RotoWorld 5, 2020

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VOLUME XVI, ISSUE 5 • 2020

“If you build it, they will come” VOLUME XVI, ISSUE 5 • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

LEADERSHIP

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.

Brian Olesen, Centro Inc., President & CEO

What Rotomolders Need to Know about Polymer Chemistry Dr. Nick Henwood, Rotomotive Limited

The Use of Virtual Reality in the Development of a New Rotational Moulding Factory Karem Akoul, Peter Ross, Brian Allen and David Seall CP Cases, London; Mark Kearns and Dr. Peter Martin, Queen’s University, Belfast

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CONTENTS

FEATURES COVER STORY

26

“If you build it, they will come” The Centro Story on the 50th Anniversary Brian Olesen, Centro Inc., President & CEO Leading Rotational Molder harkens back to their field of dreams and founder to appreciate their successes, value their relationships, and strive to be even better tomorrow.

32

The Use of Virtual Reality in the Development of a New Rotational Moulding Factory Karem Akoul, Peter Ross, Brian Allen and David Seall CP Cases, London; Mark Kearns and Dr. Peter Martin, Queen’s University, Belfast Queens University, Belfast collaborates with CP Cases as part of a UK Government project known as KTP.

42

What Rotomolders Need to Know about Polymer Chemistry – Part 1 “How Comonomer Type Influences Polymer Properties” Dr. Nick Henwood, Rotomotive Limited Useful insight without too much immersion in unnecessary detail.

4 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 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

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CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS 8 From the Publisher Susan Gibson, JSJ Productions, Inc. Leadership: How it’s changing!

12 Global Contributing Editors

Global Contributors, Department Contributors, and Issue Contributors

15 Upfront

Industry News, Trends, and Products

25 Travel Updates

Travel New from Around the World

31 Design Comment

Michael Paloian, Integrated Design Systems, Inc. Design Details

36 ARM Report

ARM SWOT Survey Feedback & Analysis

40 Industry 4.0

Rob Miller, Wittmann Battenfeld Canada Inc. / ROTOLOADTM Perhaps It’s Your Turn!

45 Technically Speaking Alongkorn Kanokboriboon, SCG Chemicals

Thai government hatchery utilizes rotomolded products to increase the population of Blue Crabs

48 ARMA RotoConnect Final Report from Graeme Hall

52 ARMO News

ARMSA, ARM-CE, Nordic ARM, StAR, BPF, IT-RO StAR Plans Virtual 17th Annual Conference

56 Global Calendar 58 Advertisers’ Index 6 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

www.rotoworldmag.com 7

FROM THE

PUBLISHER Susan Gibson, JSJ Productions, Inc.

Leadership: How it’s changing!

To say that 2020 is year of disruption and change is obvious. We have experienced exponential change in our daily lives from education, managing our health, and working from home to simple social norms such having dinner with family and friends. We are undergoing monumental change, and we are adapting.

Virtualization of the workplace, online learning, virtual health, and e-commerce lead the way. We would have, under more normal circumstances, anticipated years to make such big culture-shifting changes, however we’ve seen them take shape in just months.

The backdrop at play is that the conditions for accelerating change have been building for years. Advancement in information technology, automation, human interconnectivity, artificial intelligence, and the effects among them, have created a new reality where change is much more rapid, continual, and felt by all. COVID-19 has laid bare a ‘new normal’ of life. To this end, leaders must be thinking this may well be defining our future, and leadership may well be defined by the ability to navigate this new reality. Welcome to the “Leadership” issue of RotoWorld®.

Speaking of leadership, we are excited to present Centro Inc.’s story of evolution on the event of the company’s 50th year anniversary. I think you will enjoy reading President & CEO Brian Olesen’s compelling story about how this company has navigated the past 50 years and continues to grow and get better.

The Iowa-based rotomolder started with humble roots and has grown into the largest custom rotational molding company in the USA. And, now Centro Inc. is in Brazil.

Included in this issue are two important articles on rotomolding technology. Queen’s University researchers, led by Karem Akoul, offer all aspects of their collaborative governmentsponsored project between with CP Cases. CP Cases is a Londonbased company that manufactures high performance protective cases for the transport of high-value equipment for the media, entertainment, and commercial industry.

ARM Executive Director, Dr. Nick Henwood, writes the first of his series on “What Rotomolders need to know about Polymer Chemistry”. Henwood states, “Rotomolders tend to be more mechanically minded than chemically minded, however knowledge is power and there is great benefit from a sufficient understanding of polymer chemistry, especially when they are receiving conflicting information from different suppliers.

Our Departments are instrumental to RotoWorld®. I hear from our readers all the time about how you follow certain columns and share this information with your staffs. Please take a moment and respond to these authors so they/we can offer more of what helps you in your business. In this issue, Industry 4.0 author Rob Miller calls upon you to let him know your questions, issues, and problems with regard to Industry 4.0. This is so Rob can further develop the most meaningful ‘Relationship Capital’ to benefit the industry. This is a vital topic for the future of our industry so get engaged with Rob and see what is to come!

Finally, as this year rolls to a close we will be offering a survey to our readers by year end to help us better understand what is on your mind and what topics and information we should work toward providing in the coming years.

We are very appreciative of our solid readership, and we are here to serve you with the best RotoWorld® magazine in print and online possible. Please keep this in mind when you shop for products and services and make your first contacts with the companies that support RotoWorld®.

Thank you and wishing you safety and good health!

We are undergoing monumental change, and we are adapting.

8 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

Susan Gibson Publisher & Editor

When Performance Counts...

RotoSpeed Advantages

➲ Proven High-Performance, Lowest Cost of Ownership ➲ Highest Productivity, Durability Leader for over 38 Years ➲ Global Sales & Full-Service Support Team ➲ Over 1,400 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

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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® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 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

CONTRIBUTING

EDITORS VOLUME XVI, ISSUE 1 • 2020

Succeeding in Uncertain Times

A Study of Dry Blending

© 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.

Consider how humans perceive the future

using rotational molding

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

PAINT IT BLACK Cutting production costs and lessening global warning effects

ARMA ARM 2019 ANNUAL Rotoconnect’s MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

© 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.

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

WWW.ROTOWORLDMAG .COM

The Power of Pigment

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.

Shift to Digital

Large attendance and high marks

Michelle Rose, ARMA Honorees Conchita Miranda, Operadora WWW.ROTOWORLDMAG .COM

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

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technology team.

WWW.ROTOWORLDMAG .COM

Your rotational molding capabilities begin with the quality and

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

Put Your Money...

Where Your Money is!

aldo monetti

© 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.

© 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.

TECHNOLOGY

THE SEVEN SIMULTANEOUS STAGES OF

ARMO2019

Action-packed conference in Brisbane

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THE ROAD AHEAD

so you can innovate with confidence.

Delivering proven performance ROTATIONAL Future trend of growth in the u.S. And global economies in a time of pandemic.

MOULDING so you can innovate with confidence.

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

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

Sunil Raithatha, Prashant Trivedi & Umakant Savadekar

DESIGN

U.S. ROTATIONAL MOLDING: Delivering proven performance

TECHNOLOGY

CONVERSION

WWW.ROTOWORLDMAG .COM

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

Delivering proven performance so you can innovate with confidence.

in Indian Agriculture…

VOLUME XV, ISSUE 6 • 2019

Hosted by ARMSA in South Africa

PRODUCTS

Coming 2020-2021 Issue

Rotomoulded Life Saving Product

An industry colleague CONFERENCE and friend remembered Asia’s ROTOMOLDED designing underground Ceremonial Coffin infrastructure products

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.

Rotoculture takes roots

ARMO Showcase

VOLUME XV, ISSUE 5 • SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2019

Simulating the Rotomolding Process

VOLUME XV, ISSUE 6 • NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

VOLUME XVI, ISSUE 3 • MAY-JUNE 2020

Rotomoulding’s Fight Against COVID-19

u safe by noras ®

VOLUME XV, ISSUE 5 • 2019

rotomould 2019

Delivering proven performance so you can innovate with confidence.

From Zeros to Heroes

he 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.

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What it can Mean for the Molding Industry

A Great Success

Delivering proven performance Getting HR Right so you can innovate with confidence.

Independent Contractor? Or Employee?

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StAR 2020, 16th Conference & Roto Show

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3 WAYS THE CORONAVIRUS VIRUS IS CHANGING WHO WE ARE

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with the quality and upply. Start your day with help leading rotomolders y. Accomplish more with ales support and expert

VOLUME XV, ISSUE 4 • 2019

Making a Quantum Jump ROTOWORLD ®

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your

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Viscosity and Melt Index

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

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Rob Miller, Wittmann Battenfeld Canada Inc. / ROTOLOADTM

Influence Material Selection

Alvin Spence, Centro, Incorporated

© 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.

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® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 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

Brian Olesen President & CEO as well as part owner of Centro, Inc. which is the largest custom rotational molder in North America and headquartered in North Liberty, IA. He joined the Centro team in 1990 as a Sales Engineer and held progressive responsibilities in sales and manufacturing before becoming President in 2007. Brian has served on the board of directors for the Association of Rotational Molders (ARM), Manufacturing Association for Plastic Processors (MAPP), and currently serves on the board of MRA, a Human Resources Management Association. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Iowa.

Karem Akoul Karem is a KTP Associate at the Polymer Processing Research Centre at Queen’s University of Belfast and CP Cases in London. He is a Manufacturing Engineer with a MSc Degree in Advanced Mechanical Engineering. Karem currently manages the designing and implementation of a new rotational moulding factory at CP Cases in London.

Dr. Nick Henwood Dr. Nick Henwood is well known to rotomoulding audiences, through his numerous contributions to international conferences and technical seminars.

He has 30 years-plus experience in rotomoulding, specialising in the fields of materials development and process control. Nick operates as a consultant, researcher, and educator through his own company, Rotomotive Limited, based in UK. He is also the Technical Director of ARM – The Association of Rotational Molders.

ROTOLOAD™ powder weighing & dispensing systems

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Manufactured by Wittmann Battenfeld Canada Inc.: 35 Leek Crescent | Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4C2

14 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

UPFRONT Diversified Plastics Inc. Announces New Manufacturing Facility in Social Circle, Georgia LATTA, SC, USA — Diversified

Plastics Inc., a leading international rotational molder based out of Latta, South Carolina, announces the addition of a new manufacturing facility in Social Circle, Georgia.

This location will replace their Union Point, Georgia facility.

The new manufacturing facility will help to efficiently produce more of their industrial plastic material handling products. This location has two buildings consisting of over 50,000 square feet of manufacturing space. With over 17 acres, this space will allow for the future growth plans of Diversified Plastics Inc. “We are eager to start production by mid-July at our new Social Circle, Georgia facility,” states Tommy Wallace, President of Diversified Plastics Inc. “This large-scale facility will give us the needed capacity to produce our line of front-end load dumpsters, material handling carts, and our new line of dock floats for the marine industry. The new location will also help us to handle the large demand for custom rotational molding for products.”

Since 1976, Diversified Plastics Inc. has been the leading rotational molding manufacturer of custom and standard plastic material handling carts and storage containers. DPI specializes in material handling carts for the industrial, textile, hospitality, laundry, agricultural, and marine industries, plus waste and recycling plastic containers for restaurants, sports venues and stadiums, apartment and condominium complexes, plus corporate offices.

In addition to providing custom material handling solutions and waste containers for any application, DPI’s diverse product assortment includes bulk material handling carts, plastic

utility carts, laundry carts, bulk containers, tote boxes, round containers, spring platform trucks, elevated carts, easy access carts, tilt trucks, spa, and boat steps, and more.

To contact Diversified Plastics Inc., call 1.800.768.7636 or email sales@dpiroto.com. Visit dpiroto.com for more information.

www.rotoworldmag.com 15

UPFRONT United States (USA), 2020-09-30 – Emerson: Emerson Launches Unique Heat Staking Technology to Meet Growing Demand for Complex Plastic Parts Branson™ GPX platform provides greater design freedom by enabling high-quality joints and superior aesthetics in a range of challenging applications

DANBURY, CT, USA — Emerson has introduced new

heat staking technology designed to give manufacturers greater design freedom by enabling them to join more complex, delicate and sensitive components to plastic moldings. Using a unique pulse staking technology that optimizes the heat staking process, the Branson™ GPX platform produces high-quality joints, superior product aesthetics and energy savings in increasingly challenging applications.

Electronics, automotive, and medical device manufacturers must produce more creative designs to meet rapidly changing market demand. This has led to an increase in challenging heat staking applications involving parts with more complex 3D geometries, closely aligned features and fragile or heat-sensitive components, such as soldered components or sensors, and using a greater number of blended, glass reinforced, chromed, and metallicized plastics.

The Branson GPX platform uses PulseStaker technology to provide instantaneous heating and cooling, with adjustable cycle times for optimized, low energy heat staking. The process creates no particulates or burn marks, and enables more delicate and sensitive parts, such as those with embedded electronics, to be joined with consistently high-performance finishes.

The advanced technology is suitable for all heat staking applications, including those with thermoplastic materials and metalized coated parts. A wide range of heat staking tip designs, which can be adapted to meet any stake welding requirement, and the ability to stake multiple points simultaneously provide manufacturers with greater design freedom.

“The automotive, electronics, and medical industries require more complex, delicate, and sensitive components to be joined to

plastic moldings,” said Priyank Kishor, global product manager for Branson products at Emerson’s Automation Solutions business.

“The unique heat staking process that the Branson GPX platform provides helps to meet this demand and offers manufacturers a broad range of benefits, such as superior product aesthetics and reduced energy use.”

For more information on the Branson GPX platform, visit www.Emerson.com/Branson. https://www.emerson.com/en-us/ news/automation/20-09-branson-gpx-platform

Gus Garrett, former Dow Executive, RTI Passes Away Harry James (Gus) Garrett, Jr., formerly of Midland, MI and Elk Rapids, MI, died on Oct. 24, 2020, at his home in Norcross, GA, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease while surrounded by family. He was a devoted husband and father and was a very giving man who was always looking to help a friend. Gus was born on June 25, 1943 in Baldwinsville to Alice and Harry Garrett, where he then graduated from Baker High School.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic 16 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

Institute where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. For 36 years beginning in 1965, Gus worked for the Dow Chemical Company.

While he found great joy and passion in his work, it was his family that gave his life purpose. He was most at peace with the world at the family’s cottage on Birch Lake in Elk Rapids, MI working on his garden, sitting in the grass or reading the newspaper on the deck. Later in his life, he took great enjoyment spending time with his five grandchildren and as many dogs as possible.

UPFRONT Dutchland Hires Jeff Lucash as the New VP of Sales and Marketing OOSTBURG, WI, USA — As part of

our ongoing efforts to grow and diversify sales, enhance our marketing efforts, improve customer centricity, and drive profitable growth, we are pleased to announce that Jeff Lucash will join the Dutchland team as the new Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Most recently, Jeff was VP of Sales at Flambeau Corporation, a global plastics manufacturer delivering Blow Molded and Injection Molded solutions to the Automotive, Industrial, Fluids, Medical, and Packaging Industries. At Flambeau Jeff transformed an underperforming business by deploying strategic sales initiatives, adding sales management tools, and developing high performing sales teams. Prior to Flambeau, Jeff was VP of Sales with Placon Corporation, a Thermoformer and Injection Molder of Plastic solutions for the Custom, Retail, Foodservice, and

Medical Markets. In this role, Jeff increased sales, profits and corporate exposure across current markets and expanded Placon into new strategic markets as well. This was accomplished utilizing innovative design, implementing sales technology, executing a focused sales, and new product development strategy. Additionally, he created a marketplace advantage by emphasizing and maximizing the differentiating capabilities.

Jeff brings over 20 years of plastics experience to Dutchland. He has a proven record of accomplishment driving strategic sales, marketing and profit growth, building and improving processes, and mentoring his teams to achieve sales excellence and deliver customer delight. He holds a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from Mansfield University.

We look forward to seeing Dutchland soar to new heights under Jeff’s leadership!

www.rotoworldmag.com 17

UPFRONT MAAG Group to Acquire XanTec Steuerungs – und EDV Technik GmbH to Strengthen its Digitalization Capabilities OBERGLATT, SWITZERLAND — Switzerland-based

MAAG Group, a broadly diversified global solutions provider with integrated and customizable systems in process technology for the polymer, chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries, has strengthened its digital capabilities by acquiring Germany-based XanTec Steuerungs – und EDV Technik GmbH (“XanTec”).

XanTec plans, designs and manufactures advanced industrial control systems that are employed in production plants, pelletizing systems, and extruders, thereby improving process control and machine intelligence to reduce cost and improve quality.

“Thoughtfully applied digital technologies enable Maag to provide world-class intelligent, agile, and competitive solutions to our customers. This acquisition fits perfectly with our strategy to strengthen our digital capabilities,” said Ueli Thuerig, President of the MAAG Group. “Additionally, this acquisition is aligned with our goal to continue expanding our portfolio with industryleading systems and solutions.”

XanTec Managing Director, Hilger Schürmann, stated, “We are excited to partner with the MAAG Group and appreciate the

recognition of XanTec’s solutions and technology. Digitalization is an important trend in our industry, even more so in today’s economic environment. XanTec has a portfolio of digital products and solutions that holds incredible promise to generate new sources of value.”

The MAAG Group is a broadly diversified global solutions provider with integrated and customizable systems in process technology for the polymer, chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Its Pump and Filtration Systems, Pelletizing Systems, Pulverizing Systems, and Recycling Systems divisions consolidate the many years of experience and in-depth know-how of the AUTOMATIK, ETTLINGER, GALA, MAAG, REDUCTION, and SCHEER product brands. The MAAG Group currently employs over 1,000 people at production sites in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the USA, and China.

Additional sales and service centers in France, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, India, Thailand, and Brazil ensure close attention to customers’ needs. For more information visit www.maag.com.

The MAAG Group is a business unit of Pumps & Process Solutions, a segment of the Dover Corporation.

The Step2® Company, LLC Experiences Major Growth and High Demand for Toys Company Acquires Georgia-Based Manufacturing Assets and Plans to Add More Than 250 Jobs

STREETSBORO, OH, USA — The Step2® Company, LLC, a leading manufacturer of rotationally molded home products and toys near Cleveland, Ohio, announces the expansion of its manufacturing and distribution capacity with the acquisition of manufacturing, distribution, and shipping assets in Decatur, Georgia. In addition to increasing production to meet high consumer demand, Step2 plans to add approximately 150 to 175 employees to its Decatur roster. The company also expects to hire 100 employees in its Cleveland-area plants.

“Families are spending more time at home during this pandemic. As such, many are looking for a variety of active indoor and outdoor play experiences for children while also seeking outdoor comforts to entertain and relax at home,” says Tony Ciepiel, CEO of The Step2 Company, LLC. “The acquisition of these roto-molding machines and other manufacturing and operational equipment will help us meet this demand and stimulate the U.S. economy in the process.”

The new Decatur facility, under management of Chris Price, has a leadership team with over 40 years’ experience in the rotomolding space. It has been running effectively since mid-July and 18 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

manufacturing classic, favorite toys like the top-selling Neat & Tidy Cottage as well as new, innovative products in the toy and outdoor home categories.

“The already-established and proven Cleveland operating standards and processes are being implemented in Decatur to support a quick start-up and ensure consistency in our employee experience and our manufacturing quality,” adds Ciepiel. Step2 is actively hiring right now with very competitive packages for manufacturing and office roles in both Ohio and Georgia, including Roto Operators, Powder Handlers, Assemblers, and more.

To learn more about Step2 products, please visit www.Step2.com. The Step2 Company, LLC, headquartered in Streetsboro, Ohio, is one of the largest manufacturers of rotationally molded products. Since 1991, Step2 has been producing the highest quality and most aspirational play, leisure, and home products growing from five employees to its present 800+ full time employees. Step2 products are distributed to a wide range of retailers and distributors throughout the U.S., Canada, and over 70 other countries. For more information, visit www.Step2.com.

UPFRONT The Society of Plastics Engineers Foundation has honored a Pennsylvania College of Technology student with a scholarship.

Sidney C. Trunzo, of Williamsport, majoring in plastics and polymer engineering technology, earned a $1,500 Thermoforming Division Scholarship from the Society dedicated to advancing the plastics profession worldwide.

A senior Dean’s List student, Trunzo has worked at the college’s Plastics Innovation & Resource Center and completed three internships with companies serving the plastics industry. She has been an officer for the SPE Student Chapter at the college and was a member of the school’s women’s cross-country team for two years.

“We are proud to see Sidney recognized by the SPE Thermoforming Division,” said Bradley M. Webb, dean of engineering technologies. “The honor is well-deserved.

The scholarship reflects the fact that she is an outstanding student and will be a ‘tomorrow maker’ in the plastics industry.”

Penn College is one of six institutions nationwide offering plastics degrees that are accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Students may seek the bachelor’s degree in plastics and polymer engineering technology or an associate degree in plastics and polymer technology.

For information about those and other majors within the School of Engineering Technologies, call 570.327.4520. Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800.367.9222.

www.rotoworldmag.com 19

UPFRONT Fibertech’s Response to the Coronavirus Global Pandemic Fibertech is transforming the way we manufacture to meet the ever-changing demands created by the COVID-19 Pandemic Fibertech continues to manufacture FDA/USDA/CFIA plastic material handling products for food processing, pharmaceutical, and health care laundry service companies.

Employee and Customer Focus We at Fibertech remain steadfast to delivering superior service.

During this time, we are deploying our resources to those products and services prioritized by our customers deemed critical by the Department of Homeland Security and the Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21). Fibertech is committed to providing and maintaining a safe working environment for our employees and visitors. We have limited all travel and visitors to only that deemed essential to operations. Our employees are regularly sanitizing equipment and their personal workstations.

We are maintaining safe distances between workstations and staggering shift times to maintain full production. Fibertech will continue to proactively develop and implement the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our workforce, in addition to following local and federal guidelines as they develop.

Product and Services Plastic material handling products have many benefits that make them well suited for use in the pharmaceutical, food processing,

and health care applications. Our products can be manufactured using USDA and FDA-approved polyethylene. Fibertech uses 100% virgin-grade plastic. Our manufacturing processes follow strict quality control procedures to ensure we are producing a high-quality product. In addition to food grade resins, we have the ability to manufacture with anti-microbial plastic resin.

Anti-microbial products can suppress the growth and limit the spread of bacteria. These materials provide ongoing protection when combined with proper sanitation over the expected life of the product.

Plastic material handling products are easy to clean and sanitize using a variety of techniques including steam cleaning, hot washing, and chemical sanitizing. Research suggests that disinfecting agents such as ethanol (alcohol), hydrogen peroxide (bleach), and sodium hypochlorite (bleaching agent) are generally effective against bacteria, including the coronavirus.

Today’s challenges call upon us all to familiarize one another with the specific rules and guidelines developed by the FDA, DHS, and other government agencies. These universal precautions require additional investments in higher quality materials. Offering parallel upgrades to our processes and procedures ensure the safety of your products and your employees that handle them.

Elkhart Plastics, Inc. Joins Indiana Partners for Pollution Prevention SOUTH BEND, IN USA — Elkhart Plastics, Inc. (EPI) is

now a member of the Indiana Partners for Pollution Prevention (Partners).

The company’s South Bend, Ind. and Elkhart, Ind. facilities were both recently inducted during the virtual 23rd Annual Indiana Pollution Prevention Conference and Trade Show on September 16-17, 2020.

The Partners program is supported by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and works in a number of ways to promote pollution prevention activities.

As a member, both EPI facilities pledge to implement voluntary environmental initiatives, share information and expertise with other businesses, foster environmental stewardship among employees, and help raise public awareness.

“Environmental stewardship has always been a priority for Elkhart Plastics, Inc.,” says Jack Welter, CEO of EPI. “Becoming a member of this group allows us to work with other 20 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

leading Indiana companies on pollution prevention efforts and to continue finding ways to refine our business to be as environmentally responsible as possible.”

The two EPI facilities were inducted with four other companies including Brulin Holding Company, Caterpillar Lafayette Engine Plant, PSG Energy Group, and SET Environmental, Inc. The new members join 104 other Indiana businesses committed to the Partner Pledge that go above and beyond with their commitment to voluntary environmental initiatives.

The Partners membership provides EPI with opportunities to network with other industries, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and governmental entities which share an interest in pollution prevention. Membership also provides EPI the opportunity to learn about the financial and environmental benefits of pollution prevention projects from the Partners organization. As part of the group, EPI will participate in quarterly meetings and annual shows and conferences.

UPFRONT NOVA Chemicals introduces two next-generation polyethylene rotational molding resins TRx0338-U and TRx0535-U accelerate production, lower costs and increase production flexibility

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 nextgeneration 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 www.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.

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Copyright NOVA Chemicals Corp. 2019, all rights reserved

www.rotoworldmag.com 21

UPFRONT Elkhart Plastics, Inc. Introduces New Intermediate Bulk Container SOUTH BEND, IN USA — Elkhart Plastics, Inc. (EPI) is now

offering the Tuff Stack Pro as part of its growing line of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs).

The newest IBC is an inner cylindrical tank positioned within a heavy-duty all poly structural frame designed to fit a variety of applications and process uses. It offers optional top lifting plates and is designed and tested for 1.9 S.G. product weight.

Available in 275- and 330-gallon sizes, the Tuff Stack Pro is the third IBC offered by EPI. Like the rest of the Tuff Series IBC line, the rotomolded TUFF Stack Pro is manufactured in America using food-safe and recyclable resin. The tanks easily stack with other poly IBCs, and they are washable and reusable as a more environmentally friendly option.

The Tuff Stack Pro is UN/DOT 31H1 certified and is manufactured in ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 certified EPI facilities across the country. Its rotomolded construction allows the IBC to provide excellent impact strength backed by a team dedicated to quality and customer satisfaction.

“We are excited to add the Tuff Stack Pro to the Tuff Series IBC product line,” says Jack Welter, CEO of EPI. “We’ve seen great success with our IBC products over the past several years, and we’re pleased to bring yet another option to the market.”

“We’re dedicated to meeting the needs of both existing and new customers, and the new addition to our IBC line allows us to continue doing so,” Welter says.

With the new IBC, EPI also introduces the brand new Tuff LinQ™ outlet valve. The new valve offers a cleanable and supreme sealing design that provides a sanitary connection between the tank and valve. Its large external threading design eliminates internal threads within the product zone. All new Tuff Series IBCs are currently using the Tuff LinQ valve.

More information about the Tuff Stack Pro and the other IBCs in the TUFF Series product line is available at epi-roto.com.

THIS IS YOUR

Elkhart Plastics, Inc. is a 32-year-old company that creates rotationally molded products in an almost endless variety of shapes, lengths, and thicknesses out of its six American facilities.

The company provides custom designs for clients in industries including recreational vehicles, marine, agriculture, commercial construction equipment, heavy truck equipment, material handling, and more. EPI also manufactures Connect-A-Dock, and KONG Coolers.

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GROUND Advertise in For more information call 512.894.4106 22 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

UPFRONT Solvay’s contract extension covers composites and adhesives across all Boeing commercial and defense aircraft programs Solvay has been awarded a new long-term enterprise agreement by Boeing. Solvay provides material solutions across all commercial and defense programs at Boeing for applications including primary and secondary structures, interiors and surfacing.

Solvay supplies Boeing with a large portfolio of advanced materials including thermoset and thermoplastic composites, adhesives, and surfacing films from its locations in the U.S., Europe and China.

“We are proud to continue supporting Boeing’s programs with an extensive portfolio of composite and adhesive technologies critical to advancing innovation in aircraft design and manufacturing,” said Carmelo Lo Faro, president of Solvay’s Composite Materials business unit. “This contract renewal reinforces Solvay’s more than 30-year relationship with Boeing.”

“This contract enables Boeing to secure material supply for all our strategic programs and brings some certainty to a volatile environment,” explained Elizabeth Lund, vice president and general manager, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Supply Chain.

“Boeing appreciates the long-term partnership, consistently good

performance, and relationship with the Solvay team.”

Solvay remains confident in the future of aerospace and looks forward to continuing its long-term partnership with Boeing.

Solvay is a science company whose technologies bring benefits to many aspects of daily life. With more than 24,100 employees in 64 countries, Solvay bonds people, ideas, and elements to reinvent progress. The Group seeks to create sustainable shared value for all, notably through its Solvay One Planet plan crafted around three pillars: protecting the climate, preserving resources, and fostering better life. The Group’s innovative solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food, and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices, health care applications, water, and air purification systems.

Founded in 1863, Solvay today ranks among the world’s top three companies for the vast majority of its activities and delivered net sales of €10.2 billion in 2019. Solvay is listed on Euronext Brussels (SOLB) and Paris and in the United States, where its shares (SOLVY) are traded through a Level I ADR program. Learn more at www.solvay.com.

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www.rotoworldmag.com 23

UPFRONT NOVA Chemicals pledges its support as lead corporate sponsor for the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup Initiative TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA — The Great

“Plastics play a vital role in society as they promote health and Lakes Plastic Cleanup Initiative (GLPC) is pleased to welcome wellbeing, but they do not belong in the environment. Through NOVA Chemicals Corporation as its lead corporate sponsor. As initiatives like this, as well as our investments in advanced one of the largest Canadian petrochemical companies, NOVA recycling technology, bringing post-consumer recyclate (PCR) Chemicals seeks to be a catalyst for change to address the to market and encouraging use of recycled plastic in packaging challenge of plastic waste in the environment and waterways at design, we remain committed to building the circular economy home and around the world. solution,” Sierra added.

Launched on August 27, 2020, the GLPC aims to combine “We’re pleased to have NOVA Chemicals on board for innovative capture and clean-up technologies to remove plastics this initiative,” said Christopher Hilkene, CEO of Pollution from the Great Lakes with messaging to communities and Probe. “We need industry engaged to bring an end to plastic consumers (with an initial focus on pollution and the Great Lakes Plastic Ontario) about the importance Cleanup will benefit enormously of reducing, reusing, and recycling from the support of a company material waste. that is demonstrating leadership “It takes all of us to shape “It takes all of us to shape a world and has strong ties to Great Lakes a world that is better that is better tomorrow than it is today. communities.” tomorrow than it is today.”

So, we are excited to join the Council “The Council is very excited to of the Great Lakes Region, Pollution welcome NOVA Chemicals to the — Luis Sierra, president and Probe, Environment and Climate Change Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup initiative CEO NOVA Chemicals Canada, regional marinas and academic as the lead corporate sponsor, critical institutions on cleaning up our waterways. funding that will be used to expand the Ensuring the long-term environmental capture and clean-up of plastic across health of this public waterway is important to us all,” said Luis the Great Lakes and to further our understanding of plastic Sierra, president and CEO, NOVA Chemicals. pollution pathways and actions that government, industry, and This represents the largest deployment of Seabin and consumers can take to combat the loss of valuable materials to LittaTrap™ cleanup and capture technology in the world, in a our environment and landfills,” said Mark Fisher, president and region where immediate action on plastic pollution is vitally CEO, Council of the Great Lakes Region. important. The NOVA Chemicals sponsorship will help bring The Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup, founded by the Council of two more marinas – Andrew S. Brandt Marina at Sarnia Bay the Great Lakes Region, Pollution Probe, Boating Ontario, the and Bridgeview Marina – from the Sarnia-Lambton area into University of Toronto Trash Team, and PortsToronto, thanks to the GLPC Initiative, bringing the total number of marinas funding from government and corporate partners, is a first-of-itsparticipating to date to 13. kind initiative using innovative Seabin and LittaTrap technology The Great Lakes suffer from high levels of plastic pollution to quickly capture and remove plastics and other litter at marinas – in some locations, concentrations of plastic in the lakes are from Lake Ontario to Lake Superior and everywhere in between. greater even than those recorded in ocean garbage patches.

Through research, outreach, and education, the Great Lakes Shoreline cleanups show that plastic accounts for around 80 Plastic Cleanup will work to identify sources of litter entering our percent of the litter found on Great Lakes shorelines. It is waterways and how government, industry, and consumers can estimated that approximately 10,000 tonnes of plastic enters the work together to reduce, reuse, and recycle material waste. lakes and their surrounding waterways each year from Canada NOVA Chemicals develops and manufactures chemicals and the United States. and plastic resins that make everyday life healthier, easier, and As part of the GLPC, being implemented over the next five safer. Our employees work to ensure health, safety, security, years, Seabin and LittaTrap™ capture technologies will collect and environmental stewardship through our commitment debris throughout the spring, summer and fall months. The to Sustainability and Responsible Care®. NOVA Chemicals, debris will be analyzed, and both marina-specific and aggregate headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is wholly owned results will be profiled on the GLPC website in order to further ultimately by Mubadala Investment Company of the Emirate of our understanding of the plastic pollution problem throughout the Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Great Lakes and what can be done by government, industry and Visit NOVA Chemicals on the Internet at citizens to prevent plastic from reaching the lakes in the future. www.novachem.com.

24 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

TRAVEL UPDATES Which Countries are Reopening for Meetings?

Here Are the Latest Updates from Around the World As of press time, Belgium and England have announced national lockdowns intended to curb the spread of coronavirus. Similar restrictions were introduced in France and Germany last week.

Many parts of the world continue to battle new COVID-19 outbreaks, leaders have paused the reopening process and, in some cases, put in place new restrictions. Mexico and Canada have extended the closure of their borders with the United States until at least November 21.

Recent spikes have led many European countries to reintroduce measures to curb the spread of infection and reimpose travel constraints on their neighbors. In response to Belgium’s rise in cases, the country’s leaders have introduced new restrictions. From November 2 to December 13, nonessential shops and businesses will be closed. Employees are encouraged to work from home and public gatherings cannot exceed more than four people. England also is expected to enter a four-week lockdown from November 5 to December 2. Bars and restaurants will only be allowed to serve take out. Gyms, theaters, salons, and nonessential retail businesses must shut down for the time being.

On October 30, France entered a nationwide lockdown that will last until December 1. During this time, gatherings are banned, and nonessential businesses, including bars and restaurants, will close. Residents are required to fill out permission forms whenever they leave home. Meanwhile, a partial lockdown in Germany began on November 2 and is expected to remain in place until November 30. Gatherings are limited to no more than 10 people from a maximum of two households. Restaurants can only serve takeout, while bars, theaters and gyms will be forced to close.

Italy implemented new restrictions on October 26 that are expected to last until November 24. Bars and restaurants must close by 6 p.m., and people are required to wear masks outdoors.

On October 25, Spain declared a state of emergency and ordered a nationwide curfew. Regional leaders can modify the curfew and restrictions. Prime Minister Pedro SĂĄnchez will ask Parliament to extend the state of emergency until May. Further north, Wales entered a 17-day lockdown on October 23, and Ireland imposed its highest level of coronavirus restrictions on October 21. The rules, which prohibit all indoor and outdoor organized gatherings, are expected to last six weeks.

The Netherlands government has ordered a partial lockdown beginning October 15 that is expected to last at least four weeks and includes new restrictions on bars and restaurants, gathering limits, and face-mask requirements. The government of the Czech Republic reimposed a state of emergency on October 5 and also has lowered gathering restrictions.

On October 13, European Union countries approved new travel guidelines that unify testing and quarantine regulations to simplify

travel between the member nations. As part of the new approach, the E.U. has created a map that displays the COVID-19 risk levels throughout Europe, based on a traffic-light system. The map will be updated each week by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Regions will be colored green, orange, or red, depending on the total number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people over the past 14 days, as well as the testing rate and test-positivity rate for the preceding week. Regions will be colored gray if not enough information is available. The map will be used to determine travel restrictions, including quarantine or testing mandates. For example, those coming from green regions will not face any travel restrictions, while travelers from orange and red regions can expect some restrictions.

As some destinations have largely contained the spread of COVID-19, a few have announced plans for again allowing business events to take place. On October 8, the Hong Kong Tourism Board announced it would launch standardized hygiene and anti-epidemic protocols for tourism-related industries, in partnership with the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency.

Beginning October 1, Singapore approved business gatherings of up to 250 participants, while Dubai reopened for international meetings on the same date. Conferences and exhibitions were also expected to return to the United Kingdom on October 1.

A number of tourist destinations have moved forward with their re-openings, including Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, which recently announced new policies making it easier for travelers to visit. www.rotoworldmag.com 25

“If you build it, they will come”

THE CENTRO STORY ON TH THE 50 ANNIVERSARY Brian Olesen, Centro Inc., President & CEO Long before the iconic movie Field of Dreams proclaimed “if you build it, they will come” regarding a baseball field in an Iowa cornfield, Dick Rozek bet on that same dream in a different Iowa cornfield in Oxford, Iowa. Betting that if he could build a company on a basic concept of being the best “they” (customers) would come. And come they did.

After a brief MLB pitching career with the Cleveland Indians (yes, it is true he threw the first homerun ball to Mickey Mantle at Yankee Stadium) and a successful manufacturing representative career, Dick went all in on his dream to start Centro, Inc. in 1970 as a custom rotational molding company.

Today, 50 years later, Centro, the largest custom rotational molding company in North America, a juggernaut as an international enterprise, employing nearly 1,000 people with 10 locations in 3 countries with deep roots in the Iowa soil while still adhering to the belief of picking one thing and always striving to be the best at it.

1970’s Fighting for Survival Focused on converting fiberglass products for John Deere Des Moines Works proved a great application for rotational molding, but the recessionary business climate fueled by the energy crisis proved challenging to the start-up business. With banks tightening lending standards, cash to fund the business just wasn’t available.

In order to survive Dick sold debentures to friends and family in order to make payroll. Crosslinkable

26 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

polyethylene emerges as a material opening a major new application to rotomolding with the John Deere snowmobile fuel tanks being one of the first major applications. The crisis passed, funding was secured, and Centro was ready for growth.

Dick Rozek hitting the tank with what looks like a bat at the original Oxford building

In the late 1970’s Dick’s son Gary joined the business and as he likes to say, “learning the business from the ground up started by cleaning the restrooms, trimming parts, and running the McNeil molding machines.” It wasn’t long before Gary could see the potential that rotomolding and Centro could be and was ready to create the roadmap and vision of what it was to become.

www.rotoworldmag.com 27

Dick was a true entrepreneur and maintained that spirit of taking risks to start and grow the business. Gary had the vision and was the detailed operator that together propelled Centro’s future.

Both believing that the foundation of any good business includes valuing the Associates, believing in long-term mutually beneficial relationships with their customers, suppliers, and communities.

1980’s “In like a lamb out like a lion” In the early 1980’s the farm crisis hit Iowa, Centro and the rest of the agriculture community extremely hard. Again, Centro was in a fight for survival. The company faced a pivotal crossroad and a need to diversify its business. The first step Dick and Gary pushed was expansion into the lawn and garden industry by opening a new facility in Horicon, WI to serve that market in 1984. It was clear to them, especially in rotomolding, that a proximity relationship with your customer or market is critical in order to successfully diversify, a concept that would later be perfected.

They also saw an evolving need for more technical part molding and taking rotomolding from tanks to more engineered applications, which included a backhoe loader roof, interior cab ducts and dashes, which were all new territory at the time and was pivotal to the evolution of Centro into a technical parts molder for industry leading O.E.M. customers.

Marching into the 1990’s believing a single, strong focus on custom technical rotational molding, in a proximity relationship with the customer would propel the business forward.

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28 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

1990’s Roaring Growth but Centro loses its founder and original facility Building on the success and focus of the previous decade the 1990’s began by embracing supplier integration as the next tenet of the Centro business model. Centro’s evolving engineering strength for the technical moldings developed further by providing on-site engineering and development for customer design integration. Centro’s engineering team worked within our customers facilities to develop, design, and test the award winning and patented design conversion of John Deere Harvester corn points and decks. It became clear the power of early integration with design produced rotomolding cutting edge products and functionality. It wasn’t long after the entire industry’s combines harvesting points and decks were rotomolded.

Centro built and moved to the corporate headquarters and flagship manufacturing facility in North Liberty, IA just a few years before a devastating fire consumed the founding facility in Oxford, IA. A snowy late winter followed by a rapid thaw and freeze caused a partial roof collapse over an electrical junction box which was the source of a complete loss of facility, fixtures, and molds, but fortunately no personal injuries. It’s here however that the Centro spirit supported by the rotomolding industry sprang to action. Mold builders Rivers Metal Products, Lakeland Mold, Viking, Wheeler Boyce, and Kelch all responded with unbelievable heroics building molds that normally took 6 weeks

ARM 2017 Product of the Year – Intimidator GC1K Series 4x4 Sports Utility Vehicle, which includes 11 rotomolded parts.

in 6 days. Through it all, Centro supported by many, were able to meet all production obligations without shutting any customer lines down – a devastating loss mobilized into an unbelievable successful recovery effort.

Centro’s sales rose from $10 million in 1990 to over $50 million by the end of the decade requiring expansions in North Liberty, a brand new facility in North Carolina, a joint venture operation in Monticello, IN with Donaldson Company, the introduction of a focused factory in Valley City, ND, and shortly thereafter the second in Thibodaux, LA. The focused factory concept targeted the biggest waste in rotomolding of large parts – handling, packaging, and freight by putting a Centro machine and Associates in the customer facility so that Centro produced parts can be fed directly to the customers production line. This lean concept would take Centro to the next level of integration with the industry leading OEM customer base.

2000’s After the robust growth and expansion in the 1990’s, the 2000’s began with 9/11 and the resulting recession. A very familiar pattern continued; rapid sales growth, increase in capacity and then a deep recession which put an additional strain on the business. To emerge from these challenging times Centro applied Lean Manufacturing concepts and introduced Liquid Nylon rotomolding to North America. Investments were also made in technical skills development, as well as diversifying revenue sources using the extra capacity from the downturn.

Brian Olesen

Gary Rozek

Centro was evolving into an engineering company that rotomolds including a patented process called RotoLoPerm™using three-layers of materials to meet EPA and CARB emission requirements for gasoline fuel tanks. A manufacturing process to deliver the three-layers was also developed and patented. The RotoLoPerm™technology that Centro would license to other rotomolding companies that continues to this day.

During this decade Centro expanded its North Carolina facility and opened 2 more focused factories in Ankeny, IA and East Moline, IL, to meet the growing demand for the technical products.

In 2007, after 17 years with Centro, I became President and in 2008 CEO while Gary remained in the business as Chairman of the Board. During this period the Great Recession hit affecting the overall economy at the same time a 500-year flood devastated our local area delivering an unprecedented one-two punch to www.rotoworldmag.com 29

Centro, Inc. Corporate Headquarters, North Liberty, IA

Centro’s Founding Facility, Oxford, IA

Future While much has changed at Centro and in the world in those 50 years, the fact remains the rotomolding industry hasn’t. Material choice, labor intensity of the process, machine design, and the overall paradigm is much the same as it was when Centro started.

Despite that Centro and the industry has prospered. Rotomolding today, even in its similar design, offers value to many products, designs, and applications which makes change difficult.

If we are going to continue to drive our business and industry forward, we need to embrace the many challenges that face Centro and the rotomolding industry. Productivity, automation, manufacturing plant environments, skilled and unskilled labor, Industry 4.0, material choices, and the perception of plastics are just some of the issues that need to be addressed. We are fortunate to have an industry association (Association of Rotational Molders) that can continue to provide a platform for collaboration for the betterment of all.

To close, the challenge for any enduring business is to be true to your roots, culture, and the other elements that define and make a business successful while adapting to an ever-changing business landscape. For Centro we harken back to our field of dreams and founder to appreciate our successes, value our relationships, and strive to be even better tomorrow. On this 50th Anniversary we celebrate the fact that Dick did build it, and they did come – for over 50 years!

our Associates, community and business. Through it all Centro prepared for the future rallying to find a way for the business to improve during this downturn and even found a way to grow.

2010’s More Growth, More Expansion The 2010’s was a great decade for Centro’s core markets and continued growth and facility expansion was required. A focused factory in Waterloo, IA opened in 2010 and expanded twice after. Beaver Dam, WI opened a 60,000 sq/ft repurposed Green Giant facility to a 3 machine rotomolding operation to increase capacity.

Many of Centro’s customers are multinational and they saw great opportunities for expansion in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) countries and encouraged Centro to follow them with Centro’s rotomolding capabilities. After years of evaluating BRIC country opportunities Centro decided on Brazil and took the same value proposition to Horizontina, Brazil in 2014 (and expanded in 2020). Centro also opened an engineering office in Banbridge, Northern Ireland.

While Centro is consistently ranked by Plastic News as the largest custom molder in North America, a recognition that has never been the objective, but as Gary Rozek always drove home it is a result of doing a lot of other things very well – the single and strong focus, build products close to use, the long-term relationships with customer, vendors, and Centro Associates.

This business is a direct result of the many, many sacrifices, contributions, efforts and results of the 1,000’s of Centro Associates through the years. It’s also what makes my job the best in the world.

30 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

“If you build it, they will come”

Brian Olesen, President & CEO and Sal Hazboun, VP, opening Centro Brazil.

DESIGN

COMMENT

Michael Paloian, Integrated Design Systems, Inc.

Design Details How many times have you seen a great concept rendering for a new product and experienced major disappointment when you saw the first production assembly based on that inspirational design? It happens frequently so you shouldn’t feel alone. There is an adage; “The devil’s in the details” which becomes much more significant as one gains experience designing and developing products.

When I was much younger, I didn’t pay much attention to this advice and learned that design details is the magic which distinguishes great product design from mediocrity. All visually appealing designs share a few common traits. The number one most significant trait is simplicity. Industrial designers always try to unify many unrelated components, features, and parts into a single overall dominant form which expresses the product’s function. This can be a very challenging task, especially when a product is comprised of many parts and distinctly different components. The challenge lies in the creative expression of the product based on an overall shape which defines its function based on an appearance which brands the company’s identity.

After an overall simple form has been created, it will remain somewhat boring because of its lack of details. A few great examples are flat screen TVs, cell phones, and computers. All these products are essentially flat rectangular forms. They would all be indistinguishable from one another without their specific details. The same holds true for the same product manufactured by different companies. Differentiating one flat screen TV from another is much more difficult than distinguishing one X-ray machine from another because the state of the art and number of parts. As products become simpler, your eye focuses on smaller details, which would typically go unnoticed in a more complicated assembly.

Rotational molding is expanding into markets where appearance and quality are critical to a product’s market appeal. Since many of these products are expensive, consumers expect their purchase to be of high quality, highly reliable, and exceptional performance. The covers and overall structure must be molded with excellent surface finish, precision fits, and

...DISTINQUISHES GREAT PRODUCT DESIGN FROM MEDIOCRITY. near perfect alignment to one another. Parts can’t be molded with poor witness lines, rough textures, or pins holes in the surface. These are examples of design details. Part quality is dependent on the designer as well as the mold maker, molder and resin supplier. All these stakeholders must work together as a unified team with a common vision. The designer is a critical participant in this process. He or she must motivate the team to attain the highest levels of design excellence without impacting production efficiency or increasing part cost. This requires a keen understanding of the process, tooling methods, and materials, which must be accommodated in all the design details. Examples might include specifying machined tools with an etched surface texture or the specific split line for parting the mold. Another might include the details for a joint between two parts based on reasonable clearances and required radii along edges.

Although this brief editorial only scratched the surface of design details, I hope it made an impact on you. The next time you develop a product, you’ll hopefully realize all the time, cost and energy invested in design goes into part detailing.

The concept is only 15-20% of the overall product development or success in the market. www.rotoworldmag.com 31

The Use of Virtual Reality in the Development of a New Rotational Moulding Factory Karem Akoul, Peter Ross, Brian Allen and David Seall CP Cases, London; Mark Kearns and Dr. Peter Martin, Queen’s University, Belfast

CP Cases, based in London, England is a vibrant, fast growing company that designs and manufactures high-performance protective cases for the storage and transport of high-value equipment for the media, entertainment and commercial industry. The company has over 45 years of experience in the design and production of cases and containers in plastics, welded aluminium, specialist rugged textiles and foam engineering.

For the past 18 months CP Cases has been collaborating with the Polymer Processing Research Centre, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Queen’s University, Belfast (QUB) as part of a 30-month UK Government (Innovate UK) sponsored Knowledge Transfer Partnership project, known as KTP. The project is specifically aimed at introducing and embedding the rotational moulding process into CP Cases production capabilities. The rapidly changing market demand has driven the project team to consider data acquisition in the early stages of planning.

This article describes aspects of the project where the use of Virtual Reality (VR) techniques has been used to benefit and optimise the new rotomoulding factory set up, layout and design.

Industry 4.0 and Virtual Reality Data acquisition, ubiquitous connectivity and real-time communication are changing how manufacturing companies function and operate. Is it a revolution or just the common-sense strategic deployment of new technology? There is now a growing understanding that elements of what we call “Industry 4.0” can be deployed at a relatively low cost and deliver immediate benefits. Industry 4.0 technologies and their increased use of digital and analytics are already improving manufacturing productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness. Digital advances and better human-machine interfaces are enhancing problem solving, operator training, and overall production performance.

Lower automation costs are fundamentally changing discussions about when and how to use automation in manufacturing.

There is growing consensus that the core concept, which hinges around the deployment of automation technologies and smart use of data, is critical to the future of manufacturing operations, large and small. Industrial production was transformed by steam power in the nineteenth century, electricity in the early twentieth century, and automation in the 1970s. Today, manufacturing is experiencing a fourth wave of technological advancement; the rise of new digital industrial technologies that are collectively known as Industry 4.0.

Factory layout planning is a long-standing area in production engineering that sees great potentials of VR integration. It is 32 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

getting wider attention in both research and practice as the virtual environment allows designers and planners to test out “what if ” scenarios with relative ease.

Benefits of Factory Layout Planning One of the main benefits of building a 3D Model of a proposed new factory and using VR to visualize it is overcoming the distances between the project’s stakeholders. The richness and flexibility provided by a virtual model allows a ‘common view’ and better understanding for all of the planning team which improves and accelerates the decision-making processes. The decision making is also promoted by the ease of getting opinions and ideas from all levels of engineering and management by the simple platform that the VR layout provides.

Another main benefit of Virtual Layout Planning is that it increases the amount of knowledge and understanding for cross functional teams at early stages of the project. 2D layouts could

(a)

(b) Figure 1: Cost of Change diagram with Classic (a) and Automated (b) Design processes

sometimes be sufficient to evaluate some quantitative measures, such as footprint, travel distance and product flow. However, they are often only understood by ‘experts’. 3D representation on the other hand and virtual visualisation helped bridge the gap between areas of expertise.

In addition to the quantitative measures, virtual layout plan allows assessing some qualitative measures prior to execution such as factory safety, ergonomics and operator preferences.

In any design process, the designers have the largest freedom of choice at the very early stages whilst the cost of change is still negligible. However, the knowledge and experience the designer has is relatively low at this stage. Virtual planning boosts the level of knowledge at the planning stage (see Figure 1).

Having a live and continuously updated CAD model, allows for running mini Six Sigma® and continuous improvement projects, and gives the chance to access its feasibility and efficiency prior to execution.

the machine. The ease of moving the machine in the virtual model is very efficient in determining the optimum position and gives the planning team a realistic appreciation of the actual size of equipment. It would be very costly and physically difficult to change the position of the machine after installation which is further discussed in the next section.

The carrousel machine being considered had limited layout drawings.

Therefore, it was very necessary to create models that could be easily integrated with the factory layout and viewed with VR to get a clearer appreciation of the actual footprint and size of the machine.

Viewing the machine, positioned in the right place, together with utilities and ancillary equipment greatly assisted the planning and design teams, particularly Figure 2: Demonstration of the Use of VR with spotting some problems that have headset to navigate the Factory 3D Model a high chance of occurring and avoid them at an early stage. An example here was related is the positioning of the Gas meter and making sure it is in a safe and accessible position in case of emergency.

Virtual Reality in Rotational Moulding Integrating the 3D Models of the factory, machine and crane The first step in planning for turning an empty building into was also important to verify the exact position and angle of a rotational moulding plant is determining the position of the crane that makes perfectly aligning with the 2 servicing 3390

2560

3140

3000

2465

3500

11000

9175 7300 6700

4300

2125

Revision Table Description

Date

30700

28625

27734

27000

24975

22950

21175

19400

17275

15150

13325

9650

11500

7800

5800

3800

0

Revision

1875

0

Approved

8958.6

1000

90° 72°

4602

6942.7

500

72°

18°

18°

72°

72°

72°

8204

Notes: 1) The precooling Station shall be Perpendicular to the roller shutter door.

2) The line connecting the centerlines of the two servicing stations shall be parrelel to the roller shutter door.

3) Both The oven and the cooler are tilted by 18 to the roller shutter door.

Project Unit 6 Rotomoulding Drg. No. Machine Position

Date

24/03/2020

Scale 1:100

Drawn By Revision KA A Sheet No. If in doubt ASK

Dimensions In Millimeters.

Do Not Scale.

Third Angle Projection.

1 of 1

CP Cases Ltd.

Worton Hall Industrial Estate, Worton Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 6ER, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 8568 1881 Fax: +44 (0) 20 8568 1141 Email: info@cpcases.com Website: www.cpcases.com

Copyright CP Cases Ltd. This drawing is the property of CP Cases Ltd & the information on it is confidential.

It is not to be used for any other purpose without the prior written consent of CP Cases Ltd.

Figure 3: Translating Machine models from suppliers 2D Drawings to Factory 3D Model

www.rotoworldmag.com 33

Figure 4: Virtual Factory Layout of CP Cases Rotomoulding Facility

stations. Other issues such as the obstruction of the pathway of the forklift and inaccessibility of the critical positions of the machine during maintenance, where also considered, evaluated and avoided at this early stage.

The screenshots in Figure 4 show different parts of the factory where the use of VR helped take a quick and firm decision from all the stakeholders.

Figure 5: Actual Machine Assembly and Installation

34 ROTOWORLDÂŽ OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

Financial Analysis Despite all the aforementioned benefits of using VR in factory layout planning, some still doubt the return on investment of using such a system, because the capital cost and modelling time required. The main reason for these doubts is that the estimated cost saving of making the change using VR during planning is always intangible. However, if we were to evaluate the feasibility of the system, we can evaluate repositioning of the machine as a case study.

project, the cost of the physical change and the expertise and knowledge of the planning team.

Future Work When the project is successfully executed and the production starts at the new factory, the use of CAD and VR will still continue to support and optimize production; those activities would include: • Design of cooling jigs and frames and testing the operators’ ergonomics and preferences before manufacturing.

• The mass properties of CAD software could be used to design self-balancing arms without the continuous need of manual arm balancing.

Figure 6: Safe operating height virtual assessment

Figure 7: Raw material storage virtual assessment

Firstly, the virtual planning approach used requires a desktop and a SolidWorks license, both already present and available in the design department. In addition, an HTC Vive VR headset was purchased for this purpose at $650. This project required 4 months for planning, which included 4 weeks of modelling at a cost of $5000. Therefore, the total cost of the VR analysis was approximately $5650 (not including the computer hardware and CAD software). For every design change such as repositioning the machine, the team spent about half a day to discuss, model and evaluate the change. This resulted in an additional cost per iteration of approximately $300.

If the repositioning was carried out after the machine installation and during the testing, that would require at least 1 working week of physical reconstruction, with a cost of at least $12,000, which is 40 times the cost of change during the early stages.

If the repositioning was carried out after factory commissioning and start of production, that would add the cost of stopping production for 1 week, in addition to the cost of moving the machine, which would yield a total cost of $20,000, which is 65 times the cost of the virtual change.

So, generally speaking, the financial gain of using VR in virtual layout planning is dependent on the complexity of the

Figure 8: Finishing and Assembly line virtual assessment

Figure 9: Finished product storage virtual assessment

• FEA analysis is currently and will be used to check the frames and arm strength and make sure they will support the tools.

• The design and development team can assist the production team with some CFD analysis to optimize the heating and cooling processes. www.rotoworldmag.com 35

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

ARM SWOT Survey Feedback & Analysis Here’s an update to our little chart to memorializing 2020: 3/18/20

5/11/20

7/14/20

10/19/20

US Cases

6,519

1,334,951

3,925,025

8,157,704

Worldwide Cases

204,000

4,142,970

15,016,440

40,122,834

DJIA

20,315

24,333

26,905

28,611

Bars + Restaurants

Closed

Closed

Who Knows?

Maybe?

Virtual Fall Meeting I am happy to report that ARM’s first virtual meeting is successfully behind us. As with any untested method, there’s a certain level of anxiety that comes with the territory, and this was no different. While the Forums and Programs Committee put together another excellent slate of presentations, the unknown of the unknown weighed heavily on our minds. Would people participate when balancing the meeting with their daily duties? Would the technology work as intended?

The results from the meeting show that 98% of attendees reported that the meeting met or exceeded their expectations.

Generally speaking, the technology worked, the presentations were on target, and members felt their time was spent in a beneficial way. We also heard that this format exposed more individuals to ARM than previous meetings since meeting attendance did not require travel expenses. This is all great feedback that will be taken into consideration for future meetings.

Another result of moving our meeting online was that our virtual exhibit hall remains open at bit.ly/alltheroto There you can learn about more than 50 exhibitors and watch dozens of new videos from our suppliers, sharing the newest machines, materials, and more.

36 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

While this format worked, we also understand that it is difficult, if not impossible to replace faceto-face meetings. Although our next planned faceto-face meeting is Rotoplas 2021, it remains a key objective to host a live meeting once it can be done safely and responsibly.

North American Rotomolding Industry SWOT Analysis ARM conducted a SWOT analysis of the rotomolding industry for our online Annual Meeting. The goal was to get a baseline for the rotomolding process that rotomolders can use as they implement Industry 4.0 technology. This way we can compare where rotomolding is today with where the rest of the manufacturing world is going.

We sent a freeform text survey asking for feedback. Many of our supplier members also work within other industries with manufacturers who use different plastic processes. Their critical feedback compares rotational molding with other processes.

Strengths The strengths are in the eye of the beholder. Short runs, low cost tools, and creative parts are seen as the strengths of rotomolding but the folks on the shop floor don’t necessarily love them.

Survey respondents noted the flexibility of the process, the shapes we can make, the ability for us to change colors, and the ease of tooling are all strengths. Many respondents also

ARM

REPORT mentioned low cost tools, which is definitely true in comparison to other plastic processes, and short runs.

Durable parts are hugely important. There is a lot of talk about plastics being bad. The fact that our products are reusable, can be repurposed, and are durable goods, which puts us in a different category than other plastics processes.

Other strengths include low capital needs for entry, and our capability of making very large parts. Some of our members are making incredibly large fluid holding tanks.

So, what do our non-molder members say about us? They’re talking not as much about the process itself as they are the industry. Non-members commented on strengths such as the closeness of the industry, networking, and that it is the most cooperative industry to work in. We are unique in that rotomolders are very open and honest with each other. I think that really stems from the entrepreneurial feel that the industry still has. We are a lot of small, agile companies run by passionate business owners.

available, as an industry we choose to run primarily linear polyethylenes.

Labor is one of the Achilles heels of the industry. We have a very manually driven process that requires almost a craftsman, more than a button pusher, to run our presses and perform secondary operations. Attracting labor, finding people who will work hard, and the general availability of labor, are all becoming more of an issue as we compete against people who are frankly automating their business and making the work easier.

Our non-molder members talked about resistance to change, not embracing new resins, and focus on material cost rather than value. From talking to other molders and suppliers, and from being around the industry, I think this is accurate. There is a certain stubbornness associated with entrepreneurs and some molders out there are resisting change.

This can be seen when you’re looking at materials and automation. There are more materials out there than linear polyethylene. However, based on cost and other factors,

In the recent Plastics News, where they list the top rotomolders from 2019, the top 20 molders make up about 50% of the market. The other 400 molders in North America make up the remaining 50% or about $3,500,000 of revenue per business. The entrepreneurial spirit also breeds creativity and fosters sharing.

This industry feels a lot like craft beer, the other business that I’m involved with. One of the similarities is market reach.

Because rotomolded products are large hollow parts they are difficult to ship very long distances, just like craft beer. That may be one thing that’s playing into this cooperative industry.

some people choose not to use them. There are also a lot of people choosing not to use automation, so I think there’s some pretty fair criticisms or ideas of what the weaknesses are within the industry.

Weaknesses One of the most common weaknesses mentioned is that we have a slow process with a higher cost. This really hits home. A number of years ago, a friend who used rotomolding as a very small part of their business summed up rotomolding as “cheap tools, expensive parts.”

There are material limitations. We do have fewer materials to run than other plastics processes. While there are other materials

Opportunities Within a SWOT analysis, your strengths and your weaknesses are both internal looking. The opportunities and threats are viewed on a macro level. Some of the opportunities our members mentioned are conversions, automation, new materials, and customer market awareness.

Conversions from metal, concrete, and wood are always discussed as we look for the next big product that is a takeaway from another industry. It gets us thinking creatively: what is the product and how are we going to make it?

When we look at some of the weaknesses and threats, automation resolves many of those issues. As an industry, it’s a real opportunity for us to understand how we will make the most of automation. www.rotoworldmag.com 37

ARM

REPORT At our 2019 Annual Meeting, Toter shared a video of one of their automated machines, where there were 30 - 40 molds on a single machine. Both the molding and trimming operations were being run by a single operator. They accomplished this by leveraging automation.

It’s interesting that our members labeled new materials as an opportunity because one of our weaknesses was material limitations. Our suppliers are telling us there are more materials that we are resistant to use. Determining what types of materials the market needs, and how to bring those to market will be very important in the future.

Only a few respondents mentioned consumer market awareness, but it is a very interesting point. Our non-molder members commented that we need to educate the OEMs and designers on what we sell and the durability of our parts. I think these comments speak to expanding market awareness.

Kayaks and coolers are the more popular consumer-facing markets for rotomolding. The premium cooler has done a really good job of promoting the process. Many manufacturers tout the process capability of rotational molding in making an almost indestructible product as why our process is superior to other processes. For an opportunity, how do we leverage that? We now have a group of consumers in the market who understand what rotational molding is and, more importantly, they understand the benefit that it has to create a robust product that they love using. We need to leverage that consumer awareness in the future.

Though it wasn’t mentioned in our survey, I think our relatively small market size, coupled with the ingenuity and creativity of some of our entrepreneurs, could really lead to additional opportunities.

Threats While there are a lot of external threats that are plaguing rotational molding, we are going to focus on those specific to our process. Obviously, we’re not going to mention things like pandemics because what are the odds of that actually happening?

Lower cost and competitive processes were some of the most frequent results. We know there are other plastic processes out there that are becoming more competitive through automation.

We’re seeing blow molders who can make larger and more intricate parts. The speed at which 3D printing is coming into the market and expanding is staggering. We’re also seeing competition with injection molding.

The next biggest threat that was mentioned was labor availability and skill. As discussed, we are a very manual process and makes it difficult to find people to do the work that we need.

When you do hire people, do they have the skills to be able to perform the work? How many rotomolders are hiring people who have never run a drill before? How many people don’t know the difference between certain tools?

38 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

The last threat is environmental. For our industry, people always think of plastics being bad for the environment. You’re not seeing playground equipment and large stock tanks and things of that nature floating in the Pacific. We may not be a part of “Plastic Islands” but we do have microplastics. We do have our resins and our pellets that are washing out of our dumpsters and into the water stream.

There’s absolutely an environmental impact we can have but when we talk about threats, one of the biggest environmental impacts we’re going to have is this emergence of electric engines versus combustion engines. We’re seeing more cars going electric. We’re seeing more components on machinery go from hydraulic to electric. There will probably always be a place for the combustion engine, but as electric motors become more powerful, as battery storage becomes less of an issue, I see this being a real threat to rotational molders, especially considering gasoline tanks, diesel tanks, diesel emission, fluid tanks, hydraulic reservoirs, overflow tanks. That’s a big part of our businesses.

Our non-molder members had interesting feedback about threats to our industry related to rotomolders’ views on tolerances. One of the other really interesting comments made was by a supplier who talked about corporations and holding companies continuing to purchase rotational molding companies, and that the organizations are becoming less entrepreneurial and more corporate. The question or the opportunity we have with that is how do we keep larger corporations engaged? How do we keep larger companies coming to meetings and sharing information, and how can we do that in a way that doesn’t pose a threat to our members?

What’s Next?

I hope you’ll think about the feedback we received on the SWOT survey. What do you agree or disagree with? From your company standpoint, how do you compete? How do you match up against some of the stereotypes of rotomolding that came up?

As you take a look at your internal direction for your business, what should you be doing more of, what should you be doing less of? What do you need to do to change the industry? How do you keep growing your businesses in terms of cost, quality, delivery, and ease of doing business?

Its pretty clear what other industries are doing and I think there’s some legitimate opportunities and threats within our businesses that we need to take very seriously.

In conclusion, I think there’s a lot of great things going on within the market. I think there’s a lot of room to improve.

I think there’s a lot of opportunity on the horizon and it’s going to be very interesting in the upcoming years to see how people respond.

Rick Carlsen ARM President

ARM

REPORT Technical Director Nick Henwood on Long-Term Material ARM recently held its Annual Meeting as a virtual event and this new format seemed to be a great success. Obviously, we all missed the normal human contact; the chance to meet contacts, former colleagues, and friends, in person. However, as a way of presenting information and opening up discussion, the on-line format certainly seemed to work.

As part of the main event, we organized a technical session with presentations around a common theme, which was “Long-term Properties of Rotomolding Materials.”

There was an introductory keynote, followed by four groups of expert speakers, plus a Q&A session.

I would encourage any of you who missed out on this session to revisit it via the ARM website, where we now have recordings of all parts of the session available to all members. Some aspects of the same subject were also recently covered during our Design Webinar Series (Module 5), which is also available in recorded format.

Does Long-Term Properties seem a subject which is rather esoteric and strictly for the “techies” amongst us? Possibly, but it really shouldn’t! There are several good reasons why any rotomolder should be aware of the basics of this subject, if not all the detail.

As rotomolders, we’re invariably in the business of making durable products. Our customers expect that rotomolded parts will be made to last for years, if not many decades. Therefore, we need to be confident that our parts will meet service expectations over an extended period.

Most rotomolded products are ultimately used in an outdoor environment, so the weatherability of the polymers we use and the stability of the colors we create are both very important.

Whilst the choice of additives and pigment can generally provide adequate protection, we shouldn’t ever assume that this is a “given”.

The most popular material used in roto is polyethylene (PE), a material that we all know and love. Whilst PE has many excellent properties, some of its long-term properties are less than optimal.

As a semi-crystalline polymer, PE has relatively poor resistance to creep. When PE is subjected to load, it stretches, and this behavior is often described using tensile and flexural data.

However, bear in mind that the usual tests stated on Data Sheets are only measuring these effects in the short-term. If the load is sustained for an extended period, PE continues to stretch; this is what is known as creep.

Another important issue, which is slowly gaining recognition in rotomolding, is crack propagation. Practical rotomolded parts will contain micro-defects (e.g. air bubbles and pigment clusters); under conditions of continuous or cyclic loading, these defects may act as sites for the growth of microcracks that can lead to sudden part failure after several years of use.

Tests exist that will help us evaluate our materials by measuring long-term data. In principle, we should be able to build this into our Finite Element Analysis programs, or we can recommend Factors of Safety that should be applied. However, our industry does not yet have agreed testing protocols that have been proved to be reliable and robust in a rotomolding context.

One of my missions, as ARM Technical Director, is to encourage and support the kind of research and development that will answer real problems and address practical issues. Fortunately, rotomolding has many talented and committed technical professionals that are willing to work together to help. This has always been a characteristic of our industry, as evidenced by the success of organizations such as ARM. “Knowledge is power,” so the first step is to raise awareness of the issues involved and their practical importance. Look out for future initiatives by ARM in this area and, if you haven’t already done so, I recommend that you make use of the existing educational resources that already exist.

Happy rotomolding!

Dr Nick Henwood serves as the Technical Director for the Association of Rotational Molders. He has more than 30 years of experience in rotomolding, specializing in the fields of materials development and process control. He operates as a consultant, researcher and educator through his own company, Rotomotive Limited, based in UK.

www.rotoworldmag.com 39

INDUSTRY 4.0

EPISODE 5

Rob Miller, Wittmann Battenfeld Canada Inc. / ROTOLOADTM

Perhaps it’s your Turn I have spent quite some time pondering the direction for the next few episodes.

Not that there is any shortage of Industry 4.0 topics, ideas, principles… actually, quite significantly the opposite.

If you ask 20 experts, you will for sure get at least 25 answers…

I have had a number of interactions with other industry colleagues, discussing primary machinery, mold technology, downstream/post molding processes, considering where there might be opportunity to leverage Industry 4.0 to the greatest potential financial gain.

One of the things that I did as I was planning was to go back and read through my previous episode submissions. As I did, it was quickly evident to me that each of the Industrial Revolutions made physical labor substantially easier. The primary purpose of each of the four major monumental shifts of thought seemed to have the main purpose of reducing or making more efficient the labor content of any manufacturing process.

Therefore, in the end, I believe that the human aspect of our manufacturing has the greatest potential gain in efficiency from Industry 4.0 concepts.

To be totally honest, I am not sure how many episodes it may take to fully examine some of these ideas and concepts, but I believe it to be very beneficial to work through some of this.

I would like to start by taking a brief minute to introduce three common terms used in manufacturing, technology, economic, and business discussions, HUMAN, STRUCTURAL, and RELATIONSHIP Capital.

HUMAN CAPITAL is your people.

The description can go much deeper, to include your employee experience and knowledge, the relationship that the company has with those employees,

training policies and procedures, and employee satisfaction…do they enjoy their jobs and the company that they work for.

STRUCTURAL CAPITAL relates to your legacy processes, policies, vision, and mission statement that all contribute to the culture of the organization.

RELATIONAL CAPITAL is essentially as it sounds. It is the relationships that you share with your customers, suppliers, employees, investors, etc.

The intent is to suggest that there is a point where these three factors within your organization intersect, and at that intersection is where you really experience the highest level of value.

You may be asking…where is he going with this? Please stick with me, and I assure you that I will land the plane. (that is what my kid’s say anyways)

40 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

There was an economist back in the late 1800’s, Mr. Alfred Marshall, and one of his quotes is the following. “The most valuable of all capital, is that which is invested in human beings”. Mr. Marshall was known for the original theory of Supply and Demand, as well as contributions to the theory of marginal productivity.

Marginal Productivity essentially states that if you are paying an employee a certain wage, that your business revenue should increase by the same value, at the same rate, for the work produced by that same employee.

Now, a lot has changed since the late 19th century, and some of these prominent theories of the time don’t really apply any longer, or at least are disputed. As I explored this topic, I was left to wonder if each of our employees actually add their hourly wage in comparable value to our bottom line?

INDUSTRY 4.0

EPISODE 5 Fast forward a hundred years or so, and we find another economist, Mr. Thomas A. Stewart. One of the quotes that I found quite interesting when applied to these theories was “Human capital grows two ways: When an organization uses more of what people know, and when more people know more stuff that is useful to the organization.”

I will begin to lower my landing gear now…

I think one of the most common statements that I have ever heard in this ROTO industry, is that every facility that I have ever visited or discussed could use more people.

If this lack of available labor is one of the most common barriers to our meet our production needs, and even more important, our true potential capacity, then why are we not leveraging our RELATIONSHIP CAPITAL, along with our HUMAN CAPITAL, to build the STRUCTURAL CAPITAL of our organizations.

Final approach…

Our people often already know what can be done to make the process easier, more cost efficient, less labor intensive, safer, better, and in every way, improving the bottom line!

If there is a manual labor process in our facility, it can be almost guaranteed that our team (Relationship Capital) can help us make it more efficient. This definitely includes some of our trusted employees, but also extends beyond to find valuable supplier relationships, and to open up communication with our customers to get a feeling for what they would see as beneficial, but also what they may be willing to pay for.

Not that we should be asking our customers to pay for our automation, however, there are perhaps benefits that they may see an advantage from, and therefore, continue to be a valuable contributing partner.

This is where the Industry 4.0 principles begin to take shape.

As I have commented several times, Industry 4.0 is all about the data.

If we can leverage our STRUCTURAL, HUMAN, and RELATIONSHIP capital, and use simple technologies to inexpensively collect DATA that will help us and our teams make productive, efficient, and quality improving decisions about our processes, why would we not want to move forward in these initiatives?

If we go back a few paragraphs, we can look at this from the “marginal productivity” perspective, but more related to the technology investment, rather than the hourly wage.

Any investment in technology should have a return on investment strategy that allows each aspect of your labor profile to generate significantly more than your project, or hourly investment.

So… I have realized that I am one thousand words into this episode, and not discussed any specifics.

The more that I thought, wanted to explain and write, it was clear to me that we need to start on a common thought process before we get into any specific realworld applications and how to solve them.

I have some thoughts of my own, but I

would really like to do an experiment. In this new reality of travel challenges, we don’t have the ability to meet face to face, and to tour your facilities to discuss these important topics.

I would really appreciate the challenge of looking deeper into your questions, issues, and problems, to leverage the RELATIONSHIP CAPITAL that I have developed.

That way, I can work with your challenges to sketch out high level outlines, and present detailed propositions as to how Industry 4.0 can solve and improve your labor challenges.

Would you be willing to please consider writing to me by email at rob.miller@ wittmann-group.ca.

The source of all questions/comments will be kept expressly confidential, unless otherwise given permission. That way, it won’t be my thoughts, ideas, and solutions, but those that are generated by you and important to you, the innovative, experienced and sometimes challenged molders that are experiencing labor related issues on a daily basis.

Thanks in advance for your participation, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Until next issue, please stay healthy! www.rotoworldmag.com 41

What Rotomolders Need to Know about Polymer Chemistry – Part 1 “How Comonomer Type Influences Polymer Properties” Dr. Nick Henwood, Rotomotive Limited

Rotomolders tend to be more mechanically minded than chemically minded and typically they do not have a deep understanding of polymer chemistry. Fortunately, the technical experts within polymer supply companies can often help with material selection decisions and resolve performance issues.

While this approach usually works from a practical standpoint, “knowledge is power” and molders will benefit from sufficient understanding of polymer chemistry to make the right choices, especially when they are receiving conflicting advice from different suppliers!

The Association of Rotational Molders (ARM) frequently receives queries from members who are trying to navigate their way through a maze of information to make the right choices.

As ARM’s Technical Director, most of these queries land on my desk. I always try to provide the most direct and straightforward answers that I can, but often a little background information is required to explain my comments and recommendations.

In this series of articles, I will seek to provide useful insight without getting readers too immersed in unnecessary detail, concentrating on some of the more common questions that I get asked.

One such question relates to the function and effect of comonomers in different polyethylene (PE) grades. Most often this comes down to questions like “what’s the difference between a rotomolding resin made from butene versus one made from hexene?” Butene and hexene (strictly speaking: butene-1 and hexene-1) are examples of comonomers that are used during the production of different PE grades, including roto grades.

They do essentially the same thing for PE, but their presence can cause some differences in grade performance. PE is a semicrystalline material; in its solid state, the molecules contained in PE may exist in one of three different configurations.

• Some molecules will be folded up in regular structures; these are in the crystalline phase.

• Some molecules will not be folded up and are present in a more irregular arrangement; these are in the amorphous phase.

• A few molecules may stretch between different crystalline regions, with their ends embedded into two different regions; these are called tie molecules (see Figure 1).

The proportion of crystalline versus amorphous phases will have a big effect on PE characteristics. High crystallinity grades are stiff and relatively brittle, while low crystallinity 42 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

Figure 1: Tie Molecules

grades are more flexible and resistant to impact. In simplistic terms, the crystalline phase is what gives PE its stiffness and the amorphous phase is what gives PE its toughness. Selecting an appropriate grade for an application will involve finding a balance between stiffness and toughness needs.

Crystalline PE is denser than amorphous PE, so measuring the density of the overall material will provide a good indication of the relative proportions of crystalline and amorphous phases.

Roto grades in the density region 0.935-0.945 g/cm3 represent a roughly equal balance between crystalline and amorphous phases; they are reasonably stiff and reasonably tough. Injection molding PE grades have a significantly higher density (>0.950 g/cm3) and are stiffer, but generally more brittle. Cast and blown film grade PE’s mostly have a lower density (<0.925 g/cm3) and are less stiff (i.e. more flexible) and significantly more tough.

A word of caution should be struck regarding terminology.

The most technically accurate term for roto grade PE would be “linear medium density polyethylene” (LMDPE). However, custom and usage in different geographic areas of the world has resulted in some confusion in terms. For example, in North America, roto grade PE is often referred to as “linear low density polyethylene” (LLDPE) or as “high density polyethylene” (HDPE). While this confusion is unhelpful, we have to acknowledge that it exists!

During the manufacture of PE, comonomers are introduced into polyethylene reactors to reduce and control the density of the PE grade being made. With no comonomer, the reactor product will be so-called “homopolymer” HDPE: a very stiff material with a density >0.963 g/cm3. This product cannot be easily rotomolded, but it can be used for other polymer processes, such as injection molding.

Comonomers control the balance between the crystalline and amorphous phases in a PE grade. The more comonomer that is incorporated in the PE, the lower its density will be. The

comonomer molecules work by forming branches on the main PE backbone chains. These branches partially prevent the PE chains from folding into regular structures, which lowers the crystallinity, as well as the density of the PE produced.

The inferiority or superiority (depending on which property is being considered) of PE grades made with different comonomers is the subject of considerable discussion amongst the various technical authorities in rotomolding. My personal viewpoint has been established by my own tests and work carried out in a variety of different geographical areas, where practice can vary.

This has been quite instructive. In the European roto market for example, rotomolding PE grades are offered that utilize all three common comonomer types: Butene-1

4 Carbon atoms present in the comonomer

Hexene-1

6 Carbon atoms present in the comonomer

Octene-1

8 Carbon atoms present in the comonomer

there are many rotomolded products made successfully with butene-based grades. However, this also depends on other factors. The main area where we may see differences between similar Melt Index (MI)/density combinations is related to the long-term properties of PE grades. The normal measure we use for long-term properties is Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) and here we do see differences in performance between grades made with different comonomers.

The most common ESCR test method used for roto grades of PE is ASTM D1693. Sample coupons are notched (to provide a point of stress concentration), bent almost double (to provide a constant sample strain) and immersed in a stress-cracking agent at an elevated temperature (to significantly accelerate sample failure). Sample coupons are monitored, and the time taken for them to fail is expressed in hours. Figure 2 shows samples that have “passed” and “failed”.

As a test, the standard ASTM ESCR evaluation method has its faults, the main one being that it can only provide a rough differentiation between grades. It offers relatively low precision,

In contrast, most of the PE roto grades offered in North America utilize hexene-1. Similarly, roto markets in Australasia and South Africa predominantly use hexene-1 grades, because their local suppliers have chosen to utilize this particular comonomer in their production of PE generally. Markets in South Asia, India and China tend to use butene-1 grades; once again, the practice of local suppliers sets the tone. Given this geographic diversity, what are the real differences between PE grades made from different comonomers?

It should be stressed that the comments and conclusions in this article relate specifically to the PE grades used for rotomolding.

The assessment would be different Figure 2: Passed/Failed ESCR Samples if we were looking at extruded and cast film applications (which mainly use much lower density PE grades) or injection molding but it does enable grades to be classified into long-term property applications (which mainly use much higher density PE grades). groupings such as “poor”, “good” or “excellent”. PE roto grades Comonomer choice is likely to make much more of a difference with a MI of 5 g/10mins and above will generally have “poor” with lower density PE grades, simply because so much more of ESCR, whatever the comonomer choice. This is because the MI it is needed to achieve the required density (normally at <0.925 has a greater effect on ESCR than any other factor. PE grades g/cm3). With the higher density PE grades used, for example, in with a lower MI (2 – 4 g/10mins) will have “good” to “excellent” injection molding (0.950-0.965 g/cm3), there will be a smaller ESCR properties and this is the area where there are measurable levels of comonomer, or even zero comonomer. differences due to comonomer choice. For roto grade PEs in this Rotomolding grades are mostly in the range 0.935 – 0.945 g/ MI range, hexene-1 grades tend to exhibit higher ESCR values cm3. Therefore, the choice of comonomer is likely to have a more than butene-1 grades. The further benefit of octene-1 compared limited effect on properties. This is what is generally observed; to hexene-1 is harder to observe in the roto grade range. www.rotoworldmag.com 43

Probability of the Molecules (%)

Differences between hexene and octene are significantly more performance needs. This will be a matter of individual design pronounced when testing lower density grades, such as those judgment. As a general rule, long-term performance issues used for film applications. should be considered for any part that will be subjected to The explanation for the differences observed in ESCR for significant continuous or cyclic loading over its lifetime. lower MI grades is mainly explained by the presence of tie Examples of such parts are underground chambers, molecules. These were introduced as a concept earlier, where they overground storage tanks and chemical containers. were described as molecules with their ends embedded into two different crystalline regions. This configuration allows them to The contents of this article should be considered as an effectively tie crystalline regions together in a form of network, explanatory guide only. For a more detailed consideration which provides improved resistance to long-term damage of the about grade selection, individual material suppliers can provide overall structure. In relatively low MI roto grades, the occurrence specific information. For critical applications, it may also be of tie molecules increases from butene-1 to hexene-1 to octene-1. advisable to undertake comparative performance testing.

This is illustrated in Figure 3. The probability of more tie For ARM members, there are a number of additional molecules increases the tendency to bind areas of crystallinity information resources available, including the Resin Properties together in a network structure. This will increase the ESCR List and various subject specific webinars. of a PE grade and may also result in a small improvement in some short-term properties, including low temperature impact strength.

35 The data shown in Figure 3 is provided for illustrative purposes. It was generated in a study 30 of PE film grades, so the actual probabilities may not be strictly applicable to rotomolding 25 grades. However, the overall trends will be the same. The general effects on ESCR are 20 illustrated in Figure 4. The ESCR value of a specific grade will be affected by other factors, 15 as well as tie molecules. For the standard ASTM “Bent Strip” test, both density and 10 MI will significantly affect the values found experimentally. Figure 4 is illustrative only, 5 for density values in the 0.935 – 0.940 g/cm3 range and for MI values in the 2 – 10 g/10mins range. While the ESCR of “General Purpose” 0 C8 C6 C4 roto grades (MI 5.0 - 7.0) are all relatively poor, Figure 3: Effect of Comonomer Type on Probability of Tie Molecules greater differences are seen when comparing “Tank” grades (MI 3.0 – 4.0).

In conclusion, the following guide is offered C4 C6 C8 related to comonomer effects: 1000

44 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

900 800 “Tank” Grades

700

ESCR (hr)

• When using typical “General Purpose” roto grades (5 MI and above), there will be little practical difference in performance between butene and hexene comonomers, at similar MI/density combinations.

• When using typical “Tank” Grades (3 – 4 MI), discernible differences in performance between similar MI/density combinations should be expected.

• The main measurable differences in performance between grades will relate to long-term factors, as exemplified by properties such as ESCR. • The influence of the comonomer in the grade selection will depend mainly on the application and its required long-term

600 500 400 300 200 “General Purpose” Grades

100 0 2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5 4.0 4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

7.5

8.0

Melt Index (g/10min)

Figure 4: Effect of Comonomer Type and Melt Index on ESCR

8.5

9.0

9.5 10

TECHNICALLY

SPEAKING

Alongkorn Kanokboriboon, SCG Chemicals

Thai Government Hatchery Utilizes Rotomolded Parts to increase populations of the Blue Crab Oceanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural resources have been dramatically depleted in recent decades due to over-fishing and indiscriminate catches. This causes a disruption in the natural life cycle of marine animals and leads to reduced marine life population. Without some type of human intervention, it is unlikely that nature can heal itself back to the same sustainable level.

In this issue, we will discuss a case study about a government hatchery center that utilizes rotomolded tanks and bins to increase the population of ocean blue crabs. This hatchery is located in Chantaburi, a coastal province in eastern seaboard of Thailand. It was found about 23 years ago by the vision of late King Rama 9.

Blue crab populations in the Gulf of Thailand have drastically decreased over the years.

Blue crab is a local marine life commonly found worldwide. It is quite a popular delicacy both in homes and restaurants. There is also a large commercial fishing of blue crabs for its meat to be processed as frozen seafoods.

As a result, blue crab populations in the Gulf of Thailand have drastically decreased over the years.

In the natural environment, blue crabs take about 4-5 months to grow and mature into adults. One mother crab can produce about 300,000-700,000 eggs but less than one percent (or 3,000 crabs) will survive and grow into adulthood. In the past,

Figure 1: Blue crab with external eggs

Figure 2: Process of harvesting crab eggs

www.rotoworldmag.com 45

TECHNICALLY

SPEAKING local fishermen would keep all the crabs (including pregnant crabs with external eggs) they could catch even though these mature eggs are not edible. As a result, blue crabs never had a chance to reproduce and replenish the ocean— causing huge reduction in blue crabs population in the Gulf of Thailand.

Sea Farming Demonstration Unit in Kungkrabaen Bay in cooperation with a Pack Foods Public Co. Ltd. started a program called “Crab Eggs Loan” to borrow pregnant crabs from local catches, harvest their eggs, and return these crabs to the fishermen.

Collecting these eggs is done by hand by using nylon brushes to gently scrub the bottom-side of pregnant crabs with external eggs, which can vary from orange to dark brown. Orange color indicates that the eggs are still young and will take a few days to hatch while dark brown mean these eggs can catch within hours.

These harvested eggs are entered into Circulation and Separation Hatching Technique (CASHT), which consists of seven (7) blowmolded HDPE 150liter tanks connected in series, a water circulating pump, and oxygen pump. At the end of the line, there is a rotomolded cone-shape bottom hopper, where separation of crab eggs and baby crabs take place. Air is added into the tank to cause baby crabs to rise to the top and crab eggs to sink to the bottom. Crab eggs are suctioned back to Tank Number 1 and recirculated continuously until they hatch. Baby crabs, which float to top, will overflow to an open-mouth rotomolded rectangular bin, where they are caught in a receiving net. Remaining water is also circulated back to the system. These tiny crabs are then collected to be released into open water at night between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. for highest chance of survival.

The rotomolded separation unit was manufactured by Ocean Plastics Co. Ltd. (Thailand) with general-purpose grade medium-density polyethylene (0.932 density and MI 4.0). Originally, it was designed to be a beer dispenser.

Figure 3a: Circulation and Separation Hatching Technique (CASHT) process diagram

Figure 3a: CASHT in operation

Figure 3b: Side view of CASHT. Rotomolded Separation Unit on the right end.

46 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

TECHNICALLY

SPEAKING Since the program has started, there is a noticeable rise in blue crab population in the Kungkrabaen Bay and nearby coastline. This indicates that the program has a positive impact in restoring local marine life as well as livelihoods of fishermen in the area. As a result, there is an easy cooperation from both local fishermen and surrounding communities to voluntarily donate pregnant crabs to the program. Since September 2012 until August 2020, it is estimated that the Center has processed 431,000 pregnant crabs, whose eggs of about 9.8 metric tons have been collected and released back to the nature.

In summary, simple rotomolded tanks and bins with the right design and accessories can be great affordable tools to restore the well-being of both marine life and local fishing community.

Figure 4: Baby crabs in suspension

Figure 3c: Receiving net to catch baby crabs

Figure 5: Cooked Blue Crabs

www.rotoworldmag.com 47

Your connection to the world of

Rotational Moulding

ARMA

ROTOCONNECT

Final Report from Graeme Hall The Outgoing President of ARMA RotoConnect I am honoured to include my final report as President. The production of this report is a key requirement of a not for profit industry association, so we hope you find it informative and can garner great insight into ARMA RotoConnect and its activities over the last 12 months.

A short reminder of what we are about.

ARMA is the premier organisation for rotational moulders and suppliers throughout New Zealand, Asia, and Australia. ARMA RotoConnect offers opportunities to engage directly with change makers all around the world within the rotational moulding industry. RotoConnect is our global brand that offers limited membership/support and is open to moulders around the world outside of Australasia. It provides key benefits that can assist your business globally.

I am sure it has been the case for many, that most of 2020 has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Irrespective of political and social views on how the management of this worldwide pandemic has developed, it has had a significant impact on ARMA’s operations and the broader rotational moulding industry. The postponement of our annual conference, Rototour, and Master Classes have affected the operation of the association. To continue to provide the high level of support we all currently enjoy, we need ongoing revenue.

As most of you are aware this comes predominately from two places - subscriptions and events. With events suspended this has impacted ARMA RotoConnect as it has many associations around the world.

The ARMA RotoConnect team has done an amazing job in mitigating the financial impact and have managed to maintain a high level of service. Demonstrating considerable fiscal responsibility, professional standards, and personal sacrifice.

Ongoing support of our members has been the constant in a rapidly changing world. Although we were not able to get together in Hobart as planned, the team managed to put together the first Rotomould online event that was hugely successful. Our thanks go out to Michelle Rose for leading the event and assembling the content and ultimately managing a very engaging program.

48 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

In amongst the turmoil of 2020, ARMA RotoConnect has managed to see the completion of a comprehensive review of the tank standard ASNZS4766:2006. ARMA was the champion of the revision, facilitating the inclusion of chemical tanks and buried tanks and can be very proud of the publication of ASNZS4766:2020. There is a massive amount of work gone into this updated standard and we thank everyone for their effort, experience, and the knowledge that they contributed to this great outcome. I know the energy Leisa put into the entire exercise and it was an amazing achievement. Encapsulating industry needs and translating a vast array of data. For the industry experts that contributed so much time, we cannot thank you enough.

ARMA RotoConnect has sometimes been accused of being a little water tank focused. Which is understandable when you consider the number of tank moulders and the volume of material that is generated through this industry sector. However, I want you to consider the broader benefit that the tank standard brings to the wider rotational moulding industry. The testing of materials, analysis of design, and process controls provide a significant foundation for the broader non-tank rotational moulders. It generally lifts the requirements and capability of the wider industry. As moulders and suppliers, you should be using some if not all of the standard in your business.

In the final months of my presidency I can reflect on the wonderful support of the board of directors and I offer my personal thanks for their selfless contribution and effort. I’m very proud to be given the opportunity to sit as chair of the association and although it has been a strange year, I’m sure the association is well placed to continue into the future with the ongoing efforts of the ARMA RotoConnect team and board of directors.

During this financial year we also have two of our board members stepping away. Lester Ferry and David Garland who have been very good contributors and thoughtful and considerate members of the ARMA RotoConnect Board of Directors. On behalf of the board, staff, and members I wish to pass on our thanks for their contribution. As a not for profit they have freely given their time and it is greatly appreciated. David has worked

ARMA

ROTOCONNECT through every position on the involvement albeit as a retiree. board and has just completed ARMA RotoConnect his last position of past would not exist without the president. David’s support support of its members and during my tenure as president its sponsors. Our sponsors has been first class and he have been outstanding in always has the industry their support and we thank wellbeing front of mind. them very much. ARMA Michelle Rose - ARMA Sally Beets - ARMA Linda Nicholson - ARMA Without contributors like RotoConnect also has a RotoConnect DEO RotoConnect New RotoConnect Accounts Lester and David we would range of working groups Zealand Membership & Administration Officer not have the successful industry and contributors who fuel Manager association we enjoy today. our resource library and The wonderful benefits of being a member of our association workshops. The board and I are very grateful for your efforts in would not be possible without the efforts of Leisa Donlan, supporting our industry.

Michelle Rose, Sally Beets, and Linda Nicholson. On behalf We look forward to the lifting of restrictions so that we can of the board and the wider rotational moulding community I hold Rotomould 2021 in Hobart and enjoy the benefits. In would like to thank them for the ongoing effort and a level of conclusion, I personally owe a lot of my knowledge of rotational passion and enthusiasm that is exceptional. Sally has recently moulding to ARMA and the support and encouragement of announced her retirement and as one of our industry Icons we Peter and Kevin Unkles - great rotational moulding people. Get pass on our thanks for her years of support to the rotational involved and support ARMA RotoConnect wherever you can. moulding industry. Sally has offered to continue with the local support of New Zealand moulders so we can expect her on-going Graeme Hall (ARMA RotoConnect President)

ARMA RotoConnect CEO’s Report for 2020 It almost seems necessary to divide this year’s report into two separate sections. As with most of our lives, 2020 seems a different century to 2019.

In 2019 ARMA RotoConnect held a very successful face-to-face conference, an amazing Rototour, and finally another excellent Masterclass and we were kicking the goals our members expect of us. Work on the standard took the majority of my professional time right up until March 2020 when the final draft was submitted along with work on the Flame Retardant & Ultrasonic Cure Tests and in March I was lucky enough to spend time in South and Central America preparing for Rototour 2020.

Like the rest of the world, our industry has been impacted

by Covid, however unlike so many other sectors many of our members are thriving and all are surviving at the time of writing this. Of course, it is impossible to predict the outcome of this year however it is reassuring to know that for our moulders and suppliers, business has been able to continue.

For ARMA RotoConnect itself, things have proven just a bit more challenging. As we have progressed through the middle months of 2020 it has become obvious that the Board has needed to use strong judgement and critical thinking to ensure a stable future for the industry body.

Previous Boards’ work in establishing and securing a buffer of operational funds has been instrumental in allowing time to consider the full impact of COVID-19. Without that investment we would have joined the many other industry and non-profit bodies that have had difficulty maintaining their staff and services.

Careful consideration and budgeting, as well as some innovative thinking and support from the staff at all levels will ensure that ARMA RotoConnect does continue to provide a network for industry, an overseeing eye for training development, the establishment or representation on various industry standards, and leadership for the sector in sourcing new markets and managing our product life cycle.

It’s a very big job for a very small team and we look now to our industry to continue to support ARMA RotoConnect through 2021 while we reinvent many of our usual face to face activities and we think you’ll be delighted and surprised by some of the results.

The whole team at ARMA is passionately engaged in providing whatever our members need to succeed and we all thoroughly enjoy sharing both your challenges and your successes.

Leisa Donlan (ARMA RotoConnect CEO) www.rotoworldmag.com 49

ARMA

ROTOCONNECT ARMA Working Groups 2019 was the start of several ARMA working groups working on topics and projects that impact the rotational moulding industry and most groups were implementing tasks right into the second quarter of the year. From that time, our members needed to focus more on their own business, so while the groups are on hold, it will be full steam ahead when possible.

Environment Group: This group is one of the most active with real solutions already developed to assist the industry when it comes to the environment. The Environment Group was established to focus on differentiating our industry from the single use plastics that have constant negative media surrounding it. From this first initiative came the ARMA Recycling Logo which was launched earlier in the year and is already on websites and products within the membership and growing each day. The next initiative was partnering with Operation Clean Sweep to promote zero pellet and powder loss within the industry. This can be by way of self-audits although New Zealand members

are able to access paid audits through Plastics New Zealand and ARMA RotoConnect will offer this service to Australian members in the future.

Integrity Group: This group is a quiet achiever that responds to industry complaints of all kinds and have spent time this year putting together better and stronger guidance for moulders on what they should and shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say to sell their products, how they should deal with warranty issues and how to clearly define their standards compliance claims; Research & Technical Committee: This work to identify possible solutions in flame retardant materials that will allow the industry to access new markets continues. The test nondestructive postproduction tests which look through the walls of products with ultrasound is almost complete with outstanding results. Finally, the group will be providing guidance for our new PhD Student working at Queens University in Belfast in a joint project between ARMA & ARM-Central Europe.

ARMA RotoConnect 2021 & Beyond

At the end of 2019 we were extremely busy with the development of subcommittees and the finalisation of the tank standard and as we headed into 2020, an exceptionally busy year was ahead.

And then everything changed. While our ongoing projects are still going ahead, with the finalisation of the tank standard and the QUB research project still moving ahead, it has been at a 50 ROTOWORLDÂŽ OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

slower pace than normal with closures around the world. With the loss of major events, it has changed how the staff of ARMA RotoConnect work and what they work on but we have a positive outlook for 2021, with the advancement of hybrid events a way of the future and we hope to be able to meet with our industry friends in the near future!

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 51

ARMO

NEWS

ARMSA ARM-CE NORDIC ARM StAR BPF IT-RO

SOCIETY OF ASIAN ROTOMOULDERS • StAR

StAR Plans ROTOCON ‘21 Virtual 17th Annual Rotational Moulding Conference January 19-21, 2021

StAR has decided on a virtual conference for their 17th Annual Rotational Moulding conference to be held from January 19 to 22, 2021.

It will offer online programme consisting of: • Rotomoulding educational presentations • Virtual Trade Show – Exhibitors • Pre-scheduled private sessions with exhibitors • Breakout Chat Room sessions The Virtual conference will have some unique new features: • Much larger number of participants due to: - No logistics expenses for hotel and travel; staying at home base - No registration fees for attendees; must pre-register • Greater possibility for international participation, ARMO Affiliate members will be encouraged (because of above reasons) • Other attendees, e.g. academia, OEMs, automotive, infrastructure, defence, railways and others will be invited to participate • Convenience of attending from the comfort of one’s desk through a laptop or even by phone will enable participation per schedule convenient for you 52 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

The StAR Board has decided to keep attendee registration free of charge so as to encourage maximum attendance from all parts of the world. With no expenses of travel or stay for the conference larger numbers are likely to register. Similarly Speakers and Exhibitors will face no constraints of costs to participate in the conference. There will be far greater willingness to do so. The quality of programme and roto show will benefit as a result.

Programme – Educational Presentations Speakers and presentations from all over the world including India will allow for a very unique and rich programme, consisting of contemporary applicable topics. Never before speakers will be possible from any part of the world.

Unique registration code will ensure access by registrants only to all events and information of the virtual conference. Only authorized access will be possible because of safeguards of the unique code.

Presentations can be viewed as per pre- announced agenda of the conference; or the recorded versions can be accessed at more convenient times. Recorded and archived proceedings of the virtual conference will be made available for a defined period post event.

Pre-recorded presentations will ensure smooth and seamless running of the programme. Uncertainties of net connectivity will be kept out as a result. Accessing from different time zones will be possible as per convenience. Q&A can be held as independent

ARMO

NEWS SOCIETY OF ASIAN ROTOMOULDERS • StAR

Past StAR Conferences - Education, Exhibition, Excellence & Entertainment

sessions while Attendees and Speakers information stored in the system will offer opportunity for further individual contacts and communications as desired.

Roto Show – Exhibitors Exhibitors from world over are expected to participate due to: • No / Low logistics, participation costs — No travel • Reasonable fees for exhibitors • Much larger participation of present and potential customers • Even desirous rotomolders will be encouraged to exhibit, due to opportunities by expanded and global participation • Exhibitors will be listed alphabetically and nicely displayed: • Booth features will include - Videos - Scheduling private meetings with desirous attendees - Company website link and key contact information - Short description of products and services offered to the rotomoulders; and any special what’s new / announcements Networking The method of maintaining participants profiles and related information will allow functions within database for chat mechanisms. These will facilitate one to one and group meetings.

The likelihood of wide global as well as that of countrywide Indian

participation makes the scope and of networking a very special attraction of the virtual conference.

Sponsorship Opportunities Sponsoring companies will have an excellent opportunity for exposure to StAR as well as many global participants; expectations are for more than double the normal attendance at our annual conferences. Sponsorship packages will be more reasonably priced, and with no to low participation logistics costs make for a very easily justifiable opportunity.

The likelihood of wide global as well as that of countrywide Indian participation makes the scope & canvas of networking a very special attraction of the virtual conference.

The reach to industry and potential markets of the region is likely to be good in a well organised virtual conference; we will be in touch. www.rotoworldmag.com 53

ARMO

NEWS BRITISH PLASTICS FEDERATION ROTATIONAL MOULDING GROUP • BPF

BPF Highlights the Plastic Industry’s Impressive Response to COVID-19 The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has released a document highlighting the important contribution of the plastics industry in the fight against COVID-19 through the manufacture of PPE and critical infrastructure materials.

Over the past year, the BPF has helped many organisations, including the UK government, Scottish Government, and Welsh Government to source vital supplies of PPE for frontline healthcare workers.

International Trade (DIT) and the Department of Health and Social Care, and has held regular meetings with the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to share key information. BPF members around the country have provided hospitals with plastic parts for ventilators, clinical waste sacks, aprons, face shields, visors, and millions of bottles for muchneeded hand sanitiser.

The BPF has also assisted a number of UK government departments, including the Cabinet Office, the Department for

The trade association’s visual document highlights key facts about the role of the plastics industry in the fight against

HOW THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY RESPONDED TO COVID-19 Prior to COVID-19, less than 1% of PPE was manufactured in the UK but by December 2020 domestic supply is anticipated to meet 70% of forecasted demand in England for all categories of PPE.*

British Plastics Federation

HAND SANITISER BOTTLES

EMERGENCY INFRASTRUCTURE

Typically made from PET. During the height of COVID-19, plastics companies were called upon to deliver over 50,000 bottles of hand sanitiser per week to the NHS. Over 20 BPF members are able to manufacture hand sanitiser bottles.

Hand sanitiser bottles can be put in your recycling bin.

Everything from a testing site to a Nightingale hospital requires a steady supply of plastic, including road barriers and construction products like flooring, insulation, pipes, windows and roofing.

APRONS

FACE VISORS

100+ companies in the UK produce the sheet itself, which is often LDPE or LLDPE. There are now at least four UK apron manufacturers.

These companies repurposed their factories in response to COVID-19.

BPF research shows that the UK has capacity to manufacture more than 100 million aprons per month.

Typically made from PETG or PC. Over 30 UK companies manufacture the plastic screen itself, with a smaller number who construct the visors.

UK plastics companies have the capacity to deliver over 3 million visors per week to the NHS.

CLINICAL WASTE SACKS

FACE MASKS

Heavy duty sacks that are able to seal clinical waste safely are vital in times of emergency.

Demand for these sacks has increased 170% since the start of COVID-19.

There are multiple grades of facemasks, with FFP3 providing the most protection.

A highly specialised ‘melt-blown’ fabric material is used for many masks.

Just one company in the UK makes FFP3 masks, with production beginning in mid-2020 in response to COVID-19.

PLASTIC SCREENS VENTILATORS

These are mainly acrylic and have been used in shops and businesses around the UK. Over 20 BPF members can supply the sheet material, with several who manufacturer the final screens.

*Excluding gloves

54 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

Plastic is used in ventilators and other medical devices because it is biologically inert, lightweight and strong.

Hospitals had 7400 ventilators at the start of the , lockdown and now have more than 30,000.

UK plastic companies have been supplying parts, including tuning knobs and breathing tubing.

www.bpf.co.uk/cv19

www.bpf.co.uk/sources

ARMO

NEWS SOCIETY OF ASIAN ROTOMOULDERS • StAR

COVID-19, which will also be disseminated widely on social media where the organisation has a strong presence.

These include: • During the height of COVID-19, plastics companies were called upon to deliver over 50,000 bottles of hand sanitiser per week to the NHS. • UK plastics companies have the capacity to deliver over three million visors per week to the NHS. • BPF research shows that the UK has capacity to manufacture more than 100 million aprons per month.

• Demand for clinical waste sacks has increased 170% since the start of COVID-19.

• Everything from a testing site to a Nightingale hospital requires a steady supply of plastic, including road barriers and construction products like flooring, insulation, pipes, windows, and roofing.

• Prior to COVID-19, less than 1% of PPE was manufactured in the UK but by December 2020 domestic supply is anticipated to meet 70% of forecasted demand in England for all categories of PPE except gloves, according to government research. BPF members have been integral to this achievement and the trade association produced online resources during the height of the pandemic, which aggregated key information for the industry to help businesses run effectively and safely, as well as a hosted an online ‘find a supplier’ service for companies and organisations in need of vital supplies.

Members of the BPF were also recently praised for their work in response to the pandemic by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at BEIS Nadhim Zahawi at the trade association’s ‘virtual’ Annual Dinner in October.

Director General of the BPF Philip Law states: “Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the BPF and its members have helped to meet the challenges faced by the NHS and industries across the country as they try to provide a safe environment for their staff, patients, or customers. Many BPF members have transformed and expanded their manufacturing operations, working longer and harder to ensure we can provide the protective equipment and medical supplies the UK needs. Over 100 of our members now manufacture PPE or the materials that supply PPE and we will continue to play our part in the fight against COVID-19.”

‘How the Plastics Industry Responded to COVID-19’ will be disseminated to BPF members and is available to download to help the industry communicate its achievements to key decision makers, customers, the public and staff.

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 55

GLOBAL

AFR MASTER CLASS 2020

JANUARY 19-21, 2021

NOVEMBER 26-27, 2020

CALENDAR

STAR 17TH ANNUAL ROTATIONAL MOULDING CONFERENCE

Lyon, France

PLASTINDIA Pragati Maidan New Delhi, India

56 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

MARCH 21-25, 2021

FEBRUARY 4-8, 2021

Virtual

ANTEC® 2021

Sheraton Denver Downtown Denver, Colorado USA

GLOBAL

APRIL 19-22, 2021

SEPTEMBER 20-23, 2021

CALENDAR

SPE ROTOMOLDING TOPCON Cleveland Marriott East Cleveland, Ohio USA

ROTOPLAS 2021

Rosemont, Illinois USA rotomolding.org â&#x20AC;¢ SAVE THE DATE

www.rotoworldmag.com 57

ADVERTISERS’

INDEX

60 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 9 Ferry Industries, Inc. 4445 Allen Rd. Stow, OH 44224-1093 USA 330.920.9200 sales@ferryindustries.com www.ferryindustries.com 22 JSJ Productions, Inc. 625 West Market St. Salinas, CA 93901 USA 512.894.4106 susan@jsjproductionsinc.com www.jsjproductionsinc.com 5, 23 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 11 Matrix Polymers The Priory Orchard Hill Little Billing Northhampton, NN9 9AG United Kingdom +44.0.1604.789100 sales@matrixpolymers.com www.matrixpolymers.com 21 NOVA Chemicals 1555 Coraopolis Heights Rd. Moon Township, PA 15108 412.490.4311 Doug.Biela@novachem.com www.novachem.com 7 OREX Rotomoulding SP. Z O.O. Cieszyriska 6, 43-520 CHYBIE POLAND +48 32 440 83 15 magda.wantola@orex.pl www.orex-rotomoulding.com

58 ROTOWORLD® OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

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 17 Poliplast S.p.A. Via Carrali, 8 24020 Casnigo (BG) Italy +39.035.724145 info@poliplastspa.com www.poliplastspa.com 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 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 59 Rotomachinery Group Via Crosa, 53 28065 Cerano (NO) Italy +39.0321.772021 polivinil@polivinil.com www.rotomachinerygroup.com 57 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

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VOLUME XVI, ISSUE 5 • 2020

“If you build it, they will come” VOLUME XVI, ISSUE 5 • OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2020

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What Rotomolders Need to Know about Polymer Chemistry Dr. Nick Henwood, Rotomotive Limited

The Use of Virtual Reality in the Development of a New Rotational Moulding Factory Karem Akoul, Peter Ross, Brian Allen and David Seall CP Cases, London; Mark Kearns and Dr. Peter Martin, Queen’s University, Belfast