european plastics market data new options for mouldmakers fakuma

Transcription

November/December 2011
Innovations in medical plastics
European plastics market data
New options for mouldmakers
Fakuma 2011 exhibition report
www.kraussmaffei.com
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Engineering Passion
contents
page 10
04 Industry news
13 European polymer demand: where’s it all going?
AMI’s Carole Kluth looks at how European polymer demand fared through 2010 and
2011 and how the market may develop over the coming 12 months
18 Additive technologies build efficiency
page 18
24 Mouldmaking update
28 Magnetic quick mould change benefits Koziol
page 30
Additive mould building techniques are moving from prototyping to production. We
look at how this technology is being used at Volkswagen and Miele
Koziol has maximised its return from its new injection moulding investment by cutting
mould change times through the use of magnetic platen systems
32 Quick mould change update
35 Technical systems drive medical growth
The drive to take medical treatments and diagnostics outside of the hospital
environment is opening new opportunities for technical injection moulders
Cover image: Medisize
page 37
40 Medical Update
43 Moulding masterclass – the cooling challenge
Moulding expert John Goff continues his masterclass series with the first of four
instalments looking at effective cooling and setting of the mould
46 Reflections on Fakuma 2011
page 50
Fakuma holds an important place in the European injection moulding calendar. Chris
Smith takes a look back on October’s 21st fair and highlights some of the latest
innovations
52 New product guide
56 Diary
coming next issue
❙ LFTs ❙ Packaging applications ❙ Product development ❙ Interplastica/Plastindia show previews
contact us
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www.injectionworld.com November/December 2011 | injection world
news
German machine numbers soar
The VDMA, the trade associa-
“On that basis, we are
analyst LMC Automotive said
tion representing German
raising our sales forecast for
in early December it was
machinery makers, has raised
the current year from 18 to
revising its forecast for
its forecast for 2011 year-end
22%,” he said.
western European car sales in
sales of plastics and rubber
Between January and
2012 downwards.
processing machinery to
September this year, new
around E6bn, a figure that will
orders for plastics and rubber
key driver for plastics machin-
set a new record for the
processing machines increased
ery investments, especially in
industry.
by 15%, orders from customers
Germany. The market
in Germany rose by 13% and
intelligence group said: “As the
total production value of
orders from outside of Germany
outlook for wider economic
E4.9bn for 2010, up by 29% on
by 16%, said VDMA managing
the 2009 figure.
director Thorsten Kühmann.
The association reported a
According to VDMA
However, while many
The automotive industry is a
growth in the region continues
Ulrich Reifenhaüser: “We are
to deteriorate and a mild
raising our sales forecast.”
economic recession now looks
association chairman Ulrich
machinery makers currently
Reifenhaüser, the decision to
enjoy full order books, the
record year for many firms in
raise its 2011 year-end growth
current uncertain economic
the industry, but they expect
prediction is due to the on-
climate is expected to take its
the economy to slow down
were sold in Western Europe in
going growth trend that began
toll on incoming orders next
again next year,” said Reifen-
November 2011 against
in the final quarter of 2009 and
year, and the VDMA is
haüser.
1,028,858 in November 2010.
has continued into the third
predicting a 7% decline.
l Underlining this softening
❙ www.vdma.org
❙ www.lmc-auto.com
quarter of this year.
“This will have been a
Axilone
packs for
Lancôme
trend, automotive industry
Automotive Tier One Visteon
said last month it planned to
sell its global interiors
business to Yanfeng Visteon
cosmetics packaging group
Automotive Trim Systems
Ileos developed this special
(YFV), the company’s existing
injection moulded pack for
Chinese joint venture operation
Lancôme’s Visionnaire skin
that it established in 1994 with
corrector product. The bottle is
Shanghai Automotive Industry
injection moulded in a
Corporation’s Huayu Automo-
copolyester grade, with the
tive Systems subsidiary.
different shading effect created
Visteon said that a nonbinding memorandum of
understanding has been
signed by the two companies with the intention of
reaching a definitive deal,
subject to required
regulatory approvals, early
in 2012.
The proposed agree-
is a two-component moulding
in copolyester and ABS
decorated using selective
chrome plating. Both moulds
were produced by Axilone inhouse and use valve gate hot
runner feeds.
❙ www.ileos.com
injection world | November/December 2011
projected.”
LMC said 988,634 vehicles
Visteon plans to sell
interiors unit to jv
The Axilone subsidiary of
using a special varnish. The cap
likely a 5% decline in 2012 is
ment would establish a
global interiors company
within YFV with 60 plants in
16 countries and sales of
around $4bn a year.
Visteon’s global sales for
2010 amounted to around
$7.4bn. Its interiors
business – which includes
development and manufacturing of cockpit modules,
instrument panels,
consoles and door trims –
accounted for around 29%
of its total sales.
YFV is active in interior,
exterior, seating, electronics and safety systems and
employs 29,000 people at
87 facilities.
❙ www.visteon.com
www.injectionworld.com
news
KraussMaffei expands in
China and Slovakia
Faurecia
opens seat
tech centre
German machinery maker
decision was required to
Automotive components
KraussMaffei Group is to
“strengthen our activities in
group Faurecia has opened
double the size of its produc-
core markets and in emerging
a new technical centre
tion plants at Haiyan in China
markets.”
dedicated to the develop-
and Martin in Slovakia,
l Last month, KraussMaffei
ment of automotive seating
increasing both injection
said it had secured a major
frames and mechanisms at
moulding and RIM machinery
order for RIM and injection
its Brière-les-Scelleés site
production capacity.
moulding equipment from car
in France.
The 12,000m plant at
maker BMW. The order
2
Haiyan will be expanded to
22,000m2. Aside from increas-
The E5m centre includes
included a 4,000 tonne MX
a 450m2 innovation facility,
4000-24500 injection machine
which will provide an
ing its existing capacity for RIM
Straub said expansion is
for production of instrument
environment within which
processing equipment, the
focused on core and emerging
carriers for 1 Series and 3
engineers and designers
enlarged plant will also take on
markets
Series models at Wackersdorf
can explore new concepts
and two 4,000 tonne MX 4000-
for seating solutions of the
manufacturing of Netstal and
KraussMaffei machines for
Currently producing Krauss-
17200/12000/750 WL three-
future, according to the
PET processing and KraussMa-
Maffei AX series all electric
component double swivel
company.
ffei MX series moulding
machines (50-350 tonnes) as
platen machines for the BMW
machines (which cover the
well as some switch cabinets,
facility at Leipzig.
range from 850-4,000 tonnes).
the plant will also take on the
Last month, the company
Back in the summer,
Faurecia signed an
The double swivel platen
agreement with Rhodia to
high performance EX series
machines will make parts
cooperate in the develop-
announced it was combining
all-electric injection moulding
comprising a thermoplastic
ment of new lightweight
the marketing of Netstal and
machines (50-240 tonnes) and
skin over a sub-structure,
automotive seating
KraussMaffei PET preform
RIM processing and trimming
using the double swivel
structures that will exploit
machinery.
systems.
platens to bring together the
the benefits of injection
skin and sub-structure and
moulded engineering
The 6,600m2 plant in
The new capacity at both
Slovakia, which was opened in
plants should be in operation
joining them together with a
polymers such as its
the autumn of last year, will be
by 2013. Outgoing CEO Dr Diet-
third component.
Technyl SI PA6.
expanded to 13,000m .
mar Straub said the expansion
❙ www.kraussmaffei.com
❙ www.faurecia.com
2
LFTs add style to seating
Brazilian designer Guto Indio da Costa’s
One of the factors behind the
IC01 chair relies on Celstran long fibre
selection of the Celstran PP LFRT for
reinforced polypropylene from Ticona to
this application was its ability to achieve
achieve its contemporary look and
a good surface finish direct from the
structural integrity. The chair is
mould, according to Ticona’s Brazilan
injection moulded from a single mould
development and marketing manager
by Brazilian furniture and logistics
Simone Orosco.
“Celstran PP LFRT offers high
systems maker Pnaples, and is
produced in a range of colours using tint
stiffness, strength, toughness and low
concentrates.
warpage while providing wide design
latitude,” said Orosco.
Ticona’s PP LFT is used
to mould the IC01 chair
www.injectionworld.com ❙ www.ticona.com
❙ www.pnaples.com.br
November/December 2011 | injection world
news
RPC reports sales ahead by 54%
UK-headquartered plastics
performance with the integra-
packaging group RPC has
tion of the Superfos business
announced a result of £587m
progressing well and synergies
volumes in its businesses,
on capital employed (ROCE)
for the six months to Septem-
anticipated to be £9m for the
which include injection moulded
had improved to 18.1% for the
ber, up by 54% on the same
year ending March 2012.”
and blow moulded packaging,
six months, against 15.1% for
are similar to last year. It said it
the 2010 full year.
period in 2010 due to the full
RPC acquired the Danish
thickness range.
of £22m. Net profit doubled to
The company said overall
£26m. It also said that return
period contribution from its
Superfos injection moulded
was succeeding in passing
Superfos acquisition and an
packaging group in February
higher polymer costs on to its
uncertainties have increased,
11% growth in like-for-like
2011 for E240m. At the time,
customers.
the group has made significant
business.
the company said the move
RPC chairman Jamie Pike
“Whilst macro-economic
RPC reported an adjusted
progress towards achieving its
would make it the world leader
operating profit of £45m
stated aim of 20% ROCE by
said: ““RPC has delivered a
in injection moulded contain-
against a result for the
March 2014,” said Pike.
very good first half year
ers in the 0.3-0.4mm wall
corresponding period in 2010
❙ www.rpc-group.com
VW takes 1,000th EcoDrive unit
moulding machine, which is to
Cereplast
buys plant
in Italy
be installed at Volkswagen’s
Cereplast, the US-based
moulding plant at Braunsch-
producer of bio-based and
weig, Germany, where it will
compostable plastics, has
be used to produce dash-
completed the purchase of
boards for the company’s Golf,
a compounding plant at
Golf Plus and Tiguan models.
Assisi, Italy, which it says
Austrian machinery maker
Engel has delivered its 1,000th
EcoDrive servohydraulic
According to Marco
will become its European
production hub.
Heinemann, head of machine
The total cost of buying
planning at the Braunschweig
plant (pictured left), energy is
an increasingly important
way,” he said.
EcoDrive machines can
hydraulic machines leaving its
and refurbishing the facility
factory now use the technology.
is estimated at E12 million,
Heinemann is pictured with
which is being met with
consideration for Volkswagen.
reduce energy consumption by
“Our growth strategy means
up to 70% compared to
Engel’s Klaus Hof, Christian
support from a syndicate of
that we need to deploy existing
standard hydraulic models.
Pum and Christopher Vitz.
major Italian banks.
resources in a more efficient
Engel says that 50% of the
❙ www.engelglobal.com
❙ www.cereplast.com
Don’t miss Plastribution’s
supplement at the end of this magazine
CLICK HERE
➤
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e-mail: [email protected] | www.engelglobal.com
be the first.
news
Lear connects with ElectriPlast
ElectriPlast is supplying
the world’s first premium
combining the zero-emission
with the full driving range of a
electrically conductive plastics
plug-in hybrid electric vehicle,
benefits of an all-electric car
conventional vehicle. It went
to Tier One automotive
on sale this year and is
supplier Lear Corporation for
manufactured in Finland by
the production of a new
Valmet Automotive on behalf of
generation of light-weight
Fisker, which is headquartered
electrical connectors for the
in California, USA.
ElectriPlast said it is also
Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid
working with Lear on other
electric vehicle project.
Shipments of the special
new development projects
compounds, which were
incorporating conductive
developed in collaboration with
compounds in next-generation
Lear, have just begun.
The Fisker Karma is a fourdoor car that is described as
Albéa
acquires
Eyelematic
automotive components and
The Fisker Karma uses electrical connectors in ElectriPlast’s
devices.
conductive compounds
❙ www.electriplast.com
Invista plans to compound
Polyamide 6,6 producer Invista
currently using a network of
by avoiding the 18 months or
is planning to invest in its own
toll compounders.
so required to build a new
compounding capacity, a move
“We plan to invest in
facility.
Invista has also launched
French cosmetics packaging
it will make either through
polymer and compounding
producer Albéa has acquired
acquisition or investment.
assets around the globe, both
Torzen as the new brandname
US plastics moulding
The company, which was
at existing Invista facilities and
for its premium PA materials,
specialist Eyelematic.
acquired by Koch Industries
potential new facilities,” said
which includes a variety of
from DuPont in 2004, re-
Kurt Burmeister, executive
glass-and mineral-filled
Eyelematic is a leading
entered the engineering
vice president of Invista
formulations as well as
supplier of packaging
plastics market in 2009
Engineering Polymers.
toughened, lubricated, heat-
products to the US cosmet-
following the expiry of a five-
ics, skincare and perfumes
year non-competing clause in
ence to acquire” as it would
products.
sector. Albéa said that the
the acquisition contract. It is
speed up the time-to-market
❙ www.invista.com
Connecticut-based
He said there is a “prefer-
stabilized and fast-cycling
company’s metal forming
expertise will be a significant addition to its group
capabilities.
Hunstman leaves prototyping
“This acquisition fits
perfectly with Albéa’s
Huntsman Corporation has
Renshape materials comple-
operating model,” said 3D
development dynamics,”
sold it Advanced Materials
ment its own and are espe-
Systems president and CEO
said François Luscan, Albéa
division, including its stere-
cially suitable for creation of
Abe Reichental.
president & CEO.
olithography resin and Digitalis
snap-fit PP and ABS-like parts
rapid manufacturing machin-
and selectively coloured
statement the Advanced
acquisition opportunities to
ery businesses, to 3D Systems
models.
Materials disposal will enable
offer our customers high
Corporation.
“We are exploring
added value by strengthening
3D systems paid $41m for
“This acquisition is
Huntsman said in a
it to concentrate on its core
consistent with our growth
activities in the aerospace,
our presence in emerging
the business, which generated
strategy, complements our
construction and electronics
countries and widening our
revenues of $7m in 2010
technology and product
industries.
product range.”
primarily from its RenShape
portfolio, and is immediately
❙ www.albea-group.com
materials. 3D Systems said the
accretive to our target
❙ www.huntsman.com
❙ www.3dsystems.com
news
Microban topples
triclosan ban
Microban has won its legal
valid application for triclosan
battle to overturn an effective
to be included on the list.
ban on the sale of food-contact
BASF subsidiary Ciba had
plastics containing the biocide
withdrawn the only outstand-
triclosan (2,4,4’-trichloro-2’-
ing application for the additive
hydroxydiphenyl ether) within
in April 2009.
the European Union.
Earlier this year, the
The European General
Court has now ruled there was
European Commission adopted
no legal basis to not include
Decision 2010/169/EU, which
triclosan simply because no-
omitted triclosan from Annex
one had specifically applied for
III of Directive 2002/72/EC, the
it. Human health protection
positive list of articles that may
was not a basis either because
be used in the manufacture of
European Food Safety
“plastic materials and articles”
Authority had not objected to
intended to come into contact
the use of triclosan, subject to
with foodstuffs.
a migration limit of 5 mg/kg of
The EC decision was made
because there was no longer a
❙ www.microban.com
Spanish automotive compo-
12,000 people at plants in 23
nents maker Grupo Antolin
countries and generated sales
has acquired CML Innovative
last year of around E2.1bn.
Manuel Temiño Estefanía said
lighting systems.
the acquisition was consistent
with its growth strategy of
CML has seven manufacturing
positioning itself to offer the
operations and two research
higher added-value, more
and development centres
integrated products the
located in France, Germany,
automotive industry is now
UK, Czech Republic, Romania
demanding.
and China. It employs around
“With the acquisition of
1,000 people and generated
CML, Grupo Antolin consoli-
sales last year of more than
dates its position as leader in
E110m.
the overhead function,” he said.
Grupo Antolin is a major
CML is being acquired from
supplier of interior trims, door
private equity groups Cer-
assemblies, seating and
berus, DDJ Capital and JP
headliners to the automotive
Morgan.
industry. It employs almost
❙ www.grupoantolin.com
Lower scrap rates
Grup Antolin CEO José
in production of car interior
Headquartered in France,
Avoid color streaking
food, it ruled.
Grupo Antolin lights
on CML Technologies
Technologies, a leading player
Demand results.
Minimize downtime
Get results with
Dyna-Purge.
Contact us today to learn how.
www.dynapurge.com
[email protected] •716-685-2121
news
Arkema sells its vinyls
businesses to Klesch
❙ Germany’s Evonik has
French chemicals firm Arkema
profiles, pipes and compounds
bodies, the new Vinyl Products
Shanghai, China. The facility,
has agreed to sell its Vinyl
businesses.The combined
business will be headquar-
part of the company’s
Products business to Klesch
businesses include 1,780
tered in Lyon, in France.
E200m world scale meth-
Group, the European industri-
employees in France and 850
als and commodities invest-
outside of France
ment business.
Klesch Group already has
Klesch Group’s investment
news in brief
doubled its production
capacity for Plexiglas moulding compounds at its plant in
acrylate complex, now has
strategy is focused on the
an annual moulding
acquisition of non-core assets.
compound capacity of 40,000
Arkema said in a news
substantial investments in the
Prior to the Arkema deal, its
tonnes.
release it wants to focus its
power and ethylene industries,
portfolio of businesses was
www.evonik.com
activities around its industrial
which it said would help it to
worth more than $5bn and
chemicals and performance
efficiently produce vinyl
includes the Basemet
❙ Azelis has extended its
products businesses, which
products. The company said in
aluminium smelting, Raffin-
distribution agreement with
make up more than 80% of its
a statement it did not plan to
erie Heide oil refining, and
So.F.TER. Tecnopolimeri, the
revenues of around E5.9bn.
restructure the manufacturing
Panther and Sotassa interna-
Italian supplier of engineer-
plants for the businesses
tional commodities trading
ing plastics and TPEs. The
being acquired.
operations.
company now distributes
❙ www.arkema.com
❙ www.klesch.com
So.F.TER products in Spain
The E1.1bn Vinyl Products
group includes PVC, chlorine
and caustic soda production,
as well as Arkema’s PVC
Dependent on the approval
of all the required regulatory
as well as its existing
territories in France,
Flextronics opts for heat-cool
Benelux, Italy, Nordic and
central and eastern Europe.
www.azelis.com
Contract manufacturing group
❙ Resinex is to distribute the
Flextronics has signed a five-
full DSM Engineering
year licence with heat-cool
Plastics product line in
tooling specialist RocTool
Switzerland. DSM is already
allowing it to use Cage and
represented in the country by
3iTech technologies for
Ter Hell and that arrange-
production of electronic parts,
ment will continue, said DSM.
including tablet computers and
Spanish activities will focus
e-reader devices.
on the automotive, domestic
France-based RocTool’s
appliance and rail markets.
www.resinex.com
technologies allow injection
moulded parts to be produced
with very high quality surfaces
❙ Germany’s Weidenhammer
without the need for painting
Packaging Group has
and is especially effective with
officially opened its new
high fibre content and thin wall
Before and after images show the results of heat-cool moulding
11,000m2 packaging plant at
parts. It is especially effective
technology
Bradford in the north of
England. The company has
in elimination of weld lines and
other surface defects.
Flextronics has already
projects, where it has reported
ties and opportunities for the
invested around 11.5m in the
the elimination of the need for
RocTool technology.
facility which is already
integrated the RocTool
secondary process and faster
technologies into its moulding
moulding cycle times.
operations at Zhuhai in China
Flextronics VP of global
and is using the systems in
operations Gerhard Zebe said
several mass production
he sees many more possibili-
10
The licence covers the use
producing composite paper
of both technologies with
cans and will start making
standard and technical plastics.
IML plastics packaging
❙ www.roctool.com
❙ www.flextronics.com
during next year.
www.weidenhammer.de
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Europe | polymer markets
European
polymers
demand:
where’s it
all going?
The extreme levels of volatility in both demand and
pricing experienced over the past three years have
presented new challenges to Europe’s plastics converters. The industry was already grappling with issues of
market maturity, rising costs, global competition,
environmental opposition and increased regulatory
scrutiny before it was battered by the global recession.
In 2009 the market went through its worst decline
since the early 1980s, resulting in just over 5.6 million
AMI recently completed its 2011
European Plastics Industry Report.
The publication’s editor Carole Kluth
reveals some of its key findings on
polymer demand trends
tonnes being wiped off demand from its 2007 peak – the
equivalent of nearly six years worth of growth.
growth is beginning to run out of steam. This is thanks
Rollercoaster ride
to the growing debt crisis within the eurozone leading to
Although a slowdown or contraction in demand had
increasing concerns that Europe is heading for another
been anticipated, few expected it to be as hard and fast
contraction in demand.
as it turned out to be in late 2008 with demand falling in
The market bounce back in 2010 was driven by a
the final quarter by anything up to 30% depending on
strong recovery in German-speaking Europe and by a
the material and sector. The following year saw the
reversal in the fortunes of the automotive industry,
industry limping through the recession with a further
which had been one of the hardest hit by the downturn.
significant fall in demand and ongoing plant closures
This was evidenced by the sharp recovery in demand for
and rationalisation as companies focused on cost
engineering polymers which had tended to see the
cutting and improving margins rather than on growth or
highest percentage drops in sales. Many converters
expansion.
serving this sector reported demand levels quickly
Not until the final quarter of 2009 did things begin to
turn around and 2010 saw a healthy rebound, although
recovered to pre-crisis levels.
While most sectors reported continuing growth in
the scale and extent of the recovery has varied markedly
the first half of 2011, by mid-year signs of a slowdown
by material, application and country. Also in the final
were beginning to emerge. The full-year growth figure
quarter of 2011 there are worrying signs that economic
is expected to pan out at about half the rate achieved in
13
polymer markets | Europe
50,000
45,000
40,000
Engineering
polymers
Thousand tonnes
35,000
PET
30,000
PS
25,000
PVC
20,000
PP
15,000
HDPE
10,000
LL/LDPE
5,000
0
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Figure 1: European total polymer demand (2007-2011)
Source: Applied Market Information Ltd 2011
2010 and only slightly ahead of GDP. The recovery has in
Supply was further constrained by delays in new
general been erratic and patchy and this means that
polymer capacity coming on stream in the Middle East.
overall the European market still has some way to go to
While converters in Europe have eagerly anticipated this
regain all the volumes lost from the 2007 peak.
region as a new source of supply, particularly for
While certain applications regained volumes lost
polyolefins, much of the commodity grade material
through the effects of destocking and low consumer
coming out of the Middle East is heading to Asia. In
confidence in 2009, others are witnessing more
response to the anticipated increase in feedstock-
fundamental structural change which has impacted on
advantaged polymer coming in from the Middle East,
their demand trends. Trends in light weighting,
European producers have been rationalising capacity
recycling, environmental and sustainability issues
and focusing output on specialities, further tightening
continue to challenge plastics usage in a variety of
supplies for many materials.
applications, but particularly in packaging. This is, for
recession meant that there was a net decline in capacity
has been seen historically, even though there are still
for commodity polymers of around 1 million tonnes in
lots of developments in new markets and applications
2010. This coincided with various plant outages,
for PET bottles, such as in beer and wine packaging,
feedstock shortages and strikes, resulting in periods of
and PET has historically tended to outperform other
tight supply through the year for various materials, and
polymer materials.
particularly for grades of LDPE, PP and polystyrene.
Supply and pricing issues
Material markets
The recovery in demand over the past two years has
Polypropylene was the strongest performing of the
also at times been challenged by issues around
commodity polymers in 2010, driven by packaging and
availability of raw materials and pricing volatility. In
consumer goods demand picking up strongly in 2010
addition to prices of polymers rising on an almost
and activity returning to the automotive sector sup-
constant basis from December 2009 through to June
ported by government car scrappage schemes.
2011, because of increasing oil prices, converters have
However, the pace of recovery was at times constrained
also had to contend with record high prices and severe
by tight supply and a continuing trend of rising prices.
shortages of a whole range of pigments and additives
used in plastic products.
The European plastics industry operates as part of a
14
Plant closures in Europe during the height of the
example, leading to much slower growth for PET than
Polyethylene demand made a sluggish recovery.
Although the extent of the decline in 2008 and 2009 was
less than for other materials because of its high
global industry which is heavily influenced by buying
exposure to the more recession-proof packaging
patterns around the world. Booming demand in Asia,
markets, volumes are proving slow to return. This is
particularly in China, but also in Russia and India,
because of ongoing downgauging trends, growing use of
sucked raw materials away from European markets.
recyclate, tight supply of certain grades and competitive
Europe | polymer markets
pressures from other materials, such as PP for
demand coming from the electrical and appliance sectors,
injection moulding and PET for blow moulding. The
particularly for products such as flat screen TVs.
penetration of metallocene grade materials in particular helps to drive the development of thinner films.
Germany strengthens
Growing restrictions on the use of giveaway supermar-
The strength of German manufacturing was a key factor
ket shopping bags is another dampening effect on
in the recovery in demand for these materials. German
polyethylene demand.
processors accounted for just over 30% of engineering
Polystyrene materials saw a solid recovery in 2010
resin demand and nearly 40% of the increase in 2010.
driven mainly by strong demand for building insulation,
To some extent, however, the bounce back in demand
especially in Germany, as well as recovery in refrigera-
also reflects the scale of the decline endured by many
tor production in Central and Eastern Europe and
processors of these materials in 2008 and 2009 when
steady demand for packaging materials.
the industry witnessed similar double digit volume
The PVC market was also largely driven by the
strength of demand in Germany, where there was a
drops. In most cases, market demand still has some
way to go to get back to the 2007 peak.
strong recovery in window profile production, particu-
There were similar supply issues for engineering
larly for export, as well as good demand for cables
resins as for commodity, largely because of feedstock
driven by the automotive and industrial machinery
shortages impacting further down the supply chain.
sectors. A recovery in the building market in Central
Engineering polymer markets were also particularly
and Eastern Europe helped to drive demand for roofing
affected by shortages in additives such as glass fibres
membranes, for example. Rigid packaging sheet for
and flame retardants.
blister packaging also held up well. The recovery in
The effects of the downturn has led to shrinking per
infrastructure spending was weaker, which resulted in
capita demand of thermoplastics (based on plastics
only modest growth for pipe production after the
conversion, rather than the demand for plastic goods).
collapse in demand seen in 2008 and 2009.
Per capita demand in 2011 stands at just short of 75kg/
Engineering polymers saw much larger percentage
head compared with 79 kg/head in 2006. As would be
gains in demand in 2010 thanks largely to a pick up in the
expected, levels are still generally higher in Western
production of vehicles encouraged by various government-
Europe than in Central and Eastern Europe, although
sponsored car scrappage schemes, as well as pent-up
countries such as the Czech and Slovak Republics,
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15
polymer markets | Europe
down in Q2 2011, there is a growing concern that Europe
European countries, highlighting the shift eastwards of
will be plunged back into another recession in 2012.
polymer consumption. The UK now has the lowest level of
For 2011 AMI expects that polymer demand will stay
per capita demand for thermoplastics, highlighting the
slightly ahead of GDP growth at just over 2% bolstered
shrinkage in plastics processing that has occurred in the
by the stronger demand achieved during the first half of
country over the past decade. The Benelux region has the
the year to counteract the weakening sentiment in the
largest per capita consumption, largely because of the
second half of the year.
presence of some major export-oriented processors in
plastics film and fibre, plus compounds and masterbatch.
While AMI does not anticipate a similar crash in
demand and prices as occurred in 2008, polymer prices
appear to be weakening and demand has not picked up
EUROPEA
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Future prospects
to the levels expected after the summer lull. However,
At the time of writing, the future prospects for
even if there is a sharp downturn in prices, the impact is
the European plastics industry are looking
unlikely to be as severe as it was in 2008, as less stocks
rather uncertain. GDP growth for the EU27 is
are being held through the supply chain, evidenced by
forecast to be 1.7% for 2011 according to IMF
the fact that demand for 2011 is expected to still be 8%
data published in September 2011. The
below the peak demand achieved in 2007.
average for Europe is being pulled down by
TION
2011 EDI
ed Kingdom
astics.com
ics.com
9610, USA
searchami.com
stics.com
Slovenia and Hungary are now higher than many West
ey from
ultan ts
market surv
indu stry cons
A com plete
ing plas tics
Euro pe’s lead
negative growth expected in Greece and
More information
Portugal plus growth of less than 1% in Spain,
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Italy and Ireland because of their ongoing
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sovereign debt issues. With the important
to order online, or contact Regine Futter for more
German economy, which was the real engine for
growth during the recovery, showing signs of slowing
information: [email protected], tel +44 117 924 9442.
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mouldmaking | Additive construction
Additive mould building technologies are no longer being
used only for prototype moulds. Volkswagen and Miele
are using the technology for both short and
extended series production
Additive
technologies
build efficiency
Additive
building allows
complex
conformal
Selling cars today is a competitive business and, as part
of the process of continual improvement, car makers
are constantly refining models and replacing minor
detailed parts with functionally-enhanced alternatives.
cooling circuits
An example can be seen in the latest version of the
to be created in
Volkswagen Beetle, which was launched in the spring,
and in terms of finish and dimensions matched the
mould tools for
where the designers replaced the indicator light with a
specification of mass-produced alternatives, says
new unit combining indicator and fog lights.
Hofmann. Where the parts differed was in the leadtime
Miele
Volkswagen commissioned Hofmann Innovation
- the development time for a mass-produced part of
Group’s prototyping and small batch production division
this type is typically around 25 weeks but Hofmann was
– Modelbau Hofmann – to develop the tooling and
able to supply parts to Volkswagen in just 12.
produce 300 modules for pilot production purposes. The
While the VW Beetle contract is an example of a
company uses a wide range of mould building technolo-
typical pilot series production project, Modelbau
Several
gies, ranging from conventional steel and aluminium
Hofmann managing director Robert Hofmann says the
lighting
machining through to the parent group’s LaserCusing
company is seeing more and more enquiries for small
components for
metal additive building technology. After clarifying the
batch series production of complete headlights. Behind
the current VW
design of the double group halogen lighting design with
this trend is the growing number of special edition and
Beetle were
Volkswagen, it opted for the additive building solution.
exclusive series variants the car makers are using to
produced using
LaserCusing shares some similarities with laser
entice customers.
additive built
sintering technology. However, it uses a higher powered
mould tools
laser to fully fuse the metal powder to a 100% dense
Hofmann. “We have already received a number of orders
solid and the parts produced – steel in the
for light modules from the automotive sector because we
case of mould inserts – can be further
processed using conventional
mould machining and
finishing techniques.
Each part was
can often offer a quotation at 35-40% of the costs
compared with traditional mould-based production.”
In addition, Hofmann is being asked to take on more
complex projects, such as three component acrylic
parts which display special light functions such as LED
finished using vapour
technology - the company supplied a third brake light
deposited metal on
for the Beetle project using LED technology.
the reflector surfaces
18
“The level of demand in these segments is rising,” says
Additive component building techniques such as
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mouldmaking | Additive construction
Hofmann Modelbau managing director
Robert Hofmann says special automotive
editions is driving demand for smaller
batches
LaserCusing do not only provide benefits in terms of
thermal differentiation. “The temperature control at
speed of construction. The technology also allows
problem spots, by channels which are designed to be
integration of features that would be difficult, if not
close to the contour, can extract the heat from the part
impossible using conventional toolmaking methods.
exactly where it is required,” he says.
Conformal cooling – where the cooling channel follows
the contours of the cavity – is one such example and has
either parallel or surface cooling. Parallel cooling is
been exploited by German appliance maker Miele. It
more dynamic, says Hofmann, because it is less
now uses the technique on around 70 of the 700 moulds
impacted by the temperature differential that develops
in regular production at its plant at Warendorf, where
between the points of entry and exit from the insert.
Miele factory
its 42 injection moulding machines consume around
manager Dr
7,200 tonnes of polymer a year (60% PP and 30% ABS).
Jürgen Jahn is
Coolant supply to the inserts is carried out with
Miele uses LaserCusing conformal inserts in moulds
Jahn says that the experience at Miele over the past
decade of using LaserCusing inserts is that durability is
very good. He cites the example of some of its “endur-
convinced of
running predominantly ABS at points on the part that
ance performers”, such as the heavily ribbed top covers
the value of
extend the cycle time. The conformal inserts have their
for the vacuum cleaners in the company’s S5 range,
conformal
own cooling supply running at around 15˚C. Where a
which have been produced using conformal technology
cooling, used
high gloss finish is required, further elements supplied
since 2004. Since then, an average of 4,000 parts have
widely in the
with coolant at around 50˚C are placed in the mould on
been produced each day on the three moulds with
company’s ABS
the visible surface.
LaserCusing inserts, equivalent to some 880,000 parts a
mouldings
Miele factory manager Dr Jürgen Jahn terms this
year or a total of six million parts from the three moulds
over seven years.
Jahn says that, aside from standard maintenance
and prevention measures (Miele uses a corrosionprotected coolant in the closed conformal system to
avoid channel blockage), the close-contour cooling
inserts have given no operational problems but many
benefits.
“There are advantages arising from freedom from
warping, fewer sink marks and thus a tendency for less
scrap,” he says. Jahn estimates scrap rates at around
3-4% on its high gloss ABS components, while the
reduction in cycle time is between 10-30% depending on
the geometry and complexity of the part.
Miele launches a new range of domestic appliances
next year; conformal cooling using Hofmann’s laser
cusing technology is included in the new moulds.
❙ www.hofmann-innovation.com
20
M
M A S T E R B AT C H
ASIA 2012
New applications and markets
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mouldmaking | Update
Global hot runners top E1.3bn
Global demand for hot runner
systems and controllers has
to reach E206m.
The consultancy says growth
by 2014 to reach a value of
The report says the North
E490.8m. The report also
American market is being
picked up strongly following
in the hot runner market is
identifies a clear trend towards
driven to a large part by
the slump of 2009 with the
following general economic
more complex moulds in the
investments in the automotive
world market worth around
demand. However, it has also
country as moulders attempt
industry. It predicts annual
E1.38bn in 2010, according to
been fuelled by rising material
to offset rising labour costs.
growth in hot runner demand
estimates from Austrian
prices and the consequent
Growth in demand for larger
in the US and Canada to run at
consulting firm Interconnec-
efforts manufacturers are
hot runner controllers (60+
around 10% to 2014.
tion Market Studies.
making to compensate through
zones) is running at 20.7% a
production efficiency gains.
year compared to 15.2% for
of the hot runner systems and
smaller (1-8 zone) units.
hot runner controller markets
According to its latest analysis of the sector, the global hot
China continues to be a key
Interconnection’s analysis
runner systems market grew
market for this sector. The
by 27% in 2010 to reach a total
country’s hot runner systems
reports strong growth in India
global edition or E2,950 for
of E1.18bn. Growth in hot
demand was worth E232m in
and South America, the latter
individual regions.
runner controller sales saw
2010 and Interconnection
seeing a 74.1% increase in value
slightly weaker growth – 23.7%
predicts this will double in size
to reach E24.4m in 2010.
❙ www.interconnection
consulting.com
However, Interconnetion also
Hasco targets closure makers
Aiming at demanding applications such as multiple cavity
Hasco’s latest needle valve
closure moulds, Hasco’s latest
design features a short
Z3150 Valve Gate Shot range of
stroke
are priced at E7,125 for the
DME offers
ejection
options
hot runner needle valve
DME Europe has extended
nozzles is said to enable
its range of standard
moulders to achieve better
stainless steel ejector pins
balanced filling and optimal
to include metric sizes,
process control.
previously only offered as
Improved fill balance is
special products.
The move means the
achieved through simultaneous opening of the valve pins
ejector pins, which are
once a predetermined
available in diameters from
pressure has built up, which is
1 to 10mm and up to 500mm
said to enable effective
long, will now be kept as
transmission of holding
16.5mm and is offered in
pressure with minimal risk of
standard lengths between 80
stringing and drooling at the
and 180mm. The standard
on the company’s latest
are manufactured from high
gate. The design also places
version uses pneumatic needle
inclined slide carriage. Taking
chrome content steel and
the needle guide very close to
activation.
up little more space than a
meet the requirements of
spring-mounted ejector, the
ISO6751.
the gate, which, together with
Hasco has also been
flat ejectors.
DLC coatings are also used
stock items for fast delivery.
DME’s stainless ejectors
The company is also now
a short stroke, extends the
working on improvements to
Z18110 slide is said to offer
operational life of the nozzle.
its other standard mould
good access to difficult
offering a cut-to-length
The Z3150 is best suited for
components. For applications
undercuts in the mould.
service on its standard
the processing of polyolefins
where the use of grease or
Features include the absence
ejector products, which
and polystyrene and can
lubricants is not permissible,
of spring when the undercut is
cover the diameter range
handle shot weights of
the company can now provide a
freed up, highly consistent
from 1.5 to 20mm and
between 5 and 25g. It provides
low friction DLC coating on the
stroke, and lubricant-free
lengths between 25 and
a nozzle front seal diameter of
Z400 series of cylinder pins,
operation.
600mm.
10mm, a body diameter of
Z040 guide pillars and Z4650
❙ www.hasco.com
❙ www.dmeeu.com
22
THE INJECTION MOULDING
INDUSTRY IN EUROPE
More than 9000 injection moulding sites in
Western and Central Europe at your fingertips
•
•
•
•
•
•
The data is
available in book or CD
format for each country
Location
Contacts
Polymers processed
Markets served
Services offered
Machinery information
Click here to find a full
list of countries
covered
Invaluable reports and databases, to sell your products and services to injection moulders
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These guides allow you to fill in the gaps of your client base very easily. The data has been thoroughly researched by
direct contact with each company, saving you time so you can focus on your selling strategy.
APPLIED MARKET INFORMATION LTD.
Applied Market Information publishes over 50 different reports
and databases covering markets in Europe, Asia, Middle East
and North America. The range of publications aim to provide
complete listings of plants carrying out particular plastics
processing operations and to give an analysis of the
leading groups. AMI also produces authoritative industry
reports which provide cost effective statistical data
and analysis on polymer trends.
www.ami-publishing.com
You can order reports on our secure website:
www.ami-publishing.com or contact:
Régine Futter or Matt Wherlock
Tel: +44 (0) 117 9249442
Fax: +44 (0) 117 989 2128
Email: [email protected]
latest addition to Ewikon’s
Synventive
electrifies valve
gate designs
range of slim hot runner
Synventive’s new electrically-
use with up to 64 individual
nozzles.
activated eGate system is
zones of control and can be
claimed to provide improved
configured with a pendant
just 10mm in diameter,
valve pin positioning, accelera-
controller for ‘on-the-fly’
making it a good solution for
tion, velocity and stroke,
remote valve pin adjustment.
Ewikon adds
slim nozzle
options
The HPS III-S3 high
performance nozzle is the
The new nozzle measures
internal gating into restrict-
allowing better control of the
ed areas. The nozzles can be
injection moulding process and
developed a range of hot
located at a minimum cavity
providing especially simple
runner systems for gating of
distance of 12mm.
integration with all-electric
demanding optical quality
moulding machines.
parts such as automotive front
The HPS III-S3 model is
equipped with a high power
The new system can be
Synventive has also recently
and rear lighting components
compact coil heater that is
used with multi-shot and
manufactured in polycarbonate
recessed into the body and
multi-material applications, as
or acrylic resins.
is claimed to deliver a very
well as sequential and cascade
even temperature profile
moulding operations.
The new hot runner designs
use a threaded mount, which
eliminates the need for
Synventive’s eGate system is
suitability for all-electric
support rings and so helps
especially suited to all-electric
both commodity and filled
machines, the company says it
avoid unwanted heat build-up
moulding machinery
and unfilled engineering
is also a good option for clean
at the critical point where the
plastics - including PP, PS,
room environments and
molten resin changes direction
Rear light covers, which are
ABS, PC and PA – users can
production of optical parts
of flow. High performance
most often produced in multi-
select from a variety of
where precision and control
heaters and thermocouples
component acrylic and feature
thermally-conductive tip or
are critical.
installed close to the gate,
dramatically curved 3D
together with the use of
shapes, are typically gated
along the nozzle length.
Suitable for processing
valve gate options. Mem-
Aside from the system’s
Used with the company’s
brane geometry versions
eGate controller and eGate
stainless steel cooling bushes,
directly onto the lens surface.
are available for materials
Shop software, the new system
ensure an optimal transition
Synventive says that polycar-
such as TPEs.
allows control and monitoring
between hot and cold resin
bonate front lens cover
of the open and closed valve
phases.
solutions could include either
The new nozzles are
The specific hot runner
available in lengths from
pin positions within 0.01mm.
cold runner or direct gating
39mm to 189mm.
This controller is available in 4
configuration varies according
feed options.
❙ www.ewikon.com
or 8-zone configurations for
to the application and resin.
❙ www.synventive.com
Milacron to integrate Gammaflux controller
US plastics machinery maker
Milacron has reached an
machines.
Under the agreement,
ket development Mike Brostedt
The Gammaflux LEC
says the panel mount option
controller is a modular system
agreement with hot runner
Milacron will be able to supply
saves usable floor space while
designed for small hot runner
specialist Gammaflux allowing
customers with free-standing
integrating directly into the
applications, supporting
it to market the latter’s LEC
controllers or integrate them
moulding machine interface,
between 2 and 24 zones. The
and TTC hot runner tempera-
into the moulding machine
allowing all operating data to
TTC line can be used with up to
ture controllers as auxiliary
controller using Gammaflux’s
be viewed via the Milacron
640 control zones.
equipment options with any of
panel mount option.
display or, if preferred, on an
❙ www.gammaflux.com
❙ www.milacron.com
its line of injection moulding
24
Gammaflux director of mar-
additional display.
Update | mouldmaking
Robots provide moulds
with an extra polish
news in brief
❙ Progressive Components
has added the CamAction 350
to its line of slide retention
devices. The CamAction 350
Working within the Green
linear grinding motion that
tion allows the robot to
is available in metric and
Carbody Technologies
removes milling traces.
reproduce the manual
imperial sizes and features a
dexterity and experience of a
longer travel – 0.75 inches
Innovation Alliance, Germany’s
The system comprises a
Fraunhofer Institute for
standard industrial robot
human operator. This is an
(18mm) than the current 300
Production Technology (IPT)
equipped with a pneumatic
essential element in automa-
series but shares the same
has developed an automated
smoothing tool in which the
tion of the smoothing and
footprint. A range of off-the-
manufacturing system for
processing movements and the
brush polishing processes on
shelf pin and insert sizes is
cost-effective and automated
forces acting on the workpiece
free-form mould surfaces.
offered. The company claims
smoothing and brush polishing
are applied and controlled via
Developing the process
the CamAction devices
of press tools and mould
air pressure. The processing
parameters required detailed
provide a highly reliable
surfaces.
path is programmed using
investigation into processing
means of maintaining slide
The technique, which was
Fraunhofer IPT’s CAx-
methods, materials and
positioning during the mould
demonstrated during the Euro-
Framework software.
geometries and was carried
open stage of the cycle.
out in conjunction with some
www.procomps.com
mold fair in Frankfurt at the
According to the research-
end of November, uses robot-
ers, this tool holder and
member companies within the
based equipment to apply a
process parameter combina-
Green Carbody Technologies
❙ French hot runner controller
Innovation Alliance. The
maker SISE has developed a
engineers then developed the
tiltable control panel for its M-
optimum automated finishing
10U cabinet-based hot runner
strategies based on the results
controllers. The M-10U
of optical component meas-
models can be configured for
urement and original design
between 24 and 48 zones of
data.
control and can accept a
The Green Carbody
combination of 5, 15, 16/20
Technologies Innovation
and 30A power control cards.
Alliance is an association of
www.sise.fr
companies and scientific
institutes that aims to make
❙ Italian hot runner systems
automotive manufacturing
maker Thermoplay has added
more energy and resource
a new sequential controller to
Pneumatically-regulated smoothing tool in Fraunhofer’s robot
efficient.
its line. The compact unit can
polishing system
❙ www.ipt.fraunhofer.de
be used with pneumatic or
hydraulic valve gate systems
Help to achieve a perfect finish
and can control up to 16
To help mould specifiers
Germany-based polishing
sises that the plate should be
injection volume, with the
communicate the required
specialist Aro-Tech, which has
considered as a point of
option for simultaneous or
surface finish to their mould
more than 20 years of
reference rather than a
non-simultaneous shut-off
suppliers, DME subsidiary EOC
expertise in mould polishing
standard.
control. All shut-off valves
Normalien has introduced a
techniques.
polish sample plate that
According to EOC, it will
The Polishing Guide is
gates. Valve actuation can be
set by time, screw position or
reopen for the packing phase.
supplied with English or
The unit is designed for use
carries a selection of 30 Ra
help mould buyers to specify
German language support
with multiple gated parts
value finishes.
the level of polish they require.
documentation and a copy of
where weld line effects need
However, as the finish is also
the EOC Polishing catalogue.
to be either controlled or
plate has been developed
The new Polishing Guide
dependent on the plastic being
eliminated.
together with Kierspe,
used, the company empha-
❙ www.eoc.de
❙ www.aro-tec.de
www.injectionworld.com www.thermoplay.it
25
Three-way
project caps
energy savings
Engel’s demonstration of its eCap all-electric closure
moulding machine earlier this
year at its technical centre at
Gefit’s 72 cavity
mould installed on
Engel’s e-Cap
machine
Schwertberg in Austria called
on more than just its own
energy-efficient machine
closure moulding technology.
designs, integrating energy-
This allows more cavities to be
saving know-how from Italian
packed into a smaller area,
half used an optimised thermal
cycle across the 72 cavities of
mouldmaker Gefit and hot
keeping the mould size and
gate claimed to give a result
within ± 1%. The optimised
runner manufacturer Inglass-
weight down and allowing use
similar to valve gate designs.
flow paths through the hot
HRSflow.
of a smaller moulding
The hot half also used the
runner are also said to
The 280 tonne demonstra-
prior to ejection.
produced caps with a maxi-
The HRSflow Multitech hot
mum weight variation per
machine, which can reduce
Inglass subsidiary’s latest
contribute to a colour change
tion cell was manufacturing a
energy requirements by up to a
Multitech Fast (MTF39) series
period of less than 60 shots
new 2.2g PCO1881 closure for
claimed 50%.
nozzles, which feature reduced
(equivalent to 140g of resin per
tip contact area to minimise
cavity in total).
❙ www.inglass.it
❙ www.gefit.com
carbonated mineral water on a
In addition, the mechanics
72-cavity mould from Gefit that
in the mould are optimised to
thermal transfer to the cavity
incorporated the Italian
reduce the energy needed to
and energy losses to the mould.
mouldmaker’s Miwa Daisy
activate the cap release petals
The energy-saving system
Husky adds deep draw side gate nozzle
New from Husky Injection Molding Systems
is the Ultra Sidegate hot runner nozzle,
designed for effective direct gating of deep
draw parts such as medical pipettes and
syringe barrels.
The company says the new nozzle allows
users to apply hot runner feeding to parts
that would previously have only been
possible to manufacture with cold runner
gates.
Compact construction means the nozzles
can be used with a minimum tip-to-tip
This eight drop manifold is fitted with
Husky’s new Sidegate nozzles
spacing of 55mm. Together with a 75%
reduction in the area of the nozzle housing,
part is typically less than 0.05mm. Husky
this improves cooling and helps to reduce
says a design feature that is particulary
cycle times, according to Husky.
useful in medical applications is the ability
The Ultra Sidegate supports one, two or
26
to integrate it into single-piece cavity
four tip configurations and is said to provide
constructions.
exceptional gate quality; the vestige on the
❙ www.husky.ca
Update | mouldmaking
Mold-Masters extends
packaging tip lines
The latest not runner introductions from Mold-Masters
nozzle contour.
Nano tip and valve gates
news in brief
unit offers plug-and-play setup and is based around 6-zone
includes the Sprint nozzles for
can be used with any of Mold-
15A control cards that can be
fast cycle closure production, an
Masters replaceable tip and
configured for up to 48 zones.
improved version of its close
seal option and can be
Features include current
pitch Nano nozzle, and a new
powered by single or cluster
measurement, ground fault
low cost temperature controller.
actuators or via the company’s
detection, dual line switching,
E-Drive servo synchro-plate
and thermocouple input fusing
system.
and dual line output fusing.
Benno Kippes takes over as
The unit includes a 5.7-inch
MD at Gammaflux Europe
The new Sprint nozzle
incorporates the company’s
iFlow manifold technology and
The TempMaster M1 is the
is intended for use in beverage
first in a new line of cost-
colour display panel and
closure moulds running cycles
optimsed modular hot runner
simple-to-use interface.
❙ Benno Kippes, formerly
of between 3 and 6 seconds. It
temperature controllers. The
❙ www.moldmasters.com
manager for marketing and
is claimed to provide 25% less
distribution at Gammaflux
pressure drop, more than 90%
Europe, takes over as
fill balance and 25% faster
managing director at the end
colour change than current
of the year, following the
systems.
retirement of René A.
The Nano nozzle can now
Bertschi, who has held the
be ordered in lengths up to
post within the hot runner
20cm. Intended for packaging
controllers maker for the past
applications that would have
15 years. Kippes says his
previously required a hot tip
plans for the company will be
gate system, the Nano is
to continue to build its
available with a valve gate
presence in Europe. Part of
option and requires a cut-out
that process will include an
of just 11mm near the gate,
extension of its popular
making it suitable for inside
training seminars.
www.gammaflux.com
gating. Features include tip
thermocouple placement and a
A 64-drop manifold fitted with Mold-Masters’ Sprint nozzles and
brazed heater following the
E-Drive valve gate drive
❙ Incoe has expanded its
“Request for Quotation”
Günther adds electric options
forms on its website to allow
potential customers to
specify and obtain pricing on
Hot runner manufacturer
controller. The system is very
Günther Heisskanaltechnik
fast – a mechanical stroke of
has developed an energy-
10mm is achieved in less than
is particularly suited to clean
company has offered the
efficient valve gate system that
0.1s.
room production. However, it
online quotation request
also provides a simple means
service to potential buyers of
uses electromagnets to rapidly
open and close the tips.
The company says the
closer spacing.
The e-ValveControl system
its SPM melt filtration and
XRN machine nozzles. The
electromagnetic system is
of valve gate operation for all-
its hot runner systems since
Up to four needles can be
highly energy efficient as
electric machines, says the
2009. The new filtration and
driven simultaneously (eight if
power is required for just
company.
nozzle quotation tool allows
parallel operation is employed)
200ms per stroke. Other
using the combination of the
benefits include elimination of
options also includes a servo
requirements and to upload
ME 10/UV75 electromagnets
the need for supply lines in the
motor system.
drawings where required.
and e-ValveControl-4 external
clamping plate, which allows
❙ www.guenther-heisskanal.de
❙ www.incoe.com
www.injectionworld.com Günther’s line of drive
the user to specify precise
27
quick mould change | Application
Magnetic mould clamping can slash mould
fixing times. German housewares firm
Koziol has been using the technology
for some time at its plant at Odenwald
Magnetic QMC
benefits Koziol
Ferrero’s Kool
Kit box won a
marketing
industry award
for Koziol and
is one of the
company’s
most success-
With a mould store holding around 10,000
moulds, a catalogue extending to some 350
Promotional flexibility
Promotional items such as the Kool-
different plastic items and injection
Kit box account for about one third
moulding batch sizes that range from 150
of the Koziol’s sales and in this part
units to one million, the ability to switch
of its business short production
from one job to another in the shortest
and lead times are critical in gaining
possible time is critical for German
competitive advantage. “A supplier
designer housewares company Koziol.
from the Far East would not have
ful promotional
So when it updated its moulding
projects to date
capacity last year at its Odenwald
volume within the available time frame
plant quick mould change technology
and with the required quality,” says
was high up the list.
Creutz.
The company’s investment in Roemheld-Hilma magnetic clamping technology
Koziol’s investment in quick mould
change technology came as part of a
has helped it realise many more hours of machine
major upgrade of its production equipment initiated
operating time each year, according to Koziol works
back in 2009. Then the company was running around 30
manager Andreas Creutz, and helped it meet demand
injection moulding machines from a number of
for a promotional cool-box product it had developed for
manufacturers, but the possible uses to which each one
Italian confectionery company Ferrero’s Kinder brand.
could be put were limited by the complexity of the
The Kinder Kool-Kit project, which won Koziol a
particular mould. “For us, this meant low flexibility with
prestigious Promotional Gift Award from Germany’s WA
respect to the occupancy and the rate of machine
Verlag publishing house, proved to be the largest in the
utilisation,” says Creutz.
company’s history, calling for one million parts and
requiring rapid ramping up from one to four machines.
“In the case of the coolbox for sweets, our customer
Koziol invested around one million Euros in a
modernisation of the mould shop, which included the
installation of eleven new Krauss-Maffei injection
was overwhelmed by the demand“, says Creutz. Using
moulding machines – seven CX 110 and four CX 160
its in-house mould manufacturing capacity, modern
models with clamping forces of 110 and 160 tonnes –
processing equipment and rapid mould clamping
each of which was equipped with Roemheld’s Hilma M-
technology meant Koziol was able to produce the plastic
TECS magnetic clamping systems.
items within two weeks by going to seven-day production
and working with four machines in parallel, he says.
28
been able to handle this order
Roemheld-Hilma estimates the use of a magnetic
platen clamping system reduces mould change times
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quick mould change | Application
QMC investments at
Hirschmann and
Palaplast
Koziol is not the only company to see the potential efficiency gains
from magnetic clamping technology. Roemheld Hilma says that in
the past three months it has taken orders for similar systems from
Hirschmann Automotive in Germany, Rankweil in Austria and
Palaplast in Greece for a total of 19 magnetic clamping plates.
Automotive supplier Hirschmann is already using more than
100 magnetic platen systems. The new order is to equip a number
of new Arburg moulding machines of between 50 and 150 tonnes.
Palaplast, which produces plastic components for irrigation
systems, is using 14 magnetic platen systems and has ordered a
further 8 systems, which will be used on moulding machines
ranging up to 300 tonnes.
by around 75%. The company offers two different
Flexible solutions
systems. The M-TECS 210 magnetic clamping elements
The 10,000 injection moulds in the Koziol store measure
are designed for temperatures up to 240°C and are
up to 1,000 mm in width and depth and 800 mm in
typically used in rubber and thermoset processing.
height. Weights range between 50 kg and 7,000 kg. Not
Koziol opted for the M-TECS 130 version, which is
all of these moulds are in regular production, but with
suitable for use up to 130°C.
such a large range the flexibility of magnetic clamping
The M-TECS 130 system uses long pole magnets,
comes into its own, allowing moulds to be positioned
A lemon
rather than square pole types. According to Roemheld,
and safely clamped without the need for the investment
squeezer
this results in a more concentrated magnetic field and
in and installation of standardised backplates on each
mould in place
is especially suitable for use with smaller moulds.
mould.
on one of
“In the past, we clamped moulds using eight
Safety is ensured because power is used only to
Koziol’s latest
clamping claws, but this was uncomfortable, expensive
switch the magnetic clamping force, not to maintain it.
magnetic QMC-
and slow,” says Creutz. Hydraulic clamping elements or
Roemheld says the magnetic field penetrates around
equipped
bayonets were also considered by Koziol, but rejected
15-20mm into the base plate of the mould, so has little
KraussMaffei
as the adapters required for the moulds would have
effect on moving mould components. Moulds with
moulding
been considerably more expensive than magnetic
complex base plates, several holes or mechanical slides
machines
clamping technology.
present no problem, and the company says it is possible
to estimate any potential reduction of clamping force
from a mould drawing if there are any concerns on the
part of the moulder.
Andreas Reich, sales manager of the Hilma die
clamping technology division of Roemheld says typical
mould clamping times for the Hilma system at Koziol
amount to two minutes compared to 10 minutes for
conventional claw clamping. Based on five mould
changes for each of the three shifts and running the
machines for 250 working days a year, a maximum of
3,750 set-up operations could be required and a
potential saving of up to 30,000 minutes (500 hours)
could be realised.
❙ www.hilma.de
❙ www.koziol.de
30
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quick mould change | Update
EAS adds
clamping
products
Engel automates mould
changing with Famox
The latest addition to the
Engel has added an automated
allows all mould and machine
many competing automated
quick mould change
mould change system to its
parameters to be transferred
mould change systems in its
product line from EAS
product line-up, offering users
from the Engel moulding
use of direct roller drives each
Europe is the ELY range of
the opportunity to carry out
machine to the mould change
with dedicated electric motor
single acting hydraulic
mould changes in less than a
unit with no need for additional
drive to move the moulds. The
rocker clamps.
minute.
interfacing hardware. It also
machinery maker says this is
provides the user with a
more robust than the more
Designed to provide a
The Famox system
clamping capability of 25
comprises a mould pre-heat
detailed schematic represen-
commonly used chain-driven
tonnes, the ELY units are
station, standardised mould
tation of the mould change
technologies.
intended for use with
coupling for cooling media,
process on the machine
moulding machines in the
and data transfer capability
display, so the operator gets a
Famox system is the continua-
80 to 3,200 tonne range.
allowing direct download of
continually updated overview
tion of its “one source”
They are designed to mount
settings from the company’s
of the status of the mould
strategy to the supply of
on standard T-slots and can
standard CC200 control
change.
moulding machine and
be custom adapted to suit a
system.
wide range of mould clamp-
The data transfer system
Famox system differs from
ing heights.
According to Engel, the
automation.
ability to make fast mould
Clamping force is
changes is becoming increas-
provided by an air hydraulic
ingly important in areas such
pump unit that switches off
as automotive, where supply
automatically once the
chain inventory reductions are
required pressure is reached
calling on suppliers to work
and restarts if the pressure
with smaller batch sizes.
Engel will offer the Famox
falls by more than 10%.
system in three sizes. The
The company has also
introduced the new EAS-y-
Famox 25 system, which can
Mag line of magnetic
be used with moulds up to 25
clamping systems, which
tonnes in weight, is available
are available for moulding
now. A smaller and larger
machines from 50 to 200
series will be introduced at a
tonnes. A feature of the new
later date.
system is the slim 38mm
plate, which minimises the
reduction in daylight when
retrofitting to existing
moulding machines.
The new clamps join a
Roemheld adds new mould cart
Mould change technology
safe operation. The standard
inserts or bars in place of the
line-up of EAS quick mould
group Roemheld Hilma has
platform includes 60 integrat-
balls.
change hardware that
introduced a new mould
ed ball inserts which are
includes coupling units for
change cart designed to speed
mechanically raised into their
introduced a new range of oil-
ejectors and mould
up mould changeovers.
operating position only once
free electric mould clamping
the cart has been correctly
units. Incorporating self-
services, together with
The RH 400 cart is a robust
Roemheld has also
hardware such as mould
unit suitable for use with
coupled with the machine,
locking operation, the devices
change carts, mould
moulds weighing up to 500kg.
preventing inadvertent
are said to be suitable for
transport systems, and pre-
It is powered by a foot pump
movement of the mould.
integration with existing
heating stations.
system, with a parking brake
The company can also
❙ www.easchangesystems.com
integrated into the chassis for
supply the RH 400 with roller
32
processing machinery.
❙ www.hilma.de
Update | quick mould change
Change Mould targets
short run projects
German mould parts
maker Meusburger has
developed a new stand-
Swiss robotics and mould
automation accessories
maker Stäubli has opened a
and are currently offered in
new assembly hall at
Change Mould – that allows
three different sizes. Standard
Bayreuth in Germany for
mould inserts to be switched
cavity inserts are supplied pre-
production of connector
without removing the mould
machined with mounting holes
systems.
from the machine.
and are available in material
The Change Mould system
is said to be suitable for
anyone requiring prototype
Change Mould insert system
Change Moulds are
supplied as modular systems
ardised mould system –
Meusburger’s latest
compromise precision.
Stäubli
opens in
Germany
The 2,200m2 facility will
options including prehardened
manufacture robot tool
steel and 3.4365 aluminium.
changer systems (MPS),
Inserts incorporate a
multi-coupling plates
parts in the final material
number of design features that
(MCS), and components for
or for short series
makes it impossible to
Quick Mold Change
production. According to
incorrectly fit the cavity. The
systems. It also includes a
Meusburger, speed of
company has also developed
testing facility and ware-
replacement of the cavity
an ejector set.
housing.
insert has not been allowed to
❙ www.meusburger.com
❙ www.staubli.com
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Device innovation | medical
Efforts to simplify medical treatment and diagnostics are opening
up new opportunities for innovative device makers,
plastics processors and material makers
Technical systems
drive medical growth
The global medical device market is expected to exceed
Main picture:
The single-use colonoscope manufactured by
Fraunhofer
$300bn in value terms this year, according to industry
German moulder Spang & Brands for Invendo Medical
analysts, with demand driven by differing regional
is a good example of this new type of medical device,
IPT’s lab-on-a-
requirements. In the more developed economies, for
utilising a remote-controlled motor-driven inverted
chip prototype
instance, the emphasis is on devices and equipment
sleeve mechanism to enable painless anaesthetic-free
that move the point of care from the hospital to the
examination of the intestine. Spang & Brands managing
routine blood
home, with particularly strong growth likely in areas
director Friedrich Echterdiek says the design presented
testing to the
such as patient monitoring, home treatment technolo-
a considerable challenge because the drive sleeve that
gies and diagnostics. Meanwhile, the growing middle
locates in the motor casing and the filigree multifunc-
classes in emerging economies are creating new
tion extensor parts are exposed not only to mechani-
demand for hospital-based healthcare products and
cal stress but also to a special lubricating oil.
services.
Since the development of the PVC blood bag back in
the 1950s, plastics have played a key part in the
aims to take
surgery
The list of oil-resistant FDAapproved plastics is quite short,
says Echterdiek. However,
development of medical products. Today, that role is
intensifying as device designers turn to more technically-demanding engineered devices incorporating
Above: The plunger on this
precision plastics components, often together with
TiGenix collagen implantation device
complex electronic and mechanical systems.
www.injectionworld.com is moulded in Zytel PA from DuPont
35
medical | Device innovation
Additives target infection
Despite the many advances that have
as VRE, MRSA, and NDM-1. The materials
copper, silane-based additives, quater-
been made in the medical sector one of
combine PolyOne’s own experience in
nary amines continues. Researchers are
its oldest challenges remains – infection.
formulation of medical plastics with
also looking at protein-based antimicrobi-
Even here, polymer technology has a role
Santized’s extensive know-how in bacterial
als, although he says this is some way
to play in the form of materials with
protection, says Johnson.
from commercialisation and there is no
WithStand products include ready-to-
inherent anti-microbial characteristics.
Death from hospital-acquired infec-
consensus in the scientific community yet
use compounds and masterbatches
as to whether the additives will be
tions (HAI) has risen to close to 100,000 a
suitable for use with a range of resins,
suitable for incorporation into plastics.
year in the US and it is estimated that
including polyolefins, TPEs and engineer-
HAIs affect between 6 and 9% of hospital
ing polymers including PC and ABS. They
Mevopur range of compounds for the
patients in Europe. The need to control
meet requirements for medical applica-
medical and pharmaceutical sectors. It
both infection and the cost of legal liability
tions including medical devices for
also works closely with Santized and uses
is contributing to an estimated 15% a year
respiratory and anesthesia applications,
its MedX anti-microbial agents.
demand growth for anti-microbials for
transportable medical devices, hospital
applications such as bed rails, infusion
furnishings, Class I, II, and III medical
by BASF in its Hygentic additive range,
sets and medical equipment housings,
devices, medical packaging, and other
which the company claims can help
according to PolyOne global healthcare
healthcare and wellness-related
reduce the risk of HAI to patients. At its
marketing director Lawrence W Johnson.
applications.
technical center at Tarrytown in the US,
PolyOne’s Withstand anti-microbial
Johnson says ionising silver is proven,
Clariant includes antimicrobials in its
Silver ion technology is also being used
the company’s medical devices team
product line uses MedX active silver ion
reliable and effective and is the primary
develops silver ion formulations for
technology developed by Sanitized, which
antimicrobial additive for polymer-based
thermoplastics and silicones that meet
has been shown in studies to be effective
healthcare solutions. However, develop-
individual customer applications. “This
against antibiotic-resistant bacteria such
ment of alternatives based on zincs,
selective combination produces synergy
the company has located a specially-formulated
use. If friction between the parts of the pen is kept to its
turquoise-coloured TPE for the drive sleeve seals,
minimum, then the patient will need a minimum of
which are overmoulded onto a glass fibre reinforced
force to dose or inject the drug,” says Stefan Burren,
grey-coloured PP sleeve body.
manager of product development at Ypsomed.
The Invenda colonoscope is already approved for use
in Europe and Japan and Invenda is in the process of
grade of its Zytel polyamide for medical applications.
applying for US FDA accreditation. Small series pilot
One of the first to make use of it is Belgian company
production is underway now at Spang & Brands, with full
TiGenix, which is using the grade to produce its
scale production expected to get underway during 2013.
ChonroMimetic collagen implant delivery device. This
Good material selection and close cooperation
device, which was launched last year, is used to treat
between device developer and material supplier plays a
small osteochondral (cartilage and underlying bone)
key role in achieving effective operation of medical
defects by implanting collagen to encourage the body’s
devices. Swiss injection systems developer Ypsomed is
natural repair mechanisms.
using a newly developed ultra-low friction grade of
The device comprises a white outer casing made
Delrin acetal resin from DuPont to manufacture the
from ABS with a translucent PC delivery tube at the tip,
critical dosing sleeve on its latest UnoPen disposable,
which allows a visual check to be made on progress of
variable dose insulin pen.
implant delivery. The Zytel SC resin is used to mould the
The manual device uses a pre-filled glass cartridge
plunger and compressor fingers, which are in direct
carrying the insulin, which it delivers using a dial-up
contact with the implant material and are critical in
dosage system. The dose dial sleeve locates between
holding it in place during the insertion process.
the housing and piston rod and plays a key role in
ensuring correct dosage and ease of delivery.
“The friction properties of the material used for the
dose dial sleeve are fundamental to the pen’s ease of
36
DuPont has also developed a Special Control (SC)
US-based respiratory disorder treatment specialist
ResMed is using Cycolac and Lexan resin from Sabic
Innovative Plastics to produce parts for its S9 series of
sleep apnea devices, allowing it to meet its goal of
Device innovation | medical
be used once so they must be affordable. The economies of scale of processes such as injection moulding
will be required to make the systems cost effective. “We
predict that in the long run, with production on a large
enough scale, each chip will cost no more than one
euro,” says Dr Albrecht Brandenburg, group manager at
the IPM.
Plastics have certainly proved themselves capable of
producing complex and technically demanding singleuse medical devices. Finland-headquartered Medisize,
which was acquired earlier this year by Phillips Plastics
of the US, manufactures a wide range of complex
medical disposables. “Our market and our strength is
complex disposables in particular,“ says Ulrich Schmid,
business development manager at Medisize.
effects that enhance the efficiency
Catheters are
of the individual components,” says
a prime
Edgar Eichholz, launch manager for
potential
market for
medical device materials at BASF.
Injection World’s sister magazine
anti-microbial
Compounding World published an
polymers
in-depth review of antimicrobial
and biocidal additives in January of
An example is a peristaltic cassette pump for Swiss
Medical Care for administration of contrast media in
imaging applications. Manufactured in a combination of
PC, ABS, POM and PS and part of the company’s CT
Expres Injector system, the device is injection moulded,
assembled, welded, leak-tested and packaged before
being sterilised.
The company also manufactures a titration plate
this year.
with 1536 bores for polymerase chain reaction DNA
❙ www.polyone.com
❙ www.clariant.com
❙ www.basf.com
replication (PCR) tests where highly consistent
fluorescence of the base material has to be guaranteed
together with dimensional accuracies in a few hundredths of a millimeter.
One of the big challenges for medical device makers
producing an effective treatment device that does not
is finding materials that meet performance and
look out of place in home environments. ResMed is
regulatory requirements. However, while regulatory
using a Cycloloy ABS/PC blend to produce the thin wall
compliance can present obstacles to the use of plastics,
chassis for the device. Lexan PC is used to mould the
it can also create opportunities. PolyOne global
top of the case and the humidifier flip-lid.
healthcare marketing director Lawrence W Johnson
The ResMed S9 series sleep apnea device range
points to the issue of lead in radiation shielding as one
includes continuous, auto and variable positive airway
example. “Although the European Union’s RoHS and
pressure models. All feature a streamlined, high-tech
WEEE directives currently exempt healthcare devices,
design – they are intended to look more like a clock
tighter restrictions on the use of lead are expected in
radio or stereo than a piece of medical equipment. They
the future,” he says.
are also engineered to be lightweight yet durable.
Plastics are playing a key role in the shift of hospital
With many device manufacturers and designers
looking for alternative radiation shielding materials, the
diagnostic functions to doctors’ surgeries, or even to the
company has developed its Trilliant radiation shielding
home. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for
solutions. The combination of metallic fillers and
Physical Measurement Techniques (IPM) are among
engineering plastics allows specific gravities of up to 11
many working on the development of “lab-on-a-chip”
to be achieved for these new compounds, similar to lead.
solutions for diagnostic testing such as blood analysis.
Tests have shown that the Trilliant solutions also
Its development system combines an automatic testing
perform similarly to lead in terms of shielding from 100
controller with a disposable test “chip”. The doctor only
and 125kV x-rays, 35keV gamma radiation from iodine-
has to load the sample and wait for the results.
125 isotopes, 71keV gamma radiation from thallium-201,
Each biochip carries special reagents and carefully
designed fluid channels that take the sample through a
and 152 keV gamma radiation from technecium-99m.
The shielding performance of the Trilliant compounds
sequence of test stages. While the automated control
is combined with the ability to be injection moulded into
device can be used many times, each biochip can only
complex shapes, exploited by German moulder Reiter-
37
medical | Device innovation
problem for patients suffering certain liver and heart
disorders or cancers that was previously treated by the
uncomfortable process of draining via needles.
The AlfaPump system comprises a subcutaneous
implanted pump and a catheter system. One catheter
connects the abdomen to the pump, the other connects
the pump to the bladder from where the drained fluid
can be discharged naturally. Sequana Medical’s
engineering team selected Vestakeep PEEK iGrade
HG Geiger to produce
shielded enclosures for the
ResMed
resin from Evonik for the pump unit for its combination
of biocompatibility and lightweight.
electronics on Siemens’ latest
The ease of processing of the VestaKeep polymers
computed tomography (CT) scanners.
also provides flexibility in design and keeps manufac-
Meanwhile, plastics are increasingly being used
turing costs down. “The AlfaPump system not only
wanted the
in demanding and critical applications inside the human
improves the quality of life for patients but also
appearance of
body. Earlier this year, US-based Kelyniam Global
represents a cost-effective solution,” says Dr Noel
its sleep apnea
announced it had obtained FDA 510(k) clearance for its
Johnson, CEO at Sequana Medical.
treatment
custom skull implants, produced in PEEK-Optima
systems to fit
(polyether ether ketone) resin from Invibio.
into the home
environment
Kelyniam’s CSI implants are intended to correct or
High performance implantable engineering plastics
are also being used by US-based Integra LifeSciences in
production of its latest series of brain shunt valves,
replace bony voids in the skull caused by trauma or
which are implanted during brain surgery to manage
birth defects. The company designs and manufactures
fluid build up in the skull (hydrocephalus).
each implant for the individual patient, using stream-
Parts of the multi-piece assemblies are injection
lined CAD design and manufacturing processes to
moulded by Integra using Eviva polysulphone (PSU)
deliver finished implants in as little as 24 hours
resin from Solvay Specialty Polymers’ Solviva line of
following receipt of the CT scans.
polymers for implantable applications. Aside from its
“We chose PEEK-Optima because the product has a
compliance with medical industry implant require-
long safety record, is compatible with our manufactur-
ments, the Eviva grade is also transparent and offers
ing environment and is consistently available on short
good toughness and dimensional stability.
notice should our customers demand it,” says James
Ketner, Kelyniam president & CEO.
PEEK-Optima offers bone-like mechanical properties and modulus, is compatible with conventional
medical imaging techniques, and can be secured with a
wide range of fixation systems. Kelyniam claims the
improved fit to the patient’s skull can reduce the time in
the operating theatre by up to 85%.
Switzerland-based Sequana Medical is using PEEK
resin to manufacture an implantable pump used to
drain excessive fluid from the abdomen (ascites), a
Click on the links for more information:
❙ www.spang-brands.de
❙ www.dupont.com
❙ www.sabic-ip.com
❙ www.ipt.fraunhofer.de
❙ www.medisize.com
❙ www.polyone.com
❙ www.invibio.com
❙ www.evonik.com
❙ www.solvayplastics.com
Kelyniam’s custom-made skull implants are produced in Ivibio PEEK
38
This month’s free
brochure downloads
Simply click on the brochure cover or link to download a PDF of the full publication
Engel: injection magazine
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The latest edition of Engel’s
Injection magazine includes
an in-detail look at the
JoinMelt in-mould welding
technology, as well as a review
of other Engel technologies
and site reports from
customers including Johnson
Controls, Eldor, Sonoco
Crellin, Widek and VARI.
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Norner: testing times
NORNER Scientific Laboratories
Determination of mechanical,
physical and thermal properties
NORNER is a leading independent technology centre with
high expertise and state of the art instruments for
mechanical and physical testing of materials and products
Industrial Impact
Norner Services
Norner Confidence
Todays wide range of products
and materials involves a broad
range of requirements. The
fulfilment of physical parameters
must be analysed during product
development and improvement
projects and for quality control
and documentation of product
performance.
Physical material properties
Our scientific lab services perform
standard and advanced testing
for both global and local industry.
Our tests range from tensile
and impact properties to optical
and thermal properties. Some
few examples are: Charpy, Izod,
Shore A/D, Creep, Tensile, Flex,
HDT, DSC, TGA and rheological
characterisation.
We strive to achieve a close
cooperation with our customers
in order to facilitate a good flow
of information. All information
regarding the product, production
and use is vital for how we
select the test methods and final
requirements. We have a high focus
on meeting our customer needs.
Norner has the competence,
equipment and resources to provide
material and product testing
according to international standards
and a wide range of special tests.
Our modern laboratory support
customers directly with required
tests and indirectly by providing
appropriate data into our customer
specific development projects.
Norner has full scale plastic
processing machinery to produce
articles for testing by injection,
blow or rotational moulding and
film mono- and co-extrusion.
Product performance testing
We have invested in several
instruments and test methods for
testing of moulded products and
films. Some examples are: Top
load, ESCR, fatigue testing, drop
tests, pressure testing, sealability,
optical properties and colour.
Product development
Product improvement
Quality improvement
Seminars and training
Our team of material testing
experts deliver structured and
conclusive reports. We serve
our customers in a personalised
way and enjoy working with our
international clients.
Norner’s three business areas
reflect our value chain approach:
Scientific Laboratories
Polymer Research
Plastics Dvelopment
Norner is approved according to
-ISO 9001:2008
-ISO/IEC 17025 on selected tests
➤ Click here to download
Plastribution: product portfolio
Plastribution’s 24-page
Product Portfolio 2012
provides customers with an
easy-to-use guide to the wide
range of polymer materials it
can supply, listing products by
supplier, material type and
brand name. It also takes
users through the company’s
online support tools.
Product
Portfolio
2012
Whether for product
development or quality
improvement, accurate and
reliable material and product
data is vital. This two-page
brochure details the range of
contract testing services
available from Norner
Scientific Laboratories.
PolyOne: engineered materials
Business
Overview
This six-page brochure
takes you through PolyOne’s
Specialty Engineered
Materials business unit,
covering the range of
compound and TPE
solutions it offers by market,
performance requirement
and geography.
Specialty Engineered Materials
Delivering value and measurable
results with tailored solutions for
your demanding applications
Conair: drying technology
Technology Bulletin
By Jamie Jamison, Drying Product Manager, The Conair Group
Taking the Guesswork Out of the Drying Process
Proper drying is the key to ensuring quality in parts made of
engineering thermoplastics. Considering how costly these
materials are, it is easy to see why it is so important to have
good data about what is actually happening in the drying
hopper and to use that information to gain tight control over
helping you get the maximum return on the investment you
have in your valuable raw materials.
that process. A patented device called the Drying Monitor
measures temperature at several different levels in the drying
hopper, documenting whether or not conditions are right
for proper drying. This white paper examines why this
information is so important, how the device works and how
it can be used to take the guesswork out of the drying
process and give you a higher level of control over the
quality of your products.
Bayer, Eastman, SABIC (GE Plastics), DuPont, BASF and
others — have spent millions of dollars over the years analyzing the conditions that result in optimum performance in their
materials. They have a huge vested interest in getting this
Material represents the single largest cost in almost any
plastics processing operation. Think about it. If you have a
Why Dry
Producers of hygroscopic materials — companies such as
right because, if a molder or extruder can’t make good product, they’re going to be on the phone to the resin company
asking why their material is failing to perform up to spec.
These materials companies will tell you that the vast majority
of customer complaints about resin performance are rooted
in improper (and, therefore, incomplete) drying.
machine processing 100 lb/hr (45 kg/hr) for 8400 hours
per year, that adds up to 840,000 lb or 450,000 kg. If you
are processing engineering resins – hygroscopic materials
that require proper drying in order to develop their full
mechanical properties – the material for this one machine
could be costing you millions of dollars per year. Next, add
in labor, plant and equipment, and you begin to understand
what it costs to mold or extrude every single pound of
resin. These are truly mind-boggling numbers.
Considering everything you have invested in producing a
saleable part made of an engineering thermoplastic, why
would you risk the scrap, downtime and energy waste that
result when a problem occurs in your dryer. A relatively small
one-time investment in dryer control technology – like the
patented Conair Drying Monitor – can go a long way toward
An extreme example of the kind of problems caused by excess moisture
in molded plastics.
200 West Kensinger Drive l Cranberry Township, PA 16066 l 724.584.5500 l www.conairgroup.com
1
Take the guesswork out of
drying your polymer
materials. This five-page
whitepaper explains the
importance of effective
drying, how the drying
system works, and how you
can improve your drying
performance.
Dynapurge: purging performance
This product information
sheet details how the DynaPurge M non-abrasive
purging compound can help
speed up colour changes on
a wide range of injection
moulding machines,
including both cold and hot
runner feed systems.
If you would like your brochure to be included on this page, please contact
Claire Bishop. [email protected]. Tel: +44 (0)20 8686 8139
medical | Update
Vention
buys ATEK
operations
Eastman widens European
medical packaging options
US-based medical device
Eastman has added its Tritan
chemical resistance as its
sterilisation temperatures and
designer and manufacturer
MP100 copolyester to the
established Eastar 6763
faster ethylene oxide cycle
Vention Medical is to
range of resins it offers for
copolyester resin, but adds
times without risk of warping
acquire Grand Rapids,
rigid medical packaging
improved heat resistance and
or sticking, says the company.
Michigan-headquartered
applications in Europe.
better post-sterilisation clarity.
ATEK Medical Group,
The Tritan MP100 grade
Eastman has been offering
This means packaging
the MP100 grade in the US
including its ATEK Plastics
provides users with the same
produced in the new grade can
since 2010.
division at Kerrville in
levels of clarity, toughness and
safely withstand higher
❙ www.eastman.com
Texas.
Vention Medical is a
leading manufacturer of
medical devices with eight
IMCD introduces DEHP alternatives
manufacturing locations
Netherlands-based IMCD Group is to
across the US, Central and
distribute Teknor Apex’s latest range of
South America.
medical industry Apex PVC compounds
ATEK Medical operates
at three locations producing
in Europe.
The new PVC compounds use a
a range of Class I, II and III
variety of plasticisers, including citrates
medical devices. It manu-
and trioctyl trimtellitate (TOTM), to
factures around 150 million
provide medical device makers with an
medical plastics compo-
alternative to DEHP. The product range
nents a year.
includes injection moulding grades
One of the postacquisition plans is to
suitable for the production of syringe
bodies and luer connectors.
merge the two companies’
The Apex compounds include a
activities in Costa Rica into
number of special products offering
a single 17,500m2 manufac-
features such as frosted effects and
turing facility.
gamma sterilisation compatibility.
❙ www.ventionmedical.com
❙ www.atekmedical.com
❙ www.imcdgroup.com
❙ www.teknorapex.com
Apex PVC compounds provide alternatives to DEHP
Engel’s Ever-Q targets machine compliance
Engel is offering medical
measurements are made
moulders a full machine
against independently calibrat-
calibration service that ensures
ed devices and are logged and
their equipment complies with
deviations recorded.
GMP industry standards.
The Ever-Q documentation
40
The company claims the
service is more cost effective
service includes measure-
than external calibration
ments of more than 20 major
specialists and provides all the
machine functions, including
data required for GMP
clamping force, injection speed,
certification and Operation
holding pressure, cycle timers
Qualification (OQ).
and barrel temperatures. All
Update | medical
Elasto flexes colour options
NEU offers
high speed
delivery
Elasto has expanded its
all produced within the
grades provide more
Mediprene range of TPEs for
company’s ISO 13485
consistent colour and better
the medical sector with a line
compliant Mediprene unit.
pigment dispersion than
of coloured grades.
The range includes injection
could be achieved using
PolyOne subsidiary NEU
moulding and extrusion
masterbatch colouring.
Speciality Engineered Mate-
grades.
❙ www.elastotpe.com
rials, based at North Haven,
The new fully-compounded
products use USP Class IV
and ISO 10993 compliant
colours and carriers and are
Connecticut, in the US, has
According to the
company, the new
introduced a 24-hour
turnaround for medical
polymer formulations.
The company, which is a
manufacturer of TPU and
flexible thermoplastics for
medical applications
including radiopaque,
BASF launches medical PBT
antimicrobial and surface
BASF has extended its PRO
been formulated to deliver
grade is formulated for
with the design and
family of polymers for the
shrinkage behaviour that
production of functional parts
development of new
medical moulding sector with
meets the tighter tolerances
for insulin pens or dry powder
products and in initiating
the introduction of its first
required for demanding
inhalers.
screening trials.
medical grade Ultradur PBT
medical device mechanical
and the addition of a new high
parts. It can be sterilised using
in BASF’s PRO family, the new
ers need a supplier that can
impact resistant Ultraform
ethylene oxide and gamma
additions comply with EU, US
respond quickly to their
POM.
radiation methods.
and Japanese Pharmacopeias
material needs while also
and ISO 10993-5. BASF also
supporting customers with
Ultradur B4520 PRO is
Ultraform N2320 003 PRO
In common with all resins
modified grades, says the
move will help customers
“Medical device develop-
formulated for injection
is a new POM (acetal) injection
offers customers a commit-
medical technology and
moulding applications.
moulding grade. Offering
ment that no changes will be
formulation expertise,” says
Providing the expected
higher viscosity, improved
made to the formulation stored
Eduardo Alvarez, business
dimensional stability of PBT,
impact resistance and
in the FDA Drug Master File.
manager at NEU.
this new grade is said to have
enhanced stiffness, the new
❙ www.basf.com
❙ www.neuinc.com
Solvay adds standard colours
Solvay Specialty Polymers is
expanded colour palette gives
now offering its Radel
medical device manufacturers
poylphenysulphone (PPSU)
new opportunities in terms of
resin in a range of standard
design, aesthetics, and
opaque colours for applica-
branding,” says Maria
tions such as medical and
Gallahue-Worl, global
dental devices.
business manager for
Available worldwide, the
company says the introduction
healthcare for Solvay Specialty
Polymers.
Solvay’s Radel PPSU is now available in coloured grades
of this range of standard
Radel PPSU is a high
colours will help device
performance resin offering
withstand 1,000 steam
10993-1 for non-implantable
manufacturers keep their
good thermal and chemical
sterilisation cycles with no
devices, according to the resin
costs down while improving
resistance and high hydrolytic
significant loss of performance
manufacturer.
product differentiation. “This
stability. The resin will
and is compliant with ISO
❙ www.solvayplastics.com
41
Unbeatable deals for 2012
Book your 2012 advertisement campaign now and take advantage of
our value-for-money package deals. These include average
discounts of more than 20% on our already very competitive series
rates, plus free Brochure Showcase entries.
Many major international exhibitions are taking place next year,
including Interplastica, PlastIndia, NPE, Chinaplas and Plast. If you
are exhibiting at any of these important events, then our magazines
provide a great opportunity to promote your presence alongside our
focused previews.
Plus we have a strong line-up of features for each magazine,
covering the latest machinery, materials and market trends
throughout 2012. Click on the logos below to see our new media
packs with their detailed features lists so that you can pick the most
relevant issues for your adverts.
Four-pack
Four full-page adverts plus one free Brochure
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Adverts must be reserved
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They can be booked in
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Contact our
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Claire Bishop:
[email protected]
Tel +44 20 8686 8139
Twelve-pack
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Click on the logos to download the relevant media pack with 2012 features lists and distribution details:
photo: Hofmann Innovation
Moulding masterclass | processing feature
In the latest
instalment in
his Moulding
Masterclass series,
moulding expert
John Goff turns
his attention to
what goes on in
the mould
cavity during the
cooling cycle
Rise to the cooling challenge
So far in this series of articles looking at the injection
to be removed and should not be ignored completely. Of
Appliance
moulding process we have focused on getting the
course, any time reductions resulting from mould
maker Miele
molten material into the mould cavity in the most
movement optimisation must not be achieved at the
uses conformal
efficient way. Now we turn our attention to the manner
expense of safety or long term damage to the surface of
cooling
in which the mould tool is opened and closed and the
the mould tool and/or the moulding machine.
techniques to
maximise heat
rate at which the molten material solidifies within the
cavity, as both are regarded by many as critical for
Don’t overlook the basics
energy
achieving productivity gains.
Converting solid granular plastics material into a
extraction
molten liquid at uniform temperature requires the input
rates from its
choice of opening distance and corresponding interme-
of both conductive and frictional heat energy. And the
moulds
diate values (with their respective speed and force
amount of heat energy required to convert polymeric
settings) often culminates in time reductions. It is a
material from either its ambient or drying temperature
general observation that mould tool setting procedures
to a value where it flows readily and uniformly will vary
vary considerably throughout the industry as the
from polymer to polymer. This heat energy is then
methodology employed differs from company to
transferred from the screw and barrel assembly to the
company. The type of moulding machines present, their
mould tool upon filling the impression to 95-98%
size, their make, and the weight and the complexity of
fullness and applying holding pressure.
With particular reference to mould setting, the
the mould tool all contribute to the way in which
individual firms approach the mould setting task.
Cooling time, rather than mould setting, is regarded
The mould tool can be considered as a heat exchanger where the derived heat energy is absorbed into the
mould. This heat content needs to be removed, which is
by most as the more significant part of the moulding
most commonly achieved via the cooling medium
cycle and for this reason mould setting will be discussed
flowing within and around the components and plates of
in more detail at a later stage. However, it should be
the mould tool through machined channels. These
noted at this point that while the greater focus is given to
channels are normally drilled and thus circular in
cooling time optimisation, mould movement times do
cross-section. However, mould manufacturing tech-
contribute to the overall time available for heat content
niques that involve cavities and cores manufactured in
43
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sections and then vacuum brazed allow different
configurations and shaped (conformal) cooling channels
to be produced.
Heat removal has to be as uniform and efficient as
possible to allow the moulded component to reach a
photo: Engel/ZAO
Moulding masterclass | processing feature
temperature at which it can to be ejected without risk of
distortion or change in shape. When the molten plastic
touches the colder surfaces of the core and cavity it
solidifies and forms a solid skin (referred to as frozen
layer). Once the molten material has been delivered into
the cavity it takes some time for the resulting moulding
to cool to the ejection temperature, and this time is
naturally reflected in the overall selected cooling time
value. For the heat energy to be removed from the bulk
of the moulding it is initially required to pass through
the frozen layer in contact with the adjacent metal
surface of the cavity and core, then through the
thickness of the mould material and finally into the
cooling medium passing within the machined channel.
Such temperature values inevitably result in mouldings
Good mould
effectively transferred through the frozen skin, compres-
with poorer surface finish, increased inherent stress
design is the
sion against the metal surfaces of the mould tool needs
levels and that display an increased tendency to deform
first and a
to take place – achieved by application of holding
and warp, particularly with semi-crystalline materials.
critical step in
For the heat energy from the molten core to be
pressure. Practical observations confirm this - proces-
Coolant flow rate depends upon the flow channel
sors that mould typical semi-crystalline materials such
dimensions – including the length and diameter - the
as acetal, polyamides, polypropylene and high density
flow characteristics of the cooling medium and the
polyethylene without holding pressure find when
pumping pressure. Naturally, the smaller the channel
undertaking the short shot technique to achieve 95-98%
diameter and longer the flow path of the cooling
fill that the resultant sunken mouldings are much hotter
medium, the greater the pumping pressure required to
to handle than when holding pressure has been applied.
maintain the high flow rates. To achieve performance
As some melt solidification takes place during the
optimal results
improvements and gains in productivity, the heat
holding pressure phase, the sum of both the holding
content entering the mould tool from the molten resin
pressure and cooling time values is often regarded as
needs to be fully removed during each cycle. Accurate
the total time available to allow the heat energy to be
mould surface temperature control is of paramount
removed from the moulding. Naturally the grade and
importance to achieve consistent product quality - it is
type of the material used to make the mould tool, the
not sufficient to just consider where the cooling
cooling medium and associated flow rate passing in and
channels are located.
around the mould tool has a considerable influence on
achieving
As a rough guide, taking and using a mould tempera-
the selected cooling time value. Furthermore, the type
ture controller off-the-shelf without first determining
and number of mould temperature controllers used for
its actual capability with respect to the role it has to
a particular mould tool plays a role in achieving the fast
fulfil can reduce profits by as much as 20%. More often
heat removal rates required to obtain low cooling time
than not, few technical considerations are given to this
value selection.
extremely important topic of injection moulding
technology, which can yield considerable improvements
Get mould design right
in overall manufacturing productivity and product
When designing injection mould tools for manufacture
quality. We will look at this area in closer detail in the
of thermoplastics components, designers often
next instalment in this series.
overlook that plastics materials are insulators and poor
conductors of heat. In order to increase the rate of heat
About the author
removal, the use of cooling medium temperatures at or
John Goff is managing director of G&A Moulding
below the recommended values are often employed.
Technology. This is the eighteenth instalment in the
This is particularly the case when the number and
Moulding Masterclass series. You can read the most
design of the cooling channels within the mould is poor.
recent previous articles here, here and here.
45
show report | Fakuma 2011
Reflections on Fakuma 2011
Germany’s 21st Fakuma trade fair, which took place in
of enquiries for new equipment started to ramp; a year
Friedrichshafen in October, once again validated its
later and Fakuma 2011’s machinery exhibitors were
important place in the European plastics events
reporting near record levels of sales and order books
calendar.
looking strong well into 2012.
According to organiser P E Schall, more than
The fragile state of the world enonomy and the crisis in
44,800 visitors attended the five-day show, up by
the Euro-zone may result in some slowing in the months
20% on the previous event in 2009, and the data
ahead but the common refrain from exhibitors was
shows more than 30% of attendees came from
“concern” rather than “crisis”. Hopefully, by the time the
outside of Germany (up from 23%). Some regular
industry meets again in Friedrichshafen for Fakuma 2012,
attendees interviewed by Injection World ques-
those concerns may have been consigned to history.
Over the next three pages we take a brief look at
tioned whether that visitor growth was
reflected in the footfall in the aisles,
some of the new equipment and materials that launched
but most agreed this year’s event had
at the show.
brought in a strong overseas presence.
Chris Smith, Editor – [email protected]
Fakuma 2012 will take place on 16-20 October 2012
❙ www.fakuma-messe.de
And the mood was without doubt
positive. K 2010 took place as the level
Cube caps
closure
output
KraussMaffei demonstrated
its SpinForm system in
production of a three-part
push-pull closure on a 200
tonne CX Series machine.
The swivel platen
machine design combined
with cube mould technology
from Zahoransky Formenbau provided a highly
The Success 22
Sepro unveils its
Success robots
is the first in a
new robot line
from Sepro
efficient and compact
French robot maker Sepro
servo speed and precision
production cell, further
Robotique launched the first
available to moulders who
enhanced by the use of
model in its new Success
have applications that require
energy saving servo pump
beam robot family at the show.
simple pick and place
previous version respectively. Z
functionality and simple
axis speed is up by 20% to 3 m/
drive technology. The 2x4
The Success 22 is a servo-
cavity mould was running on
driven robot intended for mid-
downstream operations,” he
s. X axis stroke is 6,000mm
a 6-second cycle.
sized moulding machines from
says.
and Z axis 1,400mm.
Zahoransky’s cube mould
150 to 400 tonnes. It is faster
The Success 22 model can
The Success robots will use
enables a standard mould to
and able to handle heavier
handle a standard payload of
the company’s Touch 2 line of
be combined with different
loads than the previous Axess
10kg, 25% more than its Axess
controllers.
cavity sets –allowing
designs, yet the new model is
equivalent. In addition, it offers
different parts to be
very cost-effective, according
8% longer stripping stroke at
robots last year and recorded
moulded and assembled on
to Sepro managing director
700mm and speeds have been
sales of around E50m with
one manufacturing system.
Jean-Michel Renaudeau.
increased on all axes. X and Y
more than 80% of this from its
axis speeds are both 2 m/s, up
export activities.
by 67% and 18% on the
❙ www.sepro-robotique.com
❙ www.kraussmaffei.com
❙ www.zahoransky-group.com
46
“Like our Axess robots, this
new line makes three-axis
Sepro built more than 1,400
Fakuma 2011 | show report
Wittmann adds handling
Servo driven B and C axes on the
Wittmann showed its new W818 beam robot,
W818 offer 0.001˚ precision
which takes over from its long standing W711
design, demonstrating it with servodrive rotation on both B and C axes.
According to Wittmann, by
In standard form, the W818
Hekuma
puts end
to free-fall
Automation specialist
offering the abilty to specify
Hekuma introduced its
improves on the W711 with a
additional servo-drive rotational
Sigma Inside high speed
maximum load carrying capability
movements on the new model it
robotic solution for cavity-
of 6kg and a vertical stroke of up
is providing users with the
specific part handling.
to 1,200mm. It also
ability to use the robot in
offers servo motors on all
place of articulated
three linear movement axes,
each of which is equipped with a
linear encoder for precise
positional accuracy.
Wittmann has enhanced
gripper drive options
on the W818
The company claims that
the new system will operate
designs.
faster than free-fall part
The servo B axis, for
removal while giving the
example, is capable of steplessly
additional benefit of cavity
rotating the gripper and C swivel from 0-270˚,
separation for QC purposes.
while the servo C axis can rotate the gripper by
The Sigma Inside system
0-180˚. Each offers positional accuracy to within
uses integrated sensors to
0.01˚. Load carrying capacity is reduced to 4kg
ensure every cavity has
with both B and C rotational drive options.
been picked from the
The combination of the rotational movements
mould, then removes them
with the TruePath programming feature in the
and places them in cavity
company’s latest R8.2 controller makes it
order.
possible to plan complex operations that include
The modular system can
umlimited parallel movements. New additions to
be combined with a
the R8.2 controller include the SmartStart
measurement system to
function, which allows staff with very limited
isolate any parts outside of
programming knowledge to set up a routine.
specification.
❙ www.wittmann-group.com
❙ www.hekuma.com
BASF optimises crash performance
BASF introduced three new
for tests at customers, is
crash-optimized specialty
reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower
polyamide 6 resins at the fair,
in shape and includes 45°
targeting automotive applica-
ribbing. Using this test
tions such as pedestrian
specimen, the new grades
protection, seating and
withstand 240° static torsion
steering wheel structures.
compared to 150° for the
The range includes Ultramid
B3ZG7 CR and B3ZG3 CR,
reinforced with 35% or 15%
company’s previous Ultramid
B3WG6 CR product offering.
The new grades provide
glass fibre reinforcement, and
improvements in elasticity of
Ultramid®B3ZG10 CR, the first
up to 200 % and up to 50 %
impact-modified polyamide 6
increased stiffness. The
from BASF with 50 % glass fibre.
company says this means
The company came up with
structural parts could be be
a new bending and torsion test
designed that meet pedestrian
specimen to develop the new
protection requirements with a
crash-optimized grades. This
20 – 30% weight saving
specimen, which can be used
❙ www.ultramid.de
www.injectionworld.com BASF developed
this “Eiffel
Tower” sample
to develop its
crash-resistant
Ulramid grades
47
TwinWeld hybrid slices cycles
news in brief
❙ Weber Ultrasonics extended
Laser welding specialist LPKF
its range of bench-top
Laser & Electronics showed
ultrasonic welding equip-
the latest version of its
ment with the introduction of
TwinWeld hybrid system2,
the Opal Digital. Sharing the
which uses the laser within a
same basic design as the
thermal field to create a
company’s high performance
broader processing window
Saphir Digital model, the
and faster processing time.
Opal offers 20, 30 and 35kHz
The version on display
frequencies as standard, with
featured a complex welding
40 or 70 kHz special versions
head and compact housing
available to order. Features
with a new robot arm and the
include weld control by time,
now standard rotary table,
energy or peak power.
www.wuwc.de
which allows paired alternating welding of large compo-
LPKF’s hybrid TwinWeld system combines laser and thermal
nent assemblies such as
welding
S+S Separation and Sorting
Technology launched the
automotive lights, according to
“Instead of costly clamping
secure housings. The system
Protector-MF metal separa-
tools, this method only
is said to be easy to integrate
tor, which can be used to
Brunnecker, vice president of
requires inexpensive part
into an existing production set-
prevent any type of metal
laser welding at LPKF,
holders,” he said.
up and can be used to fasten
contaminant from entering
any type of component onto
the injection machine.
the company.
According to Frank
additional benefits of the
The company also showed
TwinWeld system are the
its LPKF LQ-Spot system,
hot surfaces with no tool
Designed for use in the feed
elimination of the need for
which welds a laser transpar-
contact.
to the moulding machine, the
downstream tempering.
ent rivet head onto a spike to
❙ www.lpkf.com
new model is said to provide
the performance of the
current MFE model in a more
Arburg tracks
colour in-line
compact unit that requires
less height above the
moulding machine. It uses a
twin coil and slide valve
system to remove both
ferrous and non-ferrous
Arburg demonstrated a new
Arurg and SKZ
metals from the feed stream.
process system, developed
demonstrated
www.sesotec.de
jointly with the Süddeutsche
in-line colour
Kunststoff Zentrum (SKZ), that
measurement
❙ Norres Industrial Hoses
allows colour of moulded
on this storage box
launched a new connector for
articles to be measured in-line
joining externally corrugated
with the injection moulding
station where the colour was
process.
measured. Good parts were
The system used colour
measurement technology from
according to the developers.
Arburg says the increasing
spiral hoses exposed to high
pressures or mechanical
placed on the conveyor and any
use of on-machine master-
stress. The Norconnect 231
failed parts isolated.
batch colouring could make in-
connector uses a threaded
ColorLite and was running on a
The new in-line system
line colour measurement
sealing insert that fits
130 tonne Arburg 520S Advance
compensates for thermochro-
techniques a particularly
between the hose and the
machine equipped with a
mic effects (the change in
attractive tool for processors,
clamp to make sure the two
Multlift Select robot. The robot
colour of the pigment system
providing a means to ensure
cannot part. The connector is
was used to remove the part – a
due to temperature of the
that correct dosing has been
made in aluminium and is
storage box - from the mould
surface) so it can be used as an
achieved.
said to be fast to fit.
and present it to the inspection
inline quality management tool,
❙ www.arburg.com
www.norres.com
48
PVC Formulation 2012
Market trends and technical developments in PVC additives and compounding
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here for
details
20-22 March 2012
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Engel adds larger Viper
Engel extended its Viper robot
series to six different models,
largest moulding machines.
The new robot model offers
Engel’s
latest Viper
with the latest addition capable
the same control features as
model can
of handling loads of up to 90kg.
the existing range, including
pick up to
software-based vibration
90kg
Automation is a fast
growing part of the Austrian
control, mass identification
machine maker’s business – it
and efficiency monitoring.
is on course to sell more than
These are designed to ensure
1,200 units this year. The
the robot operates at the
company says this new model
optimum level of precision,
integrated directly with the
connection to non-Engel
means it is now able to offer
speed and energy usage
Engel moulding machine
equipment via a Euromap 67
an automation solution to
regardless of loading.
controller or supplied with a
interface.
standalone controller for
company’s operating even the
The Viper robots can be
PA oil pan pushes the limits
Lanxess featured a polymeric
Marback Baier, which it
oil pan produced for Daimler’s
claims is the largest yet to be
requirements for the pan –
Mercedes Actros truck engine
produce in injection moulded
which includes being able to
Billion to
add larger
all-electric
by BBP Kunststoffwerch
polyamide.
support a load of 1.6 tonnes in
French machinery maker
the event of the engine being
Billion announced plans to
12.8 litre diesel
stood on the floor during
extend its Select range of
engine, the pans
servicing – but the PA6 version
electric machines to 600
offers a slightly smoother
tonnes.
Used on Daimler’s
measure 1,200mm
long by 400mm wide
and 350mm deep. They are
produced in two variants using
Both meet the design
surface finish and easier
Billion CEO Korbinian
removal from the mould.
Kiesl said the new machine
Truck oil pans have been
will be a hybrid design and is
either a 35% glass reinforced
traditionally produced in
likely to use electric drive for
heat stabilised Durethan PA6,6
aluminium, steel and more
the clamp, plasticising and
grade AKV 35 H2.0 or PA6
recently in SMC.
carriage movements, with
grade BKV 35 EF H2.0.
❙ www.lanxess.com
an energy efficient hydraulic
system powering injection
Demag debuts NC5 Plus control
stroke and core pulling.
Sumitomo Demag Plastics
like “favorites” in a web brows-
end of the year. It will use the
Machinery used the show to
er, allowing users one-touch
provide users with a first look
access to frequently used
ment Dr Frank Balbach says
Kiesl said electric
at its new generation NC5 Plus
pages.
the result of the changes is a
machines are the future
control system.
The company has also
mould safety and energy usage.
Director of control develop-
Construction of the first
machine will start before the
company’s Dixit 3 control.
more coherent and consistent
direction for Billion, which
revised its soft key layout and
system that provides faster
reported sales of E35m for
use and more powerful in its
functionality and has added
access and reduces the
the year to the end of
scope, the new Plus control
some new display features,
amount of training required.
September.
system incorporates improved
such as an overlay of the
navigation and a range of new
current injection pressure
to introduce an upgrade option
machines accounted for
interface features such as the
curve over the set profile. NC5
to the NC5 Plus control for
around 60% of Billion’s sales
addition of five user-definable
Plus also includes improved
existing NC5 users.
in unit terms last year.
“active” keys. These function
tools for optimising dynamics,
❙ www.sumitomo-shi-demag.eu
❙ www.billion.fr
Designed to be easier to
50
The company says it plans
All-electric Select
POLYMERS
in
Photovoltaics
2012
International forum on markets, materials and manufacturing of photovoltaics
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products | Materials
renewables
medical
Finnish energy to forest
can be used in a range of
G grade is intended for
products group UPM has
industrial applications,
general purpose applications
FDA approval
for Topas
elastomer
developed a new wood plastics
including electronics, automo-
such as toys; S is intended for
Topas Advanced Polymers
composite material range
tive, furniture and general
applications such as furniture
has secured US Food and
suitable for injection moulding
household goods, according to
requiring special surface
Drug Administration (FDA)
applications.
UPM.
finishes; and T is intended for
food contact notification for
UPM develops mouldable WPC
technically demanding
its Topas Elastomer E-140
between 20 and 60% virgin
The new materials contain
in granular form. Three
The new material is supplied
applications.
cyclic olefin polymer.
wood fibre, are colourable and
different grades are offered: the
❙ www.upm.com
The notification covers use
in aqueous, acidic, dry (with
no free surface fat or oil), and
ETPs
Evonik develops super tough PEEK
low-alcohol (up to 15%
alcohol) food-contact
applications under the FDA’s
Vestakeep Ultimate is a new
improved performance opens
of interest to producers of
Conditions of Use C through G.
polyether ether ketone
up new opportunities in highly
down-well equipment in the
The resin has already passed
(PEEK) polymer from Evonik
stressed applications such as
oil and gas industries.
USP Class VI and ISO 10993
that is claimed to provide a
sensors or ball bearing cages
25% improvement in impact
for industries such as
performance gains have been
strength and double the
automotive and aerospace.
achieved while retaining
intended to provide a high
processibility.
performance alternative to
❙ www.evonik.com
TPEs and flexible PVC.
fatigue lifetime.
According to Evonik, the
The Vestakeep Ultimate
material is also expected to be
protocols for medical uses.
Topas Elastomer E-140 is
❙ www.topas.com
stabilisers
electronics
BASF extends
UV stabiliser
range
Xantar puts colour into laser structuring
BASF has extended its UV
PC blend materials for Laser
absorber product range with
Direct Structuring processes in
a new grade – Tinuvin 1600 –
any colour.
targeted at applications
Mitsubishi Engineering
Plastics has announced it can
now supply its Xantar PC and
Laser Direct Structuring is a
requiring outstanding UV
technique used in the electron-
stability in thin wall sections.
ics industry to lay metallic
Tinuvin 1600 is a triavine
circuits onto polymer sub-
product offering low volatility,
strates and is used in applica-
good thermal stability and
tions such as printing antenna
good compatibility in a wide
onto mobile phone or laptop
variety of polymers including
casings. Until now, the
PC, PMMA, PET,PA and
company’s Xantar LDS grades
styrenics. It can help
have been available only in
maintain mechanical
black and grey.
high impact resistance
structures and provides UL
required for hand-held
94 V-1 performance at
two new grades to its line-up.
portable devices; LDS 3733 is a
1.5mm and V-0 performance
Xantar LDS 3723 is a PC/ABS
PC grade that is formulated for
at 3.0mm.
blend tailored to provide the
production of 3D circuit
❙ www.xantar.com
properties, colour intensity
Mitsubishi has also added
and transparency over long
exposure periods.
❙ www.basf.com
52
Applications | products
automotive
Teklas sees future in WIT
Turkish automotive components maker Teklas has commenced high volume
housewares
Eastman
steams into
kitchenware
production of water-assisted
French kitchenware company
injection moulded (WIT) fluid
Mastrad is using Eastman’s
tubes using BASF’s Ultramid
Tritan copolyester to mould
A3HG6 WIT resin, which has
the tray and bowl for its
been specially formulated for
multi-level steam cooker for
WIT applications.
the microwave.
Used to convey cooling
The steam cooker is a
water, air or oil in the engine
multi-purpose kitchenware
compartment, the WIT tubes
product that allows the user
need to provide minimal
to rinse, steam, store, serve
resistance to flow to achieve
BASF’s Ultramid A3HG6 WIT grade has been optimised for
and reheat food. It comprises
the lowest pressure drop.
water assist projects
a stackable steaming tray
The glass fibre reinforced
and bowl, both of which are
A3HG6 grade of Ultramid
ent wall thicknesses in WIT
integrates moulding,
moulded in the Tritan
polyamide has been formu-
applications.
trimming, finishing and
polymer, and a lid and
lated to give a good internal
Teklas is producing the WIT
fitting of metal fixings and
colander moulded in silicone
and external surface, as well
parts at its plant in Bulgaria
elastomer seals.
elastomer.
as high chemical resistance.
using a highly automated
It also yields highly consist-
manufacturing process that
❙ www.basf.com
❙ www.teklas.com.tr
produced the bowl and tray in
Mastrad had previously
polycarbonate. One reason
for the switch to Tritan was to
eliminate any consumer
construction
Verton LFT tops form in Mexico
Mexican construction firm
Meccano de Mexico has
foundations.
The new forms, which are
concern over bisphenol-A
content. However, the
company’s research and
development, quality and
steel forms, faster to
manufacturing manager
assemble, and longer-
Nicolas Bertolino says the
lasting.
Eastman material also offers
switched from metal to
produced using LNP Verton
advanced injection moulded
long fibre reinforced plastics
plastics for production of the
from Sabic Innovative Plastics,
a range of dimensions
forms it uses to cast concrete
are said to be 40% lighter than
between 1,100mm by 100mm
The forms are produced in
better resistance to steam
and dishwasher exposure.
“Eastman Tritan
to 1,000m by 600mm. Around
copolyester proved to meet
500 are required to build a
our aesthetic, functional
typical concrete house.
and manufacturing needs,”
“These moulds have the
he says. “The ease of
potential to change the way
manufacturing, combined
concrete panels are formed
with the reduced processing
on the job site, helping to
time and cost savings
streamline construction and
achieved by eliminating the
provide a competitive
annealing step, due to the
advantage for Meccano and
lower residual stress of
its customers,” says the
Tritan, helped us bring a
company’s chief innovation
differentiated product to
Meccano’s LFT forms are lighter and more durable than steel
officer Salvador Jalife Lozano.
our customers.”
alternatives
❙ www.sabic-ip.com
❙ www.eastman.com
53
products | Machinery and equipment
screw design
Double flight screw targets throughputs
The latest high productivity
it reaches the compression
alternative to barrier designs,
plasticising cycles compared
processing systems place
zone. This ensures there is
and thin walled technical parts
to a standard screw of
extra demand on the injection
little chance of a “solid wedge”
in PA, which does not plasti-
equivalent diameter.
screw, claims Austrian
of resin building up and
cise well in barrier designs. It
machinery maker Engel, which
causing deflection of the
can also be used in processing
screw is available in standard
has launched a new double
screw.
of POM, which is prone to solid
20 LD lengths in diameters
blocking.
from 35 to 80mm. It is offered
flight design for high plasticising rate applications.
With a flat cut feed zone,
Engel says the new screw
will be of benefit in a range of
The company says the gain
The new double flight
in a nitrided form for unfilled
applications where output is
will depend on the application
materials, hardened for
the double flight screw
limited by plasticising capacity.
and resin being processed, but
resins with up to 30%
provides a high level of shear
This includes production of
in applications such as those
reinforcement, and CrN
energy input to make sure the
technical parts in PP, where
mentioned above users can
coated.
polymer is fully melted before
the new screw provides an
expect up to 30% shorter
inspection
Wittmann integrates vision
technology in MicroPower
Wittmann Battenfeld has
plasticising
Nozzle tip
eliminates
drooling
integrated Cognex’s vision
US-based MD Plastics Inc
system into its MicroPower
has developed a miniature
micro moulding machine
nozzle shut-off tip that can
controller, providing users
help eliminate stringing and
with simple access to high
drooling.
level inspection tools.
According to the company,
The company has
the automatic shut-off tip
integrated the Cognex In-
makes it unnecessary to use
Sight Micro ISM 1403-11
a melt decompression cycle.
camera into the standard
It also helps maintain more
Unilog B6 machine control
repeatable part weight
and developed a special
Built-in Scara robot presenting the part to integrated vision
distribution and minimises
interface that makes it
camera in the latest MicroPower system
unwanted surface defects.
standard measurements on a
up to eight cavities on each of
than using the Cognex
of using the tip is the ability
part. It says the focus of the
the MicroPower machine’s
system directly.
to overlap plasticising with
development was to make
moving half cavities.
simple to set up most
the system as simple to set
A further claimed benefit
clamp movement, opening up
to the Wittmann Scara robot
the possibility to shorten
Battenfeld, the interface links
used on the MicroPower
overall cycle times.
the injection machine control
machine, which also triggers
The shut-off tip can be
users can quickly set up
to the standard Cognex
the image capture routine at
fitted to most standard nozzle
basic part presence tests as
VisionView system and it says
each mould cavity.
bodies and is suitable for use
well as quality inspections on
access times are little longer
❙ www.wittmann-group.com
at temperatures up to 400˚C.
up as possible.
In its current version,
According to Wittman
The camera is integrated
❙ www.mdplastics.com
54
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trends.
Injection World- Sept
The September edition of
Injection World is packed with
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developments, plus the latest
thinking on green design and
new simulation software.
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at innovations in materials
testing. It also explains how to
extend the life of your gearbox.
Compounding World – Oct
Compounding World’s October
issue is full of features on
titanium dioxide developments,
synthetic and natural fibres for
reinforcing plastics, melt
filtration, and European polymer
demand trends.
Pipe and Profile – Nov/Dec
The November/December
edition of Pipe and Profile
Extrusion developments in
wood plastics composite and
XLPE pipe extrusion, plus a
special focus on how plastics
pipes can reduce installation
costs. It also looks at the latest
materials handling innovations.
Film and Sheet – Oct/Nov
The latest edition of Film and
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performance additives for
polyolefins, developments in
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market.
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dates for your diary
Global exhibition guide
17-19 January
24-27 January
1-6 February
27 Feb – 1 March
29 Feb – 2 March
13-15 March
17-19 March 27-29 March
1-5 April
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29 May – 1 June
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19-21 June
Swiss Plastics, Lucerne, Switzerland
Interplastica, Moscow, Russia
PlastIndia, Delhi, India
Plastex, Cairo, Egypt
Plastics & Rubber Vietnam, Ho-Chi-Minh
EPLA, Poznan, Poland
3P Plas Print Pack, Lahore, Pakistan
JEC Europe, Paris, France NPE, Orlando, USA
Plastic Japan, Tokyo, Japan
Indoplas, Jakarta, Indonesia
Chinaplas, Shanghai, China
Elmia Polymer, Jönköping, Swden
Plast, Milan, Italy
Plastivision Arabia, Sharjah, UAE PDM, London, UK
Plastpol, Kielce, Poland
Argenplás, Buenos Aires, Argentina
IIME/Plastics Fair, Ho-Chi-Minh, Vietnam
www.swissplastics.ch
www.interplastica.de
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www.plasticsvietnam.com
www.epla.pl
www.plasprintpack.com.pk
www.jeccomposites.com
www.npe.org
www.plas.jp/en
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www.chinaplasonline.com
www.elmia.se/polymer
www.plastonline.org
www.plastivision.ae
www.pdmevent.com
www.targikielce.pl
www.argenplas.com.ar
www.machinery-vietnam.com
AMI conferences
31 Jan – 2 Feb
20-22 March
PVC Formulation 2012, Dusseldorf, Germany
20-22 March
Green Chemistry 2012, Cologne, Germany
26-28 March
Masterbatch Asia 2012, Singapore
17-19 April
Electrical Connectors 2012, Cologne, Germany
24-26 April
Polymers in Photovoltaics 2012, Cologne, Germany
8-9 May
14-16 May
14-15 June
Thermoplastic Concentrates 2012, Coral Springs, FL, USA
Bioplastics Compounding and Processing 2012, Miami, USA
For information on all
these events and other
AMI conferences and
seminars, see
www.amiplastics.com
Polymer Sourcing 2012, Hamburg, Germany
Fire Retardants in Plastics 2012, Den
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Product Portfolio
Mike Boswell
Managing Director
Contents
Welcome to the new Plastribution Product Portfolio
03
Products by supplier
04
Products by material
06
Products by brand name
08
Plastribution Website – ‘Our Products’ user guide
10
Because business is changing
18
Our expertise
20
Our innovation
21
Our process
22
So what next?
23
Planner: December 2011 – January 2013
24
Notes38
2
Product Portfolio
Welcome to the new
Plastribution Product Portfolio
It has been almost 20 years since Plastribution
published its first product portfolio. The concept of
assembling all the products that we supply into
one catalogue quickly became a popular format
in the industry.
Since those early days so much
will continue to provide you with a
has changed, not only in terms of
very personal response through our
the range of polymers we are now
dedicated sales teams.
able to supply, but also we have
witnessed a digital revolution which
enables instant access to the latest
information, and the capability to sort
and filter data in ways that previously
were unimaginable. When we set
about creating a new portfolio we
wanted to create a tool that would be
useful and enable you our customers
to be kept informed with the latest
information.
In order to make this possible we
have decided not to print reams
and reams of technical data sheets,
but rather a simple overview of the
materials we supply, the producers
we represent and the brand names
of the products in the portfolio. Then
to back this up we have created an
outstanding database within our new
website that allows you to search
for the materials and associated
datasheets in a whole range of
We have also included information
about the brand development
exercise we have undertaken in 2011,
www.plastribution.co.uk
Issue 01 September 2011
the magazine
A successful
cover story
Our Innovation. Turn to page 22
0845 34 54 560
In this issue
Because business is changing
A new look for Plastribution
Managing the supply chain
Our product list
Plastics design workshops
04
10
14
20
32
from which you will get a greater
understanding of who we are, what
we do and how we can work in
partnership with your business to
achieve mutual success.
You will note that we have called this
our 2012 Product Portfolio, and we
will be printing an update for you in
December 2012, and along with a 14
month planner, we will be including
updates on our product portfolio and
other features of our service. In the
interim, look out for further updates in
our Know-how Magazine and visit our
new website www.plastribution.co.uk
for the very latest developments.
Please don’t hesitate to contact
me or one of the Plastribution team
to discuss your current polymer
different ways. To help you get used
requirements.
to this great facility we have created
I hope that your business continues to
a user guide in this portfolio. Of
prosper in 2012.
course, we are also still really happy
to receive your enquiries in person,
by letter, fax, phone or email and we
Mike Boswell
3
Product Portfolio
Products by
Supplier
Supplier
API
Material
Megol
TPE
Apigo
TPE
Tivilon
TPE
Raplan
TPE
Apilon 52
TPE
Apinat
TPE
Aquapurge
Barrel Blitz Universal
Purging Agent
Aurora
Manufacturing
Aurapene
PP Recycled
Cardia Compostable
Biodegradable
Cardia Biohybrid
Biohybrid
Ipethene
LDPE
Capilene
PPCP
Capilene
PPHP
Capilene
PPRCP
Polylac
ABS
Kibilac
ASA
Kibiton
BDS
Wonderloy
PC/ABS
Wonderlite
Polycarbonate
Kibisan
SAN
Colourtone Masterbatch
Masterbatch – Blowing Agents
Masterbatch – Nylon
Masterbatch – PBT
Masterbatch – Polycarbonate
Masterbatch – POM
Masterbatch – PVC
Masterbatch – Universal
Masterbatch – UV Stabilisers
Cardia Bioplastics
Carmel Olefins
Chi Mei
Corporation
DELTECH
CORPORATION
ColourTone
Masterbatch Anti-static
Deltech
Styrilic
SMMA
Ducor
Petrochemicals
Ducor
PPCP
Ducor
PPHP
Enzymoplast
Enzo
Biodegradable
Cyrolite
Cyro
Clear Polymer
Cyro XT
Plexiglas
PMMA
Escor
EAA
Escorene
EVA
Exxelor
Functional Polymers
ExxonMobil HD
HDPE
Evonik Industries
ExxonMobil
4
Brand Name
Product Portfolio
Supplier
ExxonMobil
Gestora
Catalana de
Residuos
Idemitsu
Petrochemicals
Ineos
Brand Name
Material
ExxonMobil LD
Exact
Brand Name
Material
LDPE
Heramid S
PA6 Industrial (Italy)
LLD Plastomer
Radilon B
PA6 Prime (Germany)
ExxonMobil LLD
LLDPE
Radilon S
PA6 Prime (Italy)
Exceed
mPE
Radiflam S
PA6 Prime FR (Italy)
Enable
mPE
Radilon D
PA6.10
Vistamaxx
PP Plastomer
Heramid I/A
PA6.6 (Industrial) Germany
ExxonMobil PP
PPCP
Radiflam A
PA6.6 FR (Italy)
ExxonMobil PP
PPHP
Heramid A
PA6.6 Industrial (Italy)
Radilon A
PA6.6 Prime (Germany)
Granic
Calcium Carbonate Compounds
Radilon A
PA6.6 Prime (Italy)
Tarflon
Polycarbonate
Raditer
PBT
Xarec
SPS
Radiflam B
PBT
LLDPE
Raditer E
PETG
Heraflex
TPEE/TPE/TPV
Rotec
ASA
Romiloy
PA/ABS
Romiloy
PC/ABS
Romiloy
PC/ASA
Thermofil
PP Compounds
Sumitomo
LLDPE
Sumitomo
PPCP
Susteel
PPS
Total EVA
EVA
Total GPPS
GPPS
Total HD
HDPE
Total HIPS
HIPS
Total HIPS Alloys
HIPS Alloys
Total HIPS FR
HIPS FR
Total LD
LDPE
Total LLD
LLDPE
Total MD
MDPE
Innovex
Supplier
Radici Group
Plastics
Kafrit/Constab Masterbatch Masterbatch – Blowing Agents
Kafrit/Constab Masterbatch Masterbatch – Flame Retardant
Kafrit/Constab Masterbatch Masterbatch – Process Aids
Kafrit/Constab
Kafrit/Constab Masterbatch Masterbatch – Slip Agent
Kafrit/Constab Masterbatch Masterbatch – UV Stabilisers
Kafrit/Constab Masterbatch Masterbatch Anti-block
Kafrit/Constab Masterbatch Masterbatch Colour Universal
Kafrit/Constab Masterbatch Masterbatch Slip/Anti-block
Mitsubishi
Chemical
Mitsubishi
Engineering
Plastics
Polyram
Premix
Radici Group
Plastics
Romira
Engineering
Polymers
Modic
Functional Polymers
Sumika
Polymer
Compounds
Sumitomo
Chemical Europe
Tosoh
Iupilon
Polycarbonate
Iupital
POM (Acetal Copolymer)
BondyRam
Functional Polymers
Plustek
PA12
Plustek
PA6 Prime
Plustek
PA6.6
Ramster
PBT
Ramofin
PP Compounds
Pre-Elec
Conductive
Pre-Elec ESD
Static Dissipative Compounds
Lumicene
mPPRCP
Pretherm
Thermally Conductive
Compounds
Total PP
PPCP
Preseal TPE
TPE – Highly Conductive
Total PP
PPHP
Radilon S
PA6
Total PP
PPRCP
Heramid B
PA6
Heramid I/B
PA6 Industrial (Germany)
Total
Petrochemicals
5
Product Portfolio
Products by
Material
6
Material
Supplier
Brand Name
ABS
Chi Mei Corporation
Polylac
ASA
Chi Mei Corporation
Kibilac
ASA
Romira
Rotec
BDS
Chi Mei
Kibiton
Biodegradable
Enzymoplast
Enzo
Biodegradable
Cardia Bioplastics
Cardia Compostable
Biohybrid
Cardia Bioplastics
Cardia Biohybrid
Calcium Carbonate
Compounds
Gestora Catalana de
Residuos
Granic
Conductive
Premix
Pre-Elec
Cyro
Evonik Industries
Cyrolite
Cyro XT
Evonik Industries
Clear Polymer
EAA
ExxonMobil
Escor
EVA
ExxonMobil
Escorene
EVA
Total Petrochemicals
Total EVA
Functional Polymers
ExxonMobil
Exxelor
Functional Polymers
Mitsubishi Chemical
Modic
Functional Polymers
Polyram
BondyRam
GPPS
Total GPPS
HDPE
ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil HD
HDPE
Total HD
HIPS
Total HIPS
HIPS Alloys
Total HIPS Alloys
HIPS FR
Total HIPS FR
LDPE
Carmel Olefins
Ipethene
LDPE
ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil LD
LDPE
Total LD
LLD Plastomer
ExxonMobil
Exact
LLDPE
ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil LLD
LLDPE
Ineos
Innovex
LLDPE
Sumitomo Chemical
Europe
Sumitomo
LLDPE
Total LLD
Masterbatch – Blowing
Agents
ColourTone
Agents
Kafrit/Constab
Kafrit/Constab Masterbatch
Masterbatch – Flame
Retardant
Kafrit/Constab
ColourTone
Masterbatch – PBT
ColourTone
Masterbatch –
Polycarbonate
ColourTone
Masterbatch – POM
ColourTone
Product Portfolio
Brand Name
Material
Supplier
Brand Name
Masterbatch – Process Aids Kafrit/Constab
Material
Supplier
PMMA
Evonik Industries
Plexiglas
Masterbatch – PVC
ColourTone
Polycarbonate
Chi Mei Corporation
Wonderlite
Masterbatch – Slip Agent
Kafrit/Constab
Polycarbonate
Idemitsu Petrochemicals Tarflon
ColourTone
Polycarbonate
Plastics
Iupilon
Masterbatch – UV
Stabilisers
ColourTone
Plastics
Iupital
Masterbatch – UV
Stabilisers
Kafrit/Constab
PP Compounds
Polyram
Ramofin
Masterbatch Anti-block
Kafrit/Constab
PP Compounds
Thermofil
ColourTone
Sumika Polymer
Compounds
Masterbatch Colour
Universal
PP Plastomer
ExxonMobil
Vistamaxx
Kafrit/Constab
PP Recycled
Aurora Manufacturing
Aurapene
Masterbatch Slip/Anti-block Kafrit/Constab
PPCP
Carmel Olefins
Capilene
MDPE
Total MD
PPCP
Ducor Petrochemicals
Ducor
mPE
ExxonMobil
Exceed
PPCP
ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil PP
mPE
ExxonMobil
Enable
PPCP
Sumitomo
mPPRCP
Lumicene
Sumitomo Chemical
Europe
Romira Engineering
Polymers
PPCP
Total PP
PA/ABS
Romiloy
PPHP
Carmel Olefins
Capilene
PA12
Polyram
Plustek
PPHP
Ducor
PA6
Radici Group Plastics
Radilon S
PPHP
ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil PP
PA6
Heramid B
PPHP
Total PP
Heramid I/B
PPRCP
Carmel Olefins
Capilene
Heramid S
PPRCP
Total PP
PA6 Prime
Polyram
Plustek
PPS
Tosoh
Susteel
PA6 Prime (Germany)
Radilon B
Purging Agent
Aquapurge
PA6 Prime (Italy)
Radilon S
SAN
Chi Mei Corporation
Kibisan
Radiflam S
SMMA
Deltech
Styrilic
PA6.10
Radilon D
SPS
Idemitsu Petrochemicals Xarec
PA6.6
Polyram
Plustek
Static Dissipative
Compounds
Premix
Pre-Elec ESD
Compounds
Premix
Pretherm
TPE
API
Megol
TPE
API
Apigo
TPE
API
Tivilon
TPE
API
Raplan
TPE
API
Apilon 52
TPE
API
Apinat
Premix
Preseal TPE
TPEE/TPE/TPV
Heraflex
PA6.6 (Industrial) Germany Radici Group Plastics
Heramid I/A
PA6.6 FR (Italy)
Radiflam A
Heramid A
Radilon A
PA6.6 Prime (Italy)
Radilon A
PBT
Polyram
Ramster
PBT
Raditer
PBT
Radiflam B
PC/ABS
Chi Mei Corporation
Wonderloy
PC/ABS
Romira Engineering
Polymers
Romiloy
PC/ASA
Romira Engineering
Polymers
Romiloy
PETG
Raditer E
7
Product Portfolio
Products by
Brand
Brand Name
Supplier
Material
The Plastribution team is always
available to provide advice on
all aspects of grade selection
including design, processing
and properties. So please do
not hesitate in contacting us to
discuss your specific requirements.
Apigo
API
TPE
Apilon 52
API
TPE
Apinat
API
TPE
Aurapene
Aurora Manufacturing
PP Recycled
Aquapurge
Purging Agent
BondyRam
Polyram
Functional Polymers
Capilene
Carmel Olefins
PPCP
Capilene
Carmel Olefins
PPHP
Capilene
Carmel Olefins
PPRCP
Cardia Biohybrid
Cardia Bioplastics
Biohybrid
Please remember that, despite our best efforts
to do so, it is almost impossible to cover every
request for information on the website or through
this portfolio, particularly as new developments
are happening all the time.
Cardia Compostable
Cardia Bioplastics
Biodegradable
Clear Polymer
Evonik Industries
Cyro XT
ColourTone
Agents
ColourTone
ColourTone
Masterbatch – PBT
ColourTone
Masterbatch –
Polycarbonate
ColourTone
Masterbatch – POM
ColourTone
Masterbatch – PVC
ColourTone
ColourTone
ColourTone
Cyrolite
Evonik Industries
Cyro
Ducor
PPCP
Ducor
PPHP
Enable
ExxonMobil
mPE
Enzo
Enzymoplast
Biodegradable
Escor
ExxonMobil
EAA
Escorene
ExxonMobil
EVA
Exact
ExxonMobil
LLD Plastomer
Exceed
ExxonMobil
mPE
Exxelor
ExxonMobil
Functional Polymers
ExxonMobil HD
ExxonMobil
HDPE
ExxonMobil LD
ExxonMobil
LDPE
ExxonMobil LLD
ExxonMobil
LLDPE
ExxonMobil PP
ExxonMobil
PPCP
ExxonMobil PP
ExxonMobil
PPHP
Granic
Gestora Catalana de
Residuos
Calcium Carbonate
Compounds
Heraflex
TPEE/TPE/TPV
Heramid A
If you should be unable to find what you require,
just get in touch on the phone, email or through
the website and, if we really can’t help, we will do
our utmost to point you in the right direction.
Plastribution Limited
PO Box 7743,
CEVA House,
5 Ashby Park,
Ashby-de-la-Zouch
Leicestershire LE65 1XY
Tel: +44 (0) 1530 560560
Fax: +44 (0) 1530 560303
8
Product Portfolio
Brand Name
Supplier
Material
Brand Name
Supplier
Material
Heramid B
PA6
Radilon D
PA6.10
Heramid I/A
PA6.6 (Industrial) Germany
Radilon S
PA6
Heramid I/B
Radilon S
PA6 Prime (Italy)
Heramid S
Raditer
PBT
Innovex
Ineos
LLDPE
Raditer E
PETG
Polyram
PP Compounds
Ipethene
Carmel Olefins
LDPE
Ramofin
Iupilon
Plastics
Polycarbonate
Ramster
Polyram
PBT
Raplan
API
TPE
Plastics
Romiloy
Romira Engineering
Polymers
PA/ABS
Iupital
Kafrit/Constab Masterbatch Kafrit/Constab
Agents
Romiloy
Romira Engineering
Polymers
PC/ABS
Masterbatch – Flame
Retardant
Romiloy
Romira Engineering
Polymers
PC/ASA
Masterbatch – Process Aids
Rotec
Masterbatch – Slip Agent
Romira Engineering
Polymers
ASA
Styrilic
Deltech
SMMA
Masterbatch Anti-block
Sumitomo
LLDPE
Masterbatch Colour
Universal
Sumitomo Chemical
Europe
Sumitomo
PPCP
Masterbatch Slip/Anti-block
Sumitomo Chemical
Europe
Kibilac
Chi Mei Corporation
ASA
Susteel
Tosoh
PPS
Kibisan
Chi Mei Corporation
SAN
Tarflon
Idemitsu Petrochemicals Polycarbonate
Kibiton
Chi Mei Corporation
BDS
Thermofil
Sumika Polymer
Compounds
PP Compounds
Lumicene
mPPRCP
Tivilon
API
TPE
Megol
API
TPE
Total EVA
EVA
Modic
Mitsubishi Chemical
Functional Polymers
Total GPPS
GPPS
Plexiglas
Evonik Industries
PMMA
Total HD
HDPE
Plustek
Polyram
PA12
Total HIPS
HIPS
Plustek
Polyram
PA6 Prime
Total HIPS Alloys
HIPS Alloys
Plustek
Polyram
PA6.6
Total HIPS FR
HIPS FR
Polylac
Chi Mei Corporation
ABS
Total LD
LDPE
Pre-Elec
Premix
Conductive
Total LLD
LLDPE
Pre-Elec ESD
Premix
Static Dissipative
Compounds
Total MD
MDPE
Total PP
PPCP
Preseal TPE
Premix
Pretherm
Total PP
Premix
Compounds
PPHP
Total PP
PPRCP
ExxonMobil
PP Plastomer
Radiflam A
PA6.6 FR (Italy)
Vistamaxx
Radiflam B
PBT
Wonderlite
Chi Mei Corporation
Polycarbonate
Chi Mei Corporation
PC/ABS
Idemitsu Petrochemicals SPS
Radiflam S
Wonderloy
Radilon A
Xarec
Radilon A
PA6.6 Prime (Italy)
Radilon B
PA6 Prime (Germany)
9
Product Portfolio
Plastribution website
‘Our products’ user guide
1.Using your web browser
enter the address
and select ‘Our products’
from the menu bar.
2.Click the tab and there
is the option to visit the
‘Specialities’ section
to review our range of
functional polymers,
masterbatches, and
specialist additives.
10
Product Portfolio
3.Within ‘Specialities’ you
can select materials
by either brand name,
manufacturer, or material,
and from there raise an
enquiry.
4.The ‘Product search’
page lists all the materials
that Plastribution
distributes that are
contained within the
IDES database, and this
information is updated on
a weekly basis.
There is a whole range of
search options, but if you
can’t find what you are
looking for please either
call us on 0845 34 54 560,
or send us an enquiry
and we will be pleased to
assist you to find what you
are looking for.
11
Product Portfolio
5.If you are looking for
a specific grade just
start typing the grade
reference in the ‘Search
for a Grade’ box and
as you type the choice
narrows and when you
see the grade you want
just click on it!
6.If you want to search by
the ‘Filter’ just make the
selections you want and
the list is automatically
filtered.
12
Product Portfolio
7.The list automatically
collapses after you have
made a selection.
8.Make further selections to
narrow your search.
13
Product Portfolio
9.You can reopen ‘Filter’ to
make multiple selections,
or delete selections as
required. Hover over a
description and more
information appears in a
balloon.
10.Click the
button
and you can view the
datasheet in a separate
browser window enabling
you to simultaneously view
detailed information for
multiple grades.
14
Product Portfolio
11.There is a ‘crumb trail’
at the top of the page
where you can see where
you are, and when you
are ready even clear the
search to look for other
materials.
12.If what you are looking
for is not in our database
you will automatically
have access to an enquiry
form. Submit this or give
us a call and we will be
pleased to assist you
further.
15
Product Portfolio
13.There is also the option
to look at ‘Availability’
options, which can be
particularly useful for
urgent requirements or
small quantities.
14.If all else fails get in touch
on 0845 34 54 560 or
send us an enquiry form.
We will be pleased to help
in all aspects of material
selection, component
and tool design,
processing and fault
rectification. We also have
extensive knowledge in
recommending alternative
and improved grades
to those that you may
currently be using. You are
also welcome to call into
our centrally located office
to meet the team and
discuss your requirements.
16
Product Portfolio
Our expertise
0845 34 54 560
Plastribution is working hard to evolve
materials, the best at identifying new
the distribution model to be supportive,
markets and the best at managing and
sustainable and secure. Our expertise is
advising on raw materials and pricing.
one of the things allowing us to do so.
By delivering reliability, know-how and
Expertise is something that all of our
true business partnership to the world’s
suppliers and customers know they
best polymer suppliers and our UK
can rely on. Differentiating us as truly
customers; our expertise is helping the
consultative business partners,
industry get better, smarter and faster.
making us the best at sourcing
Product Portfolio
Because business
is changing
What we think is
happening...
This is a new decade, an
increasingly digital age, a new
economy; global markets
are shifting, prices fluctuating
more violently. Business is
changing and this includes
the plastics industry.
The environment is of major
concern, logistics have
evolved, product development
is more rapid, producers and
customers are interacting in
increasingly efficient and yet
changing ways, and pricing
and technical information
needs to be found instantly,
allowing people to make deals
in real time. Now. Yesterday.
We do not think that we
can rely solely on the
products we sell.
Businesses need to be switched on
We want to evolve the distribution
and connected to their partners
model to be supportive, sustainable
constantly. Because of this we don’t
and secure, using these market
believe that we can rely solely on
challenges and developments to the
the products we sell. We need to
advantage of ourselves, our suppliers
communicate the additional benefits
and our customers – and that’s
that help our business partners
exactly what we’ve started to do.
overcome market challenges – be
they product led or price driven.
We’re embracing these changes,
while at the same time working in
Plastribution is evolving to work in
these new environments and in doing
so we’re actively challenging the
ways to ensure that we continue to
deliver the high levels of service that
both suppliers and customers are
perceived limited growth potential
here in the UK today from the point of
familiar with and deserve.
view of plastics distribution.
PLASTRIBUTION
01
SUPPLIER
DISTRIBUTOR
01 Traditional distribution model
02 How we see distribution
18
CUSTOMER
02
SUPPLIER
CUSTOMER
Product Portfolio
New Opportunities
The market continues to
create more opportunity
for ‘distributors’ through the
reduced service offering,
on-going consolidation and
geographic relocation of
polymer producers. We’re
working to capitalise on this
for the benefit of both our UK
customers and ourselves.
Customers are increasingly telling
us that they believe service is a
valuable part of supply, services such
as: – customer-specific inventory,
fixed contract pricing, forward
We have evolved our brand
Because business is changing and
our business partners need to see
that we are acting to change with it,
we have evolved our brand to one
that clearly reflects this.
Our new look has been designed
to galvanise both our own staff and
our stakeholders, allowing us to
engage with customers, suppliers
and the industry more clearly. You
can see how this looks in practice
on our new website and every other
We wanted to represent ‘how we
piece of communication literature
do business’ and communicate the
we use – brochures, magazines and
benefits this brings to both suppliers
even this portfolio, a more intelligent,
and customers more effectively. We
informative and constructive style of
wanted people to see that we’re
publication from the team here at
working in the ways that we are
Plastribution. We hope that you enjoy
expected to, and our brand was
it.
felt to be one of the most important
vehicles we could use to do this.
What we learnt…
By going through this process, we
market information, flexibility to
We embarked on a journey to find
have come to believe that everything
meet changing demand, technical
our true brand proposition. By re-
we do well is founded upon three
support, logistics, training and
evaluating the distribution model,
core values – or pillars of support –
a dedicated sales team that is
thinking about where we really sit
and it is these that define how we
empowered to deliver results.
in context to it and listening to what
work with our business partners, how
our customers and suppliers told us
we work with each other and how
they cared about. We identified the
we should look and sound. It is also
things that make us both unique,
these that we will look to as we make
special and important as a distributor
decisions about how to build the
in today’s climate. We also identified
business for the future. We believe
ways in which we could improve
that it’s these things that make us
further.
both relevant and successful in our
They recognise and believe that
these are the services that will allow
them to continue to do business
successfully and are therefore the
services we should be expected to
incorporate into our own business
model in order to continue to give
them the support they expect when
This in turn has helped us redefine
they invest in us.
what ‘Plastribution’ really means on
a commercial level and we have
consequently been able to enhance
industry and the things that really
matter to our business partners
both now and in the future. They are
‘Expertise, Innovation and Process’.
our operational systems during this
process.
19
Product Portfolio
Our expertise
We’re the employer of
choice – which means
we get to choose the
best.
Our expertise is something that
all of our suppliers and
customers know they can rely
on – we’re known in the industry
for a recruitment strategy that
selects only the best people to
work for us. If people leave, they
often want to come back
again. We’re the employer of
choice – which means we get
to choose the best.
Why does this matter? Ultimately this
Another area in which we are going
means we’re the best at sourcing
to apply our expertise, in ways that
materials, the best at identifying new
we hope will help, is in our new price
markets and the best at managing
report ‘price Know-how’.
and advising on raw materials and
pricing. Our people are the experts
When we listen to our customers,
and this is one of the key things
we learn that whilst some price
that makes us work so well together
surveys currently exist, they are
– internally and externally. We also
often difficult to interpret, use foreign
know this approach works, allowing
currencies, and often use differing
Plastribution to become the UK’s
units of measurement. This was not
leading distributor.
helping those who needed easyto-understand, up-to-the-minute
Having this talent pool available
and in place allows us to promote
Our new sales & marketing
accountability and trust through
communications will often refer to this
direct personal responsibility to
expertise –assuring you that you have
As well as being a useful tool, we
every one of our staff. We trust them.
the best people working for you every
believe it showcases our commitment
This means our people have the
time you speak to us no matter what
to transparency and efficient sharing
opportunity to protect and grow the
the profile of the project.
of information – made possible by our
fortunes and future of our business,
meaning that they genuinely care
about the output, and ensure that
they continue to be the best at what
they do at all times. We can refer to
ourselves as truly consultative business
partners to both our customers and
our suppliers because of this.
20
information that was user-friendly.
expertise in this area.
To kick this off, every member of our
team now has a ‘snapshot’
CV available online. As well as
providing more information about the
people you’re already working with
you can now find out if there
are other people in our business
that can help you in new areas.
Product Portfolio
Our innovation
We’re known in the
industry for being able
to come up with the
ideas that allow things
to happen.
We seek to innovate at all
times. As a result, people come
to us when they need to solve
problems, when they need to
know how to make something
work or how to get something
to market – it’s a big part of
where our new strap line
comes from – ‘lets make it
work’. We’re known in the
industry for being able to come
up with the ideas that allow
things to happen.
Because we believe that innovation is
absolutely fundamental to supporting
the changes we’ve talked about, we
will continue to apply this approach
to everything you ask us to do in order
to ensure we stay ahead of the curve
in this changing market. Furthermore,
innovation is at the heart of what we
do. We will show evidence of this in
our marketing communications so
that we can show people what the
output of innovation really means.
Our innovation case studies give
Innovation is at the
heart of what we do.
Case Studies
some great insights into what we can
do to help you as either a supplier
or a customer and how using us as
a ‘distributor’ offers far more in terms
of solutions provision than you may
We’ve implemented an industry first –
have thought possible. We hope you
‘Our Innovation, Case Studies’. These
have time to look at our innovation
allow anyone who wants to read
case studies – watch out for more
about a wide variety of projects that
examples of ‘our innovation’ both
we’ve been instrumental in getting
online and in future editions of Know-
to market – by applying innovative
how via our case studies.
leadership. These case studies, which
We’re particularly excited about our
can be downloaded from our new
recent work with Lotus which you
website, explain which producer was
can read more about this in the
involved, who the customer was, what
September 2011 edition of Know-how
the main challenges were and how
Magazine – hopefully you will have
we worked together in order to deliver
seen the awesome car in question
the end result.
– the Lotus Evora – on our stand at
Interplas 2011.
21
Product Portfolio
Our process
Su
p
01
y
pl
Sales Executives
We want to tell everyone we
work with about our processes,
as we believe they truly set us
apart from other distributors.
So, why did we define
these processes?
Sales Teams
we have a customer promise that
we can back up. As a customer,
polymer need, you have access to
Sales Team
e
ic
regardless of your size, turnover or
Internal Sales
Representative
Pr
Our third core value and area
of support is evident within our
systems of working – we call this
‘our process’. Our processes
have been developed carefully
and are guarded and nurtured
by our specialist teams, using
our expertise and innovation in
order to suit each different type
of customer and supplier.
The difference this makes is that
Delivery
Robust, intelligent,
sustainable and unique
Customer Service
Representative
a team of professionals who know
and understand your business – and,
make it their personal responsibility
To support the communication of
to deliver continuous know-how and
how our processes work, we have
reliability in an intelligent way.
simplified the naming of our teams
This not only makes our response
and delivery times the best available,
it also allows us to offer the best
product support and innovation
services – always there, always
available, always listening.
Our promise to suppliers is that,
because we appreciate that you
need to trust us to reach into areas
and defined more clearly the ways in
which they work together. This will not
change things for those who already
work with us – we have always been
doing this, but didn’t promote that
fact as often as we could, until now.
Visit www.plastribution.co.uk to read
more about our teams and how they
really work.
Above all, we know that price,
of the market that you might not be
You can also contact Mike Boswell,
availability and flexibility are of
able to reach yourself, we ensure that
we deliver this through a structured,
Managing Director on
paramount importance in our
industry. Because we work in different
local market approach, providing
ways with our partners dependent
up-to-the-minute market intelligence
on their needs, the ones that know
and sales management systems and
us regard us as both integral and
indispensible because our processes
ensure that we always manage these
three things perfectly.
capability that enable us to become
a reliable extension of your sales arm,
always delivering your products in
the right ways to existing, new and
expanding product areas.
These processes are robust, intelligent,
sustainable and unique.
01 Sales Teams structure
22
[email protected] for
more information.
It’s this unique way
of working, specially
designed to suit
everyone who deals
with us, that really
makes us different.
Product Portfolio
So what next?
Because we’re
challenging the way
people view how things
can be done and what
this means, we’re
ultimately helping
suppliers and
customers get smarter,
better and faster.
Because we’re challenging the way
people view how things can be done
and what this means, we’re ultimately
helping suppliers and customers get
savvier and more efficient.
We believe that taking this attitude to
implementing processes that really
work, always applying expertise and
cultivating a culture of innovation in
the right way, will not only change the
way plastics distribution works here in
the UK but also contribute to securing
it’s future.
To Plastribution, acquiring our marketleading position means having a
responsibility, and the opportunity, to
set the standards for our industry, not
just for the benefit of Plastribution, but
for everyone else in the industry too.
We hope you enjoy being a part of
the journey.
Plastribution – Let’s make it work.
We believe these are the reasons why
Plastribution is now the UK’s leading
distributor of plastics raw materials,
delivering reliability, know-how and
true business partnership to the
world’s best polymer suppliers and UK
customers.
23

european plastics market data new options for mouldmakers fakuma

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