowed and no other colour tone change. A non-uniform colour change was unacceptable in these trials – Hycolene 16818 passed all the agreed criteria,” explained Luxus’ Technical Director, Dr Christel Croft. “Any occurrence of tackiness; grain loss; blistering; distortion; cracking; crazing; fibre deterioration; wrinkling; waviness; milking or spotting would have led to a rejection. We along with our Recyclite project partners
BASF DECLARES FORCE MAJEURE ON CERTAIN PRODUCTS FOLLOWING FIRE
BASF SE in Ludwigshafen (Credit: BASF SE)
As a consequence of the fire incident at the North Harbour at BASF SE in Ludwigshafen last month, BASF has declared Force Majeure on deliveries of certain dispersions, dispersion powders and hotmelts until further notice. Affected products include Acronal, acResin, Acrodur, Acrosol E 20 D, AQAGloss, Basonal, Col.9, Epotal and Luhydran. While the plants for these products are not affected by the incident, BASF says there have been impacts on logistics as well as raw materials. The explosion occurred on October 17, 2016, at the North Harbour in Ludwigshafen. Two employees WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK
Luxus’ Dr Christel Croft
are satisfied that Hycolene has once again exceeded expectations.” Peter Middleton, CBU director at IAC, added: “We are pleased that Hycolene has proved to be a fully developed and durable composite able to meet the requirements of this trial. We believe this composite now has the potential to be successful at full commercial scale for auto manufacturers that demand advanced lightweight and scratch performance in either sustainable recycled content or virgin grades for the vehicle’s life.” WWW.LUXUS.CO.UK
of BASF’s fire department and an employee of a tanker that was anchored in the harbour died in the accident. Eight people were seriously injured, 22 others were slightly injured. One of the seriously injured has been released from hospital. The course of events is still being investigated, although it is thought that a fire started during maintenance works on an ethylene pipeline route. BASF added that it is currently not able to specify how long the situation will last, however, says it is implementing measures to limit the consequences for its customers and will continuously inform them about the development and the details regarding the supply capability with the affected products. WWW.BASF.COM 35
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INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENTS GO ’ON THE RECORD’ AT INOVYN AWARDS Several innovators in the vinyls industry have been recognised for their forward-thinking achievements and products that are helping to drive the industry forward in a number of key areas. In an ‘Oscars’-style ceremony held in Düsseldorf on 20th October, winners of the 2016 Inovyn Awards were recognised in the areas of Innovation, Sustainability and Industrial Design, as well as two special prizes for unique applications. In the main award category, ‘Inovyn Award for Innovation with Vinyls’, the Gold Award winner was announced as Chemson Pacific Pty Ltd from Australia, for its project to formulate and engineer 3D Vinyl to be used as a cost effective and sustainable raw material in 3D printing. The 3D-Vinyl is extruded and pelletised to produce lower cost, more fire- and weather-resistant feedstock. As a lower-cost base polymer that’s non-toxic and sustainable, this product opens up a a whole new market segment for PVC. “It’s really an honour to have won this award and to be recognised by Inovyn for our contribution to PVC,” commented Greg Harrison, Managing Director at Chemson. “We
ALBIS PLASTIC EXPANDS THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS PORTFOLIO ALBIS PLASTIC GmbH is expanding its portfolio of thermoplastic elastomers by including polyamide adhesion modified ALFATERXL compounds available in shore hardness A55, A70 and A85. ALFATERXL is a blend of a polypropylene matrix with a finely dispersed, fully cross-linked EPDM phase and belongs to the group of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs). The material is resistant to weather, ozone, aqueous solutions, acids and alkaline media and can be used in a wide temperature range (-40 °C to +130 °C). As its natural appearance is very light, the material can be easily coloured. ALBIS says numerous tests have
have a great belief in sustainability. We believe that we will now take PVC into the new world of Advanced Manufacturing. It’s definitely an opportunity for us and it’s a sustainable opportunity.” Chemson’s Dennis Planner, accepting the award on behalf of Chemson Pacific, told BP&R: “To win is amazing. Creating a product for 3D printing started as a hobby, but we are truly excited about where we can take this.” In the other main categories, the ‘Sustainability’ prize was awarded the UK’s Axion Consulting for its RecoMed PVC take-back scheme, a pioneering project to increase PVC recycling in healthcare settings. The ‘Industrial Design’ prize was awarded to Bolon AB, Sweden, for its interactive design tool allowing customers to create their own flooring designs. Winners in each category were awarded monetary prizes and a special trophy created from a vinyl record, something that, owing to their recent resurgence in popularity, organisers felt typified the way in which PVC products can experience new life. “Innovation is the lifeblood of the vinyls industry. Therefore, as Europe’s leading provider of vinyls we are extremely proud to have hosted the Inovyn Awards 2016, which has highlighted the continued diversity of
confirmed the new adhesion modified ALFATERXL types offer an “excellent” 2K adhesion to PA6 and PA66. Peeling tests of ALFATERXL with shore hardness A55 in accordance to VDI 2019 typically resulted in cohesive break of the ALFATERXL TPV. This means that the adhesion to polyamide proved stronger than the inherent strength of the TPV. A further highlight, says ALBIS, is the good adhesion when using inserts (cold inlays). The new ALFATERXL types are said to be perfectly suited for the manufacture of ‘hard-soft’ components in various sectors, such as the automotive and electric / electronic industries. In the automotive industry, thanks to its high temperature resistance, the material is also suitable for use in
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innovation with vinyls,” commented Chris Tane, Inovyn CEO. “The global vinyls industry is highly progressive, representing the extensive use of this highly versatile material in all aspects of modern society. From products that make our homes and offices more energy efficient, comfortable and affordable to high performance leisure products and lifesaving medical equipment, vinyls continue to improve and enhance our everyday lives. Sustainability is absolutely critical to the continued success of the vinyls industry and it is extremely pleasing to see that so many of the projects entered into the Inovyn awards had a strong sustainability focus.” The full list of winners and projects can be found by visiting the dedicated Inovyn Awards website at the address below.
Greg Harrison and Dennis Planner of Chemson Pacific with their Inovyn award for Innovation
WWW.INOVYNAWARDS.COM
under-the-hood applications – e.g. seals, covers and cable ducts. Given its low emission and low fogging properties, the new ALFATERXL series also meets the requirements for interior automotive parts and housing components. WWW.ALBIS.COM
RXL ALFATE The new s are suited nd compou he hood r t to unde the ents in compon stry. u d tive in automo
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@POLYMERMAN ON PRICES Special: A European perspective on the effects of BREXIT on the plastics sector IN THIS EDITION OF OUR LATEST FEATURE LOOKING AT THE KEY ISSUES THAT INFLUENCE POLYMER PRICES, MIKE BOSWELL LOOKS IN DETAIL AT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UK AND EUROPEAN PLASTICS INDUSTRIES AND HOW THE UK’S DECISION TO EXIT THE EUROPEAN UNION IS LIKELY TO IMPACT.
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t was not until I prepared to present a paper entitled ‘Business beyond Brexit: Future relations between the UK and European polymer sectors’ that I started to comprehend the extent of the interdependence between the UK and European plastics industries. This important revelation was not only confirmed by the audience reaction the presentation I made at the KI Group Polymer Summit at K 2016, but also by the subsequent feedback received as I toured Europe’s largest plastics exhibition in the subsequent days. The relative importance of the UK to the EU and visa-versa in financial terms is clearly depicted by the infographic at the top of the page. The net imports from the EU to the UK is significant and includes over £2bn of raw materials. So whilst here in the UK the majority of us are preoccupied considering the implications of the Brexit vote on the UK plastics sector, it is easy to see why many senior plastics professionals in the EU are also giving great thought to the effects of the UK Referendum on EU membership on what today still represents some 10 percent of the European plastics industry. While the politicians continue work out what ‘Brexit’ actually means and, indeed, if negotiations will result in ‘soft’ or a ‘hard’ Brexit, the obvious implication so far is the significant devaluation of the GBP against both the Euro and the USD. Whilst there is some real latency in terms of UK GBP polymer prices reflecting the full extent of the devaluation, in due course markets will reach equilibrium and, based upon the current situation, the relative price of raw material is likely to increase by some 15+ percent compared to prereferendum levels. Whilst for UK plastic processors selling to UK
“With the expectation that the GBP is likely to remain at or below current rates until at least the two-year term after serving notice under Article 50, there would appear to be a substantial opportunity for the UK plastics sector to prosper.”
the GBP is likely to remain at or below current rates until at least the two-year term after serving notice under Article 50, there would appear to be a substantial opportunity for the UK plastics sector to prosper. Once the UK formally leaves the EU, possibly in March 2019, the competitive advantage may or may not be affected by any trade deal that is negotiated with the EU; in the case of a ‘hard Brexit’ the likelihood of 6.5 percent import duty and 6.5 percent export duty to and from the EU the advantages highlighted would be severely handicapped. Given the importance of the UK plastics business to the EU plastics sector, perhaps the requests for a ‘soft Brexit’ in which there would be 1) free access to the single market, 2) access to skills 3) maintaining and developing legislation compatible with the EU and 4) support for innovation and overseas business development might well receive a very sympathetic response from our European industry partners as they also consider what they may have to gain or lose through the departure of the UK from the EU.
Who is @polyerman?
customers in GBP there is likely to be significant resistance to price increases resulting from higher raw material costs, UK processors can enjoy a twofold benefit in that: 1.The total cost of imported products has increased by 15+ percent, which compares the raw material cost of domestically produced plus any other inflationary price pressures.
2.The price of UK exports has fallen by some 15+ percent less the impact of raw material and other inflation factors. The above table depicts the relative improvement in UK competitiveness in EU markets based upon a relative raw material cost increase of 15 percent at various proportions of raw material content. With the expectation that
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. He has a broad knowledge of both materials and the issues affecting the wider industry, with over 20 years experience in the field. @polymerman is the title used for announcements made via his Twitter account.
The process temperature control specialists Solutions for • Injection Moulding • Extrusion • Blow Moulding • Vacuum Forming • Thermoforming Swiss-made quality trusted worldwide
Unit 3, Everitt Close, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire NN8 2QE Tel: 01933 442623 Email: sales@tool-temp.net www.tool-temp.net
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TEMPERATURE CONTROL | NEWS ADIABATIC DRY COOLER PROVIDES ‘ACE’ TEMPERATURE CONTROL SOLUTION Manufacturer of temperature control systems, Frigosystem, has introduced a new range of adiabatic coolers following intensive analysis to improve the productivity, profitability, energy savings and environmental sustainability of its existing product. The company believes its new ‘ACE’ Dry Coolers perfect the adiabatic process by combining higher demands for temperature accuracy with innovative technology. By using powerful fans, placed within the ACEcooler, ambient air is conveyed through a PVC screen evaporator, which is uniformly moisturised by a patented ‘shower’ anti-scaling water distribution system. By permeating through the cavities of this evaporator, the air is cooled and releases heat to the water, which in turn evaporates. The now cooler air then passes through the cooling coils, providing process water with improved temperature control. The adiabatic function is fully automatic and, unlike conventional water spray systems, Friogsystem, which is represented in the UK and Ireland by Intelicare, says there is no water contamination to the surrounding area, slime build up on the cooling coil or degradation of the fins themselves due to corrosion. Commenting, Phil Jones, Director
as roup h Tech G e h t d in ed AEC investe y-modifi speciall m Renmar ro units f
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at Intelicare, said: “The ACE coolers offer lower environmental impact with regards to energy consumption and noise level, as well as using less water compared to traditional cooling towers. The coolers have been
designed with maximum efficiency in mind and this is crucial when looking at productivity, cost savings and sustainability.”
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customer-specified paint treatment. “Practically every other competitive range of mould heaters will have a heat exchanger and water reservoir. With this arrangement, the buildup of sediment is inevitable which means a reduction in efficiency and frequent maintenance,” explained Dan Horne, General Manager at Renmar. “The AEC mould heaters have a pressurised system which means that flow rates are much higher, mould heating is more consistent thanks to turbulent flow and there is no sediment build-up to worry about.”
A Dublin-based manufacturer of consumer, healthcare and medical products has recently purchased its 119th mould heater. As part of a continuous replacement policy, Tech Group has invested in the specially-modified AEC units, supplied by UK supplier, Renmar Plastics Machinery, based on both their reliability and ability to be customised for the company’s needs. The modifications include an advanced control panel, which allows communication between the mould heater and injection moulding machine through a chosen protocol, different control valves for dealing with the process water and a WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK
WWW.INTELICARE.CO.UK
WWW.ACSCORPORATE.COM/AEC WWW.RENMAR.CO.UK
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WITTMANN TARGETS HIGH END MOULDING WITH TEMPERATURE CONTROL DEVELOPMENTS The contribution that mould temperature controllers make towards error-free production and quality control in high-end plastic products is driving the evolution of Wittmann’s latest range of units. According to the Managing Director of Wittmann UK, Barry Hill, the demand for accurate and reliable temperature control equipment is growing amongst moulders producing demanding and technical parts. Wittmann’s Tempro Primus units, for example, have just been shipped to the new Class 7 Cleanroom production facility that has recenly opened within the new Boddingtons
factory in Tonbridge, Kent. Here, they will be used as part of a production operation working to extremely tight tolerances and specifications for plastic devices used in the medical industry. In addition, German technical moulder, Wethje, invested in three TEMPRO plus D180 dual zone temperature controllers to temper a new working cell that uses the Prepreg Compression Moulding (PCM) technique. Wethje says its subsequent and exhaustive testing of the Wittmann units (and competitor products) has revealed the “superiority” of the former. “When high-value and technically demanding mouldings are at stake, there can be no error in production,” explained Hill.
ADIABATIC DRY COOLERS AND THERMOREFRIGERATORS INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR ENERGY SAVING
“That is partly the reason for the evolution of our family of temperature controller products and for continuing innovation and product launches in this area. Because of their high usability and detailed process documentation, TEMPRO plus D devices, for example, are contributing considerably to quality control.” At K 2016 last month Wittmann brought a number of new temperature controllers to the market, including the TEMPRO plus D250 – a completely overworked further development of the TEMPRO plus 250. The new thermo-oilcontroller has many new features – compared to the forerunner model, beginning with its compact design. It is also equipped with the 5.7” colour touch-display of the D series, for optimal ease of use. The enhanced heating capacity of the unit now reaches 16 kW. “Using oil as a heat transfer medium, it is possible to heat up moulds to a temperature higher than 230 °C. This is an absolute requirement for running special applications and high temperature engineering plastics,” Hill added. The new unit can be fully integrated into the control system of a Wittmann Battenfeld injection-moulding machine, using an optional Wittmann 4.0 interface. WWW.WITTMANN-GROUP.COM
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• Lower environmental impact, with regard to energy consumption and noise level • Lower water consumption by up to 95% when compared to a traditional cooling tower • Lower costs for chemical treatments • Lower cost for maintenance • Maximum efficiency thanks to special Frigosystem patented design
www.intelicare.co.uk Email:sales@intelicare.co.uk Tel: 01777 248m
HC - HEATING AND COOLING
• High accuracy thermorefrigerators • Working temperature range from +5° C to +90° C • Possibility of 2 different temperature sets • Energy saving with Frigosystem free cooling • Wide range of customization of pressure, flow, heating
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NEW IM FACILITY GIVES ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURER GREATER PROCESS CONTROL UK-based manufacturer of electronic assemblies, Pektron, has invested in a purpose-built factory to house its new injection moulding facility and full suite of temperature control equipment as it continues to invest in its future growth. The Derby-based company, which supplies global brands in the automotive, safety, industrial and off-highway markets, commissioned the new facility in order to give the company greater control over its processes, as well as to act as a global showcase for customers and technical experts visiting the site. “At Pektron we have never been afraid to invest in manufacturing technology to keep abreast of the latest developments in electronic components and processes. As a result we have one of the most up to date manufacturing facilities in Europe,” said Ian Harpham, Pektron’s Manufacturing Director. Pektron specified a three-week turnaround for the installation of the new facility, which incorporates eleven i-Temp ci 140T temperature control units from ICS Cool Energy in order to provide precise control over temperature-sensitive materials and tool temperatures up to 140°C, as
The chillers are also engineered with a host of new features to ensure operational efficiency and optimal performance, further contributing to the bottom line.
FRIGEL SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDS ITS PORTFOLIO OF HEAVYGEL AIR-COOLED CHILLERS Frigel has increased its range line of modular Heavygel 3HL and 3HM air-cooled central chillers almost threefold, adding new technology and features to ensure operational efficiency and optimal performance. The expanded line of chillers, debuted at K 2016, is designed to give users the ability to purchase
well as injection moulding machinery from Engel. “Given the exacting temperature control requirements associated with injection moulding applications, coupled with Pektron’s ambitious plans for growth, it was imperative that any solution installed was able to deliver the level of precision required,” explained Dave Palmer, Sales Director - Heater Division UK and Europe, at ICS Cool Energy. “The i-Temp ci 140T high performance units were able to give Pektron an unparalleled level of control, through the use of our built-in C8 Advanced Controllers. These mean that operators can access full diagnostics across the
only the chilled water capacity they need now – with the flexibility to add capacity later. The air-cooled Heavygel chillers are available in 34 models, versus 12 original models. The chillers deliver anywhere from 79 to 1428 kW (26 to 393 tonnes) of cooling capacity. Additionally, multiple models are available for operation in ambient temperatures that range from -15 to 55oC, making them well suited for use virtually anywhere in the world, says Frigel. The Heavygel chillers are available in a wide variety of configurations, including units designed to connect to external pumping systems, to completely packaged systems that already contain all needed auxiliary components. A variety of condenser fans, such as variable speed units that automatically adjust to varying loads and ambient conditions, offer more options to address the cooling needs of the operation. Frigel says amongst the “many enhancements” of its Heavygel chiller range is the incorporation of its 3PR control technology. The technology gives the units Wi-Fi and Ethernet WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK
The new showroom-style injection moulding facility at Pektron’s Global Headquarters in Derby
injection moulding operations, reporting on alarms, flow monitoring and return temperatures, as well as allowing for a pre-selection of heating and cooling times to enable improved levels of automation.” The new temperature controllers were finished in a green shade, at Pektron’s request, in order to match the Engel machines and give the new factory the ‘showroom’ design that the company desired. WWW.ICSCOOLENERGY.COM
capability to connect to building management systems, while also providing easy access to a wealth of operational data. In addition, 3PR technology lets users control and optimise all aspects of the chillers. Frigel technicians can also remotely access the control system and view real-time data when needed to help with troubleshooting or assistance to improve equipment performance. Another key feature, the company added, is robust onboard memory capacity to continuously store vital operating conditions for later analysis and further system optimisation. In keeping with the need to help users tightly control operational costs, the chillers are also designed to deliver industryleading EERs (energy efficiency ratings). Environmentally friendly refrigerants are used throughout, says Frigel. Additionally, highefficiency scroll, multi-scroll or dualscrew compressors are available, depending on required cooling capacities. WWW.FRIGEL.COM 43
NEC BIRMINGHAM, UK | 26-28 SEPTEMBER 2017
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MACHINERY | NEWS OMEGA PLASTICS INVESTS OVER £200,000 FOLLOWING INCREASING DEMAND IN MEDICAL INDUSTRY Omega Plastics says increased demand for a range of healthcare and medical devices has resulted in an investment of more than £200,000 in new technology at its plant on Teesside. The company manufactures specialised equipment used throughout the healthcare industry, from plastic products used within GP’s surgeries and the operating theatre to those used in medical testing and trials. Manufactured by Fanuc, Omega says the new machinery and systems technology will increase productivity and improve levels of energy efficiency in Omega Plastics’ plant in Hartlepool. “The diversity and growth in the medical devices industry make this a fundamentally important market for our business. This is just the latest in a line of investments we have made in our people and the
CASE STUDY: SWITCH TO ADVANCED HYDRAULIC OIL SAVES UK PLASTICS MANUFACTURER FOUR PERCENT ENERGY SAVINGS A UK-based manufacturer of plastic durables has achieved significant energy savings at its production plant following a switch to advanced hydraulic oil for use in its injection moulding machines. By switching to Mobil DTE 10 Excel 68 from ExxonMobil, the company, which manufactures plastic buckets, pails and drums on machines with clamping force ranging from 30 to 650 tonnes, enhanced its overall hydraulic efficiency and is achieving energy savings of 4.28 percent.
Managing Director, Gary Powner, photographed at Omega Plastics’ plant in Hartlepool, Teesside, where more than £200,000 has been invested in new technology.
technologies they work with to ensure we consistently deliver the highest quality products and services to our customers,” explained Gary Powner, Managing Director of Omega Plastics. “The sector is understandably heavily regulated, especially in the supply of products and materials that are intended to come into direct contact with humans. Fanuc’s purpose-built machines enable us to create exactly the right conditions for manufacturing these highly sensitive
products.” Omega Plastics is part of the Omega Plastics Group, which has three sites across the North East. The Hartlepool site currently employs 30 people and the group employs more than 50 others at Blyth in Northumberland and Washington in Tyne and Wear, where further investments are in the pipeline.
In order to reduce the company’s power consumption and cut its carbon footprint, ExxonMobil’s field engineers suggested a trial of Mobil DTE 10 Excel in one of the manufacturer’s Windsor Armour 150-tonne injection moulding machines, owing to the product’s specific design for hydraulic systems. The month-long trial at the customer site showed that switching to hydraulic fluid improved the overall efficiency of the machine compared with the previous lubricant. This improved energy efficiency, which resulted in an overall annual saving of approximately £2,400. “Plastics manufacturing is a highly competitive and challenging sector, so to remain competitive
companies must explore every avenue to optimise their operation,” said Mohamed Mourad, Industrial Marketing Advisor, EAME, at ExxonMobil. “Lubricants are a small part of a plant’s maintenance costs, but they can have a significant impact on both productivity and efficiency – resulting in long-term savings.”
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WWW.MOBILINDUSTRIAL.COM E 10 Excel Mobil DT ted for la is formau uipment. eq c li u hydra obil (Image: M . l) ia tr s du In
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Engineering Passion
THOMAS DUDLEY UNDERLINES COMMITMENT TO UK MANUFACTURING WITH NEW IMM Manufacturer of bathroom products, Thomas Dudley, has invested in a new Wittmann Battenfeld injection moulding machine in what it says is a commitment to manufacturing in the UK. The new Battenfeld 50 Tonne SmartPower moulding machine reinforces Dudley’s capabilities and feeds into the company’s corporate strategy of investing in new technology.
PETFORD GROUP RECOGNISED AT MANUFACTURING AWARDS Toolmaker and injection moulder, Petford Tools, has been named runner up in an awards dedicated to recognising manufacturing excellence in the Midlands region. The team behind the ‘Made in the Midlands’ Awards said the company, which invested £8 million into the company earlier this year to support its continued growth had had an “incredible year in business.” “Petford Group’s application was truly brilliant. They are a fantastic example of a local manufacturer that continues to invest, grow and innovate,” said Jason Pitt, Made in the Midlands CEO. Petford’s investment was dedicated towards developing its new premises and growing its moulding division even further, ensuring the company can continue to support
“The new machine has already delivered cost, cycle-time and reliability improvements,” said Steve Pepper, Plastics Divisional Director at Thomas Dudley. “With sustainability in mind, it also uses 80 percent less electricity and we are already reviewing a number of our other existing machines.” Work has also begun on Thomas Dudley’s new corporate office block, which is due to be completed next year.
WWW.DUDLEYBATHROOMPRODUCTS.CO.UK WWW.WITTMANN-GROUP.COM
major OEM’s and Tier One suppliers across the globe. Part of the investment included the purchase of an £800,000 Correanayak milling machine, enabling the company to handle tooling up to 50 tonnes in weight and seven metres in length. Petford also confirmed that it has sourced £16.5 million worth of orders so far this calendar year. An additional strength highlighted at the awards was Petford’s support of women in engineering. “I am absolutely delighted, mainly due to the fantastic team I have in place here,” said Petford’s Managing Director, Melvin Sinar. “We have got a lot of new projects going on and we can confirm that we have a major investment set for the future.”
LANCASHIRE MOULDER MAKES £400,000 INVESTMENT TO MEET GROWING DEMAND
WWW.PETFORDGROUP.CO.UK
Managing Director, Melvin Sinar alongside Marketing Executive, Kira Edwards, of Petford Group
A Lancashire-based injection moulder has invested £400,000 in new machinery and robotic equipment following a growth in demand. MGS Technical Plastics, based in Blackburn, has purchased two new moulding machines from Sumitomo Demag – a D210 model which increases capacity for lower tonnage work - and a D420 model which allows more options for mid-range work. In addition, the company has invested in four new Sepro robots to help operate the machines and improve shopfloor efficiencies, bringing the total investment to £400,000. “As our business grows we invest to meet demand. We started out with a lot of smaller moulding work but we are increasingly being asked to undertake projects that have larger parts. The purchase of these machines means we are better equipped to meet our customers’ requirements,” commented Neil Garrity, MGS’ Manufacturing Director. “As well as extra capacity and more flexible working, the new machinery increases our automation, which means we can work more efficiently and meet the ever increasing demands from our customers.” MGS has already begun its next phase of investment, increasing the size of its premises before investing in a material feed system for the machines, which will go in the extension. Garrity added: “In line with our growth strategy we’ve invested to improve efficiencies and provide our customers with a service that’s beyond their expectations. We’re investing in the business and we’re all really proud of what we are building here.” WWW.MGSPLASTICS.CO.UK
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Thomas Dudley’s new plastic injection moulding machine
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hot plate welding Branson Ultrasonics
MASTERBATCH
158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.bransoneurope.eu
BLACK & WHITE MASTERBATCH Compounding
Recycling
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Pipe
Conduit
pulse staking H.T.E Engineering Ltd
Unit 9, St Ives Enterprise Centre, St Ives, Huntingdon Cambridgeshire, UK, PE27 3NP T: +44 (0) 1480 467321 M: +44 (0) 7435 967632 E: john@hte.ie W: www.pulsestaker.com
Whitelands Mill, Whitelands Road Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6UG, UK Tel: +44 (0)161 308 2550 Fax: +44 (0)161 343 2026 E-mail: aml@abbeymb.com Web: www.abbeymb.com
ultrasonic welding
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.
Accurate colour systems for the PVC and additives industries t: +44(0)1942 254006 e: sales@astropol.uk.com www.astropol.uk.com
DRYERS
MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT InControl Ultrasonics Ltd (FFR Ultrasonics Ltd)
PO Box 10380, Sileby, LE12 7ZX T: 01509 621992 E: enquiries@ffr-ultrasonics. co.uk W: www.ffr-ultrasonics.co.uk
TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT LISA MONTGOMERY 01244 680222
Unit 5, Martindale, Hawks Green, Cannock, Staffs, WS11 7XN Replacement Coils New platens T: 01543 570642 F: 01543 574460 E: sales@mfinduction.com W: www.mfinduction.com
HOT RUNNER SYSTEMS hot runner controllers
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
Telsonic UK Ltd
12a - 15 Birch Copse Technology Road, Poole, Dorset BH17 7FH T: 01202 697340 F: 01202 693674 E: info.uk@telsonic.com W: www.telsonic.co.uk Blog: telsonicuk.wordpress.com
MATERIALS HANDLING AND STORAGE gravimetric/volumetric blending
Eclipse Buyers Guide_Layout 1 07 vibration welding PL Machinery BG 2015_Layout 1 2
colour masterbatch
Polymer Specific and Universal Colour and Additive Masterbatches. Fastmatch colour matching service. 1 mm Easysperse MicroPellets to 4 mm MaxiPellets. Standards second to none.
MF Induction Heating
Motan Colortronic Ltd
ANCILLARIES
Units 3E + 3F, Hillam Road Industrial Estate, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD2 1QN T: 01274 731552 F: 01274 738118 E: sales@eclipsecolours.com W: www.eclipsecolours.com
induction heating for platens and tools
Motan Colortronic Ltd
Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk
Branson Ultrasonics
Whatever your ancillary needs – we have the solution
158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UE T: 01753 756675 F: 01753 551270 E: bucuk.sales@emerson.com W: www.bransoneurope.eu
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Hire from one month
Motan Colortronic Ltd
Telephone: 01582 883666 Email: sales@plmachinery.com Web: www.plmachinery.com
TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT LISA MONTGOMERY 01244 680222
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
Monthly rolling contract Opportunity to purchase Range of models Preventative Maintenance Visits
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Suction Blowers pipework cyclones New and Used recycling Equipment Kongskilde Spares, Parts and Pipework Suppliers industrial BLOWERS FLAKE/REGRIND Friendly Expert advice Les 01568 611338 Hereford W: WWW.GRAINBLOWERS.CO.UK
FOR SALE We have prime, reprocessed, regranulated, pulverised in various grades / colours flexible PVC compound for sale.
DEHUMIDIFIERS Motan Colortronic Ltd
Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk
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We also buy flexible PVC and associated raw materials, redundant stocks / scrap for reprocessing. Please send us your detailed enquiries / offers. Vinyl Ltd Tel: 01625 500912 Email: vinyl_ltd@mail.com 47
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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
MATERIALS HANDLING AND STORAGE hopper loaders
MAPRA Technik Co – DOSS – MARCEL AUBERT – KAFER
For DOSS visual solution of Italy – Inspection & sorting machines for O’rings, Seals, Gaskets. T: 020 8508 4207 F: 020 8502 5107 E: info@mapra.co.uk W: www.mapra.co.uk
TRAINING
for
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
thermocouples
SECONDHAND AND RECONDITIONED ANGLO PLASTICS LTD
RECYCLING SYSTEMS EREMA Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen Ges.m.b.H.
MIXING, FEEDING & DOSING Motan Colortronic Ltd
Matilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QB T: 01246 260222 F: 01246 455420 E: sales@motan-colortronic.co.uk W: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk
Unterfeldstraße 3 4052 Ansfelden / Austria Phone: +43 (0)732/31 90-0 Fax: +43 (0)732/31 90-71 sales@erema.at www.erema.at
CHOOSE THE NUMBER ONE.
METAL DETECTION & SEPARATION EQUIPMENT Motan Colortronic Ltd
Industrial Plastics Ltd
SCREWS & BARRELS Magnetics Separators Metal Detectors Eddy Current Separators
Bunting Magnetics Europe Ltd European Design & Manufacturing Facility
Northbridge Road Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 1EH, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1442 875081 Email: sales@buntingeurope.com www.buntingeurope.com www.magneticseparation.co
/magnetic_separation_and_metal_detection/
Contact: Carlton Hicks
www.magog.co.uk
DM Machinery Ltd
Used Injection Moulding Machine Stockists 40 Thorne Lane, Wakefield West Yorkshire, WF1 5RR T: 01924 290206 E: sales@dmmachinery.co.uk W: www.dmmachinery.co.uk
STATIC CONTROL
• 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 Magog Industries Ltd, 10 Crane Mead, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 9PY T: +44(0)1920 465201 E: enquiries@magog.co.uk
3D PRINTING
3D Printing in Plastic & Rubber
Arrowquint Ltd
Unit 2 Sanders Close, Finedon Road Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire NN8 4HQ T: 08450 655455 F: 08450 655456 E: sales@arrowquint.co.uk W: www.arrowquint.co.uk Static control solutions, equipment sales and rental, repairs and on-site servicing. UK/Eire agent for Eltex – market leaders in static control systems.
TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT LISA MONTGOMERY 01244 680222
TESTING EQUIPMENT hardness - IRHD and shore MAPRA Technik Co — BAREISS For Bareiss of Germany IRHD & SHORE hardness testers, Abrasion & Rebound testers. T: 020 8508 4207 F: 020 8502 5107 E: info@mapra.co.uk W: www.mapra.co.uk
inspection & measurement
DTL Machinery UK
Design, Manufacture, and Refurbishment of Screws & Barrels for the Plastics and Rubber Industries.
Contact us to find out how we can help you
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8 Lyall Court, Flitwick, Bedfordshire MK45 1UX T: 01525 850610 F: 01525 218008 E: cooperplastics@googlemail.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.
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
- 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
WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK
Tel: 01420 88645
www.projet3d.co.uk
SERVICES MOULDFLOW ANALYSIS Injection
Moulding
Trainingancy Consultow fl & Mold c.co.uk www.rjgin
Unit 13 Canterbury Industrial Park, 297 Ilderton Road, London, SE15 1NP T: 020 7252 9600 F: 020 7252 9601 E: sales@ipl-london.co.uk W: www.ipl-london.co.uk
Cooper Plastics Machinery
Motan Colortronic Ltd
211 )1733 232 P. +44 (0
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
SCREEN CHANGERS
Buy/Sell Used Plastics Machinery Rutland Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 1HX T: +44 (0) 1276 470910 T: +44 (0) 7740 632907 E: information@ angloplastics.com W: www.angloplastics.com
FOR SALE
c.co.uk www.rjgin
pad
11 )1733 2322 P. +44 (0
Engineers to the Plastics & Rubber industries, specialising in the following:
PRINTING MACHINES
ulders injection mo
BUYER’S GUIDE
SERVICES SOFTWARE
PRINTERS
Gammadot Rheology Testing & Consultancy Services
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
PARTS & SERVICE
TESTINg/CONSULTANCY
Component PRINTERS
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
TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT LISA MONTGOMERY 01244 680222
TAMPO.SCREEN.FOIL
c.co.uk www.rjgin
211 )1733 232 P. +44 (0
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
SOFTWARE DIRECTORY A listing in the Software Directory costs £160 per programme per year. Call Lisa on 01244 680222 for details. real time production monitoring, scheduling and process monitoring Epicor Mattec Real-time MES (Microsoft Windows™ PC Servers & “Web Based”) Epicor Software (UK) Ltd T: +44 (0)1344 468 468 E: info.uk@epicor.com Modules: Production Monitoring, Process Monitoring, “Drag and Drop” Scheduling/Planning, “Family Moulding”, Preventative Maintenance, Bar Coding/Parts’ Trace-ability, Operator Visual Aids, Process Parameter Profiling, E-mail/Public Address System Alerts, Stand-alone “Drag and Drop” Scheduler, Stand-alone SPC “Machine Analyzer”, Machine Energy Monitoring, KPI Dashboards, Visual Manufacturing (Large LED Displays), Automatic Data Import/Export Functions (For Integration with Epicor ERP & Other Manufacturing Systems/Software Packages). PlantMaster BMS Vision Ltd T: 01254 662244, E: sales.bla@visionbms.com Website: www.visionbms.com/ plastics. Affordable and flexible MES system for the plastics/rubber industry. Real-time production monitoring features wireless data units and OPC Ethernet machine connections. “Drag & drop” job scheduling supports frame/insert level family tooling plus KAN BAN. ERP system integration, SPC/ SQC, Touch Screen Data Units, Machine Maintenance, Operator Tracking, Traceability, DNC, Energy
Monitoring, Bar Coding, Pager Alerts. Easy to use systems from a €600m company with over 30 years experience. intouch T: 01604 646144 E: enquiries@ intouchmonitoring.com Website: www.intouchmonitoring.com Real-time production monitoring systems. Designed to be easy to use and providing affordable solutions to all sizes of businesses. Production monitoring, scheduling, reporting, data import/export, databases for parts, tools and operators, integration with other software packages. ProHelp EPM (for Microsoft Windows™ PC Servers) Mattec Ltd T: 01909 561544 F: 01909 560675 E: a.jewell@mattec.com Real-time Modules: Production Monitoring, ‘Drag and Drop’ Scheduling/Planning, Preventative Maintenance, Bar Coding/Parts Traceability, Operator Visual Aids, Process Parameter Profiling, Pager/ Tannoy Alerts, Stand-alone ‘Drag and Drop’ Scheduler, Stand-alone SPC Machine Analyzer, Automatic Data Import/Export Functions (for integration to Manufacturing Systems and other software packages). SYSCON – PlantStar Tel: +44 (0)7747 014545 E: ianh@syscon-intl.com W: www.mtec-services.co.uk W: www.plantstar.org
PlantStar systems provide customised, scalable applications that deliver real-time plant floor data from any machine, shift, and plant anywhere in your business. Affordable systems available for all size of processor. Browserbased software and hardware, and wireless Ethernet technology make for highly versatile and configurable systems providing information wherever needed. Standard systems include realtime alarms, downtime & reject analysis, capacity scheduling , ERP integration and more. With options including SPC/SQC, Labour tracking and Scheduling, Family Tooling, Materials traceability, barcoding. New QuickShot entry level system, provides real-time data collection & reporting, plus drag & drop scheduling and much more for less than £500 per machine!
enterprise resource planning Epicor ERP Manufacturing Software (For Plastics’/Rubber Processors) Epicor Software (UK) Ltd T: +44 (0)1344 468 468 E: info.uk@epicor.com Epicor ERP software for the polymer converting industry covers the full range of back office operations from on-line and off-line sales and quotations to production planning, inventory management and finance through to logistics, warehousing and distribution. Available on-site, hosted & SaaS it seamlessly integrates with Epicor Mattec Real-time MES to provide a single system that offers a complete quote-to-cash solution for the plastics’/rubber industries.
WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK
Process Optimisation Software RJG Technologies Ltd Moulding Technology T: +44 (0)1733 232211 E ingo@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.
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NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE
F
bp&r BRITISH PLASTICS &RUBBER 50
‘WIS 4-32-08: Issue 4, Fusion jointing of polyethylene pressure pipeline systems using PE80 and PE100 materials’. The water industry is now confident that properly designed and installed plastics piping can last for over 100 years, indeed there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that lifespans of 200 years could be within our grasp. This was the basis of a workshop held at the BPF on November 2nd. Back to the K fair, the BPF scored a couple of big successes. The first was that alongside our project partners, Axion Consulting, BPF won the Sustainability category of the 2016 Inovyn Awards for its work on RecoMed, the PVC medical devices takeback scheme funded by VinylPlus. Supervised by the BPF’s Vinyls Group,the scheme provides an alternative and sustainable disposal route for waste medical items made from high-quality, medical-grade PVC. It does a lot to extend the impressive list of sustainability credentials underpinning PVC: it spotlights the efficient use of resources and it helps participating hospitals to save cash at a difficult point for the NHS. Last year RecoMed’s contribution was recognised by the 2015 Environment Award offered by the Association for Anaesthetic and Respiratory Device and the Society for Anaesthetists. We estimate that some 2,250 tonnes of PVC could be recycled by collecting items, such as anaesthetic facemasks, oxygen masks and associated tubing from UK hospitals. Nine hospitals are currently taking part in RecoMed. The second success was the launch by PlasticsEurope and the BPF of an educational toolkit designed to engage younger children with polymer science through a series of experiments that point up the properties and applications of plastics. With a guidance booklet featuring a character named Olly, it is designed to engage pupils aged between six and ten. It will form a key part of our forthcoming ‘Ambassadors Campaign’ and our volunteer Ambassadors will be given specific training in the use of the kit in early December. WWW.BPF.CO.UK
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS
ollowing our return from the ‘K’ fair, the BPF staff had to hit the ground running. Early day motion 656 - Bottle Deposit Return Scheme - tabled in the House of Commons by Caroline Lucas MP, allowed us to elaborate why the Federation believes IN THIS MONTH’S EDITION deposit schemes to be a bad OF HIS REGULAR COLUMN, idea. Unfortunately, Ms. Lucas PHILIP LAW, DIRECTORGENERAL OF THE BRITISH did not fully consider the PLASTICS FEDERATION (BPF), impacts of deposits or indeed current research on litter EXPLAINS WHY THE BPF HAS composition. Bottles account CALLED FOR A MEETING WITH for only 2.5 percent of littered CAROLINE LUCAS MP AND items in England (according SPECULATES AS TO WHETHER to the Keep Britain Tidy PLASTIC PIPES INSTALLED Litter Composition Survey of England, 2014). Additionally, TODAY COULD BE WITH US the evidence from other UNTIL 2216. countries indicates that Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) are very expensive to introduce, have a high cost for local councils and can cause inconvenience for consumers. As Incpen has established, in Germany, the cost of collection per item through the DRS is three times as high as a kerbside system. The introduction of such a system is likely to undermine the existing kerbside collection operated by local councils as well as penalise consumers who already recycle at home. We have put in a request for a meeting with Ms. Lucas to discuss our respective points of view. It’s good to see industry sectors pushing the properties of plastics to their extremes and recently our Plastics Pipes Liaison Group, linking up our Pipes Group members with the members of Water UK, showcased the durability of plastics pipe and how the opportunities for the sealability of pipe sections can be exploited to the full. They have just updated and published one of the fundamental building blocks to achieving a leakfree pipeline, a specification for the fusion jointing of polyethylene pipes, or to give it its full technical name,
WWW.BRITISHPLASTICS.CO.UK
Ampacet is the leading global Masterbatch
Ampacet has 7 production sites in Europe and
producer that was founded in New York in
has recently increased its capacity in the UK
1937 and present in Europe since 1986.
based
Ampacet’s Masterbatches are used in almost
extended exibility on the lines and shifts to
every
and
suit customer demands. The UK plant brings
application. Our black, white, color and
the domestic presence to the region focusing
additive Masterbatches meet the diverse
on providing a quality product and service
appearance and functional requirements
with fast colour matching services, on time
placed on plastic products. Furthermore,
deliveries and guaranteed made to stock
Ampacet oers in-depth technical, analytical
products in place.
polymer,
plastic
process
production
site,
Telford,
and color-matching support as well as on-site troubleshooting and in-house prototyping.
For further information on our product range, please contact us at: marketing.europe@ampacet.com www.ampacet.com
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