Editor s Note The recent decision by world leading credit agency Moody s to upgrade Pakistan s outlook is largely being viewed as a positive development that will open up the country to greater investments. The other barometer of improved economic prospects is that the local business community has taken well to the recently announced Federal Budget 2014-15. Although they believe that an earnest implementation will create conditions conducive for greater business activity and that the government appears to be sincere in the effort to address the energy crisis that is severely impacting production and profitability, they acknowledge that it may take three to five years for the complete benefits of enhanced power generation to reflect. With particular reference to the plastics and packaging industry in Pakistan, the allied sectors have registered a growth of over 35.80% over the last five years as declared by State Bank and the Federal Board of Revenue sources. Concurrently, a strong growth in the import of plastics material also speaks volumes for the rising per capita consumption of plastics in the country; it also confirms that plastics have become the preferred choice of consumers. As for the local packaging sector, the example of a local film producer who recently contracted to import extrusion lines from a European manufacturer suggests that the demand for higher production has called upon companies who are now investing in expensive technology to enhance profitability. On our part, Polymer & Packaging International is now in its sixth edition of print. In line with our mission statement, we consciously strive to strengthen our foothold and play the role of a bridge between the Pakistani industry and the rest of the world. In the time that it has been, we have already traveled to exhibitions across UAE, Germany, China and Thailand and made our mark as an ambassador of Pakistan s growing market. We have also won much acclaim from exhibitors and visitors whom we have interacted with and have utilized our platform to highlight the potential of Pakistani market in the world. We strongly believe that if the government is able to address factors including the law and order situation and the energy crisis, the plastic and packaging sector can utilize Pakistan s ideal geo-strategic positioning and earn valuable foreign exchange by exporting quality traditional and non-traditional products to markets far and wide. Happy reading!
Content Editor s Note
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The Bare Essentials: 5 Years Import Trends of Printing, Plastic & Packaging Machinery & Materials
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News
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Polymer & Packaging at Chinaplas 2014
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Polymer & Packaging at Plastivision Arabia
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Interview TDAP: Paving the Way for Greater Exports
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Article: Molecor Leads the New Pipeline Markets
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Chinaplas 2014: Continuing to Build on Excellence
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Article: Metallized Film Industry Trends
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Article: Control Complex Processes Reliably
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Interpack 2014 Sets New Visitorship Record
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OUR TEAM Managing Editor S.H. Rizvi editor@thesis.com.pk
Editor Ahmed Qaiser qaiser@thesis.com.pk
Business Development Manager Akbar Baseer Khan akbar@thesis.com.pk
Layout & Visualization Rehan A Hashmi rehan@thesis.com.pk
Address: Room No. 706, Business Plaza Mumtaz Hassan Road, Karachi-74000, Pakistan Phone: +92-21-3246-1722 Website: www.thesis.com.pk
Agent in Malaysia: Al-Shams Global Sources Sdn Bhd, Suite 33, 33rd floor Menera Keck Seng, 203 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur 55100 Tel 603 21163444, Fax 603 21164445
Printed at: Quick Process Plot No: 20, Sector 24, Korangi Industrial Area, Karachi.
The Bare Essentials:
Graphical Representation of Pakistan s Imports of Plastic, Printing, Packaging Machinery & Materials (July 2008 June 2009 to July 2012 June 2013)
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NEWS
Arburg Subsidiary Celebrates Ten Years The Arburg subsidiary in Shanghai has celebrated its tenth anniversary. More than 500 guests were invited to a special evening 1933 House Shanghai - by subsidiary manager Zhao Tong which saw the presentation of an anniversary sculpture by Arburg managing partner Juliane Hehl, awards to special customers and the Arburg employee of the year. Hehl thanked the entire subsidiary team for its successful work over the past decade and presented Zhao Tong with an anniversary sculpture as a sign of recognition. In his welcoming speech, Helmut Heinson, managing director responsible for international sales, emphasised the importance of the subsidiary in Shanghai and also thanked the company s customers. Zhao Tong said: Over the course of the past decade, close contacts and strong partnerships have been established with our customers. Without them and their support, we would not be what we are today. Arburg also gave customer awards Derjin, Hongfa, Kostal and for excellence in partnership, to Pigeon. In addition to the subsidiary in Shanghai, Arburg operates two further fully-owned organisations in China: one in Hong Kong since 1991 and another in Shenzhen since 2006. Another important milestone for the company was the opening of its machine warehouse in Shanghai in 2013. - PR
Pakistan Could Benefit by Tapping Trade Potential in Bosnia: Ambassadordesignate The Ambassador-designate to BosniaHerzegovina, Lt Gen Muhammad Yousaf (Retd) has urged Pakistani businessmen to make inroads in Bosnia to tap huge trade potential that exists in Eastern European countries. While talking to VP of Lahore Chamber of Commerce Kashif Anwar during a visit, the ambassador designate said that interaction with the Bosnian businessmen may enable Pakistan s private sector to get access to entire Balkan region. The Ambassador-designate also informed participants that there were strong indications that Bosnia could join the EU group in near future. Business Recorder
Stakeholders Agree on Measures to Control Import of Scrap Stakeholders of Pakistan s plastic industry and officials of Commerce Minister have recently agreed on measures that will be taken to control dumping of hazardous plastic scrap in the country. Attended by a cross section of importers, manufacturers, recyclers, private inspection companies and officials of relevant federal and provincial departments, the meeting concluded that an import quota should be allocated to a recycler on the basis of its
annual recycling capacity to check against excessive import. Sources privy to details suggested that the provincial EPAs at the meeting were of the opinion that they have both the jurisdiction and the capability of carrying out the inspection of recycling facilities. It was also agreed that the Pakistan Standard Industrial Classification (PSIC) should provide the required certificates after ensuring that the plastic scrap was nonhazardous according to the provisions of the Basel Convention. The meeting also concluded that the federal government would notify additional PSICs to facilitate the importers in respect of the imports from countries where the PSICs notified in Appendix-H of the Import Policy Order 2013 were not operational. The News
BASF: First Styrodur Plant Completely Switched to New Flame Retardant BASF is the first European manufacturer to have completely switched a production plant for XPS (extruded polystyrene rigid foam) to a new polymeric flame retardant (PolyFR). Styrodur insulating panels produced at BASF s plant in Tudela, Spain, are now made exclusively with the polymeric flame retardant, which has a superior environmental profile while offering the same flame retardancy. BASF s other Styrodur production plants in Ludwigshafen and Schwarzheide, Germany, and Bibbiano, Italy, will all be switched to the new flame retardant by the end of 2014. BASF thus continues its successful strategy as the market leader for polystyrene-based insulating materials in Europe. Through our concerted efforts, BASF is supporting the sustainable development of the European polystyrene foam industry, said Giorgio Greening, Senior Vice President of BASF s global business unit for polystyrene foams. We have pushed ahead the development and introduction of this alternative flame retardant. Our goal is to enable our customers to make the switch successfully and in good time. In 2011, BASF announced its determination to switch to the new flame retardant in close cooperation with its customers. BASF is also already using PolyFR in the majority of its range of expandable polystyrene (EPS) products. The changeover of all EPS grades in Europe will also be completed by the end of 2014, and thus earlier than required by law. PR
Pakistan to Enhance Trade Ties with Poland: Minister The Minister of Commerce Khurram Dastgir during the opening of the first ever PakistanCentral Europe Economic Cooperation Forum in Katowice (Poland) stressed the need for European nations to adopt a comprehensive approach and deepen bilateral relations with Pakistan. Addressing the august gathering, the minister said that Pakistan views Central Europe, with Poland at the helm, as a model of economic transformation. According to him, the EU being a huge trading partner of Pakistan has a very
important place in the country s economic agenda. The minister further emphasized that although Pakistan is grappling with a law and order situation that stems from an unstable political situation in neighboring Afghanistan, business opportunities continue to thrive in the country. While inviting Polish businessmen to invest in different sectors of Pakistan, the minister also expressed hope that a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding would be signed between Poland and Pakistan that would encompass all potential areas for cooperation. The Express Tribune
Nordmeccanica Dedicates new Vacuum Plant I ta lia n conve rting- ma chine ry m ak er Nordmeccanica Group officially dedicated its new Nordmeccanica Vacuum Srl plant in Piacenza, Italy before an audience of 500+ industry professionals, customers, suppliers and packaging brand owners from across the globe. Along with a half-day International Summit for Packaging technical conference, the event introduced two of the company s new vacuum-metallizing systems via live demonstrations. Nordmeccanica Group president Antonio Cerciello welcomed several dignitaries, including local and national politicians, and representatives from two Chinese plastics organizations, to the ribbon-cutting ceremony. We spent the last year integrating the technology of Galileo Vacuum Systems (which Nordmeccanica acquired in January 2013) into our operation, revamped things and the first machine was installed in April, 2014, he said. We have outstanding partners and designed our machinery from scratch in only one year. Nordmeccanica controls the Chinese market for coating, laminating and now metallizing machinery. The Vacuum Division will contribute to the overall success of the company. With currently 300 employees worldwide, sales were 82 million in 2013. Cerciello says sales this year will likely increase 20%, reaching 102 million based on orders that are already on the books. The company forecasts that 80 more jobs at the company are expected to be created in the next six months. The new plant, about 300,000 sq ft, opening in the midst of the Italian recession is clearly a positive thing, Cerciello says.
Brazilian Machinery Group Disposes of Italian Facility Brazilian machinery group Indústrias Romi SA has disposed of an Italian facility where Sandretto injection molding machines were previously produced, in a deal with local authorities and companies. The group said in a statement that Romi Italia, which is in liquidation, had concluded the disposal of assets to the Italian company Scout One "for a symbolic amount." The agreement involves transferring the employees of Romi Italia to Scout One along with the facility in Pont Canavese, in Piemonte region, which has a total area of 22,481 square meters. Romi said the agreement also involves the Polymer & Packaging | 09
transfer of the Sandretto trademark and other related intellectual property rights to a company wholly owned by the Piemonte authority. A second plant in Grugliasco was not transferred in the deal. Romi purchased the Sandretto business in 2008, but over the past two years has been downsizing the Italian operation and transferring production of Sandretto machines to its operations in Brazil. At the Plast 2012 trade show in Milan, around 20 Italian employees occupied Romi's exhibit to protest against the company's restructuring plan. The Sandretto business includes sales and after-sales service subsidiaries located in France, the United Kingdom and Spain. Romi will retain these operations. The transfer of the Sandretto trademark leaves the way open for Scout One and the Piemonte company to use the name on any new machinery it starts to produce. But as part of the agreement, Romi will continue to use the Sandretto name as a machine brand "for a certain period of time" before phasing it out, said Monica Romi Zanatta, international sales manager at Indústrias Romi. PR
SMEs in Plastics Sector Drive Job Creation in GCC: GPCA The GCC plastics industry offers a tremendous opportunity for the emergence of a dynamic and innovative small and medium enterprises (SME) sector, observed the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association (GPCA), the region s longest-standing trade association during the 5th International Conference for Plastic Conversion, PlastiCon 2014, which took place in the Expo Centre Sharjah. Manufacturers who transform basic plastic products into finished goods represent nearly 20% of the region s plastic industry, said Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary-General of the GPCA. These plastics converters introduce a number of additives to manufacture finished goods that suit the requirements of a diverse range of industries. According to GPCA research, the plastics conversion market comprises over 1,000 companies that can be classified as small and medium enterprises, including family owned businesses and startups. SMEs are today at the forefront of business innovation in the Middle East, continued Dr. Sadoun. SMEs involved in plastics conversion are particularly innovative as they extend the plastics supply chain by creating value added products for the construction, infrastructure and food & beverage sectors, while creating thousands of new jobs. GPCA has predicted that, by the end of the decade, the region s plastics conversion will grow to reach 7.5 million tons capacity, an increase of nearly 40% of its current output. This growth represents a huge opportunity for the emergence of new enterprises, explained Dr. Sadoun. Along with increased competition for the region s major players, the rise of SMEs will be transformative as it not only represents the forefront of commercial innovation, but also the creation of thousands of jobs. Now in its fifth edition, Plasticon2014 focuses on how innovation can lead to global and regional growth of the plastics conversion industry, featuring speakers from the region s top petrochemical companies including SABIC, 10 | Polymer & Packaging
Borouge and Sadara Chemical Company. On the occasion of PlastiCon 2014, GPCA published the report GCC Plastics Industry Indicators 2013 .
Complaint by Engro Polymer: NTC Probing Dumping of PVC Products The National Tariff Commission (NTC) investigates dumping of PVC Resin by Korean and Taiwanese companies in Pakistan at prices lower than their domestic markets that can potentially hurt the local PVC industry of the country, industry sources said. Huge capacities of PVC production exist in the Far-East Asian countries such as Taiwan, Korea, Thailand and China and an investigation is being carried out to check the trend of dumping their products in Pakistan at a price, which is even lower than the domestic price in their respective countries, the sources said. NTC is investigating this matter on the request of Engro Polymer and Chemicals Ltd, the largest producer of PVC in the country, they said. NTC is investigating if the dumping margins are substantial and indicative of the malpractices of the exporters of the exporting countries, the sources said. It is being ascertained that whether such exporters have developed and are continuing to pursue a discriminatory and unfair pricing policy for exports vis-à-vis their local sales. NTC is investigating if significant dumping margins are the underlying reason of a surge in imports of the investigated product, which have taken a substantial share in the domestic market of Pakistan and can potentially cause injury to the domestic industry engaged in the production of PVC Resin, the sources said. The commission will also review if the performance of the domestic industry engaged in the production of the same products is suffering material injury as a consequence of the imports of the investigated product from the exporting countries, the sources said. Industry sources demanded the government to take appropriate action against dumped imports of the investigated product from the exporting countries through imposition of antidumping duties, otherwise, the sources said, the domestic industry will continue to suffer material injury on account of the unfair imports of the investigated product and their viability and competitive position will be unfavourably affected in the future, further increasing the dominance of such dumped imports. The sources claimed that the domestic industry has sufficient installed capacity to meet the entire demand of PVC Resin in Pakistan.
duty on PVC Resin from Taiwan, China, Korea and other countries because these countries were dumping their products in India at the price lower than their domestic price, the sources said, adding that this step was taken primarily to protect the local PVC industry. On the material originating from Taiwan, India recommended imposition of dumping duty of up to $61 per metric ton, on China up to $148 per metric ton, which is heaviest of all duties, on the US up to $115 per metric ton, on Indonesia $70.5 per metric ton, on Thailand $48 per metric ton, on Malaysia $43 per metric ton and on the material originating from Japan $15 per metric ton, the sources said. Likewise, the duty recommended on PVC Resin coming from the European Union is subject to a duty of up to $190 per metric ton and on Mexico up to $163 per metric ton. Source: The News
Pakistan has Conducive Atmosphere for Foreign Investors: Spanish Envoy Spanish ambassador Javier M Carbajosa Sanchez has underlined the need for further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries with special focus on trade ties. The envoy, during his visit to Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), said overall there was a conducive atmosphere for foreign investors in the country. After attaining the GSP-Plus status, he said, Pakistan has a good opportunity to increase exports to European countries and project its true image abroad in an effective manner. He said there exist vast opportunities to launch joint ventures in diverse fields, for which Spain would extend all possible diplomatic support t o Pa k i s t a n s b u s i n e s s c o m m u n i t y. Besides, he said, cooperation would be extended to promote Pakistan s single country Made-in-Pakistan exhibitions, stressing the need to ensure frequent exchange of trade delegations between the two countries. He offered Pakistan his country s cooperation in energy sector, especially investment in wind power projects to overcome the prevailing crisis. The envoy suggested to improve transportation system in Pakistan as it would help promote bilateral trade, adding a number of Pakistani goods, especially textile products and Mangos were in high demand in Spain. He said Pakistan has great potential to attract local and foreign tourists and this sector could be transformed into the country s largest industry, if due attention was given to it. In past, he said, unfortunately this important sector of the economy was ignored.
Pakistan has a domestic PVC Resin market of around 145,000 metric tons per annum against the domestic production capacity of around 156,000 metric tons per annum.
RCCI President Dr Shimail Daud, Senior Vice President Malik Shahid Saleem, Vice President Muhammad Alam Chughtai and senior members were also present on the occasion. PR
Imports are around five percent of the total market size. The sources said that due to unnecessary imports of the PVC Resin in the country, Pakistan is forced to export surplus quantity, which is an economically inefficient situation.
Pakistan is Valuable Trade Partner: Dutch Envoy
The authorities in India, which is a net importer of over one million tons of PVC every year, have recently recommended imposing dumping
He said this during his meeting with Federal Minister for Textile Industry Abbas Khan Afridi. The Federal Minister stated that the textile
Ambassador of the Netherlands to Pakistan Marcel de Vink has stated that Pakistan is a valuable trade partner of Netherlands.
industry constitutes an important sector of economy of Pakistan. He assured the Ambassador that every possible support will be extended to assure and strengthen trade ties between the two friendly countries. The Ambassador was also accompanied by Fransesco Davidio, Country Director of ILO (International Labour Organization) in Pakistan. Davidio apprised the Minister that the ILO was keen to work in Pakistan for development and implementation of compliance standards. The Ambassador informed the Minister that the Netherlands Minister for Trade and Development would be visiting Pakistan, and on that occasion, the embassy and the ILO would be organizing a Round Table Conference in Islamabad with stakeholders on The Pakistani Textile Sector in the International Arena . PR
PolyOne Presents Latest Automotive Interior Surface Solutions PolyOne Corporation, a premier global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, presentrd its specialty portfolio for automotive interiors to designers and engineers at the 2014 WardsAuto Interiors conference. These advanced technologies, including softtouch materials as well as colorants and special effects, enable customers to design new features that boost consumer appeal and r e d u c e m a n u f a c t u r i n g c o m p l e x i t y. Recently, PolyOne introduced Geon VBX vinyl powder formulations based on innovative technologies that offer maximum design freedom and efficient production of soft-touch surfaces. These new materials meet or exceed OEM airbag safety requirements for instrument panels and provide up to 15% faster cycle times and 35% lower scrap rates, when compared to standard materials.
Russia-Pakistan Trade & Economy Commission to Meet This Year: Envoy Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Pakistan, Alexey Y Dedov has said that the n e x t m e e t i n g o f R u s s i a - Pa k i s t a n Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation will hopefully be organised this year. The meeting will discuss various issues and hurdles in detail that are hindering smooth trade between the two countries, the ambassador said during his visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). The Russian ambassador, while commenting on the possibility of extending support to Pakistan to deal with the energy crisis, said that some MoUs have already been signed for various energy projects in Pakistan. However, he said there are some issues which are likely to be settled in the framework for the next meeting of Russia-Pakistan intergovernmental commission. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will be representing Pakistan at Russia-Pakistan intergovernmental commission this year, he said. The Russian government has high hopes over the functioning and mechanism of this intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation. The Consul General of Russian Federation in Karachi, Oleg N Avdeev accompanied the
ambassador during his visit to the KCCI. The ambassador further informed that the Russian government was seriously working on organising a single country exhibition in Pakistan by September 2014, which will certainly help in further improving trade ties between the two countries. Replying to a question regarding trade gap between Pakistan and Russia, Dedov said, There is no trade gap between the two countries as both countries enjoy decent trade volume of $550 million, but it does not correspond to the existing potential, and also does not correspond to the development of political relations between the two countries, which is a problem. To a query regarding Pakistan Steel, the ambassador said, The Pakistani government has not decided the fate of Pakistan Steel Mill (PSM). First, we need to know the fate of the PSM, and as soon as it is defined, we can then formulate proposals for its revival. Speaking on the occasion, President KCCI Abdullah Zaki said that the Russian Federation and Pakistan have exemplary cooperation in wide-ranging fields and in the present global economic scenario both countries are exploring new avenues of long-term multi-faceted partnership. He said that the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Russia was expanding but at a relatively slow pace and the present trade volume does not reflect true trade potential between the two countries. Source: The News
Solvay Launches New High Stiffness Grade of KetaSpire PEEK Solvay Specialty Polymers has announced the introduction of a new high stiffness grade of KetaSpire® polyetheretherketone (PEEK) that provides 50% greater modulus/stiffness than standard neat PEEK grades. Despite its higher stiffness, the new grade, KetaSpire® KT-825, retains the elongation and toughness that is comparable to that of neat PEEK resin for structural applications in transportation, electronics, semiconductor, and oil and gas. KetaSpire® KT-825 utilizes a proprietary additive and compounding technology that allows the unique combination of high stiffness, excellent ductility, and low specific gravity of 1.35 compared to 1.30 for neat PEEK. The new grade bridges the performance gap between unfilled PEEK and traditional glass fiber reinforced or carbon fiber reinforced PEEK grades, according to Jamal El-Hibri, principal scientist for Solvay Specialty Polymers. Unfilled PEEK offers ductility, good impact resistance and isotropic properties, but often lacks sufficient stiffness and strength, while reinforced PEEK grades are typically the opposite very strong and stiff materials but comparatively brittle. KT-825 combines the ductility and toughness attributes of neat PEEK with the increased stiffness of reinforced grades while retaining the desirable low anisotropy in resin properties along the flow and cross flow directions, explained El-Hibri. The heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 1.84 MPa (264 psi) of KT-825 is 10°C (18°F) higher than standard unfilled PEEK. Meanwhile, the modulus of KT-825 is 50% greater than that of the natural resin at temperatures
below the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PEEK (150°C/302°F). At temperatures above the Tg, the tensile and flexural moduli are two times that of unfilled PEEK. As a result, KT-825 is a more robust material than unfilled PEEK for use in applications that approach or slightly exceed operating temperatures of 150°C (302°F). While the tensile strength of KT-825 is unchanged from that of standard unfilled PEEK, the flexural strength is about 10% higher. From a rheological standpoint, the new compound is easily processed due to a melt viscosity that is similar to that of a 30% glass fiber reinforced PEEK compound (e.g., KT-820 GF30). In its natural (uncolored) state, KT-825 has a uniform light beige appearance that is much lighter than natural PEEK grades currently available on the market. Testing in accordance with the UL-94 vertical burn procedure demonstrates that KT-825 is capable of meeting UL s V-0 flammability resistance requirements at a thickness of 0.8 mm (0.03 in), providing an advantage over other commercial neat PEEK grades, which do not meet the UL 94 V-0 flammability rating requirements at this thickness. Neat PEEK grades are typically rated V-0 at 1.5 to 3.2 mm (0.06 to 0.13 in); however, published literature indicates that neat PEEK does not demonstrate robust V-0 performance at 1.5mm (0.06 in) thickness. As an added bonus, KT-825 achieves a 70% higher dielectric strength relative to neat PEEK. Dielectric strength per ASTM D149 at a thickness of 3.2 mm (0.13 in) is 26.0 kV/mm (660 V/mil) for KT-825 as compared with 15.2 kV/mm (385 V/mil) for neat PEEK. This makes KT-825 particularly suited for applications where a combination of high mechanical properties and a high degree of electrical insulation is needed. The new compound can be processed by conventional methods including injection molding and extrusion. It also has excellent film forming characteristics for melt extruded films down to thicknesses of approximately 50 microns (0.05 mm). Targeted application areas include automotive and aerospace due to a continuing demand for materials that offer a high stiffness-to-weight ratio as well as structural applications in mobile electronics where a good balance of stiffness and toughness are required along with a low specific gravity.
Turkish Businessmen Keen for Joint Ventures Turkish businessmen are ready to initiate joint ventures with their Pakistani counterparts, as they are convinced that ample opportunities lie in a number of sectors, including construction and energy, a statement said. This was stated by Metin Gundogdu, head of a seven-member Turkish business delegation, while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it said. He said that Turkey for being second fastest growing economy of the world after China and first in the European Union has a lot to offer to their Pakistani counterparts and they should avail of the available opportunities, the statement said. Both the countries have marvelous untapped business potential that needs to be realised by maximising the involvement of private
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sectors of the two countries, he said, and expressed the hope that the economic relations between the two countries would strengthen further to create a win-win situation. LCCI President Sohail Lashari said time has come that the businessmen of both the countries should enhance their bilateral relations, which will be beneficial for the people of both the countries, it said. He said, We can strengthen our economy by adopting the development and progress of Turkey as a model. Suorce: The News
UK Plans to Set up Business Centres in Pakistan The UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) plans to establish British business centres in all the major cities of Pakistan and the first such centre would be setup in Karachi to increase bilateral trade and investment, a statement said, quoting British Deputy High Commissioner, as saying. Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, British Deputy High Commissioner John Tucknott said that the business centres will provide expert trade advice and practical support to the companies who want to grow their businesses overseas. Through a range of unique services, these business centres will help the businessmen to trade successfully in foreign markets and become familiar with the overseas business practices, he said, adding that the UKTI is working with all the chambers in Pakistan, g o v e r n m e n t i n s t i t u t i o n s a n d Tr a d e Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to increase bilateral trade between the two countries. These are the most exciting times for UKPakistan commercial ties to grow, as synergies exist in the private sectors of the two countries. He said that the UKTI is closely working with the British companies to make them more export minded, the statement said. Source: The News
US Demand for Pouch Packaging to Reach $9.4 Billion in 2018 Demand for pouches in the US is projected to increase 4.6 percent per year to $9.4 billion in 2018. According to analyst Esther Palevsky, Growth will be fueled by continued solid opportunities for stand-up pouches. Overall pouch unit demand is expected to expand 2.7 percent yearly to 92 billion. Advantages of superior aesthetic appeal, portability, light weight, reduced material use, and significantly lower shipping costs relative to rigid containers will foster strong acceptance in a broad range of consumer packaged goods uses. Food and beverage markets comprise the majority of pouch demand, accounting for 80 percent of the total in 2013. Nonfood markets for pouches will grow more rapidly than food and beverage markets, based on the further development of new applications in consumer goods resulting from sustainability advantages and strong opportunities for dissolvable pouches for laundry detergents. These and other trends are presented in Pouches, a new study from The Freedonia
Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm. Standup pouches will remain a major growth segment in the overall packaging industry, with demand forecast to expand 6.5 percent annually. Advances will reflect rising interest among packaged goods companies based on cost savings due to lighter weight and lower material use compared to rigid containers. Also supporting gains will be the ability of standup pouches to differentiate and draw attention to products on store shelves due to their large front panel billboard space and the perception of pouches as a more contemporary packaging format. Demand for flat pouches is forecast to increase 4.0 percent annually, driven by faster advances for four-side-seal pouches in medical and pharmaceutical markets. Four-side-seal pouches will also experience favorable growth in certain food applications such as meat, poultry, and seafood, and sauces and condiments. Robust gains are anticipated in nonfood uses such as soaps and detergents due to the rising popularity of unit-of-use products packaged in dissolvable pouches. In general, however, flat pouch demand will lag increases for standup pouches due to alreadyhigh usage in many markets and competition from standup pouches. PR
US, Pakistan Unveil 5-year Action Plan for Trade, Investment The United States and Pakistan unveiled a joint action plan to expand trade and investment over the next five years. At a meeting in Washington, Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan and US Trade Representative Michael Froman also signed a memorandum of understanding on women`s economic empowerment. The commerce minister came to Washington with a highlevel delegation to attend the twoday meeting of the US-Pakistan Trade and Investment Frameworl Agreement (TIFA) Council, established in 2003 to facilitate discussions on bilateral issues. `Trade with Pakistan supports good paying jobs in the United States and is a key part of our effort to unlock opportunity for American workers, businesses, farmers, and ranchers,` said Mr Froman while welcoming the Pakistani delegation. Mr Khan said that with the joint action plan, the two countries were `turning a new leaf` in their trade and economic relations. He hoped that the plan would provide a `permanent foundation` for promoting trade and investment between the two allies. Ambassador Froman said the joint action plan and the MOU signed would help improve economic ties and could bring `monumental progress for Pakistani women`. The Joint Action Plan calls for diversifying agricultural production, promoting intellectual property protection and implementing the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement. It also seeks Pakistan`s accession to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement. Other goals include conducting outreach to US state and local governments; enhancing entrepreneurship; and increasing dialogue
between the US and Pakistani private sectors. According to the US Trade Representative`s office, Pakistan is America`s 62nd largest goods trading partner with $5.3 billion trade in 2013. This includes $3.7bn of exports to the US and $1.6bn of imports. Source: Dawn
Next Generation Films Orders Blown Film Extrusion Lines from Windmoller & Holscher Next Generation Films, based in Lexington, OH, USA, has ordered three blown film extrusion lines from Windmöller & Hölscher to strengthen capacity for its core business and build up its presence in the barrier film market. They entered the barrier film market in mid-2012 and have ordered two Varex II lines, one 87 (2210 mm) 7-layer line and one 103 (2616 mm) 9-layer line, to cultivate this segment of their business. Dave Frecka, Founder & CEO at Next, says: We want to solidify our position as a key player on the growing barrier market and are investing in the technology we need to do so. The third line ordered, a 126 (3200 mm) 5layer VAREX, will be installed this spring and used to support the company s core business. As reported earlier, renovation of the new 175,000 ft2 building at Next is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2014. Frecka states the company remains on track to reach USD 350 million in sales by mid-2015.
W&H is Now a Full-range Supplier in the FFS Segment At interpack the German machine manufacturer Windmöller & Hölscher surprised the packaging industry by launching a newly developed, integrated high-performance bagging machine, consisting of the FFS-machine TOPAS SL, the layer palletizer PLATINUM and the stretch hood machine ARGON. Whereas at the booth, the three individual machines were only on static display, about 160 customers from 29 countries did not miss the opportunity to see the complete line in full operation at the inhouse exhibition EXPO staged at the company s headquarters in Lengerich. The fact that W&H is now acting as a socalled full liner came as a real bombshell , reports Dr. Jürgen Vutz, chairman of the W&H management board. We managed to keep it a secret until just before the beginning of the show, which made it an even bigger surprise . This expansion of our product portfolio by a palletizer and a stretch hood machine was very well received by our customers, adds the Director of Sales, Peter Steinbeck. Our customers appreciate the advantage of having to negotiate future investments for highperformance bagging machines with only one partner, who takes over the full project responsibility. Windmöller & Hölscher is now in position to supply machines covering the entire packaging process, from the silo outlet to the full pallet, ready for dispatch with outstanding performance. With a palletizing capacity of up to 2800 bags/h, fine-tuned to the speed of the TOPAS SL which was introduced last year, W&H takes the lead in terms of productivity development. The stretch hood machine is supplied by the Danish company Lachenmeier, technological market leader for load securing systems, and has been fully integrated in the W&H product portfolio. PR
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Polymer & Packaging International at Chinaplas 2014
Chairman Adsale Mr. Stanely Chu and Director International Sales & Marketing Adsale Ms. ADA Lewng briefing the media at Chinaplas 2014
Polymer & Packaging International on display at the official Chinaplas news stand
A packed view of the Du Pont stand at Chinaplas 2014
A view of the Huarong stand at Chinaplas 2014
A flutter of activity at the Solvay stand Photos by: Polymer & Packaging International
14 | Polymer & Packaging
A general view of the Akei stand at Chinaplas 2014
Polymer & Packaging International at Plastivision Arabia 2014 and GPCA Plasticon 2014 Conference
A speaker delivering a presentation at the GPCA Plasticon 2014 Conference
Visitors taking keen interest in a machine on display at Plastivision Arabia 2014
A view of the Borouge stand at Plastivision Arabia 2014
A view of the Astra Polymers stand at Plastivision Arabia 2014
Photos by: Polymer & Packaging International
Polymer & Packaging | 15
TDAP: Paving the Way for Greater Exports By: Ahmed Qaiser
opportunity to interview him. Reproduced below are some of his responses:
An Interview with Chief Executive S.M. Muneer S.M. Muneer is a renowned fatherly figure for the business community of Pakistan. A self professed exporter from birth who is largely viewed by the community as a pragmatic person and a visionary, S.M.Muneer claims to have seen and dealt with many ups and downs in business from a very tender age. As Chief Executive of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), the government s premier body for the promotion of exports, he says that the prime emphasis of his tenure would be to guide the government to enact business friendly policies that will help increase manufacturing, trade and export from Pakistan. Having been offered the role to lead TDAP directly by the Prime Minister, S.M. Muneer says he accepted as he believes that his first-hand knowledge of the bottlenecks in export could facilitate the government in enacting business friendly policies and removing the hurdles in export from Pakistan. In a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistan s Plastic Manufacturers Association (PPMA), S.M. Muneer expressed hope that the association would press upon their members to showcase their products at around 100 exhibitions that TDAP organizes throughout the world which increase the scope of plastic exports from Pakistan. S.M. Muneer was kind enough to grant Polymer & Packaging International an
Q1: What role is TDAP playing in contributing towards Pakistan s economy? TDAP has the mandate to act as the bridge between the government and the exporters. We facilitate the exporters wherever they face any hurdles. TDAP also organizes around 100 exhibitions world-wide. Last year, we also organized the Lifestyle Pakistan exhibition in India which received an overwhelming response to the degree that all items put on display were sold out. Building on the success of the last edition, TDAP is holding the second edition of the event in New Delhi in September 2014. Expo Pakistan 2014, the country s largest and flagship event too is around the corner which in the last edition in 2013 was visited by a large number of local and foreign buyers who settled business deals estimated more than USD 700 million. Q2: How do you propose to make TDAP a better institution for exporters? A: As it so happens, all my life I have been a businessman and an exporter. As such, I have first-hand knowledge of the problems that the business community faces. Since it is the mandate of TDAP to facilitate the business community and increase exports from Pakistan, I wish to persuade the government to enact business-friendly policies that will help in speeding up exports by reducing bureaucratic delays. One of the reasons why the Prime Minister offered me the position was because he truly wishes to facilitate the business community. I truly believe that our industry has the potential to double its exports even in three years provided that the hurdles faced by the business community are removed. Q3: Can you elaborate what some of these hurdles are? For one, the energy crisis is a severe concern as it is plaguing our industry and is hampering export potential. Particularly in the Punjab, industries are faced with up to 12 hours of load shedding on a daily basis which reduces production capacity by half, thereby making
deadlines. Scarcity of gas and water is another it very difficult for exporters to meet shipment big issue that needs to be resolved. Besides, the law and order situation in the country is detrimental for the business environment and particularly for exports. Foreign buyers who otherwise are keen to import made in Pakistan products are reluctant to visit due to law and order challenges. Q4: What role can TDAP play in removing these hurdles? It is beyond the mandate of TDAP to take any step by itself. We can only highlight issues faced by the business community and urge the government to address genuine concerns. Although the government seems to be taking the right steps to alleviate the country of its energy crisis but realistically, it will take two to three years for newly sanctioned power projects to generate capacity. Q5: What is TDAP doing to promote the exports of plastic products from Pakistan? A: I think plastics industry has got lot of export potential. After assuming office, I held a detailed meeting with a delegation from the Pakistan Plastics Manufacturers Association. In the meeting, not only have I assured them of my full support but have pledged to look into various issues related to the export of plastic products from Pakistan. Furthermore, I have also offered them to actively participate in the TDAP exhibitions internationally and use our platform to market their products worldwide. Q.6: What are your comments on Pakistan s economy at present? As far as the present state of economy is concerned, our government is doing a fine job in putting the economy on the path of recovery and development. At present, all economic indicators are positive; our GDP growth rate at present is around 2.75 % which in 2013 managed to touch 5% which is a remarkable achievement. Pakistan has been awarded the GSP plus status by the European Union which is likely to increase our exports by more than one billion dollars.
Mr Shakeel Ahmed, President, PPMA presenting a momento to Mr S.M. Muneer, CE, TDAP.
Polymer & Packaging | 17
Molecor Leads the New Pipeline Markets, Thanks to Innovation Since 2006, continuous innovating to supply the machine to manufacture the largest range of PVC-O pipes in the world.
that produces orientation pipe by pipe, working continuously with the PVC extrusion line, thus ensuring the maximum product quality, and 100% automated system with no additional labour required.
Molecor Tecnología S.L is a Spanish company founded in 2006, pioneer in air based molecular orientation technology applied to pipelines for the transport of water. Nowadays, the activity of the company is developed in two lines of business, Molecor Canalizaciones, PVCO pipe manufacturing and trading, and Molecor TECH which supplies a groundbreaking technology own developed able to manufacture PVC-O pipes up to DN 800mm and 25 bar.
The first system in the world able to manufacture PVC-O pipes up to diameters DN 800 mm: M-OR-P 3180 has also been developed by this company. This new equipment, stable and more robust, is able to manufacture from DN 315 mm to DN 800 mm.
The first Molecor PVC-O pipe manufactured with its patented technology was produced in 2007. This first tube was a DN200mm. In 2008, the range increased to DN400mm, until then the unofficial limit for PVC-O pipes. Owing to the company s commitment to continuous innovation, Molecor was able for the first time in 2010 to break this limit, and to manufacture tubes of larger diameters: DN 450 and DN 500 mm. This last one was then called the biggest PVC-O pipe in the world . From 2010 to 2013, Molecor has gone a long way increasing the range of PVC-O pipes now produced. In 2010 the range went from DN 90 mm to DN 500 mm in PN 16 and PN25 bar. Nowadays PVC-O pipes are manufactured up to DN 630mm N25, and the technology is now ready to reach up to DN 800mm. Given the greatest mechanical properties of PVC-O pipes, Molecor experiences its growth by launching new innovation lines to offer the widest range of diameters and pressures, PVCO pipe seal and socket developments as well as new products, such as PVC-O pipe fittings, an exclusive product worldwide. Molecular Orientation is a physical process that modifies plastic s molecular structure, where amorphous PVC-U structure is reorganised into a layered structured that confers outstanding mechanical properties to plastic pipes: impact resistance, fatigue resistance, flexibility, etc. These pipes are employed in both water mains and in secondary feeders, in a range comprised from DN 90- 800 mm, for medium and highpressure pipelines, (PN 12.5 to 25 bars). The PVC-O pipe water conveyance applications include water supply, irrigation, pressurized waste water collection, recycled water, and some other specific purposes, such as urban supply, industrial or fire protection. Molecor Air Based Technology achievement is to supply a highly stable process, being efficient and easy to use, allowing the highest PVC-O pipe orientation and thus reporting consistent raw material savings. Molecor has developed and patented an integrated In Batch system, an evolved system
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Among the PVC-O pipe challenges to be widely spread, it has to be adapted to the local market trends and procedures, where pipe installation plays one of the major roles. As a result, Molecor launched the ISS+ (Integrated Seal System), a pioneer process of forming the socket of the Oriented pipe with integration of the gasket. The (ISS+) Integrated Seal System operations and fully automated equipment is reliable and easy to be applied to the whole range of PVCO pipes pressures and diameters. Besides, production is affordable for any pipe manufacturer and the lay-out is compatible with conventional equipment, with a length similar to that of a socketing machine. The global market situation brings the infrastructure companies struggling to make their business profitable. The new Air Based System developed for bi-oriented PVC pipes brings excellent opportunities for pipe manufacturers, increasing their profit throughout savings in raw material and efficiency in performances, ensuring their feasible price competition. In batch systems reach the maximum degree of orientation recognized by the standards, it is a highly stable process as the pipe conditioning is carried out piece by piece, which enables most of the geometries like the socket, together with large wall thickness and diameters, making it possible to design pipes of high pressure or diameter. In line systems brought a clear improvement with regards to the PVC-O pipe productive capacity, as the orientation fits in line with the extrusion process and linear lay-outs can be adapted to standard factories. The use of air brings many advantages: the process is clean, safe and leakages do not pose a problem. The process with air spares the use of expensive stainless steel or anticorrosive material. The process is faster because the conditioners of air are much faster than the water ones. The speed of expansion was an important challenge to deal with, whereas the speed of expansion is quite easy to control using water with air, this aspect is more sophisticated. The expansion is executed by communicating tanks of compressed air at higher pressure than the one needed to expand. Initially, the
pipe to expand is at atmospheric pressure, and the tanks are at high pressure. The required flow is maintained during the main part of the expansion stage and a constant speed of expansion in guaranteed with electronic regulation, fast answer pressure detectors and servo valves. Air chilling was another harsh change in the PVC-O conception. It consists of freezing the pipe from orientation temperature to a temperature below Vicat without water. Thus, a specific freezing research project was started. Aspects such as speed of flow, geometry of pipes or even air humidity were considered and the results obtained, were used to design the final equipment, optimizing energy consumption and output. Huge savings resulted from constant maintenance of the mold temperature and avoiding the use of water as fluid for the process. The energy for conditioning is only applied to the pipe to be processed. The equipment space is compact. The length of the whole line for manufacturing up to DN 400 mm can be of less than 45 m and the width is less than 4 meters. The line is fully automatic, which minimizes the labor needs. Other positive features were also implemented such as effectiveness in mold changing; an operation that now takes less than 1 hour for 2 people. All the technical developments were implemented in a recipe system for the operator to choose the pipe to be produced and all the parameters change automatically to the new conditions. The increasing prices of raw materials and the standardization activities in many countries are making PVC-O one of the most attractive investment in the plastic industry. The high quality of the product, in addition to the important raw material savings that can reach 50% and the access to more profitable markets for high pressure applications forecasts a great future for this material. Molecor s innovative attitude motivates the company to seek for new challenges in the water industry. Molecor develops the most advanced technology and products currently available in the market for Molecular Orientation applied to PVC pipes, increasing the range of DN and pressures, being the only supplier in the world to offer the full range up to DN 800 mm PVC-O pipe, new socketing solutions and reaching new markets as PVCO fittings. The writer Ignacio Muñoz de Juan holds an Engineering PhD Degree (Zaragoza, Spain) specialized in composites and new materials. He has been Spanish expert delegate for Standardization, being a member of the ISO committee for PVC-O standard (ISO 16422) and other EN programs. Since 2006 Mr. Muñoz is the CEO of Molecor Tech, company specialized in the Molecular orientation field.
Chinaplas 2014: Continuing to Build on Excellence AsiaÂ’s Largest Trade Show Attracts Over 130,000 Visitors
The Asia's biggest and world's second plastics and rubber trade fair - CHINAPLAS 2014, held from 23 to 26 April at Shanghai New International Expo Center, PR China has come to a success close, welcoming a total of 130,370 visitors and 3,067 exhibitors, both setting the new records for CHINAPLAS. The total visitors also recorded a significant growth, up 14.3% as compared with the previous year. With the increasing global appeal of CHINAPLAS to overseas buyers, the number of overseas visitors has recorded the biggest jump by 19.7% to 36,841, representing 28.3% of total visitors, while domestic visitors maintain a strong figure of 93,529, with a 12.2% year-on-year increase. The strong attendance of overseas visitors was contributed from 143 countries and regions, with Korea, India, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Iran, Thailand, Malaysia, Russia and Hong Kong on the top-ten. 63.2% of overseas visitors were from Asia including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, followed by Middle East (11.5%), Europe (10.7%), America (7.5%), Africa (5.8%), and Oceania (1.3%). For local visitors, as expected, the majority were from Eastern China including Shanghai (70%) due to the proximity of location, followed by Northern and Northeastern China (12.3%), Southern China (9.1%) and Central, Southwestern and Northwestern China (8.7%). "The encouraging results further reaffirm our international status given the increasing share of overseas visitors. We have been widely recognized in China and from aboard, as an effective platform for technology sourcing and for getting the latest information on market trends and technology. With rising operation cost and competition being intensified, companies are looking for more cost-effective options. With the large participation of the Chinese and Asian exhibitors in addition to the Europeans, many cost-effective and innovative solutions are on offer at the show". Ada Leung, Assistant General Manager of Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd., Organizer of CHINAPLAS, adds, "The buoyant plastics market together with its burgeoning downstream and end-user sectors in automotive, telecommunications, home appliances, packaging, etc. in China have a major part to play too".
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Quality Exhibitors Drive Demands CHINAPLAS has been providing a window for leading suppliers to introduce their new technology that in turn drives up the demands for high-tech and innovative products, and contributes to the development of plastics and rubber industries. Nylon and copolymer
attended by the audience. In addition, 70 sessions of technical seminars conducted by exhibitors and the seminar of "Key to Open Up ASEAN Markets" have served the excellent platform for knowledge sharing and promoted cross-industry dialogues. Well-received by Visitors Visitors were impressed by the quality of exhibitors, with 91.9% of visitors rated "good" or "excellent" on quality of exhibitors, and 82.7% are pleased with the services and venue provided, according to the visitors survey. Ashok Jajodia, Managing Director, Cosmo Plastics Pvt. Ltd from India praised: "I find the show makes progress in terms of size, exhibitors and arrangement every year. CHINAPLAS is no longer an exhibition for China market, but has become an important international event in plastics and rubber industries. Overseas exhibitors target not only Chinese but for major international market like India, Turkey, Middle East, Australia, etc." The survey also revealed that the increased wage and high operation cost were the most formidable challenges their businesses face among the overseas visitors. Finding the cost-effective alternatives became the imperative for this visit. Tiago Wietholter, Purchasing Manager, Artecola Quimica from Belgium, says: "I can find more cost-effective alternatives, new and different products from suppliers in particular from Asia for our product development. It is very difficult to find alternatives at competitive prices in Europe but CHINAPLAS provides us this opportunity." In contrast, for many Chinese visitors, finding the new technologies and products to placate their needs for innovation was the main push for this visit. Ms. Leung explains: "Local manufacturers are keen to upgrade their technology in order to counter the stiff competition from increased foreign investment. It therefore creates the pressing demands for high-end technology and innovative materials that CHINAPLAS has offered".
leader Radici Group unveiled two high heat resistant nylon specialties, Radilon® HHR and Radilon® XTreme, to CHINAPLAS visitors that featured excellent high heat ageing resistance at temperatures of up to 210°C and 230°C respectively, as the ideal metal or special polymer (PPS, PPA, and PA46) replacements. Kistler presented its pioneering innovation - new cavity pressure sensors at the show which can measure front diameters as small as 1 mm and 2.5 mm. Arburg showcased their fastest version of injection molding machines targeting packaging industry that can churn out four high-quality IML tubs in 2.75 seconds. Helmut Heinson, Managing Director, Arburg, says, "We are experiencing a growing demand of high sophisticated plastics and injection molding applications in China. For this reason, CHINAPLAS presents a perfect platform for us to present our products, knowledge, and know-how we have in this field. CHINAPLAS has developed into the second largest plastics show in the world and therefore it is an ideal venue to present high technology state that we are in."
Commenting on the outlook of plastics and rubber industries in China and the exhibition, Ms. Leung casts an optimistic view, saying "Global plastics machine players such as Milacron, Engel, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, Nissei Plastic and KraussMaffei have unveiled their factory expansion plans in China at CHINAPLAS. Apart from a strong export market, there is plenty of room for domestic market to thrive. In
With 57.1% of visitors at management level, where 23.4% are CEOs, Managing Directors or General Managers, according to an on-site visitors survey, the exhibition brought in throng of quality buyers to the exhibitors. Giorgio Santella, Chief Marketing Officer at PIOVAN, the auxiliary equipment supplier, says, "The show gave a very good result with lots of visitors, lots of interesting meetings with the customers at our booth. That's the indication that CHINAPLAS really becomes a global show with the exposure in all markets. Our expectations were very much met and we believe that CHINAPLAS will be growing in the years to come." Concurrent Events Pave the Way to Sustainability Two featured events - "The City of Tomorrow" and "Green Conference" were organized to promote the adoption of sustainability within the industry. "The City of Tomorrow", is an outdoor display structure featuring various interactive displays ranging from green applications, eco-friendly products to energy-saving machinery and industry's best practice, etc. At Green Conference, influential speakers invited from around the world have shared their experiences and insights on some prevalent topics such as green molding, 3D printing, plastics recycling, and various solutions for end-of-life plastic wastes and was well
China, per capita consumption of plastics is 45 kg whereas USA reaches 145 kg, the gap implies a huge potential for China market to continue to grow". The 29th edition of CHINAPLAS will be held on 20-23 May, 2015 at China Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, PR China.
Polymer & Packaging | 21
Metallized Film Industry Trends
Metallized Films Amid Commodities and Specialized Products There are commonly used and ubiquitous products, whose functions the consumers hardly perceive, which require sophisticated production technologies. An example is the packaging bags, with metallic and glossy look, containing potato chips, snacks, biscuits or coffee and a variety of other food or non-food products. The majority of these materials are metallized films and they represent more than 10% of the packaging materials, which means an estimated volume in excess of 500,000 tons is consumed worldwide, with a continuing growth outlook. The production process, called vacuum metallization, consists of a special and rather complex physical phenomenon, of melting and evaporating aluminum metal inside a vacuum chamber that is a tightly locked container, evacuated from the air and maintained at very low pressure (less than one millionth of the atmospheric) at a temperature close to 1500 °C. The generated metal vapours condense on a moving plastic film while it quickly crosses these vapours , forming a very thin metal layer at tens of nanometer scale, hundred times thinner than the popular aluminum foil, which it closely resembles for the mirrorlike look and equivalent properties. Started as an industrial activity in the 1960 s, film metallization has constantly grown and it is, currently, a well established and mature technology of the vast flexible packaging manufacturing business. The transition of metallized films from specialty to commodity products has determined an industry organization change which led to the present market scenario and which dictates the near future trends: - An industry vertical integration to cope with the pressure on price level, in particular, most of the film manufacturers have created an in-house metalizing capability. - The converters, that is the Companies which manufacture the packaging materials, have pursued production efficiency by merging to form larger and more integrated operations, encompassing all the converting production chain. - Consequently, the independent companies specialized in contract metalizing for film manufacturers and converters have lost most of their business and had to seek opportunities on special applications.
Metallization technology and equipment have followed the trends showing two parallel development directions: - High efficiency and automatically controlled vacuum metallizers for high output and controlled quality; keywords for this category are large size, high web speed and coating power, minimization of idle time, comprehensive automatic control, extensive and multigrade production and quality reporting, remote data transmission and low energy consumption. - Multi purpose metallizers for special applications, characterised by the presence of modular units for non-standard metallization processes. To mention a few examples, they include systems for dielectric coatings, such as zinc sulphide and magnesium fluoride to produce optically active products, mainly used in brand protection and security and pattern or selective metallization for flexible packaging and a potentially vast number of other applications.
22 | Polymer & Packaging
Pattern metallization - an example of product diversification Recently, this process has gained interest and popularity among the metallizing community with a variety of names, such as, pattern metallization, window metallization or in-line printing. The product is a film with metallic surface and unmetallized lines, scripts, geometric shapes, pictures or any selected pattern, very similar to the more conventional de-metallized film, produced by metal removal from selected areas by means of an off-line caustic treatment. It is, instead, an on-line process, which occurs in the vacuum chamber during the metallization step, without any subsequent removal process. A specially designed printing unit, installed inside the vacuum chamber, prints the pattern on the film surface, immediately before the metallizing zone, by applying a special synthetic oil. On the oil-printed areas, the evaporating aluminum will not condense so that the metallized film will show clean and sharp designs. The packaging industry can use patterned metallization for different applications and functions, such as showing the content of a metallized package ( window metallization), decoration purposes, labels, product identification and security in combination with multiple features such as, holograms, covert images, optically variable surfaces on anti-counterfeiting products. In the non-packaging field, a selectively metallized surface can also have multiple uses, taking advantage of the electrically and thermally conductive properties of the metal pattern. Examples of possible applications, currently being studied, are, heat concentrating or shielding surfaces for microwave cooking, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and smart label, electromagnetic filters and, in general, they can give a future contribution to the further development of flexible electronics. In comparison with existing and established production technology, such as de-metallization of foil laminated structures, the advantage of selective metallization consists of being made with extremely thin metal and in a single vacuum step with no use of solvent or acids (see examples of metallized patterns, below). Nordmeccanica-and Vacuum Metallization The good growth perspective of metallized products with the future demand of vacuum metallizers with more versatile capability has been the prime motivation for Nordmeccanica to create a metallizer manufacturing division, broadening its position of machine supplier for the flexible packaging market. The Italian Group, with a world leading position in the lamination and coating machinery, pioneering, in particular, the solvent less technologies, has recently acquired the exclusive right of employing the GalileoVacuum technology and expertise to manufacture vacuum coaters. The integration and harmonization of the two renowned experiences in coating-laminating and metallizing machines aim to offer flexible solutions for the converting and packaging industry, supported by the Nordmeccanica group service network. The range of Nordmeccanica metallizing machines will cover the diverse industry demand, spanning from wide web metallizers for film producers and large volume converters to more flexible and versatile solutions featuring multiprocess capability for diversified and specialty products.
CC300 the New ENGEL Control Unit
Control Complex Processes Reliably Process integration and automation are crucial to increasing efficiency in injection moulding production. At the same time, however, they are making manufacturing processes more and more complex, which poses a huge challenge to the interface between operator and machine. Its intelligent solutions that are required if complicated processes are to be mastered as easily and as reliably as their simple counterparts. By exhibiting its new CC300 injection moulding machine control unit, ENGEL AUSTRIA, which is based in Schwertberg, Austria, was presenting a modern definition of the interface between human being and machine at K 2013. The operator is at the center and, along with a focus on the essential, forms the basis of the design as is proven by the arrangement of all the operating elements and functions. ENGEL had three priorities when developing the new unit: to optimize the ergonomics for the operator, to focus on customer-oriented functions, and to realize all its targets and ideas using the latest technologies. Ergonomics the First Instance of Contact with the Machine The control panel offers the machine operator an insight into the machine and its processes. It is the central element of the human-machine interface and therefore centrally positioned between the injection unit side and the clamping unit side. Like its predecessor, the CC200, the CC300 can be tilted forward to make it easier to work with, prevent light from reflecting off it and adjust its height. The CC300 does this automatically, as once an operator logs on, an electromotor drive moves the screen to the position saved for that particular operator. Manual adjustments to the position can be made any time using buttons along the top edge of the screen. In cooperation with usability experts, a new clear structure derived from typical application scenarios was worked out for the whole panel. The feedback from test users indicates that 24 | Polymer & Packaging
this structure has been able to significantly simplify intuitive operation of injection moulding machines once again. The user access card, which is compatible with Euromap 65, stores the user level, which is loaded automatically when the user logs on. He is therefore working in his or her usual screen environment right from the beginning. Many different user levels can be defined, from the production staff to machine technicians. At the top of screen there is an information panel, which provides a clear summary of all the most important actual values for the machine or robot. On the power button panel, new features increase the efficiency of routine activities, such as switching on the machine, robot, heating units and peripheral units, through additional parameters for other elements like motor or heating unit switches being displayed, which gives the operator an overview on the status of the whole system. One-touch Operation The one-touch operation of injection moulding machines has been envisioned for a long time. With e-move, the central operating element of the CC300, it has finally become a reality, which means all machine and robot movements can now be controlled in manual mode. One simple press of the operation button is enough to start the machine and to initiate a movement sequence (one-touch operation). The function can be assigned to e move in four different ways: Simply pressing the button assigns the machine's main functions in manual mode. Choosing a symbol on the screen pages of a movement (e.g. mould, ejector) selects the corresponding movement. Selecting the symbol in the sequence editor allows an entire cycle to run step by step in manual mode. Like the freely configurable buttons, the function can be assigned via the e-move
selection menu. A coloured mark tells the operator which function is currently assigned to the operating unit. Like the gas pedal of a car, e-move enables movements to be controlled in a speedsensitive manner using a simple rotational movement. This allows an even higher degree of precision to be achieved at various points in the approach phase, such as when the screw or the ejector is being coupled, or the robot is being positioned. The deflection and the respective speed are displayed directly above the control element, which reduces the risk of operation errors significantly. Navigation Instead of Confusion Components vs. Task Orientation The operating philosophies and interface concepts of smartphones and other products (consumer electronics and telecommunication items in particular) are tested extensively with regard to their usability and interactivity, so that they can be optimized to the greatest possible extent. They also set the benchmark for industrial human-machine interfaces, because it is becoming more and more important to address individual target groups based on their respective previous experiences there as well. When developing the CC300 control unit, it was therefore important to make the display as user-specific as possible in addition to giving it a modern design. As a result, injection moulding machines and manufacturing cells can now be controlled both according to components such as injecting and according to tasks such as mould changing. The information displayed concentrates on what is essential to the respective user without having to leave out the details at the next level if necessary. The component view allows the user to access a particular machine function very quickly. All the available areas, such as the clamping side, the injection side and the robot are arranged in a carousel here. When selected, the components become active and their
corresponding control unit pages are displayed. To enable a particular task to be completed efficiently, the operator is only provided with the pages needed to carry out the task in question. There are, for example, prepared pages for maintenance, mould changing, process optimization and error searching. Innovations open up new opportunities, but can also unsettle if the user has to familiarize himself or herself with a completely new operating philosophy. When developing its new control unit, it was therefore very important to ENGEL that users would recognize the new product's predecessor, the CC200, in its interface and be able to get used to the new environment spontaneously. The CC300 is not a radical innovation, but an evolutionary update, and many of the new characteristics are the result of customer suggestions. The larger screen means that several functions can now appear on one page, which provides the user with a better overview of the whole process. The general setting principle remains the same, however. As on a smartphone, the user can switch from one screen page to another by swiping his or her finger in a horizontal motion, or, as was the case with the CC200, by tapping on the screen. Both are possible on the standard version of the CC300. There is also a scroll function for repeated functions such as switching between core pulls. Robust New Technologies and Fully Integrated Robotics ENGEL has used resistive touchscreens as a basis for intuitive operation and navigation for more than ten years now. Thanks to the development of the capacitive touch technologies which are used in smartphones and tablet PCs today, new interaction possibilities have been created through gesture control, along with very short response times.
Combining these technologies with safety glass has given the new control unit a surface which remains robust and insensitive to dirt even in the industrial arena, while the screen size of the CC300 (it has a 21" full HD display) offers considerably clearer and easier navigation. The additional functions such as switching on the control unit, moving the panel and the freely selectable pushbuttons have also been realized with capacitive technology, which means they can be activated without physical contact. Despite this, grooves in the button area have given the unit haptics that make "blind" operation possible as well. The button lights, which come in two colours, show the operator what the respective current function is. ENGEL's viper linear and easix multi-axis robots have all been fully integrated into the new control unit, so entire production cells can now be controlled and monitored centrally from the injection moulding machine's control panel. There is also a hand-held device for the robotics, which was recently developed, too. At 950 g, the C70 is one of the lightest handheld devices on the market. For both integrated robots and standalone solutions, ENGEL uses a 7" display with high resolution. The layout of the robot pages has been adapted to the design of the CC300, which ensures that the operating philosophy is consistent and that the layout never changes either. All the robot settings can be selected on both the handheld device and the control panel of the injection moulding machine. Conversely, important setting parameters for the injection moulding machine are displayed on the C70 as well. Employees can therefore adjust a machine cycle from the hand-held device, too.
Conclusion The increasing degree of process integration and automation is presenting plastics processors with big challenges. The one-touch operating element of the new CC300 control unit means ENGEL is now a step closer to sensitive movement control. Using combined rotation-pressure functions, e-move has made faster processes and even more precise positioning possible in manual mode as well as in automatic mode. Access via component- or task-oriented machine operation, fast and intuitive navigation, and the screen layout's focus on the essential have reduced complexity, meaning even occasional operators are much less likely to make mistakes. Capacitive touch technologies, the individual adjustment of switching elements, and the 21" full HD screen have opened up a wide range of interaction possibilities. As a result, the CC300 makes setting, controlling and monitoring more efficient, more reliable and more convenient for both complex and simple processes. The Authors Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Gerhard Dimmler, Head of Product Research and Development Dipl.-Ing. Hannes Fritz, Head of Control Technology and Software Development ENGEL AUSTRIA GmbH, Schwertberg, Austria, sales@engel.at, www.engelglobal.com 1. The clear structure of the control panel was worked out in cooperation with usability experts. 2. "e-move" means one-touch operation of an injection moulding machine is now a reality. 3. At 950 g, the C70 is among the lightest hand-held devices on the market.
Global Industry Exhibitions PET Outlook Asia 2014 20-08-2014 21-08-2014 Jakarta, Indonesia
Polymers in Drug Delivery 2014 16-09-2014 17-09-2014 Philadelphia, USA
Multilayer Packaging Films 2014 14-10-2014 16-10-2014 Cologne, Germany
Plastex 2014 30-08-2014 02-09-2014 Cairo, Egypt
Africa PET 2014 23-09-2014 24-09-2014 Nairobi, Kenya
Plastec Midwest 2014 15-10-2014 16-10-2014 Schaumburg, USA
SIUP Expo 2014 03-09-2014 05-09-2014 Shanghai, China
UkrPlastik 2014 23-09-2014 25-09-2014 Kiev, Ukraine
AfriMold 2014 14-10-2014 16-10-2014 Midrand, South Africa
Indoplas, Indopack and Indoprint 2014 03-09-2014 06-09-2014 Central Jakarta, Indonesia
Taipei Plas 2014 26-09-2014 30-09-2014 Taipei, Taiwan
Fakuma 2014 14-10-2014 18-10-2014 Friedrichshafen, Germany
Plasti&Pack Pakistan 04-09-2014 06-09-2014 Lahore, Pakistan
Interplas 2014 30-09-2014 02-10-2014 Birmingham, United Kingdom
Plastex Uzbekistan 2014 21-10-2014 23-10-2014 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Inprodmash & Upakovka 2014 09-09-2014 11-09-2014 Kiev, Ukraine
Plastex 2014 29-09-2014 03-10-2014 Brno, Czech Republic
IPF Japan 2014 28-10-2014 01-11-2014 Chiba, Japan
Agricultural Film 2014 15-09-2014 17-09-2014 Barcelona, Spain
Composites Europe 2014 07-10-2014 09-10-2014 Stuttgart, Germany
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Interpack 2014 Sets New Visitorship Record Total Visitors Exceed 175,000 Mark Interpack 2014 was characterised by an outstanding atmosphere prevailing amongst the approx. 2,700 exhibitors and 175,000 visitors in the 19 halls of the completely booked Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre. The signs for this were already apparent at a very early stage of the world s most important trade fair for the packaging sector and its associated process industries. The exhibitors at interpack 2014 met with numerous high-ranking visitors from all over the world already from the start of the trade fair. Many companies experienced such a rush that their stands reached their capacity limits several times. Visitor interest and qualification as well as their willingness to invest is said to have been clearly higher yet again than at the already excellent previous event. A great many exhibitors rated the concrete business deals and sales concluded part of which were absolutely spontaneous as particularly positive. Commenting on this, Friedbert Klefenz, President of the interpack Exhibitors Advisory Board 2014 and President of Bosch Packaging Technology, said: We are very satisfied with the quantity and quality of visitors at our stand. The interest taken in our technologies that make a vital contribution to global health and nutrition was enormous. We are pleased with the high number of leads produced, including many top executives and potential new customers. Similar comments came from other exhibitors. We were equally thrilled by the high number of international visitors and exhibitors some 75% of the exhibiting enterprises were headquartered outside Germany. With this interpack has confirmed its reputation as the world s leading trade fair for the packaging sector. interpack has provided impressive proof of its leading international role yet again this year. This success confirms our fundamental philosophy of addressing the international industries in their respective markets in a very targeted manner already in the run-up to the event thereby bringing them to their most important event in Düsseldorf every three years , explained Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President & CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. Boasting a percentage of foreign visitors of as much as 66%, interpack 2014 has not only set a new record for itself but also a top rating across all Messe Düsseldorf events. Visitors from 120 nations in total travelled to Düsseldorf. The dominating themes at interpack 2014 were resource efficiency for plant and machinery as well as for packaging material usage, quality and safety to guarantee perfect and counterfeit-proof finished products especially in such touchy segments as Food/Beverage and Pharmaceuticals as well as diversity and flexibility for an ever wider
range and shorter product cycles. These themes were addressed by a particularly high number of innovations in the halls. However, interpack underscores its importance not only with the sheer multitude of innovations and breadth of its exhibitor ranges but also with especially innovative themes, adds Bernd Jablonowski, Director of interpack & SAVE FOOD: For a leading international trade fair it is not enough just to rent out exhibition space and offer perfect organisation. Trend themes must be identified, anchored in the concept and finally also driven in a consistent manner. This is the only way to secure thematic leadership in an industry. We have succeeded in doing this very well once again this year. The concepts of both Innovationparc Packaging and the METAL PACKAGING PLAZA were right on target with the target groups. Successful second SAVE FOOD Congress SAVE FOOD proved a particularly attention-grabbing theme at interpack. The initiative of the same name combats food losses and waste and involves such partners as the Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) as well as over 110 members from the industry. The SAVE FOOD Congress already started the day before the trade fair. On the first of its two themed days it addressed non-profit organisations, which shed some light on the problems from political and social angles. The second half of the event dealt with solutions and Best Practice presented by enterprises. Even more impressively than at the kick-off event three years ago the Congress showed how the problem of global food losses and waste can be fought across the entire value chain. Contributions came from prominent guests and participants such as FAO and UNEP representatives, the Senegalese Minister and musician Youssou N Dour and the former German Federal Minister Renate Künast in addition to the numerous lectures and panel discussions that identified practical approaches. In excess of a total of 450 delegates participated in the Congress. When the event drew to a close all parties involved agreed that the objectives of SAVE FOOD can only be achieved with concerted action and pooled expertise as well as the competence of all stakeholders a fundamental intention of the Initiative. For the entire duration of interpack 2014 Innovationparc Packaging presented solutions and ideas for fighting food losses and waste. In spring 2017 the motto for experts from throughout the world will once again read Welcome Home to Düsseldorf. The exact dates will be announced at a later stage.
26 | Polymer & Packaging