Plastic Material News

Dyna-Purge® Announces New & Improved Dyna-Purge® P For Hot Runners

February 2010 – The Dyna-Purge® Division of Shuman Plastics, Inc., Depew (Buffalo), NY, has introduced the company's latest technology breakthrough -- New & Improved Dyna-Purge® P engineered purging compound, ideal for quick color change purging through hot runners. Dyna-Purge® is exhibiting at Plastec West, Booth # 3920, Hall B, February 9 -11, 2010 in Anaheim, CA.

According to Nancy Mitchell, Dyna-Purge® Technical Product Manager, the enhanced formulation of new Dyna-Purge® P offers dual action scrubbing and expands into tight channels and negative flow areas to loosen and remove degraded material from hot runners. "Dyna-Purge® P is specially formulated to have a natural flow through the barrel and hot runner system," she explained. "Older molds with tight channels and corners will definitely benefit through the use of the formulation's cleaning action."

 

Tim Cutler, Dyna-Purge® Business Manager, noted that "customers who had been using original Dyna-Purge® P have made the switch to the new and improved Dyna-Purge® P and have experienced enhanced purging results." They have been able to significantly reduce scrap and down time when making color changes, especially dark to light colors.

Developed as part of the company’s continuous product innovation program, Dyna-Purge® P cleans faster and flows easier than other purging products. It is economical to use, as only a small amount is needed, and all ingredients are FDA compliant. Dyna-Purge® P is effective for processing temperatures ranging from 320°F to 575°F (160°C to 302°C).

Furthermore, due to its heat stability, Dyna-Purge® P is well-suited for shutdown and start-ups, and delivers consistent and reliable results. It is easy to use, with no mixing, soaking or machine adjustments required.

As part of the new product introduction, plastics processors can take advantage of two special offers: a free 10 pound sample of New & Improved Dyna-Purge® P, or the purchase of a 55 pound box of New & Improved Dyna-Purge® P with the company's Satisfaction Guarantee -- if the user is not satisfied that it performs better than their current purging compound, Dyna-Purge® will fully refund the cost of the product.

For additional information, contact Shuman Plastics, Inc., Dyna-Purge Division, 35 Neoga Street, Depew (Buffalo), NY 14043; Phone: (716) 685-2121; Fax: (716) 685-3236; E-mail: info@dynapurge.com; Website: www.dynapurge.com

LyondellBasell to Cease Polypropylene Production at Italian Plant

February 25, 2010 - LyondellBasell Industries today announced a project to cease the production of polypropylene (PP) at Terni, Italy. The company has started the employee consultation process regarding a project to permanently shut down the unit.

"Demand for polypropylene continues to be affected by global economic conditions and the resulting market environment has made facilities such as Terni no longer economically viable. We expect to be able to meet projected customer demand for polypropylene (including local customers in Terni) with product supplied from our other facilities in Italy," said Anton De Vries , LyondellBasell's senior vice president, Olefins and Polyolefins - Europe, Asia and International. LyondellBasell said that PP production activities in Italy will be focused on the company's world-scale sites at Ferrara and Brindisi.

The Terni plant has a nameplate capacity of 255 KT per year. In conjunction with the shutdown project, LyondellBasell has started consultation with representatives of the employees to determine the appropriate path forward for the employees at the site. The plant currently has approximately 120 permanent employees.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC Develops Medical Grade of Polycarbonate Resin With Improved Flow and Release

February 25, 2010 - Pittsburgh, PA — To meet a growing demand in the healthcare market, Bayer MaterialScience LLC has developed a new medical grade of polycarbonate resin that offers improved flow, lubricity and easy release characteristics.

Makrolon® Rx1851 polycarbonate, now commercially available, is a low-viscosity resin with enhanced internal mold release technology that provides increased design flexibility for complicated parts – those with shallow draft angles, and multi-cavity molds with long flow lengths, for example. Like other medical grades in Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s family of Makrolon® polycarbonate resins, it also exhibits an outstanding balance of strength, toughness and clarity.

“This new material provides improved cycle time efficiency, and excellent dimensional stability over a broad end use temperature range,” said Kevin Dunay, consumer & medical market segment leader, Polycarbonates NAFTA, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. “The good news for molders and captive OEMs is that the superior release properties of Makrolon® Rx1851 resin can lead to reduced cycle time, increased capacity, and potential cost savings,” he continued.

Potential applications for the new medical grade of polycarbonate include components of syringes, IV access systems, and cardiovascular devices. The internal mold release also improves the lubricity of the material. Because of its easy flow properties, this material is also well-suited for thin-wall medical applications, a growing area in the healthcare market.

The new grade meets certain test requirements of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-modified version of ISO 10993, Part 1 “Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices” with human tissue contact time of 30 days or less. This is the widely accepted standard for biocompatibility. Certain color formulations of the new grade also meet the requirements of the FDA-modified ISO 10993, Part I “Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices.” The resin is supplied in pellet form for injection-molded applications.

Makrolon® Rx1851 polycarbonate is the latest in a long line of material innovations from Bayer MaterialScience LLC. For almost 50 years, medical device OEMs and the healthcare market have relied on the proven materials and technical expertise of Bayer MaterialScience LLC. It’s a track record that began with the use of Makrolon® polycarbonate in the first blood oxygenators and renal dialyzers in the 1960s.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 15,100 employees at 30 sites around the world and 2008 sales of 9.7 billion euros. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries.

For more information about Bayer MaterialScience LLC's Makrolon® Rx1851, call   
1-800-662-2927, e-mail naftainfo@bayerbms.com or visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.

LyondellBasell Preparing to Stop PP Production in Terni

February 25, 2010 - Rotterdam, Netherlands – LyondellBasell Industries today announced a project to cease the production of polypropylene (PP) at Terni, Italy. The company has started the employee consultation process regarding a project to permanently shut down the unit.

“Demand for polypropylene continues to be affected by global economic conditions and the resulting market environment has made facilities such as Terni no longer economically viable. We expect to be able to meet projected customer demand for polypropylene (including local customers in Terni) with product supplied from our other facilities in Italy,” said Anton De Vries , LyondellBasell’s senior vice president, Olefins and Polyolefins – Europe, Asia and International.  LyondellBasell said that PP production activities in Italy will be focused on the company’s world-scale sites at Ferrara and Brindisi. 

The Terni plant has a nameplate capacity of 255 KT per year.  In conjunction with the shutdown project, LyondellBasell has started consultation with representatives of the employees to determine the appropriate path forward for the employees at the site.  The plant currently has approximately 120 permanent employees.

DME Upgrades Cold Runner Systems for North American Market

New partnership means shorter lead times, faster cycle times for LSR molders

February 23, 2010 - Madison Heights, MI -  DME Company is pleased to announce its new partnership with ELMET Elastomere Produktions –und Dienstleistungs GmbH of Austria for the exclusive distribution of ELMET’s cold runner system offerings in North America.

In a move that benefits the growing liquid silicone rubber (LSR) processing market, the ELMET-DME partnership combines a superior, standardized product with an experienced service team dedicated to helping elastomer processors succeed.

“As an essential resource to customers currently in LSR and those looking to break into the new market, DME is determined to offer the best in quality and precision cold runner systems, and we’re doing that now though ELMET,” said Mike Kreitner, Business Manager - Emergent Technologies at DME.

By pairing the strong distribution and service network of DME in North America and the responsiveness and fast turnaround of ELMET’s advanced products, both companies are better able to meet growing market demand. This partnership enables DME to accelerate quote turnarounds, system delivery lead times, and service part orders quicker than ever before.

“DME has really taken the lead in North America toward educating customers on ways to improve their elastomer processing,” said Daniel Schölmberger – ELMET Sales & Marketing Manager for the Americas. “They are the ideal partner to take our advanced cold runner technologies to market and we look forward to working together to expand the North American market for standardized cold runner technologies even further.”

About ELMET Cold Runners
For applications such as LSR, high temperature vulcanizing (HTV) silicone and rubber processing, the main advantages of ELMET’s cold runners lie in the direct gating capabilities, optimum material protection features and short cycle times.

The valve gate cold runner system introduces a unique way of controlling valve gate nozzles through the use of electrical motors installed directly on each nozzle. The precise, separate control of each nozzle optimizes the filling degree of each cavity, enhances the process window and offers the option to inject parts with different volumes in the same mold. Using an external control unit, the data for multiple molds can be programmed and saved, creating repeatable results over the course of a project, and for future projects with the same specifications.

The standardized ELMET cold runner system also features precision guiding surfaces to extend the life of the seals and movable parts. Material feeding in the direction of injection provides for optimal protection of material and seals. In addition, service is made easy with a changeable nozzle insert that allows nozzle tip replacement without exchanging the whole nozzle-cooling body.

Bayer, Mitsubishi and Kyowa to Drive Forward Polycarbonate Automotive Glazing

Feb 23, 2010 - Bayer MaterialScience has agreed close technical cooperation with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. and Kyowa Industrial Co., Ltd. in the field of polycarbonate (PC) automotive glazing. By combining their expertise in injection molding applications, the three partners are looking to drive forward technological developments for this range of applications and the use of PC glazing in the Japanese automotive industry.
 
As part of the cooperation, the partners will use an electric two-component injection molding machine with reversing plate from Mitsubishi's emR series with a locking force of 1,450 metric tons for customer trials in Mitsubishi's new technical service center at its headquarters (Iwatsuka plant) in Nagoya City.
 
Bayer MaterialScience is a global market leader in polycarbonate automotive glazing and a leader in the development of materials and technologies for this application. As well as expertise in technological developments, Bayer MaterialScience will also be contributing its materials knowledge and materials for mold proving. Specially adapted materials that have already proven effective in the series production of automotive glazing will be used for the two-component injection molding process.
 
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Plastic Technology is a leading manufacturer of electric injection molding machines. Kyowa Industrial brings to the cooperation its expertise as a major global producer of molds for injection molding applications.
 
The company has bundled its full range of expertise in automotive glazing with its high-tech polycarbonate Makrolon under the BayVision brand name. "Our extensive BayVision know-how is immediately made available to customers in Japan through this cooperation with the Japanese partners," explains Volkhard Krause, head of the global Automotive Glazing team at Bayer MaterialScience. "The cooperation with our Japanese partners reflects our efforts to offer automakers and systems suppliers a complete, innovative package of know-how and services for glazing solutions covering all steps in the process chain."
 
"We see excellent growth opportunities worldwide for polycarbonate automotive glazing, particularly given the increasingly strict emissions regulations in all leading industrial nations," adds Krause. "Materials such as our polycarbonate Makrolon are much lighter than glass - this enables us to cut the weight of panorama roofs, for example, by up to 50 percent, resulting in a significant reduction in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Additional functions such as defogging, antennae and infrared protection can easily be integrated when manufacturing roof modules, rear windows and other glazing applications. Polycarbonate also offers superb design freedom." In this context, it is also important to mention visionary glazing concept studies that the company develops independently to highlight possible applications for polycarbonate glazing and provide new impetus for innovation.
 
The collaboration with the two Japanese partners forms Bayer MaterialScience's second large technology cell for developments in the polycarbonate glazing sector. Support for customers across the globe is significantly underpinned by a new two-component injection molding machine with a locking force of 2,300 metric tons at the company's own global Glazing Center in Leverkusen, which went into operation in summer 2009. This machine can manufacture parts up to 1.2 square meters in size.
 
Injection molding has already proven to be the process of choice for large, three-dimensional glazing components such as panorama roofs. With reduced injection pressure, it delivers low-stress and low-distortion components exhibiting excellent surface quality that lend themselves to the application of wetcoats. This technology too can be employed on the machine in Leverkusen, with the experience gained being made available for projects throughout the world. In addition to investing in the injection molding facility, Bayer MaterialScience has once again extended its large coating technical service center in Germany and integrated it in the BayVision concept.
 
This center can coat three-dimensional molded polycarbonate components measuring up to 1.4 square meters using flow coating. "Our BayVision brand offers a comprehensive package of technology and know-how to serve a very broad range of requirements for developments in PC glazing," says Hiroyuki Fukui, manager for automotive glazing at Bayer MaterialScience Japan. "Our new cooperation in Japan is a key milestone in transferring this expertise and thus providing our customers with locally based, tailor-made support."

Milacron's Hydraulic Line Up to Include Milacron Magna Toggle Line

Energy-efficient compact hydraulic presses offer better repeatability, faster response

February 23, 2010 - Batavia, Ohio, USA – Milacron is pleased to present its newest line of compact hydraulic presses to processors looking for a strong machine at a more attainable price point. The Magna Toggle (MTH) line designated MTH35 to MTH400, offers processors a range of 35-400 tons clamp force.

The MTH line, designed by Milacron's Ohio manufacturing facility in collaboration with its global operations team, offers a mono-toggle version ranging from 35-90 tons, and a 10-pin double-toggle configuration ranging from 125-400 tons, the latter with automatic lubrication. The MTH line is targeted toward processors who may be weighing the pros and cons of buying used hydraulic machinery, or whom prefer hydraulics versus all-electric for its ability to deliver more speed and better performance in certain applications.

"At a time when R&D is not priority for many suppliers, Milacron is proud to bring this new development to the market for our customers who are looking to us for more cost-effective solutions, while still maintaining high performance," said Glenn Anderson, VP and General Manager of Milacron, North America Injection Machinery & Global Extrusion. "The MTH line is our lowest price hydraulic unit offered, presenting processors with an option to forego the problems associated with purchasing used machinery and its associated high costs of maintenance and inefficient operation."

The MTH features an electronically-controlled variable-volume pump, with only two manifolds for the injection unit and clamp. This series offers processors better repeatability, quicker response and fewer hydraulic connections. In addition, the technology is energy-efficient, supporting Milacron's commitment to providing customers with earth friendly technologies.

Completing the line is a servo system (MTS) that replaces the standard induction motor, and in this case, an electro-hydraulic pump is replaced by an internal gear pump, resulting in lower inertia and a highly dynamic speed control system. The servo motor can vary from 0-3000 rpm in both directions, whereas the induction motor is limited to 1750 rpm. The higher rpm delivers more torque for the same power delivered.

The line will be delivered from stock, however, a host of options are available including PVC and thermoset kits, core pulls and air eject.

About Milacron
First incorporated in 1884, Milacron Inc. is a leading global supplier of plastics-processing technologies and industrial fluids, with major manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. Milacron knows what matters in manufacturing, and every day puts this knowhow to work to help customers improve their productivity, cut costs, increase energy efficiency, eliminate scrap and reduce cycle times. This year, Milacron is celebrating 125 years of making a genuine impact on the industries it serves. Visit www.milacron.com for more information.

W. Amsler's New Semi-Automatic Palletizer Delivers Greater Output and Reduced Operator Involvement

Newly Redesigned Empty-Bottle Palletizer  Features Rigid Frame Gantry for Easier Operation

February 22, 2010 - Anaheim, CA - W. Amsler Equipment Inc., a leading Canadian manufacturer of all-electric, reheat stretch-blow molding machines based in Richmond Hill, Ont., has launched a redesigned semi-automatic palletizer which offers greater automation, less operator involvement, greater operator ease, and increased productivity and output. It is the basis of a newly designed modular system that allows the manufacturer to add options and tailor a system for their individual needs. The new empty-bottle palletizer runs about 8000 bottles/hr and delivers 30% greater output than previous models. Amsler made the announcement during the WestPack 2010 exhibition Feb. 9-11 in Anaheim, Calif.

Amsler has offered machine upgrades in the past but the total redesign was in response to customer demand, according to President Werner Amsler. The first unit is currently under construction and will be completed in June. The redesigned palletizer will be located in Amsler’s testing lab in Richmond Hill and will be available to customers for testing and production trials.

The 64-in by 132-in modular palletizer features a rigid frame gantry for precise and easy transfer of the bottle layers to the pallet. This results in reduced labor, easier operation, straighter pallets, and the elimination of a hoist crane. Bottles are conveyed into the palletizer via a 20-ft standard conveying system. Bottle rows can be staggered for proper nesting.

Each completed layer of bottles is shuttled to the pallet in the rigid frame gantry. Once a precise, repeatable position is reached, the frame is lowered onto the skid with a two-speed electric lifting device. The previous layer of bottles is held in place by an adjustable frame and a pneumatic clamp. The slip sheet supports are withdrawn and the frame is then raised and the gantry is repositioned back to its home position for reloading of the next layer. Collating of the next layer continues during the layer transfer to maximize output.

A strong vacuum system holds the slip sheets flat and allows the use of recycled slip sheets. The palletizer can handle a range of bottles sizes from 50-ml to 10-L. The unit is constructed of rugged heavy-gauge tubular steel. Several options are available including a left- or right-side bottle in-feed and a pallet dispenser.

Amsler’s line of palletizer equipment also includes a fully-automatic machine and a stand-alone bagger.
 
About W. Amsler Equipment Inc.
W. Amsler Equipment Inc. is a privately-held Canadian company founded in 1994 by Werner Amsler. The company manufactures state-of-the-art, highly-efficient reheat stretch-blow molding machines and auxiliary equipment for manufacturers of plastic containers for the carbonated soft drink, water, and food industries. The product line includes linear machines with output up to10,000 bottles/hr and rotary equipment for up to 24,000 bottles/hr. The company was one of the first to develop all-electric machines which provide users with highly-repeatable processing, energy savings up to 50% vs. hydraulics, and a 75% reduction in maintenance costs.

W. Amsler also supplies auxiliary equipment for complete blow molding plants, water treatment, and filling lines. These products include bottle-inspection units, air compressors, process chillers, mold temperature-control units, blow-dome spin-off trimmers, gaylord dumpers, vacuum conveyors, and blow molds. The company has also partnered with companies to provide turnkey liquid filling equipment. More details are available at www.amslerequipment.net

BASF to increase prices for Polyamide 6 polymer in North America

February 19, 2010 - Florham Park, NJ - BASF will increase the price for Polyamide 6 polymer by $0.06 per pound, or as contracts allow, effective March 1, 2010.  This increase covers PA6 polymer for spinning and compounding.

For more information contact:

Kathy Dennis
BASF Corporation
Tel: (973) 245-6288
E-mail: kathy.dennis@basf.com

BASF - The Chemical Company
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately $17.5 billion in 2008. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008 and had approximately 97,000 employees at the end of that year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

W. Amsler Unveils Convertible PET Reheat Machine For Higher-Output Production Requirements

Five-Cavity All-Electric Unit Provides Flexibility for Custom Blow Molders

February 18, 2010 - Anaheim, CA - W. Amsler Equipment Inc., a leading Canadian manufacturer of all-electric, reheat stretch-blow molding machines based in Richmond Hill, Ont., has introduced the L515 convertible reheat stretch-blow molding machine. The five-cavity all-electric unit meets the high-output needs of custom blow molders of PET containers and is the industry’s first five-cavity PET reheat machine built in Canada. The company made the introduction at the WestPack 2010 exhibition Feb. 9-11 in Anaheim, Calif.

For custom blow molders, the new five-cavity machine reduces tooling costs and eliminates the need for two blow molding machines to serve intermediate, medium-volume markets, according to president Werner Amsler. The fully-automatic machine makes 1.5-L containers at a rate of 7000/hr. It can also be used to run one-cavity and two-cavity molds for production of 2-L to 4-L containers. Neck sizes range up to 43 mm.

The L515 convertible is hydraulic-free and features servo-driven electric stretch rods rather than pneumatic types. The machine also has a 50-ton servo-driven mold clamping system and a servo preform indexing system. The new model offers unique advantages compared to hydraulics. It delivers high output per cavity, energy savings of 50%, greater precision, smaller footprint, faster speed, reduced maintenance, and quicker mold changeovers, according to Amsler. An air-recovery system and hot-fill capability is also available.

The first commercial unit is expected to be built by June. It will be located at Amsler’s testing lab in Richmond Hill and will be available for demonstration and customer trials.

About W. Amsler Equipment Inc.
W. Amsler Equipment Inc. is a privately-held Canadian company founded in 1994 by Werner Amsler. The company manufactures state-of-the-art, highly-efficient reheat stretch-blow molding machines and auxiliary equipment for manufacturers of plastic containers for the carbonated soft drink, water, and food industries. The product line includes linear machines with output up to10,000 bottles/hr and rotary equipment for up to 24,000 bottles/hr. The company was one of the first to develop all-electric machines which provide users with highly-repeatable processing, energy savings up to 50% vs. hydraulics, and a 75% reduction in maintenance costs.

W. Amsler also supplies auxiliary equipment for complete blow bolding plants, water treatment, and filling lines. These products include bottle-inspection units, air compressors, process chillers, mold temperature-control units, blow-dome spin-off trimmers, gaylord dumpers, vacuum conveyors, and blow molds. The company has also partnered with companies to provide turnkey liquid filling equipment. More details are available at www.amslerequipment.net