E-Weekly
Sep 15th, 2008                                Print this article

e-Weekly News Briefs, Sept. 9-15

By Modern Plastics Editorial Staff

MPW’s Product Watch

Weathering testing in a lightfastness device

This lightfastness testing device has applied customer feedback and accounted for industry requirements to transform into what its manufacturer calls “a full-fledged weathering instrument.” Specifically, the immersion system and cooling aggregate on the SUNTEST XLS+ were modernized to combine flexibility with modern control options. The system now features a digitally controllable specimen spray, with all accessories designed as stackable sub-frame systems for a table-top footprint. More powerful microprocessors have allowed the system to apply a touch-screen contrl, with multiple languages available, including German, English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. The XLS+ has a compact design that’s applied in engineering and quality tests for plastics, packaging, and coatings. The new SUNTEST XLS+ will be presented for the first time at the Fakuma trade show (Friedrichshafen, Germany) in Hall B3, Booth 3314. Atlas Material Testing Solutions, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.; +1 773 327-4520; www.atlas-mts.com

Flowmeters range expanded

Universal Flow Monitors Inc. introduced four new sizes of stainless steel CoolPoint vortex shedding flowmeters for corrosion resistance in processing cooling water, water/glycol coolant, or low-viscosity fluids in plastics processing operations. CoolPoint flowmeters of 316 SS construction are now offered in 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1.5 inch, and 2-inch pipe sizes for measuring and monitoring higher flows of corrosive fluids and water with chemicals added. The vortex shedding flowmeters with 316 SS bodies also continue to be available in 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch pipe sizes.

Stainless steel CoolPoint flowmeters are said to provide flow consistency (+/-.25% of indicated flow). They are electronic meters that have no moving parts to stick or coat, eliminating potential for clogging. Maximum 4-20 mA transmitter flow rates for the new stainless steel CoolPoint pipe sizes are: 3/4 inch, 25 gallons per minute (95 liters per minute; 1 inch, 50 gpm (190 lpm); 1 ½ inch, 100 gpm (380 lpm); and 2 inch, 200 gpm (750 lpm).

All four of the new, larger sized CoolPoint 316 SS flowmeters can be equipped with a temperature transmitter for flow applications involving heat removal. In addition to measuring flow rate, meters with the transmitter have the added capability of monitoring temperature reading and transmitting them to a process controller. Universal Flow Monitors Inc., Hazel Park, MI, U.S.A.; +11 248-542-9635; www.flowmeters.com

Newtonian physics makes for a smart feeder

K-Tron International introduced its new Smart Flow Meter (K-SFM-275-A and K-SFM-350) with no moving parts, but rather using the principles of Newtonian physics (Force=Mass X Acceleration). Bulk material flows through two force sensor stations that have no mechanical effect on the material. Bulk material flows by gravity into the upper measuring channel, an inclined chute mounted on a force transducer where the force, acting perpendicularly on the chute, is measured as mass. The bulk material then flows into the lower, vertical channel, which determines velocity or acceleration rate. From the signals of these two sensors the flow rate is determined per unit of time.

The bulk material can consist of granules, chips or fibers, and materials include plastics, chemicals and other materials with good flow characteristics. Applications include material flow control within a production line, the measuring, filling or discharge of quantities, materials management, and quantitative bulk goods measurement.

K-Tron International, Pitman, NJ, U.S.A.; +1 856-589-0050; www.ktron.com

MPW’s Material Thoughts

PP grade offers clarity, strength to take on PC

An experimental specialty-grade metallocene-based polyolefin copolymer is proclaimed as a “clarity breakthrough” by LyondellBasell. The resin utilizes the manufacturer’s proprietary single-site catalyst technology to create what it calls a cost-effective alternative to polycarbonate (PC) or other amorphous, transparent polymers like polymethyl-methacrylate and styrene acrylonitrile in injection molding applications. LyondellBasell’s Waldemar Oldenburger told MPW the material is a “high-performance polypropylene” that cannot be produced so far with existing technologies.

In a 1-mm thick plaque, the manufacturer says parts offer a 2% haze, adding that transparency at that level is comparable to PC. The material also has a high melt flow, registering 40 ft-g/10 min, with what it calls excellent shear-thinning behavior, with that level of flow increasing production and allowing thin-walling of parts. The grade reportedly exhibits better environmental stress crack resistance compared to PC, while requiring lower processing temperatures, which ultimately lowers processors’ energy costs. Oldenburger says the material has a melting temperature of 143°C, with PC traditionally exhibiting a glass transition of about 150°C so that it softens gradually at about that point and flows above 300°C. The manufacturer says the added rigidity is ideal for applications requiring strength as well as thin walls, and these characteristics make it suitable for a wide range of injection molded applications including food and beverage packaging, foodservice trays/covers, drinking cups/pitchers, storage containers, CD/DVD cases, and technical products. In spite of the “experimental grade” label, Odenburger says RM2073 is commercially available globally. LyondellBasell Industries, Rotterdam, Netherlands; www.lyondellbasell.com

TPE line allows adjustable durometer

A new grade of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) features a low coefficient of friction (COF) and a Shore A grades that can be “tweaked to any degree of softness”, according to its manufacturer. The 8058BL TPEs can see use in finished products such as armrests, handles, and headrests as well as in weather seals. In addition, the grade allows designed-in characteristics like resistance to or minimization of dirt and dust accumulation, important in applications like tractor steering wheel grips.

The low COF is said to ease post-molding assembly processes like sliding a strain relief over a chord, tube, or hose, and in multimaterial applications. Depending on the grade, 8058BL can be overmolded onto polypropylene or other substrates. An additional grade—8068BL—offers a 73 Shore A hardness for applications requiring a higher durometer than 8058BL. The company says additional benefits include UV stability for outdoor weatherability; suitability for injection molding, blowmolding, and extrusion; availability as a concentrate for compounding; good colorability; low-temperature impact strength; resistance to most chemicals and cleaners; and availability in quantities of 1000 lb and more. The manufacturer says it has seven production lines available TPE and thermoplastic olefin (TPO) grades. Elastocon TPE Technologies Inc., Rochester, IL, U.S.A.; +1 217-498-8500; www.elastocontpe.com

Injection molding: Quickparts keeps growing rapidly

Quickparts (Atlanta, GA; http://www.quickparts.com), a custom injection molder and rapid manufacturer, has been named to the second annual Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.

Ronald Hollis, Quickparts president and CEO, remarked, “With eight straight years of exceeding 20% revenue growth from 2000 through 2008, we are continuing our record as one of the fast-growth success stories in North America.”

The 2008 Inc. 5000 list measures revenue growth from 2004 through 2007. To qualify, companies must be U.S.-based and privately held, independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of Dec. 31, 2007, and have had at least $200,000 in revenue in 2004, and $2 million in 2007.

Moldmaking: Happy anniversary, Bales Mold Service

Bales Mold Service (Downers Grove, IL; www.balesmold.com) is celebrating 30 years in business this year. Brothers Steve and Mike Bales launched the company in 1978, initially working out of a small space and providing only diamond-polishing services. In 1985, the company moved to a 15,500-sq-ft facility and began to offer new mold plating materials and expanded its expertise in all levels of mold polishing. In 2001 the company opened its Harlingen, TX facility, and this year plans to open a new 14,000-sq-ft technical center.

“We’ve gotten bigger and better—and greener,” says Steve Bales, president. “The U.S. mold industry has experienced some rough times in recent years, but we’ve carefully planned and executed ways in which we can help our customers continue to compete in a global market. The new facility incorporates “green” technology that cuts costs, and state-of-the-art inspection and chemical analysis systems that ensure a quality outcome no matter where or how the molds are built.”

The firm also has announced that longtime employee Jon Bailey has been appointed to the position of plant manager, and that Dennis Swanner marks 25 years with the company, and 36 years in the moldmaking industry.

DSM inaugurates Chinese PA6 plant

Dutch firm Royal DSM N.V. has inaugurated its new Akulon polyamide (PA) 6 plant at Jiangyin in the Jiangsu province of China, with capacity targeting the high-end food-packaging market in Asia. The company says the plant cost “tens of millions of dollars”, with construction originally announced two years ago in September 2006. Jos Goessens, president of DSM Engineering Plastics, along with communist government officials and guests, attended an opening ceremony, with the plant billed as a key plank in DSM’s Vision 2010 platform, which among other things, targets expansion in “key growth countries.” The company has raised its 2010 Chinese sales target from $1 billion to $1.5 billion, with the first Akulon polymerization plant intended to support increasing regional demand. The new facility’s design allows for additional capacity expansions, and DSM says it is the only site in China to produce the entire PA6 chain, including caprolactam, polymer, and compounded products.

In addition to regional headquarters in Shanghai, DSM has a manufacturing presence in Jiangyin going back 10 years, with output boosted in the face of growing Asian demand, including a November 2007 announcement to expand engineering plastics compounding capacity by 50%. That increase was expected to be operational by the end of 2008. The company also operates a Regional Development & Support Center at the Jiangyin site.

According to a Frost & Sullivan report on the Chinese engineering thermoplastic (ETP) market, ETP consumption grew 30% in 2007, with PA claiming a 21% market share, at 165,000 tons. Within nylon, PA6 has a 65% share. At K 2004, competitor Rhodia announced plans for a production plant for PA6, 66, and 66/6 polyamides, as well as alloys. Rhodia expects the Chinese polyamides market to expand more than 20% annually, with its 40,000 tonnes/yr factory helping satisfy that demand. Company-wide, Rhodia has 22 sites and more than 3000 employees in the Asia-Pacific region, with the area accounting for 27% of net sales.

Additives: Rockwood names new distributors

Rockwood Color Pigments & Services Division (Beltsville, MD; www.rockwoodpigments.com) has a new distribution network in the U.S. and Canada for its full line of Rockwood pigments, including the Elementis pigments which Rockwood acquired in 2007. Its new network, which includes some former sales agents, includes TCR Industries (West and Pacific Northwest U.S.), Hall Technologies (Midwest, plus Colorado and Wyoming), Ribelin Sales, Inc. (Southwest and Southeast), M.F. Cachat (Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dakotas), GMZ (Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio & West Virginia) and D.H. Litter (Northeast U.S.). Brenntag Specialties is handling Rockwood’s product line throughout Canada.

Names in the news

Segetis (Minneapolis, MN), which has a proprietary platform of binary monomers based on renewable feedstocks, has named James Stoppert as president and CEO. With financial backing from Khosla Ventures, Segetis is working to develop a portfolio of bio-based materials made entirely or in part with use of proprietary renewable binary monomers derived from non-food agricultural and forestry sources. Stoppert comes to Segetis from Cargill, where he led The Industrial BioProducts Business Unit. Two of the opportunities developed, Elevance and BiOH, are now standalone businesses of their own.

Dave Botelho, who has worked for ACS Group (South Attleboro, MA) as automation technician and technical sales manager, is now the technical sales manager for Cumberland Recycling Systems, a division of Cumberland Engineering that will focus on recycling products and services in all markets.

Plastics supplier SABIC Innovative Plastics (formerly GE Plastics; www.sabic-ip.com) has appointed Emre Gurdal to country manager, Turkey. Gurdal assumed his position on July 1, and is responsible for all commercial activities in the region. He has been with the company for six years.

Oleochemicals and derivatives company Acme-Hardesty Co. (Blue Bell, PA) has named Jeremy Day of Dallas, GA, as its southeastern regional sales manager. Day will be responsible for South Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC (BMS; Pittsburgh, PA) has named Joe Ventura as its business development manager the company’s Baytubes carbon nanotube business in North America. Ventura was previously senior project manager—construction/green technologies at Bayer MaterialScience. Day joined BMS in 1998, with prior experience at Monsanto’s Radiation Dynamics and GE Plastics.

Saint-Gobain (Valley Forge, PA) named James Thomson as its senior VP of human resources for its North American businesses, which include 24,000 employees. Thomson succeeds Dennis Baker, who is retiring. Thomson joined Saint-Gobain in 1997 as engineering manager for the its Crystals business in Newbury, OH. Thomson was most recently president of Saint-Gobain Crystals in Hiram, OH.

Global Plastics Bulletin Board

The London Metal Exchange (LME) is traveling in North America to deliver a training overview of the Exchange and the services it provides. LME says the courses are intended for market users to understand how hedging can bring transparency, reference pricing, and risk management to the volatile metals and plastics markets. The tour will stop in Houston (Sept. 15-16) and San Francisco (Sept. 18-19), with both locales offering an introduction to the LME, and an introduction to hedging with futures. For more information, e-mail Patricia Antunez at patricia.antunez@lme.com.

The Austrian Plastics Cluster will hold its 1st International Polymers Congress Oct. 29-30, 2008 in Wels, Austria. For information, e-mail kunststoffstandort@clusterland.at.

Briefs

Finish packaging processor Huhtamaki (Espoo; www.huhtamaki.com) has indicated it is seeking to divest its rigid plastics processing operations, which account for about euro 400 million/yr in sales but, says the firm, have not met its profitability targets. Almost all of the business is based in Europe.

Stretch blowmolding machinery manufacturer Sipa (Vittorio Veneto, Italy) this month acquired 100% of Berchi Group, a manufacturer of complete food/beverage packaging lines. The move allows Sipa to better compete with competitors such as Sidel and Krones, both of which are part of giant beverage filling line machinery manufacturers.

Negri Bossi is set to deliver an all-electric Canbel-Multi-Shot molding machine to an unidentified molder in the U.S. state of Ohio this month, the first of this type of machine for Negri Bossi (www.negribossiusa.com) in North America. The new Canbel-Multi-Shot is available from 55 to 350 tons with a broad range of injection units in standard and custom configurations. According to Negri Bossi, the new multimaterial electric presses can help processors save up to 60% in energy cost compared to conventional hydraulically-operated multishot machines.

Graham Engineering Corp. (York, PA) has named Representaciones Tecnipack S.A. de C.V. (Tlalnepantla, Mexico) as its sales and service representative in the country. Tecnipack, which was founded in 1989, is active in plastic processing technologies, providing representation in blowmolding, injection molding, and extrusion, as well as auxiliary equipment.

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