FROM THE
PUBLISHER Susan Gibson, JSJ Productions, Inc.
Polyethylene – the go to material for rotomoulding! The go to material for rotomoulding is and has long been Polyethylene. Today the industry is heavily dependent on Polyethylene (PE), and it is reported that 97% of rotomolded products are made from this material. Polyethylene is a versatile, easily moldable, and readily available polymer which has come to dominate the process, according to the British Plastics Federation. Welcome to the 2022 Technology issue of RotoWorld® magazine. Inside this issue, Dr. Nick Henwood, Rotomotive and ARM Technical Director, dives deeper into the issue of polymer chemistry for Rotational Molding following on the first part of his study, which was published in RotoWorld® Issue 5, 2020. In his article, Dr. Henwood says “knowledge is power” and molders will benefit from a better understanding of polymer chemistry to make the right material selection choices and better resolve performance issues. He details how density relates to physical properties: how processing and cooling rates affect density; how part wall thickness can affect density; and the challenges for rotomolders trying to control density. As part of his “At Issue” series, Contributing Editor Martin Coles also talks on the topic of Polyethylene from a different, but critically important, prospective…how the PE supply chain shortages are affecting rotomolders around the world, and in particular, Europe. This is an important read as Coles lays out his take on how these shortage issues have come about and the challenges the industry continues to face, including the potential affects that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could pose for the future. On a much brighter note, I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome our newest Department Editor for 2022, Jim Crawshaw of PSI. Jim has agreed to author a column each issue on the topic of Graphics for rotomolded products. This is a topic we’ve not covered much in some time, so we are pleased and eager to provide this information for our readers. Graphics can greatly improve rotomolded products and improve the customer experience. Be sure to read Jim’s first column beginning on page 28 and offer any feedback you have. Thank you Jim! Inside I hope you’ll enjoy my highlights from the 2022 ARM Executive Forum held this spring in Florida. The program was outstanding as it tackled many of the issues of the day for rotomolders including strategic planning, recruiting, and retention of employees, logistics, and more. Also S.B. Zaman provides the highlights of StAR’s recent online conference. Times are different to say the least. Maybe it has always been this way, but it feels real…from continuing Covid issues and supply chain issues, to raging inflation in the US and continued heart breaking gun violence across the US…we must stay focused and ever-vigilant until some of these issues are resolved. Wishing you safety and good health,
Susan Gibson Publisher & Editor
8 ROTOWORLD® ISSUE 2 • 2022
