Self-compounding: A Futile Struggle

Rare earths will drive the future of material science. We are only at the beginning of a new less of cement precisely with this in mind. Manufacturing too revolution that may has to go green! If happen in the next this has to happen, decade. first the materials used must change. Thus, sustainability will be the key driver of new developments in material sciences going forward.

More From Less For More (MLM)

In an article titled, ‘More from Less for More, The Power of Inclusive Innovation’, Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar argues that the MLM concept must have a wide impact on the manufacturing system design across a range of products. The concept encompasses:

M = More performance (Harness sophisticated technology and quality),

L = @ lesser cost (Affordable to all strata of society),

M = To benefit more people (Inclusiveness).

The need to pursue the MLM concept is obvious. But to do so, apart from design and engineering, materials used will have a significant contribution to make, making MLM the next important driver that will emphasise the need to develop newer materials. l Developing alloys of advanced materials.

(Source: U.S. Department of Energy)

Widely used in the automobile industry, the concept of light-weighting is gaining popularity across product segments, making it a crucial driver for the development of material science.

Scientists continue to invent advanced materials with highly specific properties that outperform existing materials and enable more innovative product designs.

Manufacturing companies prefer to use tried-andtrue materials for their products - these materials are already validated and their chemical and mechanical properties well-studied. However, product performance and functionality can often be improved with new materials that, once tested and approved, deliver highly specific engineered properties that enhance product performance and create product design options that were not available before.

Source: Mark Crawford, Technology Writer

3D Printing

This new concept of manufacturing intricate parts reverses the process of their manufacturing

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Light-Weighting

This concept converges multiple objectives. Reducing the cost of products, enabling a reduction in the quantum of energy used, improving process efficiency and, most importantly, achieving lower carbon footprint and aiding a shift towards sustainability. Considering that the use of aluminium reduces the mass by between 30 - 60%, carbon fibre composites can reduce it by 50 - 70% etc. These materials can be used in four ways to achieve the objective: l Increasing understanding of the materials themselves through modeling and computational materials science, l Improving their properties (such as strength, stiffness and ductility), l Improving their manufacturing efficiency (material cost, production rate or yield),

Scientists continue to invent advanced materials with highly specific properties that outperform existing materials and enable more innovative product designs. Manufacturing companies prefer to use triedand-true materials for their products - these materials are already validated and their chemical and mechanical properties well-studied. However, product performance and functionality can often be improved with new materials that, once tested and approved, deliver highly specific engineered properties that enhance product performance and create product design options that were not available before. Source: Mark Crawford, Technology Writer

www. star ling er. com

Functional Polymers

To Address New Applications and Markets

“Functional polymer market globally is a specialised technical market with very few players operating in this field, and India is now becoming a significant player. The functional polymer demand is going to substantially increase in India and across the world with the increase in demand from automotive, wire and cable, optic fibres, recycling and packaging industries,” highlights Vishal Mehta, in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

Q. Share with the readers, in short, an overview of your business today.

Aquent Advance Material Technologies is into research and manufacturing of functional polymers, in collaboration with a technology partner from the US. Functional polymers has been a growing segment globally and in India as well. Today, most of the materials are imported from different parts of the world.

Aquent produces high-quality functional polymers, impact modifiers and coupling aid for engineering plastic compounding for automotive and consumer goods markets, coupling agents for the wire and cable markets, coating resins for optic fibre FRP rod, tie layer resins for multilayer packaging, coupling and resins for CPP and BOPP, recycle resins and tie layers, lamination resins, biopolymer coupling agent and chain extenders as well as elastomers for high-performance footwear.

Functional polymers for EP and PP compounding are currently the growth drivers; packaging and cable would add to the future growth. Furthermore, optic fibre coatings is most certainly going to contribute to our growth plans; so is recycling and biopolymers.

Q. A young company engaged in a very niche and demanding segment of the plastics industry, what drew you towards this industry and how has the journey been so far?

Global compounding, cable and packaging OEMs are looking at India as a manufacturing base. Today, most of the quality functional polymers are imported with a lead time of 3 - 4 months mainly from Europe and US. Aquent identified the need of customers due to supply chain constraints and established a state-of-the-art manufacturing and testing facility to manufacture functional polymers in India. Most of the domestic and global customers have welcomed Aadibond functional polymers with open arms. They found high-quality products at the lowest lead time and reasonable value for money. Many customers agreed to join the development programmes that led to new product innovations and application developments. The journey so far has been quite exciting and the future looks more promising. Aadibond functional polymers are now approved by multinationals in India and their plants in Europe and the USA as well.

Q. Sound knowledge of the properties of various polymers partnered with excellent knowhow of chemistry is the key to making a mark in this niche segment. How should a company stay abreast of the latest developments?

We have invested in R&D and application laboratories along with continuous updates on graft technologies through international collaborations; various joint development programmes with customers in various applications namely cable, optic fibre, packaging and EP compounding; and working closely with them has helped develop new polymer solutions. To address the sustainability challenges, we have developed new functional polymers for biopolymers, recycling and EPR requirements.

Vishal Mehta

Managing Director, Aquent Advance Material Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai Q. With such a diverse solution system, what strategies do you follow for business forecasting?

We work very closely with our customers for forecasting and planning; most customers work on annual programmes and have benefited from such engagements. Long-term mutual commitments with customers have helped in planning and forecasting for such a range. This also has helped customers with JIT availability in tough supply markets. Aquent comes with 15 years of supply chain and distribution experience in speciality elastomers and polymers which has come very helpful in catering to customers’ planning.

Q. Which are the verticals / applications that you envisage as being major contributors to your business over the next 2 - 3 years?

Functional polymers for EP and PP compounding are currently the growth drivers; packaging and cable would add to the future growth. Furthermore, optic fibre coatings is most certainly going to contribute to our growth plans; so is recycling and biopolymers.

Q. The material of the future, your views.

Optic fibre FRP coating, biopolymers and recycled resins for EPR and sustainability are surely the product of the future. Our compatibilisers and tie layers for recyclable

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Weekend Delights

Friday night to Monday morning, a time to unwind, rejuvenate and be geared to face another grueling week. Each one of us use this ‘my time’ is different ways. And why not, weekend is a time for expressing ourselves. We all have known the personalities featured here as astute business stalwarts; as life is more than just business, we at POLYMERS Communiqué, have started this section called ‘WEEKEND DELIGHTS’. Live life...

Purushottam Deshpande

Asst. Vice President Fleetguard Filters Pvt. Ltd.

The weekend is very precious as I spend a lot of time talking on the phone to my children in the USA and watching my grandson growing in new skills. The morning ‘Dev Pooja’ is done in leisure and thereafter I spend some time in the kitchen preparing either breakfast or lunch. I like to drive out with my wife on a short trip to some nearby destination for some fresh air and rejuvenation.

On Sundays, I like to read articles and books which I mark and set aside during the week for weekend reading. Many times, I watch some good TV shows over lunch, but do not like to miss my nice afternoon nap.

Jignesh Panchal

Senior Manager - Sales Uniloy Plastics Machinery Pvt. Ltd.

On weekends, I like to play musical instruments like the guitar and piano. Music gives me peace of mind from my workaholic nature on weekdays. The guitar improves the grey matter in the brain resulting in improved memory power. Playing some tunes takes me back to the old days and relaxes me; it creates a therapeutic experience and reduces stress.

One of the health benefits of playing guitar is that I feel positive and energised by my own progress.

Pankaj Kumar Bachhawat

Director Multi Polyplast Pvt. Ltd.

I like to start my weekends by giving a big cheer to the life that I am blessed with by having a walk and feeling the fresh air. A good cup of coffee with my brother discussing a bit of work and family, spending quality time with my mother, wife and kids and catching up with friends are an integral part of my weekend.

Playing cards and cycling are activities that I normally indulge in.

Saravanan Janakiraman

CEO Venture Automotive Tooling India Pvt. Ltd.

Weekends are so special for me. I wake up early in the morning and visit the beach with my family; we practice yoga in the breeze from the seashore. After enjoying the beachside yoga, we relish a special breakfast at the platform shops on the beach wherein we get to have organic and healthy soups and snacks.

Most weekends, I sit at home and the family has lunch together and over dinner, it’s movies on OTT.

Every Sunday, I prepare myself with the ‘To Do’ list for the upcoming days.

B. P. Shiv

Vice President - Sales and Marketing TAFE Group - Engineering Plastics Division

Wow! Weekend comes to me as a big boon to unwind me, ending the hectic work schedule of the week.

I love to start my weekend with an energetic long morning walk in the lush green Cubbon Park, Bengaluru. I enjoy watching different breeds of pet dogs there, having fun; it really destresses me a lot.

My love for cooking gravitates me to experiment with different types of sandwiches for breakfast and spend good time with my family, which really rejuvenates me fully for the next gruelling week ahead.

Being a Punjabi, I am a big foodie and love dance and music. I enjoy dining out and exploring different cuisines with my family.

Finally, it’s time for relaxing on my favourite couch, binge-watching the latest TV shows.