RotoWorld 4, 2020

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ROTOWORLD ®

625 West Market Street Salinas, CA 93901 USA

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VOLUME XVI, ISSUE 4 • 2020

VOLUME XVI, ISSUE 4 • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

Rotoculture takes roots

in Indian Agriculture…

TECHNOLOGY

Delivering proven performance so you can innovate with confidence.

Learn more about how we can work together to grow your business.

© 2016 Exxon Mobil Corporation. All rights reserved. ExxonMobil, the ExxonMobil logo, the interlocking “X” device and all product names herein are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

WWW.ROTOWORLDMAG .COM

Your rotational molding capabilities begin with the quality and dependability of your polyethylene resin supply. Start your day with PE products and process innovations that help leading rotomolders bring their most complex designs to reality. Accomplish more with our reliable supply network, responsive sales support and expert technology team.

Sunil Raithatha, Prashant Trivedi & Umakant Savadekar

Put Your Money...

Where Your Money is!

Rob Miller, Wittmann Battenfeld Canada Inc. / ROTOLOADTM

ARMA Rotoconnect’s

Shift to Digital Michelle Rose, ARMA

Viscosity and Melt Index

Influence Material Selection

Alvin Spence, Centro, Incorporated

Let Our Customers Speak for us.

We just wanted to let your company know how pleased we are with the Powder King® Super Mega. Its performance and output has been unparalleled to any other machine we have tried. We really enjoy the simplistic design and function of the machine and the EC200 control makes it both efficient and user friendly. We are in the process of writing a new project to hopefully purchase more Powder King® pulverizing systems.

We are extremely happy with all of our Powder King® systems: the Direct Drive, High Volume Mill Air Cooling and now the new EC200 Control System have clearly advanced Powder King® light years ahead of their competition.

— Mike G.

@ es

— Darren B.

www.po

We love our Powder King® machine. It is well built and Powder King® stands behind their equipment. They do an excellent job helping us with service and troubleshooting if needed. We see a remarkable through-put, are very pleased with it and excited to operate the system.

wde r-ki ng. co

m

•s

al

— Trent F.

wd po

m g .c o n i k er-

• 623.551.9897

CONTENTS

FEATURES COVER STORY

38

INDUSTRY 4.0 – EPISODE 4

Put your Money…Where your Money is!

by Rob Miller, Wittmann Battenfeld Canada Inc. / ROTOLOADTM Managing your most valuable resource.

30

ARMA Rotoconnect’s Shift to Digital

by Michelle Rose, ARMA Deputy Executive Officer Meeting the needs of the industry in turbulent times.

40

Rotoculture takes roots in Indian Agriculture…

by Sunil Raithatha, Prashant Trivedi & Umakant Savadekar Seeing significant changes in recent times.

44

How Viscosity and Melt Index Influence Material Selection

by Alvin Spence, Centro, Inc. Making a good decision about the fit, form, and function of the application.

4 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

From Waste to Wonder

J-Sustain

The next revolution in recycled resin.

C a l l o r C l i c k To d a y ( 3 3 0 ) 7 3 0 - 1 1 4 0 info@jericoplastic.com

Proudly Supporting the Association of Rotational Molders!

Family-Owned and Operated Since 1997

Committed to Excellence in Rotational Molding

Phone (330) 334-5244 Fax (330) 334-9123

JericoPlastic.com info@jericoplastic.com

www.rotoworldmag.com 5

CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS 8 From the Publisher

by Susan Gibson, JSJ Productions, Inc. New Beginnings

12 Global Contributing Editors

Global Contributors, Department Contributors, and Issue Contributors

16 Upfront

Industry News, Trends, and Products

25 Design Comment

by Michael Paloian, Integrated Design Systems, Inc. Holistic Design Methodology

26 Travel Updates

Travel New from Around the World

34 ARM Report

Understanding the state of the Rotomolding Industry

49 Technically Speaking

by Alongkorn Kanokboriboon, SCG Chemicals Plastic Milk Pouches become Cool Rotomolded School Chairs

52 ARMA Rotoconnect President’s Report

56 ARMO News

ARMSA, ARM-CE, Nordic ARM, StAR, BPF, IT-RO UK Plastics Industry Insights on the State of COVID-19

60 Global Calendar 62 Advertisers’ Index

6 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

Six years ÂŽ of AirForce At Orenda we design, produce, and service the most sophisticated pulverizers in the market. We are proud to lead our industry in inovation and service.

When it comes to innovation, we’re The Real Thing!

Celebrating 20 years of innovation! www.orenda-pulverizers.com www.rotoworldmag.com 7

FROM THE

PUBLISHER

by Susan Gibson, JSJ Productions, Inc.

New Beginnings As a manufacturing process for thermoplastic materials that allows hollow parts to be produced of any shape or size, rotomolding is a technology that differs from other conventional processes like injection molding and blow molding. It is particularly suited for the production of a low volume of parts, including those that are geometrically complex, as well as parts large in size and hollow, which are impossible to produce with any other process. The process began being used typically for containers, considering that hollow parts could be made without a subsequent need for welding or assembly. Over the years, applications for the process have multiplied and continue to do so. This is thanks to the continuing research applied to the polymers used and the process itself. At times it seems a slow progress, but over time the differences are significant. Welcome to the 2020 Technology issue of RotoWorld®.

For those of you that do not know, rotational molding is a pretty straightforward process. The mold is filled with either powder, micro pellets, or liquid polymer. The mold rotates on two axes simultaneously, which it is heated and then cooled. During the heating phase, the powder or micro pellets (typically polyethylene) initially forms a porous film on the internal surface of the mold.

As the heating cycle continues, the remaining material will layup to form a uniform wall thickness which will solidify in the subsequent cooling phase. The final phase is the opening of the mold and extracting the newly formed part, and then introducing fresh raw material for the next cycle.

Speaking of technical, inside you can read about “How Viscosity and Melt Index Influence Material Selection” authored by our own Technical Editor Alvin Spence of Centro, Incorporated. Alvin delves into the importance of selecting the right material for an application at the beginning of the project. He says, “This important factor can single-handedly govern the success or failure of the product”. This should be an educational read for every rotomolder and anyone that works in a rotomolding factory.

Our Cover Story this issue is actually one of our Departments, Industry 4.0, authored by Rob Miller of Wittmann Battenfeld / ROTOLOADTM. “Put Your Money...Where Your Money Is” is a particularly intriquing read. I think you will gain some insights from this article along with his entire series on Industry 4.0 in RotoWorld(R). Thank you Rob! As our new look and new platforms evolve for RotoWorld®, you will see will a turning point at JSJ Productions, Inc. We want to update our printed magazine to coincide with more modern sensibilities and in our opinion, provide content that is more progressive. Yet, on this last point, we realize that there 8 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

is a certain threshold to maintain with the rotational molding industry and its evolution into bigger and better markets. As our country grapples with some major issues including diversity and COVID-19, journalism, even trade publication content, has a call to action. We are determined to change that. We are looking for input from our readers on stories that we should be covering to bring our international community closer together than ever. We want this to be the New Beginning and New Heartbeat of RotoWorld® magazine. After all, this magazine has been through all the ups and downs of the industry and has told the rotomolding story on it pages for almost 30 years (including Rotation™ which preceded RotoWorld®).

Let me take this opportunity to welcome our new Contributing Editors, Martin Coles, Matrix Polymers, and Adam Covington, Ferry Industries. I also want to thank Sergio Zilioli, Persico Spa, and Harry Covington, Ferry Industries, for their many contributions as our contributing editors.

I sincerely hope you will enjoy this issue and many more to come.

Susan Gibson Publisher & Editor

When Performance Counts...

Our priorities are the health and safety of our team and global community with the goal of serving our customers.

RotoSpeed Advantages

➲ Proven High-Performance, Lowest Cost of Ownership ➲ Highest Productivity, Durability Leader for over 37 Years ➲ Global Sales & Full-Service Support Team ➲ Over 1,300 Machines in Over 60 Countries ➲ Leader in Process Control Systems; RotoCure, IRT & RotoLog ➲ Engineering, Manufacturing & Support from the U.S.A. ➲ Energy-Smart Machines, Fastest Oven Temp Recovery ➲ Remote Ethernet Machine Support ➲ Automated Systems & Solutions

In-Stock Machines

Dispensing Mixers Work Platforms Rocking Ovens In-Line Shuttles

Carousels

www.ferryindustries.com • sales@ferryindustries.com Ph: +1.330.920.9200 • Fx: +1.330.920.4200 • 4445 Allen Rd, Stow, OH 44224 USA © 2020 Ferry Industries, Inc.

www.rotoworldmag.com 9

Susan D. Gibson

Publisher & Editor President - JSJ Productions, Inc. susan@jsjproductionsinc.com

Technical Editor Alvin Spence PhD MEng aspence@centroinc.com Process Editor Paul Nugent PhD MEng paul@paulnugent.com Michael Paloian

Design Editor President - Integrated Design Systems, Inc. paloian@idsys.com

Celal Beysel

Global Contributing Editors

Martin Coles

Chairman - Floteks Plastik beysel@superonline.com Matrix Polymers martin.coles@matrixpolymers.com

Adam Covington Mark Kearns Ravi Mehra

Ferry Industries acovington@ferryindustries.com

Moulding Research Manager m.kearns@qub.ac.uk

Managing Director - Norstar International LLC maramehra@aol.com

Advertising and Art Production Marketing/Advertising Director Jennifer Gibson Hebert Vice President, JSJ Productions, Inc. Chief Art Director Anya Wilcox

jennifer@jsjproductionsinc.com

JSJ Productions, Inc. awilcox@designintersection.com

Circulation & Distribution Administration Sheryl Bjorn JSJ Productions, Inc. sheryl@jsjproductionsinc.com -

Editing & Translations Kristina Gaddy-Kates | Oliver Wandres | Ximena Lobo Website & Online Technology Jason Cooper JSJ Productions, Inc. jason@bound.by RotoWorld® is a JSJ Productions, Inc. Trade Publication JSJ Productions, Inc. 625 West Market Street, Salinas, CA 93901 Phone: (512) 894.4106; Fax (512) 858.0486 Email: rotoworldmag@rotoworldmag.com and Website: www.rotoworldmag.com Subscriptions One-year subscription (six issues), print or digital, $60 US, $75 Canada/Mexico, $120 All Other Countries.

To subscribe or to submit change of address information, call us at (512) 894.4106; fax us at (512) 858.0486; visit us online at www.rotoworldmag.com; or email us at sheryl@jsjproductionsinc.com.

You may also write to RotoWorld® Subscriptions, JSJ Productions, Inc., 625 West Market Street, Salinas, CA 93901 Advertising For information on advertising, please contact Advertising Director Jennifer Gibson Hebert, JSJ Productions, Inc. Email Jennifer Gibson at jennifer@jsjproductionsinc.com Letters We welcome letters about our contents. Write Letters to the Editor, JSJ Productions, Inc., 625 West Market Street, Salinas, CA 93901 512.894.4106 phone 512.858.0486 fax, or Email susan@jsjproductionsinc.com.

Editorial Queries We consider unsolicited contributions.

Send manuscript submissions as email attachment to Susan Gibson at susan@jsjproductionsinc.com.

JSJ Productions, Inc. bears no responsibility for claim or factual data represented in contributed articles.

Postmaster Send changes of address to RotoWorld®, JSJ Productions, Inc., 625 West Market Street, Salinas, CA 93901 RotoWorld® is a JSJ Productions, Inc. independently owned, bi-monthly trade magazine for the international rotational molding and plastics design industries. JSJ Productions, Inc. owns all copyrights on articles published herein unless ownership is otherwise stated.

Reproduction of this magazine, in whole or in part, without the express written p ­ ermission of the publisher is not permitted.

10 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

REDUCTION is a brand of the MAAG Group and expert for integrated pulverizing solutions.

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■ Lab scale machines for trials and product sampling ■ Touch screen, Online trouble shooting and virtual troubleshooting

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The COLORex Color Mixer for ambient pulverizers and color pulverizers enables a much more efficient production of colored powder.

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Visit our website and learn more about this powerful pulverizing system.

Demo models are available. Please inquire at www.maag.com

CONTRIBUTING

EDITORS ROTOWORLD ®

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VOLUME XV, ISSUE 2 • 2019

VOLUME XV, ISSUE 5 • 2019

VOLUME XV, ISSUE 2 • MARCH-APRIL 2019

Kerala – The Tropical Paradise

The Ugly Truth MARKETS

Learn more about how we can work together to grow your business.

for Water & Chemical Tanks

About Product Standards

2019 ARM Executive Spring Forum Napa, CA

2019 International Rotomolding Congress (IRC) Hotel XCaret Cancun

VOLUME XV, ISSUE 4 • 2019

u safe by noras ®

WWW.ROTOWORLDMAG .COM

CONVERSION

Delivering proven performance so you can innovate with confidence.

Rotomoulded Life Saving Product

© 2016 Exxon Mobil Corporation. All rights reserved. ExxonMobil, the ExxonMobil logo, the interlocking “X” device and all product names herein are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Delivering proven performance so you can innovate with confidence.

Learn more about how we can work together to grow your business.

WWW.ROTOWORLDMAG .COM

MANUFACTURING

Delivering proven performance innovate with confidence.

TECHNOLOGY

Your rotational molding capabilities begin with the quality and dependability of your polyethylene resin supply. Start your day with PE products and process innovations that help leading rotomolders bring their most complex designs to reality. Accomplish more with our reliable supply network, responsive sales support and expert technology team.

rotomould 2019

The Industrial Action-packed Application of conference in Brisbane Internal Mould Water Spray Cooling of Rotationally Moulded Polyethylene Parts

© 2016 Exxon Mobil Corporation. All rights reserved. ExxonMobil, the ExxonMobil logo, the interlocking “X” device and all product names herein are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

© 2016 Exxon Mobil Corporation. All rights reserved. ExxonMobil, the ExxonMobil logo, the interlocking “X” device and all product names herein are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

our reliable supply network, responsive sales support and expert technology team.

Getting

Simulating the Rotomolding Process

HR Right

Independent Contractor? Or Employee?

Learn more about how we can work together to grow your business. © 2016 Exxon Mobil Corporation. All rights reserved. ExxonMobil, the ExxonMobil logo, the interlocking “X” device and all product names herein are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Your rotational molding capabilities begin with the quality and dependability of your polyethylene resin supply. Start your day with PE products and process innovations that help leading rotomolders bring their most complex designs to reality. Accomplish more with our reliable supply network, responsive sales support and expert technology team.

U.S. ROTATIONAL MOLDING: THE ROAD AHEAD

What it can Mean for the Molding Industry

ARMO Showcase Coming 2020-2021 Issue

Learn more about how we can work together to grow your business.

© 2016 Exxon Mobil Corporation. All rights reserved. ExxonMobil, the ExxonMobil logo, the interlocking “X” device and all product names herein are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Future trend of growth in the u.S. And global economies in a time of pandemic.

aldo monetti

Discovering Opportunities:

Present and Future of Rotomolding was Discussed in Russia

An industry colleague and friend remembered WWW.ROTOWORLDMAG .COM

StAR 2020

WWW.ROTOWORLDMAG .COM

WWW.ROTOWORLDMAG .COM

Your rotational molding capabilities begin with the quality andYour rotational molding capabilities begin with the quality and dependability of your polyethylene resin supply. Start your daydependability with of your polyethylene resin supply. Start your day with PE products and process innovations that help leading rotomolders , bring their most complex designs to reality. Accomplish more PE withproducts and process innovations that help leading rotomolders 16th Conference & Roto Show our reliable supply network, responsive sales support and expert bring their most complex designs to reality. Accomplish more A Greatwith Success technology team.

Learn more about how we can work together to grow your business.

VOLUME XV, ISSUE 3 • MAY-JUNEL 2019

Your rotational molding capabilities begin with the quality and dependability of your polyethylene resin supply. Start your day with PE products and process innovations that help leading rotomolders bring their most complex designs to reality. Accomplish more with our reliable supply network, responsive sales support and expert technology team.

Celal Beysel, Floteks Plastik, Turkey

Honorees Conchita Miranda, Operadora Miraplastek, and Jon Ratzlaff, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, Inducted into the Rotational Molding Hall of Fame

so you can Delivering proven performance so you can innovate with confidence.

ROTOWORLD ®

FOR A MORE SOPHISTICATED, CONVENTIONAL ROTOMOULDING INDUSTRY

MARKETS

WWW.ROTOWORLDMAG .COM

Learn more about how we can work together to grow your business.

Brings Forth New Experiences

VOLUME XV, ISSUE 3 • 2019

Smart Cats How to Calculate Wall Thickness

Delivering proven performance so you can innovate with confidence.

Making a Quantum Jump

Large attendance and high marks Your rotational molding capabilities begin with the quality and dependability of your polyethylene resin supply. Start your day with PE products and process innovations that help leading rotomolders bring their most complex designs to reality. Accomplish more with our reliable supply network, responsive sales support and expert technology team.

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ARM 2019 ANNUAL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Mobil logo, the interlocking “X” device and all product names herein are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

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PAINT IT BLACK Cutting production costs and lessening global warning effects

FIFTEENTH STAR CONFERENCE

Icons of Contemporary Design

3 WAYS THE CORONAVIRUS VIRUS IS CHANGING 625 West Market Street WHO WE ARE Salinas, CA 93901 USA

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DESIGN

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Delivering proven performance so you can innovate with confidence.

MATTER

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Asia’s ROTOMOLDED Ceremonial Coffin

ARMO2019 CONFERENCE

PRODUCTS

begin with the quality and esin supply. Start your day with s that help leading rotomolders reality. Accomplish more with sive sales support and expert

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VOLUME XV, ISSUE 6 • NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

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ven performance ovate with confidence.

o grow your

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designing underground THE SEVENinfrastructure products

SIMULTANEOUSusing rotational molding STAGES OF ROTATIONAL MOULDING

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DESIGN EDITOR

TECHNICAL EDITOR

Michael Paloian

Alvin Spence

Michael is President of Integrated Design Systems, Inc., Great Neck, New York. Over the past 25 years, Mike has developed a broad range of plastic products utilizing various processing methods including rotational molding. Mike’s B.S. degree in Plastics Engineering and Masters in Industrial Design, combined with his extensive experience, has formed the basis for his branded and unique insights into the field of plastics part design. paloian@idsys.com PROCESS EDITOR

Alvin Spence is Vice President Engineering at Centro, Inc., North Liberty, Iowa. He provides leadership for Centro’s product development team and quality resources. Alvin received his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical & Industrial Engineering and PhD from Queen’s University Belfast. aspence@centroinc.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Paul Nugent Paul is a consultant who travels extensively across six continents assisting clients in many roles from training to expert witnessing.

He received his Eng. degree in Aeronautical Engineering and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from The Queen’s University of Belfast. Paul developed the Rotolog system, the first complete computer simulation (RotoSim), and authored a book entitled Rotational Molding: A Practical Guide. paul@paulnugent.com

12 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

Celal Beysel Celal is Chairman of Floteks Plastik, the pioneer and innovative leader of the rotational molding industry in Turkey and a Global Contributing Editor for RotoWorld® magazine.

Being an ARM member for more than 20 years, he has made many presentations at ARM meetings in various countries. He is also active in business and political organizations in his country. Celal has authored numerous articles published in various newspapers and magazines about politics, plastics, rotomolding, and innovation. beysel@superonline.com

CONTRIBUTING

EDITORS

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Ravi Mehra

Martin Coles

Ravi Mehra has been associated with the rotational molding industry since the early 1970’s. He is a Past President of ARM – Association of Rotational Molders, and has been inducted into the ARM Hall of Fame. He is the Founding Chairman of StAR – the rotational moulding Trade Association of India. He was the Chairman of ARMO – Affiliation of Rotational Moulding Organizations from 2012 to 2014. He consults internationally with companies in the rotational moulding arena to help their global strategy, facilitate technology tie-ups, and business alliances. maramehra@aol.com

Martin Coles co-founded Matrix Polymers 28 years ago and is the company’s largest shareholder and Managing Director. Shortly after graduating from London University he began his career in the plastics industry working for a major Italian petrochemical producer and soon became hooked by the unique world of rotomoulding. Matrix Polymers has evolved to be a global supplier specialising on rotomoulding materials and has compounding and grinding plants in the UK, Poland, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia. The company sells more than $100 million of rotomoulding materials each year and has 180 employees. martin.coles@matrixpolymers.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Mark Kearns

M.Kearns@qub.ac.uk

Mark is the Rotational Moulding Research Manager of the Polymer Processing Research Centre at Queen’s University of Belfast. He is a Chartered Chemical Engineer with a M. Phil Degree in Rotational Moulding. Mark manages rotational moulding research and development projects for companies across Europe, Australasia, and North America.

DEPARTMENT EDITOR

Adam Covington Adam Covington is President of Ferry Industries, Inc. in Akron, Ohio U.S.A. Covington has been with Ferry Industries for over 11 years, advanced through the manufacturing, engineering, sales and service positions within the company and was appointed President in 2019. Adam strives to find solutions for customer’s needs and advance machine technology for the rotomolding industry. He is a graduate of Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology. acovington@ferryindustries.com DEPARTMENT EDITOR

Alongkorn Kanokboriboon Alongkorn Kanokboriboon is currently Development Leader at the Rotational Molding Center at SCG Chemicals. He has been involved in the rotomolding industry for almost twenty years from resins development, compounding, and grinding to technical service. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from University of California and a Master’s degree in Polymer Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast. alongkok@scg.com

Rob Miller Owner President – Wittmann Battenfeld Canada Inc. Rotoload Rob started in the plastics pneumatic conveying industry in 1986.

He has spent his entire career developing, engineering, and designing all types of catalog, standard, and custom pneumatic conveying systems for the plastics industry. He started in the Rotational Molding Industry in 2013, and has enjoyed learning the idiosyncrasies of the industry and market, and most of all meeting the people and building relationships for the future.

Rob.Miller@wittmann-group.ca www.rotoworldmag.com 13

GUEST CONTRIBUTING

EDITORS

Umakant Savadekar Umakant Savadekar, MD Phychem Technologies & President of StAR, has a Bachelors degree in Engineering and Masters degree in Nano Science. Savadekar has been involved in the Rotational Moulding industry for the past 17 years.

He is a pioneer in developing specialty rotopowder compounds for the Indian roto industry.

Prashant Trivedi Prashant Trivedi, VP Sangir Plastics & Secretary of StAR, holds a PG in Organic Chemistry and PG Diploma in Plastic Processing Technology. Trivedi has been involved in plastics for the past 34 years. He is experienced in manufacturing, national, and international marketing; and technical services, and training.

Sunil Raithatha Sunil Raithatha, MD Vinodrai Engineers, manufacturers and exporters of rotomoulding machines. Raithatha holds a BE Mechanical and now is a recognized veteran of Indian roto industry. Currently his company is exporting to 60 countries.

He is considerably involved in Education upliftment.

Michelle Rose Michelle Rose started in hotels with a Degree in Hotel Management and then after having her son in 2000, moved into Conference and Event Management. Finding it a passion, she has continued on that path. Employed by ARMA in 2006 as Deputy Executive Officer, Michelle manages all of the local and international events as well as other projects and membership within the Association. michellerose@rotationalmoulding.com

ROTOLOAD™ powder weighing & dispensing systems

» ROTOLOAD™ is the ONLY solution to ALL of your powder resin handling needs. » ROTOLOAD™ is the ONLY comprehensive line of powder resin conveying and weighing equipment, specifically designed to meet the demands of the Rotational Molding Industry. » ROTOLOAD™ uses vacuum to load your material, hold it above your process machine, and dispense, quickly and accurately. In addition it is the ONLY solution to the question of how to reduce under and overweight parts, mess, downtime and resin loss.

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14 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

Your partners in rotational moulding The Rotational Moulding Experts: • Polyethylene Granules & Powders • Polypropylene Granules & Powders • Crosslink Polyethylene • Polyamide Powders

• • • •

Ancillary Products Technical Support & Advice Multi-lingual Customer Service Global Supply

UK | Poland | India | Malaysia | Australia | New Zealand sales@matrixpolymers.com technical@matrixpolymers.com

matrixpolymers.com www.rotoworldmag.com 15

UPFRONT Dr. Sara Cammarano Joins Matrix Polymers LIVERPOOL, UK — Rotomoulding

materials specialists Matrix Polymers are delighted to welcome Dr. Sara Cammarano to its team as Technical Manager, based in Liverpool, UK. Sara is very familiar to many rotomoulders in Europe as she has led the British Plastics Federation’s (BPF) Rotational Moulding Group for the past seven years.

Having gained a PhD in Polymer Science from Queen Mary’s, University of London, and Frederico II University of Naples, Italy, Sara worked in project management in the polymer industry for Imerys before joining the BPF. “Matrix Polymers was my first member visit when I joined the BPF back in 2013, and my admiration for Matrix has been

growing ever since,” Sara said. “I am proud of being part of a team that is dedicated to developing new rotomoulding materials. It is my firm belief that material innovation is the way forward to strengthen our industry and develop its full potential. By delivering new technical solutions we enable rotomoulders to diversify their product range, penetrate new markets, and grow their businesses,” she said.

For further information, please contact Matrix Polymers at The Priory Orchard Hill, Little Billing, Northhampton, NN9 9AG, United Kingdom, tel. +44 (0) 1604 789100, email sales@matrixpolymers.com, or go to www.matrixpolymers.com

The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) stands with our international members, students, and community pushing back against ICE’s new policy.

On July 6, 2020, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a modification to the current Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). In short, the new policy would force international students currently enrolled at American colleges and universities offering exclusively online courses in the fall of 2020 to either transfer to a school offering in-person classes or depart the country.

The policy from ICE is in direct conflict to Article V of IDSA’s Code of Ethics, which reads in part: “We will be responsible to design education by holding as one of our fundamental concerns the education of design students; by advocating implementation of sufficiently inclusive curricula and requiring satisfactory proficiency to enable students to enter the profession with adequate knowledge and skills...”

Actions you can take right now to protect international students: • Sign and share petitions like these: “Allow International Students to Finish Their Degrees” and “Allow F-1 and M-1 students to remain in the U.S. with online-only classes.”

• Call and email your state representatives and alma maters to express your stance. Find your state representatives here and check this list of colleges’ plans of reopening in the fall. Danielle Chen, IDSA has created this email template 16 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

for writing to your university in support of international students.

• Read and listen to international students’ stories. Priyankaa Krishnan, IDSA recently spoke to CNN and NBC about the profound effect the announced policy change has had on her life and the lives of other international students in the U.S. Thank you to Priyankaa, Danielle, Women in Industrial Design Chicago, IDSA-Northern Lakes, and the student IDSA chapter at the University of Houston for sharing these links and more. UPDATE: The Trump administration has rescinded its policy that would bar international students who only take online courses from staying in the U.S., a federal judge announced Tuesday, July 14 in Boston.

IDSA will continue to share resources as needed, reach out to educators, and speak up for the international student community.

UPFRONT Penn State President Eric Barron Shares Message with the Community STATE COLLEGE, PA, USA — On Wednesday night, we saw reports of crowds of students congregating in large numbers outside of East Halls on the University Park campus. Many were not wearing masks, or physical distancing, in violation of the University’s requirements and expectations for doing so, as well as the State College ordinance. We intervened, and the crowds dispersed. These measures are in place to help prevent and contain the possible spread of COVID-19. Last night’s behavior is unacceptable. I ask students flouting the University’s health and safety expectations a simple question: Do you want to be the person responsible for sending everyone home?

This behavior cannot and will not be tolerated. We have said from the beginning health and safety is our priority, and if the University needs to pivot to fully remote instruction we will. As a reminder, we are using our student conduct process to identify students who are not compliant with University requirements.

It’s important all students understand that the consequences for violations include possible expulsion. We also announced this

morning that a fraternity was put on interim suspension for a potential violation of COVID-19 rules regarding socials.

We have implemented a multi-layered testing, monitoring, and mitigating approach to allow for a return to on campus learning and work. But, it will take all of us to do our part. In addition to the launch of Mask Up or Pack Up, the University will post additional flyers in residence halls with the question stated above.

I don’t think any one individual wants to be the reason we all have to Pack Up. Ultimately, this is not about sanctioning. It is about protecting individual and community health. And, I want to end on a positive note. I personally have been traversing the University Park campus, and downtown State College. I have been impressed by the numbers of students and families who are masking up, physically distancing, and modeling good community practices. But make no mistake, it only takes a few to ruin it for the many, as we have seen at other universities across the country. So let’s remember. This is our community. It’s our responsibility.

CNC Molds YEARS STRONG

Fabricated Molds

1939-2020

Cast Aluminum Molds

www.rotoworldmag.com 17

UPFRONT New CEO to Drive the Next Phase of NOVA Chemicals’ Development PITTSBURGH, PA, USA — NOVA

Chemicals Corporation (“NOVA Chemicals”) recently announced that the company’s Board of Directors has appointed Luis Sierra as President and Chief Executive Officer effective August 1, 2020. He will succeed Todd Karran, who previously announced his retirement.

“We are delighted to welcome Luis Sierra to NOVA Chemicals. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from a strong and successful career with BP. Over the last 10 years, NOVA Chemicals has grown substantially to become a leading player in the North American petrochemicals market. The board believes that Todd’s retirement provides the opportunity to introduce new leadership with the external perspective and renewed impetus required to drive the next phase of the company’s development.”

“We look forward to working with Luis and his team in successfully tackling the challenges presented by the current economic situation, and also embracing greater circularity in the

petrochemicals sector,” said Musabbeh Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Board of Directors.”

Luis Sierra joins NOVA Chemicals after a distinguished 30-year career at BP, where most recently he was CEO of BP’s aromatic chemicals business, leading a successful global petrochemicals business with operations in the United States, China, Belgium, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

Commenting on his appointment, Luis said, “It’s an honor to assume leadership of such an outstanding organization and I appreciate the confidence the Chairman and the Board have placed in me. NOVA Chemicals has a rich, proud history with a strong foundation and a bright future. I’m incredibly excited to work alongside our employees, customers, suppliers, governments, and local community leaders to help shape a world where the plastic products vital to our lives are even better tomorrow than they are today.”

For further information, contact Nova Chemicals at novachem.com

Branson™ GL-300 platform increases production capability and enables faster production start-up DANBURY, CT, USA — Emerson has launched a new laser

welder platform that provides high mix and batch manufacturers of plastic components with greater production capability, without compromising product quality or performance. The Branson™ GL-300 is a highly flexible quasi-simultaneous plastic joining solution, designed to deliver efficient high-quality welds in a wide range of applications and help manufacturers to increase production efficiency.

Manufacturers increasingly need machines and processes that can be quickly and cost-effectively adapted to changing production demands and specifications. For low volume, high mix manufacturers especially, flexible welding solutions that allow faster production start-up, provide a critical advantage.

The Branson GL platform meets this need by combining highly efficient and accurate welds with cost-effective and easy-tochange tooling that enables faster set-up and adjustment for changing product specifications.

Manufacturing capability is further enhanced by a range of unique features including a high-quality scanning system, easyto-use HMI, large (300mm x 300mm) weld area, multiple weld 18 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

modes, variable spot size as low as 0.5 mm and an adjustable laser power source height. These enable the Branson GL-300 to support applications with different materials, application sizes and production speeds.

“For batch manufacturers looking for more efficient production processes, quasi-simultaneous laser welders provide a very flexible, cost-effective joining solution,» said Priyank Kishor, global product manager for Branson products at Emerson´s Automation Solutions Business. »The Branson GL-300 extends this flexibility by enabling the assembly of a broader range of components, helping to increase manufacturing capability and profitability.”

For more information about the latest Branson welding solutions, visit Emerson.com/Branson

UPFRONT Formosa Plastics Corporation, USA Announces $5 Million Donation to Fight Hunger LIVINGSTON, NJ, USA — As part of the company’s

commitment to sustainable development and the United Nations goal to achieve “Zero Hunger”, Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A. (Formosa) is announcing a $5 million donation by New Mighty Foundation, a charitable organization funded by one of its major shareholders, to food banks in Louisiana, Texas, and New Jersey. Formosa has manufacturing operations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Point Comfort, Texas. New Jersey is home to their corporate office.

“Millions of Americans deal with chronic hunger every day and the COVID-19 pandemic has made that situation even more critical, particularly in disadvantaged communities,” said Executive Vice President Ken Mounger. “Formosa is committed to engaging with our local partners to fight hunger through financial contributions, food drives, and employee volunteer efforts.”

The $5 million dollar donation by the Foundation will be split between the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, the Food Banks of the Golden Crescent, which covers the counties surrounding

Formosa’s Texas facility, and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. According to the Feeding America website, 72 billion pounds of food are wasted in America each year. Through bargaining power and successful partnerships, food banks are able to secure food before it is wasted – making a difference for the people served while simultaneously reducing waste in the environment. Every dollar donated helps secure and distribute the equivalent of three meals.

Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A. is a vertically integrated producer of plastic resins and chemicals. Its polyethylene and polypropylene resins are marketed under the Formolene® trade name; its polyvinyl chloride resins are marketed under the Formolon® trade name. The company is headquartered in Livingston, NJ, has over 2,900 employees, and is certified to the ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environmental) management systems.

For more information on the company or its’ products, please visit www.fpcusa.com.

www.rotoworldmag.com 19

UPFRONT The latest K Show gave a Clear Signal for Responsible Handling of Plastics K, the leading global trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, drew to a close in Düsseldorf after eight days on Wednesday in 2019. The 3,330 exhibitors from 63 nations proved impressively: plastics continue to be an innovative, indispensable, future-oriented material. But they also unanimously underscored the necessity of having operational circular economies along the complete material chain and to this end already presented concrete solutions.

Companies struck a nerve with people with this focus because the approximately 225,000 visitors from 165 countries took great interest especially in recycling systems, sustainable raw materials, and resource-saving processes. Furthermore, K 2019 was characterised by a high propensity to invest as before. The intention among the international trade audience to get perfectly geared up for the future with the latest technologies was clearly perceivable.

“K 2019 came at precisely the right point in time. Its enormous importance for the sector is underpinned by its high acceptance levels all over the world. There is no other place the industry is represented so internationally and completely as here in Düsseldorf every three years,” says Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, and explains: “Especially in times of great challenges, a platform like the K is indispensable. It provides guidance and perspectives, sets sustainable economic impulses, shows forward-looking trends and concrete approaches. The industry and its professional associations enjoyed the unique opportunity here to present sector-specific solutions and debate questions of socio-political relevance on a global scale. And they have capitalised on this opportunity outstandingly well.”

Ulrich Reifenhäuser, Chairman of the Exhibitor Advisory Board at K 2019, was absolutely delighted at K 2019 results: “The plastics and rubber industry succeeded in proving once again that plastics are not only very valuable materials with outstanding properties but also that this industry assumes responsibility along the entire value chain. The buzzwords at K 2019 “Reflect. Re-Think. Think Laterally. Think Afresh.” were mirrored 1:1 by exhibitors’ stands.

Never before has the industry addressed an issue so unanimously and worked on solutions so consistently as is the case now in the fields of environmental compatibility, saving resources and avoiding waste. There is a spirit of new departures prevailing in the industry and current dynamics are overwhelming.”

And the positive mood prevailing at K 2019 was also echoed by concrete demand at exhibition stands: “It became clear that global demand for innovative machinery and raw materials is particularly high right now, despite the current tensions in world trade or the business climate in some consumer sectors. This year’s K has by far exceeded our expectations and was able to generate key impetus for sustainable governance and new business models,” said Reifenhäuser.

The nations especially well represented on the part of visitors after Germany were Italy, the Netherlands, India, Turkey, and China, followed by the USA. Furthermore, a marked increase in the number of trade visitors from the Russian Federation, Japan, and Brazil 20 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

could be registered. The number of executives among K visitors rose slightly yet again: to the tune of 68% came from top or middle management. With over 90 percent, visitor satisfaction was again at a top level. While for German trade visitors increased efficiency ranked first as the currently most important issue, the expansion of product and service portfolios was in the foreground for European and non-European trade fair guests.

Once again, K was able to score points as a premiere platform where many trend-setting products and applications were presented to the world public for the first time. The innovations were not only admired, but also many concrete negotiations were conducted and contracts signed. “We found the propensity to invest extremely high and across all nations. In particular, business with new customers was very positive this year. We are also confident about very strong follow-up business,” says Reifenhäuser. For the guests from throughout the world investment in expansion ranked particularly high on the list, especially in extruders and extrusion lines. The survey among visitors also showed that the interest in machinery and equipment for plastics reclamation and recycling is noticeably higher abroad than in Germany.

Flexible materials – rubbers and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) – also proved a fixture at K again. Although the elastomer segment has traditionally been smaller than the plastics range at K, there was a surprisingly high number of companies presenting elastomer-specific products and services – be it raw materials, additives and compounds or special machines and equipment for reclamation and converting.

The extensive supporting programme at K 2019 boasting keynotes and high-calibre discussions such as on renewable energies, material efficiency or zero-waste production met with avid interest among the international audience, especially the Special Show K 2019 “Plastics shape the Future”. This year the innovative power of the material and the industry in terms of resource-saving processes, digitalisation, functionality, renewable energies, circularity and sustainability were centrestage. And such critical themes as marine litter, the throw-away mentality associated with plastic packaging and the use of finite resources for their production were not ignored either. Proving one of the highlights was a humanoid robot that was built during K 2019 by young researchers from FabLab Lübeck e.V. serving as an example to show where developments are headed in future when additive manufacturing and robotics are combined with cutting-edge materials such as plastics.

At the Science Campus both exhibitors and visitors to K 2019 were given a condensed overview of scientific activities and results in the plastics and rubber sector. Numerous universities, institutes and funding agencies provided opportunities for direct dialogue.

The next K Düsseldorf will be held from 19 to 26 October 2022.

Important note: As of 29 October, a long version of the final report with further details will also be available on www.k-online.com.

For many videos and exhibitor testimonials on K 2019 go to www.k-online.de at K 2019 Live.

NOVA Chemicals introduces two next-generation polyethylene rotational molding resins CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA — NOVA Chemicals

Corp. (NOVA Chemicals), a leading producer of polyethylene resins, has introduced NOVAPOL® TRx0338-U and NOVAPOL TRx0535-U hexene comonomer resins. The next-generation products are designed to help rotomolders achieve unprecedented productivity and part performance.

Extensive internal and customer testing has demonstrated that NOVAPOL TRx0338-U and NOVAPOL TRx0535-U resins can reduce cycle times by up to 30% and provide a processing window at least 15% broader than traditional hexene rotomolding resins.

These enhancements enable a range of additional benefits: • Reduced cycle time enables manufacturers to produce more parts in less time at lower oven temperatures • The broader processing window allows manufacturers to run different part sizes and thicknesses on the same arm under identical conditions without sacrificing part quality • Processability characteristics support consolidation of traditional 3.5 and 5.0 melt index or 5.0 and 7.0 melt index grades to a single resin “Converters are always looking to enhance their efficiency,” said Eugene Tabone, rotational molding market manager, NOVA Chemicals. “Our new NOVAPOL TRx0338 and TRx0535 grades will help rotomolders leverage the fast sintering properties of these new resins to improve their molding operations.”

With a melt index of 3.5 and a density of 0.938, NOVAPOL TRx0338 resin is ideal for small tanks, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), roll-out waste carts, and material-handling containers for laundry and dry bulk goods. The 5.0 melt index, 0.935 density NOVAPOL TRx 0535 resin is well-suited for toys, recreational vehicle components, kayaks and stand up paddleboards, and custom parts.

Learn more about the new TRx grades on our website. For further information please contact: Andie Stiles, Marketing Communications and Trade PR Andie.stiles@novachem.com

Accelerating Customer Success through better products and better service for rotational molders

Looking for a supplier who provides more than just resins? You found us. NOVA Chemicals has the SURPASS® and NOVAPOL® rotomolding grades you need, and a dedicated team of in-house experts and distribution partners to help you with your next application or troubleshooting needs.

novachem.com

Copyright NOVA Chemicals Corp. 2019, all rights reserved

www.rotoworldmag.com 21

UPFRONT ROTOMADE develops a 3D Printing department for prototypes Closely linked to the design office, prototype ensures the rapid and precise manufacture of models before tooling and production.

The advantage of prototype in rotomoulding The economic advantage of prototype in rotomoulding Prototype for a rotational molding project is useful in the product development phase. Indeed, it concretizes on a reduced scale its functionality and helps to bring physical evolutions to the part.

The 3D prototype: a tool for sales support Samples help salesperson to present products to their teams, superiors, clients, or financial partners. The advantage is to emphasize the technicality of the product, its aspect, and usefulness. The model can be adapted and installed to match the application and support the project demonstration.

For more information, contact Rotomade at ©Rotomade: 4-5 ZAE Le Triangle Vert 5691 Ellange – Luxembourg, Tel: +352 26 65 00 26, or go to rotomade.com

Chemetry and Braskem to build EDC Demonstration Plant based on breakthrough chemical production technology Chemetry, a technology innovation company dedicated to the development of environmentally sustainable chemical processes with superior economics, and Braskem, the leading producer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas, will construct and operate a Demonstration Plant using Chemetry’s eShuttle® technology for the production of ethylene dichloride (EDC) in Brazil.

The eShuttle® EDC Process uses a unique metal halide ion process to produce high purity EDC, a commodity chemical used primarily for PVC production, without the generation of chlorine gas. The process significantly reduces electrical power consumption and production costs compared to the latest generation chlor-alkali processes. The eShuttle® technology has been pioneered in Chemetry’s state of the art laboratories and fully integrated pilot plant in Moss Landing, California.

The technology uses the same feedstocks and produces the same products (EDC, caustic and hydrogen) as conventional processes, making it ideal for both greenfield projects and retrofits of existing chloralkali/EDC plants. It also offers EDC producers the ability to expand production within the same cell room footprint and power requirements.

The agreement leverages Chemetry’s expertise in electrolyzer design and halide chemistry with Braskem’s long term strength in chlor-alkali and vinyls plant operation and product marketing.

The initial focus of this agreement will be the construction of a demonstration unit to be installed at Braskem’s Chlor-alkali Maceió site, Alagoas State, Brazil. Braskem’s Global Process Technology team will support the project Dr. Ryan Gilliam, Chemetry CEO, said: “Chemetry is focused on redefining how chemicals are made. Through our eShuttle® platform, Chemetry is able to provide a safer and more environmentally friendly approach to the production of commodity chemicals while at the same time improving 22 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

margins. Through this collaboration with Braskem, along with our engineering scale-up partnership with TechnipFMC, we will validate the commercial viability of the eShuttle® technologyThis will well position the company and technology to meet the growing need for new EDC capacity.”

Isabel Figueiredo, Braskem VP and Vinyls and Specialties Business Unit Leader, added: “Braskem is pursuing growth and diversification globally. We share the belief that Innovation is a key concept to lead our initiatives towards competitiveness and sustainability throughout our various product chains. Our expectations are that eShuttle™ will play an important role in Braskem’s Innovation strategy.”

Every day, Braskem’s 8,000 team members work to improve people’s lives through sustainable solutions in chemistry and plastics and engage with partners throughout the value chain to advance the circular economy. With 41 industrial units in Brazil, United States, Mexico and Germany, net revenue of R$58 billion (US$15.8 billion) and exports to around 100 countries, Braskem produces annually over 20 million tons of plastic resins and chemical products.

Chemetry is focused on developing lower energy technologies in the chemical spaceSupported by a diverse team of engineers, scientists and plant operators, the company maintains an active research and development program and holds over 100 patents in the chemical and building material space. Chemetry is part of Calera Corporation, a clean technology company based in Moss Landing, California. For more information, visit www. chemetrycorp.com For further information, contact Robert Snyder, (404) 8233902, rsnyder@chemetrycorp.com

UPFRONT New Jerico Sustainable Line Holds Promise for Post-Consumer Waste WADSWORTH, OH, USA —

Jerico Plastic Industries, Inc. announces the launch of its full line of sustainable polymer compounds under the banner of J-Sustain. The line consists of several compounded products that aid in promoting sustainable polymer compounds, clean waterways, and the recyclability of post-consumer waste in rotational molding.

Products are fully-formulated PE compounds for optimal processing and are ready to use in most applications.

Products range in concentration of post-consumer recycled waste, with options available in 10%, 25%, and 40%. The recovered PE plastics have been collected and recycled to help prevent the plastic from reaching oceans and waterways that empty into the seas. Jerico Plastic Industries has a long history in post-industrial recycling and development of a wide range of formulations that can incorporate plant-based PEs. These blends provide a good balance of performance and physical properties with good impact performance. Data to support these findings is available along with Technical Data Sheets.

“We have offered a number of these products, such as Envirolene, for some time now. Our product engineers have continued to develop formulations and combinations that fill the growing worldwide need for a “greener” compound that helps our planet,” states Brandi Frey, Corporate Operations Officer With manufacturing facilities in Minerva, Ohio and Greensboro, Georgia, Jerico Plastic Industries, Inc. is committed to excellence in rotational molding and custom compounding. As a custom manufacturer of color compounds, specialty resins and recycled products, the company currently offers rotational molding PP, sustainable polymer compounds, cross-linkable PE, flame retardant PE and special effects PE compounds, PU to PE adhesion compounds, custom compound development, toll post-industrial recycling services for rotational molding, toll pulverizing, and compounding services.

For more information, contact Brandi Frey, Corporate Operations Officer — 330-730-1140, info@jericoplastic.com or Stephen Copeland, President — steve@jericoplastic.com. www.rotoworldmag.com 23

UPFRONT Dutchland Announces Release of New Product Launch Program QuickConnect™ helps manufacturers quickly strengthen their supply chain with Dutchland.

OOTSBURG, WI, USA — Dutchland is proud to

announce the “official” release of their product transfer process for companies looking to improve quality and dependable delivery. Dutchland’s QuickConnect™ program easily and seamlessly allows businesses to expand operations or move production to Dutchland with maximum speed and efficiency, and minimal supply chain interruption. The five-step program enables Dutchland to onboard, qualify, and deliver a business’s product flawlessly on-time and on-budget.

Key components of the five-step program are: 1. Production scope and definition 2. Production plan reviews and approvals 3. Tooling, testing, and approvals 4. Production 5. Continuous improvements Behind each one of these steps is a comprehensive and extensive documented process to ensure your products are transitioned quickly, saving valuable time and money. “Our

QuickConnect program streamlines the transition of your product production to a proven, reliable partner. Whether you’re looking for a new provider to transfer production of parts or a start-to-finish product manufacturing partner, go BIG with Dutchland.” said Jody Becker, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Dutchland’s QuickConnect™ program gives businesses: • Seamless onboarding and production of their products • Structured sales, inventory, and operational planning (SIOP) • High quality, timely delivery, competitive cost, and rapid speed to market • Minimal tool downtime, limiting the need for excessive inventory buildup • Priority access to their primary manufacturing, secondary assembly, and 3PL systems • Consistent, process-driven communications and program management • Strong, stable, and scalable supply chain partner • Decades of plastics manufacturing expertise

The 24th PLASTPOL – International Fair of Plastics and Rubber Processing at Targi Kielce PLASTPOL — the International Fair of Plastics and Rubber

Processing has already become a permanent fixture in the business-insiders’ calendars owing to the fact that PLASTPOL is one of the largest, cyclical, professional events staged in Targi Kielce.

Previous expo projects have clearly demonstrated the lively interest in the expo’s theme - facts and figures speak for themselves – 910 exhibitors from 39 countries, nearly 20 thousand. expo visitors.

The expo is the experts’ meeting platform - they all come here to present the latest data on plastics and rubber processing in Poland and Europe.

It has become the expo tradition to abound with conferences combined with discussion panels, seminars, matchmaking and networking meetings as well as the industry plebiscites’ final results announcements.

The expo programme has traditionally abounded with specialized conferences combined with discussion panels. All those interested are offered the chance to learn more about plastic processing innovative methods, including injection moulding, 24 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

production process optimization and many other.

PlasticsEurope Polska Foundation in conjunction with the Polish Association of Plastic Converters invites you to join the conference held on the eve the expo. The conference features Polish and international experts.

The session is a knowledge pool on current problems of Polish and European plastic processors, including Single Use Plastics regulations, image of plastics among the general public, Brexit and implementation of the VC “Plastics 2030”.

The PlasticsEurope Polska Foundation Conference, held within the scope of the expo, has already become the exhibition tradition – Kielce is the place to present the latest industry data related to production and materials demand in Poland and Europe.

DESIGN

COMMENT

by Michael Paloian, Integrated Design Systems, Inc.

Holistic Design Methodology Product design is a challenging and creative profession especially for the select few who enjoy the variety of projects presented to them as design consultants. Designers employed within an OEM-based corporation experience completely different challenges versus those working within an independent design firm. In-house corporate designers become highly experienced in one particular product group and may even specialize in a sub-assembly within a much larger system. Independent consultants, however are faced with a wide range of products in multiple markets with a shallower understanding of the product. In either case it’s extremely beneficial for a designer or engineer to maintain a big picture perspective of the product and his or her contribution to the overall design.

Unfortunately, OEM corporations tend to funnel information to individual designers, focusing their attention on small fragments of a large system. Although this compartmentalized management style efficiently communicates vital information to project contributors, it also places blinders on each individual which inadvertently complicates the overall development process. This development management model essentially creates an environment where each person feels his or her job is the most important part of the larger system making them less willing to make changes that might be better for the entire system architecture. The development process can therefore become entangled with complications caused by departments or designers who are resistant to design modifications as new challenges arise. These obstacles can introduce overly complicated design workarounds and project delays. Designers working within a smaller independent firm on the other hand are required to seamlessly integrate their work with a client’s development team. This overall objective requires designers to understand a product development program from a higher perspective. They must understand their contribution from based on a holistic perspective which includes marketing, user requirements, safety, ease of assembly, ease of service, ease of manufacturing, aesthetics, corporate branding, etc.

Designing and engineering decisions based on the bigger picture typically yield much better designs versus those

developed with a compartmentalized management structure.

The holistic approach to problem solving invariably provides you with information, which will inspire you to view your contribution within a complex network of parameters associated with the product. Your design decisions will be evaluated more objectively, leading to solutions which are more congruent to the overall product requirements. Engineers are typically focused on performance and function as their top priorities, which may conflict with marketing objectives, aesthetics, and human factors considerations. However, if they become aware of these other important product considerations, they may be inspired to integrate the functional and performance design solutions with these other design parameters. Holistic design methodology also includes manufacturing, storage, and shipping considerations.

Should a product be designed as one large complex part requiring no onsite assembly or should it be designed as smaller modules which can be efficiently stacked and shipped? These are the types of critical decisions having a direct effect on part design.

There have been numerous articles written about holistic design. If you’re interested, I suggest you search the internet and read a few. I am a strong advocate of holistic or integrated design since it always results in a superior end in a highly efficient manner. If you’re interested in commenting on this editorial I suggest you write to me at paloian@idsys.com. www.rotoworldmag.com 25

TRAVEL UPDATES

CDC Quietly Drops Recommendation for 14-Day Quarantine after Traveling

With travel restrictions part of the new normal thanks to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, in August the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has changed its recommendations for quarantine.

The CDC previously recommended travelers quarantine for 14 days after visiting overseas destinations or arriving in areas with a high number of confirmed coronavirus cases, but that changed Tuesday.

According to the CDC’s official website, the mandatory quarantine portion of the order has been lifted, with travelers being advised to follow the same protocols people should be following on a daily basis anyway.

The CDC says that regardless of where tourists visit for the remainder of 2020, they should practice social distancing, 26 ROTOWORLDÂŽ AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

wear a mask, wash their hands often, and monitor for possible symptoms of coronavirus when they return home.

While the CDC said in the updated recommendations that travelers could pose a risk to the community for 14 days after they were unknowingly exposed to the virus, there is no longer an order for a two-week quarantine.

The agency still recommends travelers who visit areas with a high number of COVID-19 cases, not attend large gatherings or sail on a cruise ship quarantine for 14 days and get tested for the virus.

Last month, The Bahamian government reversed an earlier decision to ban U.S. travelers, saying it will continue welcoming arrivals from all countries, provided the tourists follow proper health and safety protocols.

TRAVEL UPDATES

Long, slow recovery for international tourism, forecast says Global travel demand will fall 57% in 2020 and international tourism won’t reach 2019 levels again until 2024, according to the latest forecast from Oxford Economics.

The report released recently shows North America will have the biggest drop in international tourism, with a decline of 70%.

And only 84% of countries in the Americas region are expected to return to 2019 levels by 2024, a lower proportion than for all other regions.

The latest forecast on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on travel reflects more moderate expectations for an initial recovery in international tourism in the second half of 2020 and a further downward revision to the outlook for 2021 and beyond.

After North America, Oxford Economics said, Asia-Pacific will see the second-largest drop in inbound tourism, with international arrivals falling 57%.

Europe, which opened its borders relatively quickly following the COVID-19 outbreak, is expected to see a 56% decline in 2020 cross-border traffic, with a full recovery not expected any earlier than 2024, according to the forecast.

Inbound travel to the Caribbean and Central and South America will drop 59% and 51%, respectively, according to the report.

The 10 cities forecast to see the largest percentage fall in international visitors are all in the United States, with New York expected to see the greatest decline at 79%. Orlando, Miami, and San Francisco are expected to see drops of 78%, while Los Angeles, Honolulu, and Boston will see drops of 77%.

Beyond the U.S., Cancun is forecast to see a 41% decline.

www.rotoworldmag.com 27

TRAVEL UPDATES Mexico is open. It’s welcoming. And it has become a best seller.

When Mexico travel specialist Jennifer Doncsecz was invited to Cancun for an agent trip to the Hyatt Ziva in the midst of a pandemic, she admits she was hesitant, and she waited until the final moment to commit.

But like other advisors who have traveled to Mexico recently, Doncsecz, the president of VIP Vacations in Allentown, Pa., was impressed that the implementation of comprehensive health and safety protocols didn’t compromise her relaxing experience on the beach and made her feel she was safer than she was at home.

“We arrived on Tuesday, and by Wednesday afternoon, I actually had moments that I didn’t think about Covid – for the first time in four-and-a-half months,” she said. “I was like, this is really bizarre, I’m not worried about it.” She now has plans to return over Labor Day. As quarantine-weary Americans look to venture out, Mexico — despite high COVID-19 infection rates — has become the top international destination for near-term travel, sellers say. That’s likely due in no small part to proximity and that so few other countries, near or far, are currently welcoming Americans without restrictions.

Doncsecz’s sense that she was safer in Cancun than at home is the result of collaboration between Mexico’s resorts and tourism officials, who have worked closely with each other and local governments to adopt, enforce, and publicize strict health and safety protocols.

“All of our hotels are now at the maximum allowed occupancy,” said Armin Kaestner, vice president of business development in the Americas and Caribbean for the Spanish all-inclusive company Riu. “It’s great and it’s not, because allowable capacity is only 30%.”

Still, he said, Mexico is booking at twice the rate of the company’s properties in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Aruba, and the Bahamas.

The Cancun-Riviera Maya region has, by far, the country’s most hotel inventory of any beach destination, so it’s not surprising that it’s been the hands-down leader in gross bookings, according to advisors and packaged-tour operators. But Los Cabos last month reported the strongest recovery in international tourist arrivals on a percentage basis.

“Little by little, things have been getting back to normal. It’s very interesting,” said Rodrigo Esponda, managing director for the Los Cabos Tourism Board.

Figures from the Centro de Investigacion Competitividad Turistica Anahuac show international arrivals to Los Cabos in July were at 27% of their July 2019 levels, compared with 15% for Cancun and 18% for Puerto Vallarta.

While still dramatically lower than in 2019, they reflect dramatic improvements from the near 100% falloff recorded from April through June.

28 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

And travel sellers say that after dropping off a bit in early and mid-July, Mexico bookings picked up again dramatically in recent weeks and are second only to domestic travel.

Jack Richards, CEO of Pleasant Holidays, said that 51% of his company’s customers traveling between Aug. 1 and 10 were going to Mexico. And among those booking the destination July 1 to Aug. 3, 70% were for trips in 2020.

“It’s a lot of last-minute stuff,” he said. “We’re seeing people booking on Monday and departing on Tuesday.”

Ray Snisky, president of Apple Leisure Group Vacations, said their bookings for Cancun in August are down just 8% year over year.

TRAVEL UPDATES

“There’s a real push for people saying, ‘Let me get on this trip before summer ends,’” Snisky said. “I think this close-in booking trend will continue into the fall, although I don’t think it will be as dramatic as in the summer.”

Still, like everything COVID-19-related, the future remains unclear.

“This feels like a roller coaster ride,” said Richards. “You go down, you come up. Then you go down, then you come up.”

David Lavigne, director of product development and destination operations for Delta Vacations, agreed demand for Mexico “is a very fluid trend at this point.”

But “all in all, we continue to see a reasonable build for both

short- and long-term business.”

Although airlift into Mexico for August is about half what it was at this time last year, according to aviation data firm OAG, travel sellers say it is sufficient given that hotels are currently capping occupancy at between 25% to 30% of maximum, depending on the state.

One thing that is helping Mexico, Snisky said, is that the majority of hotels in the major beach markets are open, and customers are more comfortable booking places that have some experience operating in the new environment and where they can be reassured about what the experience is going to be like.

They are also opting for more upscale properties, sellers said, with five-star properties selling at four-star prices.

Bill Linehan, president of Worldwide Marketing, said that, right now, the most popular products of client Karisma Hotels & Resorts on the Riviera Maya are the more expensive, private overwater bungalows and casitas. And customers are benefiting from upgrades, he said.

“What’s interesting is they are equating their value not just on price but quality, because they can get higher quality, greater value. And that’s where we’re benefiting.” www.rotoworldmag.com 29

ARMA Rotoconnect’s

Shift to Digital

by Michelle Rose, ARMA Deputy Executive Officer

Like everyone else in this changing world, ARMA Rotoconnect had to review the way that we do things and pivot to suit the needs and requirements of the industry in these turbulent times.

Sani-Cab Rotomoulded Disinfecting Shower (Courtesy of Plastex, Mozambique)

30 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

When everything really started changing back in April, we knew that our members needed information but in a format that we had never experienced before. People were picking up the phone to talk rather than email and it was a sign that the industry was wanting to see and interact with their peers to talk about a range of topics that had meaning to them and their businesses.

From this came the “30 Minutes with ARMA� session, held online in a Zoom meeting where we could see and interact with the faces we knew. Each fortnight we talked about something different such as Working from Home; The Impact of Shut Down on New Zealand; Managing Staff in COVID, and the International Supply Chain.

While we had not previously met with members like this, we had no idea just how successful this platform would come to be.

Initially, we knew there was a chance that our annual conference could go ahead in June but as time passed, it became obvious we had to postpone and potentially cancel it completely for 2020.

With the international industry suffering in so many ways as event after event was cancelled, the ARMA Board and Staff decided to host our conference online for the first time and to provide it free to everyone. As an association that constantly strives to be at the forefront of the industry we were once again leading the way with ROTOMOULD ONLINE! And so began our shift to digital!

I will go on to talk about the program and the attendees, but first I want to paint the picture from the view of organising this new endeavour. We had never organised, hosted, or run an online program of this magnitude before, and I certainly had no experience in recording and editing presentations online. It was a huge learning curve and a really different experience from organising and managing our usual conference, but we quickly found our feet and ran with it.

Rotomould Online was held over the three days of our original conference dates with a mix of professional and industry presentations, both live and pre-recorded. 250 people from more than 15 different countries registered for the event, with access enquiries still coming in for a week after it went live.

We began the online conference as usual on the Sunday with a welcome from the ARMA President, Graeme Hall, and an update

from the ARMA CEO, Leisa Donlan.

Then it was straight into the new 4766 update, which received over 350 views. Leisa Donlan and David Beneke talked about the comprehensive review of the standard in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific for buried, partially buried, and aboveground tanks for water and chemicals, which at the time had been through

Ben Hopley and Graeme Hall

Chris Glen talking about the Environment

Kate Mckie

Kate Mckie provided the Qenos Presentation

www.rotoworldmag.com 31

all the approvals required and was only been delayed by the complications of approvals in New Zealand under their recent COVID -19 shut down. Although it has now been released, Leisa talked about what made it into the final version, what changes will need to be made and how certification to both 4766 and Watermark is now possible where required. This presentation can still be accessed through the ARMA Facebook or LinkedIn. The Sunday presentations ended with a perspective on polyethylene pricing from Kate McKie of Qenos, one of ARMA’s major supporters and sponsors. Kate’s insights into how PE is priced around the world was valuable to moulders no matter where they were located and showed brave leadership by Qenos.

Monday was most definitely the highlight of the program starting with The Great Machine Debate, presented by Graeme Hall and Ben Hopley of Viscount Rotational Moulding, who put in a huge effort to make a truly entertaining video and was full of fantastic information.

The presentation was an exploration into what type of rotational moulding machine is right for you and your business. Like some of the great equipment rivalries such as Ford versus Ferrari, or more locally, Holden versus Ford, the great debate of Carousel versus Shuttle lives large in the rotational moulding community. Which side of the fence do you sit in this great rivalry? Ben Hopley and Graeme Hall had a fun look at which machine is right for you and challenged the truths and myths of Carousel versus Shuttle machines, using the Unicorn as an example. Ben and Graeme were both not short of an opinion in the great Red Versus Blue debate.

As a special inclusion, we are making this video available to everyone on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=N2I2t3tvn1A&feature=youtu.be This was followed by the live webinars starting with Dr. Lei Wang of Matrix Polymers, who presented on Post-Pandemic Product Opportunities – An Introduction to Matrix Polymers Antimicrobial Rotational Moulding Powders.

Then we all had an Eye on the Future with Morris Miselowski, a business futurist. It was quite interesting to talk to him prior to his webinar as he presented at our conference in Malaysia in 2011, talking about had the future of smart phones and social media and the growth of the Internet, which had all happened.

This time Morris talked about what the world will look like

YouTube views went crazy!

32 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

after the pandemic, especially in manufacturing and what industries will be more prominent on the other side of all of this.

The final day of presentations was on the ARMA Environment Group and what projects they have been working on this year, Chris Glenn from Bushmans Group and the group Chair, provided further insight into the new ARMA Recycling Logo and the work on Chris Glenn recycling, product stewardship, and acknowledging the benefits of multi-use plastics and profiling how amazing roto is for the planet. Following on from this our relationship with the Operation Clean Sweep program and the plan to promote the program to the rotomoulding industry with an aim zero resin pellet and powder loss.

The day finished off with a presentation on Being Remembered for the Right Reasons provided by Beaumont People and how to maintain a positive brand and personal reputation in challenging times.

The one presenter I have not mentioned is David Stoopman from Roto Industries, who provided one of our most highly rated technical masterclasses in 2018 and as it was professionally filmed, each day offered a section of the workshop on Practical Rotomoulding to an audience that would not usually have the opportunity to access it. These videos will no doubt become one of the most used training tools for rotomoulders to quickly bring their staff up to speed if they are unfamiliar with the process or keep great staff working with a deep understanding of the process.

We also need to thank our conference sponsors for their support and understanding through all of the changes, we appreciate every one of you: Qenos; Matrix Polymers; Price Plastics; Micropellets Australia; Austworld; Rising Sun Rotomolding Machinery; The Rotomachinery Group; and Vision Plastics.

All these presentations were available to registered attendees for 7 days and now sit in the ARMA Technical Library and can be accessed by all our members and supporters.

Across the program, each presentation had hundreds of views, culminating in thousands of visits to our YouTube site.

I would urge you to subscribe, as we will be releasing new content regularly. Just look for ROTOMOULD! Following on from all of this, the ARMA Board and Staff had to look at the future of our events, especially with our international borders closed and our state borders as well.

We believe that future events will need to hybrid, offering both in person and online platforms.

Keep an eye out for our next special online event and if you want to be kept up to date on all that is happening in ARMA RotoConnect, email us at info@rotationalmoulding.com and we will add you to the database.

We wish you all a safe second half of 2020.

Thank you to all our sponsors!

www.rotoworldmag.com 33

ARM

REPORT

Serving the Rotational Molding Industry Worldwide for Over 40 Years

The mission of the Association of Rotational Molders is to promote, educate, and inspire the rotomolding industry. For more information, visit ARM’s website at www.rotomolding.org or contact the Association at 630-942-6589 or info@rotomolding.org.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Understanding the State of the Rotomolding Industry Rather than regurgitating past information, I decided to put together a little chart to memorialize 2020: Rotoplas 2020 is now Rotoplas 2021. Same great location, same low price.

ARM made the decision to postpone Rotoplas 2020. There’s too much uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 to continue with the initial plan.

Corporate and governmental travel restrictions coupled with the threat of a Fall resurgence all played into the decision. The event has been rescheduled for the week of September 20, 2021 in Chicago, IL. Virtual Fall Meeting In place of Rotoplas 2020, ARM is hosting an online meeting September 21-25, 2020. The schedule is filling up quickly with lots of technical and shop floor rotomolding content. We are excited to bring the education you have come to expect from our in-person meetings to this online format this year.

We will host videos for all exhibitors on the 2020 Online Meeting website. These videos will be published on our site the week of August 24 and meeting attendees can click to learn more about the companies and their products. During the Online Annual Meeting

34 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

(the week of September 21), exhibitors will take part in private Zoom meetings with rotomolders/attendees.

ARM staff will schedule and organize all of these meetings across 3-5 afternoons that week.

There is no charge for members attending the meeting. We know the current climate makes doing business difficult and as an association, we want to do everything we can to make your investment in ARM valuable. Find more information at www.rotomolding.org Industry SWOT Analysis An emerging theme of recent meetings and presentations is Industry 4.0; the industrial revolution that leverages cyber-physical systems and the IoT to alert and direct activities based on real-time process information. To better understand how our industry can keep pace during this latest revolution, we thought it was important to understand the state of the current industry.

To understand where rotomolding fits compared to general manufacturing, ARM is preparing a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis of the industry. A SWOT focuses on both internal factors, strengths and weaknesses, as well as external factors, opportunities and threats, to highlight the current state. Based on ARM’s breadth of membership, it can rely on molders, suppliers, and other experts to offer their insights regarding how the industry stacks up against other plastics processors and the general manufacturing industry.

I encourage you to spend a few minutes to participate in this effort and complete the survey at bit.ly/ARMSWOT The responses will be analyzed and shared during the 2020 Virtual Fall Meeting.

Our lives are all being impacted by the events happening around us. If you would have told me that Tiger King would be the most normal phenomenon of 2020, I would have laughed at you. Now, I’d rather marry Carole Baskin than jump on an airplane. There will be a time that we can meet face to face and get back to normal. Until then, take care of yourself.

ARM

REPORT 2020 Online Annual Meeting: Innovations and Education By moving our Fall meeting online, ARM can offer unique benefits for our industry.

Rotomolders who may not typically be able to attend our annual meeting because of travel costs or time out of the shop, will be able to take part in our educational programming and meet with suppliers when they wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity. Our exhibitors will gain the benefit of our online exhibit hall opening a month before the show so attendees can learn about their products and services before scheduling online meetings with them.

The Education sessions will be available free to ARM members and members of ARMO affiliates. The Exhibit Hall portion of the event will be available to everyone.

By the time you read this, the complete education schedule will be available at bit.ly/armonline Education will be presented live online the mornings of September 21-25.

As of press time, we can tell you a small portion of the presentations will include: • Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats in Rotomolding • Rotomolding: The Next 10 Years Powder Automation for All Applications • Polyethylene Market Dynamics Update What’s Your Problem • Challenges and Approaches in using Post-Consumer Recycled in Rotomolding • Creep Resistance • Fade Resistance of Pigments • Long-term Material Properties • Long-term Crack Propagation • UV Stability & Heat Ageing

We have much more planned, including at least one video tour of a rotomolding plant. Much more detail is available at bit.ly/ armonline Companies in our Online Exhibit Hall include: RotoPolymers Nova Chemicals Dow ExxonMobil Chemical Company, a division of Exxon Mobil Corporation Jerico Plastic Inc. LyondellBasell Stoner, Inc. STP Rotomachinery Inc. Entec Polymers M. Holland McCann Plastics

Mosaic Color & Additives Muehlstein Quantum Polymers Inc. Ameri-Kart Avantech AXEL Plastics Brunk Plastic Services Cellmark ChemTrend Custom Plastics Diversified Mold & Castings Drader Manufacturing Industries Ltd FabFour Ferry Industries, Inc. Foam Supplies, Inc. Hightower Products LLC Ingenia Polymers Corp.

Lonestar Checmical Maverix McLube Release Agents & Lubricants Midwest Patterns, Inc. N.A. Roto Machines and Moulds India Nix Screw Machine Products, Inc. Norstar Aluminum Molds Orenda Automation Technologies Inc. Paladin Sales POLNAC Powder King, LLC Precision Products Enterprises LLC Reliance Mixers Rock Lake Robotics Rotaloc International, LLC Rotoline RotoWorld® Shanghai Young Mould Co.,Ltd Solvay The Maag Group/Reduction Engineering Thintanks Vive Marketing Wenling Rising Sun Rotomolding Technology Co., Ltd Yantai Fangda Rotational Molding Co., Ltd

www.rotoworldmag.com 35

ARM

REPORT More than 90 webinars now available on-demand to ARM members ARM webinars were viewed 5,000 times in the last year. This number includes live webinar attendance and recorded webinar views, in which members watch our 10+ years of webinars at their convenience on the ARM website.

In addition to a variety of new webinar topics in 2020, Michael Paloian has presented a six-part series on Rotational Part Design which completes this August. We now offer more than 90 webinars on-demand for members. Members can access all of these titles immediately.

• Operator Training Program (25 Videos) presented

by Dr. Nick Henwood, Dru Laws, and more • Finishing Series (5 videos): Secondary Finishing Operations, Graphics, EPS Molding, PU Foaming, In-Mold Label Free Graphics and Coatings presented by Konstantia Asteriadou, Jason Brownell, Rick Carlsen, Corey Eystad, Dr. Nick Henwood, and Scott Saxman • Rotational Molding Design (6 webinars premiering throughout Summer 2020) presented by Michael Paloian • Burner Maintenance presented by Adam Covington • Considerations When Light-Weighting Rotomolded Parts presented by Henry Hay • Cooling Fixtures presented by Ron Joannou Jr. and Joey Morsi • Determining Your True Cost presented by Steve Osborn • The Effect of Pigments and Warpage on HDPE Rotomolded Parts by Mike Haubert • EPCRA Reporting & Combustible Dust (with Roto 101 Intro) presented by EPA & OSHA • Finishing Parts with Robots (Case Study) presented

by Dru Laws • Finite Element Analysis: The Basics presented

by Michael Paloian • Improving Rotational Molded Insert Performance presented by Glenn Larkin and Jon Ratzlaff • In-Process Rotational Foam Molding presented by Dru Laws • Infrared Thermography presented by Bill Spenceley • Lengthening the Life of Your Mold presented by Tony Short • Making the Most of Trade Shows by Melissa Shearer • Making the Most of Your Marketing Budget presented

by Melissa Shearer • Mold Clamping Methods – Pros and Cons presented

by Erik Adams and Bob Mueller • Mold Release presented by Even Silo & Scott Waterman • Mold Trends: Europe v. North America presented

by Sergio Zilioli • Part Cure as it Relates to Industry 4.0 by Rob Miller • Part Cure: How To Use Part Density to Check For Correct Cure by Dr. Nick Henwood • Part Cure: Troubleshooting by Ron Cooke

36 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

• Process Control: Modelling the Rotomolding Process

by Hassan Riaz • Process Tuning 101 by Dr. Nick Henwood • Prop 65 for Rotomolders presented by Mike Haubert • Proper Sampling Techniques presented by Josh Hunsberger and Dave Loeffler • Rebranding Your Business (Case Study) presented

by Tom Innis • Resin Rotomation by Rob Miller • Rotational Molding & the Evolving Structural Part Processing Business presented by Dr. Peter Mooney • Roto 101 presented by Rick Carlsen & Ron Joannou Jr. • Safety in Rotomolding & OSHA Compliance presented

by Dave Schwoerer • Save Energy & Save Money presented by Bill Spenceley • Selecting the Right PE Grade for Your Part presented

by Dr. Nick Henwood • Selling in Tough Times and an Uncertain Market

by Paul Reilly • The Seven Stages of Rotomolding by Gareth McDowell • Solve Cosmetic Part Problems presented by Jon Ratzlaff • Stiffness Models and Options for Multi-Layered Parts presented by Dr. Nick Henwood • Test Method for Flowability (Dry Flow Rate) of Polyethylene Powders Using a Specified Funnel presented by Ron Cooke & Jon Ratzlaff • Ten Actionable Business Topics by Tom Kammerait • Troubleshooting Your Rotomolding Operation from a Shop Floor Perspective presented by Ron Cooke • Turning a 4% Bottom Line into a 10% Bottom Line presented

by Al Bates • Understanding the Molding Cycle presented by Gareth McDowell • Unwanted Holes in Rotomolded Parts by Dr. Nick Henwood • Vent Plug Materials, Techniques, and Installations

by Sandy Scaccia • What Does Internal Air Mold Temperature Have to do with Quality presented by Gareth McDowell • What’s New (May 2020) presented by 18 ARM Suppliers • What’s Your Problem (2 videos) presented by Ron Cooke & Sandy Scaccia

ARM

REPORT The Benefits of Membership

Train your employees, reduce scrap, connect with customers, learn from experts and peers. This is what comes with membership and the return on your investment is tremendous.

Complimentary Registration for the 2021 Annual Meeting Provided for one employee for each new member company. This is your free entry to the world’s pre-eminent rotomolding meeting, held once every three years.

Sales Inquiry Notifications We review sales leads typically from companies seeking molders – and email them to our member companies. We actively advertise for leads on behalf of our members.

Sample Operator Instructions An 80+ page document calling out the highlights of nine company’s operator instructions. Also more than 700 documents and presentations from past Annual Meetings.

Immediate Free Access to more than 60+ on-demand webinars Topics range from Determining Your True Cost to Proper Sampling Techniques. A dozen new titles were added in 2019.

Immediate Free Access to ARM’s classic training video library Includes programs on curing, venting, and good manufacturing practices. All videos include Spanish subtitles.

Free Access to Troubleshooting Calls These moderated teleconferences are conducted every six weeks (eight

per year) and allow you to troubleshoot your process and discuss HR issues with other molders, suppliers, and rotomolding experts.

Networking with Industry Peers The greatest ARM benefit: Informal learning at a coffee break could revolutionize your process or reduce your expenses by tens of thousands of dollars. We hear it from members again and again.

Awards and Awareness Showcase your company in our online member directory and through awards including Safety Award, Product Competition, and more.

Discounted Registration to all ARM Meetings Includes regional meetings, the in-depth Hands-On Rotomolding Workshop at Penn College, and our Executive Forum which will be held in Italy.

Rotolink Our weekly e-newsletter announces upcoming programs, shares important industry news, and profiles our members.

Annual Meeting The premier event for rotomolders, their suppliers, designers and educators. Programming includes professional and industry speakers, valuable networking, group workshops, and exhibition.

To apply for membership, please visit www.rotomolding.org

www.rotoworldmag.com 37

INDUSTRY 4.0

EPISODE 3

by Rob Miller, Wittmann Battenfeld Canada Inc. / ROTOLOADTM

Put your Money‌Where your Money is!

As I ended Episode 3, I explained that my intention over the next few episodes will be to explore some examples as to how the implementation of Industry 4.0 principles, equipment, and theories can benefit your manufacturing and improve your bottom line.

Using Industry 4.0 to manage your most valuable resource.

After discussing this topic with several molders, the average rotomolded part has a cost of anywhere from 40%-70% related to the raw material, so this seems like an important and valuable place to start.

I thought that I would get started with a small case study, a return on investment investigation, to see where 4.0 can lead, and indeed benefit your business and financial goals.

As an industry, plastic is the heart of our business. Without raw material to put into our molds, we would have no business to discuss.

No matter which batch weight, blend, mix, color, polymer, or mesh size we use in our process, we need to have resin to make parts. Even if every part is a different color, we still need to know where our resources are being consumed.

Therefore, all molders have some volumes of materials, from small bags, to gaylord boxes, to super sacks, up to a silo, or multiple.

A 12 ft diameter silo, 64 feet tall, holds roughly 200,000 lbs of powder resin.

At a dollar a pound, that is a lot of money sitting in a metal tank outside of your building.

The big question is, do we all have an accurate picture of where that powder is going.

It is reasonable to expect that there is a wide spectrum of answers related to this question.

38 ROTOWORLDÂŽ AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

INDUSTRY 4.0

EPISODE 3 Some molders perhaps have a very accurate and realistic picture of where that powder is on a day to day basis, how much goes into good parts, how much goes into bad parts, how much goes on the floor, and how much ends up in various places, other than your end product!

It is also realistic to consider that some others don’t have as good of a handle on this costly and important topic.

While we know that a specific part, by design, requires a specific weight of powder, we may not truly understand how much is actually going into each and every mold, what resin we are losing to the floor, cross contamination, tool leakage in the oven, careless use of the typical manual bucket process, etc.

As mentioned at the outset, the best way to accomplish some ideas of true resin costs through a hypothetical case study might be a good place to start. I will do my best to keep the numbers organized and easy to follow. For the purposes of this case study, we will take a typical 3 meter machine, with 4 independent arms.

Machine Type

Carousel

Machine Size

3m

Number of Arms

4

Arm Type

Straight

Molds per Arm

4

Mold Size

25 lbs.

Total Resin per Arm

100 lbs.

Typical Cycle per Arm

20 min.

In the listed example, the machine will (should) consume +/- 300 lbs/hr of resin. In a typical 8 hr shift, by simple calculation equals 2,400 lbs / shift.

At roughly a $ 1.00 per pound, $2,400.00 of resin will be consumed in that shift, on that machine.

The big question is, do you know exactly what is happening. How accurate and consistent are your operators weighing out the buckets? How much powder may be falling on the floor? If

you run a single shift, five-day schedule, 50 weeks a year, the math works out to 600,000 lbs of powder consumed annually by this one machine. Or roughly $600,000.00.

The question is, what is your margin of error? What numbers do you use to allow for accurate cost calculations.

A 2% margin of error, could result in +/- $ 12,000.00 in annualized losses that do NOT need to be realized.

Remember that this is one machine, one shift, one part…If this ONE machine were to run three shifts, five days per week, the losses could be close to $40,000.00.

Larger parts, more expensive resins, number of operators on the platform, all contribute to these simple numbers.

Now, what any molder can do, is have staff, that may walk around to every machine, perhaps multiple times a day, collecting data, collecting manual work sheets that may or may not be filled out consistently, or accurately. Then, take that manually collected data, and transfer it to a spread sheet, or directly into an ERP system, which may or may not have manual entry errors, etc, etc.

All of this hard earned data, is based on the honesty, care, and integrity of your operators.

It is unlikely that every operator is recording when they put 2% or 4% or more powder in the mold, or spilled on the floor.

This process will indeed offer some record of what is going on, and some ideas of how your people and process are working, however, in many ways, its like we are heading back towards the manual typewriter again.

How 4.0 principles…

As I have communicated several times, Industry 4.0 principles, are for a large part, based on collecting large amounts of data.

It doesn’t matter how many colors, how large or how small your parts or part runs. Depending on your specific process, your facility may be able to see significant

benefit from a material conveying/ management system, potentially with an aggressive return on investment, but this is not necessarily the case.

Alternatively, collecting DATA automatically, electronically, can be an inexpensive process, a simple concept, and one that can be easily implemented with very little effort.

It needs to be a conscious decision and effort to move forward in a specific direction, with a defined, colaborative plan.

If we go back to that original +/$12,000.00 (losses) number, and make a decision to spend a portion of that on an 4.0 technology investment, a significant improvement could be made in the accuracy and consistency of the data that you are collecting.

Not only that, but the cost to collect that valuable information, quickly becomes automatic and without cost.

That for me is a key component to this 4.0 theory and technology being designed and functioning well. Collecting the data should take place in the normal course of day to day operations, without any additional effort of your team, or interruptions to your process.

In actual fact, all theories and indicators would show that it should be quite the opposite. This data and the related methods of collecting it should allow you to free up and use your valuable people for more efficient, safe, productive, and profit building tasks.

But this small example of collecting resin consumption data is only one of the many possible benefits.

Part consistency, weight accuracy, better inventory tracking of raw materials, and finished parts, better tracking of good parts/bad parts, operator efficiency, machine efficiency, specific mold performance, standardized work instructions, less plant movement and traffic, and more are ALL additional exponential benefits, and profit increasing initiatives as a natural result of thinking outside the box.

Isn’t that why we are all here? www.rotoworldmag.com 39

Rotoculture

takes roots in Indian Agriculture

by Sunil Raithatha, Prashant Trivedi & Umakant Savadekar

Courtesy: Maheshwari Industries, Raipur, India

Indian Agriculture, which was transformed by the Green Revolution has seen significant changes in recent times, especially with regard to modernization of farms and farming – mechanization and automation.

40 ROTOWORLDÂŽ AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

The size of the Indian agriculture sector covering 80% of India’s population and 15% of national GDP offers immense scope and opportunities for investments and innovations.

Government initiatives in Animal Husbandry, Agro startup projects, Farming incentives and new generation logistics, increasing use of science and technology are providing Indian agriculture a new edge.

Farming in India, which at one time was cattle supported and manual, now commonly uses modern implements and customized farmland equipment to meet growing requirements.

This is where rotational moulding is providing solutions and creating scope for more. Lots of products have been developed like, spraying equipment, seeding, storage, plowing, and many more. These provide impetus to Indian Government programmes under “Be Local and be Vocal” and “Atmanirbhar” (Self Reliant) India.

New levels of growth, modern farming awareness among farmers and stake holders, and periodic push by Government promote development and enhance prospects for: • Farming and Organic Farming Courtesy: Boraste Agro, Nashik, India • Dairy…cattle feeding, storage bins • Fisheries…fish seeding tank, floats, ice boxes • Waste handling and logistics…pallets, bins • Bio gas plants • Agriculture spraying – pesticides, fertilizers and others • Agriculture machine ancillary • Hydroponics…customised tanks • Plants / Tree Handling…rotomoulded planters • Grain storage bins / liners With modernization, many new products are now in use and there is plenty of scope for modern agricultural equipment globally in use to be brought into Indian agriculture.

Here are some examples how rotomoulded products have been developed and are used to improve overall productivity

in Indian agriculture by reducing labour, saving time and resources: Water Tanker The water distribution mechanism (Canals & inter river connectivity) is weak in India. Many of the reservoirs become dry within three months of the monsoon getting over.

To overcome the water crisis, Water Tanker is popular amongst farmers to cater to farming requirements. Conventional tanks had many issues due to heaviness, corrosions as well as

transportation losses (which was very high at times). There is huge potential for rotomoulded PE tankers which have many advantages over conventional products.

Tanks for Tractor Mounted Sprayer In modern farming, use of fertilizers and pesticides is common, and coming in direct contact with them has risks. In conventional processes, spraying and storage was being done manually and in metallic containers making the activity very cumbersome.

With modernization and advanced farm management, tractor mounted spraying and storage tanks have been innovated, and depending on requirements tanks suitable for large and small tractors, have been in use in many parts of India and globally. In most of the cases the tanks are preferably made of rotomoulded www.rotoworldmag.com 41

PE due to its good performance properties.

To further make it easier for the farmer to manage the tanks and their functions, these have been provided with pumps, dosing controls, level indicators and filtration capability.

With government encouragement for taking up farming as an occupation, there has been enhancement in opportunities, opening up huge potential for such equipment and ancillaries.

Bio Gas Plants India has the highest number of livestock and it is being mostly managed by rural farmers. The excreta of these animals was used earlier mostly for natural fertilizers. Though later, it was found that it has great potential Silos for Grain Storage as a non-conventional source of energy, as Biogas. For self reliant energy resource and overcoming cooking gas crisis, this became popular. Conventional plants were very cumbersome and had lots of issues like short life, corrosion, and most important a lack of safety. This was all overcome by innovating new technology (floating type) and changing material of construction to Plastics. Rotomoulding gave the best solution to it. Work is in progress for large size community biogas plant (India is foremost in Cooperative movement – Amul Silos for Transport is example). There is huge potential for this and global support would be needed to take this to next level.

There are many more applications and product developments which can be realized. Involvement of good product designer and end user inputs are required for this purpose. Experience and expertise of companies from around the world having advanced agriculture practices will be useful here. Technology and materials are going to be major contributors for coming up with high quality functional products. Few possibilities are‌ 42 ROTOWORLDŽ AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

Grain Storage Silos Rotomolded Silos for grain storage and transport have been developed in several parts of the world, mainly in regions of high grain production like Australia, and Brazil. India has very good potential for these products. Till date safe Grain storage in the fields is a big problem for Indian farmers. Grain silos can help to save a lot of grain wastage. It can also be used for storage of different grains and feeds used for poultry and agro processing industries.

Hoppers with farming machinery

Hoppers HDPE or XLPE hoppers are corrosion resistant and also have good abrasion resistance. These can be used with variety of agriculture equipment. It can replace lots of components made from sheet metal and used in farm machineries like spreaders, sprayers, and seeders.

Products for Agriculture & Allied Industries.

Dairy, poultry, and fisheries business supports Indian farmers as a supplement to their farming. As demand for milk and meat is increasing everywhere, it is very productive business for farmers. With availability of open space and feeds required for animals farmers are adopting it very well. In this sector very good rotomoulded modern plastic products have been developed keeping health and hygiene of animals as top priority. Even in India this awareness is increasing very fast. Modernization in equipment has happened and we are likely to see this in rotomoulded products as well. Foreign companies may find it attractive to collaborate in this sector.

Rotomoulding, due to its ease of designing and manufacturing, would be the preferred technology to develop products and applications suitable to this sector. It is a great opportunity to bring in such products which are already developed and used Internationally to provide immediate solutions Even during COVID-19 pandemic, the agriculture sector is majorly supporting livelihoods in India. It is expected to achieve the ambitious goal of doubling farm income by 2022. It is expected to generate better momentum in the next few years due to increased investment in agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation facilities, warehousing, and cold storage, which will provide the springboard for agriculture in India to get into next levels of development. Rotomoulded products are already playing a significant role in all this with room for more. Rotoculture has taken roots in this country and we are likely to see increasing use of rotomoulded products, and collaborations for some of them to be realized. All helping to boost productivity in Indian agriculture sector in years to come.

Animal Feeder Tanks

www.rotoworldmag.com 43

How Viscosity and Melt Index Influence Material Selection

by Alvin Spence, Centro, Inc. Selecting the right material for an application is one of the most important decisions a molder will make at the start of a project.

This important factor can single-handedly govern the success or failure of the product. To make a good decision it is vital that as much information about the fit, form and function of the application is garnered and understood prior to finalizing the design and purchasing tooling. The designer must thoroughly understand functionality and environmental conditions that the product will operate in. For example: • • • • • • • • •

should never be based on MI alone, as the influence of density is too significant. Figure 1 shows how these characteristics influence the material’s properties[1].

What are the temperature requirements?

Will the product have direct sunlight exposure?

What are the cosmetic and appearance requirements?

What are the load bearing requirements?

What are the impact requirements?

What abrasion resistance is required?

What chemicals will the product come in contact with?

What are the dimensional requirements?

What are the specifications of the mating pieces?

From some basic investigative work, enough understanding can be gleaned to help identify material options for the application, which will in turn dictate the raw material cost, the shot weight and the processing time required to make the product.

The Influence of Melt Index on Material Selection For many applications polyethylene (PE) is the material of choice for the rotational molding process. One of the most important decisions when selecting a suitable PE grade is what Melt Index (MI) to use. This decision can affect the: • Ability to reproduce the surface detail of the mold • Ability to mold some features such as threads, tight radii or geometry with close wall proximity • Cosmetic appearance of the part, and elimination of surface porosity • Bubble content in the wall of the part • Mechanical strength (impact, tensile, flexural) In general, a higher Melt Index material will provide the best solution to any molding challenges by improving appearance and reducing bubble count. However, if the product requires good mechanical properties such as stiffness, impact strength and tensile strength, then the lowest possible Melt Index combined with an appropriate density will yield the best result. This combination of MI and density is critical in determining the products ability to meet functional and environmental needs. The material selection 44 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

Figure 1: Effects of Melt Index and Density on Properties

How to Identify the Most Suitable Material with the Lowest Melt Index When trying to determine the most suitable lowest MI material it is important to understand what the acceptable bubble content is in the finished product. The reason for this is that in general, the material’s ability to diffuse air bubbles during processing will greatly influence the cosmetic appearance and the mechanical properties. However, as shown in Figure 1, increasing the density can compensate for some property reduction that is caused by bubbles trapped in the wall of the material.

The influence of air bubbles trapped during the powder sintering process cannot be underestimated. Bubbles form as powder particles melt and fuse together, as shown in Figure 2.

If the molding cycle yields a part with a high density of bubbles throughout the wall, then the material properties will not be optimized and may not be adequate for the application. Ideally, the curing cycle should yield a product with a few small bubbles

materials) exhibit lower viscosity measurements, and vice versa for low MI materials. While viscosity measurements are interesting, they only become useful if they are correlated to what happens to bubbles that form during the molding process. Bubble measurement and analysis is possible by using a hot plate test to observe how rotomolding grades melt and form bubbles which diminish in size over time.

When the materials in Figure 3 were observed using a hot plate test, as illustrated in Figure 4, there were some interesting observations:

Figure 2: Powder Densification and Bubble Diffusion

towards the inner layer of the part, so that the mechanical strength of the material has developed more in line with datasheet properties. Having no bubbles in the wall may be an indicator of excessive cure cycle time/temperature that could result in oxidation of the inner surface of the part, and poor physical properties.

The Relationship Between Melt Index and Viscosity In order to identify the lowest suitable MI material for an application it is important to realize that the Melt Index measurement is not a true representation of the material’s viscous characteristics when molten. Rotational molding is a “zero shear” process, and one method to assess viscosity at near zero shear is to use a parallel plate, controlled stress rheometer. Research carried out at Queen’s University Belfast[2] using such a rheometer applying very low shear stress provided some insight into the relationship between temperature and viscosity for natural (unpigmented) materials with a wide range of MIs. The data shown in Figure 3 illustrates the results from these experiments.

• Materials with MIs above 8 g/10 mins formed a homogenous melt with no bubbles • Materials with MIs of 8 g/10 mins and below formed bubbles which gradually diminished in size • Bubble diffusion was accelerated by increasing the temperature of the polymer melt.

8000 3.2 MFI

7000

5 MFI 8 MFI

Viscosity (Pa.s)

6000

12 MFI 18 MFI

5000

25 MFI

Figure 4: Hot Plate Test

4000 3000 2000 1000 0 280

300

320

340

360

380

400

Temperature (°F)

Figure 3: Viscosity for Materials with Increasing MI at a Range of Temperatures

The viscosity data in Figure 3 is as expected. As the temperature of the material increases, the viscosity decreases (making it more water-like). Also, high MI materials (i.e. better flowing

By closely observing bubbles in the 3.2 and 5 MI materials during a series of hot plate tests and recording and measuring bubble size at specific temperatures, a rate at which bubbles diffuse can be calculated for each condition. Bubble sizes were initially measured, and the polymer held at a set temperature for a period of time before re-measuring the bubbles again. From these measurements a diffusion rate for each material at a specific temperature was estimated and listed in Table 1.

The values for bubble diffusion in Table 1 were plotted against viscosity (see Figure 5). From the limited amount of data, it would appear that once the approximate zero shear rate of the polymer is below 3,000 Pa.s, then bubble diffusion will take place.

As the viscosity decreases further (with additional heat), the rate www.rotoworldmag.com 45

Temperature (°F)

Bubble Diffusion Rate(mm3/s)

Viscosity (Pa.s)

3.2

300

0 (no diffusion)

5450

3.2

340

0 (no diffusion)

3815

3.2

380

0.0191

2745

5

300

0 (no diffusion)

4230

5

340

0.0197

2865

5

380

0.2135

2000

8000

5 MFI

6000

8 MFI

5000 4000

Diffusion Line

3000 2000 1000

Table 1: Bubble Diffusion Rates for Low MI Materials

of diffusion continues to increase, which helps to diminish the bubble size more quickly, which in turn improves the mechanical properties of the material.

When considering the original viscosity data presented in Figure 3, an imaginary diffusion line (see Figure 6) can be added to highlight the processing temperature that must be reached in order for bubble diffusion to take place with some of the lower MI resins. This provides the molder with some approximate mold internal air temperature targets that must be reached to allow diffusion to take place. There are several cycle parameters that will influence the amount of diffusion that will ultimately take place, and some experimentation will likely be needed to determine if the majority of the bubbles will have time to diffuse using the molding cycle preferred by the molder.

3.2 MFI

7000

Viscosity (Pa.s)

Melt Index (g/10 mins)

0 280

300

320

340

360

380

400

Temperature (ºF)

Figure 6: Imaginary Bubble Diffusion Line

comparing the viscosity curve for the 3.2 MI (natural) resin and the 5 MI (black) resin it is assumed that these materials would have similar bubble diffusion rates. This can only be an assumption as there is no way to measure bubble diffusion in a pigmented resin.

If surface porosity and bubbles in the wall are not so critical, then lower MIs can be used. Also, if the part wall thickness is such that longer processing cycles are required then this will allow more time for diffusion of bubbles in lower MI resin, improving physical properties.

8000

.25

6000

Viscosity (Pa.s)

Bubble Diffusion Rate (mm3/s)

7000 0.2

0.15

0.1

Transition point where bubble diffusion commences

0.05

0 1000

5 MFI (Natural)

5000

5 MFI (Black)

4000 3000 2000 1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Viscosity (Pa.s)

Figure 5: How Viscosity Affects Bubble Diffusion Rate

Generally speaking, understanding how bubble diffusion relates to viscosity, MI and temperature would suggest that a bubble free part will be produced with a MI of approximately 5 g/10 mins or greater (depending on the cure cycle). However, this conclusion can be influenced by other factors such as pigmentation. For the 5 MI resin used in these experiments, a black pigmented version was also available. When the same zero shear viscosity measurements were performed on the black pigmented grade, the viscosity was noticeably higher across the same temperature range (see Figure 7). Therefore, when 46 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

0 280

300

320

340

360

380

400

Temperature (°F)

Figure 7: Zero Shear Viscosity for Black and Natural 5 MI Resin

Examples of Typical MIs for Rotomolded Applications Ultimately the molder has to make a material selection for each application, trying to find the right balance of MI and density.

Here are a few examples[3] of suggested material MIs for some typical rotomolded products with very specific functional and environmental requirements.

Water and Chemical Storage Tanks Water and chemical storage tanks come in a range of shapes and sizes and are globally manufactured using the rotational molding process. Tank volumes can be substantial, up to tens

of thousands of gallons. These products are typically outdoor products, with a lot of direct sunlight in diverse climates.

Product design plays an important role to ensure the geometry has sufficient structure to support the tank content’s load in the environment in which it operates. Quite often ribs are employed to enhance stiffness in areas of the tank that are subjected to the highest deflective loads.

Material selection: Typically, HDPE materials are used for these applications, with a low MI (1.5 - 4 g/10 mins) and sufficient hoop strength to meet the functional requirements.

A high UV rated material is desirable (e.g. UV-15) to help with sunlight exposure. Also, depending on the wall thickness and cycle time a good antioxidant package is required to ensure the material does not thermally degrade during processing.

Crosslinked PE (XLPE) may need to be considered, depending on the chemical being contained in the tank.

Toys, Fitness Equipment and Playground Structures Toys, fitness equipment and playground structures are extremely common rotomolded applications. Products such as dolls take advantage of the process’s ability to reproduce complex 3-D geometries. Other toy products such as the Cozy Coupe, kitchen play sets, wagons etc. tend to be brightly colored thin wall applications with rounded corners that are relatively easy to manufacture. However, to be competitive with other processes the cycle time for these products has to be very aggressive.

Playground structures are also a very common global rotational molding application because of the durability and weatherability of the PE material used.

Material selection: For soft touch and flexible products, Poly Vinyl Chloride is used. This material can replicate the most intricate of details, as seen in PVC dolls heads/bodies. Other toy products are manufactured from LLDPE such as the Cozy Coupe, kitchen play sets, wagons etc., with a medium to high MI (5 - 7 g/10 mins) to aid good flow, ease of processing and removal of bubbles quickly, which is desirable for cosmetic reasons.

Fuel Tanks Fuel tanks for tractors, construction equipment, trucks, marine engines, generators, compressors, lawn and garden equipment etc. represents a significant rotomolding sector. Many of these products can be extremely complex in design and include an array of assembled components. For example, agricultural fuels tanks are typically one of the last components to be designed for the vehicle, which results in a very complex geometry to take advantage of any available space to maximize the tank’s holding capacity.

Material selection: The material of choice for these applications is XLPE because of its UV stability, low temperature impact strength, environment stress crack resistance and its ability to pass various test requirements such as ECE 34. Crosslinked PE has also been used in

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combination with other materials that provide excellent resistance to hydrocarbon emissions, to reduce fuel weigh loss from gasoline tank applications. Prior to crosslinking, the crosslinkable grades available to the industry will flow very well as they are typically manufactured from a high MI resin (upwards of 20 g/10 mins), giving these materials the ability to reproduce difficult to fill geometries such as thread profiles.

Floatation & Insulated Products Polyethylene’s buoyance, water resistance, weatherability and toughness, all help to make it an excellent choice for rotationally molded flotation products. Fishing buoys, boat ramps, and floating docks are all common rotomolded products. Some floating docks incorporate PE foam to fill the cavity and/ or increase buoyance. Kayaks and canoes are also commonly rotationally molded and often include PE foam and are molded using a rock and roll machine because of their geometry. In recent years there has been a notable move towards rotational molding for insulated coolers. Several of these products include PU foam between the external and internal PE layer. This provides excellent insulation properties, allowing the contents of the cooler to remain chilled for several days.

Material selection: The material of choice for these applications is polyethylene with lower density materials providing better bouyancy. The addition of foam will further enhance bouyancy. These products will benefit from a material with a good UV package and good impact properties. Typically, LLDPE materials would be used for these applications with a MI in the range of 3 - 7 g/10 mins.

Material Handling, Waste Disposal Products & Floor Cleaning Containers, pallets, IBCs, totes, trash cans, dumpsters etc. can all be common rotationally molded products. Cases and containers can be highly sophisticated for the purpose of carrying and protecting valuable goods. IBCs are commonly used for transportation of chemical products. Trash cans and dumpsters are also common applications for the process and can often incorporate recycled material. Single piece septic tanks can

THIS IS YOUR

be manufactured using the rotational molding process. Floor cleaning equipment benefits from the process’s ability to mold highly complex geometries that are capable of holding cleaning fluids at elevated temperatures.

Material selection: The material of choice for these applications is polyethylene. However, IBCs may require a stiffer material HDPE material because of the load carrying requirements for this product. Also, XLPE may be required depending on the chemical being contained in the tank. Waste disposal and floor cleaning products can be manufactured from LLDPE material, with a density in the 935–939 kg/m3 range and a MI in the range of 2 - 5 g/10 mins.

Custom Applications In addition to those previously mentioned, there are many other industries and applications that utilize the rotational molding process. These include: air ducts, cargo beds, blower housing, hydraulic tanks, urea tanks, roofs, fenders, consoles, display cabinets, road barriers, traffic signs, laundry carts, furniture, plant-pots, mannequins, hoppers, rickshaws etc.

Material selection: The material of choice for the majority of these applications is polyethylene. Typically, with a LLDPE material, with a density in the 935–939 kg/m3 range and a MI in the range of 3 - 7 g/10 mins. However, hydraulic tanks will be subjected to higher temperatures when in use and depending on the maximum temperature requirements will need to use either a XLPE, XL11 (XLPE/Nylon 11 combination), Nylon 11 or Nylon 6. Nylon 6 will have the highest temperature range for these applications.

1. Crawford RJ. Rotational Moulding of Plastics, 2nd Edition, Research Studies Press Ltd. 1996.

2. Spence, AG. Analysis of Bubble Formation and Removal in Rotationally Moulded Products, The Queen’s University of Belfast, Ph.D. Thesis, May 1994.

3. Spence, AG. Rotational Molding Continues to Surge, ARMO Rotational Molding Product Showcase, JSJ Productions, Inc., 2020.

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TECHNICALLY

SPEAKING

by Alongkorn Kanokboriboon, SCG Chemicals

Plastic Milk Pouches become Cool Rotomolded School Chairs

Food packaging is undeniably one major source of plastics waste, which led to pollution to our land and oceans today.

Currently, there is no effective, sustainable way to manage this type of waste due to several factors. It takes tremendous time and effort to sort, clean, and process these used plastics into other useful products of higher value. Often times, there is no real economic incentive to recycle and reuse these materials. As a result, plastics waste from food packaging continues to be an omnipresent problem.

In this issue, we will discuss an ongoing project between a polyethylene resins producer, namely SCG Chemicals, and a local school district to recycle plastic milk pouches into a cool, inspirational rotomolded products that can be utilized back at the schools. School milk program was an initiative by the government of Thailand to provide pupils with fresh milk daily during school terms or 260 days per year. Current consumption was for 5 million kids nationwide from Kindergarten to Grade 6. Each milk pouch weighed about 4 grams so a total waste from disposed bags would be about 1,300-1,500 tons annum— not a small amount to be ignored (30% came in the form of plastics pouches; the rest in the form of paper cartons).

Polyethylene (PE) is the main type of raw material used for rotomolded parts because PE has a good balance of mechanical properties, ease of processing, availability, and reasonable prices. To be suitable for rotomolding, such PE needs to have the right melt viscosity measured

by Melt Index (MI)—but to be technically correct we should actually refer low-shear viscosity. Rotomolding-grade PE in today’s market typically has an MI between 3-7 and a density of 930-940, while film-grade PE usually has an MI of 1-2 and a density

Figure 1a: School Milk Pouch

To overcome these shortcomings, a new polyethylene blend had to be created to make it rotomoldable and its strength high enough for load-bearing service.

Through continuous R&D efforts at SCG, a proprietary high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was selected to be melt-blended with the milk-pouch film (LLDPE of 920 density and 1 MI) to meet the desired mechanical and rheological properties. It was also necessary to add a healthy dose of primary and secondary antioxidants to prevent thermal degradation during extrusion and rotomolding process, and to ensure long service life of the rotomolded parts.

A blend of 70:30 (HDPE: LLDPE) was the target of this study since 30 percent of recycle materials was required to qualify as post-consumer Recycled or PCR. A higher

Figure 1b: Milk pouch after being cleaned and hung to dry

of 920. If one were to rotomold film-grade PE, the finished product would normally be too soft and would contain a lot of bubbles and pinholes with an orange-skin internal surface.

percent of recycle materials may also be possible but final products might not be strong enough or could contain surface defects due to its raw materials having too low of a density and melt viscosity. www.rotoworldmag.com 49

TECHNICALLY

SPEAKING

Figure 2a: Shredded milk pouch

Figure 2b: SCG’s HDPE granules

Figure 2c: Compounded granules

Figure 3a: Extrusion process

Figure 2d: Pulverized milk pouch PE compound

To make this recycling effort effective and sustainable, collaboration from all parties was necessary, especially at the point of disposal. Mr. Chumphol Chiengsirisupawong, the project leader from SCG revealed that, “We trained the students to be responsible for managing

Figure 3b: Extrusion process

50 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

TECHNICALLY

SPEAKING their own empty milk pouches so that this exercise became their daily routine.

Each student would rinse the bag with clean water and hang it to dry for collection at the end of the day.”

After a significant amount of disposed milk pouches had been collected, they were picked up from the school and delivered to a local recycling company, where these bags were shredded by a granulator into thin strips of 4-5 mm length as shown in Fig. 2(a). The shredded films were returned to SCG’s compounding facility, where extrusion was done on a laboratory twin-screw extruder and strand-cut into granules as seen in Fig. 2(c). No additional pigments were added in this step. Resulting color was from printed inks on the pouch’s surface. In the third step, the extruded granules were pulverized with a lab pulverizer Model Powder King PK-18 equipped with 35-mesh or 500-micron screen. In the final step, this powder were rotational molded at SCG’s laboratory with a pilot-scale shuttle-oven machine into various products, such as planter’s pots and furniture.

A futuristic-looking chair was chosen to be the showcase product for this

Figure 4: Cast Aluminum Chair Mold in use

project. A total of 40 chairs were molded and donated to the pilot school. Each chair weighs 8 kg or about 5-mm in wall thickness. The required processing time was about one hour per cycle. The molded chairs were tested for their longterm mechanical properties before they were delivered to ensure that they are safe for use.

At the time of this article being published, this project is still ongoing.

More rotomolded products using PCR are being considered for other applications.

Initial studies has shown that rotomolding with the correct processing methods and suitable final applications has a great potential for recycling plastics waste and making the world a better place.

Figure 5: Final product!

www.rotoworldmag.com 51

Your connection to the world of

Rotational Moulding

ARMA

ROTOCONNECT

President’s Report – Graeme Hall In my bi-monthly Rotoconnect report, specifically in manufacturing, we are I don’t usually focus on ARMA losing the intrinsic engagement of operational issues as I leave that in the mentors. I’m sure this will become even capable hands of Leisa and Michelle. It more prevalent in our current social would be remiss of me however not to distancing environment. Personally, I mention ROTOMOULD ONLINE 2020. know I have greatly benefited over the There was a lot of work that went into years from a range of excellent mentors making this a true value-add event and (I’m sure some of them are looking at me something moulders around the world and wondering where they went wrong decided they couldn’t miss. There was but we can discuss that in Hobart next fantastic support for ARMA’s effort year). So, what is a mentor and why are to maintain our great tradition as the they important? best place to get information about our industry. Clearly very disappointing that Straight out of Wikipedia we were not able to get together in June A mentor may share with a mentee (or as it is always a pleasure to see everyone protege) information about his or her own at our annual conference. All going career path, as well as provide guidance, well, the opportunity will be in Hobart motivation, emotional support, and role 2021, which is a long time coming but modelling. A mentor may help with something we can all look forward to exploring careers, setting goals, developing with great anticipation. contacts, and identifying resources.

On behalf of ARMA and the broader Mentorship is a relationship in which a “All going well, the rotational moulding community we more experienced or more knowledgeable opportunity will be in continue to wish everyone the best in person helps to guide a less experienced Hobart 2021, which is a this unsettled time. We sincerely hope or less knowledgeable person. The mentor everyone is staying safe and you have may be older or younger than the person long time coming but not been too badly affected by the being mentored, but they must have a something we can all pandemic. certain area of expertise You will also note that I have been My view is everyone should be using look forward to reluctant in my reports to get too mentors regardless of their position with great anticipation.” specific about world events and industry in a business. Often you are mentored conditions as I am a little risk adverse. without being consciously aware of it. I Reports that are a bit controversial am not necessarily promoting professional usually grab people’s attention. I recall mentorship but in certain situations it reading a random industry magazine is well worth exploring. I have seen it that come across my desk once with an editorial piece from a work well in rotational moulding where people have engaged person providing commentary about their industry in a very a professional (maybe not overly professional in rotational outrageous way. My attention was also captured by a picture of moulding but you get the point). As I suggested, there appears the author patting a large stuffed cat. So, in a climate that appears to be an evaporation of the mentor relationship and we are you can say anything you want without being fact checked, I have not better off for this loss. Possibly through a more transient decided after careful consideration to stick with down the middle workforce, people not staying at their jobs as long or the reliance commentary. on social media has eroded the core values of building mentor In recent times I have had the feeling that as a society and, relationships.

52 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

ARMA

ROTOCONNECT Leisa and I were discussing recently that our long tenor with our employers can be a disadvantage in our ability to stay relevant in our careers. We ultimately agreed that we could adapt and stay relevant. To this point I recall one of my mentors saying to me many years ago, “business changes and managers need to change with the needs of the business to stay relevant”. With that in mind, changing mentors to suit your needs and the phase of life you are in is equally as important. Some examples would be a business growing from a small entrepreneurial enterprise to a more established business. Or an operator moving into a supervisor’s position requiring a degree of change in their method of engagement and leadership. Garnishing knowledge

from someone you are close too can greatly enhance your chances of success. Not that I am dismissing your chances of obtaining knowledge to achieve your ambitions through Google or Facebook for example. But we are a very social species and I think we are better served by human mentors.

So, I put it out there, are you actively mentoring someone and being mentored by someone in your business life? If not, I implore you consider it in your daily plans and make it part of your conscious activities throughout the day. It can sometimes be silent, just listening or leading by example. But consider your actions, are you investing in the people around you and are you growing with the support of a good mentor?

Whats is Happening Around ARMA? New Zealand, and the Pacific for buried, partially buried and aboveground tanks for water and chemicals. The document has been through all the approvals required and has now been approved and published and is available to purchase through Australian Standards.

ASNZS 4766:2020 IS NOW PUBLISHED — the new AS/NZS 4766:2020 is a comprehensive review of the standard in Australia,

In New Zealand — Competenz sectors are set to benefit significantly with the announcement of free apprenticeships and industry training. As part of the $1.6 billion boost in the vocational education sector in the recent Budget announcement, the Government has launched the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF), with the aim of providing COVID-19 relief and addressing skills shortages in targeted growth sectors. Under the $320 million package, fees for all apprenticeships and targeted areas of industry training will be covered by the fund from 01 July 2020 until 31 December 2022.

Employers and learners do not need to apply for the fund and those already learning on-the-job could be eligible for a partial refund if their training extends beyond 01 July 2020.

ARMA Events — As with most organisations, events have had to change this year so we have moved our events on to 2021. www.rotoworldmag.com 53

ARMA

ROTOCONNECT

Make sure you pencil the dates in your diary: Rotomould 2021 Hobart, Australia June 20 - 22 www.rotomouldconference.com.au For ROTOTOUR 2021, we have tentative dates of September 9-18 and will keep you updated on changes with the tour as its decided.

Obviously there will be concerns around the Covid situation in both Mexico & Brazil. For our regular delegates and for anyone who is interested, keep up to date on www.rototour.com

We are not straws and plastic water bottles.

Caring for our environment is important to us.

We provide recyclable, multi-use LDPE resources.

Environment Group — This working group is focused on projects, information and initiatives that will help educate our members and the public on the differences between multi-use and single-use plastics.

It will also assist in profiling how rotationally moulded products benefit the environment and how our members can be more involved in product stewardship.

Earlier this year the ARMA Recycling Logo was launched and is starting to now gain industry traction with several members using it on posters, emails, and websites. More recently, the group launched ARMA’s

Look out for this logo on a range of products.

54 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

partnership with Operation Clean Sweep and a joint promotion to all members along with a relationship with Plastics NZ to offer audits in both Australia and New Zealand.

ARMA

ROTOCONNECT Who is ARMA Rotoconnect?

We don’t just provide conference presenters or articles about what’s happening in the global industry. We offer unique and amazing opportunities to engage directly with the changemakers, all the time. ARMA is the premier organisation for rotational moulders throughout Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia and as one of the most active associations in the world, we also have rotational moulding and supplier members throughout around the globe who enjoy our resources and extensive industry network. Our members have a proven commitment to providing their clients with quality products and services. Rotoconnect is a limited membership open to moulders around the world that still provides key benefits but doesn’t include advocacy, promotion or technical advice outside of the online resource library or some of the key benefits shown below. Here’s a quick comparison to help you find the right membership type for your company.

ARMA Member Benefits

Oceania, New Zealand & Australia

Rotoconnect Member Benefits Rest of The World

Technical Library: This resource includes hundreds of conference presentations from all over the world, promotional resources such as our design posters, safety posters and guides, guides for moulders and customers, templates, induction and training programs, testing guides and more.

Technical Library: This resource includes hundreds of conference presentations from all over the world, promotional resources such as our design posters, safety posters and guides, guides for moulders and customers, templates, induction and training programs, testing guides and more.

Rotomoulding TV: This is access to all of the videos of live conference presentations and technical workshops that are available on the Rotomoulding TV website as well as the videos that form part of the technical library.

Rotomoulding TV: This is access to all of the videos of live conference presentations and technical workshops that are available on the Rotomoulding TV website as well as the videos that form part of the technical library.

Rotationalmoulding.com: The website is the most utilised website in the rotational moulding industry and is now branded as RotoConnect. Your subscription will include a member listing on this site, that is search enabled so that products developers and designers throughout the world will be able to access your details when searching for a company.

Rotationalmoulding.com: The website is the most utilised website in the rotational moulding industry and is now branded as RotoConnect. Your subscription will include a member listing on this site, that is search enabled so that products developers and designers throughout the world will be able to access your details when searching for a company.

Rotoconnect Events: Membership discounts to all events and reciprocal attendance at ARMO events where offered.

Rotoconnect Events: Membership discounts to all events and reciprocal attendance at ARMO events where offered (conditions may apply with the local organiser).

Plus: • Rotonews updates • 6 issues of Rotoworld® per year • Advocacy to government • Development of relevant standards

• Marketing of the process • Technical support • Event attendance at discounted rates • Localised technical resources • Local events

Membership is open to all rotomoulders and suppliers.

Membership is open only to rotational moulding companies located outside of the Australasian region.

Association of Rotational Moulders Australasia Inc. PO Box 826, Ipswich Qld 4305 AUSTRALIA Tel: +61 (0) 7 3812 1450 Fax: +61 (0)7 3009 0600 www.rotationalmoulding.com CEO: Leisa Donlan ldonlan@rotationalmoulding.com Deputy Executive Officer: Michelle Rose michellerose@rotationalmoulding.com

www.rotoworldmag.com 55

ARMO

NEWS

ARMSA ARM-CE NORDIC ARM StAR BPF IT-RO

BRITISH PLASTICS FEDERATION ROTATIONAL MOULDING GROUP • BPF

UK Plastics Industry Insights on the State of COVID-10 The British Plastics Federation (BPF) is the world’s longest running plastics trade association, established in 1933 to represent the UK industry. It has over 450 members that span across the supply chain. This includes plastics recyclers, polymer producers and suppliers, additive manufacturers, services providers, end users, plastics processors, and machinery manufacturers, in total representing over 80% of the industry by turnover.

On 21st March this year the UK government announced full lockdown measures in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. In the days that followed, business and industry communities were left wondering how (or if) they could continue and what the impact would be on their future. Now, five months later the UK plastics industry have some insight into who was hit, the symptoms, and the recovery period.

Initially, industry groups and trade bodies such as the BPF liaised daily with government to ensure members had clarity on the continuation of manufacturing and operating safely during the pandemic. The BPF worked to ensure member firms who had essential workers (those in supply chains helping the fight against COVID-19 such as PPE and infrastructure for hospitals) had the ability to continue to operate, helping to signpost Government guidance on these key issues.

The BPF were pleased to receive a letter Secretary of State Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy on the 8th April outlining the importance of supporting manufacturing supply chains and categorically stating that “there is no 56 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

restriction on manufacturing continuing under the current rules”.

This left the difficult problem of how to maintain production while protecting the health and well-being of the workforce. BPF were the first to react with their COVID-19: Guidance on Good Manufacturing Practice guidance published 3rd April (and now in its third edition). Compiled by advice from Public Health England, the UK Health and Safety Executive and measures implemented by BPF members, companies found innovative ways to safeguard their staff whilst meeting demand.

But what happened to demand? 43% of BPF members reported a downturn, with operating capacity in rotational moulders dropping from 67% to 53% in the first two weeks of lockdown - 10% of rotational moulders were force to ‘furlough’ staff (government-paid leave). A further 88% of members anticipating that the coronavirus’s impact would affect their supply chains for the next 3 months. Over half of the plastics sector were operating with reduced staff who were either self-isolating, home

ARMO

NEWS BRITISH PLASTICS FEDERATION ROTATIONAL MOULDING GROUP • BPF

schooling their children, or displaying coronavirus symptoms.

Thankfully, 89% of employers in the plastics industry were able to obtain approved C-19 testing kits, allowing them to monitor staff and infection levels.

For rotational moulder, signs of recovery in their supply chains were quick to materialise. By the middle of April, demand began to pick up, reaching its pre-lockdown level by the beginning of June.

As the leading trade body representing the plastics industry, BPF had to be every bit as agile as our members to develop new ways of engaging with and delivery benefit to our members.

At the height of the early lockdown restrictions we issued daily C-19 email updates providing essential information from government and frontline health organisations. We began a schedule of virtual coronavirus ‘crisis’ meetings, online seminars, and a series of webinars that have seen well over

1,000 participants taking part. One of the most successful being a Design for Recyclability & Efficiency in Rotational Moulding webinar with our highest level of engagement this year.

While there appears to be the green shoots of recovery for the sector, it will be some time before UK PLC will be given the all clear. Sectors that were struggling before the coronavirus have been the worst hit; BPF members supplying to construction and (especially) the automotive markets have been hit hard.

24% of members anticipate making a reduction in the size of their workforce and small number of sites remain closed.

BPF will be lobbying government to continue and extend their support programmes to ensure that manufacturing and the plastics sector is able to continue to make a valuable contribution to the economy and support jobs and high value market chains.

—Graeme Craig – Senior Industrial Issues Executive, British Plastics Federation

BPF Statement in Response to BBC Report on Waste Dumped in Turkey The BPF has released a statement in response to the recent report by the BBC on waste being dumped and burned in Turkey.

“It is shocking to see waste mismanaged in this way.

The British Plastics Federation strongly condemns casual and irresponsible practices. The UK must learn from reports like this so that greater vigilance is applied to waste exports and illegal operators are shut down.

The British Plastics Federation is working intently to help improve and develop the recycling system within the UK. The UK desperately needs greater investment to expand recycling capacity and improve the collection and sorting of used plastics. We are calling on the government to dedicate future revenues from the proposed plastics packaging tax to improving the plastics recycling infrastructure in the UK. In addition, the BPF have for years called for urgent reform of the legislation governing packaging waste (the ‘PRN’ system) in order to incentivize domestic recycling and to reduce reliance on exports. A key priority must be to ensure end markets for recycled materials, so that companies are strongly incentivized to reprocess the waste.

This BBC report shows yet another reason why it’s vitally important that all stakeholders work together to build a strong recycling industry here in the UK and move closer towards the goal of a national plastics circular economy.

This kind of irresponsible behaviour fortunately reflects only a minority of cases. It is crucial that consumers are not discouraged and that they maintain their responsible endeavours and continue to participate in recycling activities.” www.rotoworldmag.com 57

ARMO

NEWS BRITISH PLASTICS FEDERATION ROTATIONAL MOULDING GROUP • BPF

BPF Members Directory 2020/ 2021 Available to Download The British Plastics Federation (BPF) Members Directory 2020/2021, featuring nearly 500 companies, is now available to view and download from www.BPFmembers.com.

The BPF Members Directory is the most comprehensive, up-to-date guide available of the leading UK companies from across the plastics supply chain. It includes raw material suppliers and distributors, recyclers, equipment suppliers, consultants and service providers, as well as companies carrying out all the major plastic processes.

The document provides company contact details as well as more in-depth, categorised information about each company. It also features an overview of the UK plastics industry, with key facts and figures.

BPF Director General Philip Law comments: The BPF Members Directory is a valued reference document for potential buyers both here and overseas, which we distribute widely. It represents the best companies from across the UK supply chain. We have crafted the directory to ensure it is as easy to navigate as possible. Companies are clearly identifiable within each subsector and organised into nearly 500 carefully coordinated categories so that it is extremely easy to find what you are looking for.

The BPF Members Directory is typically distributed at many UK and foreign events. It is available to download at: www.BPFmembers.com

SOCIETY OF ASIAN ROTOMOULDERS • StAR

StAR Activities Support Roto Industry During COVID Times

StAR has worked in different ways to be of help to its members and the Indian rotomoulding industry as factories and businesses gradually resume work when the lockdown due to COVID-19 was relaxed in phases: • StAR organised successful weekly webinars on a variety of useful topics with presenters from across the industry spectrum, even from outside the country.

58 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

Webinars held every Friday during the month of July ’20 consisted of: • Global Opportunities

by Divya Raithatha, Vinodrai Engineers • Overground & Underground Tank Differences

by U Savadekar, Phychem Tech

ARMO

NEWS SOCIETY OF ASIAN ROTOMOULDERS • StAR

•

•

•

Key improvements Indian Rotomoulders can make

by Dhanu Patel, Reinhardt Implementation of KAIZEN in Rotomoulding

by Jayant Saraf, Mahajan Polymers “Take Control of your processing”

by Dr. Gareth McDowell, 493K – UK

These were well attended and well appreciated webinars with attendee connections ranging from 54 to 84.

• Digital articles and StAR newsletter Rototalk kept up online activity of the association, with articles being released regularly and another issue of Rototalk being brought out in July.

• Work has begun under a new programme “ Think Global - Act Local” headed by R. Ravi Kumar of moulder member company Roots Multiclean. New business opportunities are being identified for the benefit of StAR moulders where indigenous production can replace products currently being imported into the country.

- Workshops for Manpower training and Skill developmentare being planned under the programme so that shortages of manpower caused by the exodus of migrant workers can be covered.

• StAR made progress in its efforts to have in place appropriate standards for rotomoulded product areas. for use by the industry. StAR committee set up for the purpose finalised Draft of “Guidelines for Design and Manufacture of Underground tanks” which will seek endorsement by industry before submission to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) the standards authority in the country. StAR also attended an important meeting of BIS to make a case for its work to be recognised on “Over ground tank standards” it had published some years ago and have active representation on the various committees dealing with rotomolded items.

- The “Thing Global – Act Local” Programme is planning to help industry members to develop cast aluminium mould making capability by finding for them locations where foundries with a good reputation for casting exist. The available skill and expertise in casting can be used for cast aluminium moulds.

Association of Rotational Moulders Southern Africa PO Box 6966 Birchleigh 1621 Gauteng South Africa Tel: +27 82 772 3769 Fax +27 12 541 1738 Chairman: Wayne Wiid info@armsa.co.za www.armsa.co.za

Association of Rotational Moulding (Central Europe) e.V. (ARM-CE) MAUS GmbH - Rotationsgießformen Am Viehweg 9 - D-76229 Karlsruhe Amtsgericht Mannheim, HRB 103433 Tel.: +49 (0) 7 21 / 9 48 74 12 Fax: +49 (0) 7 21 / 9 48 74 44 Mr. Oliver Wandres, ARM-CE Chairman info@rotational-moulding.de www.rotational-moulding.de

British Plastics Federation Rotational Moulding Group 6 Bath Place Rivington Street London EC2A 3JE United Kingdom Tel: 020 7457 5000 Fax: 020 7457 5045 Chairman: Mr. Philip Maddox PhilipM@LeafieldEnv.com

The Nordic Association of Rotational Moulders Executive Board Chairman: Mr. Ronny Ervik ul. Zielona 8, 61-851 Poznan, Poland Tel: +48 607-126-004 Fax: +48 61-858-8611 info@rotomoulding-europe.org www.nordicrotomoulding.org www.rotomoulding-europe.org

Society of Asian Rotomoulders (StAR) 40/145, Ground Floor, Chittaranjan Park New Delhi 110019 Tel: + 91-11-41630157 Fax: +91-11-41634952 Mob: + 91- 9810305356 sb.zaman@staraisa.org arnacz@satyam.net.in www.starasia.org

IT-RO Italia Rotazionale Katia Zoppetti Via E. Brigatti 12 20152 Milano (MI) Italy Tel: +039 348 7652560 www.it-ro.it

www.rotoworldmag.com 59

GLOBAL

ARM ONLINE

NOVEMBER 26-27, 2020

2020 ARMA MASTERCLASS SERIES Auckland, New Zealand – Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, Australia

AFR MASTER CLASS 2020 Lyon, France

PLASTINDIA Pragati Maidan New Delhi, India

60 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

MARCH 21-25, 2021

FEBRUARY 4-8, 2021

Annual Meeting

OCTOBER 16-22, 2020

THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

CALENDAR

ANTEC® 2021

Sheraton Denver Downtown Denver, Colorado

GLOBAL

APRIL 19-22, 2021

SEPTEMBER 20-23, 2021

CALENDAR

SPE ROTOMOLDING TOPCON Cleveland Marriott East Cleveland, OH

ROTOPLAS 2021

Rosemont, Illinois USA rotomolding.org • SAVE THE DATE

www.rotoworldmag.com 61

ADVERTISERS’

INDEX

17 Diversified Mold & Castings 19800 Miles Rd. Warrensville Hts., OH 44128-4118 USA 216.663.1814 | 888.642.1222 info@diversifiedmolds.com www.diversifiedmolds.com

11 Maag / Reduction Engineering Scheer USA Headquarters 235 Progress Blvd.

Kent, OH 44240 USA 1.800.844.2927 /330.677.2225 Maag.KEN.Info@maag.com www.maag.com Europe Headquarters Ostring 19 63762 Grossostheim, Germany +49.6026.503.354 info@maag.com www.maag.com

33 Poliplast S.p.A. Via Carrali, 8 24020 Casnigo (BG) Italy +39.035.724145 info@poliplastspa.com www.poliplastspa.com

9 Ferry Industries, Inc. 4445 Allen Rd. Stow, OH 44224-1093 USA 330.920.9200 sales@ferryindustries.com www.ferryindustries.com

15 Matrix Polymers The Priory Orchard Hill Little Billing Northhampton, NN9 9AG United Kingdom +44.0.1604.789100 sales@matrixpolymers.com www.matrixpolymers.com

2 Roto Polymers 26210 Emery Rd. Ste 202 Cleveland, OH 44128 USA 1.844.POLIMER (1.844.765.4637) info@rotopolymers.com www.rotopolymers.com

48 JSJ Productions, Inc. 625 West Market St. Salinas, CA 93901 USA 512.894.4106 susan@jsjproductionsinc.com www.jsjproductionsinc.com

21 NOVA Chemicals 1555 Coraopolis Heights Rd. Moon Township, PA 15108 412.490.4311 Doug.Biela@novachem.com www.novachem.com

5, 47 Jerico Plastic Industries, Inc. 7970 Boneta Rd. Wadswroth, OH 44281 USA 330.730.6314 Minerva Plant: 330.868.4600 steve@jericoplastic.com www.jericoplastic.com

7 Orenda 165 Steelcase Rd. East Markham, Ontario L3R 1G1, Canada 905.513.8043 sales@orenda-automation.com www.orenda-automation.com

64 ExxonMobil Chemical Co. PO Box 96126 West Springs Calgary, Alberta Canada, T3H 0L3 800.668.0177 kevin.c.jamieson@exxonmobil.com https://www.exxonmobilchemical.com /en/products-and-services/ polyethylene

19 Polnac Lázaro Cárdenas, No. 49, Col. San Jerónimo Tepetlacalco, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, Mexico C.P. 54090 +52.55.5362.5360 ext. 275 glenn@polnac.com www.polnac.com

62 ROTOWORLD® AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

3 Powder King, LLC 41780 N. Vision Way Unit 120 Bldg. 2 Anthem, AZ 85086 USA 623.551.9897 sales@powder-king.com www.powder-king.com

63 Rotomachinery Group Via Crosa, 53 28065 Cerano (NO) Italy +39.0321.772021 polivinil@polivinil.com www.rotomachinerygroup.com 61 VMP, Inc. 24830 Avenue Tibbitts Valencia, CA 91355-3404 USA 888.4.VMP.INC 661.294.9934 info@vmpinc.com www.vmpinc.com 14 Wittmann Battenfeld Canada Inc. / ROTOLOADTM 35 Leek Crescent Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4C2, Canada 905.887.5355 Toll Free: 1.888.466.8266 info@wittmann-group.ca www.wittmann-group.ca

www.rotoworldmag.com 63

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VOLUME XVI, ISSUE 4 • 2020

VOLUME XVI, ISSUE 4 • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020

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